[{"content":"And He is the head of the Body, the church\u0026hellip;that in all things He may have preeminance. Colossians 1:18\nThis past month has been a very blessedly busy month for my family and I. I taught an intensive Christology class, organized a day retreat for the men of the international church, and (because of the central location of the Christology class) I had the opportunity to fellowship with other missionaries/tentmaker missionaries as well. I also helped Soksan, the founder of Light Times Magazine (where I have been serving since 2017) to film a testimony of Ps. Dara of Faith Family Church/Sonshine Kids School (who used to help translate my apologetics/evangelistic video scripts, and I\u0026rsquo;m a guest teacher at his church and school).\nOne of the main passages of the Christology class was Colossians 1:15-20. One of the blessings (and sometimes challenges to be honest\u0026hellip;) of where God has positioned me in the Body is that I\u0026rsquo;m, as one Japanese pastor put it, \u0026ldquo;a bridge\u0026rdquo;. Sometimes I feel like I\u0026rsquo;m a ligament and a cartilage between the bones of the Body (denominations, cultures, nations, languages, and other doctirnal differences etc.) This month, the Christology class reminded me that Christ is the head of His Body and that the blessings outweigh the challenges by far.\nFor example, my fellowhip opportinities with other missionaries and tentmakers, really encouraged and strengthened me. I am blessed to have various key relationships that remind me of Paul\u0026rsquo;s relationships Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy, and Apollos relationship with Aquilla and Priscilla. Some missionaries have been and continue to be mentors, co-laborers, and others, I\u0026rsquo;m able to encourage and equip as well even though we come from different nations and denominational backgrounds.\nI was blessed that of the 13 men who were able to go out to a restaurant and pool owned by Soksan and his family for a retreat/recharge event, I was the only westerner. the rest of the men were from various parts of broader Asia and Africa. This was our first event beyond the international church facility. Lord willing, we hope to be able to do an outreach with another mission organization before the end of the year (or possibly early 2025). I also fellowship with another men\u0026rsquo;s ministry that has more western men so that is a blessing too.\nI continue to work under the umbrella of Light Association/Light Times Magazine with Soksan and Linat, the founders. We are in the process of transitioning the magazine from print to digital and other activities as well. One of our immediate hurdles now is starting a website that can has all the capabilities needed for such a project. Please pray for wisdom and provision for this undertaking.\nThis was my second time teaching the Christology class and so it went much smoother than two years ago. I believe and trust that the students learned from the class and I know that I learned a lot in the process of teaching. We learned about true Christian unity and discernment under the headship of Christ and much more. I discovered that Christology class is a great follow up to the Apologetics class that I usually teach at two different Bible schools. These lessons also helped me with sharing about discernment at a prayer meeting and speaking on 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 at the main service of the international church (also a very diverse congregation).\nI\u0026rsquo;m thankful that Kayo and Benjamin were willing and able to bear more burdens during this past month so that I could go out so much. I\u0026rsquo;m also thankful to be able to work from home (and so I can help more with chores) most of the time. Kayo continues to lead the women\u0026rsquo;s ministry at the international church, please pray for her and her team as the plan their retreat. She also continues to serve with Precious Women organization in various roles. She\u0026rsquo;s also busy preparing to host guests and a team from Japan around the end of the year and organizing their projects etc. Benjamin has been busy studying for some major starndardized tests that will impact his future college applications so please pray for strength and wisdom for him as well.\nPlease pray for health, wisdom and strength in many ways for us as well. There\u0026rsquo;s more to say but this is getting long. We are blessed by those who support and encourage us with prayer, finances, and other ways. You all also represent a very broad spectrum of the Body. We thank Christ, the Head, for each one of you.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love and Care,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2024/10/09/christ-the-head-of-the-body/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd He is the head of the Body, the church\u0026hellip;that in all things He may have preeminance\u003c/em\u003e. Colossians 1:18\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2024/10/photo%5F2024-10-09-08.30.22.jpeg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2024/10/photo%5F2024-10-09-08.31.19.jpeg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2024/10/photo%5F2024-10-09-08.39.11.jpeg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2024/10/462230061%5F10161494072384618%5F7962563291332638991%5Fn.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis past month has been a very blessedly busy month for my family and I. I taught an intensive Christology class, organized a day retreat for the men of the international church, and (because of the central location of the Christology class) I had the opportunity to fellowship with other missionaries/tentmaker missionaries as well. I also helped Soksan, the founder of Light Times Magazine (where I have been serving since 2017) to film a testimony of Ps. Dara of Faith Family Church/Sonshine Kids School (who used to help translate my apologetics/evangelistic video scripts, and I\u0026rsquo;m a guest teacher at his church and school).\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Christ: The Head of the Body"},{"content":"\u0026quot;\u0026hellip;Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature\u0026hellip;\u0026quot;(Mark 16:15 NKJV)\nIn my last update, I shared that God has been opening new doors of ministry for us here in Cambodia. One of the open doors is increased partnership with Bethel Mission Organization https://www.bethelgraceministry.org. BMO/BGM evangelizes and educates children who live on top of the tombs in a graveyard (and their families/communites) and has expanded to minister to those living in the garbage dump, other urban poor communities, and prisons.\nKayo singing for the children in Khmer, Japanese and English at the chapel service/6th Anniversary of BMO/BGM.\nWe have known and partnered with this family and organization for several years but now we have the resources and strength to become more active. I have shared various aspects of the Gospel with the students at the monthly chapel services in May, August, and September in the main office and the graveyard location. Rather than risk false-conversions and other misunderstandings, I always help connect the children with Bro. Sirvith for follow up and discipleship.\nKayo was able to join and sing in September and is facilitating future projects with BMO/BGM with churches and individual Christians in Japan. In September, BMO/BGM celebrated their sixth anniversary. We were blessed that a Christian retired judge and current attorney and law school professor from Japan was able to visit the celebration and encourage the staff with his testimony about never giving up on God\u0026rsquo;s plans and playing and singing in Japanese. He came to Cambodia for six days to train Cambodian judges as a Japanese government foreign-aid program. We met him at one of the churches we visited this past summer during our trip to Japan.\nAnd Beyond\u0026hellip; I have been attending an international Christian fellowship (400+ from arond 40 nations) in Cambodia much of the time since I first arrived in Cambodia in 2000. I continue to help evangelize and disciple Chinese in partnership with the Chinese ministry. In August, more than a dozen people made professions of faith through the ministry of a visiting pastor. That spurred me on to connect and equip the new believers, non-belivers who want to more about how to become Christians, and believers who struggle with doubts and questions through their faith at a \u0026ldquo;Knowing Jesus More\u0026rdquo; circle/flyers/QR Google form after the meetings. So far I\u0026rsquo;ve made connections with a Sri Lankan (and I could share my Christianity: Reasons for Faith book) a Cambodian via email/text messages only (and I could share my Cambodian language evangelistic/apologetics YouTube videos) along with other oportunities to pray, encourage, and provide counsel. I also continue to speak around once month to encourage other missionaries, expat workers, and Cambodians. I also lead the men\u0026rsquo;s ministry. Kayo leads the women\u0026rsquo;s ministry, assists with keeping everyone organized, helps lead worship in the prayer meetings and more. In partnership with this fellowship and the Light Association (Light Times) organization, Kayo and I have been encouraging a Cambodian man and a Filipino woman in the area of mental health, more doors are opening in this area as well\u0026hellip; There are many other related opportunities to serve and bless others from Apologetics, English curriculum development, to helping people find jobs\u0026hellip;\nLifestyle Change Journey: Phase 1 Completed (Major Weight Loss) PTL! I have struggled with my weight and fitness my whole life, especially during the past 20 years. I tried and failed to control or lose weight but I kept gaining until I reached 315 lbs. I started having knee pain on stairs and getting up from chairs, difficulty putting on socks and shoes and so on\u0026hellip; To make a long testimony short, around October 19, 2023, I felt led to start wearing and using a fitnes watch a friend had given our family during our summer visit to the USA. Then, on October 21, Benjamin asked me to buy a scale for him and then \u0026ldquo;tricked\u0026rdquo; me into weighing myself. I was shocke that I was 315.4lbs. Benjamin then showed me how to count and control my calories using an app. and so my lifestyle change journey-phase 1 began. Now I am in Phase 2 (Weight Maintenance-195-205 lbs). Lord willing, Phase 3 (Strength and Fitness) will begin in October.\nDuring the past 10 months, I have had wonderful times worshiping and praying while walking and exercising and this has strengthened and refreshed me spiritually. My long term depression and lethargy have ended and I have more joy and strength for family and ministry etc. My health (heartrate, blood pressure, sleep apnea symptoms have all gone in a healthy direction). Many people here have been asking for advice to the point that Benjamin wisely recommended that I make a 5 page PDF of my testimony and recommendations. If you would like to recieve this document please contact me by email or social media. I am so thankful to God for His blessings on this breakthrough and I hope to be a blessing and encouragement to others.\nWell this is getting long. Much more could be written. Feel free to contact me directly. Our family is doing well. Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s gearing up for some major tests but is really growing up rapidly in many wonderful ways. Please keep him in your prayers!\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2024/09/09/gospel-in-the-graveyard-and-beyond/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026quot;\u0026hellip;Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature\u0026hellip;\u0026quot;\u003c/em\u003e(Mark 16:15 NKJV)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn my last update, I shared that God has been opening new doors of ministry for us here in Cambodia. One of the open doors is increased partnership with Bethel Mission Organization \u003ca href=\"https://www.bethelgraceministry.org\"\u003ehttps://www.bethelgraceministry.org\u003c/a\u003e. BMO/BGM evangelizes and educates children who live on top of the tombs in a graveyard (and their families/communites) and has expanded to minister to those living in the garbage dump, other urban poor communities, and prisons.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Gospel in the Graveyard (and Beyond...)"},{"content":"\u0026quot; I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.\u0026quot; Revelation 3:8\nWe are back in Cambodia after spending from June 6 to August 6 visiting and sharing at more than a dozen churches, a pastor\u0026rsquo;s meeting, a Bible school chapel, and visiting as many friends as possible in addition to Kayo\u0026rsquo;s parents in Hiroshima.\nWe had a blessed and busy time in Japan. We traveled and stayed in Tokyo, Kansai/Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima, Kyushu, and more. During our time in the Kyushu/Imari area, Benjamin came down with a very serious ear infection. The church and missionary we were visiting arranged for their doctor friend to meet him on his day off (Sunday), this probably spared Benjamin from a ruptured eardrum, possible ER etc. and hearing loss. After visiting two more specialists and a couple of rounds of antibiotics his infection went away completely without hearing loss. We are thankful for all the prayer cover and practical support/hospitality we recieved in all over Japan for the entire time there.\nClosed and Open Doors In my May update I asked for prayer for God to open and close all the right doors related to whether or not I should pursue employment as an English teacher here in Cambodia so that we could close a financial gap related to Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s Christian international school tuition and other needs. Before the trip, I started making practical steps in that direction. However, God had other plans and provided unexpectedly and miraculously so that it is not necessary for me to seek extra income in this season! So, I (we) can focus completely on ministry and even expand into new areas.\nThe above closed door came with a few open doors. During my time in Japan, several Christians including a pastor and a missionary from Japan encouraged me to write, have translated, and publsh a new short Apologetics book in Japan. My vision for apologetics ministry for many years has been to provide apologetics/evangelistic books, videos, and other media in other languages beyond English and Cambodian. I have made steps in this direction (Spanish and Chinese etc.) in the past but the doors always closed. Please pray for this opportunity because the Japanes Christians need a lot of encouragment and resources right now.\nMore than a decade ago, I co-authored a book, Christianity: Reasons for Faith and continue to use it as a textbook but it has been out of print for some time but I have not had the resources to make a new additon or printing and my co-author. Now, with the opportunity to write a short book for Japan, the doors are also opening now for me to make a version of that same book in Cambodian as well.\nIn addition to these long-term book projects I will continue to teach Apologetics and Christology at local Bible schools/churches, help Cambodian ministries/organizations as needed in various roles, and help our local international church/community. Please pray for me as I prepare to teach Christology from September 10-27 at a local Bible school.\nKayo will restart and resume her ministries with Precious Women organization, women\u0026rsquo;s ministry at the international church, and other ministries related to Japanese Christians/missionaries in Cambodia etc. etc.\nBenjamin has started 10th grade and is doing very well. He\u0026rsquo;s also planning for his future life in the USA in less than 3 years. Please pray for wisdom and open doors for him as well.\nThere is so much more to share but this is getting long. Feel free to connect with me via email or social media if you have any questions and to let us know how you are doing. We always love to hear from you!\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2024/08/12/open-doors/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot; \u003cem\u003eI know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.\u0026quot;\u003c/em\u003e Revelation 3:8\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are back in Cambodia after spending from June 6 to August 6 visiting and sharing at more than a dozen churches, a pastor\u0026rsquo;s meeting, a Bible school chapel, and visiting as many friends as possible in addition to Kayo\u0026rsquo;s parents in Hiroshima.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Open Doors"},{"content":"Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: \u0026ldquo;Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?\u0026rdquo; Then I said, \u0026ldquo;Here am I! Send me.\u0026rdquo;\nEven though I have done a lot of media-ministry over the years, I admit that I am terrible about taking pictures of myself or even our family in action. I usually get so caught up in the moment, that I forget to take pictures and I don\u0026rsquo;t want to invade anyone\u0026rsquo;s privacy etc.. So, I am thankful that our Fijian missionary friends shared these pictures with me. We have been partnering with and supporting this missionary family for several years now, but I haven\u0026rsquo;t been able to visit their projects in person until recently. I hope (Lord willing), to visit and participate in more outreaches and projects with them after we return from Japan.\nFor this outreach, the team sang worship songs with about 50 children crammed together under a shelter in the late afternoon heat, I was able to briefly explain the basics of Bible and Gospel to the children, and then we distributed backpacks and school supplies. Joe, Ima, and their team/family will continue to follow up with, evangelize, and disciple these children each week going forward. They are starting from the very beginning with these children and their families so they are going slowly and making sure that they truly understand and sincerely believe and are careful not to rush the process.\nI also apologize for not sharing pictures of Kayo and Benjamin for a while. I hope we can take some pictures in Japan. Right now, Kayo is very diligently working to wrap things up in her various ministry projects in Cambodia and preparing for our time in Japan visiting churches and family there. Even though we have a desk and chair available, when she is really working hard, she prefers to sit at a low Japanese table on a Japanese floor-chair beside our bed. So, I don\u0026rsquo;t think she wants me to take her picture\u0026hellip; :) Benjamin is very busy finishing up his school year and when he is home he spends a lot of time lifting weights and growing/maturing in every way.\nAs far as prayer requests, there a two main areas right now. The first one is everything related to our home assignment in Japan (June 6 to August 6). Please pray for our final preparations and deeper relationships with the churches and senders we will meet in Japan. Also, please pray for us to be witnesses before Kayo\u0026rsquo;s non-Christian family.\nThe second prayer request is for God to give me wisdom/favor/strength and to open and close all the right doors related to seeking a part-time English teaching job here in Cambodia after my return from Japan. I was a semi-tentmaker/English teacher at a university from 2000-2003 and 2007-2009. Since then, I have mainly used my English (MA TESOL) degree/skills for volunteer ministry, except for a couple of short-term tutoring opportunities to Chinese Christians. Many of my missionary friends in Japan are also semi/full tentmakers and still have effective ministries but there are pros and cons that need to be prayerfully considered before I/we take any significant steps.\nOn the positive side, this may give me more opportunities to build relationships/be salt and light before and with non-believing students and staff though I probably can\u0026rsquo;t share openly in the classroom/campus. This may also help close/narrow a widening financial gap/strain caused by Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s increasing educational expenses etc. (he has 3 more years of high school) and the serious and continuing devaluing of the Japanese Yen against the US Dollar (especially since 2020), which has greatly reduced the value of the sacrificial/generous giving from our senders in Japan which has in turn, put more strain on the generous/sacrificial giving of our senders in the US. We have made as many cuts to our expenses as we can and we continue to trust in the Lord to provide in whatever way He chooses. I should be able to maintain most of my current ministry activities and Kayo could still serve/volunteer as much as she is able at Precious Women Organization etc. However, there will be schedule conflicts etc. This step might also make it difficult for us to travel to the US and Japan as we have before.\nThank you so much for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support. Our ministry activities continue pretty much as I shared last month, I just wanted to share behind the scenes/my heart this month.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2024/05/21/send-me/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAlso, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: \u0026ldquo;Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?\u0026rdquo; Then I said, \u0026ldquo;Here am I! Send me.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2024/05/436276630%5F291090554060752%5F1919340477827332222%5Fn-1.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2024/05/436283200%5F2722302787945902%5F3394383602375487056%5Fn.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEven though I have done a lot of media-ministry over the years, I admit that I am terrible about taking pictures of myself or even our family in action. I usually get so caught up in the moment, that I forget to take pictures and I don\u0026rsquo;t want to invade anyone\u0026rsquo;s privacy etc.. So, I am thankful that our Fijian missionary friends shared these pictures with me. We have been partnering with and supporting this missionary family for several years now, but I haven\u0026rsquo;t been able to visit their projects in person until recently. I hope (Lord willing), to visit and participate in more outreaches and projects with them after we return from Japan.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Send Me"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith\u0026hellip;\u0026rdquo; Hebrews 12:1-3\n\u0026ldquo;\u0026hellip;So You Will Not Grow Weary.\u0026rdquo; We are currently in the middle of Cambodia\u0026rsquo;s hot season until the monsoon rains come in June. Temperatures have risen as high as 104F with usual highs around 100F with high humidity. We are blessed that this year the electricity has been pretty stable, but even the Cambodians are struggling with the heat. In addition to the heat, the spiritual climate is challenging for all the believers here and can lead to a sense of spiritual/emotional/physical weariness.\nApril has been a challenging month for us in various ways. Benjamin had a severe ear infection and other health problems but has recovered fully/quickly. The bathtub in our rented townhouse broke mainly because it was not designed for American people\u0026rsquo;s weight. It took three weeks to for the renovation project (jackhammering/drilling/dust) to be completed instead the expected one week because of the Cambodian New Year holidays and a leak from the neighbor\u0026rsquo;s house. We also had some stresses with our car.\n\u0026ldquo;\u0026hellip;Run With Endurance the Race\u0026hellip;\u0026rdquo; Despite the above stresses and frustrations, God has strengthened us to keep going and in some ways even thrive.\nIn April, I started volunteering part time to help teach English at True Education School about an hour outside of Phnom Penh. In my career as an English/Apologetics/Christology teacher I have spent 95% of my time teaching university/seminary/Bible school students. I only spent one year teaching K-12 ESL in northern Missouri from 1999-2000. Despite being rusty, I was able to teach them a few things including the \u0026ldquo;Head and Shoulders\u0026hellip;\u0026rdquo; song. When they have more students, Kayo will also volunteer at the school part time.\nBecause of the Cambodian New Year holidays many other ministries were paused for a while, but Kayo and I continue to volunteer at Precious Women Organization\u0026rsquo;s office in various roles from video production (Darryl) , devotions/Bible studies, life skill training, and administration/board (Kayo).\nWe also continued to work with the international church. I lead the men\u0026rsquo;s ministry, help with the Chinese ministry, help with visitation, and speak around once a month. Kayo leads the women\u0026rsquo;s ministry, helps keep everyone organized, and helps with the worship team as needed.\n\u0026ldquo;\u0026hellip;Lay Aside Every Weight\u0026hellip;\u0026rdquo; As of this moment i have lost 82 pounds in the last 6 months (October 21, 2023). God has opened all the doors for me to completely change my health and lifestyle by providing the knowledge, technology, and support that I have been looking for 20 years. This process has greatly improved my spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional health. It has also really given me the strength and energy to be more active and engaged in ministry and revolutionized our family dynamics and relationships. Others are starting to reach out to me for recommendations and it is a blessing to encourage and equip them.\nAs I mentioned last month, I continue to be available to help encourage those with mental health challenges (and those who care for them) from my own challenges and victories in this area. I continue to monitor, encourage and visit (from time to time) a Cambodian man and his family and help them connect with the resources they need in partnership with the international church and Light Association.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2024/04/24/fixing-our-eyes-on-jesus/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith\u0026hellip;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo; Hebrews 12:1-3\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"so-you-will-not-grow-weary\"\u003e\u0026ldquo;\u0026hellip;So You Will Not Grow Weary.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are currently in the middle of Cambodia\u0026rsquo;s hot season until the monsoon rains come in June. Temperatures have risen as high as 104F with usual highs around 100F with high humidity. We are blessed that this year the electricity has been pretty stable, but even the Cambodians are struggling with the heat. In addition to the heat, the spiritual climate is challenging for all the believers here and can lead to a sense of spiritual/emotional/physical weariness.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;Jesus said to him, \u0026ldquo;You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.\u0026rdquo; Matthew 22:37\nThe phrase \u0026ldquo;with all your mind\u0026rdquo; has been very important in guiding and inspiring my ministries in the areas of apologetics, evangelism, Bible teaching etc, for many years. Despite reading and thinking about this phrase many times over the decades my view is beginning to expand to expand beyond \u0026ldquo;intellect\u0026rdquo; to the \u0026ldquo;whole mind\u0026rdquo;. I will explain how this new mindset is leading to an expansion in ministry.\nEducation/Intellect Sonshine Kids International School/Faith Family Church Cambodia: Since last month, I have been involved in teacher training at Sonshine Kids International School, which is connected to Faith Family Church Cambodia, where I also have been teaching Apologetics/Evangelism in partnership with Ps. Dara to equip his church members. Please pray for wisdom and guidance.\nPrecious Women Organization/True Education International School: Kayo and I have been working with, supporting, encouraging, and partnering with Precious Women Organization (PWO) since before it began around 14 years ago. Kayo serves on the advisory board, helps with administration, and does some teaching. I have mainly been helping them produce videos and leading staff devotions from time to time. PWO is in the process of starting True Education International School in a rural neighborhood outside of the city. They havestarted classes for primary students and Kayo and I will be helping them with their English classes. Please pray for us to be salt and light before the students, their families, and the community.\nInternational Fishers: Christian Evidence Ministry: Even though I haven\u0026rsquo;t been able to produce any new videos for a while and allowed the subscription for the website to expire, IF continues making an impact on Facebook/YouTube as an evangelistic tool that Cambodians can use to reach other Cambodians. Please pray for wisdom and guidance about the future direction of IF.\nExpansion into Mental Health/Whole Mind It seems that God often leads me to minister out of my own trials and pain. My apologetics ministry sprung out of finding answers to my doubts about the truth of Christianity/God/Jesus/the Bible. Now God is opening new doors and giving me a new passion to reach out to those who struggle with mental health issues and their families from my own struggles/victories in this area since 2003. I am pursuing this new aspect of ministry in partnership with Light Association (the parent organization of Light Times Magazine) and the local international church.\nSo far I have been encouraging a Cambodian Christian man who is struggling with depression and paranoia and helping his family connect to mental health services/referrals through Light Association. I have also been studying and helping other missionaries and Cambodian Christians can better understand mental illness/brain disorders so that they (we) can better minister to those who are struggling and their families. The biggest challenges so far have been overcoming fear, shame, and misunderstandings about the causes of/treatments for mental illness/brain disorders. Please pray for wisdom and favor in this new area of ministry.\nFinancial Concern We are blessed and encouraged by the generous and sacrificial giving of our faithful senders in the USA and Japan! We have encountered some unavoidable (some unexpected) large expenses (Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s tuition, major car repairs, moving expenses, visas/work permit, insurance, etc.) that have significantly impacted our accounts. The economic situations in the USA and Japan are also concerning. Please pray that God will bless and prosper our senders and also help us to connect to additional senders in both countries. We are planning to visit senders/churches/and family in Japan this summer so please also pray for blessings on this time.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2024/03/22/with-all-your-mind/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Jesus said to him, \u0026ldquo;You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e Matthew 22:37\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2024/03/433988914%5F1477957823065176%5F7098728153888402224%5Fn.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2024/03/434003157%5F1950093195392883%5F2034271109090257328%5Fn-edited.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe phrase \u0026ldquo;with all your mind\u0026rdquo; has been very important in guiding and inspiring my ministries in the areas of apologetics, evangelism, Bible teaching etc, for many years. Despite reading and thinking about this phrase many times over the decades my view is beginning to expand to expand beyond \u0026ldquo;intellect\u0026rdquo; to the \u0026ldquo;whole mind\u0026rdquo;. I will explain how this new mindset is leading to an expansion in ministry.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"With All Your Mind"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God.\u0026rdquo; 1 Corinthians 10:31\nOver the past few months, the importance of living all aspects of our lives for the glory of God has increasingly been on my heart and mind. This has impacted me personally and in the focus of my teaching.\nSince October 21, I have been keeping up with my diet and exercise and so far I have lost more than 60 pounds! I have really sensed God opening all doors for me to focus on improving my health and fitness in many ways. Please pray for me to continue all the way to the goal because the more weight that I lose, the harder it seems to become to lose more weight. This is not a crash diet but a lifestyle change for the long-haul. One major payoff for this lifestyle change is that now I have much more energy for family and ministries and things are greatly improving and expanding in those areas as well.\nOn the ministry front, the end of January I started teaching Apologetics and Evangelism at a Cambodian church. Sometimes I teach in person and sometimes on Zoom. I have been able to share my Apologetics textbook, unity and discernment book, and soon will share my videos with the students and pastor. I also have started training the teachers at a Christian school on the spiritual/Biblical aspects of education. This is a new step for me but it has been going well. I continue to lead the men\u0026rsquo;s ministry and speak as needed at the international church. In February I spoke twice. This church provides opportunities to not only encourage and equip other missionaries but also other believers (and nonbelievers) from more than 30 nations!\nKayo and I continue to partner with Precious Women Organization. Kayo helps the founder/executive director in the office, trains the staff and students, and leads devotions. I continue to help them make videos and lead devotions as needed. Precious Women Organization has a new project to start a school outside of the city in a new neighborhood. Please pray for wisdom, discernment, and provision for this project. Once the school is up and running Kayo and I have agreed to help there as well.\nPlease pray for Light Times Magazine/Light Association. They are currently paused as they try to figure out funding and vision issues. I am standing by to help them but at the moment there is no work for me to do there so I am shifting my focus to other projects and partnerships.\nI have also suspended the International Fishers website, but will keep the videos available of YouTube and Facebook. I haven\u0026rsquo;t been able to make any new videos for more than a year and since Covid ended the traffic on the website has greatly decreased. I may launch a new website in the future but I am waiting for the right time and focus.\nPlease continue to pray for our health. All three of us have been sick at least once in February. Benjamin has been sick twice. The weather/season is changing and now there are lots of viruses coming in from other countries.\nThanks for your prayers, encouragement, and partnership. You are very important to God\u0026rsquo;s work in Cambodia and beyond as part of His Body!\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2024/02/28/all-for-the-glory-of-god/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e 1 Corinthians 10:31\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2024/02/430096905%5F785117703642818%5F6760467547640454765%5Fn.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOver the past few months, the importance of living all aspects of our lives for the glory of God has increasingly been on my heart and mind. This has impacted me personally and in the focus of my teaching.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince October 21, I have been keeping up with my diet and exercise and so far I have lost more than 60 pounds! I have really sensed God opening all doors for me to focus on improving my health and fitness in many ways. Please pray for me to continue all the way to the goal because the more weight that I lose, the harder it seems to become to lose more weight. This is not a crash diet but a lifestyle change for the long-haul. One major payoff for this lifestyle change is that now I have much more energy for family and ministries and things are greatly improving and expanding in those areas as well.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"All for the Glory of God"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.\u0026rdquo; Proverbs 3:6\nOur lives and ministries have been quite active since our last update in early December. We continued our regular ministries, work, and partnerships (Precious Women, churches, Light Times, and others). From the beginning of December to the end of January, I have been teaching Apologetics (and Evangelism) at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute (CPTI). The students were very engaged and kept up with the lectures, class discussions, and asked good questions. I have been teaching this class at this seminary (founded and run by Korean missionaries) for more than ten years and am blessed to have been used to equip hundreds of Cambodian Christian leaders.\nIn early December, God allowed us to become uncomfortable in our apartment building. We lived in the same apartment building since 2016 even though we changed units a few times. To make a long story short, God opened the doors for us to move to a better place, with a better environment, closer to Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s school, etc. The place was completely unfurnished so we had to purchase and install some major appliances and equipment, but God opened the doors for that as well. We were able to move during Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s Christmas vacation with the help of some Fijian brothers. The move was a step of faith. The day after we moved in, the transmission went out on our car and the mechanic found many other problems (brakes, steering, and an oil leak). This was also a step of faith for provision.\nGod worked out the schedule of the move, housing set-up, and car repairs so that they didn\u0026rsquo;t interfere with hosting ten visitors from Japan for four days and then one more retired woman from that group stayed with us and worked alongside Kayo for another week. During that time I was sick for a few days.\nNow, I am gearing up to start teaching Apologetics and Evangelism 2-3 times a month at Faith Family Church and also to equip and train the teachers at Sonshine Kids International School (connected to Faith Family Church) on the spiritual and Biblical aspects and foundations of Christian education.\nPlease pray for wisdom and strength for us as we continue with our existing ministry activities and possibly expand into new areas with current and new ministry partners in 2024.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2024/01/22/he-shall-direct-your-paths/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e Proverbs 3:6\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2024/01/photo%5F2024-01-19-08.38.03.jpeg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOur lives and ministries have been quite active since our last update in early December. We continued our regular ministries, work, and partnerships (Precious Women, churches, Light Times, and others). From the beginning of December to the end of January, I have been teaching Apologetics (and Evangelism) at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute (CPTI). The students were very engaged and kept up with the lectures, class discussions, and asked good questions. I have been teaching this class at this seminary (founded and run by Korean missionaries) for more than ten years and am blessed to have been used to equip hundreds of Cambodian Christian leaders.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"He Shall Direct Your Paths"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;So I will restore the years the swarming locusts have eaten.\u0026rdquo; Joel 2:25\nRestoring the Years Part 1 With the passing of Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s and my birthdays and the upcoming Christmas and New Year, we realize that God has blessed us a lot during this year. At the beginning of 2023, we went through our worst financial crises ever to the point that it looked like we might have to leave Cambodia permanently. God provided in mysterious and miraculous ways and we were able to have a most blessed visit to the USA for the first time since before Covid.\nFor me personally, God is restoring the years in relation to my health and weight. Growing up, my relationship with food (overeating/stress-eating) wasn\u0026rsquo;t good and I had asthma so I couldn\u0026rsquo;t exercise enough and developed a weight problem. Between 2000-2003 while serving in Cambodia as an English teacher/missionary, God took away my asthma and I was able to exercise and so I lost enough weight during that season to run a half-marathon here in Cambodia. However, in 2003 upon returning to the USA I got sick for the first time with my chronic brain disorder and between the medicine and the ensuing depression I started to regain the weight that I lost and more and this continued for 20 years. Finally, God provided all the tools (a smartwatch/calorie counting app from friends and know-how from Benjamin) and I have started an effective but sustainable lifestyle change in regards to, diet and exercise. So far, I have lost 25 pounds since October 21! I still have a long way to go so please pray for stamina in this process to lose the weight and then keep it off over the long-term.\nRestoring the Years Part 2 Between 2004 and 2015 my brain-disorder symptoms were healed enough for me to live without medicine, but the since it came back in 2015, I have needed medicine and went through years of being minimally functional yet with severe depression in which I could just do the minimum to survive. As a result of this and other factors I wasn\u0026rsquo;t able to actively raise the funds we needed and so we have fallen behind financially. Here are some areas that need to be restored.\nBenjamin\u0026rsquo;s Christian High School Tuition is our largest unavoidable expense by nearly triple. In meeting this expense, we are unable to fund other important needs on this list and we are uncertain if we can meet the projected increases over the next 3.5 years. Housing Upgrade: Our current two-bedroom apartment is getting too small for us, has maintenance issues, and we are in a losing battle with cockroaches. Also Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s bedroom doesn\u0026rsquo;t have a window and he needs more space. Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s Launch Fund: Benjamin will have to return to the USA after graduation in 3.5 years and will need housing, transportation, and set-up funds at that time. Retirement/Savings: Most of our senders are older than us so we are concerned that they will not be able to support us in our senior years. We want to continue to minister as long as we are able and don\u0026rsquo;t want to be a burden on anyone during our senior years. Resume Family Vacations: Because of Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s tuition and our financial crises, we haven\u0026rsquo;t been able to take any family vacations for around 1.5 years. This is especially important while Benjamin is still with us. Transportation: Our 1997 Toyota Camry has a slipping transmission and is on secondhand tires. We need to be able to maintain it as needed and potentially replace it in a few years. Ministry Funds: There are so many needs and exciting ministry opportunities in Cambodia that we would like to pursue when God provides sufficient funds to meet our needs and expand our ministry impact. 1. Resume International Fishers evangelistic/apologetics video production etc. 2. Help launch Light Association\u0026rsquo;s training/publication/resource ministries including to people with mental illness and their families. 3. Help expand Hope Ministry\u0026rsquo;s impact in two impoverished Cambodian communities. 4. Continue to volunteer and support Precious Women\u0026rsquo;s work with at-risk Cambodian women. 5. Expand our support of Bethel Grace Mission\u0026rsquo;s work with impoverished Cambodians who live in graveyards. 6. Encourage and equip local churches even more. Ministry Update We have been very busy since our last update, the middle of October. Kayo and I continued our volunteer-work at Precious Women. Kayo did administrative work, led staff devotions, and taught the clients (young at-risk women) life skills lessons including \u0026ldquo;Hope in Christ.\u0026rdquo; I helped with video production and led devotions.\nKayo continues to lead the women\u0026rsquo;s ministry at the international church and led an over night women\u0026rsquo;s retreat. I preached twice, helped with Chinese Bible Study and led the men\u0026rsquo;s ministry.\nI also continue to serve as the English editor for Light Times Magazine, the only Christian magazine in Cambodia. We have a new issue coming out this month so things will get busier with that.\nI also am preparing to start teaching Apologetics/Evangelism at another Cambodian seminary founded by Korean missionaries starting this week.\nDecember is the month in which we must renew our Cambodian visas so please pray for wisdom and favor in this high-stakes process. Gathering all the documents each year feels like taking on another job.\nWe wish you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2023/12/05/restore-the-years/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;So I will restore the years the swarming locusts have eaten.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e Joel 2:25\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/12/IMAGE-2023-12-05-090842-edited.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"restoring-the-years-part-1\"\u003eRestoring the Years Part 1\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the passing of Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s and my birthdays and the upcoming Christmas and New Year, we realize that God has blessed us a lot during this year. At the beginning of 2023, we went through our worst financial crises ever to the point that it looked like we might have to leave Cambodia permanently. God provided in mysterious and miraculous ways and we were able to have a most blessed visit to the USA for the first time since before Covid.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Restore the Years"},{"content":"And the things that you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2\nChristian Apologetics/Evangelism Class I had a wonderful time with my Apologetics/Evangelism class students during our two week intensive class. The students studied hard, listened intently, asked good questions and worked hard to complete a reading log, two tests, a video script, and recorded their own video during the short class. We covered obstacles to faith like \u0026ldquo;I don\u0026rsquo;t need God.\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;God doesn\u0026rsquo;t exist.\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;The Bible isn\u0026rsquo;t true.\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;Jesus didn\u0026rsquo;t really live, die, and rise from the dead.\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;What about my unsaved ancestors?\u0026rdquo; and more. Two of my students said that before the class when someone would ask them a challenging question about the truth of Christianity that they would just walk away but now they both finally feel more confident to answer. These students serve in local churches and will be future Christian leaders so please pray that they will remember, apply, and teach others what they have learned in the class.\nAnswered Prayers Over Visa Stress During my lunch break from teaching Apologetics, I got a desperate call from my neighbor/Christian friend. He told me that due to a problem with his visa documents his visa was rejected at the airport and the only way to keep him from getting deported and separated from his family was for me rush to the airport before noon and sign a guarantee letter for him with the government. I did that and he was able to get a one-month visa.\nA couple of weeks later, he asked me for some more advice and help. I checked with the company that helps me prepare the documents for my own visa just before a four-day Cambodian holiday so that I could get information to help my friend. The information my visa agent gave me made me very uncertain about whether or not my own family would be able to renew our visas in December or not (and be forced to leave Cambodia). All this stress combined with my exhaustion from teaching the two week class, made me start having difficulty sleeping. So, I put out a prayer request on Facebook on a Friday. By Sunday my stress level dropped and I could sleep normally again. On Tuesday, I got confirmation from the Immigration Dept. via my visa agent that we have the right documents to renew our family\u0026rsquo;s visas in December. My friend is still in process with his visa situation, but it looks like everything is in order with his paperwork as well. Thanks everyone for praying for us whether or you know what we are going through at the moment or not. Your prayers make a huge difference!\nOther Ministries Please continue to pray for Precious Women Organization and Light Association as we continue to help and support these Cambodian founded and led Christian organizations that are reaching out to other Cambodians. We also partner with other local ministries and churches as we can.\nFamily Update We are doing well. Kayo has some exhaustion/minor health issues so please keep her in prayer. Benjamin is doing well in school, extracurriculars, and weight lifting. He keeps growing and eating us out of house and home so please pray for our grocery bill :\u0026ndash;).\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\nPhonm Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2023/10/23/able-to-teach-others-also/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd the things that you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.\u003c/em\u003e 2 Timothy 2:2\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"christian-apologeticsevangelism-class\"\u003eChristian Apologetics/Evangelism Class\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/10/IMAGE-2023-10-23-101259.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eI had a wonderful time with my Apologetics/Evangelism class students during our two week intensive class. The students studied hard, listened intently, asked good questions and worked hard to complete a reading log, two tests, a video script, and recorded their own video during the short class. We covered obstacles to faith like \u0026ldquo;I don\u0026rsquo;t need God.\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;God doesn\u0026rsquo;t exist.\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;The Bible isn\u0026rsquo;t true.\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;Jesus didn\u0026rsquo;t really live, die, and rise from the dead.\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;What about my unsaved ancestors?\u0026rdquo; and more. Two of my students said that before the class when someone would ask them a challenging question about the truth of Christianity that they would just walk away but now they both finally feel more confident to answer. These students serve in local churches and will be future Christian leaders so please pray that they will remember, apply, and teach others what they have learned in the class.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Able to Teach Others Also"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.\u0026rdquo;(Ephesians 4:12 NLT)\nThe past month has been full and blessed and we look forward to a full and blessed October as well.\nEquipping the Saints\nI will be teaching another round of a two week intensive Christian Apologetics class at Cambodia Bible Institute from September 25 to October 6. Please pray for wisdom and strength for myself, the staff, and the students during this class.\nI continue to preach at the international/interdenominational church around once a month to around 400 people from more than 30 nations. This church includes everyone from missionaries to non-Christians who are open to the Gospel. I also have started/am leading the men\u0026rsquo;s ministry there our first meeting was on October 9 and despite heavy rains and flooding 13 men from 8 different nations attended and were blessed by the prayer, fellowship, and teaching. I continue to help with the ministry to the Chinese there and help lead a verse-by-verse Sunday School/Bible Study in English and Chinese with the Chinese pastor. Kayo also started and leads the women\u0026rsquo;s ministry there too.\nI also have started to lead the devotions at Precious Women Organization about once a month. Kayo also leads the devotions there on a regular basis.\nBuilding Up the Body\nI have been volunteering as the English Editor for Light Times Magazine with Soksan and Linat since 2017. They are wonderful friends and Christian siblings. Now, I am excited that LAFH (Light Association for all Families Healthier-English translation of the official/registered organization name) is developing the organization behind the magazine.\nYou can see the vision and activities of the Light Association organization in the diagram above. One of the areas that I am most excited about is the Mental and Spiritual Wellness area. Mrs. Linat is a trained mental health counselor and trainer. I am a trained Christian apologist and I also have a testimony of how God has blessed, restored, and protected me through the past 20 years of mental health challenges. Even though we are now a small organization of only three people and limited resources, God has given us great impact, unity and synergy together to minister to the mental and spiritual needs of a broad range of people-both Cambodians and expats. We may also be able to equip churches, families, and organizations in Cambodia to better minister to the spiritual and mental health needs of people who need help but are often marginalized for various reasons. For those of you that know my testimony in this area this is truly a \u0026ldquo;Beauty for Ashes\u0026rdquo; opportunity!\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2023/09/19/equipping-the-saints-building-up-the-body/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e(Ephesians 4:12 NLT)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe past month has been full and blessed and we look forward to a full and blessed October as well.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEquipping the Saints\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI will be teaching another round of a two week intensive Christian Apologetics class at Cambodia Bible Institute from September 25 to October 6. Please pray for wisdom and strength for myself, the staff, and the students during this class.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Equipping the Saints, Building Up the Body"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.\u0026rdquo; Philippians 4:16-19\nReading the above passage with fresh eyes, I realize that it is actually an encouragement from Paul, a missionary, to his senders. Another way to say this is, \u0026ldquo;You all faithfully met my needs\u0026hellip;Therefore the fruit that comes through my ministry will be credited to your heavenly account \u0026hellip;..and God will supply all your needs!\u0026rdquo; This perfectly describes how Kayo, Benjamin and I feel about our senders and loved ones in the USA and Japan.\nWe just returned to Cambodia from the USA. Our time was so full and blessed that we were not able to visit everyone we wanted to in person. We were blessed and encouraged in so many ways! Now, we are back in Cambodia. We have pretty much overcome jet-lag, gotten our apartment etc. reopened and restocked, and are starting to serve in our various ministries here. For example, I will preach this Sunday at the international church and help with the Chinese ministry. Kayo and I will both soon resume our regular work with Precious Women Organization. Benjamin will start high school (year 9) at Hope International School. Looking ahead, I will teach a two-week intensive Apologetics class at a Cambodian Bible school the end of next month so I need to start preparing for that along with other ministries that will resume and start soon.\nPrayer Requests:\nPlease pray for opportunities for me to evangelize and disciple a man from the Middle East who is here in Cambodia as an international student.\nPlease pray for Light Times Magazine, the only Christian magazine in Cambodia, they had to delay the printing of their most recent issue because of lack of funding. This is a valuable ministry and also they provide the legal basis for my Cambodian visa renewal.\nPlease pray for Benjamin as he starts school and for continued provision for his education.\nPlease pray for wisdom and provision regarding our funding from Japan. The Japanese Yen has lost between 20-25% of its value over the past 2 years against the US dollar. Cambodia\u0026rsquo;s economy is based on the US dollar. This means the sacrificial donations of our Japanese senders have been greatly devalued. Meanwhile, our expenses, (mainly Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s education), continue to rise. We have already done everything we can to cut expenses and have already looked into part-time employment in Cambodia (but right now that door doesn\u0026rsquo;t look promising and it would reduce our ability to minister effectively here).\nPlease pray for wisdom, peace, and grace as God has placed us in the unique position of ministering to and alongside so many Christians from so many cultures/nations (this is the easier part) and denominations (evangelicals with a broad range of perspectives on secondary doctrinal issues\u0026ndash;this is the more challenging part). We are blessed that there is a beautiful unity of the Body of Christ in Cambodia and beyond. It seems that God has called us to work in the joints (between the bones=denominations) (Ephesians 4:16). Please pray that there won\u0026rsquo;t be any arthritis\u0026hellip;:).\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2023/08/08/back-on-the-field-in-cambodia/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For even in Thessalonica \u003cstrong\u003eyou sent aid once and again for my necessities.\u003c/strong\u003e Not that I seek the gift, \u003cstrong\u003ebut I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.\u003c/strong\u003e Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus \u003cstrong\u003ethe things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice,\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ewell pleasing to God\u003c/strong\u003e. And \u003cstrong\u003emy God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026rdquo; Philippians 4:16-19\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Back on the Field in Cambodia"},{"content":" We arrived in California on June 6 and have spent the last few days getting over jet-lag. We had a smooth trip. It is a blessing to be able to visit the USA after four years away! We will spend June 28-July 12 in Missouri. We will return to California and stay here until we return to Cambodia on August 1. We look forward to connecting with as many of our beloved friends, relatives, and senders while we are here in the USA both in-person or even online. Please feel free to contact us at darryl@sgwm.com.\nThe last couple of months in Cambodia were full but blessed as we wrapped up our ministries there before coming to the USA. I continued working with Light Times Magazine, Kayo and I also worked with Precious Women Organization. Kayo continues her work as a board member, and administrative volunteer and I helped them produce videos and lead devotions. I continue to mentor a Cambodian pastor and another missionary. We also continue to partner with the international church to minister to expats and Cambodians. Kayo successfully completed her first round of leading the women\u0026rsquo;s ministry, helped with the communication system, and she also helped the worship team. I spoke a couple of times, helped with the Chinese ministry, and started laying the groundwork for a men\u0026rsquo;s ministry. I have a couple of projects to work on while I am here but I have a lot of flexibility and free time available to connect with people here.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2023/06/13/now-visiting-the-usa/","summary":"\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/06/352918324%5F612072324042564%5F3505325339703391742%5Fn-1.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe arrived in California on June 6 and have spent the last few days getting over jet-lag. We had a smooth trip. It is a blessing to be able to visit the USA after four years away! We will spend June 28-July 12 in Missouri. We will return to California and stay here until we return to Cambodia on August 1. We look forward to connecting with as many of our beloved friends, relatives, and senders while we are here in the USA both in-person or even online. Please feel free to contact us at \u003ca href=\"mailto:darryl@sgwm.com\"\u003edarryl@sgwm.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Now Visiting the USA!"},{"content":"\u0026quot; And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19\nSince the second half of 2022, our family\u0026rsquo;s finances have been getting tighter and tighter (for context see our last two updates at www.sgwm.com/record). At one point, our financial situation looked so bleak that we thought that we might have to leave the field by June due to a lack of funds. On top of that, we had a lot of unexpected expenses and upcoming travel expenses. It looked like we would just barely be able to visit California this summer but we would not be able to visit Missouri. But God had other plans and through the miraculous generosity of donors we know personally and even those whom we have never met, God has supplied enough funding for our immediate needs (car repairs/medical expenses, etc.) and travel to California (June 6-August 1) with a trip to Missouri (June 28-July 12)! We have never experienced miraculous provision like this before! We are truly grateful to God and all those who have made and continue to make it possible for us to serve as missionaries in Cambodia.\nNow that our immediate needs have been met, we can focus our prayers on our long-term needs: funds to launch Benjamin into his life in the USA in 2027 and savings for us to be able to continue ministering after our senders retire or pass away.\nMinistry Update\nI finished teaching an eight-week Christian Foundations Sunday school class at the international church. We discussed essential apologetics topics such as the existence of God, the truth of the Bible, and the Resurrection. The students were from China, Ethiopia, Fiji, the Netherlands, Tajikistan, and the USA/Japan. We had a great time and the students want me to offer another class after the USA trip or next year. I also preach in the main service about once a month. I continue mentoring a younger Cambodian pastor and have spoken on faith and leadership over the past couple of months at his Cambodian church. I continue editing the English for Light Times Magazine, the only Christian magazine in Cambodia. I also have been helping Precious Women Organization produce videos of their clients and staff in the Cambodian language with English subtitles. Lord willing, I will be able to start producing apologetics/evangelistic videos in the Cambodian language as I have in the past in the near future.\nKayo continues to serve as a board member/administrator at Precious Women Organization. She also leads the women\u0026rsquo;s ministry at the international church. She is applying for a part-time job to offset Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s increasing educational and other long-term expenses.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2023/03/30/miraculous-provision-and-usa-trip-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot; \u003cem\u003eAnd my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.\u003c/em\u003e Philippians 4:19\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince the second half of 2022, our family\u0026rsquo;s finances have been getting tighter and tighter (for context see our last two updates at \u003ca href=\"https://www.sgwm.com/record)\"\u003ewww.sgwm.com/record)\u003c/a\u003e. At one point, our financial situation looked so bleak that we thought that we might have to leave the field by June due to a lack of funds. On top of that, we had a lot of unexpected expenses and upcoming travel expenses. It looked like we would just barely be able to visit California this summer but we would not be able to visit Missouri. But God had other plans and through the miraculous generosity of donors we know personally and even those whom we have never met, God has supplied enough funding for our immediate needs (car repairs/medical expenses, etc.) and travel to \u003cstrong\u003eCalifornia (June 6-August 1) with a trip to Missouri (June 28-July 12)\u003c/strong\u003e! We have never experienced miraculous provision like this before! We are truly grateful to God and all those who have made and continue to make it possible for us to serve as missionaries in Cambodia.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Miraculous Provision! (And USA Trip Update)"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.\u0026rdquo; 2 Kings 19:14\nI always thought that King Hezekiah went to the house of the LORD alone but somehow the event and the contents of the letter were put into the Bible. Sometimes we just have to spread our situations out before the LORD so that we can praise Him boldly when He meets our needs. In this update, I will spread our situation out before the LORD.\nBudget Breakthrough!\nLast month, when I wrote the last update, we were in the midst of trying to figure out our mission budget for 2023 and beyond, but no matter what we did to save money or raise money, we were still short around $600 monthly. Kayo projected that we would be forced to leave Cambodia for lack of funds by June. We prayed for a few days and then God guided us on what changes to make so that our budget balances (just barely)!\nNow that we have cut our budget to the maximum it is clear that we need more income. We don\u0026rsquo;t know whether God will provide through more donations and/or earning income on our part, we are knocking on all the doors to see what He does. We need more income for one-time expenses (medical/car repairs etc.), saving money to launch Benjamin in the USA in only four more years, and saving money so that we can continue to minister as many of our key senders retire or go to heaven.\nBlessings in the Midst of Breakdowns!\nIn January our printer/scanner broke down but we couldn\u0026rsquo;t replace it because of lack of funds. At the end of January, I had an ear infection and at the beginning of February Benjamin had severe food poisoning and neither of these expenses were covered by insurance. Then in February, our rice/pressure cooker caught on fire so we had to replace that (Asian households must have rice :) ). Kayo accidentally spilled tea on her laptop and it stopped working, but God heard our prayers and it started working again the next day! All four tires and a wheel bearing on our 1997 Camry had to be replaced. We still need to rebuild the rear suspension and the transmission is beginning to feel worn. While getting my tires replaced, I met a Cambodian-American man and was able to share my testimony and invite him to church. He attended the Christian Foundations/Apologetics Sunday school class I am teaching and part of the service. Please pray for more opportunities to reach out to him. Finally, Kayo\u0026rsquo;s filling fell out of her tooth. A year ago, when something similar happened the dentist\u0026rsquo;s bill was $1,200 but this time it was only $45! So, God protected and blessed us once again.\nMinistry Update\nIn February, I started teaching an apologetics/evangelistic Sunday school class at the international church. The first week no one attended but now we have between five and ten (believers and non-believers) who are getting equipped and gaining confidence in the truth of the Bible as their doubts are answered. Please pray for God to use this class to draw the non-believers to himself. I also finished teaching the Apologetics class at a Bible school founded by Korean missionaries. I continue to help make testimony videos for Precious Women Organization and edit articles for Light Times Magazine.\nKayo has also been very busy with serving as a board member/administration work/leading devotions at Precious Women Organization, a local organization that evangelizes and retrains women who work in bars, etc. She also started a thriving women\u0026rsquo;s ministry primarily among foreign women at the international church.\nUSA Trip\nI don\u0026rsquo;t have much to update about our planned trip to the USA between June 6 and August 1. The California part of the trip is for sure (we already bought the tickets), but I am growing increasingly doubtful that we will be able to afford the Missouri part of the trip unless there is some major financial breakthrough between now and then. Please pray for God to open and close all the right doors so that the trip is according to His perfect will.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2023/02/28/breakthrough/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e 2 Kings 19:14\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI always thought that King Hezekiah went to the house of the LORD alone but somehow the event and the contents of the letter were put into the Bible. Sometimes we just have to spread our situations out before the LORD so that we can praise Him boldly when He meets our needs. In this update, I will spread our situation out before the LORD.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Breakthrough?!"},{"content":" \u0026ldquo;Then David said to the Philistine, \u0026ldquo;You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.\u0026rdquo; 1 Samuel 17:45\nVisit to the USA\nAs each new year started since 2019, we kept asking ourselves, \u0026ldquo;Is this the year that we can visit our loved ones in the USA or Japan?\u0026rdquo; In 2021 and 2021, the answer was \u0026ldquo;No.\u0026rdquo; Finally, in 2022 we could visit Japan for the first time since 2018. Finally, the doors have opened for us to visit the USA! We have booked tickets to arrive in California (Los Angeles/San Bernardino/Orange County areas) between June 6 and August 1. Lord willing, we want to also travel to Missouri (St. Louis area) but we are waiting for some more doors to open for that trip. We are looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible. We also need to take care of some legal/banking business things while in the USA as well.\nPlease contact us by e-mail or Messenger if you think you might be able to meet us so that we can start thinking about our schedule. We may not be able to contact you because the contact information we have for many of you may be out of date or buried in 4-year-old emails. We are available to meet individually or in groups etc.\nMinistry Update\nMinistry in Cambodia has gotten increasingly busy and fruitful. From December 22 to February 9, I have been teaching Christian Apologetics every Thursday morning at a Cambodian seminary founded by Korean missionaries. On December 31, I spoke on \u0026ldquo;True Joy in the Midst of Suffering\u0026rdquo; at a local Cambodian church\u0026rsquo;s New Year\u0026rsquo;s/Christmas celebration. I continue to co-teach the Chinese ministry\u0026rsquo;s English/Bible class at the international church, and on January 22, I preached on Isaiah 28 \u0026ldquo;Christ the Cornerstone\u0026rdquo; at the main service. I also continue to edit English articles for Light Times Magazine and help produce and edit videos for Precious Women Organization.\nKayo has been busy with Precious Women Organization as a board member, leading devotions for the staff and clients, helping with administrative work, and preparing and organizing Precious Women\u0026rsquo;s booth for the Centennial Celebration (see photo above). As many as 30,000 Cambodians and foreign Christians and non-Christians gathered for the event (FEBC Australia). Special guests/speakers included the Prime Minister and other top government officials. She also is busy in planning, organizing, and starting the Women\u0026rsquo;s ministry at the international church.\nFinancial \u0026ldquo;Goliath\u0026rdquo; Situation\nFor a few years now, our monthly donations have not met our monthly expenses but God provided enough one-time donations/stimulus to keep our account balanced. However, since COVID, the one-time donations/stimulus have not been able to keep up with our monthly expenses. At its worst, our financial reserves/savings were draining at a rate of around $1,500 per month. Our accounts are now at an 18-year low and so we must take action.\nTo correct this problem, so far, we have been able to raise $400 monthly and cut our expenses by around $550 monthly by getting cheaper health insurance. These provisions and the fruitfulness of our ministries encourage us that God wants us to continue serving in Cambodia. We still need to raise/cut/earn (locally through part-time work) approximately $550 (or more) monthly in order to continue our ministry in Cambodia. There are drawbacks to cutting expenses further or attempting to earn more money here in Cambodia in terms of our effectiveness in ministry here. We also recognize and are grateful for the fact that many of our most faithful senders have already maxed out their capacity to give. Right now, we don\u0026rsquo;t see any open doors in any direction so we can only LOOK UP!\nPlease pray for wisdom and provision from whatever sources God wants to provide. This is a \u0026ldquo;Goliath\u0026rdquo; situation and so ultimately, only God can make a way for us. He has brought us through even more serious trials than this and so we trust Him to carry us through this trial as well!\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2023/01/31/upcoming-visit-to-the-usa/","summary":"\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2023/01/327034017%5F1234670870817888%5F2101953736954019729%5Fn.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Then David said to the Philistine, \u0026ldquo;You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e 1 Samuel 17:45\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVisit to the USA\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs each new year started since 2019, we kept asking ourselves, \u0026ldquo;Is this the year that we can visit our loved ones in the USA or Japan?\u0026rdquo; In 2021 and 2021, the answer was \u0026ldquo;No.\u0026rdquo; Finally, in 2022 we could visit Japan for the first time since 2018. Finally, the doors have opened for us to visit the USA! We have booked tickets to arrive in California (Los Angeles/San Bernardino/Orange County areas) between June 6 and August 1. Lord willing, we want to also travel to Missouri (St. Louis area) but we are waiting for some more doors to open for that trip. We are looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible. We also need to take care of some legal/banking business things while in the USA as well.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Upcoming Visit To The USA!"},{"content":"","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/give/","summary":"","title":"Give"},{"content":"Then Mary said, \u0026ldquo;\u0026hellip;let it be to me according to your word.\u0026rdquo; Luke 1:38\n\u0026hellip;\u0026ldquo;Father if it is your will, take this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.\u0026rdquo; Luke 22:42\nSooner or later, as Christians, we are forced to say to God, \u0026ldquo;not my will.\u0026rdquo; We have to trust Him to do what is best for us even if it goes against all our desires. So far, December has been a month of great blessings and, to be honest, great stress all at the same time. Here is an example of both happening at the same exact time!\nEvery year, at this time, we must renew our Cambodian visas so that we can legally live and work in the country. Each year, the process seems to get more difficult in terms of the documents required. After returning from a prayer meeting, my visa agent informed me that we didn\u0026rsquo;t have the right tax document for renewal. I asked our organizations if they had the requested document and they both said that they didn\u0026rsquo;t. Without renewal, we might have been forced to exit the country by January 1 in order to obey the law.\nKayo had peace that somehow we would be able to find a way to renew our visas. I didn\u0026rsquo;t! I could only sleep 30 minutes that night. Finally, I came to the conclusion with God that even if we had to leave Cambodia permanently on January 1, He would take care of us and that He was not finished using us for His purposes. I was still stressed but I at least had my conviction of God\u0026rsquo;s sovereignty and goodness.\nThe next morning, I had an appointment with Dara, a younger Cambodian pastor who helps me translate the scripts for my International Fishers apologetics/evangelistic videos into the Cambodian language. I got to the coffee shop early so I mobilized prayer for our visa situation via Facebook and Messenger. I also connected Soksan, the founder of Light Times magazine, who studied law but has not yet taken the Cambodia bar exam, with the visa agent to discuss our situation and \u0026ldquo;fight\u0026rdquo; for us.\nMeanwhile, Pastor Dara, told me that his church is full of young professionals and college students who have apologetics-related questions about the faith. He invited me to speak on True Joy and Suffering at his church\u0026rsquo;s Christmas/New Year celebration on December 31. We are also planning to meet bi-weekly and partner together to equip him and his church to be stronger in evangelism and apologetics. I have been hoping and waiting for opportunities like this for many years. Some short-term opportunities to partner have opened up in the past but this seems to be a long-term opportunity! As soon as the meeting was over and I arrived at our apartment\u0026rsquo;s parking area, I received a message from Soksan that the government would accept the tax document that we already had and that they would renew our visas! Soksan said, \u0026ldquo;God has planned for you to stay.\u0026rdquo; This brought tears of joy to my eyes!\nHere is a brief rundown of some of the ministries that we have been involved in since the last update. Kayo continues to serve on the advisory board, help with administration, and teach the Bible and life skills at Precious Women organization. I continue to help make testimonial videos in Cambodian with English subtitles for them. Light Times Magazine has a new issue coming out this month so I was active in editing the English part of this bilingual magazine. I will start teaching Apologetics at a Cambodian seminary, founded by Korean missionaries, weekly, starting on December 22, so I am preparing for that. I received approval to start a Christian Foundations (apologetics-based) Sunday School class at the international church starting in February so please pray for the promotion and preparation process for that 7-9 week class. I will have to take a break from the Chinese ministry during that time due to a schedule overlap. I also will speak at the international church on January 22. Kayo is transitioning from the worship team to developing and starting a women\u0026rsquo;s ministry at the international church as well. Benjamin has been informally debating and witnessing to a classmate at his international Christian school who has turned to atheism. Please pray for all these ministries!\nSummer 2023 Visit to the USA\nWe have not been able to visit the USA since 2019 due to COVID. In addition to visiting family and friends in California and Missouri etc., we need to take care of some financial/legal arrangements as well. So, we really need (and want!) to visit the USA this summer. The challenge is that our finances at this time are pretty weak both in terms of funding for the trip and our long-term financial situation. We are looking for ways to cut our expenses and we are also trusting God to provide the funds we need in His way. We believe that God will make a way to overcome this situation (and others we face too!)\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love!\nMerry Christmas!\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2022/12/19/not-my-will/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThen Mary said, \u0026ldquo;\u0026hellip;let it be to me according to your word.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e Luke 1:38\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026hellip;\u0026ldquo;Father if it is your will, take this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e Luke 22:42\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2022/12/Screen-Shot-2022-12-19-at-8.26.44-AM.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSooner or later, as Christians, we are forced to say to God, \u0026ldquo;not my will.\u0026rdquo; We have to trust Him to do what is best for us even if it goes against all our desires. So far, December has been a month of great blessings and, to be honest, great stress all at the same time. Here is an example of both happening at the same exact time!\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Not My Will..."},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.\u0026rdquo; Psalm 126:5 NKJV\nWe are in a new season of life and ministry now in Cambodia. It took a while to get going because of a two-week non-Covid sickness for Benjamin and myself but now we are all healthy and are getting into the new season.\nI have been active in editing English articles for the bilingual Light Times Magazine. I also wrote an article for the upcoming issue entitled, \u0026ldquo;How Can We Give the Gift of Life-Long Faith to Our Children?\u0026rdquo; I also helped connect the founder Soksan with a major international Christian magazine/website that invited him to be a freelance writer, but I am not sure if he has the time or energy to pursue that direction or not.\nI continue to help Precious Women Organization to make videos of the testimonies of their staff and clients in Khmer with English subtitles. These videos are quite inspiring. Here is one of the two videos we have finished so far. https://youtu.be/9JZPhoLUYMY\nI have not been able to produce or release any new Apologetics/Evangelistic videos in the Cambodian language since my last update. However, God arranged a divine appointment for me to meet another Christian media ministry here in Cambodia at a local coffee shop. They took copies of all of my old videos (56 total!) and scripts in the Cambodian language and they will distribute them to their audience! Distributing videos on social media has become less fruitful since Covid ended here.\nI am also gearing up to teach Apologetics again starting in December at a local seminary sponsored by Korean missionaries. Kayo and I are also considering opportunities to reach out to, equip, and encourage other expats through the international church.\nKayo continues to be very active in various roles at Precious Women Organization. She is also active in the worship team at church. Benjamin continues to do well as an eighth grader at a Christian international school.\nWe are also looking forward to visiting the USA next summer. I will probably start making plans in January. Right now, I am in the process of renewing our Cambodian visas. Please pray for a smooth path in this process.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2022/11/16/a-new-season/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e Psalm 126:5 NKJV\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2022/11/2022-11-16-09.17.30.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe are in a new season of life and ministry now in Cambodia. It took a while to get going because of a two-week non-Covid sickness for Benjamin and myself but now we are all healthy and are getting into the new season.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have been active in editing English articles for the bilingual Light Times Magazine. I also wrote an article for the upcoming issue entitled, \u0026ldquo;How Can We Give the Gift of Life-Long Faith to Our Children?\u0026rdquo; I also helped connect the founder Soksan with a major international Christian magazine/website that invited him to be a freelance writer, but I am not sure if he has the time or energy to pursue that direction or not.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"A New Season"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.\u0026rdquo; 1 Thessalonians 5:18\nThis verse has been on my heart a lot lately. Especially, from the middle of August to the beginning of September when Benjamin and Kayo were sick with C0VID. By God\u0026rsquo;s grace, I never had any symptoms so either I was immune or asymptomatic. Despite the discomfort and inconvenience of those weeks, I felt thankful. 1. We didn\u0026rsquo;t catch it when the symptoms were more severe. 2. We didn\u0026rsquo;t catch it when the government required hospitalization which could have led to extremely expensive and/or uncomfortable situations for multiple weeks. 3. We had friends here who were willing and available to help us as needed. 4. Others around the globe covered us with prayer.\nBefore the sickness, I was able to edit and release one video in the Cambodian language entitled: Can Christians Take Medicine? which gives a Biblical perspective on medicine and medical treatment. I also researched and wrote the script for another video, Is Faith Belief Without Any Evidence? I am almost finished with editing this video and will release it soon.\nNow that C0VID has reduced in Cambodia, I have been sensing the need to pursue more in-person/team-based ministries. I will continue making apologetics/evangelistic videos in the Cambodian language, probably about one per month instead of the three per month that I was making when I could not do most in-person ministries due to restrictions. For example, I have agreed to make two videos per month to help Precious Women Organization in partnership with their staff. I have also started helping a Cambodian/Filipino missionary couple develop Bible-based teaching posters/banners for the churches they help in the countryside. There are other in-person projects/partnerships that are still in the development stages that I will share about when I have more information.\nPlease pray for wisdom, strength, and health for all of us so that we can maximize the opportunities that God is giving us during this season. Lord willing, we are planning to visit the USA next summer, so please also pray for open doors and provision for that trip as well.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2022/09/15/in-everything-give-thanks-2/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e 1 Thessalonians 5:18\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis verse has been on my heart a lot lately. Especially, from the middle of August to the beginning of September when Benjamin and Kayo were sick with C0VID. By God\u0026rsquo;s grace, I never had any symptoms so either I was immune or asymptomatic. Despite the discomfort and inconvenience of those weeks, I felt thankful. 1. We didn\u0026rsquo;t catch it when the symptoms were more severe. 2. We didn\u0026rsquo;t catch it when the government required hospitalization which could have led to extremely expensive and/or uncomfortable situations for multiple weeks. 3. We had friends here who were willing and available to help us as needed. 4. Others around the globe covered us with prayer.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"In Everything Give Thanks"},{"content":"\u0026quot; Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are also doing.\u0026quot; 1 Thessalonians 5:11\nWe spent from June 13 to August 2 in Japan. We had a blessed time there! We were able to visit and share our ministry at more than a dozen churches (and a Bible School) all over Japan. We were also blessed to be able to spend some quality time with old friends and make new friends.\nBenjamin spearheaded two long conversations about Christianity with his non-Christian grandparents in Hiroshima. He also helped me edit some of the articles for Light Times Magazine\u0026rsquo;s first print edition since before COVID forced the magazine into online-only for more than a year. He also taught himself quite a bit of Japanese from a book and only asked Kayo\u0026rsquo;s help when he got stuck. Now that we have returned to Cambodia he has started 8th grade at Hope School.\nThere was a new openness to and interest in my Apologetics/Evangelistic materials in Japanese and English. I was able to share materials with a few individuals and the Bible school we visited. Please pray that they will be contextualized and translated into the Japanese language as needed.\nKayo was the busiest of all in Japan. She was kept busy with travel arrangements, translation, and communicating with churches, etc. Still, she had a good time with her friends and loved ones that she had not been able to see for four years.\nWe have just gotten resettled in Cambodia and are just starting to resume our ministries here. Please pray for wisdom and strength for us for this new season.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2022/08/08/back-in-cambodia-from-japan/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot; \u003cem\u003eTherefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are also doing.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026quot; 1 Thessalonians 5:11\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2022/08/IMG%5F1528.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe spent from June 13 to August 2 in Japan. We had a blessed time there! We were able to visit and share our ministry at more than a dozen churches (and a Bible School) all over Japan. We were also blessed to be able to spend some quality time with old friends and make new friends.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Back In Cambodia From Japan"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.\u0026rdquo; Colossians 1:17\nPreparing for our Time in Japan, June 13-August 1\nThanks for praying for our home assignment in Japan this summer, (please don\u0026rsquo;t stop : )). We will be visiting more than a dozen churches in multiple cities across Japan and visiting Kayo\u0026rsquo;s family in Hiroshima. Please pray for opportunities to be a witness to Kayo\u0026rsquo;s unsaved relatives.\nKayo has been busy making travel arrangements and communicating with our senders in Japan. Please pray for continued strength and wisdom for her. I have been working on preparing a few sermons to go along with Kayo\u0026rsquo;s missions presentation for the churches we will visit. Thanks for praying for my visa to Japan it went through smoothly. Please pray for wisdom, protection, and provision over our finances as prices for some of our air tickets etc. have greatly increased. Japanese churches, while generous and faithful are also struggling financially, and the Japanese currency has been devalued against the US dollar in the post-COVID economy. This is also a concern as we are planning to visit the USA next summer.\nChristology Class\nThanks for praying for my Christology class at a local Bible School. I spent two weeks teaching the intensive class and another week on grading their intensive assignment. The class went very well, especially for my first time teaching this subject. The verse above comes from one of the passages that I taught on during the class. It is a good reminder to have peace in troubled times because Christ holding everything together. If Christ is in control, we don\u0026rsquo;t have to be afraid or worry because we can trust Him to take care of everything. The students asked a lot of good questions in the class and were very engaged. Going forward, I will probably teach Apologetics one year and Christology the following year at this Bible school and Apologetics at another seminary.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2022/05/27/our-great-sustainer/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.\u0026rdquo; Colossians 1:17\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2022/05/photo%5F2022-05-27-09.26.33.jpeg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreparing for our Time in Japan, June 13-August 1\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThanks for praying for our home assignment in Japan this summer, (please don\u0026rsquo;t stop : )). We will be visiting more than a dozen churches in multiple cities across Japan and visiting Kayo\u0026rsquo;s family in Hiroshima. Please pray for opportunities to be a witness to Kayo\u0026rsquo;s unsaved relatives.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Our Great Sustainer"},{"content":" \u0026quot;\u0026hellip; and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you.\u0026quot; Romans 15:23b NLT\nI could not include the first part of this verse which reads, \u0026ldquo;But now I have finished my work in these regions.\u0026rdquo; because our work in Cambodia is not finished. Many new and exciting projects are already lining up for after our return from Japan at the end of summer.\nReconnecting in Cambodia\nNow that COVID is reducing in Cambodia, we have been able to reconnect and visit with some of our Cambodian and missionary friends that we haven\u0026rsquo;t been able to visit for a long time. We have been able to reconnect with friends in Phnom Penh and even in Kampong Chhnang, where we lived between 2009-2011. We hadn\u0026rsquo;t been able to see some of our friends there for several years.\nVisiting Japan this Summer\nWe will be visiting Japan this summer for the first time since 2018. It will be good to reconnect with our friends and family there. We will spend some time in the Tokyo area, the Osaka area, Hiroshima, and other parts of Japan as doors open. We will be sharing our ministries in churches as the doors open. This means that Lord willing, we will be visiting the USA during the summer of 2023 so we look forward to seeing our friends and family there too. Please pray for all the logistics and doors to open smoothly for us, especially my (Darryl\u0026rsquo;s) visa to Japan.\nChristology Class Begins in a Couple of Hours\nI will start teaching a two week intensive Christology course this afternoon. Normally, I teach Apologetics so this will be my first time to teach this course. Please pray for this class to go smoothly and for my students and I to learn together. I will be able to use some of my videos as supplemental materials.\nFamily Update\nDuring the month of April, Benjamin had some time off from school so we were able to travel to Kampong Chhnang and Battambang to see friends and also have some family time away from Phnom Penh. Kayo continues to lead the devotions at Precious Women Organization on a monthly basis. She is also getting busy preparing for our trip to Japan. After Japan, she will get more involved in other ministries here in Cambodia. It is hard to believe that Benjamin will soon be finished with 7th grade. He is doing well but sometimes managing and juggling all the homework is a challenge for him.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2022/04/25/reconnecting-in-cambodia-and-visiting-japan/","summary":"\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2022/04/IMG%5F8970-2.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026quot;\u0026hellip; and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you.\u0026quot;\u003c/em\u003e Romans 15:23b NLT\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI could not include the first part of this verse which reads, \u0026ldquo;But now I have finished my work in these regions.\u0026rdquo; because our work in Cambodia is not finished. Many new and exciting projects are already lining up for after our return from Japan at the end of summer.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReconnecting in Cambodia\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Reconnecting in Cambodia and Visiting Japan"},{"content":"“But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28.\nA lot of \u0026ldquo;things\u0026rdquo; are happening in the world right now. I don\u0026rsquo;t know if they are \u0026ldquo;these things\u0026rdquo; or not. : ) Regardless, I am reminded that it is always a good time to \u0026ldquo;straighten up and lift up your heads.\u0026rdquo; By lifting up our heads we will find that we are looking up to God and therefore we have reason not to be discouraged because God is greater than any problem that we could possibly face.\nFinished an Apologetics Class\nThis past week, I finished teaching, assessing, and grading for an Apologetics class I have been teaching at a Cambodian seminary. The class started in January but we had some interuptions when students caught Omicron. Thankfully, everyone recovered in time to make final videos and scripts. The students also serve in local churches on the weekends and they told me that they were using the lessons learned in those classes to help equip the churches they serve and also with their unbelieving relatives.\nPreparing to Teach Christology\nAnother Bible school, where I usually teach Apologetics, asked me to teach Christology because their regular teacher cannot fly in to Cambodia this year due to Covid restrictions. So, I am studying so I can teach this class for the first time in a two week intensive module the end of April/beginning of May. I have learned a lot during this process. There actually is a lot of overlap with Apologetics because I will be teaching on the Deity of Christ, the Trinity, heresies, and cults.\nVideo Update\nSince my last update, I released the video: If I Become Christian Will God Heal All My Injuries and Sickness?. As always, the video is in the Cambodian language. It was reasonably popular on Facebook but not so much on YouTube. I have decreased my video production to about one video per month because my teaching and other ministries are more active than during COVID.\nOmicron Seems to be Waning\nNow, all the cases of Covid in Cambodia are Omicron but the daily official numbers and unofficial reports we hear all indicate that it is decreasing. The government has indicated that they are not planning more restrictions or lockdowns so this is a relief. Now we just trust that in time, the current restrictions will be lifted.\nSummer Trip to Japan Looking More Likely\nEven though we are still not 100% sure we can go to Japan this summer, some doors are beginning to open. As of March 1, Japan opened to foreigners on business or with family in Japan (not tourists). So, I can probably get a visa. We will have to go through 3 days of quarantine, unless they lift it before then. The only remaining thing to pray for is that the churches in Japan will be ready and able to invite us. If we go to Japan this summer, we will definitely be planning to visit the US in the summer of 2023.\nFamily Update\nKayo is almost finished with her coordination work with the local international church\u0026rsquo;s worship team. She will take a rest and then look for new opportunities to serve and minister. Please continue to pray for her health as she frequently has minor sicknesses.\nBenjamin continues to do well in school and with friends. He is growing quickly and is learning a lot. He enjoys reading theology and apologetics books in his free time.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Bejamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2022/03/11/looking-up/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e“But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lot of \u0026ldquo;things\u0026rdquo; are happening in the world right now. I don\u0026rsquo;t know if they are \u0026ldquo;these things\u0026rdquo; or not. : ) Regardless, I am reminded that it is always a good time to \u0026ldquo;straighten up and lift up your heads.\u0026rdquo; By lifting up our heads we will find that we are looking up to God and therefore we have reason not to be discouraged because God is greater than any problem that we could possibly face.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Looking Up"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.\u0026rdquo; Hebrews 13:14 NLT\nNot being able to visit either of our passport-countries since 2018 and 2019 respectively, has made me think about the concept of \u0026ldquo;home.\u0026rdquo; Cambodia isn\u0026rsquo;t really \u0026ldquo;home\u0026rdquo; either because our presence here depends, in part, on whether or not the government will renew our visas each year. We never feel a sense of being fully rooted anywhere in the world. But, the good news is that this world is not our home. Heaven is our home and so that is where we find our root and permanence.\nOmicron Takes Hold In Cambodia\nOverall, Cambodia has been spared some of the worst of Covid but now the Omicron variant seems to be taking off. Just this morning, I was informed that my weekly Apologetics class would be moved to online because four students tested positive for Covid at the seminary. The big question and concern is what the goverment\u0026rsquo;s response will be. Please pray that churches, schools, and businesses etc. will be allowed to stay open and that we don\u0026rsquo;t go through more lockdowns like last spring.\nSummer Travel Plans Still Unknown\nDue to Omicron in Japan, many churches have returned to online services. We also do not yet know how difficult it will be for me to get a visa to visit Japan this summer. We will make a final decision the end of April. If, we cannot go to Japan, we will make every effort to go to the USA (California and Missouri). We will let you know when we know.\nMinistry Update\nMinistry continues to go well. I continue making apologetics/evangelistic videos in the Cambodian language and sharing them online (Facebook, Youtube, and website). I also use the videos as teaching materials when I teach apologetics at Bible schools and seminaries. I have been told that others are using my videos when they teach at Bible schools etc. as well. Kayo leads the devotions at Precious Women Organization each month and she has been using the videos as well.\nSince my last update, I was able to release one video entitled: How the Bible Helps Us Avoid Fake News and Deception. I have two more videos in process, one is almost ready for release. Please pray for wisdom in selecting topics that will impact the lives of Cambodians.\nAs I mentioned above, I have been teaching Apologetics in-person at a local seminary. But, for at least one week, the classes have gone online due to Covid. I have also been helping with the Chinese ministry at a local international church.\nKayo is in the process of reducing some of her activities with the worship team at the local international church. Please pray for her to have a time of rest and then for God to open new doors of ministry for her.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2022/02/10/a-home-yet-to-come/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e Hebrews 13:14 NLT\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2022/02/271727522%5F5461419877207485%5F7515865505176260016%5Fn.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNot being able to visit either of our passport-countries since 2018 and 2019 respectively, has made me think about the concept of \u0026ldquo;home.\u0026rdquo; Cambodia isn\u0026rsquo;t really \u0026ldquo;home\u0026rdquo; either because our presence here depends, in part, on whether or not the government will renew our visas each year. We never feel a sense of being fully rooted anywhere in the world. But, the good news is that this world is not our home. Heaven is our home and so that is where we find our root and permanence.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"A Home Yet To Come..."},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!\u0026rdquo; Psalm 46:10\nIt is hard to believe that 2022 is already here. God was faithful to us in 2021 and carried us through that strange year. Now, as we start 2022, we know that even though our plans may not go as we expect, but no matter what happens, God will be exalted among the nations.\nSummer Plans: Japan or USA?\nWe have not been able to visit Japan since mid-2018 and the USA since mid-2019, so this summer we will attempt to go to Japan. If that doesn\u0026rsquo;t work out for some reason, we will try to come to the USA. So, we may be seeing you, depending on where you live and what doors open up. So far Omicron has been kept under control in Cambodia so they don\u0026rsquo;t have any expensive and stressful quarantines that would make it difficult/impossible for us to leave the country and return. Please pray that God will open the doors for this summer\u0026rsquo;s plans whatever they may be.\nHelping to Relaunch Light Times Magazine\u0026rsquo;s Print Edition\nThanks for praying for our Cambodian visa renewal process-they were approved! Light Times Magazine, where I (Darryl) volunteer, provided legal documentation and a letter that was essential for my visa renewal. I have been working with LT, the only Christian magazine since 2017. During COVID, they were forced to stop printing. Now in 2022, they need funds to buy a new computer that is powerful enough to run their specialized layout software, for printing costs, and eventually to rent a new office, (we are all working from home). If you are interested in helping with this effort and want to know more about Light Times\u0026rsquo; ministry in Cambodia, please visit: https://www.internationalfishers.com/blog/an-opportunity-to-help-relaunch-light-times-magazine .\nApologetics/Evangelistic Ministry Update\nIn December, I researched and wrote three scripts for future apologetics/evangelistic videos on social media and got them in the process of being ready for video production in January. I wasn\u0026rsquo;t able to release any videos on social media due to the holidays and the need for a time of rest for the whole family. On January 13, I will start teaching a semester long, Apologetics class at a Cambodian seminary here in Phnom Penh. Please pray for this class and for the students that they will be equipped with a greater understanding of the truth of Christianity and that this will help them to evangelize others with more confidence and boldness. I also continue to help teach the Bible to Chinese and others on Sundays in partnership with Pastor Samuel, a Chinese pastor.\nFamily Update\nKayo is beginning to wind down her time of being very active in the international church\u0026rsquo;s worship team over the next few months. After that, she will start looking for other ministry opportunities after some much needed rest. Please pray for her health as she has been frequently ill and weak recently. Please pray for wisdom about how, when, and where to seek medical help for her.\nKayo continues to serve as a board member for Precious Women Organization and also leads the staff devotions for the organization once a month. In December she used one of my videos in the Cambodian language, God and the Value of Human Life.\nBenjamin continues to do well in school even though the seventh grade workload is sometimes pretty heavy. Please pray that the schools will stay in-person. A couple of his closest friends have returned to their home-countries and are uncertain about whether they will return or not.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2022/01/10/2022/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e Psalm 46:10\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is hard to believe that 2022 is already here. God was faithful to us in 2021 and carried us through that strange year. Now, as we start 2022, we know that even though our plans may not go as we expect, but no matter what happens, God will be exalted among the nations.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"2022?!"},{"content":" “ If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” Let Israel now say—... \u0026quot; Psalm 124:1\nThe Cambodian government seems to be on the trajectory of reopening the country. They have already begun to reduce some of the travel restrictions which have made it too difficult for us to leave the country since 2019. Lord willing, we really desire to visit the USA or Japan in the summer of 2022. Please pray that some more barriers will be removed to make that possible.\nBenjamin started in-person school this morning. He was online-only from March to August, 2020 and then had some more online-only times between then and when he went back to online-only in February of this year. Please pray for a smooth restart of in-person classes (despite many restrictions). Please pray for health, protection, and wisdom for the administrators, teachers, and students.\nThis month I was able to release a video entitled, \u0026quot; The Bible and Ghosts\u0026quot; in the Cambodian language. Please pray for me to have the inspiration, wisdom, and creativity as I choose and research new topics for future videos. Here is an edited version of some encouragement that I received on my videos from a viewer:\n\u0026ldquo;Thanks for sharing these video clips for us\u0026hellip; They are a great reliable source of information from the Bible. God bless you and your mission.\u0026rdquo;\nDuring Covid, Light Times magazine, the only Christian magazine in Cambodia, went into semi-hibernation, with online-only activities. Soksan and Linat, the founders desire to restart print-editions in early 2022. As always it will be a bilingual magazine. My volunteer status has been upgraded from assistant English editor to English editor because the former editor in Australia has retired. Please pray for Light Times to raise the funds and volunteers that they need to not only resume operations but also to thrive. This magazine ministers to families and others in ways that other Christian media cannot.\nPlease continue to pray for Kayo\u0026rsquo;s partnership with Precious Women Organization. Lida, the founder and her entire family are recovering from Covid. Please pray for a rapid recovery and that we will be able to partner with them in new ways as the Covid restrictions subside.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2021/10/20/reopening/","summary":"\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2021/10/IMG%5F1208.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e“ \u003cem\u003eIf it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” Let Israel now say—..\u003c/em\u003e. \u0026quot; Psalm 124:1\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cambodian government seems to be on the trajectory of reopening the country. They have already begun to reduce some of the travel restrictions which have made it too difficult for us to leave the country since 2019. Lord willing, we really desire to visit the USA or Japan in the summer of 2022. Please pray that some more barriers will be removed to make that possible.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Reopening!?"},{"content":"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9\nGiving God the glory for 100,000+ views on www.youtube.com/evidencecambodia.\nI would like to thank God, my Cambodian ministry partners, senders, and viewers for helping my YouTube channel reach 100,000+ views! This channel only has Apologetics/Evangelistic videos in the Cambodian language. Based on the mostly positive comments I have received, it has reached Christians and non-Christians. One person told me recently that she sends my videos to equip her Cambodian parents, who are new believers. These videos are also used as teaching aides in evangelism classes at a Bible school in Cambodia. In addition to YouTube, I also share my videos on www.internationalfishers.com/khmer and in several pages and groups on Facebook. I do not know how many views these videos have received, but most of my videos are more popular on Facebook than on YouTube. Since my last update, I was able to make one more video in the Cambodian language entitled, \u0026quot; Is God Imaginary?\u0026quot;\nFrom September 6-17 I taught an intensive Apologetics class primarily on Zoom. I had never led a Zoom meeting before so Benjamin and Kayo had to teach me what to do. The class went well in terms of teaching and the students were actively engaged despite some technical issues with the computer and internet. The students asked a lot of questions such as, \u0026ldquo;Why did God create humans knowing that we would sin?\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;What happens to those people who never hear the Gospel?\u0026rdquo; etc. For their assessment the students wrote scripts and made videos answering questions about the truth of Christianity.\nDuring my two week intensive class, Kayo was busy taking care of the family and supervising Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s online schooling. She is also busy with the worship team at the church and helps local Cambodian organizations. Benjamin continues to do well in online school. The government is beginning to allow some schools to open but their requirements are so strict that Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s school has not yet been able to open yet. Please pray for Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s school to reopen.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2021/09/17/youtube-milestone-and-apologetics-class-on-zoom/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.\u003c/em\u003e Galatians 6:9\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2021/09/Screen-Shot-2021-09-17-at-9.17.40-AM.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGiving God the glory for 100,000+ views on \u003ca href=\"http://www.youtube.com/evidencecambodia\"\u003ewww.youtube.com/evidencecambodia\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI would like to thank God, my Cambodian ministry partners, senders, and viewers for helping my YouTube channel reach 100,000+ views! This channel only has Apologetics/Evangelistic videos in the Cambodian language. Based on the mostly positive comments I have received, it has reached Christians and non-Christians. One person told me recently that she sends my videos to equip her Cambodian parents, who are new believers. These videos are also used as teaching aides in evangelism classes at a Bible school in Cambodia. In addition to YouTube, I also share my videos on \u003ca href=\"https://www.internationalfishers.com/khmer\"\u003ewww.internationalfishers.com/khmer\u003c/a\u003e and in several pages and groups on Facebook. I do not know how many views these videos have received, but most of my videos are more popular on Facebook than on YouTube. Since my last update, I was able to make one more video in the Cambodian language entitled, \u0026quot; \u003cem\u003eIs God Imaginary?\u0026quot;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"YouTube Milestone and Apologetics Class on Zoom"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one\u0026rsquo;s youth.\u0026rdquo; Psalm 127:4 NKJV\nThanks for praying for Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s summer break from school, especially since we couldn\u0026rsquo;t visit the US or Japan (Lord willing, summer of 2022). Benjamin, totally on his own initiative, started helping with my International Fishers apologetics/evangelism ministry! He improved the graphic design of the title slides and Cambodian language Bible verse slides of my videos using skills (and software) he learned in school. He even wrote the rough draft (which I reviewed and edited) for a video entitled, Fact or Fiction: the Battle of Jericho. You can watch the video in the Cambodian language at: https://youtu.be/Bp172pctWGo and read the English script at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7m5x8mottu2qyjw/Fact%20or%20Fiction%20Jericho.docx?dl=0\nThanks for praying for our health. It has improved so my video ministry could be more productive again. Since the last update, with Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s help, we could release three Apologetics/Evangelistic videos: 1. Covid 19 and the Bible 2. Fact or Fiction: The Battle of Jericho 3. Love and Sin.\nPlease pray for my Apologetics class, September 6-17 (via Zoom) at the Cambodia Bible Institute. Pray for wisdom, stamina (it is an intensive class), and the ability to communicate well over Zoom.\nKayo continues to be active helping organize the worship team for the online services. I video the worship team and help with the video editing. In Cambodia, only 15 people can gather so small churches/cell groups can meet but large church services must be online.\nKayo also continues to help local Cambodian organizations which help poor children and at-risk women in various ways. We were able to go to the countryside with one organization. Kayo shared her testimony to the group of children and parents at a food/clothes give away to help them make it through COVID-related poverty which compounds their previous economic problems.\nPlease pray for the safety of US citizens who live outside of the USA, not just missionaries but everyone (Christians and non-Christians). The situation in Afghanistan may encourage enemies of the US to attack or abuse US citizens abroad more now because they may think that the USA will not actively protect its citizens abroad (just stating my honest assessment, trying not to be political here). Of course, we trust God for our ultimate protection but many Americans abroad are not believers so they don\u0026rsquo;t have the same hope that we have. This is why we are mobilizing prayer cover and also will be a bit more vigilant (Cambodia is reasonably safe right now).\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2021/08/23/arrows-in-the-hand-of-a-warrior/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one\u0026rsquo;s youth.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e Psalm 127:4 NKJV\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2021/08/240465763%5F4963029083713236%5F3299974550393022043%5Fn.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThanks for praying for Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s summer break from school, especially since we couldn\u0026rsquo;t visit the US or Japan (Lord willing, summer of 2022). Benjamin, totally on his own initiative, started helping with my International Fishers apologetics/evangelism ministry! He improved the graphic design of the title slides and Cambodian language Bible verse slides of my videos using skills (and software) he learned in school. He even wrote the rough draft (which I reviewed and edited) for a video entitled, \u003cem\u003eFact or Fiction: the Battle of Jericho.\u003c/em\u003e You can watch the video in the Cambodian language at: \u003ca href=\"https://youtu.be/Bp172pctWGo\"\u003ehttps://youtu.be/Bp172pctWGo\u003c/a\u003e and read the English script at: \u003ca href=\"https://www.dropbox.com/s/7m5x8mottu2qyjw/Fact%20or%20Fiction%20Jericho.docx?dl=0\"\u003ehttps://www.dropbox.com/s/7m5x8mottu2qyjw/Fact%20or%20Fiction%20Jericho.docx?dl=0\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Arrows in the Hand of a Warrior"},{"content":"\u0026quot; In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in C hrist Jesus for you.\u0026quot; 1 Thessalonians 5:18\nI\u0026rsquo;m thankful that this passage says \u0026ldquo;In everything\u0026rdquo; instead of \u0026ldquo;For everything\u0026rdquo;. We can be thankful in the midst of various trials even when we can\u0026rsquo;t be thankful for the trials themselves because we can\u0026rsquo;t see the big picture.\nThe past month has been an \u0026ldquo;in everything\u0026rdquo; kind of time. We have had a lot sicknesses, some more serious than others. One hospital wanted to admit me (Darryl) as an in-patient for high fever (probably a stomach flu) but the government requires a COVID test before they could treat me. I was too sick to travel around the city looking for a COVID test, so I had to ride out the sickness at home. Kayo mobilized prayer and my high fever went away soon. A Cambodian Christian doctor prescribed some medicine for other symptoms online, free of charge. We give thanks that I recovered just in time to record our mission report/sermon video for Tokyo Chapel and then go on a prescheduled family trip to the seaside. Kayo has also had some minor/annoying aliments but also recovered just in time so that we haven\u0026rsquo;t missed any important ministry or other activities.\nThis month, because of sickness, other projects, and travel, I could only release one video in Cambodian with English subtitles: \u0026ldquo;Who Created God?\u0026rdquo; Kayo also translated the video into Japanese for our mission presentation. I plan to upload it to the internationalfishers.com website soon. Currently, I have two more videos in process so we should be able to get back on schedule and track with video production in August.\nOn a side note, a Cambodian Christian organization called Bethel Grace Mission took a copy of all 40+ International Fishers videos in the Cambodian language with English and Cambodian scripts. They plan to use them as teaching materials for teens and adults in various locations.\nKayo continues to be active with the international church\u0026rsquo;s worship team, ministering to Japanese in Cambodia, and advising Precious Women Organization (which ministers to at-risk Cambodian women). Benjamin has spent the summer reading apologetics books and helping me with script writing for an upcoming video. He will start seventh grade in just a couple more weeks.\nWe have much to be thankful for including people like you who faithfully encourage and support or ministries during times like these.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2021/07/27/in-everything-give-thanks/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot; \u003cem\u003eIn everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in\u003c/em\u003e C \u003cem\u003ehrist Jesus for you.\u0026quot;\u003c/em\u003e 1 Thessalonians 5:18\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI\u0026rsquo;m thankful that this passage says \u0026ldquo;In everything\u0026rdquo; instead of \u0026ldquo;For everything\u0026rdquo;. We can be thankful in the midst of various trials even when we can\u0026rsquo;t be thankful for the trials themselves because we can\u0026rsquo;t see the big picture.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe past month has been an \u0026ldquo;in everything\u0026rdquo; kind of time. We have had a lot sicknesses, some more serious than others. One hospital wanted to admit me (Darryl) as an in-patient for high fever (probably a stomach flu) but the government requires a COVID test before they could treat me. I was too sick to travel around the city looking for a COVID test, so I had to ride out the sickness at home. Kayo mobilized prayer and my high fever went away soon. A Cambodian Christian doctor prescribed some medicine for other symptoms online, free of charge. We give thanks that I recovered just in time to record our mission report/sermon video for Tokyo Chapel and then go on a prescheduled family trip to the seaside. Kayo has also had some minor/annoying aliments but also recovered just in time so that we haven\u0026rsquo;t missed any important ministry or other activities.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"In Everything Give Thanks"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.\u0026rdquo; Colossians 2:5\nEven though we could not travel to the USA or Japan this summer as we had hoped due to COVID restrictions, we are thankful that we can feel close to our families and senders in both countries. We thank God for communication technology that allows us to communicate so that living on the other side of the globe now feels like living on the other side of the state felt a few years ago. We are thankful that we could even do some online shopping in the USA for a few essential items and books for Benjamin and have them shipped to Cambodia. This too is a blessing.\nRight now, we are working on a 45-minute video for the mission service at one of our sending churches in Japan the first part of July. The video will have a mission report in Japanese by Kayo, a translated message by Darryl (Finding God in Difficult Times), and hopefully, we will be able to include the Japanese version of a short video \u0026ldquo;Who Created God?\u0026rdquo;. There are many pieces to put together so please pray that we can get everything put together in the right way for this project.\nBenjamin\u0026rsquo;s online school finished its school year. Benjamin won an academic achievement award. During his first week off school, Benjamin helped me (Darryl) with the Cambodian version of the the video \u0026ldquo;Who Created God?\u0026rdquo; by applying some of the graphic design skills he learned in school. We were even able to find some opportunities for Benjamin to swim, play badminton, do archery, and even ride a horse during a short vacation in our neighborhood.\nSince the last update we have released two apologetics/evangelistic videos in the Cambodian language: 1. God and Science 2. God and Right and Wrong. The video \u0026ldquo;Who Created God?\u0026rdquo; could be released but I am waiting until I can put English subtitles on it so it will be ready for release in a few more days. Please pray for wisdom in selecting and researching new topics for future videos.\nKayo continues to be very active with worship team at an international church in our neighborhood. We record the videos for the online service each week because the Cambodian government only allows 15 people to gather at a time. She also continues to encourage and minister to other Japanese missionaries who are serving in Cambodia and continues to partner with local Cambodian organizations that minister to women and to the poor though these activities are mostly online due to COVID.\nThanks for being there as partners around the globe for us. We are thankful for your prayers, encouragement, and support in various ways.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2021/06/23/with-you-in-spirit/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your \u003cem\u003egood\u003c/em\u003e order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.\u0026rdquo; Colossians 2:5\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2021/06/IMG%5F9198.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEven though we could not travel to the USA or Japan this summer as we had hoped due to COVID restrictions, we are thankful that we can feel close to our families and senders in both countries. We thank God for communication technology that allows us to communicate so that living on the other side of the globe now feels like living on the other side of the state felt a few years ago. We are thankful that we could even do some online shopping in the USA for a few essential items and books for Benjamin and have them shipped to Cambodia. This too is a blessing.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"With You In Spirit"},{"content":"“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing?\u0026quot; Matthew 6:25\nThanks for praying for us during the past month. We went through a three-week lockdown for COVID. Now, the restrictions have been eased to a level that we don\u0026rsquo;t feel stressed by them. During the, lockdown it was difficult to get accurate information about the various strict restrictions. This was the most stressful part of the experience. God carried us through that time of great uncertainty. Please continue to pray for others who are still under very strict lockdowns. By God\u0026rsquo;s grace the COVID situation has stabilized and improved somewhat in Cambodia. Still there are others around us who are struggling in various ways.\nBy God\u0026rsquo;s grace, we could continue our regular ministries even though it was at a slightly slower pace. Darryl was able to produce two videos in the Cambodian language: 1. Why and How Christians Should Be United 2. The Bible and Parenting. The reason for the first video was that many Christians were dividing on Facebook over how to spell the name of Jesus in the Cambodian language. Thankfully, this conflict has cooled off since then. The second video helps to overcome the misconception by many Cambodian parents that they own their children when in reality God is the true owner of everyone and parents supposed to be good stewards of their children. Right now, Darryl has two more apologetics/evangelistic video scripts in process.\nDuring the lockdown, Kayo organized various families in the local international church to video themselves singing worship songs for the online worship service video. She also encourages and ministers to other Japanese missionaries and expats living in Cambodia. She maintains her relationship with Precious Women Organization but there is not so much work for her to do right now.\nBenjamin will be in online school for the rest of the academic year. He is doing pretty well but online school comes with its own set of challenges and stresses not just for Benjamin but also for the family.\nThanks for praying for our driver\u0026rsquo;s license renewal. The lockdown ended just in time for us to renew and all of our supporting documents were still acceptable.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2021/05/17/do-not-be-worried/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing?\u0026quot;\u003c/em\u003e Matthew 6:25\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThanks for praying for us during the past month. We went through a three-week lockdown for COVID. Now, the restrictions have been eased to a level that we don\u0026rsquo;t feel stressed by them. During the, lockdown it was difficult to get accurate information about the various strict restrictions. This was the most stressful part of the experience. God carried us through that time of great uncertainty. Please continue to pray for others who are still under very strict lockdowns. By God\u0026rsquo;s grace the COVID situation has stabilized and improved somewhat in Cambodia. Still there are others around us who are struggling in various ways.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Do Not Be Worried"},{"content":"“ We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;” 2 Corinthians 4:8\nThis is the same verse that I posted last month when we were merely perplexed but now, we really are hard-pressed by police barricades on all sides of our neighborhood. After a year of being blessed in Cambodia with low numbers of COVID cases, the COVID numbers continue to rise and it has not been contained yet. So, the capital city of Phnom Penh is now in lockdown. We are not allowed to leave our neighborhood and only two of us are allowed to leave our apartment three times a week for groceries and supplies. There are steep fines, prison terms, and deportations with no re-entry being handed out to people who violate various orders. So, we need to be really wise and careful in our daily lives.\nPlease pray for: 1. That COVID would be contained ASAP so that Cambodia can return to normal. 2. That God would meet the needs of the Cambodian poor because they cannot work and most charitable organizations and churches are not able to operate due to the lockdown. 3. That God would give us wisdom and grace to guide us during this confusing time.\nYet, we are not crushed. Darryl\u0026rsquo;s apologetics/evangelistic social media video ministry continues and should be able to continue despite the lockdown. Since the last update, Darryl produced and released two more videos in the Cambodian language: 1 Jonah and the Great Fish 2. How to Recognize False Christs. The second video was made because there is a new cult operating in Cambodia that teaches the Jesus Christ has already returned and is living in the form of a Chinese woman. There was a long Khmer New Year holiday this month so it was only possible to produce two videos instead of three. Darryl also has been editing the English subtitles for Light Times Magazines new video project. Please pray for Soksan the founder of Light Times and his family. They went camping on some land that they own on the outskirts of the city and got caught out there when the lockdown happened now they can\u0026rsquo;t return to their home so they may not be able to work until the lockdown is lifted. Please pray for wisdom, creativity, and inspiration for Darryl to write more video scripts that will best meet the needs of the Cambodians during this season.\nThe Chinese language apologetics/evangelistic video and other projects are on hold because Darryl cannot meet with Pastor Samuel during this time. One good thing is that Pastor Samuel has purchased some audio recording equipment and is taking online classes to learn how to make high quality audio recordings on his own. Please pray for wisdom about how to move forward with translation and recordings for videos even though we may have to wait until after the lockdown to do the video production part.\nEven though Kayo can\u0026rsquo;t meet with the Cambodian women\u0026rsquo;s organization, she has been busy ministering to other missionaries and foreigners living in Cambodia in addition to taking care of the family. A few nights ago, she got a call at 2am from a young female Japanese missionary who lives in our apartment building that a man had somehow gotten into her apartment. We don\u0026rsquo;t know the motive. By God\u0026rsquo;s grace, the missionary woke up and screamed before the man had a chance to steal anything and he ran away without harming her. After receiving the call, Kayo and I rushed upstairs to help the missionary. She was too scared to stay in her apartment that night so she spent the rest of the night in our living room. In the morning we helped her communicate the situation to the landlord\u0026rsquo;s family. They had another apartment available that is bigger and more secure for the same price so we moved her that morning.\nNow, Kayo also organizes and arranges for different members of the worship team to record their own worship videos at their homes, since the worship team can no longer meet. Darryl combines the videos and sends them to another missionary who adds lyrics and then sends the video to be combined with the sermon etc. for the local international church\u0026rsquo;s weekly Facebook service video. This ministers to a lot of missionaries and other foreigners living in Cambodia.\nDespite the lockdown, Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s online school continues, by God\u0026rsquo;s grace. We weren\u0026rsquo;t sure that the teachers would be able to teach because they might not have been able to retrieve their teaching materials from school now that they have to teach from home but so far things are going smoothly. For one of Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s PE assignments he had to demonstrate proper baseball batting, pitching, and catching technique on a video. The challenge was that he didn\u0026rsquo;t have a bat, baseball, glove, and we are no longer allowed to play sports outside. So, Benjamin had to use a badminton racket, a handball, and make the video in the hallway and living room of our apartment! Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s video turned out fine and there was no damage to the apartment. He even edited the video himself.\nAlso please pray for our Cambodian driver\u0026rsquo;s license renewal in May. Please pray the the lockdown will end before our licenses expire so we can renew them on time.\nThanks for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support. You all mean more to us than we can express, especially in times like these.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2021/04/19/lockdown/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e“ \u003cem\u003eWe are\u003c/em\u003e hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; \u003cem\u003ewe are\u003c/em\u003e perplexed, but not in despair;” 2 Corinthians 4:8\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the same verse that I posted last month when we were merely perplexed but now, we really are hard-pressed by police barricades on all sides of our neighborhood. After a year of being blessed in Cambodia with low numbers of COVID cases, the COVID numbers continue to rise and it has not been contained yet. So, the capital city of Phnom Penh is now in lockdown. We are not allowed to leave our neighborhood and only two of us are allowed to leave our apartment three times a week for groceries and supplies. There are steep fines, prison terms, and deportations with no re-entry being handed out to people who violate various orders. So, we need to be really wise and careful in our daily lives.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Lockdown"},{"content":"\u0026quot; We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;\u0026quot; 2 Corinthians 4:8\nYears ago, when I first started driving a car in Cambodian traffic jams I used to think about being \u0026ldquo;hard-pressed on ever side.\u0026rdquo; : ) Now that COVID (105 new cases yesterday) is spreading in Cambodia there are few traffic jams. Now, the \u0026ldquo;pressing\u0026rdquo; feels more like three people trying to do work, ministry, and online school in an apartment with few outings. By God\u0026rsquo;s grace, we were able to move into a two bedroom apartment, last month, before this latest COVID outbreak hit.\nWe thank God that we are able to continue to reach out to the people of Cambodia via social media. Sometimes we are \u0026ldquo;perplexed\u0026rdquo; with questions like, \u0026ldquo;When will we be able to return to in-person ministries with our Cambodian partners?\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;When will we be able to visit the US or Japan?\u0026rdquo; etc. But, we are not in \u0026ldquo;despair\u0026rdquo; because God is with us, has met our needs so far, and we trust Him to be with us in the future.\nSince the last update, Darryl has been able to produce and distribute three videos in the Cambodian language: 1. Are Genuine Christians Hypocrites? 2. Is God a Trinity? 3. How Should Christians Relate to Our Cultures? Now, Darryl has two more videos in process for the Cambodian language. In terms of video production, Darryl is able to produce more videos during the times when COVID is bad than during normal times because other ministry activities and errands are stopped.\nPlease pray that we will be able to work out a safe way (given the current spread of COVID) to translate, record, and synchronize more audio tracks for Darryl\u0026rsquo;s apologetics/evangelistic videos in Chinese (Mandarin).\nPlease pray for Kayo as she misses her in-person ministries and activities the most. She still keeps busy helping to organize the worship team at the international church for the weekly video service. She keeps in touch with her Cambodian partners but there is not as much work for her to do now that she can\u0026rsquo;t go to the office. She also is busier with the family when Benjamin is home on online school.\nBenjamin is doing well both in-person and online school. He misses being able to hang out with his friends as much as before. Still he is handling it all pretty well. He also is disappointed that we won\u0026rsquo;t be able to travel either in Cambodia or internationally for some time due to COVID.\nThanks for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support as God enables you to bless the people of Cambodia and beyond through your partnership with our family.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2021/03/17/perplexed-but-not-in-despair/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot; \u003cem\u003eWe are\u003c/em\u003e hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; \u003cem\u003ewe are\u003c/em\u003e perplexed, but not in despair;\u0026quot; 2 Corinthians 4:8\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYears ago, when I first started driving a car in Cambodian traffic jams I used to think about being \u0026ldquo;hard-pressed on ever side.\u0026rdquo; : ) Now that COVID (105 new cases yesterday) is spreading in Cambodia there are few traffic jams. Now, the \u0026ldquo;pressing\u0026rdquo; feels more like three people trying to do work, ministry, and online school in an apartment with few outings. By God\u0026rsquo;s grace, we were able to move into a two bedroom apartment, last month, before this latest COVID outbreak hit.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Perplexed But Not In Despair"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.\u0026rdquo; Galatians 6:9\nWe just found out that there has been another outbreak of COVID and so Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s school will be online at least for the next two weeks. We don\u0026rsquo;t know whether churches will be online or not yet. Everything was open for a month after an outbreak the end of November. This outbreak in Cambodia combined with the COVID situation in the USA and Japan make traveling this summer to either country seem very unlikely.\nDespite our disappointment that COVID has not cleared up as fast as we had hoped, but now it looks like it may linger for awhile, our lives and ministries in Cambodia are going better than we expected given the situation. For example, Pastor Samuel is forming a team to translate and record Darryl\u0026rsquo;s apologetics/evangelistic videos into Chinese. I the past month we were able to translate, record, and produce the video Life: Creation or Chance in Chinese.\nDarryl also produced and distributed two videos: God and the Environment and Is Jesus Really God? in the Cambodian language through social media. He also researched and wrote three scripts for future videos.\nLight Times Magazine has been unable to produce a paper based magazine for some time due to COVID. Now, they are in the process of starting to produce videos for social media distribution. Please pray for this transition and for Darryl\u0026rsquo;s role in helping with the new videos.\nKayo continues to be very active with the worship team at the international church. Benjamin is doing well in school despite the changes between in-person and on-line school. We are thankful that we could move into a two bedroom apartment in the same building for the same price as a one-bedroom (due to Covid). Benjamin is happy to have his own bedroom instead of having to sleep in the living room.\nThanks for your continued and faithful prayers, encouragement, and support. We would be in a bad situation without people like you.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2021/02/23/perserverance/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e Galatians 6:9\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe just found out that there has been another outbreak of COVID and so Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s school will be online at least for the next two weeks. We don\u0026rsquo;t know whether churches will be online or not yet. Everything was open for a month after an outbreak the end of November. This outbreak in Cambodia combined with the COVID situation in the USA and Japan make traveling this summer to either country seem very unlikely.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Perserverance"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.\u0026rdquo; Hebrews 10:23\nWe thank God for His faithfulness in 2020 and look forward to what He has planned for 2021. There are many unanswered questions like, \u0026ldquo;Will we be able to visit the USA, Japan, or neither this summer?\u0026rdquo; Right now, the doors don\u0026rsquo;t seem to be open for us to visit other countries but who knows what a few months will bring.\nThank you for praying for our visa renewals with the Cambodian government. We were approved for another year. They did require more documentation than ever before but by God\u0026rsquo;s grace our Cambodian partnering organizations were able to supply everything we needed for the renewal.\nThank you for praying for Cambodia\u0026rsquo;s COVID-19 situation. There was a small community outbreak the end of November. As a result, church and school went back to online only. We thank God that the outbreak was successfully contained and now church and school have both returned to in-person.\nDarryl finished his apologetics class at a local Bible school in December (except for grading). Now, he can focus more on researching for new scripts for future evangelistic/apologetics videos in the Cambodian language and sharing them via website and social media.\nIn December, Darryl and Pastor Samuel recorded the first (pilot) episode of \u0026ldquo;Learn English Through the Bible\u0026rdquo;. This is a short English and Bible lesson in English and Chinese. We may transition to Zoom style classes instead of making stand-alone videos.\nIn January, \u0026ldquo;Brian\u0026rdquo; a Chinese Christian man from church volunteered to translate some of Darryl\u0026rsquo;s video scripts into Chinese as a way of improving his English and Bible knowledge. We will then be able to make more Chinese language videos.\nKayo continues to be active with the local church\u0026rsquo;s worship team and now that Christmas is over is looking for new ministry opportunities. Benjamin is back in in-person school and it is hard to believe the at 6th grade is half finished. We also thank God that he requested to be and was baptized the end of December.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2021/01/18/hope-for-the-new-year/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.\u0026rdquo; Hebrews 10:23\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2021/01/1305E540-436A-4288-BC73-52037E4B56D2.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe thank God for His faithfulness in 2020 and look forward to what He has planned for 2021. There are many unanswered questions like, \u0026ldquo;Will we be able to visit the USA, Japan, or neither this summer?\u0026rdquo; Right now, the doors don\u0026rsquo;t seem to be open for us to visit other countries but who knows what a few months will bring.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Hope for the New Year"},{"content":"“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9\nDarryl’s Apologetics/Evangelistic video ministry has just produced its first video in the Chinese (Mandarin) language! Darryl and Pastor Samuel have been talking about this for years now but due to COVID, we both finally have time in our schedules to work together to make this happen. Pastor Samuel translated and recorded the soundtrack of the video “DNA: God’s Living Software” in Chinese and then we used that to make the video using video from the English version of the video. This video is now available in Cambodian, English, Japanese, Spanish and Chinese. It is available for viewing and free download at www.internationalfishers.com/chinese.\nPlease pray for Pastor Samuel as he recruits other Chinese translators for future video projects. Pastor Samuel and Darryl are also working on a new video series in Chinese and English entitled \u0026ldquo;Learn English Through the Bible.\u0026rdquo; We are starting by teaching the book of Mark verse by verse in simple English and Chinese in short videos. Please pray for this project as well.\nDarryl’s vision for International Fishers has long been to, “take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people we will never meet, in places we will never go, in languages we will never speak.” Because we live and serve in Cambodia, our main focus continues to be teaching and producing videos etc. in the Cambodian language. But, Cambodia is a very international country and so there are Christians from many other countries and languages and we are always open to opportunities to equip and partner with them to reach people of their own language and nation.\nLast month, Darryl produced a video in the Cambodian language entitled, “the Bible and Angels” and released it on www.internationalfishers.com/khmer , on YouTube and through several Facebook pages and groups. Darryl is about to release another video in Cambodian entitled, “God and Ethnic Groups,” but this time he will attempt to put in English subtitles so more people can understand it.\nIn November, Cambodia had its first community transmission of COVID 19. Up until now, all the cases have been imported from overseas and caught at the airport or during a mandatory 14 day quarantine. Now that COVID has broken through into the community, schools and churches are back online for the time being. Darryl’s apologetics class has also been moved to online video along with our other ministries. Please pray for the schools to reopen ASAP so that if possible Darryl can record the student’s apologetics videos instead of having to give them an online exam.\nThe family is doing well. We had a great Thanksgiving and birthdays (Darryl’s and Benjamin’s) (THANKS Kayo!).\nPlease pray for our visa renewals this month. The Cambodian government keeps making the requirements more difficult each year. We believe that we are fine for this year but please pray for favor and a smooth renewal process.\nPlease pray for COVID to get controlled so we can either visit the US or Japan next summer.\nIn Christ’s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2020/12/08/new-videos-in-the-chinese-language/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”  Galatians 6:9\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDarryl’s Apologetics/Evangelistic video ministry has just produced its first video in the Chinese (Mandarin) language!  Darryl and Pastor Samuel have been talking about this for years now but due to COVID, we both finally have time in our schedules to work together to make this happen.  Pastor Samuel translated and recorded the soundtrack of the video “DNA: God’s Living Software” in Chinese and then we used that to make the video using video from the English version of the video.  This video is now available in Cambodian, English, Japanese, Spanish and Chinese.  It is available for viewing and free download at \u003ca href=\"http://www.internationalfishers.com/chinese\"\u003ewww.internationalfishers.com/chinese\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"New Videos In The Chinese Language"},{"content":"The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,\nLike the rivers of water;\nHe turns it wherever He wishes. (Proverbs 21:1 NKJV)\nAs I write this post, it is the day before the U.S. election. Growing up, I was interested in U.S. politics while my peers were interested in sports. I even earned a degree in political science before God called me to be a missionary and Christian apologist in Cambodia. Each election year, I thank God that I do not have to campaign for any human candidate, but that I have the privilege to use my skills to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Even though I still have strong preferences for which candidates win various elections, the above verse has helped me to keep my sense of balance and peace by remembering that regardless of who wins the election, God is still in complete control.\nIn October, I continued to write scripts and produce apologetics/evangelistic videos in the Cambodian language. I released two videos: God and Good Evil and Go d and Money. Four more video scripts are in various stages of production for future videos. The video ministry continues to be fruitful and rewarding.\nNow that the churches have reopened (with restrictions), I have also been resumed helping a Chinese missionary teach the Bible and English to Chinese and Cambodians at the international church we attend.\nI have also started teaching a Christian Apologetics class at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute. This class has been a little confusing due to COVID restrictions. At first, the class was supposed to be fully online, so I prepared for that. Then, it was supposed to be partly online and partly in-person, so I prepared for that. Now, starting this week, it is fully in-person. So, I am getting ready to make (hopefully) this final adjustment. I am thankful that Cambodia\u0026rsquo;s COVID-19 situation remains very good with only a handful of active cases, all from overseas travelers and not community transmission.\nKayo continues to be actively helping to coordinate the international church\u0026rsquo;s worship team and ministering to Japanese missionaries in Cambodia. She looks forward to getting back into in-person ministries to Cambodians as the COVID situation in Cambodia improves.\nBenjamin is doing well in school and is overcoming the challenges of sixth grade and COVID restrictions (at school).\nThank you for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support. Please pray for our ministries as well as for the travel restrictions to/from Cambodia so that we can visit the US and Japan in the future. We also pray that God will bless, provide for, and protect you during this season of uncertainty.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2020/11/02/the-heart-of-the-king/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,\u003cbr\u003e\nLike the rivers of water;\u003cbr\u003e\nHe turns it wherever He wishes.\u003c/em\u003e (Proverbs 21:1 NKJV)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs I write this post, it is the day before the U.S. election. Growing up, I was interested in U.S. politics while my peers were interested in sports. I even earned a degree in political science before God called me to be a missionary and Christian apologist in Cambodia. Each election year, I thank God that I do not have to campaign for any human candidate, but that I have the privilege to use my skills to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Even though I still have strong preferences for which candidates win various elections, the above verse has helped me to keep my sense of balance and peace by remembering that regardless of who wins the election, God is still in complete control.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"The Heart of the King"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.\u0026rdquo; Psalm 5:11\nSince our last update, God has opened the doors for schools and churches to reopen. The government still has placed strict requirements on both but with a total cases around 274 and no community transmission of COVID 19, we are hopeful that those restrictions will be gradually eased. The restrictions for entry into Cambodia remain very strict so for now we cannot leave the country because it might be too difficult to re-enter.\nOur regular ministries continue to be blessed. Darryl\u0026rsquo;s International Fishers apologetics/evangelistic ministry is going well. He has been able to increase the frequency of his videos from about 1 per month before COVID to around 3 per month. He released videos with the following titles (in the Cambodian language)since August: Science and Jesus\u0026rsquo; Miracles, Talking Snakes and Donkeys in the Bible, How to Find God, and, God and Time. There are three more videos in process which will be released soon. He continues to release the videos on the website, various Facebook pages and groups, and on YouTube. It is encouraging that the evidencecambodia YouTube channel alone now has 1,620 subcribers and has more than 92,000 total views across all the videos. Tracking the numbers of views on the various Facebook pages and groups and the website is much more difficult but most videos are more popular on Facebook than on YouTube.\nKayo continues to be very active in worship ministry for the local international church. We are thankful that we no longer have to only do video services but can do in-person services. She looks forward to being able to return to in-person work with Precious Women.\nPlease pray for our Cambodian ministry partners, especially Light Times Magazine and Precious Women Organization. Light Times Magazine is struggling financially and also it is difficult to print and distribute magazines during this season. Please pray that now that the churches are reopening that Light Times will be able to return to normal operations as well. Please pray for Precious Women Organization that they will be able to return to regular operations as well. Before COVID, they were primarily focused on evangelizing and retraining women who were trapped in the night-time entertainment industry. Now, they are primarily focused on providing emergency food relief to women who have become unemployed due to COVID. While this is a good temporary focus, please pray that they will be able to return to their main vision ASAP and that we will be able to return to in-person work with them.\nThanks for your faithful prayer, encouragement, and practical support that has made it possible for our family not to just survive during this global season of pandemic and unrest but to actually see some areas of thriving. We pray that God will be with and bless you, your family, and your church as you have been a blessing to the Great Commission in Cambodia.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2020/09/23/our-refuge/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e Psalm 5:11\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince our last update, God has opened the doors for schools and churches to reopen. The government still has placed strict requirements on both but with a total cases around 274 and no community transmission of COVID 19, we are hopeful that those restrictions will be gradually eased. The restrictions for entry into Cambodia remain very strict so for now we cannot leave the country because it might be too difficult to re-enter.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Our Refuge"},{"content":"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10\nDespite the uncertainties of the world around us, God has blessed us with peace and protection during this season. COVID-19 remains under control in Cambodia and we thank God for this. As a result, Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s school will be able to reopen for in person classes with mask and social distancing requirements the end of August. God has carried us through around five months of schooling and work at home in an apartment that seems to shrink as our 11 year-old grows. Travel restrictions remain pretty strict so any travel outside of Cambodia before the middle of 2021 would be extremely difficult if not impossible. Churches remain limited to 10 people so we continue helping with the online services at the international church.\nDarryl continues to create and distribute Cambodian language evangelistic/apologetics videos on social media and via www.internationalfishers.com/khmer. He just released a video in Cambodian entitled, \u0026ldquo;Science and Jesus Christ\u0026rsquo;s Miracles,\u0026rdquo; which discusses how science cannot disprove miracles and gave other evidence for Jesus miracles. The video ministry continues to go well as Cambodians use social media more and more for entertainment and communication. The videos receive between hundreds of views and tens of thousands of views on various social media platforms. For example, Darryl\u0026rsquo;s most popular video in Cambodian, \u0026ldquo;Did Jesus Really Rise From the Dead\u0026rdquo; has been viewed by more than 45,000 Cambodians on YouTube alone.\nDarryl also continues to work with other missionaries to develop a basic Bible teaching website in Cambodian and other languages. It is a slow process but it is very promising in terms of the impact that it can have.\nKayo continues serving as a board member and volunteer at Precious Women ministry which evangelizes and retrains at-risk women for other careers outside of the night-time entertainment industry. Recently, the organization has been focused on distributing food to women who are out of work due to COVID-19. Kayo and I do some work at home things for the organization on an as needed basis but we haven\u0026rsquo;t been able to go to the office since COVID-19 began. We hope to return to the office soon. Kayo is also very active in the international church\u0026rsquo;s worship team and online services.\nBenjamin has been doing some online summer schooling and will soon start joining a soccer club.\nThanks for your prayers, encouragement, and support. May God bless you and keep you and your family during this season.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Loving Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2020/08/07/a-strong-tower/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.\u003c/em\u003e Proverbs 18:10\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the uncertainties of the world around us, God has blessed us with peace and protection during this season. COVID-19 remains under control in Cambodia and we thank God for this. As a result, Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s school will be able to reopen for in person classes with mask and social distancing requirements the end of August. God has carried us through around five months of schooling and work at home in an apartment that seems to shrink as our 11 year-old grows. Travel restrictions remain pretty strict so any travel outside of Cambodia before the middle of 2021 would be extremely difficult if not impossible. Churches remain limited to 10 people so we continue helping with the online services at the international church.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"A Strong Tower"},{"content":"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;\nBut we will remember the name of the Lord our God.\nPsalm 20:7\nWith a pandemic, economic turmoil, and social turmoil in many places around the world it is easy to become overwhelmed and frightened when our \u0026ldquo;horses\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;chariots\u0026rdquo;, whatever they may be, fail. But, these times constantly remind us that God is real and He is greater than whatever we fear. We thank God that He has been taking care of us and meeting our daily needs during this precarious time.\nMinistries are have stabilized in this new season. Darryl was able to release a new video in the Cambodian language entitled \u0026ldquo;If God Created Everything, Why Do Animals Eat Meat?\u0026rdquo; This video was well received on various social media platforms.\nDarryl has also been video recording and editing the videos for the worship team at the international church\u0026rsquo;s online service via Facebook. Darryl did the subtitles for one week but now there is someone else to do this.\nDarryl is waiting for students at the seminary to turn in their online apologetics class assignments for grading. Hopefully this will be completed in July.\nRight now, Darryl is mainly focusing on researching and writing video scripts for future videos. Please pray for wisdom and inspiration for the writing process.\nKayo participated in a food giveaway via Bethel Grace Mission a Cambodian founded ministry that ministers to the urban poor who live in graveyards.\nKayo is also helping to organize the worship team at the international church and is actually more busy than normal with this because of the need to record the worship time on video. It looks like the churches will be shut down for several more months.\nBenjamin completed his online school year. He will be going into 6th grade (probably online) in August. We are proud of him for winning a the Jo Miller award for Christ-like servant leadership.\nWe are doubtful that we can go to Japan this fall because now in order to return to Cambodia we would need to deposit $3,000 per person for quarantine expenses in addition to other hurdles in Cambodia and Japan. Please pray that these travel restrictions will be lifted in time for us to travel internationally again in 2021.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2020/06/25/cambodia-missions-update-3/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSome trust in chariots, and some in horses;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBut we will remember the name of the Lord our God.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePsalm 20:7\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2020/06/104621059%5F10158326482744618%5F2058030297353886217%5Fo.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith a pandemic, economic turmoil, and social turmoil in many places around the world it is easy to become overwhelmed and frightened when our \u0026ldquo;horses\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;chariots\u0026rdquo;, whatever they may be, fail. But, these times constantly remind us that God is real and He is greater than whatever we fear. We thank God that He has been taking care of us and meeting our daily needs during this precarious time.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Missions Update"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;Refuse to give in to him, by standing strong in your faith. You know that your Christian family all over the world is having the same kinds of suffering. And after you suffer for a short time, God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever.\u0026rdquo; 1 Peter 5:9-10\nThe italicized part of this passage has been on my mind since reading it with Benjamin a few days ago. There are troubles all over the world. Before one trouble gets resolved, other troubles break out. In the past, it seemed like the lives of those in our sending countries were more peaceful and secure than our lives as missionaries in Cambodia. Now, I am not so sure.\nNow, it is increasingly clear that heaven, not earth, is our true home. Even when things go wrong on earth, God will make everything right either now or in eternity. So, as believers, we can maintain the love, joy, and peace, that God gives us regardless of the trials that we and our loved ones around the world are facing.\nCambodia Update\nBy God\u0026rsquo;s grace, we have been able to continue to minister in Cambodia despite COVID-19. Darryl has been able to finish all 16 (30-minute) videos to substitute for in-person Apologetics class lectures at a local Cambodian seminary. In June, he will still need to grade the final exam/projects.\nIn addition, Darryl was able to produce and distribute a new video entitled God\u0026rsquo;s Robots in Cambodian. This video is about the amazing design of microscopic \u0026ldquo;walking robots\u0026rdquo; called kinesins that transport molecules inside the cell. The video has been distributed on various social media platforms, Facebook groups, and will also be available on the app of the largest Cambodian church and network. There is another video in process and then Darryl will need to take some time to research topics for future videos. Please pray for wisdom and creativity.\nKayo has been helping to organize the international church\u0026rsquo;s worship team for weekly video-recorded worship sessions for the online services. She is also organizing some smaller member-care fellowship groups to care for various members who are getting isolated after months without in-person fellowship. In-person church services remain closed for the foreseeable future.\nKayo has also been ministering to and encouraging other Japanese missionaries and expats in Cambodia. We will not be able to go to Japan this summer to visit our senders there so we are looking in to making videos for them.\nPrecious Women organization continues to distribute supplies to women who are at risk of getting trapped in prostitution. Many of them have lost their regular jobs as a result of COVID-19. So, they are at even greater risk. We continue to support this organization financially and Kayo does some work from home work for them as well.\nBenjamin is finishing his school year online. Lord willing the school will be able to start in-person classes in August but we are not sure of that either.\nPlease continue to pray for our finances as it is very difficult to raise additional funds because of COVID-19, meanwhile our expenses have increased beyond our control. We recognize that many of our senders are also facing financial uncertainty as well so we are sensitive to this reality as well.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Loving Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2020/06/01/peace-in-troubled-times/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Refuse to give in to him, by standing strong in your faith. \u003cem\u003eYou know that your Christian family all over the world is having the same kinds of suffering.\u003c/em\u003e And after you suffer for a short time, \u003cem\u003eGod, who gives all grace, will make everything right.\u003c/em\u003e He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever.\u0026rdquo; 1 Peter 5:9-10\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Peace In Troubled Times"},{"content":"\u0026#34;In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.\u0026#34; Romans 8:37-38 At this time Cambodia has 122 cases of COVID-19 and all but a few have recovered. We thank God for this. It may be that the high temperatures and scorching sunlight that we usually complain about during this season are helping to keep the virus under control\u0026ndash;only God knows for sure. Schools have been shut down until further notice so Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s school is teaching him online. Churches, bars, theaters, gyms, and casinos and some other businesses are shut down but so far we have not been put under any stay at home orders. So, the three of us are pretty much at home except for shopping, exercise, and errands.\nStill ministries continue and life goes on. I (Darryl) am in the process of recording sixteen 30-minute video-lectures for my apologetics/evangelism class for Cambodian seminary students. The seminary has set up a studio so I am thankful that I can go there instead of attempting to record everything in our apartment. The seminary will share the videos and exam online with their students.\nI also continue to make short (5-10 minute) apologetics/evangelistic videos for social media as I have been doing for quite some time. Because there is little to do in Cambodia for entertainment, many Cambodians are using social media quite a bit to pass the time so they continue to come across my website, Facebook page, and Youtube channel where I have posted several dozen apologetics/evangelistic videos in the Cambodian language over the years.\nIn addition to this, I continue to assist in editing English language articles for Light Times Magazine, the only Christian magazine in Cambodia. Light Times is available in English and Cambodian languages and is read by around 40,000 people per issue. I am thankful that I can continue to serve via computer during this season.\nKayo and I both volunteer at Precious Women Organization in various capacities but our in-person work has been canceled for a few weeks now. Kayo still does some administrative work for them from home. Please pray for this organization. Before COVID-19, they were busy retraining and evangelizing impoverished women who were at risk of becoming trapped in the sex industry. Many of these women had jobs at bars and night clubs but now they have lost their regular jobs and so they are at even greater risk. Precious Women has been providing rice and other basic food staples to help them get by, along with teaching them the Bible and other things online.\nWe have postponed our trip to visit our senders in Japan until September (if possible). Right now it is almost impossible to go to Japan and return to Cambodia and church services are closed there as well. So, we are basically, \u0026ldquo;stranded\u0026rdquo; here but we are at peace with this situation at the present time.\nWe continue to pray for Cambodians and our senders who are struggling during this season in various ways. May God grant us all peace, grace, wisdom, and provision during this time.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2020/04/29/cambodia-missions-update-more-than-conquerers/","summary":"\u003cdiv class=\"highlight\"\u003e\u003cpre tabindex=\"0\" style=\"color:#f8f8f2;background-color:#272822;-moz-tab-size:4;-o-tab-size:4;tab-size:4;\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"language-fallback\" data-lang=\"fallback\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"display:flex;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026#34;In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.\u0026#34; Romans 8:37-38\n\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/code\u003e\u003c/pre\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2020/04/93439434%5F940465559704771%5F5428961382244548608%5Fn.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt this time Cambodia has 122 cases of COVID-19 and all but a few have recovered. We thank God for this. It may be that the high temperatures and scorching sunlight that we usually complain about during this season are helping to keep the virus under control\u0026ndash;only God knows for sure. Schools have been shut down until further notice so Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s school is teaching him online. Churches, bars, theaters, gyms, and casinos and some other businesses are shut down but so far we have not been put under any stay at home orders. So, the three of us are pretty much at home except for shopping, exercise, and errands.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Missions Update: More Than Conquerers"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.\u0026rdquo; 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 NKJV\nThey say a picture is worth a thousand words. However, this month I have neither. God is doing some cool things in our ministries here in Cambodia but we haven\u0026rsquo;t been able to take any pictures. Here are a few things that God has been doing that we couldn\u0026rsquo;t photograph.\nA missionary couple in rural Cambodia has started using Darryl\u0026rsquo;s apologetics book, Christianity: Reasons for Faith to train around 40 Cambodian pastors and church leaders out there.\nDarryl was able to share the book, Christianity: Reasons for Faith, and various videos with a Christian school teacher in Cambodia from South Africa to help him teach his students about the truth of Christianity compared to other worldviews.\nA dear sister in the US was able to Darryl\u0026rsquo;s videos in Japanese (Kayo translated and recorded) on www.internationalfishers.com/japanese to spiritually encourage a Japanese couple who had difficulty understanding English.\nPrayer Requests\nPlease pray for us (as we also pray for you) during this Coronavirus outbreak. We have plans to visit our senders and churches in multiple cities in Japan this summer but it is difficult to plan this trip. Cambodia depends on imports and this disease is already threatening the supply of some things that we need, especially prescription medicines. By God\u0026rsquo;s grace, so far there are only 3 known cases of Coronavirus in Cambodia. Cambodia\u0026rsquo;s healthcare system is not as developed as in other countries so if there is a serious outbreak here, we could face serious problems.\nPlease pray for Darryl as he prepares to teach Apologetics at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute from the end of March to the beginning of June.\nPlease pray for Kayo as she bears a lot of the behind the scenes administrative burdens for the international church worship team.\nAlso pray for Kayo\u0026rsquo;s work with Precious Women Organization as she takes on board member and administrative roles.\nPraise God for raising up more Cambodian Christian partners for Darryl\u0026rsquo;s apologetics/evangelistic video ministry. Darryl was able to release one video on God\u0026rsquo;s designs in February and God\u0026rsquo;s goodness in March. Other videos are in process.\nPlease continue to pray for our finances. God has been providing our short-term needs but we still have some uncertainty about Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s educational expenses and unmet long-term needs.\nPlease pray for other on-going ministry projects that we didn\u0026rsquo;t have space to mention this time.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2020/03/12/i-planted-others-are-watering/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 NKJV\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey say a picture is worth a thousand words. However, this month I have neither. God is doing some cool things in our ministries here in Cambodia but we haven\u0026rsquo;t been able to take any pictures. Here are a few things that God has been doing that we couldn\u0026rsquo;t photograph.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"I Planted Others Are Watering"},{"content":" For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Acts 13:47\nWe thank God for carrying us through 2019- a year with many mountains and valleys. Because of God\u0026rsquo;s faithfulness in many stressful situations, our faith continues to grow as we begin 2020.\nThank you for your prayers for Benjamin especially during his hospitalization for influenza. We are also thankful that no one else caught it from him, especially because the team from Japan came just as he was recovering. Despite this, the team had a blessed time in Cambodia. They were a great encouragement both as prayer and ministry partners. They also were able to bless some poor Cambodian children through a special program in partnership with a local ministry to people who are so poor that they must live in graveyards.\nPlease pray for our senders in Japan. The pastor who heads our sending committee in Japan, connects us with Japanese churches, and is key to our fund-raising in Japan is going through some health problems and has had to take an extended time off from all ministries. So, please pray for this beloved pastor\u0026rsquo;s recovery and also please pray that God will open doors for us to visit churches in Japan this summer.\nPlease pray for our increasing work with Precious Women Organization, a ministry which evangelizes and retrains women who could easily become trapped in the sex industry. Kayo is praying about whether or not to join the board of Precious Women and Darryl has started working one day a week with them to produce videos to inspire the Cambodian women and other topics.\nWe are blessed with other ministry opportunities as well. Darryl continues to make evangelistic videos in the Cambodian language. One of his videos has recently been viewed by more than 40,000 Cambodians. He also continues to work with Light Times Magazine and on the development of an evangelistic/evangelistic website in partnership with a brother from Pakistan. Kayo also continues to be very busy with coordinating the international church\u0026rsquo;s worship team and reaching out to Japanese living in Cambodia.\nPlease continue to pray for our finances, especially for Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s educational expenses. With the various ministry projects that seem to need additional time and energy, we really don\u0026rsquo;t see a clear path for us to earn additional income through tent-making, at least not in this season. It seems that God wants us to trust Him to send the needed funds through His people.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2020/01/17/new-year-new-opportunities/","summary":"\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2020/01/80961200%5F10220390053492334%5F5032661167839903744%5Fn.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”\u003c/em\u003e Acts 13:47\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe thank God for carrying us through 2019- a year with many mountains and valleys. Because of God\u0026rsquo;s faithfulness in many stressful situations, our faith continues to grow as we begin 2020.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThank you for your prayers for Benjamin especially during his hospitalization for influenza. We are also thankful that no one else caught it from him, especially because the team from Japan came just as he was recovering. Despite this, the team had a blessed time in Cambodia. They were a great encouragement both as prayer and ministry partners. They also were able to bless some poor Cambodian children through a special program in partnership with a local ministry to people who are so poor that they must live in graveyards.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"New Year New Opportunities"},{"content":" The Love Phnom Penh Festival The Love Phnom Penh Festival (featuring Franklin Graham) took place over the first weekend in December. More than 23,000 attended and more than 1,300 made professions of faith in Christ. Kayo was part of the planning committee for the choir, helped with training, sang, and even sang a short solo part in Japanese. This is a praise report because all three of us were quite sick for the entire week leading up to the festival and we were not sure whether or not Kayo would be healthy enough to be part of the choir or not. But, because of the prayers of our senders she was healthy enough to attend and sing for two of the three nights.\nEvangelism and Discipleship Website Development Darryl has started partnering with a Pakistani brother, Abid, to develop a multi-language, interactive, video-based, evangelism and discipleship website. Right now Darryl is working to develop video scripts based on correspondence courses which have been successful in Pakistan since the 1960s. Abid is working on establishing the necessary organizational structure and registering with the Cambodian government. Please pray for this huge project that God will open all the doors necessary for it to move forward and evangelize and equip many new believers.\nPrayer Requests Please pray for more Cambodian partners for Darryl\u0026rsquo;s International Fishers video ministry so that apologetics/evangelism videos can be made more frequently.\n\u0026gt; Please continue to pray for our finances, especially Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s tuition needs. We praise God for raising up enough new senders to at least temporarily stabilize our financial situation. Please continue to pray for God to stabilize and increase our resources over the long term so that we can continue to expand our ministries in Cambodia and beyond.\n\u0026gt; Please pray for Darryl\u0026rsquo;s new video project with Precious Women Organization starting in January, 2020.\nMerry Christmas!\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2019/12/13/a-time-for-love/","summary":"\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/12/IMG%5F0671.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"the-love-phnom-penh-festival\"\u003eThe Love Phnom Penh Festival\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Love Phnom Penh Festival (featuring Franklin Graham) took place over the first weekend in December. More than 23,000 attended and more than 1,300 made professions of faith in Christ. Kayo was part of the planning committee for the choir, helped with training, sang, and even sang a short solo part in Japanese. This is a praise report because all three of us were quite sick for the entire week leading up to the festival and we were not sure whether or not Kayo would be healthy enough to be part of the choir or not. But, because of the prayers of our senders she was healthy enough to attend and sing for two of the three nights.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"A Time For Love"},{"content":" Equipping Students For Evangelism Darryl taught a two week, intensive Apologetics class at Cambodia Bible Institute between October 21 and November 1. The purpose of the class is to help students to gain complete confidence in the Truth of God\u0026rsquo;s so that they will grow spiritually and evangelize non-believers and equip believers so that they too will love God with their minds in addition to their hearts.\nThe class received very good feedback. One student now hopes to become an Apologetics teacher in the future. Another student has started using information from the class to evangelize and equip the university students who live in his dormitory. Other students gained confidence to share their faith with non-believers. Instead of a final exam, the students made short evangelistic/apologetics videos which Darryl will soon be sharing on social media.\nTwo New Videos In October Darryl also produced two videos in the beginning of October: 1. God\u0026rsquo;s Cameras: Ears 2. God\u0026rsquo;s Motors: Bacteria Motors. Different videos achieve different levels of views. Some videos have been viewed by more than 37,000 Cambodians (Did Jesus Really Rise From the Dead?). Cambodians continue to be very active on social media and are probably more willing to learn more about the truth of Christianity through social media than they may be through other methods of communication.\nFranklin Graham\u0026rsquo;s Love Phnom Penh Festival Choir In addition to her regular ministries (Precious Women Ministry and International Church Worship Team etc.), Kayo has been part of the team which is training the choir for the Love Phnom Penh Festival in early December at which Franklin Graham will speak. Please pray for this outreach that many will come to know Christ personally.\nPrayer Requests Please continue to pray for our financial needs, the most urgent is for Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s education.\nPlease pray for more Cambodian ministry partners for Darryl\u0026rsquo;s apologetics ministries.\nPlease pray for Kayo as she juggles multiple ministries especially between now and the end of the year.\nPlease continue to pray for \u0026ldquo;Shadrach\u0026rdquo; and his family from Pakistan. He has been able to get a visa but is still looking for a full-time job. His wife has a job and he has a part-time job for now.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2019/11/11/your-apologetics-class-makes-it-easier-for-me-to-share-my-faith/","summary":"\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/11/74515031%5F2444380578992552%5F4369481594151370752%5Fn-1024x768.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"equipping-students-for-evangelism\"\u003eEquipping Students For Evangelism\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDarryl taught a two week, intensive Apologetics class at Cambodia Bible Institute between October 21 and November 1. The purpose of the class is to help students to gain complete confidence in the Truth of God\u0026rsquo;s so that they will grow spiritually and evangelize non-believers and equip believers so that they too will love God with their minds in addition to their hearts.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe class received very good feedback. One student now hopes to become an Apologetics teacher in the future. Another student has started using information from the class to evangelize and equip the university students who live in his dormitory. Other students gained confidence to share their faith with non-believers. Instead of a final exam, the students made short evangelistic/apologetics videos which Darryl will soon be sharing on social media.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"\"Your (Apologetics) Class Makes It Easier For Me To Share My Faith.\""},{"content":"\u0026quot; Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20__And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace.\u0026quot; Daniel 3:19-20 NKJV\nUrgent Prayer Request!: Please pray for my new friend and brother in Christ, \u0026ldquo;Shadrach\u0026rdquo; who urgently needs to obtain a job, work permit, and visa in Cambodia to avoid being sent back to Pakistan where his former boss is waiting to murder him (and potentially his wife and two small children as well) because he refused to convert to Islam. The boss even sent several armed henchmen to his house to beat and threaten them for several hours in an attempt to force them to convert, but their faith remained strong so they refused. Now, they are being tested in the fires of Cambodia. They have little savings which is running out, the wife has obtained a job and visas for the two children but Shadrach is still vulnerable to being deported back to Pakistan, unless God blesses him with a job soon. I have done what I can to help him practically (fixed his old laptop and helped him back up the files and shared his situation with my social networks in Cambodia etc.).\nPraise Report! Goliath #1 is Defeated: In May, we lost the funding, that we have depended on since 2007 to pay our housing expenses, because our sending church in the USA hit a financial crisis. This was a very serious loss because without housing, we could have been forced to return to one of our home countries. With little savings or hope of good employment, our situation could have turned dire. By God\u0026rsquo;s grace on Saturday morning, we were informed that the rest of our monthly housing need has been met with a generous monthly donation!\nPrayer Request Goliath #2 is Approaching: In April, Kayo\u0026rsquo;s parents retired from their management consulting business in Japan. They had been sponsoring Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s tuition, at Hope School https://www.hope.edu.kh so now that our housing need has been met, we can finally start to seek the funding for Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s education. We have been paying his $582 monthly tuition out of our savings but that is getting low, we will have to spend some financial reserves from our missions account, but this is a temporary solution. Benjamin is doing well in school, has many friends and activities, and would be lonely in homeschool so that is not a good option either. I (Darryl) am looking into part-time teaching opportunities but this will reduce my ministry capacity. Please pray that God will raise up people around the world who will be called to invest in Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s education and keep us free to focus on ministry during his school hours.\nPrayer Request Goliath #3 TBA:\nPrayer Request Apologetics and Evangelism Class: From October 21 to November 1, I (Darryl) will be teaching Apologetics and Evangelism at Cambodia Bible Institute. Please pray for my teaching and the students\u0026rsquo; learning. Also please pray that all of the video and audio equipment will work well enough this time that I can post the students\u0026rsquo; videos on social media to minister to others.\nPrayer Request International Fishers Videos: Please pray that I will be able to release two new videos in the Cambodian language 1. God\u0026rsquo;s Motors(bacterial flagellar motors) 2. God\u0026rsquo;s Camera\u0026rsquo;s(eyes) between now and the start of the class. Pray for other videos in process as well. My most viewed video on the resurrection is approaching 35,000 views in the Cambodian language.\nOther Prayer Requests: Please pray for Kayo\u0026rsquo;s continued work with Precious Women ministry. Please pray for Kayo\u0026rsquo;s ministry with the international church\u0026rsquo;s worship team and the Love Phnom Penh Festival\u0026rsquo;s (Franklin Graham) choir. Also, please pray for our continued health, strength, and encouragement in the Lord.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl with Kayo and Benjamin\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2019/10/02/they-threatened-my-family-and-me-with-guns/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot; \u003cem\u003eThen Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003e20__And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026quot; Daniel 3:19-20 NKJV\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUrgent Prayer Request\u003c/strong\u003e!: Please pray for my new friend and brother in Christ, \u0026ldquo;Shadrach\u0026rdquo; who urgently needs to obtain a job, work permit, and visa in Cambodia to avoid being sent back to Pakistan where his former boss is waiting to murder him (and potentially his wife and two small children as well) because he refused to convert to Islam. The boss even sent several armed henchmen to his house to beat and threaten them for several hours in an attempt to force them to convert, but their faith remained strong so they refused. Now, they are being tested in the fires of Cambodia. They have little savings which is running out, the wife has obtained a job and visas for the two children but Shadrach is still vulnerable to being deported back to Pakistan, unless God blesses him with a job soon. I have done what I can to help him practically (fixed his old laptop and helped him back up the files and shared his situation with my social networks in Cambodia etc.).\u003c/p\u003e","title":"\"They Threatened My Family and Me With Guns...\""},{"content":"“Tell the nations of his glory; tell all peoples the miracles he does,” Psalms 96:3\nWe are back in Cambodia now and have resumed our various ministries here after spending from June 20 to August 6 in the USA connecting with our family, friends, and senders there. Thank you all for praying for us so faithfully. We had a successful home assignment in California from June 20 to August 6. Now, we are back in Cambodia and are resuming our various ministries here. Here are a few of our top priority prayer requests:\nFinances: We praise God for hearing our prayers in this area! A few months ago, we needed to replace more than $1,100 monthly to cover our rent, utilities, and Benjamin’s Christian school tuition after our main sending church in the USA hit a financial crisis and Kayo’s parents in Japan retired (they were funding Benjamin’s tuition from their business). If all of the faith promises come in, now it looks like our rent and utilities will be covered once again! However, we still urgently need to replace more than $600 monthly to cover Benjamin’s tuition at https://www.hope.edu.kh . If we do not receive enough funding soon, we will be forced to homeschool Benjamin (we will still need funding for that too). However, we really hope that is not necessary because Benjamin will seriously miss his friends from school, we don’t feel equipped to do a good job a homeschooling, and home schooling will probably force us to reduce some of our ministry activities.\nVideo Ministry: Darryl recently released a new video entitled “God’s Microphones: Human Ears. You can watch the Cambodian version of the video here https://youtu.be/9m89S-qAuKM and the English version of the video here https://youtu.be/Vl6KjquPCW0 . Darryl has two other videos in process 1. “God’s Robots: Kinesins” and 2. “God’s Cameras: Human Eyes.” We praise God that one of Darryl’s previous videos on the evidence for the resurrection has been viewed by more than 33,500 Cambodians!\nWomen’s Ministry: Please pray for Kayo as she resumes her work with Precious Women ministry. Precious Women evangelizes and retrains women who work in the “night-time entertainment industry,” so that they can have a new life in Christ and a new career.\nOther Ministries: Please pray for Light Times Magazine (the only Christian Magazine in Cambodia), Darryl’s partnership with Pakistani Christians to develop evangelistic/discipleship materials for Cambodia and beyond, Chinese ministry, and Kayo’s work with the international church worship team.\nLife in Cambodia: Our return to Cambodia has been a little rocky. Both our car and refrigerator needed significant repairs. Our refrigerator will probably need to be replaced soon. Our neighbors in our apartment building changed from a quiet older couple to a bunch of younger guys who make noise at night that keeps Kayo awake. We will probably need to move to a different apartment, hopefully in the same building. This move will require us to pay more for rent.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2019/08/23/cambodia-prayer-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e“Tell the nations of his glory; tell all peoples the miracles he does,”  Psalms 96:3\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are back in Cambodia now and have resumed our various ministries here after spending from June 20 to August 6 in the USA connecting with our family, friends, and senders there. Thank you all for praying for us so faithfully.  We had a successful home assignment in California from June 20 to August 6.  Now, we are back in Cambodia and are resuming our various ministries here.  Here are a few of our top priority prayer requests:\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Prayer Update"},{"content":"Romans 10:15 (NKJV)\n“ And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:\n“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”\nGreetings to our Senders from California!\nOur family will be in the Los Angeles/Orange County area most of the time until August 6 when we return to Cambodia. We are looking forward to reconnecting with current senders and connecting with new senders during this time. We are available to meet with individuals, families, small groups, and larger groups as God opens the doors. Our temporary phone number (until August 6 is (562) 479-8631 or you can e-mail us at darryl@sgwm.com.\nPlease mark your calendars for July 10! We are happy to invite all of our friends in the vicinity of La Mirada area to a Dessert Gathering (we will eat desserts together, give our latest mission update, and help people get signed up to receive our e-mail updates and partner with us. The Dessert Gathering will be held a Calvary Chapel La Mirada immediately after the Wednesday night service (service starts at 7pm dessert gathering starts around 8pm). The address is 15144 Leffingwell Rd. La Mirada, CA 90638.\nWe still need to raise more than $900 monthly to cover our rent, utilities, and Benjamin’s tuition this fall. We are thankful for the one-time donations that are covering this gap in the meantime. Please continue to pray that God will raise up new/increased monthly financial partners so that we can continue our mission work over the long term.\nMinistries wrapped up very well in Cambodia. When look forward to sharing these updates when we visit with you in person, online, or on the phone.\nThese photos are from behind the scenes of a video called, \u0026ldquo;Love is Patient,\u0026rdquo; that Darryl helped a team of Cambodian Christians and French and Indian missionaries make. You can see the finished video at https://www.facebook.com/mediais4god/videos/651713955271058/.\nI (Darryl) really want to thank all of our faithful senders for your sacrifices. Please read this poem(ish) writing that I wrote a couple of months ago as an expression of my gratitude for those who stay in our home countries, work, and share their resources to make it possible for us to continue to mission work which began nearly 19 years ago now. https://www.internationalfishers.com/eternal-impact/we-stayed-so-that-others-could-go-a-missionarys-tribute-to-those-who-stay-behind\nIn Christ’s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2019/06/27/home-assignment-2019/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eRomans 10:15 (NKJV)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e“\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eAnd how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/06/IMG%5F0465-1024x676.jpeg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGreetings to our Senders from California!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur family will be in the Los Angeles/Orange County area most of the time until August 6 when we return to Cambodia.  We are looking forward to reconnecting with current senders and connecting with new senders during this time.  We are available to meet with individuals, families, small groups, and larger groups as God opens the doors.  Our temporary phone number  (until August 6 is (562) 479-8631 or you can e-mail us at \u003ca href=\"mailto:darryl@sgwm.com\"\u003edarryl@sgwm.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Home Assignment 2019"},{"content":"But at it is written, \u0026ldquo;They who had no news of Him shall see, and they who have not heard shall understand.\u0026rdquo; Romans 15:21 NASB\nApologetics Class At Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute:\nA testimonial note from Mr. Pov Piseth, Darryl\u0026rsquo;s former M.Div. student at CPTI.\nIt was such a great opportunity for me to take an Apologetics class with Professor Darryl Record. Through his outstanding guidance in the class, I gained a lot of better understandings and clear pictures about the real meaning of Apologetics. His lecture notes are very well organized . Even when the contents of the lesson are complicated, he tries his best to simplify it in order to make sure that every student is able to understand fully…. I highly recommend Professor Darryl Record. He is the best professor for me. He is also my great counselor when I have something difficult to deal with. He always comforts me and advises me to respect the Lord and trust in Him more.\nMinistry Updates:\nDarryl continues teaching an Apologetics class at Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute until June 13. Kayo continues to volunteer with Precious Women ministry. This ministry helps to evangelize and retrain poor women who are at risk of being forced into the sex industry. Darryl continues teaching English and verse by verse Bible studies for the Chinese Ministry at the international church each Sunday morning. He is also tutoring/evangelizing two Chinese people on weekdays. Kayo continues to coordinate and develop the leadership team of the 40-member worship team at the international church while the worship leader is on sabbatical. Darryl has re-joined the board of directors at Kone Kmeng children\u0026rsquo;s ministry. Kone Kmeng partners with hundreds of rural/border churches to evangelize, educate, and protect (more than 30,000) poor children from child abuse and human trafficking. Please pray for Kone Kmeng\u0026rsquo;s finances because their largest donor, a well-known mega-church in the USA, has recently gone through major leadership changes. This has led to misunderstandings with the new staff members who have temporarily (for 2019) suspended their funding. Darryl is now partnering with \u0026ldquo;Abel\u0026rdquo; a tentmaker missionary from Pakistan (and many others) to contextualize (to Buddhist and atheist world-views), update (by seamlessly integrating apologetics concepts), and translate (into English, Cambodian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Urdu) and distribute a Bible correspondence curriculum which have been very effective at evangelizing and discipling many Pakistanis since the 1960s despite persecution. The curriculum was sent by mail in Pakistan in the past. Now \u0026ldquo;Abel\u0026rdquo; has the vision of distributing this updated material through apps etc. to more than 100,000 people by 2030! Financial and US Visit Update:\nWe will be in the Los Angeles (La Habra, Chino Hills, La Mirada, and Whittier) areas between June 20 and August 6. We would like to reconnect with as many of our friends as possible during this time. Please e-mail darryl@sgwm.com if you are available to get together informally during that time. We are also looking for help with transportation during that time as well (borrowing a vehicle, rides, sponsor some Uber/Lyft rides etc.). We still need to replace around $950 monthly due to Kayo\u0026rsquo;s parents\u0026rsquo; retirement and one of our largest donor\u0026rsquo;s financial problems. We praise God that around $150 monthly has already been promised from the USA and Japan! We also praise God that through large one-time donations our housing and utilities ($500 monthly) has been covered through the end of 2019! These funds will still need to be replaced with smaller monthly donations from many individuals after that. This still leaves a $450 monthly shortage for Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s tuition starting in September. Given the promising opportunities for ministries in Cambodia, we believe that God wants us to stay in Cambodia over the long-term. Please pray for our needs and about your (and other\u0026rsquo;s) role(s) as Great Commission Business Partners (Senders) whether financially, practically, through encouragement, and/or intense prayer. In Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2019/05/24/they-who-have-not-heard-shall-understand/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBut at it is written, \u0026ldquo;They who had no news of Him shall see\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eand they who have not heard shall understand.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e Romans 15:21 NASB\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApologetics Class At Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute\u003c/strong\u003e:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/05/IMG%5F0584-1024x765.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA testimonial note from Mr. Pov Piseth, Darryl\u0026rsquo;s former M.Div. student at CPTI.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt was such a great opportunity for me to take an Apologetics class with Professor Darryl Record. Through his outstanding guidance in the class, I gained a lot of better understandings and clear pictures about the real meaning of Apologetics. His lecture notes are very well organized . Even when the contents of the lesson are complicated, he tries his best to simplify it in order to make sure that every student is able to understand fully…. I highly recommend Professor Darryl Record. He is the best professor for me.  He is also my great counselor when I\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003ehave something difficult to deal with. He always comforts me\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eand advises me to respect the Lord and trust in Him more.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"They Who Have Not Heard Shall Understand."},{"content":" Would you consider it a lack of faith to call 911 if a wildfire threatened to burn up your housing, child’s schooling, and livelihood? If not, please read this message as a 911 call from missionaries. Missionaries usually cannot call 911 because either there is no one to call or there is no one trustworthy to call. Therefore, we are taking a risk and a step of faith by calling you through this message. The rest is up to people, just like you, and the steps of faith that you choose to take.\nBecause our main financially supporting church in the USA is now in a financial crisis and Kayo’s non-Christian parents in Japan are retiring, we have found ourselves in a crossroads trial. This could potentially, end our missionary work in Cambodia, dating back to 2000, before the end of 2019, unless God sends help through people just like you.\nWe have two urgent financial needs. 1. We need to replace $500 monthly by October to cover the costs for our housing and utilities. 2. We need to replace approximately $600 monthly by September in order to continue to pay for Benjamin’s Christian school tuition. Homeschooling (or finding employment in Cambodian) would be difficult for us and it would significantly reduce our ministry effectiveness just when our ministries are expanding.\nTo get a better understanding of our ministry vision, activities, heart, and financial situation please visit: https://www.internationalfishers.com/eternal-impact/record-family-2019-financial-update\nPlease pray about how God may be leading you to personally partner with us financially in a new or increased way. Please pray that God bring other Christians, you know, to mind who might also be willing to be Great Commission Business Partners for the first time. Our ministries in Cambodia are to the Body of Christ in general, therefore we are able to be both ministry and financial partners with Christians from a broad range of Christian denominations etc. (similar to Ravi Zacharias or Billy Graham etc.). If anyone wants to check our doctrine, we can send them a free apologetics e-book that Darryl co-authored with a medical doctor by request. darryl@sgwm.com I understand many people may consider it to be a violation of etiquette for missionaries to voice their financial needs so clearly. However, after reviewing many Bible passages, I have come to the conviction that it is permissible to do so in certain situations.\nPlease consider these passages:\nNehemiah 2:3 “ I said to the king, “May the king live forever! My face is sad because the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.” Esther 5:3-4 “Then Queen Esther answered, “My king, if you are pleased with me, and if it pleases you, let me live. This is what I ask. And let my people live, too. This is what I want. My people and I have been sold to be destroyed, to be killed and completely wiped out. If we had been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because that would not be enough of a problem to bother the king.” Matthew 14:30 “ But when Peter saw the wind and the waves, he became afraid and began to sink. He shouted, “Lord, save me!” Luke 18:1-3“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’” John 19:28“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” In each of these cases where there was a legitimate, urgent, and serious need these people of great faith, including Jesus Christ all communicated their needs clearly and verbally instead of through psychic or telepathic means. I believe that our current need meets these standards. Here is why:\nIf we are able to raise the funds through monthly financial partnerships, our ministries can continue to expand like never before! For example, some P@k!$t@n! Christians in Cambodia have just started translating Darryl’s www.internationalfishers.com apologetics/evangelistic materials into their language. Also, just one of Darryl’s dozens of videos in Cambodian on the evidence for the resurrection has been viewed by more than 23,000 people! If we are not able to raise enough funds but must homeschool Benjamin and/or take local jobs to supplement our donations, our ministries will be reduced. If we are forced to return to the USA or Japan, we have no promising career paths and insufficient resettlement funds to transition back safely and smoothly. Therefore, there is a great likelihood that we could be forced, (against our will and best efforts until we can find employment) to become burdens on family and friends and even dependent of social welfare programs. If God opens up a clear path to return to one of our home countries, we are more than willing to follow Him, but this does not seem to be His best path for us at this time. There are many other wonderful ministry breakthroughs happening in addition to what I was able to mention briefly. Please pray for God to raise up people just like you to stand in the gap for us financially, “for such a time as this.” Great victories are born out of great adversities. We are trusting God to raise up a new generation of Great Commission Business Partners (Senders) from this adversity!\nIn Christ’s Hands and Yours,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin Record\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\nP.S. We are still planning to be in the Whittier/La Mirada/La Habra California area between June 20 and August 6. We look forward to visiting with and talking on the phone with as many of our friends and family members as possible during that time, when our time zones are not completely opposite. ","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2019/04/22/the-faith-to-walk-on-water-also-can-be-the-faith-to-call-911/","summary":"\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/04/23278-at-Apr-22-10-44-40.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWould you consider it a lack of faith to call 911 if a wildfire threatened to burn up your housing, child’s schooling, and livelihood?  If not, please read this message as a 911 call from missionaries.  Missionaries usually cannot call 911 because either there is no one to call or there is no one trustworthy to call.  Therefore, we are taking a risk and a step of faith by calling you through this message.  The rest is up to people, just like you, and the steps of faith that you choose to take.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"The Faith To Walk On Water Also Can Be The Faith To Call 911"},{"content":"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2\nWe are going through a time which is both \u0026ldquo;in season\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;out of season\u0026rdquo; at the same time. On one hand, our various ministries are expanding both in breadth and in depth, which I will share more about in this update. On the other hand, Cambodia is going through its hot/dry season now so daily blackouts of up to six hours nationwide (so far, by God\u0026rsquo;s grace, we\u0026rsquo;ve been spared from most of these), highs around 99F, running water cuts and shortages, sicknesses, exhaustion, car repairs, and serious upcoming financial needs, mean that we must choose to keep our eyes on Christ and not the many storms around us as we walk by faith.\nChristian Apologetics Classes: Darryl will finish teaching the Leadership and Christian Apologetics Training Course the end of March. The Pastor wants him to teach more in the future but given the \u0026ldquo;seasonal challenges\u0026rdquo; mentioned above, we are not sure whether these trainings will be done before our visit to the USA this summer or in the fall, after we return to Cambodia.\nDarryl will also start teaching Christian Apologetics classes again at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute between the end of March and the middle of June.\nVisiting the USA and Urgent Financial Need We will be spending some time in the USA this summer between June 20 and August 6. We will be mainly in the LA/Orange County areas of California. We need to take care of some banking needs and to reconnect with our senders and relatives in the US since we have been out of the USA for two years.\nPlease also pray that God will open doors for us to connect with more regular financial partners. Up until now, Kayo\u0026rsquo;s parents in Japan have been sponsoring Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s Christian school tuition. This has been a huge blessing, even though they are not Christians (yet). They are retiring soon and so we need around $600 additional each month to cover the financial gap starting this fall. We have additional financial needs beyond this, but this is just the most urgent.\nLight Times Magazine and Christian Videos Update Darryl continues to write apologetics/evangelistic articles and help with English editing for Light Times Magazine, the only Christian magazine in Cambodia. Because it is a magazine, non-Christians are much more willing to receive and read it than they would be to receive and read a tract. Recently the format has changed to focus on readers younger college and career age readers. Below is a Facebook post from Soksan, LT\u0026rsquo;s founder.\nDarryl has also joined Cambodian Christians along with French, and Indian missionaries in a joint project of producing live-action Cambodian Christian videos for social media through True Media at https://www.facebook.com/mediais4god/\nThe missionary from India told Darryl that when he was in Bible School in Bangalore, India that one of his textbooks was, Christianity: Reasons for Faith which Darryl co-authored a few years ago! It remains a mystery how the book moved from Cambodia to India.\nPartnering With Persecuted Christians Darryl continues to work to encourage, equip, and partner with Christians from Ch!n@ and P@k!$t@n who have been forced to move to Cambodia for religious freedom. Because of the freedom here in Cambodia, we are planning to develop Christian materials here in their own languages and then send them back to their homelands via social media and underground methods.\nKayo\u0026rsquo;s Ministries Updates Kayo also continues to minister to Japanese missionaries and workers in Cambodia who are currently struggling with environmental challenges mentioned above and also have greater difficulty communicating with Cambodians because of language barriers. Kayo is also involved in helping the international church\u0026rsquo;s worship team learn and use new administrative software. This is even more more urgent because the main worship leader had a stroke yesterday.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2019/03/25/cambodia-missions-update-in-season-and-out-of-season/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePreach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are going through a time which is both \u0026ldquo;in season\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;out of season\u0026rdquo; at the same time. On one hand, our various ministries are expanding both in breadth and in depth, which I will share more about in this update. On the other hand, Cambodia is going through its hot/dry season now so daily blackouts of up to six hours nationwide (so far, by God\u0026rsquo;s grace, we\u0026rsquo;ve been spared from most of these), highs around 99F, running water cuts and shortages, sicknesses, exhaustion, car repairs, and serious upcoming financial needs, mean that we must choose to keep our eyes on Christ and not the many storms around us as we walk by faith.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Missions Update: In Season and Out of Season"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.\u0026rdquo; 2 Timothy 3:17 **\n**\nLeadership and Apologetics Training Course At Kingsway Community Church\nDarryl recently started a six-week Leadership and Apologetics training course to equip the leadership team at Kingsway community church, a church started by Pastor Phanet Kim (see his testimony above). The purpose of this course is to equip the church leaders most of whom are below 30 years old. Most of them are first generation Christians so it is important to equip them with Biblical leadership principles and also to help them have the confidence that they need to evangelize their own families and communities outside of the church. They also need to be able to help their children and the younger generation in their church to be able overcome the doubts and challenges to the truth of Christianity that may come from their public schools and the media.\nInternational Fishers Videos on the NLF App\nGreat news! New Life Fellowship, the largest church in Cambodia (1,000+ members and 100+ church plants) has made International Fishers Khmer language videos available through their NLF Cambodia App for smartphones and devices. This will help make it easier for Cambodian Christians to share the gospel with their non-Christian family, friends, classmates, and co-workers.\nInternational Fishers Apologetics/Videos Update\nRecently, Darryl released a new video in Cambodian entitled, \u0026ldquo;God Inspired the Bible.\u0026rdquo; The video gives evidence that God inspired the Bible with these reasons 1. Pre-programmed morality. 2. The resurrection of Jesus Christ. 3. Fulfillment of Prophecy. 4. Archaeology confirms the Bible. One of the YouTube viewers commented that it was, \u0026ldquo;Very Clear.\u0026rdquo; Darryl is also working to produce a new video in Khmer on the evidence that the Tower of Babel really existed. Last month, we were happy that the Cambodian language video, \u0026ldquo;Did Jesus Really Rise From the Dead?\u0026rdquo; had received more than 12,000 views. Just one month later, this same video has more than 17,000 views!\nA pastor in Japan has taken one of Darryl\u0026rsquo;s Japanese language videos, \u0026ldquo;Life: Creation or Chance?\u0026rdquo; and used this five minute video as the starting point for a thirty minute evangelistic sermon in Japanese which he filmed and uploaded on YouTube.\nKayo\u0026rsquo;s Ministry Update\nKayo continues to work with Precious Women organization, a ministry which retrains and evangelizes women who work in bars and night clubs and who are at risk of being forced into prostitution or other forms of exploitation.\nKayo\u0026rsquo;s ministry to Japanese continues to go well. Her life group is going well and is an encouragement to Japanese missionaries and workers who live and serve in Cambodia.\nKayo also continues to serve in the worship team at the international church where we attend.\nUS Visit This Summer\nWe can\u0026rsquo;t believe that two years have passed since we left the USA to return to Cambodia. We will spend our time in California. We look forward to visiting our senders and family members in the area. Please pray for a blessed time and that God will open all the doors for us.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2019/02/20/equipped-for-every-good-work/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e 2 Timothy 3:17 **\u003cbr\u003e\n**\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeadership and Apologetics Training Course At Kingsway Community Church\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/12/Darryl-and-Phanet-at-Kone-Kmeng-Nov-29-10-55-27.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDarryl recently started a six-week Leadership and Apologetics training course to equip the leadership team at Kingsway community church, a church started by Pastor Phanet Kim (see his testimony above). The purpose of this course is to equip the church leaders most of whom are below 30 years old. Most of them are first generation Christians so it is important to equip them with Biblical leadership principles and also to help them have the confidence that they need to evangelize their own families and communities outside of the church. They also need to be able to help their children and the younger generation in their church to be able overcome the doubts and challenges to the truth of Christianity that may come from their public schools and the media.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Equipped For Every Good Work"},{"content":"“Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” 1 Chronicles 16: 23-24\nAs we enter a new year, it is a good opportunity to reflect on God’s faithfulness during the past year, to thank Him for what He is doing now, and to look forward to His plans for 2019.\nApologetics/Evangelistic Materials Production and Distribution:\nWe are thankful for the expansion of Darryl’s International Fishers: Christian Evidence Ministries, impact on the Internet and social media. Now, www.internationalfishers.com is equipping 1,988 unique visitors who visit 5,856 pages within the website in a 30 day period who come to visit the website. This is nearly double the traffic this website received one year ago! Here are also some stats for five Cambodian language videos which were posted on YouTube around 1 year ago. This does not include the views and shares on Facebook and Dropbox etc. because they are too difficult to track and count. Currently we have a potential audience of around 45,000 Christian Cambodians and Missionaries on Facebook and have received good feedback there as well.\nDid Jesus Really Rise From the Dead?: 12,000+ views. Archaeology and The Bible.: 5,900+ views. Science in the Bible (4 Months Ago).: 2,100+ views. 4. Jesus Christ the Only Rescuer.: 1,600+ views.\n5. Those Who Have Not Heard About Jesus Christ.: 1,500+ views.\nIn December, Darryl released two more videos in the Cambodian Language: 1. How to Know Truth 2. Prophecies that Jesus Christ Fulfilled on www.internationalfishers.com/khmer , social media, and via DropBox.\nDarryl continues to share his videos, scripts, radio programs, and the English language book manuscripts via DropBox with other missionaries both in Cambodia and in other countries for them to adapt, contextualize, translate, and distribute in their own ministry circles. Recently a pastor from Japan visited us, he plans to use some of Darryl’s Apologetics/Evangelistic materials to help him in his church there. New developments are also taking place with the Ch!ne$e and P@k!$t@n! ministries as well. There are several other projects and opportunities that are still in the infancy. Please pray for their development during this year.\nKayo’s Ministry Update:\nKayo was very busy in December with various Christmas related events and outreaches for the International Church worship team, the International Christmas Choir, Japanese Ministry, and Precious Women Organization. For example, the International Christmas Choir, organized by a missionary from France, had three concerts: at a Christmas Bazaar, for the International Church’s Christmas service, and at the largest shopping mall (owned by a Japanese corporation) in the country.\nKayo’s Japanese life group ministry is going well. In December she organized a Christmas party. She also has been mentoring some Japanese women. We also praise God that the Japanese family who has been going through major problems since the husband’s break-down is in the process of being reunited in Japan.\nFamily Update:\nBenjamin was very sick for two weeks in December. He still has a lingering cough and is susceptible to other viruses. We are concerned about his health and whether or not the air around our current apartment is too polluted for his health because we live near a major street and the airport. Please pray about this. Darryl\u0026rsquo;s back pain has gone away completely so he has been able to discontinue physical therapy.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin ","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2019/01/11/his-glory-among-the-nations/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”\u003c/em\u003e 1 Chronicles 16: 23-24\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2019/01/IMGA0206-1024x576.jpg\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs we enter a new year, it is a good opportunity to reflect on God’s faithfulness during the past year, to thank Him for what He is doing now, and to look forward to His plans for 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApologetics/Evangelistic Materials Production and Distribution:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"His Glory Among the Nations"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;Peter said to Jesus, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, all those who have left houses, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or farms for me and for the Good News will get more than they left. Here in this world they will have a hundred times more homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields. And with those things, they will also suffer for their belief. But in this age they will have life forever.Many who are first now will be last in the future. And many who are last now will be first in the future.” (Mark 30:28-31 NCV)\nSince stepping out of the boat (the USA, a stable career, comfort, and safety) in faith to follow Christ on a journey that would lead me (Darryl) on the path to becoming a long-term faith missionary in Cambodia, most of the time since 2000, this passage has comforted me. I could also give more than 100 examples of this passage coming true in my life and with Kayo since our marriage in 2004 and arrival in Cambodia on September 11, 2007 with one suitcase and one computer case each.\nWe are only where we are today because of God\u0026rsquo;s faithful provision and the sacrificial sharing of resources and comforts which we have received on both sides of the globe. For example, a couple of years ago when I was sick and needed to return to the USA for treatment, a beloved Christian couple hosted my family and I for three months in their two bedroom condo. During those three months, they insisted that we sleep in the king-sized bed in their master bedroom, while they slept on air mattresses in the home-office. They sacrificed their comfort to bless us so cheerfully that when we announced that there was another Christian house we could stay at, we almost got into an argument with them, because they wanted us to stay longer. If I could remember all of the blessings in detail, I could probably write a book by now.\nInternational Fishers really is International Now October 1-November 13 Update:\nIn order to put this update in context, please go back and read our last month\u0026rsquo;s update regarding my mom\u0026rsquo;s graduation to heaven, not being able to attend the funeral on October 1 in the USA, and the video and social media conference, the end of September. /record/2018/10/01/my-moms-journey-to-eternal-life-and-cambodia-missions-update/\nA P@k!$t@n! Pastor who is writing a Christian Apologetics book in his language, contacted me on October 3rd. He had already received some of my Christian Apologetics videos on a hard-drive, which he received from a mutual friend in the USA. I sent him PDF English copies of my books, Christianity: Reasons for Faith and Christianity: Discerning Essential Doctrines and Preserving Unity. He invited me to come teach at an Apologetics conference in his country at some point in the future. We are in the prayer stage at this point but haven\u0026rsquo;t made any plans. As a result of this connection, I also have made many new wonderful Christian friends at our international church from P@k!$t@n. They are living and working in Cambodia, in part because of the religious freedom here. God arranged it that, leader of the group, Robin, and his wife would move into the same apartment building where we live. On Saturday evening, Robin, arranged for P@k!st@n! food to be delivered to our apartment for supper, because Kayo had been busy in the worship team at a women\u0026rsquo;s conference and Christmas Choir practice at church all day. P@k!st@n! food is delicious! We had some flat bread called chapati left over, so I used it to make a breakfast burrito with eggs and Mexican salsa the next morning! :-)\nA Newlywed Christian Couple from Ch!n@,\n\u0026rdquo; Dwayne and Kara\u0026quot; came to Cambodia for their honeymoon. On the last Sunday of their honeymoon, they came to the free English class (even though their English is excellent) at the international church. I help teach this class the Ch!ne$e pastor at our international church. During the 90-minute class before the service, we teach English, the Bible (verse by verse), and I include relevant Apologetics evidence. Most of the people are from Ch!n@, a few are from Cambodia, some are Christian some are not Christians\u0026hellip;yet. Pastor Samuel has evangelized and baptized many people from his home country who first came to the church because of these English classes. Anyway, Dwayne and Kara attend a house church in their home country, which is pastored by Pastor Peter. Kayo and I met Pastor Peter in California in 2017, at the home of the same mutual friend who gave my new Apologetics Pastor friend in P@k!$t@n the hard drive which included my International Fishers Apologetics/Evangelistic Videos. It turned out that Pastor Peter was a longtime friend of Pastor Samuel in Cambodia!\nFor about four years, Pastor Samuel and I have been talking about and trying to\nproduce evangelistic/apologetics materials in the Ch!ne$e language based on some of the materials which I have already produced in English and Cambodian for my International Fishers ministry. So far, it has not worked out because Pastor Samuel and his team have been very busy with other ministries. Amazingly, Dwayne and Kara have a \u0026ldquo;underground\u0026rdquo; home studio and have been producing Christian audiobooks and music videos in their language for some time. They were looking for more evangelistic/Bible teaching/apologetics materials to contextualize, adapt, translate, record, and distribute to their people. Darryl sent them with his Reasons for Faith book, the English scripts for all of his Apologetics videos, and the English Scripts for the 26 ten-minute episodes of the apologetics/evangelistic, Anchors of Faith radio program which he wrote for Far East Broadcasting (FEBC) several years ago. They also agreed to give Darryl and Pastor Samuel a copy of any materials that they produce so that we can distribute them both in Cambodia and via other organizations that minister in their country!\nA Motorcycle Taxi Driver Who Accepted Christ in 2001, The Rest of The Story! When Darryl was growing up, his mom would always play the Paul Harvey program on the radio during lunch. Paul Harvey\u0026rsquo;s famous line was, \u0026ldquo;and now you know the rest of the story!\u0026rdquo; Many of you know the story about how when Darryl and his team of English teachers first came to Cambodia in 2000, that they met a motorcycle-taxi driver named Phany. The team evangelized and discipled Phany. Darryl and Phany are like brothers. Phany went on to start an organization (completely on his own, in his bedroom in 2006) called Kone Kmeng, which now provides education, dormitories, evangelism, scholarships, wells, and small-business starting micro-loans to around 30,000-40,000 poor Cambodian children (who are at risk for being exploited as child-laborers or child-prostitutes) and their families. http://www.kone-kmeng.org Lida, Phany\u0026rsquo;s wife, started Precious Women Ministry, which evangelizes and retrains Cambodian women who currently work in bars and nightclubs (and are vulnerable to exploitation and sexual abuse) so that they can have a new life in Christ and a better career. Kayo works two days a week at the Precious Women office plus additional work from home. http://preciouswomen.org And now for the rest of the story! Soon after Phany accepted Christ\nback in 2001, he took the Gospel to his village in the countryside. Many of his friends and family members got saved. One of his friends, Phanet, accepted Christ and worked at Kone Kmeng Organization for a few years. Now Phanet is married and is the pastor of a good sized church outside of the capital city. Phany\u0026rsquo;s older sister, Sampoa also accepted Christ during that season. When Kayo and I first arrived in Cambodia, Sampoa worked for us as a house-helper (going to the hot open-air market daily, cooking Cambodian food, helping with housework etc.) during our first two years in Cambodia, while Kayo was pregnant with Benjamin and when he was a baby. Sampoa also became a special sister, especially to Kayo. Sampoa\u0026rsquo;s husband hasn\u0026rsquo;t become a Christian (yet) but all four of her children attend church faithfully. The two oldest sons have mad strong professions of faith and been baptized. The oldest son, Sok Heng, only 18 years old, a recent high school graduate, is now leading a 50 person cell group (divided into 4 sub-groups with 4-assistant leaders)! This cell group is in the church where my old friend Phanet is pastoring. Sok Heng came to us because he needs financial support to help him apply for a scholarship to study at a Bible School in Singapore. After Bible School, he wants to continue to minister in local churches and then go to the university and study Political Science. His vision is to be a bi-vocational church leader/pastor and also work in the government or in an embassy. Since, Darryl considers Sok Heng as a Cambodian sister, \u0026ldquo;Uncle\u0026rdquo; Darryl is very proud of his \u0026ldquo;nephew\u0026rdquo; Sok Heng.\u0026quot; Darryl earned a BA in Political Science before coming to Cambodia as a missionary. When Phany was thinking about going into politics, Darryl and Phany had many long talks on the subject. Now Phany is in the process to being appointed to a high ranking postion in the national government while continuing his ministry with Kone Kmeng. Darryl shared a copy Christianity: Reasons for Faith and other videos and materials with Sok Heng to use in his cell group and future ministries.\nDivine Schedule Change Reconnects Darryl with Cambodian Friends Lost\nFor Seven Years, When Darryl\u0026rsquo;s Phone Was Stolen. Darryl usually attends the International (Christian) Men\u0026rsquo;s Breakfast which occurs the first Saturday morning of the month. Before, the breakfast moved from house to house, but recently it is moved into its regular location in the apartment of John, an Indian-American missionary who also lives in our same apartment building. The beginning of November, Matt, the missionary from Canada who usually organizes it, and other main helpers were all out of town. So Darryl, Garland (an American man, with a Cambodian wife, who Darryl met at church, who also lives in our same apartment building ;-) ) went to a local restaurant to meet Brandon, another American man who has recently come to Cambodia to be the country director for a Christian organization. When Darryl and Garland walked into the restaurant, they met Mr. Kim Savun, who is now one of the Vice-Deans at the Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE), where Darryl taught English from 2000-2003 and 2007-2009. Mr. Savun has been Darryl\u0026rsquo;s supervisor and good friend since the day in August, 2000 when Darryl and his team of English teachers arrived at the airport in Cambodia for the first time. Savun and other administrators from the RULE met the team at the door of the airport and escorted them through the special VIP terminal (which the King etc. uses) and then made sure they got settled into Cambodia.\nDarryl, Savun, and other administrators at RULE stayed in contact, even after Darryl stopped working there as an Advanced English Instructor in 2009. One day about or eight years ago Darryl\u0026rsquo;s phone was stolen. Since he did not have their e-mail addresses or other contact information, Darryl lost contact with them. Because they worked at the big university, it would have been hard to find them, and life got in the way. God apparently, wanted Darryl, Savun, and other non-Christian Cambodian friends from RULE to reconnect, so he arranged for them to meet at the restaurant. Savun was there with his brother, a retired aircraft engineer. Instead of having, their planned breakfast for foreign men living in Cambodia, Darryl, Brandon, and Garland had breakfast with Savun and his brother. Darryl happened to have bilingual copy of his Christianity: Reasons for Faith Book which he intended to show to Brandon and Garland. Instead, Darryl could talk about the evidence for the existence of God, Intelligent Design, Creation, the Archaeological Evidence for the Bible, and the Evidence for the Life, Death, and Resurrection, of Jesus Christ. We all had a wonderful discussion in a very natural way. Mr. Savun\u0026rsquo;s brother, as an engineer, was very interested in the Intelligent Design evidence which points to a Creator. Darryl gave Mr. Savun the copy of the book that he had at the restaurant.\nWhen Darryl and Garland returned to the apartment, Darryl gave another copy of the Reasons for Faith book to him, to study with his Cambodian wife. Garland texted Darryl, a couple of days ago, \u0026ldquo;Thank you Darryl for the lovely book filed with insight. My wife and I enjoy checking each other\u0026rsquo;s interpretations of what we are reading. I really appreciate you taking the time to involve me in some relation reading God\u0026rsquo;s Word. I was very fortunate to have met you.\u0026rdquo;\nOn November 12, Darryl was able to return to visit Mr. Savun, other Cambodian\nfriends, and he could even meet some of the English teachers from his old organization and share some materials with them. Darryl shared some copies of Light Times Magazine, the only Christian Magazine in Cambodia with Savun and others at RULE. Light Times Magazine is also an effective evangelism tool because it isn\u0026rsquo;t a tract. Instead it is a bilingual (English/Cambodian) magazine with articles on how to be successful in your career, have a good family, be healthy, and other topics, written from a Cambodian-Christian perspective, but which are interesting for both Christian and non-Christian readers. The magazine is complete with advertisements from major hotels,\nsupermarkets, and banks. In each issue Darryl includes an Apologetics/Evangelistic article such as, \u0026ldquo;Why Does God Allow Suffering?\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;Did Jesus Really Rise From the Dead?\u0026rdquo; and in the most recent issue, \u0026ldquo;Scientific Facts in the Bible.\u0026rdquo; Soksan, the founder prints and distributes 3,000 copies of Light Times quarterly. Many are placed in businesses, banks, hospitals, schools, and supermarkets around the city. They are also distributed to churches in the capital city and nation wide. In the rural churches, usually 20 families share one copy of the magazine.\nDarryl plans to return to visit more friends at RULE on November 26. Other opportunities to get together with former co-workers without the restrictions of workplace politics will follow. Now, Darryl has the freedom and opportunities to share his life, apologetics materials, and life with them on a whole new level.\nOpportunities For Darryl to Share the Gospel with Non-Christian Cambodian Friends As Result of His Mom\u0026rsquo;s Death. Even though Darryl wasn\u0026rsquo;t able to go to his mom\u0026rsquo;s funeral in Missouri because there wasn\u0026rsquo;t time to purchase a plane ticket and fly there, Darryl still was able to connect with his family. Darryl\u0026rsquo;s brother, Donald, read a message from Darryl and Darryl\u0026rsquo;s sister, Rachel, read a message from Kayo at the funeral. Darryl also made a video tribute about his mom for his immediate family, and Darryl\u0026rsquo;s cousin sent him a few video clips from the funeral. So, Darryl felt connected. Since then, Darryl has been able to have two good, long phone conversations with his Dad, who is doing very well.\nSoksan, the Editor of Light Times Magazine, translated an evangelistic Facebook post for Darryl regarding the death of his mother and how as Christians, death is more like a graduation from a school. We miss them, but we know that they do not want to return from heaven to return to the difficult school called life. Many of Darryl\u0026rsquo;s non-Christian former colleagues and students responded to the post. Sinath, one of the students in Darryl\u0026rsquo;s Advanced English Class at RULE from 2007-2009 (who also tutored Darryl in Khmer, visited us when we lived in Kampong Chhnang, and who now works for a company that insures aircraft) came to visit Darryl soon after his mom\u0026rsquo;s funeral. Darryl was able to share his faith with Sinath on a new level because he could talk about how he missed his mom, but that he had hope to see her again. Darryl also gave Sinath a couple of issues of Light Times Magazine. There have been other wonderful opportunities to share his faith with our landlord, and the Cambodian husband, a professional musician, who is married to one of Kayo\u0026rsquo;s non-Christian Japanese friends as part of Darryl\u0026rsquo;s remembrance process of his mom\u0026rsquo;s life.\nMore Translators, Narrators, and Video Production Partners for International Fishers. More highly skilled translators are volunteering to translate Darryl\u0026rsquo;s Apologetics Video Scripts and Cambodian Language Blog Articles. Mek, Darryl\u0026rsquo;s long time translator, has been very busy with much needed extra work. His wife just had their second baby and so they need more income now. Mek, has been recording all of Darryl\u0026rsquo;s Cambodian language video scripts in his house. However, now with the new baby and a 4 year old, he cannot find 10 minutes of silence necessary to make a good recording without a baby crying or some other noise :-). So he has taken a break for a few months. But, God provided a new partnership with Veasna and Mary, two young Cambodian Christians who have a Cambodian Language Video Ministry Called True Media. They are willing to narrate Darryl\u0026rsquo;s videos and now, Darryl can have video narration instead of only audio. Other projects are in the process. Now the Cambodian language blog articles go out via Facebook and other social media platforms to more than 30,000 Cambodians. The website, www.internationalfishers.com has increased its traffic from a little over 1,000 unique visitors per month to more than 1,600.\nEquipping Other Missionaries With Apologetics Materials. Darryl has also been able to share his Christianity: Reasons for Faith book and other materials with other missionaries to help them integrate apologetics evidence into their regular ministries. For Example:\nBenjamin\u0026rsquo;s teacher, to help the Christian home children in the school to become confident in the truth of Christianity and the Bible so that they will not leave the church when they leave home to go to the university or start their careers. A Japanese missionary couple who lead a children\u0026rsquo;s ministry in a Cambodian Baptist Church. The Director of a multi-national university student ministry. A counselor at Christian counseling center. Others Kayo\u0026rsquo;s Ministry to Japanese Living In Cambodia. Kayo\u0026rsquo;s Japanese Life Group ministry is increasingly active, even though it is only a monthly meeting. One Japanese Christian family, who are not missionaries recently went through a major crises. The husband, a manager at a factory in Cambodia had serious health and burn-out related problems and had to resign his job and return to Japan for treatment. The wife and two young children could not close down their apartment, sell their belongings, wrap up the older boy\u0026rsquo;s education, and find a place to live, job, and new life back in Japan that fast. So, the wife and the two children have had to stay in Cambodia for a month or so before returning to Japan. The company stopped subsidizing the family\u0026rsquo;s expensive apartment, so we helped the wife, kindergarten aged son, and two year old daughter to rent and move into a low priced studio apartment in our building. The situation is quite complicated so Kayo has been helping to arranging counseling and therapy for the family both in Cambodia and Japan. Darryl has been giving the boy a ride to and from school along with Benjamin.\nDarryl\u0026rsquo;s Health Problems and Amazing Recovery. By now, most of the readers, including the writer (Darryl) are thinking. You guys really need a vacation! The ironic thing was that in the midst of all of this drama, we actually took about a week of a \u0026ldquo;staycation\u0026rdquo; (no work, relax, swim or bicycle with Benjamin) the week of October 7th. We really needed the rest in order to prepare us for what was to come. Kayo had several days on and off of exhaustion and various minor illnesses. On October 13, Benjamin had to go to the hospital to be treated for a severe eye irritation.\nThen the big one hit. On October 25, Darryl started having stomach problems\nand back pain. He took a sick day and thought he would get better. The next day he got worse from both conditions. By Friday afternoon, he could barely drive the car without nearly screaming from the back pain every time the car went over the numerous bumps to and from Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s school. He could only sleep 3-4 hours per night, rolling over or getting out of bed was agony and he could barely walk. Combined with the severe intestinal problems, he was miserable. Of course Kayo got exhausted too because Darryl disturbed her sleep when he had to get up in the middle of the night and try to get a little more sleep propped up on the hobbit sized sofa. Even though Darryl wasn\u0026rsquo;t able to help the Japanese family move to our apartment building, Kayo and two strong church men from Fiji stepped in and helped out. Darryl still was able to watch the kids during the Japanese Life Group and even though he couldn\u0026rsquo;t teach English at the English class at church, he could still attend.\nBecause Darryl had such a terrible night, on Monday morning, Darryl decided to\ndrive himself to a nearby hospital to get checked out. Benjamin had a holiday from school so Kayo had to stay home with him. The car battery was dead. So, Darryl took a tuk tuk taxi to the hospital and arranged for our long time friend and Christian mechanic to come to the apartment and replace the car\u0026rsquo;s battery. At the hospital, Darryl had complete lab work done, an abdominal ultrasound, and a back X-ray done. One doctor couldn\u0026rsquo;t find any specific cause of the intestinal problem and wanted to do more tests but gave Darryl some medicine for the symptoms in the meantime. The orthopedic doctor diagnosed Darryl with scoliosis (curved spine), prescribed some heavy duty pain medicine and a back brace. When Darryl asked if there were any additional treatment options, the doctor said, \u0026ldquo;No.\u0026rdquo; Darryl returned home by tuk tuk around 3:30 pm, and despite the brace and the medicine his pain was only decreased by 10-20%. The good thing is that a fellow missionary saw, Darryl\u0026rsquo;s prayer request on Facebook and recommended a Physiotherapist. Darryl contacted them and was able to get an appointment for the very next day.\nDuring supper, Benjamin suddenly felt nauseous and suddenly got, \u0026ldquo;sick\u0026rdquo; right in front of the bathroom door! Benjamin couldn\u0026rsquo;t clean it up. I couldn\u0026rsquo;t bend down to clean it up, because of the back pain and Kayo was too exhausted from caring for Benjamin, myself, and running the house and an intense ministry weekend that she couldn\u0026rsquo;t move quickly. Just as she started to clean up the mess, the water pump in our apartment broke and we were without water for 18 hours. Kayo could only clean a little bit with wet wipes. Needless to say it was a miserable night.\nEarly the next morning, Darryl went across town in the car, leaving a sick Benjamin, an exhausted Kayo, and a smelly apartment behind. It worked out the Physiotherapist clinic was located close to the Christian mechanic shop so Darryl took the car for repairs and them made his way over to the Physiotherapy clinic. By God\u0026rsquo;s grace, the Physiotherapy worked! After the first session about, 80% of the pain was gone! After a few more sessions, nearly all the rest of the pain is gone. The intestinal problems also went away. Exactly two weeks after the pain first started, Darryl was back to regular activities and was able to ride his bicycle again. He continues to do stretching and strengthening exercises and will return for a follow up appointment on November 26.\nBanking and Financial Challenges and Praise Report. In our last month\u0026rsquo;s\nupdate, we said that we were in a financial emergency situation. We thank God that situations changed and new sources of funds came in and we are no longer in an immediate financial crisis. However, we really need your prayers regarding our financial situation, because this is an area of great vulnerability, especially during a time of intense ministry.\nDarryl\u0026rsquo;s Medical bills look like they will cost around $1,000. Our health insurance has a $750 deductible and we are not sure how much/any of the physiotherapy treatment will be covered. On October 16th, Kayo and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary with a nice lunch. Afterwards, when I tried to withdraw money from the ATM machine, the ATM machine malfunctioned and refused to release the ATM card. This card was the only card we have for one of our two accounts (ministry and personal) that we have in Japan.) When I called the bank, they would not send anyone to help so we could not get the card back for two weeks. As a result, Kayo had to report the card missing and so the bank in Japan deactivated it. We probably cannot get a replacement card for this account until January when a pastor from Japan is scheduled to visit Cambodia. This adds a little more stress and complication to our lives. The ATM machines used to give us $800 at a time with out any additional charge. Now they charge $5 and only allow us to withdraw $400 at a time. In January the Cambodian government will begin charging a 10% tax on top of our $400 monthly rent. We cannot really downsize too much more to save money because we currently live in a one-bedroom apartment and Benjamin sleeps in the living room. Eventually, we probably need a two bedroom apartment, so this is a concern. Due to the changes in the laws related to our visas and work permits we will need to pay nearly $900 for visas between December 2018 and June 2019. We will also be required to pay another $600 for work permits for Kayo and myself. We are concerned about the funding for Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s tuition which is more than $500 per month. We are also need to start saving up some funds for Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s return to the US to start college or a career in a few years. We also need to start saving for retirement again. We haven\u0026rsquo;t been able to save anything for several years. But we praise God that we have remained completely debt free. I do not share these things to pressure you to feel like you are required to meet these needs or solve these problems. That is God\u0026rsquo;s responsibility. Our responsibility is to pray, trust, and obey. I just needed to write these needs down so that they can stop taking up space on the tired hard-drive of my mind and so that when God meets them, that we can join together and praise Him. He has always been faithful, even with bigger challenges than these.\nThanks for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and partnership. May God continue to bless you! There is more that I could share, but I am getting tired of typing! Thanks for reading this long update!\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Loving Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2018/11/13/a-season-of-breakthroughs-with-tribulation-intense-blessings-and-pain/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Peter said to Jesus, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”  Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, all those who have left houses, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or farms for me and for the Good News will get more than they left. Here in this world they will have a hundred times more homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields. And with those things, they will also suffer for their belief. But in this age they will have life forever.Many who are first now will be last in the future. And many who are last now will be first in the future.” (Mark 30:28-31 NCV)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"A Season of Breakthroughs... with Tribulation, Intense Blessings...and Pain."},{"content":"_\u0026ldquo;O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;_but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.\u0026rdquo; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NASB\nDarryl\u0026rsquo;s mom\u0026rsquo;s funeral was held on October 1. We couldn\u0026rsquo;t attend because we could not have found an airline ticket and flown to Missouri in time. Since she was a committed Christian, Darryl thinks of her funeral as a graduation ceremony. He misses her greatly but is proud of her accomplishments in life as a pastor\u0026rsquo;s wife, nurse, strong missionary sender, and mother of 7 (Darryl is the youngest). Just as none of us would want to return to high school or college after graduation, Darryl is comforted in knowing that his mom is much happier in heaven than she would be if she had to continue living on earth. Darryl\u0026rsquo;s sister-in-law requested that he make a video about his memories of her. You can watch it here.\n\u0026ldquo;When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to__be at peace with him.\u0026rdquo; Proverbs 16:7 NASB \u0026ldquo;But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense (apologia) to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;\u0026rdquo; 1 Peter 3:15 NASB\nDarryl\u0026rsquo;s International Fishers Christians Apologetics media ministry continues to grow. Darryl has made so many evangelistic/apologetics videos in the Cambodian language that he has pretty much exhausted most of the topics covered in the book he co-authored with a Medical Doctor a few years ago entitled Christianity: Reasons for Faith. The only way to find new challenges against the truth of Christianity, for new topics, was to join a few apologetics and Christians debate Atheists Facebook groups. Mostly Darryl just observes the debates for video ideas. However, a few times Darryl has felt led to post or comment. On at least three or four different occasions in the last month, belligerent atheists have come at him with a lot of prejudices and hostility but little evidence or logic. In all cases, Darryl applied 1 Peter 3:15 in his responses (sanctify Christ+defense+gentleness and reverence (respect). After a few rounds, the conversation invariably led Darryl to post something along the lines of, \u0026ldquo;salvation is a free gift. It must be freely given and freely received. I have no intention of forcing anything onto you. etc.\u0026rdquo; In all these exchanges, the atheists\u0026rsquo; anger was so blunted that they thanked Darryl for his kindness and told him that he was a rare example of the Christians that they usually encounter. Usually, after that, the atheists would stop the conversation before they could be given the Gospel, but their minds had been opened a little bit, their hearts had been softened a little bit, and a few seeds had been planted.\nIn the past month, Darryl has been able to write a few video scripts on the following topics: 1. How to Know the Truth 2. Prophecies the Jesus Christ Fulfilled 3. Did the Tower of Babel Really Exist? 4. The inspiration of the Bible. Darryl has found four Cambodian Christians who can volunteer to translate his scripts or translate them for only $5 per page (university students). In addition, Darryl still has his partnership with his Khmer narrator and has made additional connections to other Cambodian Christians who can help with videography, acting, and post-production. In other words, Darryl finally has the opportunity to make professional quality videos! However, in order to fully take advantage of these opportunities, Darryl will need more financial resources because some of these Cambodians can afford to volunteer and others will need a small stipend (poor college students etc.) and there is also a need for funding for props, locations, and equipment rentals/purchase.\nLast week, Darryl attended a three-day video training course at our International Church. Christian media experts (one was a Ph.D. professor who has made videos for Disney and the United Nations) came and trained around 70 Cambodians and Missionaries in video production and social media.\nDarryl\u0026rsquo;s team produced a two-minute video to minister to women who have had abortions before they received Christ but still feel guilty. The script idea came fro m a Kenyan Christian lady. She had never used video editing software before. Darryl showed her the basics and she did 95% of the editing. You can watch it here.\nDarryl was invited to give his testimony about growing up in a Christian home and nearly leaving the faith in college (88% of Christian home kids do). He also shared about his books, radio program, teaching, videos, website, and social media. Several missionaries and Cambodian Christians are interested in partnering with him in the future. Please pray that God will open and close the doors for these partnerships.\nKayo continues to be more and more involved with Precious Women ministry which evangelizes and re-trains women who work in bars and nightclubs who are at risk of sexual exploitation. She also is planning a large outreach/fundraising concert for Food for Hungry Japan and Kone Kmeng Children\u0026rsquo;s ministry (evangelizes and educates children who are at risk for child-labor and child-prostitution) in June 2019. A Christian, world-class flute player, will come from Japan for the concert.\nBenjamin is doing well in school and is making friends. He enjoys frisbee club and is learning some unusual throws. 2 1/2 years ago, we had to sell his bicycle before he was ready to take off the training wheels. We finally got him a new bicycle last week. Within a day, he was riding on his own like a boss!\nPlease pray for our finances both in the short term and in the long term. Many of our most generous and faithful financial sponsors are either close to the end of their lives or are retiring. As a result, their financial donations will either end or decrease soon. We need to replace between $400-600 monthly ASAP just to break even in the short-term (more is needed over the long-term). Please pray that God will raise up new/younger senders and churches as well as give wisdom about alternative funding streams.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2018/10/01/my-moms-journey-to-eternal-life-and-cambodia-missions-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e_\u0026ldquo;O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;_\u003cem\u003ebut thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NASB\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/10/11010508%5F10153393184684618%5F1765218932913149668%5Fo-3-229x300.jpg\" width=\"229\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/10/42509398%5F10156800032004853%5F4391422640741416960%5Fn-300x285.jpg\" width=\"280\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDarryl\u0026rsquo;s mom\u0026rsquo;s funeral was held on October 1.  We couldn\u0026rsquo;t attend because we could not have found an airline ticket and flown to Missouri in time.  Since she was a committed Christian, Darryl thinks of her funeral as a graduation ceremony.  He misses her greatly but is proud of her accomplishments in life as a pastor\u0026rsquo;s wife, nurse, strong missionary sender, and mother of 7 (Darryl is the youngest).  Just as none of us would want to return to high school or college after graduation, Darryl is comforted in knowing that his mom is much happier in heaven than she would be if she had to continue living on earth.  Darryl\u0026rsquo;s sister-in-law requested that he make a video about his memories of her.  You can watch it \u003ca href=\"https://www.dropbox.com/s/1pdj1oti6dfvibt/Mama%27s%20Memorial%20Video%20From%20Darryl-android-phone.mp4?dl=0\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"My Mom's Journey to Eternal Life and Cambodia Missions Update"},{"content":"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel 1:8\nWe spent from June 20 to August 8 traveling around Japan reconnecting with our friends, family, and senders there after being away for four years. We spoke at around 20 church services and meetings and were able to reconnect with many but not all of our friends there as well.\nWe shared updates about what God is doing in Cambodia as well as encouraging and equipping the Japanese and international Christians there with apologetics based messages on topics such as the \u0026ldquo;Evidence for the Resurrection,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;Evidence for the Exodus,\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;Evidence from Prophecy.\u0026rdquo; Japan\u0026rsquo;s national and church demographics are both getting older so it was also important to help them to be aware of some of the different perspectives and needs between first generation Christians and Christians who come from Christian families. We also talked about the importance of equipping young people with apologetics evidence so that their faith will not be shaken by challenges that they encounter in school, media, and social groups. In Daniel 1:8, we see that Daniel and his friends must have had their faith based on a firm foundation so that they could continue to stand for their faith even though they were in a foreign land. Sadly, we see in modern times many young people who grow up in church leave their faith when they go away for college or careers.\nThis pattern is not something that happens only in the USA but we met Japanese Christian young people who also struggled in the same way. As Cambodia develops both as a nation and in the church, this pattern is beginning to happen here as well. This is why Darryl has been developing (in many cases the only) apologetics materials in the Cambodian language to equip church leaders and parents so that when their young people have doubts about their faith that they will be able to point them to reasonable answers. Unlike older generations that would primarily seek answers to their faith-challenges from their families or the church, many young Cambodians are seeking answers on the Internet and other media. We are encouraged to continue developing apologetics materials for distribution via the Internet and social media. Darryl\u0026rsquo;s Cambodian ministry partner recently reported that one of the videos that they produced together in the Cambodian language had received more than 18,000 views. Darryl also shared 26 scripts with another Cambodian ministry to produce into short video dramas for Internet distribution. This ministry, made up of Cambodian young people, has produced high-quality videos in the Cambodian language that have received more than 22,000 views. The International Fishers website is regularly visited by around a thousand people each month and many of Light Times Magazine\u0026rsquo;s 3,000 copies are read by twenty people each, especially in the rural areas and in businesses.\nAs we return to our regular work/life pattern in Cambodia, Kayo will continue to serve with Precious Women Ministry to help them evangelize and transform the lives of young Cambodian women who are working in high-risk jobs in bars and night-clubs and give them a new life in Christ and the opportunities they need to pursue more sustainable careers and take care of their families.\nBenjamin will continue into the 4th grade at Hope International School.\nAs we continue to reach out to Cambodia\u0026rsquo;s next generation, we are reminded that many of our Senders in the US and Japan are from an older generation. Some of our largest financial sponsors are getting to an age where they won\u0026rsquo;t be able to continue their financial support for mission work for much longer. Please pray that God will raise up a new generation of senders who will be willing and able to regularly invest in mission work to help Cambodia\u0026rsquo;s Body of Christ to not just grow and make an impact for one generation but for the future as well.\nThanks for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support. We are always encouraged to hear from people at home so don\u0026rsquo;t be shy about e-mailing us.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2018/08/14/the-next-generation/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBut Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.\u003c/em\u003e Daniel 1:8\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe spent from June 20 to August 8 traveling around Japan reconnecting with our friends, family, and senders there after being away for four years.  We spoke at around 20 church services and meetings and were able to reconnect with many but not all of our friends there as well.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"The Next Generation"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.\u0026rdquo; Philippians 1:6\nWe thank God for his faithfulness to us during this term. We look forward to our time in Japan to encourage and reconnect with our senders there. It has been four years since we were there. We will be in Japan from June 20 to August 12 when we will return to Cambodia to continue our ministries there. During the summer in Japan, Darryl will be able to continue writing apologetics scripts and producing short evangelistic videos in Cambodian language and sharing them via social media. So, even though we won\u0026rsquo;t be physically present in Cambodia, the ministry will continue.\nBecause we got our work permits just in time, Darryl was able to renew his Cambodian visa for another year. The Cambodian government is tightening regulations on foreigners from visas to driver\u0026rsquo;s licenses but we thank God for preparing a path for us through these changes.\nDarryl finished his apologetics class at the Cambodian Presbyterian Theological Institute on May 24th. His students prepared and acted out dialogues on various apologetics topics which Darryl video recorded. Darryl\u0026rsquo;s external microphone broke some time ago so the sound of these videos is not very good. Please pray for wisdom and provision for Darryl to replace it for future class presentations. Still, the most important thing is that these 20 students are well equipped to defend their faith in their own churches and communities.\nDarryl continues to write and edit articles for Light Times Magazine. For the next issue, he wrote an article on \u0026ldquo;Scientific Facts in the Bible.\u0026rdquo; Please pray for Soksan, the founder, and his family as they pray about their future and the future of the magazine.\nWhen we return to Cambodia from Japan, Darryl will probably get more involved with the Chinese ministry at the international church. According to a Chinese pastor and many news reports, the pressure against Chinese Christians is increasing. Some of them may be forced to leave China and emigrate to other nations around the world, including Cambodia. As this happens, there will be more opportunities and need to minister to Chinese expats in Cambodia.\nKayo has been more involved in helping with the administration of Precious Women Ministry. They are making a positive impact in changing the lives and evangelizing women who by their economic circumstances are trapped in jobs in bars, karaoke bars, and nightclubs that often put them at risk for being exploited and trapped into prostitution etc.\nThank you for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support during this term. We believe that God will use our time in Japan for his glory.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2018/06/14/defense-of-the-gospel/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the \u003cstrong\u003edefense\u003c/strong\u003e of the gospel.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e Philippians 1:6\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe thank God for his faithfulness to us during this term.  We look forward to our time in Japan to encourage and reconnect with our senders there.  It has been four years since we were there.  We will be in Japan from June 20 to August 12 when we will return to Cambodia to continue our ministries there.  During the summer in Japan, Darryl will be able to continue writing apologetics scripts and producing short evangelistic videos in Cambodian language and sharing them via social media.  So, even though we won\u0026rsquo;t be physically present in Cambodia, the ministry will continue.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Defense of the Gospel"},{"content":"After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9 NIV\nThe above verse is encouraging there will be so many people in heaven that we cannot count them. Sometimes we minister to people and share the Gospel with them and we do not know whether someday the seeds that were planted in their lives or not. We may never know how our lives have impacted others until heaven. When we find out in heaven, it will make heaven sweeter.\nDarryl went to the countryside for an overnight ministry trip with his Cambodian/Filipino ministry partners. He spoke at a house church under a house in the countryside. He spoke about the Biblical view of respecting the elderly and parents. The church held a foot washing service for their senior citizens. We helped with a children\u0026rsquo;s program at a local Christian school.The trip was during the Cambodian New Year. Cambodians believe that there is a new angel that comes to the country each year. Darryl taught the children about angels and demons and that they should not worship angels or be afraid of demons because Jesus Christ, the Creator is greater.\nDarryl also continues to teach Christian Apologetics at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute. His students are preparing to video record their Apologetics skits the end of this month. These videos will be uploaded to social media. Some of his students are sharing Darryl\u0026rsquo;s videos on social media to encourage their Christian friends and evangelize their non-Christian friends. some of these videos have received more than 6,500 views. The International Fishers website consistently receives around one thousand visitors per month.\nKayo is working more with Precious Women Ministry because their other foreign staff member have returned to their own country. Her ministry to Japanese people in Cambodia continues to grow and more Japanese are expected to come in the fall. She also is ministering through the international church\u0026rsquo;s worship team.\nPlease pray for our coming trip to Japan this summer. It has been more than four years since we were able to go there and connect with and encourage our senders there.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2018/05/10/no-one-could-count/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAfter this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.\u003c/em\u003e Revelation 7:9 NIV\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe above verse is encouraging there will be so many people in heaven that we cannot count them.  Sometimes we minister to people and share the Gospel with them and we do not know whether someday the seeds that were planted in their lives or not. We may never know how our lives have impacted others until heaven.  When we find out in heaven, it will make heaven sweeter.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"No One Could Count"},{"content":"He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; He suspends the earth over nothing. Job 26:7 NIV\nDarryl is developing a new video entitled \u0026ldquo;Scientific Facts in the Bible,\u0026rdquo; in the Cambodian language. The video focuses on just a few of many scientific facts in the Bible that scientists did not discover for thousands of years. For example, the book of Job was written at a time when many cultures wrongly believed that the earth was sitting on the back of a large animal or some god but the Bible correctly teaches that the earth is suspended on nothing. His videos on the topics of \u0026ldquo;Why does God Allow Suffering?\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;God and the Value of Human Life,\u0026rdquo; will be released soon.\nDarryl also continues to teach Christian Apologetics at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute. He has around 20 students from all over Cambodia. One of his students, a local government official in his sixties has planted four churches. In May, his students will make Apologetics videos which Darryl will post on social media.\nAn exciting new ministry opportunity has opened up for Darryl in rural Cambodia. Recently, Darryl has partnered with a veteran Filipino-Cambodian missionary couple to help a church and children\u0026rsquo;s ministry program. In March, Darryl spoke at the church and taught the Bible and English at the children\u0026rsquo;s ministry. He is scheduled to return to the province with this couple the middle of April. Please pray for the development of this ministry especially for the development of sports and anti-drug programs.\nDarryl continues to write articles for Light Times Magazine. In March they distributed 3,000 copies across Cambodia. In rural areas, each copy may be read by more than 20 people. They also distributed copies to the largest Cambodian Christian school. Teachers there used Darryl\u0026rsquo;s article, \u0026ldquo;Did Jesus Really Rise From the Dead?\u0026rdquo; to teach their students about Easter.\nKayo continues to serve with Precious Women, a local ministry that reaches out to Cambodian women working in bars. Her ministry to Japanese living in Cambodia is going well. She has also been leading worship at the local international church.\nOur work permits are still in process. Our Christian mechanic and his wife went out of their way to help us with the process. Please pray for financial provision to cover this extra expense.\nPlease pray for our upcoming trip to Japan to reconnect with our Japanese senders. It has been four years since we were in Japan. Please pray for favor and good fellowship with the churches across Japan.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2018/04/06/he-suspends-the-earth-on-nothing-cambodia-missions-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHe spreads out the northern skies over empty space; He suspends the earth over nothing. Job 26:7 NIV\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDarryl is developing a new video entitled \u0026ldquo;Scientific Facts in the Bible,\u0026rdquo; in the \u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/04/cropped.jpeg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/04/cropped-300x253.jpeg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Cambodian language.  The video focuses on just a few of many scientific facts in the Bible that scientists did not discover for thousands of years.  For example, the book of Job was written at a time when many cultures wrongly believed that the earth was sitting on the back of a large animal or some god but the Bible correctly teaches that the earth is suspended on nothing. His videos on the topics of \u0026ldquo;Why does God Allow Suffering?\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;God and the Value of Human Life,\u0026rdquo; will be released soon.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"He Suspends The Earth On Nothing, Cambodia Missions Update"},{"content":"“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. Fo r where your treasure is, there also will your hearts be.\u0026quot; (Matthew 6:19:21)\nThieves attempted to break in to the Light Times Magazine office. The founder and his family used to live in the building but after they moved out, the building became more vulnerable to thieves. We thank God that the thieves were not able to break into the office where the computers and cameras were stored. Since then, the office has been in the process of moving. However, it has taken a long time to get the Internet set up so it wasn\u0026rsquo;t possible for Darryl to work there for a couple of weeks. Darryl continues to edit articles and writes one article per issue. He also wrote an article on the evidence for the resurrection for the upcoming Easter issue.\nDarryl was invited to teach Christian Apologetics at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute from March 8 to May 24th. Please pray for this class that God will use it to equip the students to answer difficult questions about Christianity.\nDarryl continues to develop apologetics videos with the help of his intern. The video, \u0026ldquo;Why Does God Allow Suffering?\u0026rdquo; is almost finished and ready to release. Darryl is also working on another video, \u0026ldquo;God and the Value of Human Life.\u0026rdquo; Please continue to pray for these and other videos to come.\nKayo continues to mentor Cambodian women at the organization for at-risk women. Her ministry to Japanese living in Cambodia continues to grow. She continues to be part of the worship team at the international church. In March, she will join the worship team for a Christian conference.\nBenjamin continues to do well in school. He is also part of an after-school basketball club at his international school.\nPlease pray for our work permit application. It is a new and expensive requirement for foreigners in Cambodia. Pray for favor and a smooth process.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin Record\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2018/02/28/record-family-cambodia-update-3/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. Fo\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003er where your treasure is, there also will your hearts be.\u0026quot; (Matthew 6:19:21)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThieves attempted to break in to the \u003cem\u003eLight Times Magazine\u003c/em\u003e office. The founder and his family used to live in the building but after they moved out, the building became more vulnerable to thieves. We thank God that the thieves were not able to break into the office where the computers and cameras were stored. Since then, the office has been in the process of moving. However, it has taken a long time to get the Internet set up so it wasn\u0026rsquo;t possible for Darryl to work there for a couple of weeks. Darryl continues to edit articles and writes one article per issue. He also wrote an article on the evidence for the resurrection for the upcoming Easter issue.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family Cambodia Update"},{"content":"Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. Psalm 25:5 NKJV\nIt is hard to believe that the Christmas season and January have passed so quickly! We have been busy and blessed. We thank God that Kayo\u0026rsquo;s and Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s Cambodian visas were renewed for another year. Please pray that the same path for renewal will remain open for Darryl in the middle of this year.\nDarryl has been busier than usual. In addition to teaching English at the Jesus Life Center, he gave their Christmas/New Year\u0026rsquo;s service message. He spoke about the Old Testament prophecies that confirm that Jesus is the Messiah. He took a break from English teaching in January but plans to resume teaching in February.\nDarryl continues to help with Light Times magazine. He edits English articles and submitted an article on the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ for the Easter issue. He also continues to help with the Chinese ministry which is sponsored by the international church.\nThe first two weeks of January, Darryl taught an intensive Christian Apologetics class at Cambodia Bible Institute. He had ten students. The students prepared scripts and acted out Apologetics on various topics such as, \u0026ldquo;If God is Good Why is There So Much Suffering?\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;Those Who Never Heard.\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;If I Believe in Jesus Will I Betray My Culture?\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;The Origin of Evil.\u0026rdquo; Darryl\nvideo-recorded the skits and made videos for Facebook, YouTube, and the International Fishers website. He also sent the scripts to a missionary in northern Cambodia for translation and production into a tribal language.\nFrom January 22-26, Darryl traveled to northern Thailand to teach Christian Apologetics to five pastors and evangelists from India. This class was arranged and sponsored by the\nMyanmar Reformed Presbyterian School of Theology. The director of this school is Dr. Jun, Darryl\u0026rsquo;s old friend and the former President of a Bible school in Cambodia where Darryl used to teach. The trip went well because it was covered with prayer. Darryl will continue to provide Apologetics tech-support for these Indian pastors via e-mail as they use his book and teaching\nmaterials to equip people in their own churches.\nKayo was also busier than usual as she had to take on extra activities while Darryl was away and occupied. She continues to lead worship at the international church. Her work with Precious Women Ministry as the Administrative Department Advisor is going well as she helps with\nadministrative work and mentors the staff. The organization continues to grow and reach out to more at-risk women. The Japanese Life Group is also going well and is growing slowly.\nBenjamin is doing well in school. He is growing up so quickly that sometimes it is\nhard to believe how fast the years have passed!\nThanks in advance for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support. May God bless you and give you an amazing new year in 2018!\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2018/01/29/record-family-cambodia-missions-update-january-2018/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. Psalm 25:5 NKJV\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is hard to believe that the Christmas season and January have passed so quickly!  We have been busy and blessed.  We thank God that Kayo\u0026rsquo;s and Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s Cambodian visas were renewed for another year.  Please pray that the same path for renewal will remain open for Darryl in the middle of this year.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family Cambodia Missions Update January 2018."},{"content":"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14\nBenjamin continues to do well in school. Here is a picture of his \u0026ldquo;ninja-bread\u0026rdquo; cookies that he made with Kayo.\nDarryl continues partnering with Light Times Magazine the only Christian magazine in Cambodia. For their last issue he helped with editing the English of this bilingual magazine and he wrote an article, \u0026ldquo;Why Does God Allow Suffering.\u0026rdquo; Two Light Times volunteers are working to make that article into a video in the Cambodian language. Even though it is faster for Darryl to make videos on his own, the quality improvement will be worth the wait. Darryl is also helping with the international church\u0026rsquo;s ministry to Chinese, by helping them learn English and the Bible. Translation has started for making a video \u0026ldquo;Why Does God Allow Suffering?\u0026rdquo; in Mandarin (Chinese). Making apologetic/evangelistic videos in Chinese has been a dream of Darryl\u0026rsquo;s for several years. Finally it is coming true! Darryl is also teaching English and Bible at Jesus Life Center, a Cambodian church and dormitory. He was also able to supply evangelistic videos for a Christian business owner here in Cambodia to show to his employees.\nKayo continues to lead worship for the international church. Christmas is a busy time for her. She also continues to work with Precious Women Ministry, an organization that reaches out to at-risk women. Her Japanese ministry is also going well.\nPrayer Requests:\nPlease pray for health and strength. Please pray for Darryl as he prepares to teach two intensive Apologetics classes in January in Cambodia and Thailand. Please pray for Kayo as she balances her various ministries. Please pray for Benjamin that he will continue to grow strong in the Lord. Merry Christmas,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2017/12/18/merry-christmas-from-cambodia/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBenjamin continues to do well in school.  Here is a picture of his \u0026ldquo;ninja-bread\u0026rdquo; cookies that he made with Kayo.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/12/IMG_1223.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/12/IMG_1223-300x224.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/12/IMG_1224.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/12/IMG_1224-300x224.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDarryl continues partnering with \u003cem\u003eLight Times Magazine\u003c/em\u003e the only Christian magazine in Cambodia.  For their last issue he helped with editing the English of this bilingual magazine and he wrote an article, \u0026ldquo;Why Does God Allow Suffering.\u0026rdquo;  Two Light Times volunteers \u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/12/IMG_0024.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/12/IMG_0024-300x205.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e are working to make that article into a video in the Cambodian language.  Even though it is faster for Darryl to make videos on his own, the quality improvement will be worth the wait.  Darryl is also helping with the international church\u0026rsquo;s ministry to Chinese, by helping them learn English and the Bible.  Translation has started for making a video \u0026ldquo;Why Does God Allow Suffering?\u0026rdquo; in Mandarin (Chinese). Making apologetic/evangelistic videos in Chinese has been a dream of Darryl\u0026rsquo;s for several years.  Finally it is coming true!    Darryl is also teaching English and Bible at Jesus Life Center, a Cambodian church and dormitory.  He was also able to supply evangelistic videos for a Christian business owner here in Cambodia to show to his employees.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Merry Christmas From Cambodia"},{"content":"This is the WPForms preview page. All your form previews will be handled on this page.\nThe page is set to private, so it is not publicly accessible. Please do not delete this page :) .\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/wpforms-preview/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThis is the WPForms preview page. All your form previews will be handled on this page.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe page is set to private, so it is not publicly accessible. Please do not delete this page :) .\u003c/p\u003e","title":"WPForms Preview"},{"content":"Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:1 ESV\nSometimes in life and ministry we don\u0026rsquo;t see the fruit immediately. Especially in media ministry Darryl often feels that his calling is to take the gospel to people that he will never meet, in languages he will never speak, in places he will never go. Normally it is fine to trust God that someday in heaven he will get to meet the people who have read his books, listened to his radio programs, and watched his videos. But, sometimes it is nice to receive some feedback.\nA few days ago, Darryl attended a meeting at Far East Broadcasting (FEBC). He wasn\u0026rsquo;t sure of why he was there meeting a group of Christians and missionaries from the Jirei tribe in rural Cambodia. At the end of the meeting he was told that they have translated the Anchors of Faith radio program, that Darryl developed a few years ago, (26 half-hour episodes) into the Jirei language and that they are playing the program on a radio station in rural Cambodia and in tribal churches! When they found out that Darryl has also produced videos, they were interested in translating them into Jirei as well. Thanks again to all of you who supported this project years ago! It is still bearing fruit after many days.\nThings are going well for us. We are glad that the rainy season is ending and along with it knee-deep flooded streets that cause us to pray for our car when the waves from other cars wash over the hood.\nBenjamin continues to do well in school. His class is studying the human body. Benjamin not only knew most of the body parts but knew about cells and DNA from watching apologetics/intelligent design videos. For homework, his teacher asked him to draw a diagram of the cell for his classmates and he did it.\nKayo continues to volunteer at Precious Women Ministry, to minister to Japanese living in Cambodia, and is part of the worship team at the international church. She is also reaching out to our apartment building\u0026rsquo;s cleaning-lady.\nDarryl has started partnering with Light Times Magazine, the only Christian magazine in Cambodia. Some of his video scripts will be published as articles in the magazine and they can help him produce better quality videos in the Cambodian language. A new video, \u0026ldquo;If God is Good, Why is There Evil and Suffering in the World?\u0026rdquo; in Cambodian language is in process. Another missionary from rural Cambodia e-mailed and requested videos to show her students during the upcoming holidays. He also is helping out with the Chinese ministry at the international church. They are also interested in producing apologetics and evangelistic videos in Chinese and want Darryl\u0026rsquo;s help.\nThank you for your partnership in our lives and ministries. May God reward you for your faithfulness!\nPrayer Requests:\nPlease pray for continued health, wisdom, and strength for all of us as our ministries expand. We thank God for providing a temporary solution to our visa problem. Please pray for wisdom and for a long term solution. Please pray for our long-term vision and needs. In Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2017/10/26/bread-upon-the-waters/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:1 ESV\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/10/22810264%5F10203752274122672%5F1195004357%5Fo-169x300.jpg\" width=\"169\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes in life and ministry we don\u0026rsquo;t see the fruit immediately.  Especially in media ministry Darryl often feels that his calling is to take the gospel to people that he will never meet, in languages he will never speak, in places he will never go.  Normally it is fine to trust God that someday in heaven he will get to meet the people who have read his books, listened to his radio programs, and watched his videos.  But, sometimes it is nice to receive some feedback.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Bread Upon the Waters"},{"content":"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8 God has blessed us as we take refuge in Him. August and September have flown by as Benjamin returned to the 3rd grade at Hope International School. He is doing well and is even continuing his judo in an after school club.\nKayo has been busy with worship team at church and at a women\u0026rsquo;s conference. She restarted the Japanese Life Group ministry in August. She also serves at Precious Women Ministry as a volunteer to help with administration once or twice a week and working from home.\nDarryl released the videos, \u0026ldquo;What About Those Who Never Heard about Jesus Christ?\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;Did Jesus Really Rise From the Dead?\u0026rdquo; to more than 12,000 people in Cambodia. The website continues to equip around a thousand visitors each month.\nDarryl and Kayo also resumed Cambodian language study.\nPrayer Requests:\nThe Cambodian government is tightening regulations on foreigners including driver\u0026rsquo;s licenses and visas. Please pray for wisdom as we must navigate these new challenges. Please continue to pray for our health and strength. Please continue to pray for our various ministries. In Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2017/09/14/cambodia-missions-update-record-family-3/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTaste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8\u003c/em\u003e  \u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/09/2017-09-10-12.08.10.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/09/2017-09-10-12.08.10-300x224.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e God has blessed us as we take refuge in Him.  August and September have flown by as Benjamin returned to the 3rd grade at Hope International School. He is doing well and is even continuing his judo in an after school club.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKayo has been busy with worship team at church and at a women\u0026rsquo;s conference.  She restarted the Japanese Life Group ministry in August.  She also serves at Precious Women Ministry as a volunteer to help with administration once or twice a week and working from home.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Missions Update: Record Family"},{"content":" “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some,\u0026quot; When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.\u0026quot; John 21:6\nGod blessed us with a productive month of July as we returned to our various ministries. Here are some of the highlights.\nDarryl\u0026rsquo;s new video, Archaeology and the Bible, in the Cambodian language, was made available to more than 29,000 Cambodians via Facebook. It received more than 1,600 views from www.facebook.com/internationalfishers alone. It also received 140 likes and 86 shares from two of the smaller pages that we can track statistically.\nwww.internationalfishers.com is up to 344 unique visitors and 1,062 page views per week. Darryl was invited to teach Christian Apologetics again at the Cambodian Bible Institute in January. Darryl was also invited to teach Christian Apologetics to pastors from Myanmar who travel to Thailand for training in February. Darryl helped a Christian hospital connect with Fount of Wisdom Publishing so they can equip their staff with the book, Christianity: Reasons for Faith. It is good that the book is still being used to equip people in Cambodia. Kayo led devotions at Precious Women Ministry, and is exploring future activities with this ministry. Kayo has returned to the International Christian Assembly\u0026rsquo;s worship team. Benjamin had a good time at vacation Bible school at ICA. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support. We sense God\u0026rsquo;s blessings and favor. Please continue to pray for strength, health, and wisdom as we continue to connect with our ministry partners and explore exciting new partnership opportunities.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2017/07/24/cambodia-missions-update-2/","summary":"\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/07/20170705%5F181714-e1500861688504-169x300.jpg\" width=\"169\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some,\u0026quot;  When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.\u0026quot; John 21:6\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGod blessed us with a productive month of July as we returned to our various ministries.  Here are some of the highlights.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDarryl\u0026rsquo;s new video, \u003cem\u003eArchaeology and the Bible,\u003c/em\u003e in the Cambodian language, was made available to more than 29,000 Cambodians via Facebook.  It received more than 1,600 views from\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.facebook.com/internationalfishers\"\u003ewww.facebook.com/internationalfishers\u003c/a\u003e alone.  It also received 140 likes and 86 shares from two of the smaller pages that we can track statistically.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Missions Update"},{"content":" Greetings from Cambodia!\nThen he said,“Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!”So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. John 21:6\nWe arrived in Cambodia on June 2 and God has been faithful to us. We have been able to reconnect with our ministry partners. Darryl has been working on producing a video in Khmer and English entitled, The Bible and Archaeology. He is also writing and revising other video scripts for future projects and some blog posts as well. The website, www.internationalfishers.com is ministering to Cambodians in Cambodia and in the USA as well. Around 288 people visit the website each week. This is an encouraging number considering our eleven month sabbatical.\nGod has provided a safe comfortable apartment for us and a car. Kayo will return to worship team and other ministries in the coming weeks. Right now she is busy getting us settled in our new place. Benjamin was able to reconnect with his classmates at Hope International School. He will be a third grader there in the fall. He finished his home schooling so now he is on summer vacation. He enjoys reading and listening to audiobooks.\nPlease continue to pray for health and strength for us as we resume our ministries and explore what God has for us in this new chapter of ministry in Cambodia.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin Record\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2017/06/26/cambodia-missions-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/06/Records-in-Cambodia.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2017/06/Records-in-Cambodia-300x300.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Greetings from Cambodia!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThen he said,“Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!”So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. John 21:6\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe arrived in Cambodia on June 2 and God has been faithful to us.  We have been able to reconnect with our ministry partners.  Darryl has been working on producing a video in Khmer and English entitled, \u003cem\u003eThe Bible and Archaeology.\u003c/em\u003e He is also writing and revising other video scripts for future projects and some blog posts as well. The website, \u003ca href=\"https://www.internationalfishers.com\"\u003ewww.internationalfishers.com\u003c/a\u003e is ministering  to Cambodians in Cambodia and in the USA as well. Around 288 people visit the website each week.  This is an encouraging number considering our eleven month sabbatical.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Missions Update"},{"content":"In less than a month, on June 1, we will fly back to Cambodia. We have a lot of packing between now and then and once we get there we will need to buy a car and find a place to live. We will be staying in the Green Pasture Inn for a few days after our arrival. Green Pasture Inn is a Christian run guesthouse that specializes in accommodating short term mission teams and missionaries.\nFor our friends in southern California, we would like to invite you to a Dessert Gathering hosted by Calvary Chapel La Mirada (15144 Leffingwell Road, La Mirada, CA 90638) on Wednesday May 17th immediately after the Wednesday service (around 8:45pm). It will be a good opportunity for us to fellowship and share with our senders before we depart on June 1. We hope you can come.\nThings have been going well with us. Kayo and Benjamin continue to wrap up his homeschooling for the year. Darryl is writing video scripts for future evangelistic videos once we return to Cambodia.\nIn Christ,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2017/05/02/cambodia-missions-update-may-17-dessert-gathering/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eIn less than a month, on June 1, we will fly back to Cambodia.  We have a lot of packing between now and then and once we get there we will need to buy a car and find a place to live. We will be staying in the Green Pasture Inn for a few days after our arrival.  Green Pasture Inn is a Christian run guesthouse that specializes in accommodating short term mission teams and missionaries.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Missions Update: May 17 Dessert Gathering"},{"content":"Isaiah 41:10b _I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand._We praise God for opening the doors for us to return to Cambodia as missionaries! We will be returning to Cambodia on June 1 after nearly eleven months away. We look forward to this new season of ministry. We have been blessed by our time in the USA but now the time is coming to move into the next season. Please pray that it will be a fruitful and blessed season. We want to thank everyone who prayed, encouraged, hosted, loaned us vehicles, and supported us during this time of furlough. We trust that God will bless you for your faithfulness to Him. Once we return to Cambodia, Darryl will resume his work with International Fishers: Christian Evidence Ministry. The purpose of this ministry is to equip local churches, organizations, and believers with the evidence they need to be confident in the truth of God’s Word so that they can evangelize others with more boldness. He will also resume other ministries as God opens the doors. He is writing a video script on the inspiration of the Bible so that he can hit the ground running once we return. Please pray for renewed creativity for him.\nKayo will continue her ministries of mentoring Cambodian women, worship ministry, and reaching out to Japanese living in Cambodia. Benjamin will return to Hope International School as a 3rd grader this fall.\nPrayers and Praises:\nWe will need to purchase another car and find a place to live once we return to Cambodia, please pray that God will open the doors for this.We give glory to God for Darryl’s recovery, please continue to pray for complete healing. Please continue to pray for our remaining two months in the USA that God will grant us favor. We thank God that Kayo received her Green Card for another ten years.In Christ\u0026rsquo;s Loving Hands,Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2017/03/22/record-family-cambodia-update-returning-to-cambodia/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eIsaiah 41:10b _I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand._We praise God for opening the doors for us to return to Cambodia as missionaries! We will be returning to Cambodia on \u003cstrong\u003eJune 1\u003c/strong\u003e after nearly eleven months away. We look forward to this new season of ministry. We have been blessed by our time in the USA but now the time is coming to move into the next season.  Please pray that it will be a fruitful and blessed season.  We want to thank everyone who prayed, encouraged, hosted, loaned us vehicles, and supported us during this time of furlough.  We trust that God will bless you for your faithfulness to Him.  Once we return to Cambodia, Darryl will resume his work with International Fishers: Christian Evidence Ministry. The purpose of this ministry is to equip local churches, organizations, and believers with the evidence they need to be confident in the truth of God’s Word so that they can evangelize others with more boldness. He will also resume other ministries as God opens the doors. He is writing a video script on the inspiration of the Bible so that he can hit the ground running once we return.  Please pray for renewed creativity for him.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family Cambodia Update: Returning to Cambodia"},{"content":"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV\n2016-07-06-21-10-55\nAs we come to the end of 2016, we have the opportunity to reflect on the past year and to look forward to 2017. After serving as missionaries since 2007, 2016 has been a year of reflection, rest, reading the Word and other books, and reconnecting with family, friends, and our calling as missionaries to Cambodia, a real sabbatical. We are thankful for all of the grace and blessings we have received. We also give thanks to God for providing for our practical needs of housing, transportation, and finances through faithful ministry partners, church family, and some other amazing miraculous ways.\nWe lived and wrapped up our work in Cambodia until June 2016. Benjamin could successfully finish his school year at Hope International School and we sold and stored some of our belongings there. We arrived at Los Angeles on July 7 and are staying in the greater Los Angeles area where our mission agency and main sending church in the USA are located. Darryl has been able to get the medical treatment and member care that he needs to return to health and strength. Kayo’s Green Card process has gone smoother than we expected and so she should receive her new Green Card around February 2017. Benjamin has been occupied with homeschooling through a charter school and is also taking a Judo (Japanese martial art) class at a local community center.\nLord willing, we will start getting ready to return to our mission field, Cambodia after the first of the year. The returning date on our returning tickets to Phnom Penh, Cambodia is March 25, 2017. Thanks in advance for your faithful prayers and encouragement that God has used to restore and refresh us.\nMerry Christmas!\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin Record\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2016/12/06/merry-christmas-from-the-record-familycambodia-missions-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2016/12/2016-07-06-21.10.55-300x241.jpg\"\n         alt=\"2016-07-06-21-10-55\" width=\"300\"/\u003e \u003cfigcaption\u003e\n            \u003cp\u003e2016-07-06-21-10-55\u003c/p\u003e\n        \u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs we come to the end of 2016, we have the opportunity to reflect on the past year and to look forward to 2017.  After serving as missionaries since 2007, 2016 has been a year of reflection, rest, reading the Word and other books, and reconnecting with family, friends, and our calling as missionaries to Cambodia, a real sabbatical.  We are thankful for all of the grace and blessings we have received.  We also give thanks to God for providing for our practical needs of housing, transportation, and finances through faithful ministry partners, church family, and some other amazing miraculous ways.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Merry Christmas from the Record Family/Cambodia Missions Update"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.\u0026rdquo; Luke 1:64\nThere have been several months that Darryl has only been able speak and write a little since his mental breakdown/burn out around Christmas 2016 caused by long term stress of bearing various kinds of ministry responsibilities over nearly ten years of our service in Cambodia as a family. Darryl finished teaching classes on a topic of Christian apologetics at two Bible schools in the early part of December. The Lord blessed those classes and beautiful fruit came forth but it seems his mental capacity was poured out as he finished teaching an intensive Christian apologetics class.\nLast week we were praying together, tearing down some dark spiritual strongholds which have been hindering Darryl from being all that God designed him to be\u0026hellip; and Darryl sensed God restored his ability to communicate. We know that there are no coincidences with God but we as a couple have been reading Luke 1. When Zechariah could speak again, he praised God, Darryl wants that to be true for him too!\nWe have much to be thankful for despite the discouragements about whether or not our ministries were worthwhile. One of Darryl former students posted this encouragement on the International Fishers Facebook page:\nI thank you lecturer Darryl for your practical teaching. It was such a powerful teaching you gave to me at CBI. I made some mistakes there at that time on my presentation, but because of it, I have a better preparation of this kind of message to present to my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ in my area and to my beloved people every time I have a chance to share the gospel. I pray that your biblical materials continue to bless our students in Cambodia. USA Furlough July 7, 2016-March 25, 2017 +/-\nWith much prayers, we have discerned that God is leading us through a season of Sabbatical. As a matter of fact, our capacity to achieve external ministry accomplishments has been greatly diminished since the beginning of this year; on the other hand, it has been been a season of spiritual growth in each member of our family including Benjamin. Both Darryl and Kayo (along with other missionary colleagues in Cambodia who have seen and helped us go through this time of weakness and brokenness) still have a clear sense that God’s calling for our family to serve in Cambodia as long term missionaries is not over yet. Nevertheless, Darryl is in need of higher level of medical care that is not available here and also will be able to use some rest and therapy to work things through. In a mean while, Kayo will be able to renew her ten years Green Card that is about to expire. We used to think that we would only take 2-3 months furlough each year but just like many other long term missionaries, we finally seem to need nearly a year long furlough.\nAs is expressed in the Bible, Jewish concept of “a day” starts from the sunset. For example, the Sabbath day starts from Friday evening right after the sunset and ends at sunset on Saturday. It is interesting that people start their “day” by resting and finishing up their day by working to accomplish tasks. Our family currently is learning how to abide in Christ and rest in His presence. We’ve spent a lot of time in prayers; reading some Christian books, working through them; spending extra time and resources to strengthen our marriage and family relationships; searching, finding and solidifying our Christian identity as children of God; etc; thus, “resting” in God and enjoying our Sabbatical season with Him. Our hope is that as we go through the rest of this Sabbatical season in the US, God will restore, equip, and prepare us to enter into another season of serving in Cambodia with much bigger and better capacity to bring His kingdom on earth with joy in 2017.\nIn Christ’s Hands, Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2016/05/30/getting-our-voice-back-cambodia-missions-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e Luke 1:64\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere have been several months that Darryl has only been able speak and write a little since his mental breakdown/burn out around Christmas 2016 caused by long term stress of bearing various kinds of ministry responsibilities over nearly ten years of our service in Cambodia as a family. Darryl finished teaching classes on a topic of Christian apologetics at two Bible schools in the early part of December. The Lord blessed those classes and beautiful fruit came forth but it seems his mental capacity was poured out as he finished teaching an intensive Christian apologetics class.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Getting Our Voice Back: Cambodia Missions Update"},{"content":". . . Jesus . . .saw a large crowd and He felt compassion for them. . .His disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and it is already quite late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But He answered them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and spend two hundred (days wages) on bread and give them something to eat?”And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” . . . They said, “Five, and two fish.”. . . And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided up the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces, and also of the fish. There were five thousand men who ate the loaves.\u0026quot; Mark 6:30-44 NASB\nTwo weeks ago at Kone Kmeng\u0026rsquo;s board meeting,\nKone Kmeng\u0026rsquo;s board.\nPhany gave us the update that in 2016, Kone Kmeng is planning (by faith) partner with 190 local Cambodian churches to equip them to minister to 30,000 at risk children! This is amazing considering that the Director Pang Sophany, \u0026ldquo;Phany\u0026rdquo; co-founded this organization in 2006 in his bedroom. Since then the phrase, \u0026ldquo;You give them something to eat.\u0026rdquo; has been rolling around in my heart. Kone Kmeng works with the churches to meet the children\u0026rsquo;s physical needs for food, shelter, clean water, and education etc. . So instead of feeling called to give them \u0026ldquo;physical food,\u0026rdquo; because Kone Kmeng is already doing that, I feel called to give them spiritual food. I long to help these 30,000 young people to know Christ as their personal savior, to become confident in the Truth of their faith, so that they can be bold in their witness to their family, friends, classmates, and community. But I only have one video for children in Khmer called \u0026ldquo;Real Joy.\u0026rdquo; For the past few years I have desired to make more videos like this on more topics like creation, the Bible, Jesus, and salvation in the Cambodian language and other languages as well. In order to do this I will need a team or staff and increased funds to distribute the video. These children live without electricity or Internet. The cheapest way I can distribute videos is on CD-Rs (not very efficient for these children) but blank CD\u0026rsquo;s cost at least $0.30 each so 30,000 copies could cost $10,000 at least and it still wouldn\u0026rsquo;t satisfy their need. So, like the disciples I have come to the place of understanding that the needs and opportunities are too big for me. So, I am waiting for Jesus to multiply the five loaves and two fish that I do have.\nTraining and Equipping Cambodian Pastors and Church Leaders\nSince the end of October, I have been teaching Christian Apologetics 8\nA Living Parable: Samaritan\u0026rsquo;s Purse supplied tablets to Cambodian Pastors which include International Fisher\u0026rsquo;s Khmer videos and resources.\nCambodian Bible school students at the Cambodian Presbyterian Theological Institute. The class is 4 hours every Thursday from 10am to 3pm until December 17. I plan to video their Apologetics presentations and post them on the International Fishers website, as I did this spring. Between December 7 to the 17th, I will also be teaching Christian Apologetics at Cambodia Bible Institute and they also will be making videos like they did last year. A few months ago, I mentioned I shared all of the International Fisher\u0026rsquo;s Cambodian language videos and audio files with Samaritan\u0026rsquo;s Purse Cambodia. They have been purchasing tablet (computers) and filling them up with as much Christian resources in Khmer as possible, including International Fishers\u0026rsquo;s Khmer resources. It has been wonderful to partner with these other ministries and organizations to equip the leaders who will be able to equip the Christians of Cambodia for decades to come.\nKnowing the Times We Live In: Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:10-12)\nFrom the time I was four years old, I followed US politics like most \u0026ldquo;normal\u0026rdquo; kids follow sports. Instead of being a professional football player, I dreamed of being the President. So, when I went to college it was natural for me to major in political science. I tested in the top 3% of political science majors during my year, and after an internship in the state Capitol, I graduated in 1999 magna cum laude with a BA in political science. Then God called me to abandon it all to serve as an English teacher, missionary, and Christian apologist in Cambodia. Since then I have often wondered if this major was a mistake.\nSo, for more than 15 years I did my best not to pay attention to or comment on US politics. Last spring, I felt led to start a blog so that I could respond to the politically motivated attacks that were coming against Christianity, mainly in the USA. As a college student I remember having lively debates and disagreements with others from a wide range of political views on every possible issue and we all stayed friends. My freshman year I had a roommate who was a Muslim from Bangladesh since there were not many other people from Bangladesh at Truman State University in Kirksville Missouri, my roommate\u0026rsquo;s new best friend was a Hindu from India. I remember discussing the virgin birth of Jesus Christ with both of them at the same time in our dorm room. We all stayed friends. Later I helped my roommate get a job in the Vice President\u0026rsquo;s office as a student worker with me. After fifteen years away from US politics, I realized that the culture has shifted so that political debates were very toxic and divisive. I wondered why, so I started to read and research so that I could find the best way to help Christians deal with it and also to prepare to vaccinate the Cambodians from spill-over. In my view, radical/nihilistic ideologies are gaining ground in many areas of the US\u0026rsquo;s society. This is not based on one person or even one political party, it is spreading everywhere. This ideology divides, dehumanizes, and destroys societies, traditions, and institutions. The antidote to this ideology is Romans 13, Luke 6:20-46 and other related Scriptures. We need to start memorizing Scripture so that we can live scripturally every day.\nI am beginning to sense that God is integrating my political science, cross-cultural, international, multi-language, and Christian apologetics backgrounds, \u0026ldquo;for such a time as this.\u0026rdquo; Please pray for me to have grace, patience, wisdom, and discernment so that I can understand the new culture and even help equip Christians to view these new political challenges as witnessing opportunities by applying the basic ideas of business as mission to \u0026ldquo;politics as mission.\u0026rdquo; I believe that God is giving us some some opportunities to help some \u0026ldquo;Sauls\u0026rdquo; be transformed into \u0026ldquo;Pauls\u0026rdquo;. “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.\u0026quot; (Matthew 10:16)\nHere are some recent posts that may be helpful in helping you to understand the times we live in and still have a peace that passes understanding. Here are some links to some of the articles that I have written that may help you understand the times we live in as I share my thought processes.\nHateful Words=Murder Weapon How to Deal with Divisive People Vaccinating Ourselves Against Logical Viruses Sola Scriptura and Sea Levels Intelligent Design by Aliens Aliens, Ghosts, Angels, and Demons Old Testament Genocide? Politics as Mission Where do Human Rights Come From? Tenant\u0026rsquo;s Rights for the Unborn Were the NAZI\u0026rsquo;s Christian? Christian Unity and Radical Islam Creation and Climate Change Preparing for the Next Chapter: Helping to Prepare the way for the Gospel to Spread from Cambodia to the rest of the World.\nThere are two parts to my calling. 1. Equip the Cambodian Christians to take the Gospel to their own nation. 2. Help prepare the way for the Gospel to spread from Cambodia to the rest of the world. God is already bringing about part 1 so by faith, I trust him to fulfill part 2. So, by faith we are moving forward to expand International Fishers so that it can spread the Gospel not only across Cambodia but across the globe, especially in closed countries and unreached people groups.\nAs I mentioned in my last update, my family\u0026rsquo;s personal/mission finances are about $1,200-$1,500 short each month for ministry work funds and health insurance partly due to the 40% drop in the value of the Japanese Yen against the Dollar. (this is draining our financial reserves more information here.). We praise God that so far we have received faith promises for 10% of this amount! Of course faith promises are like eggs until they hatch in our account so while, \u0026ldquo;we can\u0026rsquo;t count our chickens before they hatch,\u0026rdquo; we can count on God. We understand that the economy is tight, church budgets are tight, and other missionaries have needs. So, I have been looking for ways for people to save money (on coffee, eating lunch out, credit cards etc.) so that they can have extra money to invest in their Heavenly Rewards Account (like an IRA but without the IRS). Check out these ideas at Daily Investments for an Eternal Impact. To partner with us in expanding International Fishers: Christian Evidence Ministry, Japanese Immigrant Ministry, Worship, and Mentoring Locals, please click here to make a donation (Heavenly Investment).\n\u0026ldquo;A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.\u0026rdquo; (Ephesians 6:10-19)\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl with Kayo and Benjamin Record\nPhnom Penh Cambodia.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2015/12/01/you-give-them-something-to-eat/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e. . . Jesus . . .saw a large crowd and He felt compassion for them. . .His disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and it is already quite late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But He answered them, \u003cstrong\u003e“You give them something to eat!”\u003c/strong\u003e And they said to Him, \u003cstrong\u003e“Shall we go and spend two hundred (days wages) on bread and give them something to eat?\u003c/strong\u003e”And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” . . . They said, “Five, and two fish.”. . . And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided up the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces, and also of the fish. There were five thousand men who ate the loaves.\u0026quot; \u003ca href=\"https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+6%3A30-44\u0026amp;version=NASB\"\u003eMark 6:30-44 NASB\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"\"You Give Them Something to Eat\""},{"content":"Send me! Then I heard the Lord’s voice, saying, “Whom can I send? Who will go for us?” So I said, “Here I am. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8 NCV)\nSuddenly this passage came to my mind in a whole new way and with it came\nFirefighters run into buildings when others are running out. Missionaries move into countries when others are moving out.\nmy renewed calling. \u0026ldquo;Whom can I send, to equip the Cambodians to take the Gospel to their nation and to help prepare the way for the Gospel to spread from Cambodia to the rest of the world? Who will go for us, despite dangers, diseases, and discomforts, even if it means death? From that moment on, my soul has been leaping with joy shouting, \u0026ldquo;Send me! Send me! Send me! SEND ME!\u0026rdquo; Aside from this being a calling from God and that He programed my soul to respond this way to His calling, there is no logical reason for me to feel this way. But, I am reminded of John the Baptist leaping in the womb (Luke 1:41) and that \u0026ldquo;for the joy set before Him, he endured the cross\u0026rdquo; (Hebrews 12:2). At church, I prayed with a missionary couple from the Philippines and there was a very strong confirmation that I should not give up or turn to the left or to the right. Every believer has a special calling from God, what is it that makes your soul leap and shout, \u0026ldquo;Send me!\u0026rdquo;? It may be business, education, medicine, media, or even politics. There is a saying that \u0026ldquo;Firefighters run into buildings when others are running out.\u0026rdquo; Is it a classroom, a hospital room, your own living room, or a cubicle? Where ever it is, that is where God will use you the most powerfully!\n“For God’s gifts and His call can never be withdrawn. (Romans 11:29 NLT)” “For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because an obligation is placed on me. And woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16)\nSome may read the above paragraph and think, \u0026ldquo;Great, Darryl\u0026rsquo;s found his calling. What does that have to do with me?\u0026rdquo; God is our commander and once He gives the order to charge, He does not retreat. Just as God has patiently and persistently sent prophets, Christ, and the apostles to Israel, He is just as patient and persistent in calling as many of His followers as necessary for as long as necessary in order to win spiritual battles. I have always known that the calling that God has given to me is too big for me. Therefore, I have faith that God has called, is calling, and will continue to call as many people to join in this calling as necessary to complete it. Even if I am unable to complete it, I trust that God will call others. Who knows, He might even call you, your children, or your grandchildren. We pray for, support, and encourage our troops, police, and firefighters partly because we want them to face the fires so that we don\u0026rsquo;t have to. This is a good reason to pray for and encourage your pastors and missionaries\u0026ndash;so that you don\u0026rsquo;t get drafted! : ). \u0026rdquo;\u0026hellip;If you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs.\u0026quot; (Matthew 10:41) \u0026hellip; “Since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:12-14)\nI often hear political pundits complain about, \u0026ldquo;the donor class\u0026rdquo; or \u0026ldquo;There\u0026rsquo;s too much money in politics!\u0026rdquo; This may be true, but I can\u0026rsquo;t remember ever meeting a pastor or missionary who would make the same complaints. : ) This is because when people \u0026ldquo;donate\u0026rdquo; to politics, they are either trying to get a law passed that will help them or prevent a law from passing that will hurt them. So it isn\u0026rsquo;t really \u0026ldquo;giving\u0026rdquo; at all, it is more like paying protection money to the mafia. Christian giving should not be like this. We should give ourselves first (2 Corinthians 8:5) and then we should give our time, talents, and resources without expecting repayment, in this life. Therefore, Christian donations are more like making investments in our HRA (Heavenly Rewards Account) in the same way that we invest in our IRAs. Missions and other ministries are a lot more like \u0026ldquo;investment firms\u0026rdquo; than we realize, except that our HRAs are completely secure.\nAnother aspect of investing in missions is that both senders and missionaries share the rewards in the same way that investors and entrepreneurs share dividends or profits. Some of my senders have been investing in me (spiritually, emotionally, and financially) my whole life, others just a few years. I know that whatever heavenly rewards I receive, I will have to share dividends with so many people that my net reward will be much smaller than the gross reward.\nSo the one who plants is not important, and the one who waters is not important. Only God, who makes things grow, is important, . . .(but) each will be rewarded for his own work. (1 Corinthians 3:8)\nHere are some examples of things that God has done in Cambodia through the partnership between our senders and us. In heaven I believe there will be some rewards for all of us to share from these ministries.\nHelped establish a Christian presence on a major university campus that continues to represent Christ before university students fifteen years later. Helped lay this spiritual foundation (since 2000) that led to the founding of Kone Kmeng children\u0026rsquo;s ministry in 2006. Kone Kmeng has equipped more than one hundred Cambodian churches to minister to thousands of children who are vulnerable to being trafficked into child labor or prostitution. Darryl now serves as a board member. Authored and co-authored Christianity: Discerning Essential Doctrines and Preserving Unity (2009) and Christianity: Reasons for Faith (2012) these are the only two books that define and defend the essentials of Christianity (Christian apologetics) ever published in the Cambodian language. Developed and sponsored a Christian apologetics radio programs in the Cambodian language. Helped to found Trinity Institute of Cambodia which is now called GLOW Cambodia, which offers training in the Bible, Chinese, English, Leadership, and Education. Founded International Fishers, the only Christian Apologetics ministry in Cambodia, which provides free evangelistic materials in Cambodian, English, and other languages. www.internationalfishers.com Provided the first Christian apologetics classes in two Bible schools, more than sixty pastors and church leaders have been trained so far. Provided emergency training to help stop the loss of pastors and church members to cults. Kayo started and runs the only ministry to Japanese living in Cambodia. She also is part of a the worship team at an international church, mentors Cambodian women, and is the mother to Benjamin. More unlisted and more to come. This is not to boast, because it is all God, but we see the fruit that others never get to see first hand. Many of you who are reading this will say, \u0026ldquo;When did we______?\u0026rdquo; when you receive rewards and thanks for ministries that you were not even aware of. Some of our senders have already gone to heaven, I wonder if they are still receiving dividends of the fruits of ministries that they invested that are still producing fruit. \u0026hellip;\u0026ldquo;There is joy in the presence of the angels of God when one sinner changes his heart and life.\u0026rdquo; (Luke 15:10) \u0026ldquo;First they gave themselves to the Lord\u0026rdquo; (2 Corinthians 8:5)\nAs missionaries, we must be committed to God\u0026rsquo;s calling while our senders must only be invested. To understand the difference between \u0026ldquo;committed\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;invested\u0026rdquo; we only have to think about a plate of bacon and eggs. The chicken is invested but the pig is committed. : ) In other words, missionaries must be, \u0026ldquo;all in\u0026rdquo;. From the time we heard God first calling Kayo and I many years ago, we have been living our lives in submission to this calling. This has completely shaped our life decisions: about marrying each other, our education, careers, finances, and purchases. We have been, \u0026ldquo;all in\u0026rdquo; through many trials and so long as God leads us, we will continue to be \u0026ldquo;all in\u0026rdquo;.\n“Who ever goes to war at his own expense?” (1 Corinthians 9:7 HCSB) For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. (Ephesians 6:12 HCSB) Immediate Opportunities For Kingdom Investment s\nDuring Darryl’s time in Cambodia from 2000-2003 his financial needs were met by a combination of donations and income earned from teaching English. This was also true 2007-2009, when Darryl taught English. In 2009, God called Darryl to step back from teaching English and focus on other ministries. During the US financial crises, God provided extra blessings for us because the Japanese Yen gained 30% against the US Dollar (Cambodia uses US dollars so this was a big boost). This provided the funding for us to sponsor two books, a radio program, and other ministry projects, even without the income from Darryl’s English teaching! During those years we could even able pay off Darryl’s student loans for his much used Apologetics degree from Biola and become completely debt free!\nBetween 2007 and 2012, the enemy frequently attacked our health, living conditions, and safety. In 2012, we moved back to Phnom Penh and since then God has blessed us with increasingly safe living conditions and our health has improved. However, from the time we became debt-free, the enemy has started attacking our finances by weakening our financial “supply chain,” which is a common tactic in any battle, including spiritual battles. Since the beginning of 2013, the Japanese Yen has lost 40% in value against the US Dollar. Meanwhile, Benjamin has started school.\nAt this moment, our minimum budget needs are underfunded by around $600 per month, for things like health insurance and ministry work funds. In addition to this, we have been paying for Benjamin’s educational expenses out of our personal savings. Unless God provides a financial miracle for us, our ministry and personal financial reserves will be exhausted sometime early to mid-2016. To pull us back from financial vulnerability, we need to raise $1,200-$1,500 monthly ASAP. This will set us free to start long term ministry projects.\nSome may wonder if it is possible to raise additional funds given current state of the US economy, when a major denomination is recalling 600-800 missionaries for lack of funding. However, God is bigger! During the Great Depression 1930-1939, another denomination increased its mission giving by 47% and the total number of missionaries by 25%! When other denominations were retreating, they were advancing!\nEven though raising an additional $1,200-$1,500 monthly or cutting that much, is impossible for us, it is not impossible for God. For example, if God will raise up 40-50 people who will donate or increase their donations by $30 per month ($360 yearly), our financial needs will be met and we could advance in our ministries. \u0026ldquo;Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well.\u0026rdquo; (Matthew 6:33) Long-Term Opportunities for Kingdom Investments\nBeyond the immediate needs, God is calling Darryl to not only help reach Cambodia with the Gospel but to help prepare the way for the Gospel to reach from Cambodia to the rest of the world. This means that in the not so distant future, International Fishers will need equipment, a studio, translators, and production staff. What if God would raise up around 300 or more financial partners who will give at least $30 per month? This would enable International Fishers to reach an unlimited number of people (via social media and personal contacts), primarily in closed countries, for a fraction of the cost of traditional media. We may never see another opportunity like this in our lifetimes!\nYou have a saying, ‘Four more months till harvest.’ But I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields ready for harvest now. (John 4:35)\nThe fields are ready for harvest now! Not only in Cambodia but from Cambodia. Here are just a few of the reasons why basing International Fishers in Cambodia is better than basing it from the USA.\nReady access to Christians from many different nations including closed countries (30 nations represented in our international church every Sunday). Easy visas, political neutrality, religious freedom, and low cost of living mean that Christians from closed countries could travel to Cambodia, make materials for their own people and return without raising suspicions of their own countries. Overland travel to many closed countries is possible, which is better than air travel. Young, increasingly educated, multi-lingual, computer/social media savy Cambodian Christians are available to serve as staff at reasonable salaries. Improving technology, electricity, and Internet service nationwide. Please Pray\n1. Please pray for us: Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin to continue to grow in our capacity to sense God\u0026rsquo;s desires and our willingness to follow Him.\n2. Please pray for healing for Constance, (Darryl\u0026rsquo;s Mom) as she recovers from one or more strokes and for the family members who are helping her.\n3. Please pray that God raise up courageous Christians who are ready to advance the Kingdom despite persecution, political, or economic obstacles. God is greater!\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl with Kayo and Benjamin\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2015/11/03/very-important-special-update-from-cambodia-here-i-am-send-me-send-me-or-send-me/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2015/08/Records2015.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Wed nite w Records\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2015/08/Records2015.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSend me!\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eThen I heard the Lord’s voice, saying, “Whom can I send? Who will go for us?” So I said, “Here I am. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8 NCV)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuddenly this passage came to my mind in a whole new way and with it came\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2015/11/f01d1d3b88f806cf424a40b869af70c8-fire-fighters.jpg\"\n         alt=\"Firefighters run into buildings when others are running out. Missionaries move into countries when others are moving out. \" width=\"236\"/\u003e \u003cfigcaption\u003e\n            \u003cp\u003eFirefighters run into buildings when others are running out. Missionaries move into countries when others are moving out.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"*Very Important! Special Update From Cambodia.* Here I am.  Send me?, Send me., or SEND ME!"},{"content":"“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:10 NLT\nLast month, I mentioned that my family and I were feeling very discouraged and exhausted despite (or perhaps) because of many breakthroughs in ministry. Since that time, God has given us some space and time to \u0026ldquo;be still and know\u0026rdquo; Him better. When a tree grows taller the pressure of the winds can begin to tear at its roots and can threaten to topple the tree. It is during these times that the tree must grow deeper roots before it can grow taller or it will fall over as a result of its own \u0026ldquo;success\u0026rdquo;. Likewise, my family and I have seen a lot of upward and outward growth in our ministries so God has been calling us to grow deeper roots into Him through repentance, reconciliation, and growing deeper in the Word and prayer. This process has been painful but we can now say that it is, worth the pain.\nWell intentioned Christians often say cliches like, \u0026ldquo;Where God guides, He provides.\u0026rdquo; However for those who are going through a time where God\u0026rsquo;s provision has not yet arrived, these truisms may cause them to doubt their calling, \u0026ldquo;If God isn\u0026rsquo;t providing is He still guiding?\u0026rdquo; As many of you know my family and I have been going through some serious financial challenges, partly due to the exchange rate between the Japanese Yen and US Dollar, which we will share in future posts. It is during trials like these that it is easy to question our calling to ministry in general and mission in Cambodia.\nA few weeks ago, I (Darryl) went to the altar at the International Church with many others who were seeking God\u0026rsquo;s direction for our lives. There, I received a renewed sense of calling, \u0026ldquo;Take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people you will never meet, in places you will never go, in languages you will never speak.\u0026rdquo; This describes the calling that God has given me toward apologetics media ministry and for many years I have sensed that God was calling me not just to minister in Cambodia but to many other nations as well. Recently I have noticed that God has been bringing opportunities to share my materials in other languages and nations as well, including closed countries.\nInternationalfishers.com One Year Update:\nSeptember 15-October 15th 3,123 Page Views\nSeptember 15th to October 15th 644 Unique Visitors.\nBy faith, I renewed www.internationalfishers.com for another year. Allow me to share some stats that are encouraging. Between September 15th and October 15th, 644 different people visited the website and they in turn clicked on a total of 3,123 different posts, videos, and audio recordings. This is a fairly typical month. Given my personal limitations during the past month there is no way that I could have ministered to 644 people directly, but the website made it possible for me to minister people I will never meet, in places I will never go. As God opens the doors for new languages, then eventually, this ministry may be done in languages that I will never speak. Even though right now, I don\u0026rsquo;t know how this will take place\u0026ndash;It seems impossible. So, I can only trust God who will bring about His perfect will in His perfect time, in His perfect way.\nOther Ministries\nKayo continues leading the Japanese Life Group ministry and God has been using the Alpha Course videos to strengthen the faith of the new believers. Please pray for the non-Christians who started attending, various obstacles have arisen that have prevented them from attending. Please pray for them. She also has been quite involved in the worship team at the International Church and in helping prepare the way for other Japanese Christian musicians to minister in Cambodia in the future.\nChristian Apologetics Classes\nOn October 23, Darryl will resume his third round of teaching Christian Apologetics at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute. Please pray for the strength and wisdom to be able to equip these pastors and church leaders to \u0026ldquo;Always be ready to give a reason for the Hope that you have, with gentleness and respect.\u0026rdquo; (1 Peter 3:15). At the end of the class the students will give video presentations giving evidence for the Truth of God\u0026rsquo;s Word.\nPlease pray for our strength, wisdom, peace, and unity during this time. We are in the process of making some very important decisions which will impact our lives, family, and ministries for many years to come.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin Record\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2015/10/15/record-family-cambodia-missions-update-be-still-and-know/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2015/08/Records2015.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Wed nite w Records\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2015/08/Records2015.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:10 NLT\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLast month, I mentioned that my family and I were feeling very discouraged and exhausted despite (or perhaps) because of many breakthroughs in ministry.  Since that time, God has given us some space and time to \u0026ldquo;be still and know\u0026rdquo; Him better.  When a tree grows taller the pressure of the winds can begin to tear at its roots and can threaten to topple the tree.  It is during these times that the tree must grow deeper roots before it can grow taller or it will fall over as a result of its own \u0026ldquo;success\u0026rdquo;.  Likewise, my family and I have seen a lot of upward and outward growth in our ministries so God has been calling us to grow deeper roots into Him through repentance, reconciliation, and growing deeper in the Word and prayer.  This process has been painful but we can now say that it is, worth the pain.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family Cambodia Missions Update:  Be Still and Know..."},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” (John 4:38 NLT) Always Missionaries: At Home, On the Internet, and On TV.\nWe had a blessed time in the USA. In addition to being blessed by our senders,\nDarryl on the \u0026lsquo;He Is the Reason\u0026rsquo; radio program.\nwe also were able to encourage and challenge the Body there. In addition to typical, \u0026ldquo;home assignment\u0026rdquo; activities God opened the doors to do some, mission work. Darryl was interviewed by Pastor Arnold Gonzalez on his weekly radio program, \u0026ldquo;He Is the Reason,\u0026rdquo; on KTBN an internet based radio station with that has a global audience, especially those in closed countries. You can listen to the interview and Cambodia update here. In addition, Darryl was invited to teach two one-hour apologetics sessions on Songkuem TV, a Cambodian Christian television ministry that broadcasts Cambodian language sermons over local cable television stations to Cambodian immigrants in the USA. Darryl taught on \u0026ldquo;Evidence for the Creator\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;Evidence for the Resurrection.\u0026rdquo; Pastor Sonly, a Cambodian-American pastor translated. This was the first time anyone has taught about the evidence for the truth of Christianity on Cambodian-Christian television in the US (or anywhere).\nBack to Cambodia One week after returning to Cambodia,\nwhile we were still recovering from jet-lag, we hosted a mission-exposure team from Tokyo and Kansai, Japan. At the same time, the Lopez family came from Hiroshima, Japan to visit Ryoken, their eldest son, who came to Cambodia to study English and gain work experience. During our time in the USA Matt, a\nRyoken\u0026rsquo;s baptism, with Matt, Nary (Matt\u0026rsquo;s wife), and Fernando (Ryoken\u0026rsquo;s dad).\nmissionary from Cambodia and his wife, a Cambodian, took good care of him and lived out their faith before Ryoken every day. This challenged Ryoken, to make a public profession of his childhood faith through baptism, during his family\u0026rsquo;s visit. Ryoken has been staying in a hotel near his English school for three months. A few weeks ago, God opened the door for Nary (Matt\u0026rsquo;s wife) to start a Sunday afternoon Christian meeting for the Cambodian staff. One female staff member wanted to get baptized in the hotel pool. This opened the door Ryoken to get baptized too. Because of this woman\u0026rsquo;s and Ryoken\u0026rsquo;s testimonies, another male staff member said he wanted to accept Christ and be baptized too! God is doing something amazing in Cambodia!\nJapanese Life Group\nKayo re-started the Japanese Life Group ministry. Now, they are going through the Alpha Course in Japanese on Sunday afternoons. Three non-Christian Japanese are attending, three new/recently baptized Christians are attending, and one Korean-Christian lady who speaks Japanese are attending. Kayo needs more help!\nKone Kmeng Board\nKone Kmeng board meeting\nDarryl has joined the Kone Kmeng ( www.kone-kmeng.org) board. Fifteen years ago, Jessica, Laura, and the rest of Darryl\u0026rsquo;s team of English teachers met Phany, a motorcycle taxi driver, who came to church to practice English, even though he thought, \u0026ldquo;Jesus was crazy because he taught, love your enemies.\u0026rdquo; Jesus changed Phany\u0026rsquo;s heart, he accepted Christ, took the Gospel to his family and village. In 2006, he started Kone Kmeng children\u0026rsquo;s ministry in his bedroom. Today Kone Kmeng empowers more than 100 Cambodian churches to minister to more than 1,000 children who are risk of being sold slavery as prostitutes or laborers.\nInternational Fishers Update\nPray that videos like these will be able to be made available in the Cambodian language.\nDarryl is getting ready for a booth at the Asian Christian Conference, September 17-20. In addition, God is opening doors for Illustra-Media videos to be translated and dubbed in Khmer probably next year, in partnership with Samaritan\u0026rsquo;s Purse. Please pray for wisdom and provision for this and other Christian video projects. There is another project in the works but it is stalled due to fear of \u0026ldquo;political consequences.\u0026rdquo; Please pray for a breakthrough!\nGod\u0026rsquo;s Runway\nDespite (or more likely because of) these exciting ministry developments, our family has been experiencing crushing levels (but by God\u0026rsquo;s grace) of discouragement and spiritual oppression. We often identify Scriptures like, 1 Kings 19:3, \u0026ldquo;I have had enough, LORD\u0026rdquo; or Psalms 22:1 \u0026ldquo;My God, my God why have you abandoned me?\u0026rdquo; When we look at our strength and our resources, we feel like we are coming to the end of our road. I woke up this morning with an image like this on my mind. Here is my attempt to capture it.\nPlease pray for us so that we will have the faith and courage to fly with Jesus instead of crashing in despair. By faith, we believe that God is doing something great but the spiritual climate is, \u0026ldquo;the darkest before the sunrise.\u0026rdquo; Please continue to pray for our encouragement, strength, health, protection, and provision so that we will be able to continue to be strong in faith, on God\u0026rsquo;s runway.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin Record\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2015/09/08/record-family-cambodia-update-gods-runway/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2015/08/Records2015.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Wed nite w Records\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2015/08/Records2015.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u0026ldquo;I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” (John 4:38 NLT)\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAlways Missionaries:  At Home, On the Internet, and On TV.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe had a blessed time in the USA.  In addition to being blessed by our senders,\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2015/09/831998-300x169.png\"\n         alt=\"Darryl on the \u0026#39;He Is the Reason\u0026#39; radio program. \" width=\"300\"/\u003e \u003cfigcaption\u003e\n            \u003cp\u003eDarryl on the \u0026lsquo;He Is the Reason\u0026rsquo; radio program.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family Cambodia Update:  God's Runway"},{"content":"\u0026hellip;the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:16b NASB Joints in the Body of Christ: New Connections\nWhen we think about the \u0026ldquo;Body of Christ\u0026rdquo;, which is made up of all true followers of Christ, we often think about big denominations and organizations. In the Body of Christ, churches, denominations, and organizations are a lot like \u0026ldquo;bones.\u0026rdquo; They are big and strong but they often lack flexibility and when they try to work together it can be painful. When bones come in direct contact, \u0026ldquo;arthritis\u0026rdquo; usually occurs. It is becoming increasingly clear that God has called us (Darryl and Kayo) to be \u0026ldquo;joints.\u0026rdquo; Healthy joints are made up of \u0026ldquo;ligaments\u0026rdquo; which hold the bones together and \u0026ldquo;cartilage\u0026rdquo; to cushion and smooth out the connections. Even though we are small, we play a role in connecting the \u0026ldquo;bones\u0026rdquo; across national, cultural, language, denominational, and many other lines which can cause painful conflicts and divisions in the Body of Christ.\nKone Kmeng Children\u0026rsquo;s Ministry Darryl has been close to Phany, the co-founder of Kone Kmeng since 2000 when Darryl\u0026rsquo;s team of English teacher met and evangelized him. Phany went on to take the Gospel to his family and village, and in 2006, he started this organization. Darryl has been working behind the scenes as an adviser and mentor for Phany and this ministry for many years now. Glenn, a missionary from the UK was forced to return to his home country due to health problems so he could not continue as a member of Kone Kmeng\u0026rsquo;s Advisory Board. Phany invited Darryl to join the board in his place. Kone Kmeng Children\u0026rsquo;s Ministry partners with more than 100 Cambodian churches that in turn minister to thousands of children who are vulnerable to human trafficking (being sold or kidnapped and forced into child labor or child prostitution). Kone Kmeng is involved in many kinds of ministries including: education, micro business incubation, health training, well drilling, latrine building, cleft palate surgeries, and dormitories for high school and university students. They also distribute International Fishers videos and materials through their network of churches.\nSamaritan\u0026rsquo;s Purse Cambodia Before departing Cambodia in June, Darryl supplied videos, radio programs, and Power Points to SP Cambodia. These resources will be loaded on tablets that SP Cambodia will distribute to many pastors across Cambodia. Samaritan\u0026rsquo;s Purse has already published the Cambodian language version of The Lotus and The Cross by Ravi Zacharias. Darryl will serve as a consultant on the project to produce a video based on the Cambodian version of this book. Darryl is also working to help them connect with other media ministries so that they can produce more videos in the Cambodian language in the future.\nSongkeum Khmer Christian Media A few years ago, while a short term team from CC La Mirada was preparing to come to Cambodia, they met Mary Anne a Cambodian-American who had a unique \u0026ldquo;joint in the Body of Christ\u0026rdquo; ministry which connects Cambodian-American Christians together by videoing Cambodian church services and broadcasting them on local cable channels and online. In 2013, the team introduced us to Mary-Anne, her mother, and other Cambodian-American Christians. The mother and daughter told us an amazing true story of their escape from the Khmer Rouge (Communist Cambodians as brutal as ISIS). When the KR took control, many Cambodians who were in the Navy of the old regime, fled the country aboard warships. Mary Anne, then a baby, and her family escaped on a stolen Cambodian Destroyer.\nMary Anne has invited Darryl to join the Board of Advisors of Songkeum TV as well. Darryl\u0026rsquo;s role will be to help connect the Cambodian-American Christians to the Cambodian Body in Cambodia. Both groups have needs that can be met and blessings that can be shared, only through connecting with each other.\nUSA Home Assignment\nWe have had a blessed time in the USA visiting our senders, friends, and relatives in California and Missouri. We are now in California until we return to Cambodia on August 11. We can be contacted via e-mail at darryl@sgwm.com or 562-241-6740.\nAs \u0026ldquo;faith missionaries\u0026rdquo; (we depend completely God to supply our needs through free-will donations) our current and future ministries in Cambodia and beyond depend completely on the faithful prayers and sacrificial investments our senders make in obedience to the Great Commission. If God is leading you to partner with us financially you can donate online by clicking on the button that says \u0026ldquo;Become a Financial Partner\u0026rdquo; Or, you can send checks payable to Saving Grace World Missions 17451 Bastanchury Rd #203, Yorba Linda CA 92886, 714-993-4801 be sure to include a note that you want donation to go to the \u0026ldquo;Record Family in Cambodia.\u0026rdquo; For our senders who wish to make donations from Japan please e-mail darryl@sgwm.com for instructions.\nKayo and Benjamin in front of a church in a small town in IL where Darryl went to church as a young child. The church Darryl\u0026rsquo;s father pastored closed because the young people moved away and the older generation passed away.\nIMG_0704\nGrandma and Benjamin reading a book about Abraham Lincoln.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin Record\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2015/07/17/record-family-cambodiausa-missions-update-body-of-christs-joints/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026hellip;the whole body, being fitted and \u003cstrong\u003eheld together by what every joint supplies\u003c/strong\u003e, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.\u003c/em\u003e Ephesians 4:16b NASB \u003cstrong\u003eJoints in the Body of Christ:  New Connections\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we think about the \u0026ldquo;Body of Christ\u0026rdquo;, which is made up of all true followers of Christ, we often think about big denominations and organizations. In the Body of Christ, churches, denominations, and organizations are a lot like \u0026ldquo;bones.\u0026rdquo; They are big and strong but they often lack flexibility and when they try to work together it can be painful.  When bones come in direct contact, \u0026ldquo;arthritis\u0026rdquo; usually occurs.  It is becoming increasingly clear that God has called us (Darryl and Kayo) to be \u0026ldquo;joints.\u0026rdquo;  Healthy joints are made up of \u0026ldquo;ligaments\u0026rdquo; which hold the bones together and \u0026ldquo;cartilage\u0026rdquo; to cushion and smooth out the connections.   Even though we are small, we play a role in connecting the \u0026ldquo;bones\u0026rdquo; across national, cultural, language, denominational, and many other lines which can cause painful conflicts and divisions in the Body of Christ.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family Cambodia/USA Missions Update (Body of Christ's Joints)"},{"content":"“All right, go!” Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water. Matthew 8:32 NLT Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 NLT Keeping our Joy In Trials: In the past month, we have experienced some \u0026ldquo;opportunities for great joy\u0026rdquo;. Here are a few examples:\nDarryl started \u0026ldquo;emergency apologetics classes\u0026rdquo; to equip a Cambodian pastor and\nBeware of free range cows.\na Filipino missionary so that they will be able to protect and vaccinate their 14 churches who have lost 7 members and an evangelist to a cult and a Bible school student to Islam. Please pray that they can help restore those who have strayed from the faith. The day before the first meeting, the Cambodian pastor was returning to Phnom Penh from a weekend of ministry in a a rented SUV (from Lyna Garage), when suddenly a \u0026ldquo;free-range-cow\u0026rdquo; charged his vehicle causing $400 worth of damage. A village leader gave the group a ride, but his vehicle broke down. By God\u0026rsquo;s grace, this pastor was able to make it to the first apologetics class. Right before the third meeting, the faucet in our upstairs bathroom broke in the ON position, which required us to turn off the water to the entire house and make emergency plumbing repairs.\nA couple of days later, Darryl was getting ready to go to Lyna Garage to film \u0026ldquo;The\nBenjamin bicycle\nMrs. Lyna Tan, Mr. Meas Savong, and Mrs. Samoeun Intal filming The Bible: God\u0026rsquo;s Instructions for Life video.\nBible: God\u0026rsquo;s Instructions for Life\u0026rdquo; so Kayo went to pick Benjamin up at school. On the way home, Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s training wheel bicycle fell over and he got a deep gash on his chin. By God\u0026rsquo;s grace it didn\u0026rsquo;t bleed much so we could clean and bandage it and he didn\u0026rsquo;t need stitches. We had to pray and trust God to heal Benjamin so that Darryl didn\u0026rsquo;t have to cancel this video shoot that had taken six months to set up and couldn\u0026rsquo;t be rescheduled for a long time. Darryl is still editing this video, Lord willing he will release it this week. In addition, was able to film Mrs. Samoeun Intal\u0026rsquo;s testimony. She was the founder of the FEBC Christian radio station in Cambodia and has also paved the way for other kinds of Christian media in Cambodia, including International Fishers. www.internationalfishers.com/samoeun-intal\nKayo\u0026rsquo;s ministry to Japanese speakers in Cambodia has also experienced great\nJapanese Life Group\nIMG_20150519_091729\nbreakthroughs and trials. Mr. I, the 76 year old Japanese man has made a clear profession of faith. We have also been able to help a Japanese missionary family get settled in, find a good vehicle, and to overcome some other obstacles and trials. We have also helped Ryoken, an 18 year old man from Japan, get settled in, plugged in to Gateway Cafe Student ministries, and started studying English and volunteering here in Cambodia. Please pray that he will learn English, learn employable skills, and most of all that he will come to know Christ in a new way that goes beyond his parents\u0026rsquo; faith. These breakthroughs also came with trials. Kayo has been sick and exhausted off and on for the past few weeks. We took her to the doctor twice but they couldn\u0026rsquo;t diagnose anything. We are treating her at home for amoebas now. Last night she had an allergic reaction to the medicine. Please pray that she will be fully healed before our trip to the USA on June 11. Benjamin has also had unexplained illnesses that disappeared after prayer and Darryl got food poisoning after going to a lunch hosted by a Bible School. There have also been other inter-personal conflicts that are also related to spiritual opposition.\nDespite all of these trials we see God\u0026rsquo;s hand moving in our lives in ministry in ways that we have never seen before! So, we can have joy that God is using us and that His work through us (despite our weakness) is such a threat that we merit opposition and trials. If things are happening to us in Cambodia, it is likely that our Senders may also be under some spiritual trails and opposition too. The enemy\u0026rsquo;s tactics include: deception, destruction, disconnection, discouragement, distraction, and division. In the USA, you may not have a cow charge your car, but a co-worker may accuse you unfairly. This is why we must continually pray for and encourage each other.\nUSA Trip June 11-August 14:\nWe are looking forward to seeing as many of our beloved Senders and others who are interested in being used by God to help reach the world for Christ. We will be in California from June 12-23, Missouri from June 23-July 14, and back in California from July 14th to August 11.\nFor our friends in California, there is a special Open-House on Saturday June 20th from noon-5pm. Please e-mail darryl@sgwm.com for more details on this event or to schedule other times to get together (in CA or MO).\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2015/06/01/record-family-cambodia-missions-update-joy-in-trails/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“All right, go!” Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water. Matthew 8:32 NLT\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eDear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  James 1:2 NLT\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eKeeping our Joy In Trials:\u003c/strong\u003e In the past month, we have experienced some \u0026ldquo;opportunities for great joy\u0026rdquo;.  Here are a few examples:\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family Cambodia Missions Update (Joy in Trails)"},{"content":"\u0026hellip;But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught\u0026hellip;. 2 Timothy 3:12-17 NLT Urgent Prayer Request: Darryl has been asked to advise, equip, and train the leaders (missionaries and Cambodian pastors) of a group of 14 churches which were planted by the Wesleyans but are now independent. Recently, seven of their church members and one evangelist have converted to a Korea-based cult operating here in Cambodia. One more Bible school student has also recently converted to Islam. There are reports that other churches of various denominations have also been losing their flock to this same Korea-based cult.\nThe leaders of these churches are concerned that more pastors, members, and leaders will be taken into this cult, and other religions, because they aren\u0026rsquo;t equipped to be confident in the truth of Christianity (beyond experience, emotions, and a limited knowledge of the Bible) much less defend their faith in the face of trained cultists. In addition to making sure that they get the books, videos, and other materials that they need to vaccinate their people Darryl will start intensive apologetics training sessions at our house with these leaders next week (until our trip to the USA and then more to follow after our return).\nPlease pray that as these leaders attempt to restore their wandering sheep that they won\u0026rsquo;t be deceived. Please pray that they will get equipped so that they can vaccinate the rest of their group against cults or other religions. Please pray that God will help the leaders of the other denominations, who have also lost their sheep to cults like these to unite on the foundation of essential Christian doctrine and present a united defense of the Truth and will better equip their flocks to be able to keep their faith and share it with confidence and joy. Japanese Life Group Update:\nInternational Japanese Christian Group\nLast time, we mentioned an elderly Japanese man that Kayo and other Japanese missionaries were \u0026ldquo;re-evangelizing.\u0026rdquo; This man is well on the path to developing a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ as his Savior (if he hasn\u0026rsquo;t already). We are moving slowly with him, because he made a profession of faith as a child and was baptized but there was little/no fruit until now. Now, this man is motivated to allow Christ to change his life, and he wants to share his limited knowledge of God\u0026rsquo;s Word, with other elderly Japanese men living in Cambodia (this is a real unreached people group : ) ).\nGod has also been bringing a variety of people to the group (some as visitors some continue on). In the past month in addition to Japanese, Americans, and Koreans, we have had Korean/Chinese/Japanese family, a Ghana/Japanese family, and a Cambodian/French man attend the group. This is surprising for us because we have not made any attempts to advertise the group since last December but people are finding the old flyers etc. and just showing up.\nInternational Fishers Update:\nchurch planting class\nIn the beginning of April, Darryl taught an (6 hours spread over two days) intensive Christian apologetics workshop to eight students of the Family of Faith Cambodia Church\u0026rsquo;s church planter training program and he also preached on the evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ at this Church\u0026rsquo;s Easter Service. As missionaries, we often feel like we are constantly pouring lighter fluid and lighting matches in an attempt to light the fires of Christianity on the charcoal of Cambodia. Now, it is clear that the charcoal is burning on its own (not just the lighter fluid). For the first time, in the past 15 years, we are gaining confidence that God is preparing a great revival in Cambodia (which is why the cults are showing up to plant tares among the wheat in the softened soil).\nLater, Darryl was able to produce two videos: God\u0026rsquo;s Technology vs. Human Technology and DNA: God is the Author of Life in Spanish (click here to view/download) . Advancing computer/Internet technology made it possible for Darryl\u0026rsquo;s friend Fernando (a Guatemalan living in Japan) to translate and record the soundtrack for these videos. Darryl (in Cambodia) was able to combine this with photos from Pastor Kevin (an American in Japan), Graphics from Donna (in the USA) and music from Pastor Bob (in the USA).\nAlso, because of the recent onslaught of criticism and attacks against Christianity from cultural and political leaders, Darryl also felt led to combine his skills as a Christian Apologist with his background in Political Science to analyze and defend against these attacks in real-time. You are invited to read this English-language blog called Apologist In Exile. Sender\u0026rsquo;s Encouragement Trip Looking forward to connecting with as many of our precious senders in the USA as possible. Please contact darryl@sgwm.com\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2015/05/05/record-family-cambodia-update-2/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026hellip;But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught\u0026hellip;.\u003c/em\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+timothy+3%3A12-17\u0026amp;version=NLT\"\u003e2 Timothy 3:12-17 NLT\u003c/a\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eUrgent Prayer Request: \u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2015/05/muslim-convert-_Fotor.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"muslim convert _Fotor\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2015/05/muslim-convert-_Fotor-205x300.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDarryl has been asked to advise, equip, and train the leaders (missionaries and Cambodian pastors) of a group of 14 churches which were planted by the Wesleyans but are now independent.  Recently, seven of their church members and one evangelist have converted to a \u003ca href=\"https://carm.org/world-mission-society-church-of-god\"\u003eKorea-based cult\u003c/a\u003e operating here in Cambodia.  One more Bible school student has also recently converted to Islam.  There are reports that other churches of various denominations have also been losing their flock to this same Korea-based cult.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family Cambodia Update (Urgent Prayer Request)"},{"content":" For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. . . .For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News. Romans 1:11-17 NLT Home Country Encouragement Trip June 12-August 11\nOur family (Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin) are \u0026ldquo;eager to come to you in\u0026rdquo;\u0026hellip;.Southern California and Southeast Missouri. We have been so blessed in our lives in Cambodia (housing, security, ministries, and even better than expected weather), that this time, Lord willing, we will not need to come the the USA to rest and recharge but instead we hope to be able to encourage and equip our brothers and sisters in the USA who are coming under increasing pressure and opposition.\nHere are the key dates of our trip (please mark your calendar).\nJune 12 Arrive in California June 23 Fly to Missouri July 14 Return to California August 11 Return to Cambodia While we have been experiencing a new openness in ministries in Cambodia, as if the spiritual oppression is lifting, we sense that our senders in America are struggling. When things were extremely difficult in Cambodia, we often returned to the USA in need of physical, spiritual, and emotional recharging, but now it seems that God is calling us to use this trip to encourage our senders. As the USA becomes more and more unstable (and potentially hostile) politically, economically, and even environmentally, we find that our experiences, training, and perspectives as missionaries with contacts and indirect ministries in closed countries become more and more applicable to the future of Christianity in the USA.\nEven though Christians in the USA will need to \u0026ldquo;be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves,\u0026rdquo; Matthew 10: 5-31 NLT there is reason to be encouraged. In China Christians were only, \u0026ldquo;4 million before 1949 (3 million Catholics and 1 million Protestants)\u0026rdquo; before the communist government expelled the missionaries and shut down religious freedom. Now there are 100 million Christians and only 85 million Communist Party Members. Meanwhile Christianity has shrunk in number and weakened in impact in the \u0026ldquo;Christian\u0026rdquo; nations of the west. I (Darryl) believe that it is time for Christians in the USA to start learning from Christians in non-Christian and anti-Christian countries.\nSo, during this trip, we would like as many opportunities as possible to share our perspectives as missionaries to help as many American Christians to learn how to see their families, neighborhoods, campuses, and workplaces as mission fields. Even though China expelled the official missionaries in 1949, since then, there have been a lot of unofficial missionaries who are working in educational institutions and businesses. The ironic thing is that the pre-1949 missionaries were easily trapped in their churches while the more recent Christian \u0026ldquo;workers\u0026rdquo; have been welcomed into and even have received part or all of their funding from public educational institutions. While university professors in the USA have turned many young people away from Christianity, Christian professors in China have pointed many young people to Christ. As missionaries applied the lessons learned from China, to places like Cambodia and so now we sense that Cambodia is on the verge of a major spiritual awakening.\nWe really desire that God will open doors for us to serve, encourage, and fellowship with as many people as possible (as individuals, families, or groups). Please e-mail darryl@sgwm.com with your contact information and your ideas of how, when, and where we can can minister to you and come alongside you as we minister to the USA together with you. Sometimes people are afraid to spend time with missionaries because they fear that God will call them to be missionaries to Cambodia (or Africa), but we sense that God is much more likely to send them as missionaries to California and the midwest. ; ) Be aware that there will be spiritual opposition to contacting and connecting with us. The enemy will try to distract, discourage, or even make you fearful, but we know that God fear isn\u0026rsquo;t from God. Great journeys of faith begin with one baby-step and God has always carried us the rest of the way.\nThere are many exciting things to share with you about what God is doing in Cambodia, but if I write it all down now, this message will get too long for you to read. Lord willing, I will send you our regular update next week.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2015/04/30/record-familys-home-country-encouragement-trip-usa-june-12-august-11/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2015/04/Family-Roof-.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Family Roof\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2015/04/Family-Roof-.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.  When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. . . .For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike.  So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News. \u003ca href=\"https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+1%3A11-17\u0026amp;version=NLT\"\u003eRomans 1:11-17 NLT\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHome Country Encouragement Trip June 12-August 11\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family's Home Country Encouragement Trip: USA June 12-August 11"},{"content":"Go and make disciples of all the nations\u0026hellip;. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. Matthew 28:19-20\nKayo doing \u0026lsquo;New Believer\u0026rsquo;s Course\u0026rsquo; with Mr. Iwamoto.\nThe Importance of Christian Foundations\nSometimes we Christians are so eager to teach what we think are the \u0026ldquo;deeper things\u0026rdquo; (meat or denominational distinctives etc. etc.) of God\u0026rsquo;s Word that we skip over the essential Christian foundations (milk) that are provide the basis for all other doctrines and spiritual development. For example, in the Japanese Life Group Ministry, Kayo and another Japanese missionary are doing a \u0026ldquo;New Believer\u0026rsquo;s Course\u0026rdquo; with a 76 year old Japanese man who was evangelized and baptized as a child by a missionary in Japan. He either wasn\u0026rsquo;t completely evangelized to the point that he could make a genuine commitment to Christ or he wasn\u0026rsquo;t sufficiently discipled so that he could live for Christ, because he admits that he hasn\u0026rsquo;t been living for Christ since being baptized as a child. I\u0026rsquo;m sure that the missionary wrote a glowing report about a fruitful ministry in Japan but the fruit never grew. We praise God for bringing this man back to Himself and giving him one more chance to really know Christ and live for Him during the last years of his life. Please pray for this man that he will come to truly know Christ as his personal savior and that he will be able to live for Christ in the final years of his life.\nCambodia Bible Institute Apologetics Class\nDarryl taught the Christian Apologetics Class at Cambodia Bible Institute (sponsored by the Assemblies of God) from March 10-20. Once again, he had the students give their final presentations on video. The topics the students chose were (These Cambodian language videos are available at http://www.internationalfishers.com/cbi-2015.html )\nEvidence that God Created the Universe Prophecies Confirm That the Bible is God\u0026rsquo;s Word Jesus Christ is God Evidence that Jesus Christ Rose From the Dead Jesus Christ is the Only Path to Salvation If God is Good Why Do Evil and Pain Exist? If God is Love Why Do People Go To Hell? What About Those Who Never Heard About Jesus? It is very important that these future pastors and Christian leaders are able to effectively teach and defend these (and other) foundational truths of Christianity so that they will be able to transform their culture to Christ, keep the next generation of Christians strong in the faith, and that they will not compromise their faith in the face of persecution.\nI believe that the reason that the Christian denominations are compromising their faith in front of political correct movements and that Christians are so vulnerable to attacks in the USA is because the Church has often failed to defend the truth of God\u0026rsquo;s word in a logical, persuasive, and winsome manner. (see http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2015/03/26/the-three-key-components-that-lead-atheists-and-agnostics-to-reject-gods-existence/ ) Our calling as Christians and missionaries is to help people gain or regain their confidence that God\u0026rsquo;s word is true so that they will be able to 1. maintain their faith in societies that are increasingly anti-Christian 2. confidently and effectively evangelize and disciple others around them. 3. confidently and effectively communicate God\u0026rsquo;s truth as they transform their culture.\nPlease continue to pray for us and partner with us as God leads and empowers you. We look forward to seeing as many of our partners in the USA this summer. Feel free to e-mail us at darryl@sgwm.com. We always are happy to hear from you.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2015/03/31/record-family-in-cambodia-update-3/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGo and make disciples of all the nations\u0026hellip;. \u003cstrong\u003eTeach these new disciples to obey\u003c/strong\u003e all the commands I have given you. Matthew 28:19-20\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2015/03/Mr.-Iwamoto.jpg\"\n         alt=\"Kayo doing \u0026#39;New Believer\u0026#39;s Course\u0026#39; with Mr. Iwamoto.\" width=\"247\"/\u003e \u003cfigcaption\u003e\n            \u003cp\u003eKayo doing \u0026lsquo;New Believer\u0026rsquo;s Course\u0026rsquo; with Mr. Iwamoto.\u003c/p\u003e\n        \u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Importance of Christian Foundations\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes we Christians are so eager to teach what we think are the \u0026ldquo;deeper things\u0026rdquo; (meat or denominational distinctives  etc. etc.) of God\u0026rsquo;s Word that we skip over the essential Christian foundations (milk) that are provide the basis for all other doctrines and spiritual development.   For example, in the Japanese Life Group Ministry, Kayo and another Japanese missionary are doing a \u0026ldquo;New Believer\u0026rsquo;s Course\u0026rdquo; with a 76 year old Japanese man who was evangelized and baptized as a child by a missionary in Japan.  He either wasn\u0026rsquo;t completely evangelized to the point that he could make a genuine commitment to Christ or he wasn\u0026rsquo;t sufficiently discipled so that he could live for Christ, because he admits that he hasn\u0026rsquo;t been living for Christ since being baptized as a child.  I\u0026rsquo;m sure that the missionary wrote a glowing report about a fruitful ministry in Japan but the fruit never grew.  We praise God for bringing this man back to Himself and giving him one more chance to really know Christ and live for Him during the last years of his life.  Please pray for this man that he will come to truly know Christ as his personal savior and that he will be able to live for Christ in the final years of his life.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family in Cambodia Update"},{"content":"We can\u0026rsquo;t believe that it is March already and we will be coming to the USA (California June 13-25 and Missouri June 25-July 13) this summer! We really hope to connect with as many people (as individuals, families, or groups) during this very precious time that we have. Please e-mail darryl@sgwm.com to help us updated contact information and to start the process of organizing our schedule. There is so much to do between now and then, but we trust that God will give us the time, energy.\nLights!, Camera, Action: Screen Test at CPTI\nChristian Apologetics Class at CPTI.\nApologetics Students prepare for their video presentations.\nThe Christian Apologetics Class at Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute ended on February 12. Instead of a standard exam the students prepared Christian Apologetics presentations, which Darryl video-recorded, produced, and posted at http://www.internationalfishers.com/cpti-2015.html and https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFishers/videos . This was Darryl\u0026rsquo;s first time to use his video camera, lights, and microphone for ministry videos. The students said they learned more because they had to prepare for the presentations.\nDarryl will also be teaching an intensive 30 hour class at the Cambodia Bible Institute between March 10-20. Lord willing, he will be able to video these students\u0026rsquo; presentations as well.\nFamily Update:\nPlease continue to pray for our family\u0026rsquo;s health and strength. It is starting into the hot season and our ministries, (International Fishers, Kayo\u0026rsquo;s Worship Team, Japanese Life Group,) and Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s school all need special prayer cover.\nPlease pray for our upcoming time in the USA. It is very important that we deepen our roots there so that we can continue God\u0026rsquo;s work in Cambodia.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2015/03/02/quick-record-family-cambodia-missions-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eWe can\u0026rsquo;t believe that it is March already and we will be coming to the USA (California June 13-25 and Missouri June 25-July 13) this summer!  We really hope to connect with as many people (as individuals, families, or groups) during this very precious time that we have.  Please e-mail \u003ca href=\"mailto:darryl@sgwm.com\"\u003edarryl@sgwm.com\u003c/a\u003e to help us updated contact information and to start the process of organizing our schedule.  There is so much to do between now and then, but we trust that God will give us the time, energy.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Quick Record Family Cambodia Missions Update"},{"content":"But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. Matthew 20: 25-27 NLT\nMeaningful Leadership Moment: “You are my cow manure!”\nLeadership Tree: Leaders are roots mentors are fertilizer.\nDarryl has been meeting with Phany for several weeks now to coach him on Christian leadership. A few weeks ago, Darryl illustrated the Biblical model for servant-leadership as a tree in which the leaders become the roots of the tree and other followers take various roles as the trunk, branches, leaves, or fruit. The taller a tree grows it must deepen its roots to match its height or it risks being blown over by the winds. In this model the leaders serve the followers instead of use the followers to serve themselves. This is completely opposite from the world’s view of leadership in which the leader rides on the top of the pyramid (corporate organizational chart) and the followers exist to serve the leader.\nBiblical servant leaders like Phany, as the co-founder and director of Kone Kmeng children’s ministry must (as the roots) draw their spiritual and emotional nourishment from the soil (God) and then pass that nourishment on to their followers. The followers as leaves and branches of the tree also collect the energy from the sun and combine it with the nutrients from soil to make the tree grow. Darryl emphasized that unless leaders are diligent in drawing the nutrients from the soil that they will burn-out and become dry if they give more of their spiritual and emotional strength than they are taking in from God. Without thinking it through, Darryl told Phany that when trees are young they often need some fertilizer in order to give them a boost and to help them grow deeper into the soil where they can draw nutrients directly. At that moment, Phany’s eyes lit up, “You are my cow manure (fertilizer).” Despite the comedy of this statement, it is so accurate that it stuck. Darryl was part of the team of English teachers who evangelized and discipled Phany beginning in 2000. Since then, Darryl has been an informal mentor/ coach/ spiritual older brother to Phany so he has been serving as Phany’s “cow manure”. Leaders who mentor other leaders must often take the role of fertilizer for them so that they in turn serve as fertilizer for others. Darryl is also thankful for those who have served as fertilizer (coaches and mentors etc.) for him.\nKone Kmeng Organization’s Annual Pastor’s Conference: “Should we call you teacher or cow manure?” A few days later Kone Kmeng hosted their yearly conference for around 125 pastors and church leaders who partner with the organization to develop ministries to children who are at risk of child labor or being sold as child prostitutes and their families. Many of these children’s parents leave the children with relatives or friends while one or both parents go to work in Thailand or Vietnam for months or even years at a time, leaving the children alone and vulnerable. Phany shared Darryl\u0026rsquo;s servant-leadership tree/cow manure illustration and told all of the pastors that Darryl was his mentor (cow manure).\nWhen Darryl came to the conference to lead a devotions, the pastors and Kone Kmeng staff members, thought it was great that Darryl referred to himself as cow manure. Normally in those situations, the staff would refer to Darryl as “lok kru” (teacher) and they would also give the same title to Phany, (the organizational director). This time, in a humorous attempt to give Darryl additional respect as Phany’s mentor, one of the Kone Kmeng staff members asked Darryl, “should we call you teacher or cow manure?” This comical story is a precious milestone for Darryl because in Cambodian culture the leaders tend to “lord it over” the followers, sadly this is true in many churches as well. Darryl has been working with these young Cambodian leaders to really become servant-leaders despite their cultural background. Having all of these leaders to begin to aspire to be “cow manure” (mentors) for others instead of being the top of the pyramid really is a breakthrough.\nInternational Fishers Update: Equipping Hundreds of People to Share the Gospel with Thousands IF made some progress in January. First, it was great to be able to share around 158 CDs full of videos and MP3 apologetics recordings from www.internationalfishers.com/khmer with the pastors, staff, and other leaders at the conference. Please pray that each one who received the CD will us the materials to share the Gospel with their family and friends and that they will also share the resources with others in their churches to so that they in turn can share the Gospel with their co-workers, classmates, friends, and family members who don’t yet know Jesus Christ as theri personal savior.\nIn addition God brought unexpected offers for help and partnership in order to encourage and help move International Fishers toward the long-term vision of becoming a viable multi-language Christian apologetics media ministry that can equip many Christians in Cambodia and in other nations to share the Gospel in their own languages, families, and communities.\nJapanese Ministry Update: The weekly Japanese service completed two full months before needing to be re-organized. During those two months they group attempted to have a typical church service with worship and preaching. There were some blessings but there was also heavy spiritual opposition, sicknesses, fatigue, and other stresses (Japanese tend to very perfectionistic and sometimes work too hard). The Japanese missionary who was preaching weekly felt burned out so he needed to step back out of that role so that he could concentrate on his regular ministries at his children’s\nKayo and Hyun (a Korean who speaks Japanese fluently) sharing the Gospel with Kayo\u0026rsquo;s mother.\nhome. He may try to start a Japanese church service at that location in the future. Meanwhile, Kayo and Darryl will continue the weekly meetings which are co-sponsored by the international church and hosted at they Korean church down the street from our house. In this new chapter the group will function more like a cell group than a church service. This format will help to foster relationships in the group and will also reduce the stress and expectations of calling it a \u0026ldquo;church service.\u0026rdquo;\nKayo\u0026rsquo;s parents and Mr. Yamazaki, who attends the Japanese Life Group.\nKayo’s parents visited us from Japan and they attended the first meeting in the Life Group format. It was very good for them and they could have some meaningful conversations with Korean Christians who speak Japanese and other Japanese as well.\nFamily Pray Request:\nPlease pray for our health. Since December at least one (sometimes two\nBenjamin with his Japanese-American buddies at the Life Group\nor all three) member of our family has been sick with some minor illness (viruses, bronchitis, food poisoning etc. etc.). This has been exhausting and discouraging. Also, please pray for us to be able to make meaningful connections in the USA so that we can have a good schedule for our home assignment to the USA in June and July.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2015/02/06/cambodia-missions-update-record-family-2/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBut Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.\u003c/em\u003e Matthew 20: 25-27 NLT\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeaningful Leadership Moment: “You are my cow manure!”\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Missions Update: Record Family"},{"content":"","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/sample-page/","summary":"","title":"Sample Page"},{"content":"Divine Detours and the Message of Christmas \u0026ldquo;A priest\u0026hellip;passed by. A levite\u0026hellip;passed by. A Samaritan\u0026hellip;.saw the man, he felt sorry for him. He went to him, poured olive oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them.\u0026rdquo; Luke 1o:25-26\nIt is easy to overlook the powerful impact this passage can have on our lives and ministries if we only think of it as, \u0026ldquo;a Bible story for children.\u0026rdquo; I\u0026rsquo;m sure the Priest and Levite were both good, upstanding members of their communities. I\u0026rsquo;m sure they were on their way to do something, \u0026ldquo;important.\u0026rdquo; But, by failing to stop and show compassion, they missed an opportunity to do the most important thing. It is good to be goal-oriented but we have to remember that our highest goal is to, \u0026ldquo;‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength and with all your mind.’ ( Deuteronomy 6:5) And, ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’” ( Leviticus 19:18) (Luke 10:27). If this is our highest goal, then we will be able to keep our eyes open for the special opportunities that God places along our paths to be the gloves that Jesus wears as He touches the lost and broken through us. This is the essence of the Christmas Message: \u0026ldquo;The Word became a human being. He made His home with us. We have seen His glory.\u0026rdquo; (John 1:14a) Jesus did not allow His Divinity to prevent Him from taking on Humanity. Likewise, the Good Samaritan did not allow his Ethnicity to be an excuse to avoid his duty to Humanity. Therefore, we cannot make any similar excuses (socio-economic, political, or racial etc.) for failing to reflect God\u0026rsquo;s love for our neighbors in the whole world. As we love God with all of our lives and love our neighbors as we love ourselves, we are reflecting the glory of Jesus Christ who was born to make His home with us and in us and He will touch others through us. Merry CHRIST mas!\nJapanese Ministry: The First Weekly Service\nJapanese Service\nKayo and her team launched the first weekly Japanese service on Saturday, November 29 (9am-10:30am). The service, which is sponsored by the International Christian Assembly\u0026rsquo;s Life Group Ministry is being hosted by the Korean Methodist Church in Phnom Penh, located one block from our house. The Methodist Church\u0026rsquo;s pastor\u0026rsquo;s wife speaks Japanese fluently, one Japanese man attends the church, and some of the Korean members speak Japanese fluently. Kayo played the piano to lead the worship time and Taka, a Japanese missionary to Cambodia (his wife is American-from Missouri) preached. Taka was saved as a young man in Cambodia while he was here serving as a volunteer. Twelve attended including Darryl and Benjamin, one Cambodian, three Koreans, and six Japanese).\nInternational Fishers Update Teaching Apologetics at CPTI: Darryl was unexpectedly invited to teach Christian Apologetics at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute for the second year in a row. His class began on November 27 and will run until the beginning of February. This time he only has ten Master of Divinity Students instead of 39 from all levels so the class is held in a small air conditioned classroom which is nice. This time, Darryl is teaching around 80% of the class in Khmer with one of the students standing by to step in and translate when Darryl is unable to explain complex concepts from science, history, mathematics, or theology which are all related to apologetics. Darryl really wasn\u0026rsquo;t expecting to teach more but God sometimes places unexpected opportunities in our paths.\nPolitics and the Bible Coaching: Another unexpected opportunity is that Phany, Darryl\u0026rsquo;s long time friend asked him to help him understand the relationship between the Bible and politics. Phany has had some burden to make an impact on Cambodian politics for several years now and he senses that God wants him to get prepared for whatever may come. For a Christian to engage in the political system in any nation without compromising their faith or placing themselves and other Christians at risk is a major challenge. In Cambodia the challenges are multiplied! First of all, please pray for God\u0026rsquo;s guidance and protection over Phany and his family as he seeks to be obedient to God\u0026rsquo;s call in this area of his life. Second, please pray for Darryl to have God\u0026rsquo;s wisdom, discernment, and sensitivity to be able to equip Phany from his background in Political Science and Apologetics with what Phany really needs to bring God\u0026rsquo;s love to his culture.\nWhen Phany was a boy, his job was to watch his family\u0026rsquo;s cows. Sometimes when he was thirsty he would drink the water that collected in footprints of the cows. One night he had a dream that he would be in his village speaking English with a white man. He rode his bicycle two hours (one-hour each way) for a one hour English lesson. Later when he came to the capital city for work he met other English teachers in Darryl\u0026rsquo;s team and through the prayers and influence of the team; Phany, his relatives, and many in his village became Christian. He went on to found Kone-Kmeng ( http://www.kone-kmeng.org) now is helping around 100 churches in rural Cambodia develop ministries to minister the children (around 10,000 total by now) in their neighborhoods who are most at risk of being sold into child prostitutes or labor. Some of those children are now coming to the capital as university students and are living in Kone Kmeng\u0026rsquo;s dormitory. If God can bring Phany to this level by his early thirties, HE may bring Phany to even more things later.\nIn their first session on November 28, Darryl and Phany discussed how the belief in God as the Creator and the correct understanding of Human\u0026rsquo;s Image of God relates to morality, human rights, abortion, euthanasia, the definition of marriage, and environmental management.\nInternational Fishers Media Update: www.internationalfishers.com/khmer continues to grow in popularity. Darryl was able to make and post a new video in English and Khmer entitled Jesus Christ the Only Rescuer. This video answers the question is faith in Jesus Christ the only way to be saved? It also answers the common objection to the Biblical answer (Yes) by asking the question: If you were drowning and only one lifeguard came to save you, would you ask for more options?\nThe English video is available at www.internationalfishers/english The Cambodian video is available at www.internationalfishers.com/khmer\nIn addition, Darryl was able to give out around 86 CDs full of this video, other videos, and the Truth Talks MP3s at the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia conference, to CPTI students, and to students at the Cambodia Bible Institute (AoG school, where Darryl taught two years ago, they may be have another class in the next year or so).\nThank you for your continued prayers, encouragement, and partnership. We will have a team from Calvary Chapel La Mirada visiting and working with us from December 9-16. Please pray that God will bless and use that time for His greatest glory.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2014/12/01/cambodia-mission-december-update-record-family/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDivine Detours and the Message of Christmas\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;A priest\u0026hellip;passed by.  A levite\u0026hellip;passed by.   A Samaritan\u0026hellip;.saw the man, he felt sorry for him. He went to him, poured olive oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e Luke 1o:25-26\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is easy to overlook the powerful impact this passage can have on our lives and ministries if we only think of it as, \u0026ldquo;a Bible story for children.\u0026rdquo;  I\u0026rsquo;m sure the Priest and Levite were both good, upstanding members of their communities.  I\u0026rsquo;m sure they were on their way to do something, \u0026ldquo;important.\u0026rdquo;   But, by failing to stop and show compassion, they missed an opportunity to do \u003cem\u003ethe most important\u003c/em\u003e thing.  It is good to be goal-oriented but we have to remember that our highest goal is to, \u0026ldquo;‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength and with all your mind.’ ( \u003ca href=\"https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deut.6.5\u0026amp;version=NIRV\"\u003eDeuteronomy 6:5\u003c/a\u003e) And, ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’” ( \u003ca href=\"https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev.19.18\u0026amp;version=NIRV\"\u003eLeviticus 19:18\u003c/a\u003e) (Luke 10:27).   If this is our highest goal, then we will be able to keep our eyes open for the special opportunities that God places along our paths to be the \u003cem\u003egloves that Jesus wears\u003c/em\u003e as He touches the lost and broken through us.  This is the essence of the Christmas Message:  \u0026ldquo;The Word became a human being. He made His home with us. We have seen His glory.\u0026rdquo; (John 1:14a)  Jesus did not allow His \u003cem\u003eDivinity\u003c/em\u003e to prevent Him from taking on \u003cem\u003eHumanity.\u003c/em\u003e Likewise, the Good Samaritan did not allow his \u003cem\u003eEthnicity\u003c/em\u003e to be an excuse to avoid his duty to \u003cem\u003eHumanity.\u003c/em\u003e Therefore, we cannot make any similar  excuses (socio-economic, political, or racial etc.) for failing to reflect God\u0026rsquo;s love for our neighbors in the whole world.   As we love God with all of our lives and love our neighbors as we love ourselves, we are reflecting the glory of Jesus Christ who was born to make His home with us and in us and He will touch others through us.  Merry \u003cstrong\u003eCHRIST\u003c/strong\u003e mas!\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Mission December Update Record Family"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;Their responsibility is to equip God\u0026rsquo;s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ.\u0026rdquo; Ephesians 4:12 NLT\nThe purpose of all the kinds of ministries mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 is to \u0026ldquo;equip the saints\u0026rdquo;. When I was a child, I remember seeing fire trucks that were yellow or white etc. instead of red. Of course I thought that red was the right color for a firetruck. Looking back I realize that the most important thing about a firetruck is that it \u0026ldquo;puts out fires.\u0026rdquo; The same is true for ministries, including ours. We need to constantly ask ourselves, \u0026ldquo;are we effectively equipping God\u0026rsquo;s people to do His work and build up the church, the Body of Christ?\u0026rdquo; If we are only building our own ministries, our own churches, or denominations etc., we are not being effective. If we are doing all the ministry while others are standing on the sidelines as fans or spectators, we are not being effective. This means that we will plant seeds that others will harvest because God is the one who gives the growth.\nJapanese Ministry Update:\nThere are between than 1,400 to 3,000 Japanese living in Cambodia long term and around 180,000 Japanese tourists visit Cambodia each year. There are Japanese owned factories, banks, and other businesses including the largest mall in Cambodia. The Japanese Life Group is the only Christian ministry available in the Japanese language. So far, Kayo has been hosting a monthly fellowship for Japanese Christians and those interested in Christianity at our house. She was very surprised when her small group of Japanese proposed the monthly meeting become a weekly church service. One of the Japanese missionaries has offered to preach, Kayo will lead the worship, and others have volunteered to do other things. The Korean Methodist church, one block from our house, has offered to allow the group to use their facilities for rent-free. This will be an independent service co-sponsored by the International Christian Assembly and the Korean Methodist Church. The first Japanese service will be held on November 29. Please keep this in prayer.\nInternational Fishers Update:\nIF\u0026rsquo;s Khmer Language Flyer\nIt came to my attentions that Youtube was blocking all of my Khmer language as \u0026ldquo;inappropriate.\u0026rdquo; This means people would have to turn off their safety mode, parental controls, or even possibly override other web filters in order to view my videos. Not wanting IF\u0026rsquo;s videos to be in such an uncertain predicament, I felt led to open www.internationalfishers.com this is a one-stop website that has the capability to post my MP4 videos so that people can view and download them but also allowed me to post all 13 hours of the Anchors of Faith Radio Program in streaming and downloadable MP3. Special thanks to our dear friend Donna for the new logo and for Thorn, a Kone Kmeng staff member for translating the flyer and website into Khmer.\nThere are separate pages for English, Khmer, Japanese, and Spanish. As God opens the doors I would like to offer more materials in these languages and even set up pages in other languages as well.\nLights, Camera, Action! Phany and Darryl\nLord willing, I can release more videos in November and make new ones. I am very happy that my friend Phany (Kone Kmeng\u0026rsquo;s founder) was able to bring back a light and microphone from the US when he visited there for some conferences. This new equipment makes it possible to really use the new video camera to make videos. Our mechanic, a Cambodian Christian, has agreed to appear on an IF video in which he will talk about how the Bible is like the owner\u0026rsquo;s manual for a car and how sin is similar to putting diesel in a gasoline engine etc. This video will be in Khmer with English subtitles. There are other videos in process and planning stages including some videos for children. We thank God for providing an unexpected special donation to cover the expense of the equipment and website, just when we needed it most.\nJohn Maxwell Equip Conference at New Life Fellowship\nDuring the month of October IF was able to give away around 85 CDs full of Khmer language video-tract MP4s and Truth Talk MP3s along with more than 100 flyers. It was a great opportunity to be able have a display table at the John Maxwell conference at New Life Fellowship. It was exciting to be able to give the CDs to Cambodian christian leaders including pastors from extremely remote provinces. NLF is (as far as I know) the largest church in Cambodia. They have been very supportive of the work of International Fishers and it is wonderful that one of their main goals (beyond reaching Cambodia) is to send Cambodians as missionaries to other countries. Lord willing, when that happens, International Fishers will be ready to produce and provide videos and other evangelistic materials for those missionaries to take to other countries. After the next Khmer language video is released, we plan to do another display table at NLF\u0026rsquo;s three Sunday services to distribute flyers and CDs with MP4 videos and MP3 audio to as many of the 1,000 Cambodians who attend each Sunday as possible so that those Cambodians can use the videos and other materials to help them share the Gospel with others in their schools, workplaces, and families!\nSpecial Prayer Request:\nIn 2007, we left the USA without sufficient funds to continue on to Cambodia as missionaries. By God\u0026rsquo;s grace, the churches in Japan stepped in filled in the rest of our needs, which made it possible for us to continue on as missionaries in Cambodia, instead of being tentmakers in Japan. In 2008, when the financial crises hit the USA, the Japanese Yen/US Dollar exchange rate gave our donations from Japan a major boost in value from 110 JPY for 1 USD in 2007 to around 80 JPY for 1 USD from 2008-2012. This exchange rate boost, helped our financial situation and made it possible for us to publish two books and sponsor a radio program. That exchange rate \u0026ldquo;bonus\u0026rdquo; season kind of reminds us of the the story of how God used ravens to feed Elijah during the drought (1 Kings 17).\nFrom the beginning of 2013 until now, the value of the JPY has been falling. Now it has fallen to 112, which is even lower it was in 2007. Between 2007 until now our expenses have increased mainly because our family now has three members (insurance, transportation, and education expenses). By moving to our new house, we have been able to save $150 per month in rent and Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s school transportation fees. We have made some other steps to save money as well. However, our best efforts have not been able to offset the increases in other expenses, especially combined with a 30% drop in the value of our donations from Japan over the last 22 months. The Japanese Christians have been giving more than ever but it is difficult to overcome the exchange rate loss, at least in the short-term.\nCambodia\u0026rsquo;s economy is based on the US Dollar. The ATMs give dollars and most major purchases are made in Dollars. The Cambodian currency is only used as change in place of quarters and nickels. This means that right now, donations from the USA literally have more, \u0026ldquo;bang for the buck,\u0026rdquo; than those from Japan.\nWe are very sensitive to the fact that many of our senders both in the USA and Japan are already giving sacrificially. Through our human eyes this is truly an impossible situation, but we trust in God\u0026rsquo;s Word, \u0026quot; Jesus looked at them intently and said, \u0026ldquo;Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible (Matthew 19:26 NLT).\u0026rdquo; We are not sharing this need to try to squeeze more funds out of our human Senders. Instead, we are asking our Senders to join with us in prayer that God will meet our needs in His way, with His resources, in His time. Honestly, it would be \u0026ldquo;easier\u0026rdquo; for us to keep silent about our needs and then try to meet it on our own by cutting all of our budgets to the bone or looking for some kind of employment in Cambodia, but we sense that these actions on our part would likely hinder and distract us from doing the things that God has called us to Cambodia to do. This is a pivotal time in our ministries here and our decisions and faithfulness to our calling will likely define our ministries for years to come. We look forward to the time when we can share how God met this need beyond all that we could \u0026ldquo;ask, hope, think, or imagine.\u0026rdquo;\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2014/11/03/cambodia-mission-update-record-family-2/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Their responsibility is to equip God\u0026rsquo;s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ.\u0026rdquo; Ephesians 4:12 NLT\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe purpose of all the kinds of ministries mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 is to \u0026ldquo;equip the saints\u0026rdquo;.  When I was a child, I remember seeing fire trucks that were yellow or white etc. instead of red.  Of course I thought that red was the right color for a firetruck.  Looking back I realize that the most important thing about a firetruck is that it \u0026ldquo;puts out fires.\u0026rdquo;  The same is true for ministries, including ours.  We need to constantly ask ourselves, \u0026ldquo;are we effectively equipping God\u0026rsquo;s people to do His work and build up the church, the Body of Christ?\u0026rdquo;  If we are only building our own ministries, our own churches, or denominations etc., we are not being effective.  If we are doing all the ministry while others are standing on the sidelines as fans or spectators, we are not being effective.  This means that we will plant seeds that others will harvest because God is the one who gives the growth.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Mission Update Record Family"},{"content":"Here are the Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo, and Dropbox links for my latest videos. Some people may have had difficulty accessing the video links in the last e-mail.\nAll of my video-tracts are posted on www.facebook.com/internationalfishers/videos. This is a public page so you don\u0026rsquo;t need to have a Facebook account to view the videos.\nYou can also access the same videos at www.youtube.com/evidencecambodia. If you want to download the videos I recommend that you visit www.vimeo.com/internationalfishers.\nMy newest video-tract Flight: God\u0026rsquo;s Technology vs. Human Technology.\nFor Cambodian Audio visit:\nFacebook https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=799824336705444\u0026amp;set=vb.552390268115520\u0026amp;type=3\u0026amp;theater\nYouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9fHwGICApQ\n2. Commissioned-a mission challenge video for CC La Mirada\u0026rsquo;s Missions event on September 27th.\nFull Length (available until October 30) https://www.dropbox.com/s/ykcckjbx05p5ec4/Commissioned%20HD%20.mp4?dl=0\nShortened (available long term) https://vimeo.com/107437104\nAs always thanks for helping make these videos possible and for your prayers and patience as I work out the technical challenges.\nBlessings,\nDarryl\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2014/10/03/more-video-links/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eHere are the Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo, and Dropbox links for my latest videos.  Some people may have had difficulty accessing the video links in the last e-mail.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll of my video-tracts are posted on \u003ca href=\"www.facebook.com/internationalfishers/videos\"\u003ewww.facebook.com/internationalfishers/videos\u003c/a\u003e.  This is a public page so you don\u0026rsquo;t need to have a Facebook account to view the videos.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can also access the same videos at \u003ca href=\"www.youtube.com/evidencecambodia\"\u003ewww.youtube.com/evidencecambodia\u003c/a\u003e.  If you want to download the videos I recommend that you visit \u003ca href=\"www.vimeo.com/internationalfishers\"\u003ewww.vimeo.com/internationalfishers\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"More Video Links"},{"content":"Those who access this blog via e-mail were unable to view the videos that I mentioned. Here are the links.\n1. Flight: God\u0026rsquo;s Technology vs. Human Technology\nKhmer Audio https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=799824336705444\u0026amp;set=vb.552390268115520\u0026amp;type=3\u0026amp;theater\nEnglish Audio https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=799449693409575\u0026amp;set=vb.552390268115520\u0026amp;type=3\u0026amp;theater\n2. Commissioned\nFull Length (available until October 30) https://www.dropbox.com/s/ykcckjbx05p5ec4/Commissioned%20HD%20.mp4?dl=0\nShortened (available long term) https://vimeo.com/107437104\nThanks for helping to make these videos possible!\nBlessings,\nDarryl\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2014/10/01/video-links-for-record-family-cambodia-september-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThose who access this blog via e-mail were unable to view the videos that I mentioned.  Here are the links.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1. Flight: God\u0026rsquo;s Technology vs. Human Technology\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKhmer Audio \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=799824336705444\u0026amp;set=vb.552390268115520\u0026amp;type=3\u0026amp;theater\" title=\"Khmer Video\"\u003ehttps://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=799824336705444\u0026amp;set=vb.552390268115520\u0026amp;type=3\u0026amp;theater\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnglish Audio \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=799449693409575\u0026amp;set=vb.552390268115520\u0026amp;type=3\u0026amp;theater\"\u003ehttps://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=799449693409575\u0026amp;set=vb.552390268115520\u0026amp;type=3\u0026amp;theater\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2.  Commissioned\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull Length (available until October 30) \u003ca href=\"https://www.dropbox.com/s/ykcckjbx05p5ec4/Commissioned%20HD%20.mp4?dl=0\" title=\"Commissioned Full Length \"\u003ehttps://www.dropbox.com/s/ykcckjbx05p5ec4/Commissioned%20HD%20.mp4?dl=0\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShortened (available long term) \u003ca href=\"https://vimeo.com/107437104\" title=\"Commissioned Short\"\u003ehttps://vimeo.com/107437104\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThanks for helping to make these videos possible!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlessings,\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDarryl\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Video Links for Record Family Cambodia September Update"},{"content":"These verses have been on my mind lately. \u0026quot; So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor (1 Corinthians 3:7-8).\u0026quot; I don\u0026rsquo;t know if I am a planter, a waterer, or maybe I am the guy who makes and repairs the planting and watering equipment. In any case, it seems that God often calls us to work together with others. By combining the work of two or more people who may be weak on their own, God can bring about an amazing synergy and harvest. I am no Bible trivia expert but I can\u0026rsquo;t think of too many obedient and successful Bible characters who were strong and wise enough to be \u0026ldquo;Lone Rangers.\u0026rdquo; Samson was a lone-wolf but his wisdom did not match his strength and so he had a lot of problems. I recently watched a documentary about England\u0026rsquo;s King Henry V\u0026rsquo;s defeat of the French army despite 10 to 1 odds. Henry V\u0026rsquo;s army was made up of \u0026ldquo;commoners\u0026rdquo; while the French had a lot of knights and experienced soldiers. The key to the victory was that Henry V equipped his troops with creative weapons, encouraged them to work together, fought along side of them as an equal, and valued the contribution that each \u0026ldquo;common soldier\u0026rdquo; could make. Of course even the Lone Ranger had Tonto.\nInternational Fishers Update\nI am blessed that God is assembling a network of Christians who are willing to share their talents and resources to make the work of International Fishers possible. Here are the September highlights:\n. New videos Flight: God\u0026rsquo;s Technology vs. Human Technology were released in Khmer (click to view) and English (click to view) . I am blessed that God allowed me to use music by my good friend, Rev. Bob Boxer and photos by Rev. Kevin Soileau. My former student in 2009, Chamroeun translated the script, Rev. Em Sok edited the script, and Kone Kmeng\u0026rsquo;s staff helped with the on screen titles in Khmer. Other Christian artisans either have or are assisting with the videos as well.\n. Produced Commissioned, a special Great Commission challenge video, for CC La Mirada\u0026rsquo;s \u0026ldquo;GO\u0026rdquo; mission event on September 27. The full version which includes a special greeting from Kayo and Benjamin will be available until October 15 (click to view) a shortened version will be available long-term (click to view).\n. Shared the International Fishers Resource DVD (videos, radio program, and power points etc.) with Samaritan\u0026rsquo;s Purse Cambodia.\n. Shared the IF Resource DVD and Video DVDs (capable of playing on DVD players) with a senior missionary who is conducting a three-month residential discipleship program for 12 Cambodians in their teens and twenties. Finding the right software to make discs that can reliably play on ordinary players is critical to distributing these videos to people without computers or high-speed internet. Even in places without electricity many homes have televisions and DVD/VCD players which are powered by car batteries.\nIF Resource CDS\n. Shared MP4 Video CDs and flyers with 50+ local heads of international mission agencies operating in Cambodia. This boosted awareness and was well received. The most promising response came from the Pastor of the largest Cambodian church (1,000+ members in the main church plus 60+ church-plants nationwide) who told me that he wanted to help IF videos \u0026ldquo;go viral\u0026rdquo;. Many of the members are young, well-educated, and tech-wavy so they tend to be early adopters of new technology and techniques. Other churches often follow their example.\n. Shared International Fisher\u0026rsquo;s ministry at\nHope School Fair\nHope International School\u0026rsquo;s student volunteer fair. It was good to be able to show the young people how they can use the Internet and smartphones for more than \u0026ldquo;selfies.\u0026rdquo;\n. Continue to share videos with Cambodians living in the USA.\nMore exciting developments are in process. Hopefully they will be ready to report in October\u0026rsquo;s Update.\nKayo\u0026rsquo;s Ministries\nJapanese Life Group\nKayo\u0026rsquo;s Japanese life group is regaining momentum after our time in Japan and move to the new house. This month, four Japanese (two not Christian\u0026hellip;yet), a Korean pastor\u0026rsquo;s wife who is fluent in Japanese, and the Cambodian wife of a Japanese man attended. Please pray for more Japanese missionaries to get involved and help to host and expand these fellowships. This is the only Christian fellowship in Cambodia in the Japanese language.\nKayo also joined International Christian Assembly\u0026rsquo;s worship team twice and visited Precious Women Ministry. Lord willing she will be able to resume her mentoring ministry there in the future.\nFlooding in front of our church.\nCambodia\u0026rsquo;s rainy season is in full force now so flooding is in full force so Kayo often has to drive through deep flood waters to go to her ministry events. I work at home and take Benjamin to school on the back of my bicycle so most of my car trips can be rescheduled if there is flooding. Kayo on the other hand, \u0026ldquo;must go through.\u0026rdquo; Benjamin and I wish we could make our 1991 Camry do what Ramone in the CARS movie can do.\nRamone (Disney/Pixar)\nBenjamin learning to ride.\nBenjamin is learning to ride a bicycle now and is also learning to pray about his friendships with other kids at school.\nIn His Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2014/09/30/record-family-cambodia-update-for-september/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThese verses have been on my mind lately.  \u003cem\u003e\u0026quot;\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eSo then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor (1 Corinthians 3:7-8).\u0026quot;\u003c/em\u003e I don\u0026rsquo;t know if I am a planter, a waterer, or maybe I am the guy who makes and repairs the planting and watering equipment.  In any case, it seems that God often calls us to work together with others.  By combining the work of two or more people who may be weak on their own, God can bring about an amazing synergy and harvest.  I am no Bible trivia expert but I can\u0026rsquo;t think of too many obedient and successful Bible characters who were strong and wise enough to be \u0026ldquo;Lone Rangers.\u0026rdquo;  Samson was a lone-wolf but his wisdom did not match his strength and so he had a lot of problems.    I recently watched a documentary about England\u0026rsquo;s King Henry V\u0026rsquo;s defeat of the French army despite 10 to 1 odds.  Henry V\u0026rsquo;s army was made up of \u0026ldquo;commoners\u0026rdquo; while the French had a lot of knights and experienced soldiers.  The key to the victory was that Henry V equipped his troops with creative weapons, encouraged them to work together, fought along side of them as an equal, and valued the contribution that each \u0026ldquo;common soldier\u0026rdquo; could make.  Of course even the Lone Ranger had Tonto.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family Cambodia Update for September"},{"content":"The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. (Genesis 1:21 NLT)\nOur new house is next to the white Toyota.\nNew House\nThe rented townhouse where we lived since December, 2011 was sold the end of July. It had been on the market for 1 1/2 years. After being informed of the sale, Darryl prayer-biked around the area of Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s school for a couple of hours looking for houses. He found this house quickly. On the way home, he stopped by Kone Kmeng children\u0026rsquo;s ministry. Sampoa, our house-helper from 2007-2009 (now an administrator at Kone Kmeng) looked at the picture that Darryl took of this house that he liked best and told Darryl that she had already negotiated with the landlord when Kone Kmeng was looking for a new location a few months earlier. Because we were a family instead of an organization, the landlord reduced the rent by $50 a month. Sampoa\u0026rsquo;s husband is a contractor so he could install screens, additional wiring, kitchen counters, a kitchen sink, and curtain rods to make the new house livable. Because our former landlord sold the house during our 5 year lease, he returned double our deposit which was enough to pay for most of the needed upgrades and moving expenses.\nNow, we are finally unpacked, set-up, and ready to start working. It is great not to have the uncertainty of moving or not moving every month hanging over our head (we have a 2 year lease). It is nice to be able to walk Benjamin 2 blocks to school instead of either having to drive him through traffic jams or put him on a school-van. This new townhouse-group shares a gated parking lot so the security is good and it will be safe enough for Benjamin to learn to ride a bicycle. The old house was in a more commercial area so the noise, parking, and traffic made it hard to feel at home.\nInternational Fishers Update\nEven though most of the month of August was spent on the house-move, Darryl was able to form an informal partnership with Samaritan\u0026rsquo;s Purse (Cambodia branch) to help them train their 90 Cambodian staff members across the country in Christian apologetics. They are interested in using and distributing: Darryl\u0026rsquo;s present and future videos, audio recordings of the Anchors of Faith Radio Program, books ( Christianity: Reasons for Faith and Christianity: Discerning Essential Doctrines and Preserving Unity), and the Power-points Darryl developed for the AoG and Presbyterian Bible Schools here in Cambodia. Darryl may also do some training of trainers for them. These are the kinds of partnerships that will maximize International Fisher\u0026rsquo;s impact in Cambodia. Local organizations already have the manpower and network, and relationships, they only need to be trained and equipped so that they will have confidence in the Truth of God\u0026rsquo;s Word and be prepared to give a reason for their hope with gentleness and respect.\nFEBC Cambodia was also able to record the Cambodian language audio track for the video Flight: God\u0026rsquo;s Technology vs. Human Technology. Darryl will start producing this video soon.\nKayo\u0026rsquo;s Update\nKayo spent most of August packing, unpacking, and she continues to fine-tune our new house. She was able to join the worship team at church and host a Japanese-life group.\nWe are looking forward to this new season of life and ministry in Cambodia. We trust that God will continue to open new doors for us.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2014/08/28/cambodia-missions-update-record-family-august-2014/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. (Genesis 1:21 NLT)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/08/House-BT-.jpg\"\n         alt=\" Our new house is next to the white Toyota.\" width=\"364\"/\u003e \u003cfigcaption\u003e\n            \u003cp\u003eOur new house is next to the white Toyota.\u003c/p\u003e\n        \u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew House\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rented townhouse where we lived since December, 2011 was sold the end of July.  It had been on the market for 1 1/2 years.  After being informed of the sale, Darryl prayer-biked around the area of Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s school for a couple of hours looking for houses.  He found this house quickly.  On the way home, he stopped by Kone Kmeng children\u0026rsquo;s ministry.  Sampoa, our house-helper from 2007-2009 (now an administrator at Kone Kmeng) looked at the picture that Darryl took of this house that he liked best and told Darryl that she had already negotiated with the landlord when Kone Kmeng  was looking for a new location a few months earlier.  Because we were a family instead of an organization, the landlord reduced the rent by $50 a month.  Sampoa\u0026rsquo;s husband is a contractor so he could install screens, additional wiring, kitchen counters, a kitchen sink, and curtain rods to make the new house livable.  Because our former landlord sold the house during our 5 year lease, he returned double our deposit which was enough to pay for most of the needed upgrades and moving expenses.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Missions Update: Record Family August 2014"},{"content":"**\u0026quot;**Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:29-30 NLT International Fishers: The Ends of the Earth From Our Guest Room\nMy home-office doesn\u0026rsquo;t have air conditioning, so in order to give my new computer a fighting chance, I work in our guest room most of the time. Here are some opportunities that God has brought to the International Fisher\u0026rsquo;s guest room/office/studio during the past month.\nMrs. Samoeun Intal recording DNA: God is the Author of Life (Khmer Audio) at FEBC\u0026rsquo;s 99.5 FM. Produced by Meth Kong, who also was the voice of \u0026lsquo;Udom\u0026rsquo; in the Anchors of Faith Radio Program.\nGod opened the door for Mrs. Samoeun Intal, the founder of FEBC\u0026rsquo;s Family 99.5 FM radio station to record the Khmer audio for D NA: God is the Author of Life. Samoeun was the one who invited me to write scripts for the Anchors of Faith radio program a couple of years ago.\nInternational Fishers Facebook July 21\nAfter producing the video, on July 15th, I posted it on vimeo, youtube, and Facebook\u0026rsquo;s International Fishers Page. You can view it in Khmer or English . I was totally amazed (shocked) at the response! The total reach of the IF page was 4,200 people between July 15 and 21! Between July 21 and 27\nIF on Facebook July 27\nit reached 1,700 people for a maximum total reach of 5,900 people in less than two weeks! The page was viewed by people from 42 nations including 4 from Saudia Arabia and 1 from Israel! I was also able to share the DNA video and all my other Khmer and English videos with Gateway Cafe Ministries. Gateway was the form location of Trinity Institute to share with their students. I have also shared my videos with Cambodians living in the USA so those videos will begin to be used for evangelism and passed from person to person.\nI have also had some opportunities to share my videos in Spanish: Life: Creation or Chance and Jesus Christ: History or Fiction? with some of my Spanish speaking friends in the USA and Mexico.\nAs if that weren\u0026rsquo;t enough, God gave me the opportunity to serve as apologetics tech support/ghost writer for a missionary to a closed country in the Middle East. This missionary, who has to operate under an alias because of death threats was answering a Muslim man\u0026rsquo;s questions about the evidence for the New Testament and why Christians don\u0026rsquo;t have dietary restrictions via e-mail.\nIt is like a dream come true. I can only imagine the actual and potential reach of International Fishers, especially as more and more Cambodians and other language groups around the world gain access to high speed Internet. The younger generation is very open to video-tracts (short evangelistic videos) in their own languages. The great thing is that video-tracts very inexpensive to make and distribute when compared to paper tracts, books, radio programs, or television.\nI am also thankful that God has provided a new video camera through some Christians in Hiroshima, Japan. This video camera has a jack for a microphone which (once I get one) will allow me to use live audio and record interviews in HD. This camera packs a big punch despite being about the size of a soda can! Its small size will allow me to film without attracting too much attention and also will be less likely to be snatched from my hand by thieves.\nTrinity Institute: My Final Update\nIn my last post, I mentioned that I had resigned as Vice President of Trinity Institute. I had hoped that I would be able to continue to serve as a board member. On July 15th, I felt God leading me to step down as a board member as well. Since returning from Japan and June, I no longer felt God empowering me to work with TIC as a result, the work became increasingly stressful and I began to feel burned out. Stepping down as VP relieved some of the stress but not all of it. The stress of TIC has often been so great that it has made it difficult to focus on International Fishers. In many ways, I felt like I was spread too thin and I was being pulled in too many directions to be effective any anything. I came to realize that \u0026ldquo;burn-out\u0026rdquo; can be a sign that we are doing more than God is asking or empowering us to do.\nBoth of my fathers (earthly and heavenly) both reminded me that it was God\u0026rsquo;s calling for me to start International Fishers back in 2003 has led me to be a missionary in Cambodia since 2007. While waiting for the doors to open to pursue International Fishers full-time, I have done my best to be faithful with the opportunities. God has used everything I have been involved in so far (teaching English, helping the Christians in Kampong Chhnang, helping three different Bible Schools, authoring and co-authoring 2 books, writing scripts for the radio station, and helping to launch Trinity Institute) to prepare the way for International Fishers.\nI love Trinity Institute because I still believe in the vision and I believe that God wants to use it mightily in the future. If God empowers and calls me to return, I am willing to do so, but I sense that my work there is finished, at least for now. When I started with TIC three years ago I was the only one among the board or executives with any formal training in education (MA TESOL). Now the Academic Director and a new board member both have Master\u0026rsquo;s Degrees in Education and are highly experienced and gifted educators. They will be able to develop TIC to a level that I never could and I trust that God will raise up others to fill the gap as well.\nIt is a step of faith for me to leave a ministry that is easy to explain and justify to work on International Fishers, which is completely uncharted waters. Logically it doesn\u0026rsquo;t make sense, but God called me to step out of the boat and so I obeyed. Since I have started working full-time to develop International Fishers, I can say, for the first time in my life, I not only love what I do, I really enjoy it too! His yoke is easy! Kayo\u0026rsquo;s Ministry Update\nKayo started hosting the monthly Japanese Life Group again. This month four Japanese attended. One of them is an elderly non-Christian Japanese man who was brought by his Cambodian Christian wife. Kayo also joined the worship team at ICA after taking a few months of during our time in Japan. She is scheduled to become one of the worship leaders in August.\nWorship Team\nLast week, Kayo flew to Thailand for two days of a Japanese Christian classical music outreach concert. She was able to continue the networking and laying the groundwork for this group of professional Christian musicians to come and offer a concert in Cambodia at some point in the future. The schedule for this November did not work but we trust that God will open up the timing and provide all of the logistics at the right time.\nEuodia Ensemble in Bangkok, Thailand. They want to come to Cambodia. Pray for God\u0026rsquo;s timing.\nBenjamin Update\nBenjamin has been home for summer vacation since we returned from Japan. He will start kindergarten on August 11. Last week he attended his first Vacation Bible School at International Christian Assembly. ","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2014/07/28/record-family-in-cambodia-big-changes-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e**\u0026quot;**Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:29-30 NLT\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eInternational Fishers: The Ends of the Earth From Our Guest Room\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy home-office doesn\u0026rsquo;t have air conditioning, so in order to give my new computer a fighting chance, I work in our guest room most of the time.  Here are some opportunities that God has brought to the International Fisher\u0026rsquo;s guest room/office/studio  during the past month.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family in Cambodia: Big Changes Update"},{"content":"So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 1 Corinthians 3:7-8 Praises from the Steep Path\nA steep path\nIn my last post I shared about my recent struggle with exhaustion and vision of a steep path. God has been carrying us up the path! One of the biggest tests of faith was our finances. Between April and June we have been blessed with many large one-time donations. These donations have put our mission accounts back in the black. This means that once again we have sufficient financial reserves for things like emergency air travel, medical expenses not covered by insurance, ministry projects and equipment, and other unexpected expenses (if our car/computer/refrigerator breaks down etc.). It is really encouraging because during the time God was challenging me to increase my faith and trust in Him, His provisions were increasing as well.\nWe have also seen some encouraging signs that our monthly/repeat donations may also be increasing. This is really important because our monthly expenses are increasing as well. For example, Benjamin’s preschool tuition and transportation was around $370 per month last year, which was a financial stretch. Next year they will be around $500 per month as he enters kindergarten. Other monthly expenses such as health insurance etc. are likely to increase as well. From our experience of God’s faithfulness and our renewed sense of calling to continue our mission work in Cambodia, we trust that He will provide for our monthly needs as well.\nTrinity Institute Update: Moratorium on New Universities\nTrinity Institute of Cambodia\nWhen I returned to Cambodia I was informed that during the time that I was in Japan the Minister of Education had announced that no new universities will be allowed to register with the government until further notice. This move is part of a move to reform the education system in Cambodia in which degrees, diplomas, and certificates issued by Cambodian universities are not recognized internationally and have limited value locally. While the broader reforms are positive, this new rule has caused TIC to change many of our plans so that we can continue to develop and grow until the government starts allowing new universities to register again.\nOn a positive side of things, the school was able to function and launch English and Leadership classes while I was in Japan. Even though Mr. Kimhong, our only administrative staff member, had to quit so that he could take a better paying job, God quickly provided a new administrative staff member, Mr. Hak. In addition, Andrew and Josephine Kwong, who have started and managed other schools, have more time available to devote to TIC. They have the experience, background, and vision to really take TIC to the next level.\nSince returning to Cambodia, I have felt a lack of peace about my future role in TIC especially because I felt torn between my work at TIC and International Fishers. This week, I finally realized that God was calling me to make some major changes. In December, 2010, I felt led to help Andrew (Dr. Kwong) start a Christian institute of some kind. Since then, I have been spending most of my time being obedient to that calling. I realize now that, that phase of my calling is complete. Trinity Institute has started! It was only a vision then but now it exists, even though it is small. God is calling me to have the time, energy, strength, and flexibility to really launch International Fishers. As a result, I will be stepping down as Vice President, Language Department Coordinator, and all other administrative duties as of July 15. I will continue to serve as a board member where I will focus my work on revising the constitution, bylaws, and polices to match the new organizational changes are coming soon. There are many exciting plans that are in the works that I look forward to sharing in later posts. I am more optimistic about the future of TIC now than ever before!\nInternational Fishers Update: New Videos More Opportunities\nPastor Moeun and his highlighted and underlined copy of Christianity: Reasons for Faith\nSince returning to Cambodia, I was able to take a few hours to make Spanish language versions of my oldest videos Life: Creation or Chance and Jesus Christ: History or Fiction. You may wonder, “How/why are you making Spanish videos in Cambodia? “ I minored in Spanish in college and so when I was attending CC La Mirada I often attended the Spanish service. While visiting California last December I met Pastor Gustavo and he said that he was looking for apologetics materials in Spanish. I suggested making short Spanish language videos. I sent the church some video scripts in English. They translated the scripts and recorded them in Spanish and sent them back to me through the Internet. I used the Spanish audio to sync with my existing videos. You can see the videos at www.vimeo.com/internationalfishers www.vimeo.com/99210247 and www. vimeo.com/99211184 or www.facebook.com/internationalfishers Lord willing, we plan to make the Khmer version of the DNA: God\u0026rsquo;s Living Software in July and start working on God\u0026rsquo;s Technology: Birds vs. Airplanes.\nWe visited Kampong Chhnang last weekend and spoke at Toul Ksaich Church. It was encouraging to see that Pastor Moeun has been carefully reading and highlighting the book Christianity: Reasons for Faith and then teaching his church members the evidence from the book. Lord willing, we will be able to publish an English-only version of this book as a resource for missionaries to other countries.\nWe are thankful for all of our co-laborers who share in God\u0026rsquo;s work through us in Cambodia through prayer, investment, and encouragement.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin Record\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2014/06/26/record-family-mission-update-new-chapter-in-cambodia/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSo neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 1 Corinthians 3:7-8\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePraises from the Steep Path\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/06/TrailDown%5FFotor-224x300.jpg\"\n         alt=\" A steep path\" width=\"224\"/\u003e \u003cfigcaption\u003e\n            \u003cp\u003eA steep path\u003c/p\u003e\n        \u003c/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn my last post I shared about my recent struggle with exhaustion and vision of a steep path.  God has been carrying us up the path!  One of the biggest tests of faith was our finances.  Between April and June we have been blessed with many large one-time donations.  These donations have put our mission accounts back in the black.  This means that once again we have sufficient financial reserves for things like emergency air travel,  medical expenses not covered by insurance, ministry projects and equipment, and other unexpected expenses (if our car/computer/refrigerator breaks down etc.).   It is really encouraging because during the time God was challenging me to increase my faith and trust in Him, His provisions were increasing as well.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family Mission Update: New Chapter in Cambodia"},{"content":"“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” John 21:18 NLT\nMid-Mission Crisis: \u0026ldquo;The path gets steeper from here.\u0026rdquo; I (Darryl) have been going through a \u0026ldquo;mid-mission crisis\u0026rdquo;. Unlike a \u0026ldquo;mid-life crises,\u0026rdquo; I have no sudden urge to regain my youth and sense of adventure by buying a hair piece (Cambodia is too hot for hair) and buying a sports car. Instead, I suddenly had a longing for a peaceful life, a stable job, and stable housing (a 9 to 5 job, a mortgage, a mini-van, and money in the bank). When I was 24, I made a commitment to Christ, \u0026ldquo;I won\u0026rsquo;t say No\u0026rdquo; to any of His plans for me. This has led me to spend the 10 of the past 14 years in Cambodia as a missionary and the other four years have been divided between California and Japan, with only a few visits to Missouri, my home-state. It was easier to take bold steps of faith when I was 24 and single than when I am 37 with a wife and a child.\nI had a deep sense of exhaustion from too many adventures and so I sought a way to escape my life as a missionary, for something more peaceful and safe. Even pastoring a church in the US seemed like an easy alternative. On Easter, we went to a small church north of Tokyo. While Kayo was playing the piano and because I couldn\u0026rsquo;t sing the Japanese hymn, I closed my eyes. In my mind, I saw a very stony path up a mountain before me. Ahead of me, the path suddenly became almost vertical as it when up the side of a cliff. At the top, I saw light surrounded by darkness. Since that moment, these words have been written on my heart, \u0026ldquo;the path gets steeper from here.\u0026rdquo;\nI really struggled with this. I cried out to God, \u0026ldquo;I can\u0026rsquo;t climb any steeper paths. I\u0026rsquo;ve already given all of my strength just to get this far.\u0026rdquo; Since making the commitment to Christ, \u0026ldquo;I won\u0026rsquo;t say N0,\u0026rdquo; in 2000, I have suffered dengue twice, a nervous breakdown (bipolar disorder) and healing, countless disappointments, thefts, and serious food poisoning (bacteria, amoebas, and parasites) around 50 times. Recently, I explained my medical history to a doctor in Japan he said, \u0026ldquo;You are an expert of diarrhea.\u0026rdquo; I was at the end of my strength and I really wanted to run away from my calling.\nAfter spending a few hours at Starbucks in Hiroshima, venting and complaining to my good friend Kevin, an tent-maker missionary/pastor, who also has a Japanese wife and hybrid sons, God placed John 21:18 on my heart. I\u0026rsquo;m glad it wasn\u0026rsquo;t 21:19 because that was about Peter being crucified : ). I also have been given a sense that Christ was telling me, \u0026ldquo;I held you hand and walked with you up the first part of the path, I will carry you up the next part.\u0026rdquo;\nSince then, I have been challenged to continue to grow in faith through every stage of life, not just when I was young. If we were trusting God to meet our needs at 25, we should be depending on Him even more at 65 or 85. We can\u0026rsquo;t start off trusting in God in our twenties and then in our thirties and forties start trusting in our retirement plans and investments (not to say that these things are bad, but our sense of security and provision must be placed in Christ alone). We must be prepared to hear His voice, and follow Him, wherever in the world He calls us regardless of our age or other considerations.\nExperiencing God\u0026rsquo;s Power in Japanese Churches\nWe have been experiencing God\u0026rsquo;s power a new way as we visit Japanese churches. In addition to being able to encourage the church member to be ambassadors for Christ in their daily lives, God has given us opportunities to minister to individuals.\nSome of these opportunities relate to our Christian Apologetics ministry:\nA Japanese junior high school teacher who is required to teach evolution to his students. Various parents who want to give evidence for the truth of Christianity to their children either to prevent them from losing their faith as a result of evolutionary teaching in public schools. Others need resources and encouragement to help restore the faith of their children who have already lost their faith. Other opportunities relate to challenging the Japanese not to bury their God-given talents but to use them for His glory throughout their entire lives. We have even had one opportunity to minister to a mentally-ill Japanese man and to point him to Christ in a way that could penetrate his confusion.\nPlease continue to pray for us that we will continue to keep our eyes on Christ instead of the storms.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2014/05/27/record-family-mission-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” John 21:18 NLT\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMid-Mission Crisis: \u0026ldquo;The path gets steeper from here.\u0026rdquo; \u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/05/Record-fam-mssys-Cambodia.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Record fam mssys Cambodia\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/05/Record-fam-mssys-Cambodia-200x300.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI (Darryl) have been going through a \u0026ldquo;mid-mission crisis\u0026rdquo;.  Unlike a \u0026ldquo;mid-life crises,\u0026rdquo; I have no sudden urge to regain my youth and sense of adventure by buying a hair piece (Cambodia is too hot for hair) and buying a sports car.  Instead, I suddenly had a longing for a peaceful life, a stable job, and stable housing (a 9 to 5 job, a mortgage, a mini-van, and money in the bank).  When I was 24, I made a commitment to Christ, \u0026ldquo;I won\u0026rsquo;t say No\u0026rdquo; to any of His plans for me.  This has led me to spend the 10 of the past 14 years in Cambodia as a missionary and the other four years have been divided between California and Japan, with only a few visits to Missouri, my home-state.  It was easier to take bold steps of faith when I was 24 and single than when I am 37 with a wife and a child.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family Mission Update"},{"content":"Citizens of Heaven, Ambassadors for Christ\nAs we visit Japanese churches and share about our ministries in Cambodia, we have the unique opportunity to encourage them to represent Christ before their families, classmates, co-workers, who they encounter in their daily lives instead of limiting their ministries to their church buildings. This message has been well received. We believe that this is also an important message for Cambodia as well and this is why we want to continue our work of equipping the saints there.\nKayo also met with Mr. Yanase, the director of Euodia, a music ministry based in Japan about the possibility of having an outreach concert in Cambodia.\nEven though we are far from Cambodia, God still brings Cambodia across our paths. One of the students from the Royal University of Law and Economics in Cambodia came to Japan six years ago. He worked his way through language study and a university degree in Tokyo by delivering newspapers. Now he has married a Japanese lady. We were able to share a copy of Christianity: Reasons for Faith with him. Please pray that he will read the book and come to Christ.\nWhile visiting Tokyo Grace church, we spent a night at a missionary guesthouse. There we met an American lady who is planning to lead a lead a short term mission team to Cambodia in July, we have the opportunity to equip her team with International Fishers’ videos and recommend other resources to help them be more effective during their time in Cambodia.\nPlease pray for strength, health, and courage for us as we continue the journey that God has set before us.\nI lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2\nSometimes it seems that there is no one coming over the hills to help us. When we read these verses we can imagine a lost traveler or a soldier, about to be defeated, desperately scanning the slopes for any sign of a a rescuer or reinforcements, but no one seems to be there. It is in these moments that we realize that our help isn’t on the hilltops but our help is from the LORD who made the hills, the earth, the universe, and heaven.\nDuring the days between speaking engagements, I have been watching a lot of Creation videos on my computer. It has been encouraging to be reminded of God’s infinite power displayed from the smallest sub-atomic particle to the farthest star in the universe. Discoveries of the physics of space and time itself help us to begin to appreciate God’s omnipresence and omniscience. And yet, with all God’s power, there is overwhelming evidence that He knows us and genuinely cares about us as individuals.\nAs faith-missionaries, there is no one who is obligated to pray for us, help us, host us, or partner with us financially. In other words, we have no reason to expect anyone to be coming over the hills to help us. HOWEVER! There are brothers and sisters in Christ in the US and Japan who have been faithfully praying, helping, hosting, and financially partnering with us for seven years or more, regardless or the economy or their personal situation. We have never been without food, clothes, housing, or transportation no matter where we go in the world. This is evidence that our help came from the LORD through our senders. We are thankful for those that God has chosen to use to make His work possible.\nAs we complete our seventh year in Cambodia, we are in a time of reflection. On one hand, our various ministry projects (International Fishers, Trinity Institute, Japanese Ministry, and other Cambodian ministries) have sprouted and look very promising. On the other hand, our personal, Benjamin’s\nBenjamin with Tokyo Chapel kids as they prayed for the kids advancing to the next grade. Benjamin will be entering Kindergarten in August.\neducational, and ministry expenses have been exceeding our income from the US and Japan for some time now, and our reserves are being used up. We have been trying our best to reduce expenses, but some expenses such as Benjamin’s Christian school expenses will continue to increase. If we cut our personal or ministry budgets much deeper, we will lose our ministry productivity.\nTherefore, it is becoming clear that we need more help from the Maker of the hills, if we are to continue our ministries in Cambodia over the long-term. If not, we are willing to return to the US or Japan, but we don’t have any sense of calling or open doors for this. Regardless, we desire to finish our work in Cambodia well, with a sense of completion and victory. I am sharing this need publicly, so that when God meets this need, we can praise Him publicly. God has often met our needs from unexpected directions. Please pray that God will strengthen our current senders and raise up new senders in the US and Japan.\nIn Christ’s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2014/04/17/record-family-update-cambodia-and-japan/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCitizens of Heaven, Ambassadors for Christ\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs we visit Japanese churches and share about our ministries in Cambodia, we have the unique opportunity to encourage them to represent Christ before their families, classmates, co-workers, who they encounter in their daily lives instead of limiting their ministries to their church buildings.  This message has been well received.  We believe that this is also an important message for Cambodia as well and this is why we want to continue our work of equipping the saints there.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family Update: Cambodia and Japan"},{"content":"Luke 10: 2 The harvest is great. . .\nOur family has just finished a short but intense season in Cambodia from January 6 to March 20. We are at a missionary retreat center in Thailand for a few days of much needed recharging before heading to Japan to visit our senders before returning to Cambodia in June.\nInternational Fishers Update:\n.Dr. Jim Ronald visiting from Hiroshima, Japan narrating the video, Jesus: History or Fiction?, in EnglishBenjamin Helping narrate a video for Calvary Chapel La Mirada With the new computer and microphone, we were able to make some major gains in video production by improving some of the existing videos and making new ones. Benjamin even helped make a video about missions in Cambodia for Calvary Chapel La Mirada’s Children’s Ministry. If you would like to view Benjamin’s video, please e-mail darryl@sgwm.com and we will send you a link. We can’t post this one on the Internet for privacy reasons.\nAnother video, DNA: God’s Living Software has been completed in English and Japanese. A Cambodian version will come out after we return to Cambodia in June. We will keep posting our videos on vimeo and Facebook so people can view, download, and share them. We will also continue to share CDs and DVDs with those who don’t have fast enough Internet. As we develop these videos for Cambodians, we also invite people who are working with other nationalities partner with us to make videos in their target language. For example, there are some people who are ministering to Chinese who are interested in helping us make Chinese versions of our videos. We were also blessed with a new logo designs by our good friend Donna. The one above is one of our favorites.\nJapanese Expat Ministry:\nJapanese Alpha Course There also has been progress in the Japanese Ministry. Kayo finished up a 10 week Alpha Course in Japanese. Now there is a stable core group that can help her to develop other ministries to Japanese, living in Cambodia, who have no other Christian ministry in their language. Euodia, group of world class Christian classical musicians from Japan are working on coming Cambodia this November after their mission trip to Nepal (please pray for their funding). Kayo is working on organizing one or more outreach concerts/events which can minister to non-Christian Japanese, Cambodians, and others in Cambodia.\nTrinity Institute Update:\nTIC’s Library and Fount of Wisdom Book sales.TIC and CPTI partnering to train missionaries. In addition to getting TIC’s new location up and running and launching classes, Darryl and Kimhong have been working to organize and open a library/bookstore. The library has more than 1,000 books and there is a good chance that we can accept more book donations soon. We also have a book sales stand so that TIC can sell Fount of Wisdom books as well. When you visit a Christian university like Biola, you often see the library and bookstore housed in there own buildings, but I’m sure if you could go back in time about 100 years, the administration, library, and bookstore may have fit in one room. Unless the Lord returns, we pray that these seeds will continue to grow for the coming decades and centuries.\nAs Cambodia’s church develops and becomes more self sufficient, it will begin to launch its own missionaries. Those missionaries will need inter-cultural, professional, and theological training. TIC is working on developing partnerships to train missionaries in Cambodia. We are forming a committee for this purpose with Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute, the Korean founded seminary where Darryl taught Apologetics last fall. At this point, it looks like the missionary training program will train three types of students:\n1. Cambodians who want to go overseas as tentmaker/business as mission missionaries or to minister to overseas Cambodians (e. g. Cambodians working in Korea or Japan).\n2. Mainland Chinese who are coming to Cambodia as missionaries to Cambodia or who are on their way to other nations. We are currently building relationships with underground church leaders\n3. New or future missionaries from Europe or America who need practical missions and intercultural studies internships or training.\nMany Christian universities have intercultural studies academic programs but the students have limited opportunities to really experience other cultures directly beyond eating at a Chinese restaurant. If those students could come to Cambodia, they could easily form real relationships with missionaries, Christians, and others from many countries. Even though TIC is small, it is made up of more than 5 nationalities and our international church has more than 30 nationalities.\nBut the workers are few. . .\nWe truly are in the midst of an exciting time in our ministries! There are so many opportunities for really ground-breaking ministries that it is almost overwhelming. Whether it is International Fishers, Japanese Ministry, Trinity, or our other ministries, there simply is more that needs to be done, than we ourselves can possibly do on our own. We need more workers: volunteers to join these ministries in Cambodia, more prayer warriors around the globe, and more financial supporters in the US and Japan. We are thankful for the senders that God has already given us and we are thankful for their (your) sacrificial giving and for really providing the prayer cover that have made it possible for our ministries and family to blossom to the point that they are outgrowing our current resources (physical and financial). If our ministries are to continue to grow, we can only trust that the same God who has guided us will also provide for the next chapter.\nSo pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His field.\nPlease join us in praying that God will raise up many more workers: short/medium/long-term missionaries in Cambodia, prayer warriors, and financial supporters who will become co-laborers with us in His field in Cambodia. The Great Commission was given to all believers, not just the missionaries. In order to effectively collect His harvest, all workers are equally important (whether they are cutting the plants, sharpening and repairing the tools, or bringing food and water to the other workers.) Those of you who read newsletters like this one, pray, and invest your time, talents, and resources into missions have a much greater impact than you can possibly comprehend until you get to heaven and meet those in Cambodia and beyond who were touched by your faithfulness.\nIn His Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2014/03/24/march-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eLuke 10: 2 The harvest is great. . .\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur family has just finished a short but intense season in Cambodia from January 6 to March 20.  We are at a missionary retreat center in Thailand for a few days of much needed recharging before heading to Japan to visit our senders before returning to Cambodia in June.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInternational Fishers Update:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/03/WFH-blues.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"WFH-blues\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/03/WFH-blues-300x122.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/03/DSCF0121.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Dr. Jim Ronald visiting from Hiroshima, Japan narrating the video, Jesus: History or Fiction?, in English\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/03/DSCF0121-300x223.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e.Dr. Jim Ronald visiting from Hiroshima, Japan narrating the video, Jesus: History or Fiction?, in English\u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/03/DSCF0127.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Benjamin helping narrate a video for Calvary Chapel La Mirada\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2014/03/DSCF0127-300x223.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eBenjamin Helping narrate a video for Calvary Chapel La Mirada\nWith the new computer and microphone, we were able to make some major gains in video production by improving some of the existing videos and making new ones.  Benjamin even helped make a video about missions in Cambodia for Calvary Chapel La Mirada’s Children’s Ministry.  If you would like to view Benjamin’s video, please e-mail \u003ca href=\"mailto:darryl@sgwm.com\"\u003edarryl@sgwm.com\u003c/a\u003e and we will send you a link.  We can’t post this one on the Internet for privacy reasons.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"March Update"},{"content":"The very next day they began to eat unleavened bread and roasted grain harvested from the land. No manna appeared on the day they first ate from the crops of the land, and it was never seen again. So from that time on the Israelites ate from the crops of Canaan. Joshua 5:11-12 NLT\nTrinity Institute Update: Preparing for the End of Manna\nDr. Kwong shared the above passage in the TIC board meeting this week. God had provided manna for more than 4o years. He continued to provide until they harvested the grain from the land of Canaan and made bread. The Body of Christ in Cambodia has been receiving a large portion of its financial resources from overseas donations for more than 20 years now. A new post-war generation is rising up and the economy is continuing to develop. By training the future business, educational, organizational, and other Christian professionals, we are preparing for \u0026ldquo;the end of manna.\u0026rdquo; After the manna (foreign donations) ends, we hope and pray that the Body in Cambodia will be strong enough not only to survive and support itself but also to thrive by completing the task of reaching Cambodia for Christ and then launching its own missionaries to the ends of the earth.\nTrinity Institute of Cambodia\nSince moving into TIC\u0026rsquo;s new location, Darryl and Kimhong have been working on getting things set-up. Now, the solar panels, electrical upgrades, and sign are installed. Painting should be done next week. They have also been working on organizing the library and preparing marketing materials. Kira, TIC\u0026rsquo;s English Program Coordinator is preparing to launch two new English classes in March. Lord willing we can launch more classes in May. One class will be held at TIC and the other class will be held at Logos International School as part of TIC\u0026rsquo;s teacher training partnership with Asian Hope. Benjamin Goh from Singapore will also return to TIC to teach a few workshops on Social Enterprise and Leadership. There are other exciting opportunities in the planning stages.\nVideo Production Update\nAfter more than 10 years of talking about making Christian videos, now Darryl is finally able to do it! Each morning, Darryl bicycles to TIC and then in the afternoons he is able to produce Christian videos. During our time in the USA, we were blessed to receive a new Mac Mini from Darryl\u0026rsquo;s parents and Kayo gave him a microphone for his birthday. Since returning to Cambodia he has just completed a new video entitled DNA: God\u0026rsquo;s Living Software in English. Cambodian, Japanese (Kayo\u0026rsquo;s translation and narration), and Spanish versions are also in the works. This video talks about the complexity of the cell and DNA as evidence for God\u0026rsquo;s existence and love for us (Psalm 139). Darryl is also working on improving the two videos he made last year with the new computer and adding English and Japanese audio to them.\nFamily Update:\nKayo continues her weekly Japanese Life Group/Alpha Course along with the worship team and Khmer language study. Benjamin continues to do well at Hope School. We are all preparing to visit our sending churches in Japan from April 3 to June 10. We will stop off in Thailand for a couple weeks of family vacation at a retreat center for missionaries.\nThank you for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support that makes it possible for us to partner with you in expanding the Kingdom in Cambodia.\nIn His Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2014/02/20/cambodia-missions-update-february/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe very next day they began to eat unleavened bread and roasted grain harvested from the land. No manna appeared on the day they first ate from the crops of the land, and it was never seen again. So from that time on the Israelites ate from the crops of Canaan.\u003c/em\u003e Joshua 5:11-12 NLT\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrinity Institute Update: Preparing for the End of Manna\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Kwong shared the above passage in the TIC board meeting this week.  God had provided manna for more than 4o years.  He continued to provide until they harvested the grain from the land of Canaan and made bread.  The Body of Christ in Cambodia has been receiving a large portion of its financial resources from overseas donations for more than 20 years now.  A new post-war generation is rising up and the economy is continuing to develop.  By training the future business, educational, organizational, and other Christian professionals, we are preparing for \u0026ldquo;the end of manna.\u0026rdquo;   After the manna (foreign donations) ends, we hope and pray that the Body in Cambodia will be strong enough not only to survive and support itself but also to thrive by completing the task of reaching Cambodia for Christ and then launching its own missionaries to the ends of the earth.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Missions Update February"},{"content":"If the Lord had not been on our side. . . Psalm 124:1 NIV\nBack in Cambodia\nGod blessed us with a good time of encouragement and reconnecting with family and friends in the USA from November 15 to January 6. He also allowed us to be out of Cambodia during the worst of the political and labor protests and related violence. Since returning to Cambodia on January 7, the streets have become peaceful again and there is some hope that the political parties will negotiate a solution to the present problems but violence could erupt again ( http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/hun-sen’s-defiant-stance). On a related note, the prospective buyer for our rented townhouse seems to have backed out so, we will remain here until someone actually buys this place. It has been on the market for more than a year now.\nAs Psalm 124:1 says, \u0026ldquo;If the Lord had not been on our side. . .\u0026rdquo; our lives and ministries in Cambodia would be impossible. There are so many environmental, financial, health, physical, political, and spiritual challenges on every side that we could not have survived much less thrived without God\u0026rsquo;s blessings and protection, many times through His people and sometimes directly.\nTrinity Institute\u0026rsquo;s new Location and New Chapter\nTIC\u0026rsquo;s new location!\nTIC has moved from Gateway Cafe to the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia\u0026rsquo;s building. The EFC building is more centrally located, has more space, and it will be easier to register\nTIC\u0026rsquo;s Temporary Cleaning Team\nwith the government. God is making it possible for more people to share their time and talents to develop TIC. The English program should launch this spring and lord willing the Associate and Bachelor degree programs in Education program will launch later in the year. More opportunities to launch Leadership and Entrepreneurship programs and possibly to offer classes in Chinese and Intercultural Studies (missions). More partnerships with Christian organizations and universities are also in the works.\nNow that there are qualified Deans in the Schools of Education, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership, the English Program has a curriculum developer/teacher, and there is also an Academic Director, Darryl, as Vice President, can focus on developing the support services for TIC (Administration, Maintenance, Marketing, and the Library/Bookstore). It is encouraging to see new growth in the areas where Darryl and others have been working to prepare the ground.\nJapanese Life Group\nKayo along with another Japanese missionary and a Japanese-speaking Korean missionary have launched the first Japanese Alpha Course in Cambodia. This is a 10 week video-based evangelism and discipleship program that combines apologetics, relationships, and gives participants a safe place to build relationships and experience God\u0026rsquo;s presence in their lives. Please pray that God will use this and future rounds of this course and other life-group ministries to give Japanese living in Cambodia opportunities to know Christ and share that truth with others.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2014/01/20/cambodia-update-january-2014/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf the Lord had not been on our side. . .\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e Psalm 124:1 NIV\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBack in Cambodia\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGod blessed us with a good time of encouragement and reconnecting with family and friends in the USA from November 15 to January 6.  He also allowed us to be out of Cambodia during the worst of the political and labor protests and related violence.  Since returning to Cambodia on January 7, the streets have become peaceful again and there is some hope that the political parties will negotiate a solution to the present problems but violence could erupt again ( \u003ca href=\"http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/hun-sen%E2%80%99s-defiant-stance\" title=\"Political Update\"\u003ehttp://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/hun-sen’s-defiant-stance\u003c/a\u003e).  On a related note, the prospective buyer for our rented townhouse seems to have backed out so, we will remain here until someone actually buys this place.  It has been on the market for more than a year now.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Update January 2014"},{"content":"They will call him Immanuel,which means ‘God is with us.’\nMatthew 1:23\nIt is wonderful to be able to be in the USA for in this Christmas season as we celebrate the most amazing event in history since Creation. God the Son, took on human flesh and was born in Bethlehem. Since that time, God was always with us as Jesus walked this earth. Now, we all can have God with each one us, all of the time, through the Holy Spirit. As ambassadors for Christ, we have an opportunity to represent the King of Kings and Lord of lords to a lost world around us. Jesus is the reason why Christmas is Merry!\nMERRY CHRISTMAS!!! GOD IS WITH US!!!\nWe have been in the US since November 15. We spent from November 20 to December 11 in Missouri. Unfortunately, we weren\u0026rsquo;t able to see everyone we wanted to visit because of a busy schedule and a snowstorm. We are in California until we return to Cambodia on January 6. We hope to be able to spend time with as many friends as possible. We are moving from house to house so the best way to contact us is by e-mailing darryl@sgwm.com. We look forward to hearing from you.\nPlease click on the kink to view and print our latest newsletter. Feel free to post this on your church\u0026rsquo;s bulletin board or share it with your friends. Dec. 2013 Christimas Card Newsletter .\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2013/12/16/cambodia-update-december-2013/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThey will call him Immanuel,which means ‘God is with us.’\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMatthew 1:23\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is wonderful to be able to be in the USA for in this Christmas season as we celebrate the most amazing event in history since Creation.  God the Son, took on human flesh and was born in Bethlehem.  Since that time, God was always with us as Jesus walked this earth.  Now, we all can have \u003cem\u003eGod with\u003c/em\u003e each one us, all of the time, through the Holy Spirit.  As ambassadors for Christ, we have an opportunity to represent the King of Kings and Lord of lords to a lost world around us.  Jesus is the reason why Christmas is Merry!\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Update December 2013"},{"content":"As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship. (Acts 8:26-27 NLT) Coming to America: November 15 to January 6\nWe are really looking forward to our time in the USA, especially being able to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with our family and friends. We are also thankful that our accommodations and transportation have been fully provided and arranged between November 15 and December 11. We can make the rest of the arrangements (Dec. 11-January 6 in California) after our arrival. We can be reached via e-mail at darryl@sgwm.com or between November 21 and December 10, our phone number at Darryl\u0026rsquo;s parents will be 573 545-3026.\nTestimony: Eight Hours on A Bus with a Jewish Man\nLast week, Pastor Narom, one of Darryl\u0026rsquo;s Christian Apologetics students at Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute told Darryl about his most recent bus trip to his hometown. After finishing his Christian Apologetics mid-term, he boarded a bus and got into a conversation with a man who turned out to be a secular Jew. The man was surprised when the Cambodian pastor told him, \u0026ldquo;I worship the God of Abraham.\u0026rdquo; This sparked an eight-hour debate aboard the bus. The man raised challenges like, \u0026ldquo;humans and animals are the same value,\u0026rdquo; but Pastor Narom could answer this with the evidence that he had learned in class. Pastor Narom said, \u0026ldquo;I could answer some of his questions. . .After seven hours the man started listening to me. . .Now, we are friends (e-mail/Facebook etc.) \u0026quot;\nThe same God who arranged for Philip to share the Truth with the man from Ethiopia in Acts 8, continues to arrange for secular Jews who might never be willing to talk about their religious views with a American or European to have an opportunity to hear the Gospel from a pastor in Cambodia on a bus. We never know when God will bring opportunities like this across our paths. We never know who God will choose to use as His messengers. This is why it is essential that we are \u0026ldquo;Always prepared to give the reason for the Hope that we have, with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). We must also equip others so that they will be prepared to share their Hope in situations and opportunities when we cannot.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2013/10/24/quick-update-october-in-cambodia/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAs for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship.  (Acts 8:26-27 NLT)\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eComing to America: November 15  to January 6\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Quick Update: October in Cambodia"},{"content":"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7 NIV USA Home Assignment: November 15 to January 6\nIt is hard to believe that it has been more than 2 years since we were in the USA. This is a rare opportunity for us to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with our family and friends in the USA. We have purchased our plane tickets and set our travel dates so now we can start making plans.\nNovember 15: Arrive in California November 20: Fly to Missouri December 11: Fly back to California January 6: Fly back to Cambodia Things to Pray and Think about:\nPlease pray for God\u0026rsquo;s favor with the U.S. Immigration upon our arrival in the USA on November 15. Because Kayo has been outside of the USA, her Green Card is at risk. The US Embassy in Cambodia could not issue us any special visa to protect her Green Card so it is basically up to the discretion and favor of the immigration officer at LAX. Please pray for opportunities to strengthen relationships with our family and friends, to fellowship, and encourage each other. Also pray for meaningful opportunities to share what God is doing in Cambodia and encourage others to see how God wants them to be involved in His Great Commission. Please pray for strength and health during our time in the USA. We have not experienced winter weather since Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s birth. Please pray for our travel arrangements, especially in California: Accommodations: Homestays or Housesitting etc. Transportation: Airport Pickups, Borrowing Vehicles etc. Clothing: We will need to borrow winter coats. Update: Political Situation In Cambodia A few weeks ago, we asked for prayer for peace in Cambodia as political violence was likely. By God\u0026rsquo;s grace, the situation has remained relatively peaceful for most of the time. However, on Sunday, September 15, there were violent clashes around Police barricades in which, apparently, the police fired live ammo into crowds leaving several wounded and one dead. Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s school was closed last Monday. We thank God, that these clashes did not spark large, violent, riots. Please continue to pray that God\u0026rsquo;s peace will reign and His will will be done in Cambodia. For more information visit: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/video/one-dead-after-violent-crackdown International Fishers: Christian Evidence Ministry Update Facebook: Darryl has been posting some of his Apologetics resources on: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFishers Publishing: Darryl and Doug have signed an agreement with Fount of Wisdom for world-wide distribution of Khmer-language paperback/print-on-demand, audio-book, and e-book, versions of Christianity: Reasons for Faith. This will make it possible for the 275,000 Cambodians living outside of Cambodia, to have access to resources in their own language, without having to have some friend ship or bring the books from Cambodia. The books are available at: http://ondemand.condeopress.com/condeo-global/fount-of-wisdom-publishing/apologetics.html Lord willing, we will be able to release English-language versions soon that missionaries can contextualize, translate, and publish in other languages.\nVideo Production: Mr. Tamura Arata, one of the members of our sending committee in Japan came and spent two weeks with us in Cambodia in August. During Arata\u0026rsquo;s visit he recorded a Japanese language track for Darryl\u0026rsquo;s short video entitled Life: Creation or Accident at FEBC\u0026rsquo;s studio. Darryl also recorded an English track for the same video.\nPastor Kita from Tokyo Chapel and seven more church members from Arata\u0026rsquo;s church,\nTokyo Grace Church, joined Arata and stayed with us from August 23-29. They put on a puppet show at a Cambodian Christian School. Because they could not speak Khmer, Kayo translated their script from Japanese to English and then with the help of her tutor, translated the same script to Khmer. FEBC\u0026rsquo;s 99.5 FM staff produced the script into a radio-quality sound track complete with\nbackground music and sounds. When the team performed at the school they played the CD and synced their puppets to the soundtrack. Later, at home, Darryl videoed the puppet show and produced a video version in only half an hour with \u0026ldquo;Lazarus,\u0026rdquo; his less than cooperative computer. You can see the partly finished video at this link. More videos are planned after our USA home assignment.\nPraise Report! We are very thankful for God\u0026rsquo;s unexpected blessings in the form of electronic equipment that we can use for our ministries. We have been given: video cameras, a used LCD projector, a used iPod Classic, a used iPad, and as soon as Darryl can order it, a new Mac Mini to serve as Darryl\u0026rsquo;s video-editing computer. Kayo uses the iPad most of the time for her music ministry. We are thankful for these blessings that have reduced the strain on our finances.\nTeaching Apologetics : From September 3 to November 13, Darryl is teaching the first Apologetics Class at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute, a seminary founded by Korean missionaries. Darryl\u0026rsquo;s 40 student class is made up of 28 Bachelor of Theology students and 12 Master of Divinity Students. In addition to teaching, Darryl has given the students DVDs with the Anchors of Faith Radio Program, Truth Talks, videos, and Power Points.\nTrinity Institute Update In August, Mr. Arata Tamura taught TIC\u0026rsquo;s first Japanese class. In Japan Arata is a university lecturer and most of the time he teaches Chinese. During his time staying in Cambodia, he finished writing his PhD dissertation in Chinese linguistics. In addition to teaching Japanese, Arata helped build networks and connections with Chinese Christians. This may develop into a Chinese language program at TIC or even some training programs for missionaries from China on their way to other countries. Another new development for TIC is that we have recently signed a partnership agreement with Asian Hope, a large Christian organization in Cambodia for the development of teacher training programs. Asian Hope ( http://www.asianhope.org/educate) operates several Christian Schools in Cambodia. This partnership will make it possible for their existing teacher training programs for their own teachers to become available to teachers nationwide through TIC. It also makes it possible for them to receive accreditation. Lord willing one day through this partnership TIC and Asian Hope will be able to train teachers for private and public schools nationwide.\nJapanese Fellowship\nKayo\u0026rsquo;s Ministry Update In addition to motherhood, music ministry, language study, and mentoring Cambodian women Kayo has been very engaged with making preparations and coordinating Arata\u0026rsquo;s visit from August 13-29 and 8 more Japanese team members from the 23rd to the 29th. Our house was full with 13 people.\nThe team helped host a special meal and fellowship time for Kayo\u0026rsquo;s Japanese Life Group Fellowship. Right now this is only a monthly fellowship but it may develop into a weekly Japanese-language service.\nKayo also led some the team on a night-time outreach to invite \u0026ldquo;Beer Girls\u0026rdquo; at nightclubs to a special outreach sponsored by Precious Women Ministry. The team also led a fellowship for university students at a dormitory of Kone Kmeng and, as previously mentioned, they team performed a special puppet show at a Cambodian Christian school.\nBenjamin is doing a great job of being a kid. He continues to amaze us with his insights.\nLooking forward to seeing many of you in November and December!\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2013/09/20/record-family-cambodia-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSome trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7 NIV\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eUSA Home Assignment:  November 15 to January 6\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is hard to believe that it has been more than 2 years since we were in the USA.  This is a rare opportunity for us to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with our family and friends in the USA.  We have purchased our plane tickets and set our travel dates so now we can start making plans.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family Cambodia Update"},{"content":"We have much to be thankful for in Cambodia. God has opened many doors for ministry and partnership. Lord willing, we will be able to share about these blessings and opportunities in my next post. For now, we are requesting prayer for Cambodia.\nPlease Pray for God\u0026rsquo;s Peace and His Will in Cambodia:\nOn July 28, Cambodia held its national election. There is serious disagreement between the political parties over the results. There is a chance of protests and violence. For a short video summary you can visit http://www.phnompenhpost.com/video/back-table-little-progress .\nPlease pray that Cambodians of all levels will reject the spirit of violence and destruction and that instead they will seek peace, reconciliation, and the good of their nation. Please pray for protection and wisdom for the Cambodian Christians, especially, that they will engage in this situation in a way that honors Christ. Pray that they will pray for their leaders as well. Please pray for the missionaries and the Cambodian Christians that we would stand firm in this truth. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7). Please pray that many will come to know the Prince of Peace, personally as a result of these trials. Even though the situation in Cambodia is a bit unpredictable, our family is safe, healthy, and happy. We are having a good time with our friend Arata from Japan and are preparing 8 more people of his team to arrive this weekend. This is a time to pray and trust God and not to give into the temptation of fear and worry.\nLord willing, we will be able to update you all about all of God\u0026rsquo;s blessings and breakthroughs early in September.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, with Kayo and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2013/08/21/pray-for-gods-peace-in-cambodia/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eWe have much to be thankful for in Cambodia.  God has opened many doors for ministry and partnership.  Lord willing, we will be able to share about these blessings and opportunities in my next post.  For now, we are requesting prayer for Cambodia.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease Pray for God\u0026rsquo;s Peace and His Will in Cambodia:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn July 28, Cambodia held its national election.  There is serious disagreement between the political parties over the results.  There is a chance of protests and violence.  For a short video summary you can visit \u003ca href=\"http://www.phnompenhpost.com/video/back-table-little-progress\"\u003ehttp://www.phnompenhpost.com/video/back-table-little-progress\u003c/a\u003e .\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Pray for God's Peace in Cambodia"},{"content":"Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (Ephesians 4:12-13 NLT).\nKayo\u0026rsquo;s Ministry Update\nIt is hard to believe that only one year ago, Kayo was recovering from a severely lacerated finger and wondering when (or if) she would be able to play musical instruments again. Not only has God made it possible for her to play the flute with the International Church Worship team once or twice a month, but her passion for music ministry has expanded in many new directions that we couldn\u0026rsquo;t have imagined one year ago.\nMinistry to Japanese Living in Cambodia: Kayo started hosting a monthly Japanese fellowship for Japanese missionaries and workers living in Cambodia. There are no Japanese language church services in Cambodia so unless the Japanese speak English or Khmer fluently, they have no way to worship and fellowship in their own language. Kayo has been leading the worship for these meetings with her keyboard and using her Bible Exposition background to lead the discussions. Recently a Cambodian family called Kayo in to help them prepare for the likely marriage between a Japanese man and their female relative. As more Japanese come to Cambodia the need and opportunities for Japanese ministries will increase.\nMinistry to Cambodian Women: When Benjamin started going to preschool, Kayo had more time to study the Cambodian language with Vanna, a committed Cambodian Christian college student. With Vanna\u0026rsquo;s help, Kayo has been learning to sing and play Cambodian-language worship songs. With her rapidly improving language skills she has started leading Bible studies and worship in Khmer for Cambodian women at Precious Women Ministry. Precious Women Ministry provides job training and counseling to women to help them to come to know Christ and prepare to pursue better careers.\nDarryl\u0026rsquo;s Ministry Update Teaching Christian Apologetics: Darryl has been invited to teach the first Christian Apologetics classes to MDiv. students at the Cambodian Presbyterian Theological Institute, founded by Korean missionaries. Darryl will teach a 3-hour weekly course starting on September 2. Even though there are many Korean professors with doctorates in theology, since they have not been specifically trained in Christian Apologetics, they have asked Darryl to teach. Darryl is looking for opportunities to train missionaries and Cambodian pastors in Apologetics so that they can take over the teaching duties in the future.\nApologetics Resource CDs and DVDs are finally available.\nChristian Apologetics Resource CDs and DVDs \u0026ldquo;When you don\u0026rsquo;t know what to say, push \u0026lsquo;PLAY\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo;:\nDarryl has been dreaming, planning, and talking (like a stuck record : ) ) about offering free, Christian Apologetics resources on CDs and DVDs since 2003. Finally, the doors have opened for him to started distributing these resource disc. The CD version, \u0026ldquo;Christian Apologetics Resources in English and Khmer\u0026rdquo; contains 26, 7-10 minute, \u0026ldquo;Truth Talks\u0026rdquo;. These are the 7-10 minute radio dialogues which originally aired in 2012 \u0026ldquo;Udom\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;Nimol\u0026rdquo; recording the Truth Talk dialogueas part of the Anchors of Faith radio program on FEBC\u0026rsquo;s 99.5 FM. The CD also includes the English and Khmer scripts for the Truth talks, Darryl\u0026rsquo;s 2 MP4 videos (Life: Creation or Accident and Jesus: History or Fictions), and the video scripts. The DVD version \u0026ldquo;Christian Apologetics Resources for Pastors and Missionaries\u0026rdquo; includes all of the CD contents plus the 26 half-hour Anchors of Faith radio programs, high resolution video files for use with LCD projectors, and 14 of Darryl\u0026rsquo;s Christian Apologetics PowerPoint presentations. With this DVD and Darryl\u0026rsquo;s books, a pastor or missionary should have enough material to teach a basic Christian apologetics course on their own.\nDarryl encourages Christians to copy these discs on their computers and download them on their phones and other equipment so that they can have these tools at hand when they have an opportunity to share the Gospel. Darryl often repeats this phrase, \u0026ldquo;Those who have the answers (pastors and missionaries) usually don\u0026rsquo;t have the best opportunities and those who have the best opportunities (new Christians) usually don\u0026rsquo;t have the best answers. When someone first becomes a Christian, their families and friends ask them many questions. However, when someone becomes a pastor or missionary, no one wants to ask them questions. Through media, it is possible for the pastors and missionaries to equip the new Christians with the tools that they need to help them to answer the difficult questions and challenges posed by their non-Christian loved ones. Having the tools in their hand to help them, when they don\u0026rsquo;t know what to say, can boost their confidence so that they can share their faith more frequently instead of running away from God-given opportunities. Lord willing, Darryl will be able to add more videos and recordings to this collection and to start distributing it through other means such as via the Internet.\nTrinity Institute Update\nPlease pray for Rev. Heng Cheng, TIC\u0026rsquo;s President\u0026rsquo;s rapid recovery. He has had some serious heart-related health problems. After being hospitalized in Cambodia, he is now in Vietnam seeking additional treatment. His recovery is very important to TIC\u0026rsquo;s development, registration, and accreditation processes.\nWe are blessed that a Cambodian Christian man, Kimhong, could join TIC as a full-time logistics specialist. He has only been working one week but he has been a great help to Darryl. He can help with marketing, bookkeeping, setting up the library, communication, and purchasing.\nWe are preparing to launch a 2-week Japanese class from August 13-23 from 5:30-7:30 PM. Mr. Tamura, a university teacher from Japan will come and teach. Darryl is planning to take the course as well to help him communicate better with Kayo\u0026rsquo;s parents and our senders in Japan.\nThank you for your prayers, encouragement, and generous investment in His Kingdom.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Service,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2013/07/19/update-from-the-record-family-in-cambodia/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTheir responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (Ephesians 4:12-13 NLT).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKayo\u0026rsquo;s Ministry Update\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is hard to believe that only one year ago, Kayo was recovering from a severely lacerated finger and wondering when (or if) she would be able to play musical instruments again. Not only has God made it possible for her to play the flute with the International Church Worship team once or twice a month, but her passion for music ministry has expanded in many new directions that we couldn\u0026rsquo;t have imagined one year ago.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Update from the Record Family in Cambodia"},{"content":"Moses\u0026rsquo; arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle (Exodus 17:12-13 NLT).\nMoses was a strong man but still his arms grew tired. Even then, he probably kept his arms up by pure willpower for a while. Like Moses, sooner or later, our strength will give out. It is in those times that God sends help in the form of brothers and sisters in Christ, angels, or supernatural strength to help us. In this case, Aaron and Hur didn\u0026rsquo;t just stand by and shout, \u0026ldquo;Moses, we\u0026rsquo;re praying for you!\u0026rdquo; Even though I am sure that they were praying, they literally took a more hands-on approach by finding a stone for Moses to sit on and then they held his hands up for him.\nRecently, God has been demonstrating his grace to my family when our arms are tired. Sometimes it has been through supernatural strength and healing so that we can do His work despite our weakness and illnesses. It has also come in the form of some divinely-well timed gifts or acts of service from our Christian family.\nVideo Update: My Computer\u0026rsquo;s Name is, \u0026ldquo;Lazarus\u0026rdquo;\nLast month, while writing this blog/e-mail, I gave my computer up for dead. I knew it was on its last legs. The graphics accelerator had burned out last fall. Around Christmas, the technicians told me that the motherboard could only hold 1 GB or RAM instead of 2. I really didn\u0026rsquo;t think it was strong enough to do video editing anymore. In April and May, I had no choice but to try to edit videos with it. By God\u0026rsquo;s grace, I was able to produce two videos with it.\nAfter it crashed last month, I was ready to replace or completely rebuild and recase it. I took it to the computer store and told them to give me an estimate. Three days later they called me and said that my computer is working \u0026ldquo;very well.\u0026rdquo; They only charged me $5.00 for cleaning. So, I have decided to name this computer, \u0026ldquo;Lazarus\u0026rdquo;, because it just won\u0026rsquo;t stay dead. I also sense that God will keep \u0026ldquo;Lazarus\u0026rdquo; alive until His perfect time to replace him with another computer.\nEven though I wasn\u0026rsquo;t able to produce a third video in June as I\u0026rsquo;d hoped, God is also bringing others into my path who are willing to help improve the quality of future videos. One Cambodian Pastor has offered to help edit the Khmer translations to make them more polished. Another prominent Cambodian Christian leader has offered to lend her voice talents as a narrator and has helped me find Cambodian Christians who are experts and passionate about Christian video production. I am very excited about how God is bringing others who are willing to share their time and talents to help produce high-quality evangelistic videos in the Cambodian language.\nCelebrating 90 Years of Protestant Missions in Cambodia with the Korean Missionaries in Cambodia\nCambodia Mission Forum (Photo Courtesy of: Young Tak)\nI was beyond surprise, when I received the e-mail from a Korean-American Missionary asking me to present a paper and speak at the Cambodian Mission forum on May 29 as a substitute for Dr. Jun, the President of the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute. I had met Dr. Jun in April and I had spoken at CPTI\u0026rsquo;s chapel service but I never dreamed that I would be asked to speak at an interdenominational Korean missions conference of nearly 200 of the Korean missionaries in Cambodia.\nChristian \u0026amp; Missionary Alliance (CMA) Missionaries from have been operating in Cambodia since 1923. David Manfred the CMA field director spoke about the 90 years of CMA\u0026rsquo;s ministry in Cambodia. I gave the response in place of Dr. Jun, whose wife was sick in Korea. Even though the Korean missionaries didn\u0026rsquo;t know this when they invited me to speak, CMA missionaries have been very influential in my own development as a missionary. Back in 2000, CMA missionaries and the CMA Cell Church were all key to mentoring, welcoming, and helping to launch my university-student ministry. My books have been made possible because of Fount of Wisdom Publishing. FOW was founded by Steve Westergren, one of the CMA missionaries that helped me back in 2000-2003.\nIt\u0026rsquo;s all Korean to me. . . Darryl\u0026rsquo;s first time to have anything he wrote translated into Korean.\nIt was a privilege to be able to share how that even though I have never even visited a CMA church in the US, the CMA missionaries in Cambodia were willing to help me get started. Is was also very encouraging to see that the Korean missionaries are entering into a new season of cooperation with other Korean missionaries across denominational lines and there are new opportunities to build partnerships between Korean and non-Korean missionaries. Kayo and I as Japanese/American missionaries are in a unique position to help encourage new friendships and to bridge the Asian and western missionaries.\nPublishing Update: Publishing in the USA\nThere are at least 275,000 Cambodians living outside of Cambodia. Until now, they have not had access to Christian books in their own language unless their friends brought them books from Cambodia in their suitcases. In 2011, I met Dr. Brent Lindquist, at Mission to Unreached People\u0026rsquo;s World Wide Conference. Dr. Lindquist, a psychologist, was providing member-care training for MUP. He also started a print-on-demand Christian publishing company, that prints one book at a time. I introduced Dr. Lindquist to Fount of Wisdom and now, FOW books are available to Cambodians worldwide because they can be printed in the USA and reliably shipped anywhere. Here is the link to my books: http://ondemand.condeopress.com/condeo-global/fount-of-wisdom-publishing/apologetics.html\nOne good thing about print-on-demand is that I can make revisions to the books at any time without having to wait for 500 or 1,000 books to sell-out. My friend Amparo has helped revise my first book, Christianity: Discerning Essential Doctrines and Preserving Unity so I plan to put out a revised edition soon. We also hope that the finances generated by this new venture will help reduce the amount of funds that missionaries and others need to raise in order to publish affordable books in Cambodia and make FOW financially sustainable over the long-term.\nTrinity Institute Update Despite the many challenges and trials such as high temperatures and electrical black outs Benjamin, our visiting teacher from Singapore, was able to continue his work of teaching Cambodians and missionaries how to start Christ-honoring businesses and to host more John Maxwell Leadership workshops. Kira successfully completed her first English Vocabulary and Writing class.\nIn the next academic year we are looking forward to hosting our first Japanese language class in August, launching full-time language programs, launching the School of Education, and developing the School of Entrepreneurship. TIC will need to find and move to our own building to make us eligible for registration and accreditation with the Cambodian government.\nWith all of this upcoming growth and my family\u0026rsquo;s planned home assignments in the USA (mid November to mid-January) and to Japan (April and May, 2014), and increasing opportunities for apologetics and media ministry, it became clear that I needed to re-assess my schedule and focus for the next 12 months.\nI am planning to continue my work as TIC\u0026rsquo;s Vice President up to 3 days a week while reserving at least 2 days a week for other ministries. I know that there is more work than I can do on my own, so, Lord willing, we will be able to hire a full-time Cambodian staff member in July. TIC also plans to hire other Cambodian administrative staff members as needed in the months to come. I will concentrate on developing the organizational structure and polices and launching the Department of Languages. Please pray for God to continue to raise up other qualified, and gifted Christian teachers for to help develop and launch English, Chinese, and Japanese language programs.\nFamily Update Kayo\u0026rsquo;s Japanese and music ministries continue to develop. God is bringing new people to her monthly Japanese Life Group. As her Khmer language skills improve, she is beginning to learn how to lead worship in the Cambodian language. In addition to playing the flute with the International Church\u0026rsquo;s worship team, she is also preparing to use the piano/keyboard as well. She is also seeking God\u0026rsquo;s timing about learning to play the Khum, a Cambodian traditional instrument. She is also handling the logistics and planning for a TIC Japanese teacher and a team from Japan in August.\nBenjamin is on summer break after finishing his first year of preschool at Hope School. He continues to impress us with how much he has learned and grown over the past year. He is beginning to learn Khmer and Japanese.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, with Kayo and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2013/06/25/cambodia-mission-update-record-family/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMoses\u0026rsquo; arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.  As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle (Exodus 17:12-13 NLT).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoses was a strong man but still his arms grew tired.  Even then, he probably kept his arms up by pure willpower for a while.  Like Moses, sooner or later, our strength will give out.  It is in those times that God sends help in the form of brothers and sisters in Christ, angels, or supernatural strength to help us.  In this case, Aaron and Hur didn\u0026rsquo;t just stand by and shout, \u0026ldquo;Moses, we\u0026rsquo;re praying for you!\u0026rdquo;  Even though I am sure that they were praying, they literally took a more hands-on approach by finding a stone for Moses to sit on and then they held his hands up for him.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Mission Update: Record Family"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.\u0026rdquo; (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).\nWhile attempting to write this blog, my desktop computer crashed and refuses to restart so it will need to be completely rebuild or replaced. In December, the same computer but the repairman was able to patch it together until now. I am thankful that God gave the computer an additional 5 months of service so that I could produce my first two videos on it. I wasn\u0026rsquo;t sure that it would hold together this long. I am thankful that I don\u0026rsquo;t need to produce another video until the end of June so I have some time to get it rebuilt.\nChapel Service at the Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute\nInternational Fishers: Christian Evidence Ministry Update\nGod opened some unexpected doors for Darryl to be able to speak to around 130 Cambodian Bible school students on April 30. The Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute (CPTI) is sponsored by Korean Presbyterian churches. Richard and Angie Stinchcombe of CC La Mirada introduced us to Young, a Talbot/Biola student who is doing a missions internship in Cambodia. Young went with the President of CPTI, Dr. Jun to a Christian bookstore in Phnom Penh to look for Cambodian language books that can be used as textbooks. Dr. Jun picked up a copy of Christianity: Reasons for Faith. He was very happy to discover that someone had written an apologetics book in the Cambodian language. Young told him, \u0026ldquo;I know the author.\u0026rdquo; So, Darryl got invited to speak at the Bible school. CPTI is interested in integrating the book into their curriculum so we will see how God will use this connection for His glory and for the equipping of Cambodian pastors.\nDarryl was also able to share his two videos Creation: God or Chance and Jesus: History or Fiction with the students at CPTI. On April 22, the video Creation: God or Chance was played for 630 people at the You\u0026rsquo;ve Got Talent outreach at the International Christian Assembly. One good thing about video ministry is that the videos can still be used even when Darryl is not there. During both Easter Outreach at Gateway Cafe and the You\u0026rsquo;ve Got Talent Outreach, Darryl, Kayo and Benjamin were too sick and exhausted to attend but we are thankful that the videos could still be there to bear witness to God\u0026rsquo;s Truth, even when we couldn\u0026rsquo;t be there in person.\nPastor Doung Sitha in Dram Khnah, Takeo teaching Christianity: Reasons for Faith\nThe same is true for books, our friend Dave, a New Tribes missionary visited a church out Takeo province. The pastor was teaching Christianity: Reasons for Faith to his church members. Darryl and Doug have never met this pastor personally. We are blessed and encouraged that our book is proving to be a useful tool in places we could never go and to ministering to people whom we have never met.\nTrinity Institute Update: Count it All Joy\u0026hellip; Between February 26 and March 16, TIC had classes every day. We are thankful that God made it possible for the students to learn more about Christian entrepreneurship with minimal disturbance. An English class has continued on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 12 noon and 1:45. Another intense round of classes and workshops will run from May 21 to June 10.\nTIC\u0026rsquo;s ceiling collapsed\nDuring the time when there was only one class running, TIC has had many problems. We thank God that none of these trials happened during the time when classes were happening every day, or it would have been a real disaster. First, the part time janitor quit, so Darryl had to take up his mop again and resume his cleaning duties along with maintenance and marketing for the upcoming classes. Then, Gateway\u0026rsquo;s electric wires short-circuited, which resulted in three weeks without electricity for TIC, until it could be rewired. We are thankful that Kira Evanson the English teacher was so flexible and gracious to be able to keep her class going despite so many disruptions.\nBefore Darryl could clean up the mess from month without a janitor and the rewiring work, an unexpected downpour leaked though the tile roof and caused a large section of the sheet-rock ceiling to fall down. Thankfully, Gateway Cafe\u0026rsquo;s staff came up and volunteered to carry away the debris and helped to clean up enough that classes could be held for 1 day. Just as Darryl was resigning myself to not having the ceiling repaired, the landlord sent a crew of workers who tore out and replaced the entire ceiling of the lobby area. While the ceiling looks good now, the workers wandered off with Darryl\u0026rsquo;s favorite dustpan.\nMeanwhile, the electricity in the area of Gateway Cafe/TIC goes off for several hours each day. Gateway\u0026rsquo;s generator broke down for a few days, so we decided to get solar panels to be a back-up to the generator. We were blessed to get some solar panels and batteries at a good price. We are still experimenting to find the best way to use the solar powered fans and lights. We may need to some more equipment in the near future. Despite all of these challenges, we have been able to hold more Entrepreneurship classes and leadership workshops. Even though the attendance has been low due to the heat and the schedule, we continue to provide useful training to missionaries and Cambodian Christian professionals. We are close to signing an agreement with another organization to adopt their well established teacher training program into TIC\u0026rsquo;s School of Education. In order to obtain official registration with the local government and eventual accreditation with Cambodia\u0026rsquo;s ministry of Education, TIC will have to move from Gateway Cafe to our own building within the next few months. Other partnerships and opportunities are also in the works. Please join us in praying for these things.\nFamily Update: Preach the Gospel to Every Creature (Including Stuffed Animals)\nSince March, our family has been struggling with temperatures near 100F, frequent illnesses, exhaustion, electrical blackouts including a 20-hour overnight blackout, unexpected car repairs, and some other more entertaining adventures. Once the door to Darryl\u0026rsquo;s office where he keeps his clean clothes accidentally got locked and Darryl couldn\u0026rsquo;t find the key. Kayo tried to stack up tables and chairs to climb through the window but it was too high and Darryl didn\u0026rsquo;t want to risk her falling and hurting herself. So, he had no choice but to kick the door open SWAT-team style. It was very therapeutic.\nBenjamin practices teaching his Bible stories to his stuffed animals. His pet cat \u0026lsquo;Stripey\u0026rsquo; wasn\u0026rsquo;t a good Bible student.\nDespite all of this, there have been some precious moments. On Mother\u0026rsquo;s Day Benjamin was very sick with bacterial bronchitis, so Darryl stayed home with him. Kayo was on the worship team that week so she had to go to church. Darryl told Benjamin about how when he was a child, his brothers and sisters would play church. Benjamin got out his stuffed animals, lined them up, and taught them many of the Bible stories in his picture Bible. He did a great job and he was very focused. Darryl asked him if he wanted to take a break for snack time. Benjamin said, \u0026ldquo;not until I\u0026rsquo;m finished teaching about Joseph.\u0026rdquo; We are blessed that God gives us these special moments in the midst of trying times.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2013/05/23/cambodia-missions-update-record-family/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.\u0026rdquo;  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile attempting to write this blog, my desktop computer crashed and refuses to restart so it will need to be completely rebuild or replaced.  In December, the same computer but the repairman was able to patch it together until now.  I am thankful that God gave the computer an additional 5 months of service so that I could produce my first two videos on it.  I wasn\u0026rsquo;t sure that it would hold together this long.  I am thankful that I don\u0026rsquo;t need to produce another video until the end of June so I have some time to get it rebuilt.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Missions Update: Record Family"},{"content":"When there is so much bad news, we often feel discouraged. This is why I am thankful that God has made it possible for us to share some good news. After 10 years of preparation and waiting, God has opened the doors to produce Christian Apologetics/Evangelistic videos in the Cambodian language!\nOn March 30, Darryl\u0026rsquo;s first 3-minute film was played at Gateway Cafe\u0026rsquo; Ministry\u0026rsquo;s Easter Outreach. This film entitled, Jesus: History or Fiction gave historical evidence from Josephus, Tacitus, and Trajan that Jesus Christ really lived, performed miracles, was crucified by Pilate, and that his followers, known as Christians followed him after the crucifixion. This further indicates that Jesus really rose from the dead. www.facebook.com/gatewaycafecambodia/photos_stream\nDarryl has just completed his second 2.5 minute film entitled, Life: Creation or Chance. This film shows that if something as simple as a clay pot could not be formed by chance (water, wind, and the sun) but require a potter, then more complex living things require a Creator. Lord willing, this film will be played on April 26 at the You\u0026rsquo;ve Got Talent Outreach at the International Christian Assembly and for an April 30 chapel service at the Korean Presbyterian Bible School in Phnom Penh.\nYou can view both of these videos online at www.facebook.com/internationalfishers\nIn addition to posting the videos online, Darryl will share these videos with anyone who wants to play them at a church, Bible study, or to load them on their smartphone as an evangelism tool. We may make some of them available in English and/or Japanese in the future.\nDarryl first sensed the callig to make and distribute videos like these in 2003. There were many challenges, trials, and setbacks that made it seem impossible (a long story). Now, Darryl sees God\u0026rsquo;s perfect timing and provision so that the videos are much better quality than they would have been if he had been able to make them earlier.\nThank you for your patience, prayers, and encouragement to stick with us over these past years. God always fulfills His promises in His way and in His timing.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2013/04/19/cambodia-video-ministry-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eWhen there is so much bad news, we often feel discouraged.  This is why I am thankful that God has made it possible for us to share some good news.  \u003cstrong\u003eAfter 10 years of preparation and waiting, God has opened the doors to produce Christian Apologetics/Evangelistic videos in the Cambodian language!\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn March 30, Darryl\u0026rsquo;s first 3-minute film was played at Gateway Cafe\u0026rsquo; Ministry\u0026rsquo;s Easter Outreach.  This film entitled, \u003cem\u003eJesus: History or Fiction\u003c/em\u003e gave historical evidence from Josephus, Tacitus, and Trajan that Jesus Christ really lived, performed miracles, was crucified by Pilate, and that his followers, known as Christians followed him after the crucifixion.  This further indicates that Jesus really rose from the dead.  \u003ca href=\"http://www.facebook.com/gatewaycafecambodia/photos_stream\"\u003ewww.facebook.com/gatewaycafecambodia/photos_stream\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Video Ministry Update"},{"content":"My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. (Psalm 73:26 NLT) Darryl\u0026rsquo;s Missionary Perspective: “There are three people in yourself:Who people think you are, Who you think you are, and who you really are.” William Shakespeare\nThis is the view of the ministry in Cambodia that we can explain in our blogs, newsletters, and presentations.\nThis picture represents what we wish we could explain but can\u0026rsquo;t. Photo from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Maria_Spelterini_at_Suspension_Bridge.jpg\nGod\u0026rsquo;s perspective, which defines \u0026ldquo;who we really are,\u0026rdquo; is the most important perspective. Other people may not understand us. We may not even understand ourselves, but God knows who we really are because He created us. We often feel discouraged because we feel unworthy to be used by God but our feelings do not define God\u0026rsquo;s reality. We do not need to waste time asking ourselves, \u0026ldquo;Am I worthy to be used by God?\u0026rdquo; Instead we should ask, \u0026ldquo;Is God worthy to use me?\u0026rdquo; The answer to the first question will often be \u0026ldquo;NO, we are not worthy.\u0026rdquo; but to the second, will always be \u0026ldquo;YES!!! God is always worthy.\u0026rdquo; God alone has the right to define, refine, transform, direct, control, and use our lives for His purposes. He is always worthy to use our lives for His perfect plans and in His perfect timing.\nAs missionaries, Kayo and I often feel like we are stumbling across a tightrope over Niagara Falls with two buckets on our feet. We often feel like one more trial, illness, or stress will knock us off the tightrope. This is just our perspective but we are thankful that it isn\u0026rsquo;t God\u0026rsquo;s reality. If we could see God\u0026rsquo;s perspective, we would see God\u0026rsquo;s Hand placing us on the wire and keeping us from falling off. Even when we fall, God is able to catch us and restore us. All we need to do is to keep walking. Family Update: Our family has been experiencing lots of illnesses. At the moment, Darryl has completely lost his voice so he can only write. We are thankful that God has strengthened us and sustained our health so that we could complete the tasks of the season.\nLooking back, we realize that for the past 12 months have been very intense. A year ago, our family was traveling around Japan speaking at churches. Since returning to Cambodia in June 2012, Darryl\u0026rsquo;s book was published and his radio program started its broadcast cycle. Kayo cut her finger and then she started playing the flute with the worship team. Darryl became the Vice President of Trinity Institute of Cambodia (TIC). Benjamin started preschool 3 days a week. Kayo performed at the You\u0026rsquo;ve Got Talent show. Darryl taught and marketed classes at TIC. Then, TIC moved to a new location on the top floor of Gateway Cafe. In December, Darryl taught a 2 week Apologetics Course at Cambodia Bible Institute. In January we hosted a team from CC La Mirada and Kayo joined the Belle Voce Community Choir. Darryl had to get TIC ready to host classes in February and March. In February, Benjamin started riding the school bus 5 days a week to preschool. Kayo started co-hosting the Japanese Life Group and resumed Khmer language study. Darryl led the effort to recruit students for an English Class, a Marketing Class, and an Entrepreneurship Class and 3 more 1-day workshops.\nNow, Kayo is continuing her roles in worship team, community choir, Japanese ministry, and language study. Darryl has been busy doing the behind the scenes administrative work for the classes and workshops at TIC along with helping to arrange strategic partnerships with other organizations and individuals. We sense that God is leading us to slow down and take some time to \u0026ldquo;lie down in green pastures\u0026rdquo; so that we can be refreshed and ready for the next season of ministry which will begin soon.\nTrinity Institute Update:\nA John Maxwell Leadership Communication Workshop at TIC, led by Benjamin Goh, a Certified John Maxwell Coach and Trainer.\nTIC is just beginning to bud. It is like a young tree that has just broken through the soil and is now \u0026ldquo;above ground.\u0026rdquo; God is granting us favor by allowing us to build relationships and partnerships with other organizations, ministries, and churches in Cambodia.\nNow that Rev. Heng Cheng, the President of TIC, has retired from his 16 years work as the General Secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia, he now has more time to shepherd TIC through\nTIC\u0026rsquo;s President: Rev. Heng Cheng\nan extremely long and complicated process of obtaining official registration, recognition, and accreditation with the Cambodian government. Please pray for wisdom, strength, health, and favor for him as he leads this effort. If this process is successful, TIC will eventually receive official approval from the Prime Minister and the King of Cambodia to be a nationally accredited university. After that, we plan to seek international accreditation so that students from TIC can earn their Associate or Bachelor\u0026rsquo;s Degrees in Cambodia before going overseas to complete their education.\nPrayer Requests: *****Urgent Prayer Request****** I just found out that my English Teacher at TIC and her mother were attacked while riding on a motorcycle. The thieves stole the mother\u0026rsquo;s (Vanny) purse and drug her off the motorcycle, breaking her pelvis. The daughter (Kira) was driving and she has scrapes and bruises. This is the missionary family of Jeff Evanson, a missionary who died at 58 of a heart attack last August (I wrote about it in an old post.)\nPlease pray for this family. We cannot emphasize enough how important your prayers, encouragement, and support are to us.\nPlease pray for a season of rest and recharging for our family. Please pray for wisdom, favor, and strength for all of those who God is calling to take Trinity Institute to the next level. Please pray for strength, wisdom, courage, and favor for Kayo in all of her various ministries. Please pray that God will raise her up to be a bright light for him among the unsaved Japanese expats living in Cambodia. Please pray for continued favor and blessings on Benjamin as he grows in his knowledge and understanding of spiritual things. Please join us in praying for favor, blessings for our senders in the US and Japan and that God will reveal to them how He can use their gifts, talents, and prayers to transform Cambodia. In Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2013/03/14/record-family-in-cambodia-update-2/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMy health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.  (Psalm 73:26 NLT)\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDarryl\u0026rsquo;s Missionary Perspective:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e“There are three people in yourself:Who people think you are, Who you think you are, and who you really are.” William Shakespeare\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2013/03/593px-Maria%5FSpelterini%5Fat%5FSuspension%5FBridgecropped.jpg\"\n         alt=\" This is the view of the ministry in Cambodia that we can explain in our blogs, newsletters, and presentations.\" width=\"750\"/\u003e \u003cfigcaption\u003e\n            \u003cp\u003eThis is the view of the ministry in Cambodia that we can explain in our blogs, newsletters, and presentations.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family In Cambodia Update"},{"content":"\u0026ldquo;And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and *stature, and in favor with God and men.\u0026rdquo; (Luke 2:52 NASB)\nMissionary Perspective: Jesus\u0026rsquo; life on earth provides the best example for missionaries to follow. Instead of coming to earth with great fanfare, he came as a baby. Instead of immediately starting to minister, Jesus took 30 years. Missionaries, like any other Christian leader can often be tempted move too quickly in our ministries. Jesus\u0026rsquo; life encourages us to take time to learn, grow, and build relationships.\nRecords, Pastor Nicolas and Luz (Guatemala), and CCLM\u0026rsquo;s team in front of our old house in Kampong Chhnang. Pastor Nicolas and his family are renting it now. Darryl and Pastor Nicolas\u0026rsquo; family have been friends since 2001. When they arrived in Cambodia, they couldn\u0026rsquo;t speak Khmer or English. Darryl was happy to use his Spanish. Since then, they have planted several churches in Cambodia.\nThe ministries that Kayo and I are involved in now, would be impossible if they weren\u0026rsquo;t built on a foundation of prayer, relationships, and experience that stretch back many years. After many years of preparation, we are entering into a new chapter of our lives in ministries which require us to use all the skills that we possess, (and sometimes skills that we don\u0026rsquo;t possess yet,) on a regular basis. Some days we wish we had more time to prepare. Still, we understand that we can never be \u0026ldquo;fully-prepared\u0026rdquo; for ministry because God often calls us to exceed our own ability, strength, and resources so that we will depend on Him.\nFamily Update:\nWe are thankful for the prayer warriors who have been praying for us. Since sending out the prayer request e-mail last week, things have improved for us. For months we had been struggling with one sickness after another (104 fever/infections/eye problems/food poisoning etc.). Sometimes two of us were sick at the same time. It is difficult to be sick but because we were also in a season of very intense ministry, it was also stressful to have so many things to do but to be unable to do anything because of sickness. This past week, because of your prayers, we could finally move forward and make progress in a lot of areas. When people pray for us, it really makes a huge difference in our lives.\nKayo\u0026rsquo;s Music/Japanese Ministry:\nGod is opening up doors for Kayo to minister based on her training in Music and Bible Exposition with her Japanese background. She continues to play the flute with the worship team at the international church we attend. Her love for music has opened the door for her to meet Cambodian and Japanese musicians and other Japanese people who are here as missionaries, foreign aid workers, diplomats, or who are married to Cambodians. On Sunday Feb. 10, she was able to join with another missionary from Japan and host a Japanese language home fellowship. They were able to sing in Japanese and Kayo could go back to her Talbot notes to provide some basic Bible teaching in Japanese as well. There are hundreds of Japanese living in Cambodia but they have no opportunity to gather together to worship, pray, and study the Bible together in their own language. Please pray that God will use this group to minister to the spiritual needs of the Japanese which will then spill over into the lives of their Cambodian spouses.\nTrinity Institute Update:\nThey even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. (2 Corinthians 8:5 NLT)\nAs VP of Trinity Institute of Cambodia, Darryl has had the privilege to see God move in the hearts and lives of missionaries and Cambodian Christian leaders to lead them to \u0026ldquo;give themselves first.\u0026rdquo; Building a Christian university from scratch requires much more than money, it requires people who are willing to give themselves: their skills, their talents, their experience, and their time. There are many colleges in universities in Cambodia that started off with a lot of money but without people to give themselves they end up being only a collection of buildings. Trinity on the other hand, has started with very little money but God is raising up experienced missionaries and Cambodian Christians who will give themselves. We are blessed to have volunteers from more than 7 nations. Some of these are former principals, teachers, corporate executives, accountants, social workers, a medical doctor, and pastors. We are blessed to have teachers who could earn a much higher salary in their home countries who are willing to come and teach at TIC either as volunteers or for a Cambodian-wage.\nA couple of weeks ago, Darryl was uncertain how he was going to get the offices and classrooms at TIC ready for the 3 Courses and 3 Workshops which will start on February 26 (www.trinitycambodia.org). Darryl went to a Men\u0026rsquo;s Bible study/breakfast and one missionary in the group said that God had blessed him with some unexpected funds so that he could buy a new color-laser printer for his ministry of writing, printing, and distributing free Christian books in the Cambodian language. This brother was looking for some ministry that he could donate his old color-laser printer and boxes of toner. He donated it to Trinity. That same morning, Darryl rode his bicycle across town to Trinity, which is on the top floor of An unexpected blessing, two truckloads of office furniture.\nGateway Cafe. Another missionary from New Tribes Mission was waiting for Darryl and offered him an iced coffee. This man told Darryl that his mission had a complete set of surplus office furniture that they wanted to store in Trinity\u0026rsquo;s 2nd office (for teachers) for a year while this missionary and his family are on furlough. God worked it out so that TIC can use this furniture for a year, while our funds are limited, and then we can purchase any pieces that we want to keep (all of it) later at a good price. These financial blessings, freed up funds for Darryl to buy fans and other things that are needed to make the classroom and offices more usable for students and teachers.\nInternational Fishers Update:\nYou have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others (2 Timothy 2:2 NLT).\nDarryl\u0026rsquo;s Christian Apologetics ministry is also taking off. Despite his workload at Trinity Institute, Darryl is trying to keep some time in his schedule to open to teach and speak on the evidence for the truth of Christianity at Bible schools, seminaries, churches, and organizations, as he is invited. He is very encouraged that his former students are teaching others. One of his students from his Apologetics class at Cambodia Bible Institute in December is now teaching what he learned in a Sunday school class at his church.\nDarryl will also be helping Gateway and One to One university student ministries, with their Easter outreach at Gateway Cafe. This year, they want to present the evidence that Jesus really rose to from the dead to more than one hundred university students. Darryl and Sopheap are planning to team up lead a lunch-time group for those students who are interested in knowing more about the evidence for the truth of Christianity.\nDarryl, Sopheap and Sovanna are also developing evangelistic videos for smartphones and Internet. There are other opportunities to distribute audio and video recordings in process as well.\nThank You! You will probably never fully understand (until heaven) just how much your prayers, encouragement, and other Kingdom investments impact Cambodia. We have the privilege to see the results first hand but it is impossible for us to fully communicate everything that is God is doing through our ministry partnership. On behalf of our family, and many others in Cambodia we thank God for your faithfulness, and pray that God will bless you greatly!\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin Record\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2013/02/11/mission-update-records-in-cambodia/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and *stature, and in favor with God and men.\u0026rdquo; (Luke 2:52 NASB)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMissionary Perspective:\u003c/strong\u003e Jesus\u0026rsquo; life on earth provides the best example for missionaries to follow.  Instead of coming to earth with great fanfare, he came as a baby.  Instead of immediately starting to minister, Jesus took 30 years.   Missionaries, like any other Christian leader can often be tempted move too quickly in our ministries.  Jesus\u0026rsquo; life encourages us to take time to learn, grow, and build relationships.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Mission Update: Records in Cambodia"},{"content":"John 1:23 NIV John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, \u0026ldquo;I am the voice of one calling in the desert, \u0026lsquo;Make straight the way for the Lord.\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo;\nJohn 3:30 NIV\u0026quot; He must become greater; I must become less.\u0026quot;\n2013: 90 Years of Evangelical Christianity in Cambodia\nIn 1923, a missionary with the Christian and Missionary Alliance introduced Thaa Haas “Grandfather Haas” to Jesus Christ. Despite severe opposition, there were 2000 Evangelical Christians in 1965. By 1975, there were 10,000 believers. Between 1975 and 1979, during the Khmer Rouge reign of terror, many of the Christians were killed. Many of the Cambodians were forced to flee to the refugee camps in Thailand. Many of the current Christian leaders accepted Christ during the early 1980s. History is made up of the real lives of real people. Darryl has learned so much by serving alongside of Rev. Heng Cheng, the co- founder and President of Trinity Institute of Cambodia and Rev. Em Sok, the founding director of Tahas Bible Institute (named for Thaa Haas), who have been faithfully walking with the Lord for more than 30 years now. In 1990, there were 10 evangelical churches, now there are 2,000 and 12,000 more are needed. According to Operation World, there are now approximately 240,000 Evangelical Christians in Cambodia, or 1.6% of the population.\nFurther Reading: http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/interviews/a-discussion-with-reverend-heng-cheng-evangelical-fellowship-of-cambodia http://www.sokem.us/ www/tahas.org http://www.operationworld.org/camb\nThe Next Chapter: Preparing the Way for Cambodian Missionaries\nEven though the number and percentage of Christians in Cambodia is only 1.6% and more than 12,000 more churches are needed, the Body of Christ is growing in strength and maturity. It is time to prepare the Cambodian Christian leaders to take over the main responsibility for evangelizing their own country and then prepare to launch foreign missionaries from Cambodia to other unreached places in the world.\nMany nations that received foreign missionaries in the past are now sending missionaries. There are more than 400 Korean missionaries in Cambodia, including more than 30 with doctoral degrees. There are more than 200 missionaries from the Philippines. Even though only 1% of Japan is Christian, the churches there are launching more and more foreign missionaries. There are also missionaries from Africa and Latin America. Some missionaries from these nations are going to Europe to relight the fire of faith there.\nIn order to launch missionaries to other countries, Cambodian churches will need to be mature spiritually, numerically, and financially. By encouraging Cambodia\u0026rsquo;s church to prepare to launch missionaries they will become mature and independent in the process. Just as teens need to know that one day they will be expected to become adults, Cambodia\u0026rsquo;s Church needs to know that it needs to prepare for full maturity and independence as equal co-laborers in Christ\u0026rsquo;s service.\nDarryl believes that within the next 10 to 30 years, Cambodians will be ready to be sent out as missionaries. First they can reach their own nation. Then, they can branch out to neighboring countries. Finally, they can go global. Cambodians are gifted at language acquisition and cultural adaptation. Cambodia has diplomatic relations with many nations that are closed to missionaries from the US due to political or historical factors.\nRecords with CBI Apologetics Class\nEquipping Local Leaders to Take Leadership “It hurts me when foreigners think that Cambodians can\u0026rsquo;t do things.”\nDarryl taught an intensive 40 lecture-hour Christian Apologetics course at Cambodia Bible Institute from December 11-21. His class was made up of 8 Cambodian and Vietnamese pastors and church leaders. Darryl taught these topics:\nGod\u0026rsquo;s Existence: Evidence for Creation and the Weakness of the Theory of Evolution Bible\u0026rsquo;s Inspiration: Historical, Archaeological, Scientific, and Prophetic confirmation that the Bible alone is God\u0026rsquo;s Word. Jesus is Lord: Historical, Archaeological, and Prophetic Evidence that confirms that the New Testament\u0026rsquo;s writings about the birth, life, death, and resurrection are true. God\u0026rsquo;s Character: Evil, Suffering, Hell, Jesus the Only Way, and other objections that people raise. Christian Unity: The importance of correctly identifying and uniting with other true believers (John 17:23). Discernment: The importance of being able to defend God\u0026rsquo;s Word against false teaching, cults, and how to evangelize people from other religions. This was the first time that these students had ever encountered the evidence for the truth of Christianity. It encouraged them to share their faith outside of their own churches with confidence. Darryl also encouraged these pastors to train others to be tent-maker missionaries to their own families, workplaces, and communities.\nSopheap, one of Darryl\u0026rsquo;s Evidence and Evangelism students at Trinity Institute of Cambodia has, completely on his own initiative, started teaching the evidence that he learned in Darryl\u0026rsquo;s class to around nine non-Christian Cambodian university students. He has also started taking classes at Cambodia Bible Institute. Sopheap and Darryl had lunch together one day at Gateway Cafe. Darryl shared with Sopheap how he was happy that he could teach people who would teach others instead of trying to teach everyone by himself. Darryl also shared that even though he can supply a lot of facts, evidence, and information, that Cambodians are better equipped to communicate the Truth to other Cambodians.\nThey also talked about how that, leaders like Sopheap need to be prepared to take the responsibility and leadership for the ministries in Cambodia. In this conversation, Sopheap made the comment, “It hurts me when foreigners think that Cambodians can\u0026rsquo;t do things.” This statement made it clear to Darryl that a new generation of Cambodians are rising up. This new generation is not looking for foreign funding and leadership. They are looking for foreign partners who will help them develop their skills and knowledge so that they can be equal partners in ministry in Cambodia and beyond. This is a very encouraging sign!!\nKayo: Ministering to Japanese Living in Cambodia through Music\nThere are many Japanese living and working in Cambodia. A few are missionaries but the vast majority are foreign-aid workers, sponsored by the Japanese government. In the future, we expect that there will be more and more Japanese business people. Many of these people are lonely and are seeking spiritual food more than they would in the comfort of their own countries. Kayo\u0026rsquo;s love for music has helped her to make friends with other Japanese. She is searching and praying about ways to reach out and to minister to them more effectively. Even though there are International Churches in English, many Japanese also need fellowship, encouragement, and Biblical truth in their own language.\nHappy New Year!\nMay God\u0026rsquo;s love, grace, and presence become greater in your life in 2013. We thank God for making you just the way you are.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2012/12/27/record-family-in-cambodia-new-year-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn 1:23 NIV\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eJohn replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, \u0026ldquo;I am the voice of one calling in the desert, \u0026lsquo;Make straight the way for the Lord.\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn 3:30 NIV\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026quot; \u003cem\u003eHe must become greater; I must become less.\u0026quot;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2013: 90 Years of Evangelical Christianity in Cambodia\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1923, a missionary with the Christian and Missionary Alliance introduced Thaa Haas “Grandfather Haas” to Jesus Christ. Despite severe opposition, there were 2000 Evangelical Christians in 1965. By 1975, there were 10,000 believers. Between 1975 and 1979, during the Khmer Rouge reign of terror, many of the Christians were killed. Many of the Cambodians were forced to flee to the refugee camps in Thailand. Many of the current Christian leaders accepted Christ during the early 1980s. History is made up of the real lives of real people. Darryl has learned so much by serving alongside of Rev. Heng Cheng, the co- founder and President of Trinity Institute of Cambodia and Rev. Em Sok, the founding director of Tahas Bible Institute (named for Thaa Haas), who have been faithfully walking with the Lord for more than 30 years now. In 1990, there were 10 evangelical churches, now there are 2,000 and 12,000 more are needed. According to Operation World, there are now approximately 240,000 Evangelical Christians in Cambodia, or 1.6% of the population.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family in Cambodia New Year Update"},{"content":"Here’s a quick update of what is happening in our ministry in Cambodia.\nTrinity Institute of Cambodia\nDarryl’s Evidence and Evangelism Class finished on November 21. Two students (one American and one Cambodian) want to share the things that they learned in the class in impoverished villages where they minister. Another Cambodian student is starting a class to teach this evidence to Cambodian university students. It is encouraging that our work is multiplying.\nThe Entrepreneurship Certificate Program will begin in 2013 with 2-week modules in February, May, July, September, and December. A Christian entrepreneur and management consultant will teach these courses along with some John Maxwell Leadership workshops. Our goal is for Cambodians to become equipped to start Christ-honoring businesses so that they can support their own churches and organizations which minister to the poor.\nWe are planning to start English classes in February.\nThe School of Education is working on partnerships with existing teacher-training programs, which have been organized by various missionaries and organizations. Please pray for God’s will to be done in orchestrating the entire process.\nWe are in next step of a long process of registering with the Cambodian government.\nGod provided funds for office furniture, bookcases, and 30 desks for students. It is encouraging to think about all of the students who will sit in those desks and learn to apply Biblical truth to their professional and personal lives as educators and business leaders.\nInternational Fishers: Christian Evidence Ministry\nDarryl will be teaching an intensive 40-hour Christian Apologetics Course at Cambodia Bible Institute from December 11-21. The textbooks will be Christianity: Reasons for Faith and Christianity: Discerning Essential Doctrines and Preserving Unity.\nOther media projects are on hold until January.\nKayo’s Music Ministry \u0026gt;Kayo continues to play the flute with the worship team at church.\nHer music is opening doors to build healthy relationships with non-Christian Japanese and their Cambodian spouses.\nPrayer Requests \u0026gt;Kayo has been actively sharing the gospel with her parents. There has been a lot of opposition, emotional pain, and trials related to this.\nOur landlord will sell our house early next year. We planning to stay here until at least 2016. Please pray for a smooth process and a good place to rent.\nWe thank God for the successes and breakthroughs in our ministries in 2012. However, all of these battles have left us feeling emotionally drained. Please pray that God will minister to us and give us the encouragement, strength, and confidence to continue on His paths.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2012/12/04/record-family-in-cambodia-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eHere’s a quick update of what is happening in our ministry in Cambodia.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrinity Institute of Cambodia\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2012/12/DSCF0104-150x150.jpg\" width=\"150\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDarryl’s \u003cem\u003eEvidence and Evangelism Class\u003c/em\u003e finished on November 21.  Two  students (one American and one Cambodian) want to share the things that they learned in the class in impoverished villages where they minister.  Another Cambodian student is starting a class to teach this evidence to Cambodian university students.  It is encouraging that our work is multiplying.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Record Family in Cambodia Update"},{"content":"For I know the plans I have for you,\u0026quot; says the LORD.\n\u0026ldquo;They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.\u0026rdquo; Jeremiah 29:11 NLT\nTrinity Institute of Cambodia:\nWith the approval of the 1st Amendment to the TIC Constitution on October 18, Darryl officially became the Vice President of Trinity Institute of Cambodia. Dr. Andrew Kwong, the former CEO, became the Chancellor (international representative) and Rev. Heng Cheng, a widely respected Cambodian Christian leader, became the President. We feel confident that these organizational changes will make the institution more efficient and effective in fulfilling its mission.\nTIC also hosted a free Leadership Workshop on October 20, which more than 50 people attended. The workshop was led by Mr. Benjamin Goh, a Singaporean, Christian, corporate-executive who left the corporate world to start his own management consulting and training company so that he could be free from the political pressures to take his bosses to night clubs and the red-light district and so that he could have more\ntime with his family. Benjamin is a certified John Maxwell coach and trainer.\nFrom October 22-27, Benjamin also taught an Entrepreneurship Course to train Christian business-people to start Christ-honoring businesses across Cambodia. According to MK 2021, there are 14,073 communities in Cambodia. Only 2050 communities have a local church. This means that more than 12,000 churches are needed. In order for these churches to become financially sustainable, without depending on foreign funds over the long term, about 42,000 Christian-owned businesses are needed and 14,000 Christian-owned schools. If this dream becomes a reality, Cambodia could be transformed in all levels and sectors of society from the poor, the victims of trafficking, all the way up to the highest levels of economics and government.\nTrinity Institute has moved to a new location on the top floor of Gateway Cafe Ministries. Gateway, is a Christian Cafe which supports other ministries. It also has a drop in center where university students can come to study, use the library, use internet, fellowship, relax, and play. Recently, it became clear that the Learning Lab would not be suitable for Trinity Institute because the Learning Lab is a preschool and a primary school and the floor where Trinity was subleasing for classes was also used as a play area for the children. The noise of children playing, running, laughing, and bouncing balls off the walls really disturbed our classes. Since there were no other suitable classrooms in the building and there was no other place for the children to play, it\nbecame clear that it would be better for TIC to find a new location. We were planning to store TIC\u0026rsquo;s office cabinets and furniture in our house until we could find another location for the office. In order to avoid the noise, Darryl hosted his Evidence and Evangelism class at our house. When his students asked why, and Darryl told them, 3 of his students told him about Gateway Cafe. It turned out that they had an opening for 2 offices, a large classroom, common area, and a balcony for less rent! Gateway\u0026rsquo;s had been praying and planning for months to start offering classes in that part of the building, but they were too busy with the restaurant. Trinity can provide the classes and Gateway Cafe can provide the food and activities. Together more students will be blessed!\nLord willing, we will be able to offer classes as soon as January. One urgent need is for funding for 30 student desks for the main classroom and some office furniture. With the other ministry activities, our ministry budget is maxed out for 2012, unless special donations come in. For more information about making a special donation, please e-mail trinitycambodia@gmail.com For more pictures of Gateway Cafe visit: http://www.facebook.com/gatewaycafecambodia/photos_albums Darryl has been forming curriculum development committees made up of volunteer- advisors. On September 18, Darryl met with the Language Department Curriculum Committee. One of the advisors on that committee was Jeff Evanson, a long time missionary and linguistics expert with Mission to Unreached Peoples. Jeff made some great suggestions for the language program in that meeting. Two days later, he died unexpectedly while swimming. Jeff was a good friend to our family. Even though we know that he is in heaven, we miss him, and we know that his family misses him as well.\nKayo\u0026rsquo;s Talent Show and Music Ministry Update\nOn September 28th as Kayo and Chammi prepared to go and play the flute and piano at the You\u0026rsquo;ve Got Talent Show at the International Christian Assembly, it started raining and kept on raining for hours. Kayo and Chammi loaded up our 1991 Camry with Kayo\u0026rsquo;s flute, Chammi\u0026rsquo;s electric piano, and Chammi\u0026rsquo;s computer. They drove through deep flood waters that caused another car to stall, we are thankful that our car made it through without getting the electronics wet. Later, Darryl and Benjamin came by Tuk\nTuk (pictured).\nThe previous month about 800 people attended but we were amazed that 300 people braved the knee-high floodwaters to attend.\nThis was a milestone for Kayo. After she became a Christian, she felt God\u0026rsquo;s leading to lay down her music career. Last year, she felt that God was giving her music back to her. After 12 years break from the flute, she had to re-learn everything from the beginning. Kayo and Chammi did a good job with their performance and Darryl could take a few pictures. Benjamin had an urgent need for the restroom so Darryl and Benjamin heard most of the performance from the bathroom.\nInternational Fishers Update Teaching Apologetics: Darryl\u0026rsquo;s Evidence and Evangelism Class continues to go well. One American student said that he now feels more confident when talking to non-Christians. This man goes out with a group that reaches out to sex tourists who come to Cambodia to take advantage of low-priced prostitutes. When Christians talk to the sex tourists about how their activities really hurt the Cambodian women, they often respond that they are atheists, there is no God, and evolution is true, so they can do what they want. At least this man is equipped to answer their objections and present the gospel clearly and confidently. A Cambodian student is teaching his friends and co-workers based on the things he is learning in the class.\nDarryl has been invited to teach a 2-week intensive Apologetics course at the Cambodia Bible Institute (CBI) in Phnom Penh this December. Even though Darryl\u0026rsquo;s schedule is getting busy with Trinity Institute, he really loves to equip students (pastors this time) with the evidence that Christianity is true and to protect people from cults. In this course, Darryl will use both of his books as textbooks ( Christianity: Reasons for Faith \u0026amp; Christianity: Discerning Essential Doctrines and Preserving Unity) to give the students the evidence for the truth of Christianity and the discernment skills to effectively deal with cults without unnecessarily dividing from other Christians over secondary differences. In order for this course to become a regular course in the CBI curriculum, Darryl will also be helping to train one of the regular teachers so that if Darryl can\u0026rsquo;t teach it in the future, they can teach it on their own.\nChristian Media Update:\nThe Anchors of Faith: Radio Program continues to be broadcast weekly through the end of the year. Darryl plans to reformat the recordings and scripts for distribution on CD\u0026rsquo;s and MP3s. The Christianity: Reasons for Faith book is being well used byt the university students at Gateway Cafe. Work on the Facts for Faith video series will have to be postponed until at least January because of Darryl\u0026rsquo;s busy schedule and because our video editing computer keeps breaking. Prayer Requests\nStrength, health, rest, wisdom, resources, and grace that we need to be faithful with all of the opportunities that that God has placed before us. Special spiritual protection over our family, especially Benjamin In Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo and Benjamin Record\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2012/10/29/cambodia-ministry-update-4/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor I know the plans I have for you,\u0026quot; says the LORD.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.\u0026rdquo;  Jeremiah 29:11 NLT\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrinity Institute of Cambodia:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2012/10/board-2012-300x248.jpg\" width=\"300\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith the approval of the 1st Amendment to the TIC Constitution on October 18, Darryl officially became the Vice President of Trinity Institute of Cambodia.   Dr. Andrew Kwong, the former CEO, became the Chancellor (international representative) and Rev. Heng Cheng, a widely respected Cambodian Christian leader, became the President.  We feel confident that these organizational changes will make the institution more efficient and effective in fulfilling its mission.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Ministry Update"},{"content":"Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support. This is an amazing season in Cambodia. Sometimes things have been amazingly difficult but there have also been many amazing breakthroughs.\nIn August Kayo\u0026rsquo;s started playing the flute twice a month with the\nworship team at the International Christian Assembly (ICA). Kayo and Migiwa, another missionary from Japan have also been approved to play at the You\u0026rsquo;ve Got Talent! Show on September 28, an outreach program, which will also be held at the ICA Church. At the August 31 show, 500 people, including members of the Cambodian Royal Family attended with 200 more people turned away for lack of space. Organizers expect more people next month and are considering making 2 shows. We really see God\u0026rsquo;s blessing in this Kayo set the flute aside 12 years ago and so she had to reteach herself how to play over the past year. We joke that last year, Kayo was playing for chickens in Kampong Chhnang, this month she will play for the Royal Family. Not only this, but Kayo\u0026rsquo;s finger has healed from her July cooking accident which put her music and life at risk. When we consider these things, we are amazed at God\u0026rsquo;s power, protection, and faithfulness.\nBenjamin started preschool at Hope School. He loves it and keeps\ncampaigning to go 5 days instead of just 3. He was awarded \u0026ldquo;Superkid\u0026rdquo; award for being brave in his first week at the new school. He is getting closer to the Lord and is learning to pray and is understanding the Gospel more and more.\nThe Anchors for Faith Radio program continues to broadcast every Sunday afternoon. We had to cancel the January 5 Anchors for Faith Seminar because FEBC will not be ready to launch the Voice of Love Mobile smartphone recording distribution ministry. Darryl continues to develop the Facts for Faith Videos for distribution on cellphones.\nTrinity Institute of Cambodia has also been active. After working with the board to develop policies to resolve a serious HR problem, the TIC board has appointed Darryl to switch roles from Chief Operations Officer to Vice President. Until the roles are filled, Darryl also has to serve as the Financial Director, Academic Director, Head of the Language Department and the School of Business, in addition to being board member and board secretary. Dr. Kwong the CEO, will become chancellor (international representative and internal advisor) and Rev. Heng Cheng will become the first Cambodian president. This should be a more efficient organizational structure. Please pray that Darryl will have wisdom, strength, grace, and stamina to juggle all of these roles and that God will raise up others to help.\nDarryl\u0026rsquo;s Evidence and Evangelism Class, which teaches students how to incorporate evidence/apologetics into their current ministries, started on August 29 with 6 people. On September 5 there were 10 students. More students may enroll next week. Because Darryl is teaching in English with a bilingual textbook Christianity: Reasons for Faith\n, the students are Cambodian, American, Australian, and Croatian. It is rare for Cambodians and missionaries to be able to come together and learn together as classmates.\nGod continues to be good to us. The tasks and challenges before us are greater than our ability, wisdom, and strength, we continue to depend on God to empower and use us as tools to complete HIS work in Cambodia.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Love, Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2012/09/06/cambodia-ministry-update-3/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support. This is an amazing season in Cambodia. Sometimes things have been amazingly difficult but there have also been many amazing breakthroughs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn August Kayo\u0026rsquo;s started playing the flute twice a month with the\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2012/09/Kayo-Worship-Team-300x221.jpg\" width=\"300\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eworship team at the International Christian Assembly (ICA). Kayo and Migiwa, another missionary from Japan have also been approved to play at the You\u0026rsquo;ve Got Talent! Show on September 28, an outreach program, which will also be held at the ICA Church. At the August 31 show, 500 people, including members of the Cambodian Royal Family attended with 200 more people turned away for lack of space. Organizers expect more people next month and are considering making 2 shows. We really see God\u0026rsquo;s blessing in this Kayo set the flute aside 12 years ago and so she had to reteach herself how to play over the past year. We joke that last year, Kayo was playing for chickens in Kampong Chhnang, this month she will play for the Royal Family. Not only this, but Kayo\u0026rsquo;s finger has healed from her July cooking accident which put her music and life at risk. When we consider these things, we are amazed at God\u0026rsquo;s power, protection, and faithfulness.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Ministry Update"},{"content":"“Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.” Psalm 126:5 NASB\nJuly was a month full of trials that brought tears but also the joyful harvest from tearful sowing in the past. We trust that the Lord Of The Harvest will turn the tears of this past month into a harvest of joy.\nKayo’s Music Ministry: Meaningful Trials\nKayo has been looking forward to joining the worship team at the international church that we attend. She wanted to join back in February but Darryl’s schedule was too full so he had to delay until after our home assignment in Japan from April to June. July finally came, and all of the pieces fell into place for her to start practicing with the worship team on July 7.\nIt is very difficult to plan special events such as birthdays or anniversaries etc. in Cambodia because things seem to go wrong on the actual day. To make sure that Kayo’s birthday was properly celebrated, Darryl celebrated her birthday early. On Kayo’s actual birthday, July 2, the kitchen got moved into the living room to prepare for repairmen who didn’t come, Kayo fell down on a wet floor, nearly fell down the stairs, and then the real trial hit. While chopping chicken with a meat cleaver, she accidentally chopped her finger leaving a 2 ¼ inch 2.5cm gash nearly to the bone.\nGod arranged it so that Darryl was in the kitchen when the accident occurred so that he could stop the bleeding before Kayo fainted and lost too much blood. There is no reliable ambulance service or blood transfusions in Cambodia so simple injuries like this can be life threatening.\nKayo is very committed to her music ministry. She was practicing the flute even before the 6 stitches were removed and she attended her first worship practice on July 7. Kayo’s next worship team event was a Bible study on July 18. On that day she came down with a high fever and couldn\u0026rsquo;t go. She had to cancel another meeting related to an outreach concert as well. Her fever went down for a day and then spiked back up to 102.7 F, on July 21 so she could not attend her second worship team practice. Since she had fever for 5 days we began to suspect dengue. We asked for prayer both in Cambodia and around the globe. The next morning, Kayo’s temperature miraculously returned to normal and she was strong enough to go to church. She has been healthy and has been getting stronger ever since.\nKayo says that God has been teaching her a lot through these trials. Even though we believe that these trials were attacks from the enemy to prevent her from moving forward with her music ministry, God has been using them for God. Kayo learned about worshiping through suffering, about balancing family, marriage, and ministry, and about waiting for God’s timing. Even though her finger is still healing and she hasn’t been able to practice very much, she says that her skill is as already back to where it was before the accident.\nAnchors of Faith Radio Program Update The Anchors of Faith Radio Program began its 6 month broadcast cycle on July 1 on FEBC’s Family 99.5 FM. We are thankful that God has provided all of the funding, even though it was beyond our 2012 budget.\nAll of the pieces are falling into place for the Anchors of Faith Seminar a one-day event to be held on Saturday, January 5 at Trinity Institute of Cambodia. Since the Anchors of Faith Radio Program’s last broadcast day will be December 30th, this event will serve as a follow-up meeting for the listeners. The program will introduce them to more resources that can help them grow in their faith and become more confident in sharing the Gospel. FEBC plans to unveil their new Voice of Love Mobile ministry which will distribute audio Bible teaching to cell phones, MP3/MP4 players, and computers via micro SD cards, the Internet, and other formats. The Anchors of Faith Radio Program will continue its ministry as the first radio program to be distributed through this system. Darryl has also invited Fount of Wisdom Publishing to join the event, set up a book table, and, if it is ready, to unveil their new Cambodian language e-book/audio book system for smart phones. It is an amazing time in Cambodia, when Christians are poised to use cutting-edge technology to communicate the Gospel to a new generation!\nFacts for Faith Videos: 10 years as a vision. . .5 months to reality. We are very excited because FEBC has also agreed to distribute Darryl’s apologetic\u0026rsquo;s videos through their new Voice of Love Mobile ministry. FEBC has a well established Christian media distribution network in Cambodia. Only God could open the door for a radio station to distribute videos! Darryl has started working on a 3-minute Facts for Faith video called “You Are A Special Creation.” This video will illustrate Psalm 139:14-18 with some of the amazing evidence for an intelligent creator that comes from recent scientific discoveries about DNA. After that, Darryl wants to make another video called, “You Are Valuable.” Darryl plans to relate the value of currency (a $1 bill vs. a $100 bill etc.) to illustrate Genesis 1:26 which is about humans being created in the image of God who have a value that is greater than animals and which cannot be taken away by disabilities.\nThe purpose of these and future videos, which will be produced in English and Cambodian languages, is to provide a resource that Christians can use to help them share the Gospel with their loved ones with more confidence. For example, if Christians have access to these videos through their smart phones they can use them to help them gain momentum or overcome objections during evangelistic conversations. This is important because one of the main reasons why we Christians do not share our faith is because we are afraid that someone will ask us a question or raise an objection that we cannot answer. Lord willing, these tools will help to overcome that disabling fear.\nChristianity: Reasons for Faith Book Update\nThe combined work of Darryl and Doug Since 2010 has come to maturity. Today, July 26, the book, Christianity: Reasons for Faith English/Cambodian Bilingual Edition is set to be distributed to bookstores! For the first time, Cambodian Christians have access to evidence and answers that supports the truth of Christianity in their own language! We trust that God will use this book to help bring the lost to salvation and breathe new life and excitement into Cambodian Christians and missionaries. The next step is to pursue publication in the USA through a Christian print-on-demand publisher. This step will make the book available in bilingual format for Cambodians refugees and emigrants around the globe in places like Long Beach, CA. Darryl and Doug are also thinking about making an English-only edition designed for missionaries to other countries. This edition could be used as the basis for customized translations to many other languages.\nTrinity Institute of Cambodia Update\nDespite some setbacks and disappointments related to our spring classes, Trinity Institute of Cambodia continues to move forward. In September, Darryl is planning to offer a special class called Evidence and Evangelism this class will use Christianity: Reasons for Faith as its textbook and will help equip missionaries and Christian leaders to incorporate Christian apologetic\u0026rsquo;s evidence and answers into their existing ministries and evangelistic efforts.\nAlex, one of our friends from Mitaki Green Chapel in Hiroshima,\nJapan is a leading diplomat with the United Nations Institute of Research (UNITAR). His work takes him to places like Afghanistan and Iraq to provide seminars and training to help develop the government and business leaders. He has wanted to provide training in Cambodia for some time, but has not been able to find a reliable local partner. The door has opened for him to provide training in partnership with TIC. This will help give TIC greater exposure, credibility, and it can help prepare the way for TIC’s accreditation process with the Ministry of Education in the future.\nWe are also excited that Benjamin, a Christian management consultant from Singapore has agreed to offer a Certificate of Entrepreneurship and Growing Business Management through TIC. This will give students in Cambodia access to world-class training from a Christian perspective, without leaving Cambodia, for affordable price. Other programs such as an MA in Leadership and and Education program are also in the works for 2013.\nPrayer Requests 1. Please pray for protection, health, and strength for our entire family. The trials of the past month have frequently hindered our work and have exhausted us at times.\n2. Benjamin is set to attend preschool on August 8. Please pray that the disease that has killed 50 children in Cambodia will be stopped so that schools can open again after being closed by the Ministry of Education.\n3. Please pray for the Body in Kampong Chhnang. Scandals (adultery, divorce, and unethical stewardship) have destroyed the credibility and testimony of Christians and have left the Christians vulnerable to discouragement, cults, and compromise. Darryl is planning to take a missionary, Chuck, who in the past planted the most successful church network in Cambodia before falling into adultery several years ago. He has since repented, found reconciliation with his wife, family, and church, and has been restored. He has been sharing his failures and restoration process with Christian men in Cambodia to help prevent others from falling and to help those have fallen to repent. Please pray as Darryl and Chuck travel to Kampong Chhnang on August 21 to start exploring men’s ministry there.\n4. Please pray that God will resolve the lingering problems from the spring classes at TIC. Pray that God will give special wisdom, unity, and courage to the leadership so that we can serve our students with integrity. Pray also for the upcoming classes and events.\n5. Please pray for the development of the Facts for Faith videos and the Anchors of Faith Seminar set for January 5.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2012/07/26/cambodia-update-july/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.”\u003c/em\u003e Psalm 126:5 NASB\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuly was a month full of trials that brought tears but also the joyful harvest from tearful sowing in the past.  We trust that the Lord Of The Harvest will turn the tears of this past month into a harvest of joy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKayo’s Music Ministry:  Meaningful Trials\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\n    \u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2012/07/IMG%5F20120604%5F190220-300x225.jpg\" width=\"180\"/\u003e \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKayo has been looking forward to joining the worship team at the international church that we attend.  She wanted to join back in February but Darryl’s schedule was too full so he had to delay until after our home assignment in Japan from April to June.  July finally came, and all of the pieces fell into place for her to start practicing with the worship team on July 7.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Update: July"},{"content":"Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?\u0026quot; (Esther 4:14 NKJV)\nWe have been back in Cambodia for two weeks now. Here are some things that need prayer cover now. Lord willing, by the end of July, we will have enough information and pictures to do a more detailed update.\n1. Anchors of Faith: Truth, Relationships, and Experience radio program. This radio program, which Darryl has been working on since mid-2010 will start broadcasting weekly, this Sunday, June 1-December 30. Your prayers have made helped provide the spiritual protection necessary to produce this program despite great spiritual opposition. Please pray that: 1. God will use this program powerfully to strengthen the faith of the Christians in Cambodia and help bring non-believers to Christ. 2. Pray for the FEBC Family 99.5 FM staff and station as they broadcast this program and finish production on the last 4 episodes.\n2. Christianity: Reasons For Faith book\nGod\u0026rsquo;s timing is amazing! Darryl and Doug\u0026rsquo;s book, Christianity: Reasons for Faith is also on schedule to be printed in July or August. Please pray for the final work of Fount of Wisdom Publishing as they wrap up, the layout, cover, and translation checking and pray that the printing process will go smoothly.\n3. Trinity Institute of Cambodia\nIn July, the TIC executives and board will need to make some important decisions about future degrees, majors, curriculum, and seminars to be offered to the public. Please pray for wisdom, unity, and efficiency in all of these decisions.\n4. Kayo\u0026rsquo;s Music Ministry\nKayo is preparing to join the worship team at the international church we attend, in July. She is also preparing to participate in a music outreach the end of August. Please pray for God\u0026rsquo;s wisdom, timing, and strength for these things.\n5. Kampong Chhnang Trip Lord willing, we will travel to Kampong Chhnang for a weekend in July to visit our friends there and so that Darryl can speak at the Toul Ksaich Church. Please pray for protection over our trip and that our car\u0026rsquo;s recently replaced engine and transmission will function well.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2012/06/27/quick-cambodia-ministry-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWho knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?\u0026quot; (Esther 4:14 NKJV)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have been back in Cambodia for two weeks now.  Here are some things that \u003cem\u003eneed prayer cover now\u003c/em\u003e.  Lord willing, by the end of July, we will have enough information and pictures to do a more detailed update.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1\u003c/strong\u003e.  \u003cstrong\u003eAnchors of Faith: Truth, Relationships, and Experience\u003c/strong\u003e radio program.  This radio program, which Darryl has been working on since mid-2010 will start broadcasting weekly, this Sunday, June 1-December 30.  Your prayers have made helped provide the spiritual protection necessary to produce this program despite great spiritual opposition.  Please pray that: 1. God will use this program powerfully to strengthen the faith of the Christians in Cambodia and help bring non-believers to Christ.  2. Pray for the FEBC Family 99.5 FM staff and station as they broadcast this program and finish production on the last 4 episodes.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Quick Cambodia Ministry Update"},{"content":"[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_276\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;aligncenter\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;300\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Strategic Management Class　\u0026ldquo;] [/caption]\n“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write to you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.” (Jude 1:3 NASB)\nJude, the younger-brother of James, and half-brother of Jesus, wrote to the churches to vaccinate them against the beginnings of a false teaching, which would eventually grow into Gnosticism. Jude probably would have preferred to write about the joys and blessings of salvation, instead it was necessary for him to write to defend the faith. As a Christian Apologist, Darryl has often “felt the necessity”, to “contend earnestly for the faith.”\nThe amazing thing is that as we discover and share the supporting evidence, which shows that “our common salvation” is based on a solid foundation of TRUTH, our faith and joy grows as well. During our time in Japan, visiting our supporting-churches Darryl has had the opportunity to speak about some of the evidence that proves that the bodily, miraculous, resurrection of Jesus Christ matches undeniable historical facts, while the alternative theories fail miserably. When we consider all of the evidence, we can identify with Thomas, when he had the opportunity to see, speak with, and touch the Risen Christ. All Thomas could say was, “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:28) When we finally come to the place when we recognize Jesus for who HE is, all we can say is, “My Lord and My God!” and all we can do is follow HIM at all costs.\nChristianity: Reasons for Faith: Publishing Process Update\nOn April 18, Darryl was finally able to send the completed 145-page English manuscript of his second book, Christianity: Reasons for Faith to Fount of Wisdom Publishing. The completed English/Khmer bilingual book will be published in Cambodia in June or July.\nSending off the manuscript reminds us of God’s faithfulness in making this book possible. This book had been on his mind for many years now. As we look back, we can see that the enemy did not want this book to be written or our ministry in Cambodia to continue. In January 2010, soon after beginning the research for this book, Darryl was struck with dengue fever. He continued researching until his fever reached 104 F, he could not read but he could listen to Defending the Faith lecture CD’s from Biola University. After being hospitalized, nearly dying, Kayo’s hospitalization with dengue fever, and Benjamin’s miraculous healing, the book project was put on hold until Darryl met Dr. Doug Collins in the fall of 2010.\nThe rest of the writing and editing process was challenging. We lived in Kampong Chhnang at the time and the electricity became very unstable often with daily blackouts for 6-8 hours. For a while, Darryl could work by powering the computer, fans, and the rest of the house with a diesel generator. Later, the generator became unreliable and so the work continued using a Netbook computer with a 10 inch screen while trying to keep cool using a fan powered by a car battery.\nDespite these challenges, trials, attacks, and obstacles, the work could continue. God raised up faithful Christians in the US and Japan to help with editing, proofreading, illustrations, and funding. Darryl is humbled and blessed by God’s amazing faithfulness.\nOnce the book is published in Cambodia, we will continue to cooperate with Fount of Wisdom Publishing to make the book available to Cambodians living in the US and other countries by publishing it through a new Christian Internet-based Print-On-Demand publishing company. After that, we are thinking about making an internationalized English version for missionaries so that they can in turn customize, translate, and publish versions of this book in many different countries and languages.\nAnchors of Faith: Truth, Relationships, and Experience Radio Program Update\nThe Anchors of Faith radio program is still on track to be broadcast on FEBC’s 99.5 FM station in Phnom Penh from July to December. FEBC continues to develop their broadcast and communication capabilities to better minister to listeners who call in for spiritual counseling. In addition to covering a broadcast area of 7 million people, there are also credible reports that officials at the highest levels of the Cambodian government are listening to 99.5 FM.\nAt this writing, Darryl has written all 26 scripts for the Truth segment of the radio program and has sent them off to the translator. FEBC’s staff is diligently working on producing the remaining programs for broadcast starting in July. God has already provided 40% of the $2,340 needed for production and broadcast.\nPlease pray that God will use the 13 hours radio program to; Open hearts of to the Gospel and give Cambodian Christians more confidence in the Truth of God’s Word so that they will not compromise their faith but will have more boldness in evangelism.\nTrinity Institute of Cambodia: Christian College Update\nTrinity Institute of Cambodia was able to hold its first two certificate/credit classes on March 19 and 20. The two classes are: Strategic Management and English for Strategic Management with eight or nine students each. Even though the enrollment is not enough “break-even” we are thankful for the start. So far, the feedback from the students has been positive. They feel like they are learning “twice as much” as they learn have learned in secular universities.\nThis is just the beginning of what we hope will become a Christian university which will positively impact Southeast Asia until Christ returns. We may be able to bring Christian teachers and professors in from other Asian countries such as Indonesia and Japan. We are waiting for God to make His will and provision clear for these and many other amazing opportunities for partnerships with Christians internationally.\nLord willing, we will be able to start more certificate/credit classes in July. Once the book, Christianity: Reasons for Faith is published in Cambodia, Darryl is considering using it as a textbook for new class which he wants to develop and teach which will equip TIC students with the evidence for God, the Bible, Jesus, and overcoming objections to Christianity.\nJapan: April 3-June 12\n[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_277\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;300\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Tokyo Grace Church\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nOur time in Japan has been amazing in many ways. We have been able to fellowship with many Christians who have a real heart and mind for world missions. During our 10-weeks in Japan, we will visit and speak at 14 churches across Japan and have a booth at a one-day conference.\nIn our “free time” Darryl has been finishing up the book, writing radio scripts, networking for Trinity Institute, and fellowshipping with friends. Kayo has been busy making travel arrangements, meeting flute teachers and friends, and practicing the flute in her mom’s closet. Benjamin has been a good traveler and over all good but needs prayer for his strong will. In Hiroshima, Kayo’s parents treat him like a prince. The grandparents are having so much fun with Benjamin that the neighbor complained that they were making too much noise!\nPrayer Requests 1. Pray for continued stamina, health, and wisdom as we visit churches in Japan. 2. Pray for efficiency in our work so that our family can find some times for some much needed rest and relaxation before we return to Cambodia. 3. Pray for God to continue to open Kayo’s parents’ hearts to the Gospel. 4. Pray for continued good relationships and grace from Christians in Japan because our family is frequently unaware of and out of sync with Japanese cultural conventions. 5. Pray for the book publishing and radio program production processes. 6. Pray for continued guidance, wisdom, and provision for Trinity Institute.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2012/04/23/cambodiajapan-ministry-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_276\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;aligncenter\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;300\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Strategic Management Class　\u0026ldquo;] \u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2012/04/tic-001.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2012/04/tic-001-300x225.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e[/caption]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write to you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.” (Jude 1:3 NASB)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJude, the younger-brother of James, and half-brother of Jesus, wrote to the churches to vaccinate them against the beginnings of a false teaching, which would eventually grow into Gnosticism. Jude probably would have preferred to write about the joys and blessings of salvation, instead it was necessary for him to write to defend the faith. As a Christian Apologist, Darryl has often “felt the necessity”, to “contend earnestly for the faith.”\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia/Japan Ministry Update"},{"content":"Life and ministry in Cambodia has been so full since February, that we do not have time to write a full update. For background information please read last month\u0026rsquo;s update at: /record/2012/02/07/ministry-update/\nHere are the Headlines: 1. Record family to be in Japan April 2-June 12. We are looking forward to visiting our sending churches, catching up with friends, and recharging our batteries.\n2. Kayo has accepted to play the flute as part of the Worship Team of the International Christian Assembly. She is set to start in July.\n3. Trinity Institute of Cambodia: The Bylaws have been approved by the board. Two New Classes, Strategic Management and English for Strategic Management will begin on March 19 and 20 and will run to May 23 and 24.\n4. Christianity: Reasons for Faith Book Update. Darryl and Doug have completed editing the content of all 33 chapters. Hoeun has translated more than 25 chapters. Amparo has proofread 12 chapters. Phil, an artist is illustrating the book. Lord willing everything will be completed by the middle of April. The book is scheduled to be published and in stores in June.\n5. Anchors of Faith: Truth, Relationships, and Experience, Radio Program Update. So far, Darryl has written 18 of the 26 scripts for the Truth segment. We are still on track for weekly broadcast from July to December. Still, trusting God to provide the funding for FEBC\u0026rsquo;s production and broadcast costs.\nPrayer Requests: 1. Strength, Grace, Wisdom to complete all of the tasks necessary before our departure to Japan.\n2. Special prayer needed for Trinity Institute that God will provide His teachers, administrators, students and provision.\n3. For every aspect of our upcoming time in Japan.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2012/03/15/cambodia-ministry-headlines/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eLife and ministry in Cambodia has been so full since February, that we do not have time to write a full update. For background information please read last month\u0026rsquo;s update at: /record/2012/02/07/ministry-update/\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are the Headlines:\n1. Record family to be in Japan April 2-June 12. We are looking forward to visiting our sending churches, catching up with friends, and recharging our batteries.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2. Kayo has accepted to play the flute as part of the Worship Team of the International Christian Assembly. She is set to start in July.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Ministry Headlines"},{"content":"Trinity Institute of Cambodia (TIC)\nOn January 17, the board finalized and signed TIC\u0026rsquo;s constitution.\n[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_249\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;216\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;TIC Board\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nNow, Darryl is working on drafting the Bylaws, HR policies, recruiting staff/teachers, started setting up the website (www.trinitycambodia.org), and preparing promotional materials for classes. Dr. Kwong, the CEO, has been meeting with potential partners in other countries. So far, TIC has been operating mainly out of our house. We are scheduled to move in to our subleased office and classroom space in the Learning Lab building on February 15.\nNeedless to say, it is a very busy, yet exciting, time for us. We really sense that God is bringing the people and ideas together, and has been multiplying our humble resources. After years of burden, prayers, and preparation, God has opened the doors for TIC to come to life, \u0026ldquo;for such a time as this.\u0026rdquo;\nWe really need your prayers. When God does a great work in our midst, the enemy often brings great attacks. Please pray for protection over all of those who are, or soon will be, part of TIC, including their families. Pray for special grace, understanding, and unity during this time. Pray that God will call and raise up the students, teachers, and support staff, for the upcoming classes.\nChristianity: Reasons for Faith Book Update\nIn January, Darryl finished editing the content of all 33 chapters of our new book. Doug, the co-author, has pretty much finished his editing process as well. Hoeun, the translator, has translated 10 chapters into the Khmer language.\nGod has blessed us with Amparo, who has volunteered to proofread the book. Phil, an artist, has also offered to provide some illustrations. We are encouraged that God has raised up this sister and brother, to sharpen this book beyond our capabilities. When Darryl e-mailed Doug about Amparo\u0026rsquo;s willingness to proofread, he wrote, \u0026ldquo;I have a friend how will proofread our manuscript.\u0026rdquo; This convinced Doug that Darryl needs help . . . including proofreading assistance.\nOnce the book is translated, proofread, and illustrated, Darryl will turn it in to Fount of Wisdom for publication and distribution. Please continue to pray for each person involved in this project. We believe that this book will help give Christians more confidence and open the hearts and minds of non-Christians, for generations to come.\nAnchors of Faith: Truth, Relationships, and Experience Radio Program Update\nSo far, Darryl has written 15 scripts for the radio program which will air on FEBC\u0026rsquo;s Family 99.5 FM in Phnom Penh.\nThere are some new developments which bring the phrase, \u0026ldquo;two steps back, ten steps forward,\u0026rdquo; to mind. When Darryl started developing the concept for the Anchors of Faith radio program in 2010, FEBC\u0026rsquo;s financial status was much stronger. At that point, they only needed Darryl to supply the ideas and write the scripts for one of the three segments. FEBC was able to do the rest. In 2011, the Family 99.5 FM station had to stop broadcasting on Saturdays because of a significant drop in international donations. For 2012, a church in Singapore has provided funding for them to broadcast on Saturdays. For this reason, FEBC Cambodia has to find ways to balance their budget. Which brings us to the steps back: 1. They have requested, and Darryl has agreed to raise/donate for the productions and broadcast costs ($90 per 30 minute episode/ $2,340 for weekly programs for 6 months). 2. FEBC is planning to shift their FM station to mainly pre-evangelism and evangelistic programs and to use their shortwave and recording distribution network for training/discipleship programs. For these reasons, the Anchors of Faith radio program will only run for 26 weeks from July to December on 99.5 FM. We are trusting God to provide to cover this expense. If God opens the doors and funding in the future, FEBC would welcome Darryl to develop a new radio program with a pre-evangelic or evangelistic format.\nNow for the good news, even though Darryl originally hoped that the Anchors of Faith program would run for a long time, he is confident that, in 26 half-hour episodes, most of the most important topics such as: the existence of God, creation, truth of the Bible, evidence for Jesus, and answering objections to Christianity will be covered. It is God\u0026rsquo;s timing that the radio program will air just as the Christianity: Reasons for Faith book goes on the market. For the first time, Cambodians will have access to the evidence for the truth of Christianity in printed and audio formats.\nHere are some developing opportunities to pray for:\n1. Anchors of Faith Seminar: When the Anchors of Faith radio program finishes in December, Darryl would like to offer the listeners, missionaries, and others an Anchors of Faith seminar to give them additional training in apologetics, maintaining their faith in a non-Christian culture, and life lessons from mature Cambodian Christians.\n2. Anchors of Faith Recordings (MP3/CD/Cellphones). God is bringing affordable technology to Cambodia. In the past, in order to distribute recordings, ministries such as FEBC had to manufacture and distribute special solar/crank powered radios/MP3 players. Now, low cost netbook computers with a long battery life are available locally, cellphone companies have made affordable 3G Internet service (via USB modems and cellphones) available even in the most remote/jungle areas of Cambodia. Meanwhile, cell phones and other devices which can play MP3 (audio) and MP4 (video) recordings are widely available at prices that more and more Cambodians can afford.\nFEBC is planning to place more than 7,000 hours of Bible teaching and other radio programs, including the Anchors of Faith radio program, on a new website. Then, they will recruit Christians, across the nation, that have computers and internet access to download these recordings and transfer them to the cell phones and other players of Cambodian Christians, who do not have access to the internet. If one person in each church or town has a computer and internet, the entire Christian population would have access to thousands of hours of Bible teaching/discipleship recordings. Instead of just playing a radio program one time and putting it on the shelf, radio programs could continue to renew minds and transform lives for years to come.\n3. Other Languages: FEBC Cambodia also hopes to start smaller, lower-powered radio stations for specific neighborhoods that have a high concentration of Chinese or Vietnamese. There may be opportunities to translate and broadcast the Anchors of Faith and other radio programs in these languages as well. Providing materials in multiple languages has also been one of Darryl\u0026rsquo;s visions for many years.\n4 Videos: The deepest burden of Darryl\u0026rsquo;s heart since 2003 has been to produce and distribute evidence-based evangelistic videos. Every step in ministry we have taken for years has been toward that calling. Darryl would like to produce short videos that would answer a specific question/objection to Christianity such as the existence of God, truth of the Bible, or the problem of suffering etc.. These videos could be distributed to Christians on discs or placed on their cellphones. When they have an evangelistic opportunity, they could play the appropriate video for their non-Christian friends and family. This would increase their confidence so they would be more likely to share their faith more frequently. There may be an opportunity to distribute these videos through FEBC\u0026rsquo;s recording distribution network! If this door opens, it would be a major boost for this video ministry. God willing, within a few years, Cambodians could be very well equipped to confidently \u0026ldquo;give a reason for their Hope,\u0026rdquo; with a book, audio recordings, and videos!\nKampong Chhnang Update\nOur family spent February 4-6 in\n[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_254\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;210\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Toul Ksaich Church\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nKampong Chhnang so that Darryl could preach at Toul Ksaich Church and lead the devotions at Tahas Bible Institute. It was also a good opportunity to reconnect with friends.\nBenjamin was very happy to spend the weekend at Yay and Tha\u0026rsquo;s house, his Cambodian \u0026ldquo;grandma and grandpa\u0026rsquo;s\u0026rdquo; house.\n[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_256\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;168\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Benjamin enjoying Yay\u0026rsquo;s hammock\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nHe enjoyed running around their yard and playing with their dogs. Even though our family is blessed by our new house, which is much more convenient, Benjamin said he, \u0026ldquo;had to escape from Phnom Penh, and go to Cambodia.\u0026rdquo; In his mind, Phnom Penh, the capital, is not Cambodia, but Kampong\n[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_257\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;172\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Benjamin and Ree (girl from church) feeding Tha\u0026rsquo;s fish\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nChhnang is Cambodia.\nPlease continue to pray that the core group of Christians at Toul Ksaich church will continue to stand strong in their faith and that they will grow even stronger. Also pray for opportunities for them to reach out to the community. Pray that God will also strengthen and bless Tahas Bible Institute so that they can strengthen even more bi-vocational Christian leaders, many of whom are rice farmers.\nKone Kmeng Conference\n[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_251\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;168\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Kone Kmeng Conference\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nOn January 18, Darryl had the opportunity to speak and Kone Kmeng\u0026rsquo;s Annual Conference. Kone Kmeng is a ministry to children who are at risk of being trafficked into child-prostitution or child-labor. It was founded by Darryl\u0026rsquo;s\n[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_252\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;168\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Phany (right) with staff and church leaders\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nCambodian friend, Phany. It was encouraging to see how God has raised up this ministry since God used Laura and others in Darryl\u0026rsquo;s old team of English teachers to reach out to Phany back in 2001. From there, Phany and Laura reached out to his family and village. Later, they helped start the children’s ministry.\nFamily Update\nThe middle of January, God provided Thun, a Christian lady, to come and help Kayo with running our house. That made it possible for Kayo to re-connect with and help Kone Kmeng children’s ministry, and Precious Woman a ministry founded by Phany’s wife, Lida which reaches out to Cambodian women who either are at risk of getting trapped in prostitution. Kayo was able to share her testimony and play her flute for the ladies at that ministry. She is praying about becoming involved in the international church’s worship team. Kayo was also able to resume her accounting, writing Japanese newsletters/prayer requests, and planning our upcoming home assignment in Japan, April 3-June 12. Kayo is also developing her Cambodia driving skills, which is completely different from driving in Japan or the US.\nBenjamin continues to grow in many ways. At 3 years 2\n[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_253\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;127\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Benjamin\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nmonths he is 39 inches tall and weighs nearly 40 lbs. He is very strong for his age. His spiritual awareness is growing as well. Recently, when he gets upset, angry, or sad, he says, “Mama, pray for me!” He also likes to dance around with his toy guitar and sing “I’m trading my sorrows, Yes Lord, Amen!.” We pray with and for him frequently. He reminds us of the verse: “You have taught children and infants to give you praise.\u0026quot; (Matthew 21:16b NLT)\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2012/02/07/ministry-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrinity Institute of Cambodia (TIC)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn January 17, the board finalized and signed TIC\u0026rsquo;s constitution.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_249\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;216\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;TIC Board\u0026rdquo;] \u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2012/02/Constitution.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2012/02/Constitution-300x209.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e[/caption]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow, Darryl is working on drafting the Bylaws, HR policies, recruiting staff/teachers, started setting up the website (\u003ca href=\"https://www.trinitycambodia.org\"\u003ewww.trinitycambodia.org\u003c/a\u003e), and preparing promotional materials for classes. Dr. Kwong, the CEO, has been meeting with potential partners in other countries.  So far, TIC has been operating mainly out of our house.  We are scheduled to move in to our subleased office and classroom space in the Learning Lab building on February 15.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Ministry Update"},{"content":"Trinity Institute of Cambodia\nIn December, Darryl designed and the board approved the logo for Trinity Institute of Cambodia. We chose trees to symbolize Cambodia because one of TIC\u0026rsquo;s core values is Biblical Servant Leadership:\nJohn 15:5 NLT \u0026ldquo;Yes, I am the vine; you are the bra nches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce muc h fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.\u0026rdquo;\nMatthew 23:11 NLT \u0026quot; The greatest among you mus t be a servant.\u0026quot;\nThese two verses are counter-cultural in any culture but in Cambodia they are truly revolutionary. The goal of so many is to be the \u0026ldquo;Bong Thom\u0026rdquo; (Big Person). Leadership is to be number one, to be powerful, and to use your power for your own advantage. Biblical leadership is completely opposite. Jesus Christ is the source of our strength, we can do nothing on our own. Instead of \u0026ldquo;lording it over\u0026rdquo; others, Christian leaders must be servants. These Biblical concepts caused us to turn the normal pyramid-shaped organizational chart (with the board and executives on the top) upside down\u0026ndash;or right side up, depending on your perspective. This led us to think of our university as a tree that is rooted in Christ. Our students will be our fruit. We hope that in the heart of each student are seeds of servant-leadership that will enable them to plant more Christ-honoring universities, schools, businesses, and churches across Cambodia and beyond. The curved line that connects the three palm trees symbolizes the globe. TIC was formed by Christian leaders from Cambodia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ghana, and the USA. We desire that Cambodians spread the love of Christ beyond their national borders.\nDarryl and Dr. Kwong have finished writing the draft-constitution. We need special prayer cover during the week of January 9-15 because during this week we will be making very important decisions about approving the final Constitution, HR policies, partnership with Tabitha Services, and subleasing office/classroom space. This is truly a make or break week for us. Please pray for everyone involved in this project. Pray for unity, wisdom, protection and provision for everything we do.\n[caption id=\u0026quot;\u0026quot; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;148\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;FEBC Family 99.5 FM www.febcambodia.org\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nAnchors of Faith: Truth, Relationships, and Experience Radio Program Update So far, Darryl has written 13 scripts for the Truth segment of the Anchors of Faith Radio Program on FEBC Cambodia\u0026rsquo;s Family 99.5 FM in Phnom Penh. The radio station staff have produced 11 programs. Lord willing we will begin broadcasting one program each week within the next month or so. Please pray that Darryl will be able to write scripts at a faster pace, that the translator can keep up, and that the radio station production team can produce the programs on schedule.\nChristianity: Reasons for Faith Book Update\n[caption id=\u0026quot;\u0026quot; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;121\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Darryl\u0026rsquo;s first book.\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nDarryl has been working very hard to finish up the main editing work on the apologetics book he co-authored with Dr. Doug Collins. Meanwhile, Hoeun, the translator, has been working on translating the first two sections into the Cambodian language. Lord willing the editing work will be completely finished in January or February and the translation work will be finished soon after that. Please pray for Darryl, Doug, and Hoeun as they work on editing and translating the book into Khmer. Please pray for Fount of Wisdom publishing that everything needed for this book to be published from paper to finances will be provided.\nFamily Update\nMoving to Phnom Penh has been a big adjustment for our family. We have enjoyed having electricity 24 hours every day as well as living close to the grocery store, church, and medical care. Benjamin seems happy in our new house and he has started going to Sunday School at the international church we attend. Kayo has been very busy setting up and keeping our house going. Lord willing we will be able to hire a Christian lady to help with some of the house work so that Kayo will be freed up to continue her work of managing our ministry finances, communicating with our supporters in Japan, language study, and mentoring Cambodian Christian ladies. She has been able to start playing the flute again after putting it down since she was a musicology major in college. She senses that God wants to use her music skills in the future so she is practicing again so that she can regain her skills.\nThank you all for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support. Without the strength and resources we receive from Christ, through the branches of his people in the US and Japan, we could not accomplish anything. May God bless you all and give you an amazingly blessed 2012!\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Loving Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2012/01/09/cambodia-ministry-update-2/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrinity Institute of Cambodia\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn December, Darryl designed and the board approved the logo for Trinity Institute of Cambodia.   We chose trees to symbolize \u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2012/01/TIC-Logo.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2012/01/TIC-Logo.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Cambodia because one of TIC\u0026rsquo;s core values is Biblical Servant Leadership:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn 15:5 NLT \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Yes, I am the vine; you are the\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003ebra\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003enches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce muc\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eh fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Ministry Update"},{"content":"A New Chapter: Return to Phnom Penh\n[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_211\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;240\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Our Street in Kampong Chhnang\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nMoving Truck\nOn December 5, under cover of darkness, we moved from Kampong Chhnang to Phnom Penh, the capital. The moving truck had to travel at night to avoid extortion at police checkpoints, a common practice. This just reminds us that we need to continue to pray and work so that in Cambodia; some day the honest people can boldly operate in daylight and the criminals will have to sneak around at night.\nWe lived and ministered in Kampong Chhnang for two years. We experienced a different side of life one can only experience by living outside of the capital. Our language skills greatly improved. We also gained a better understanding of the Cambodian culture as well as the strengths and struggles of the Church. We learned to depend on God through illnesses and injuries when suitable medical care was not available.\n[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_212\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;240\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Our New Street in Phnom Penh\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nWe are thankful for our time in Kampong Chhnang. We feel peace about leaving now because the local church and Christian community seem to be stabilizing and healing from the moral and spiritual fall of multiple prominent church leaders over the past few years. Pastor Moeun has asked Darryl to return to Kampong Chhnang to speak at the church once every three months, there may be other opportunities to teach at other churches in the area as well. As we leave Kampong Chhnang, other missionaries are moving in and who will be able to cover Darryl\u0026rsquo;s work with Tahas Bible Institute. A missionary from Guatemala is now renting our old rented house. We believe that this couple will be able to reach out to the neighbors.\nWe are also looking forward to the new chapter ahead in Phnom Penh. It is one of the divine ironies that Darryl went to the wilderness of Kampong Chhnang, after his Advanced English Program at the Royal University of Law and Economics was closed down, in 2009. While in Kampong Chhnang, Darryl met Dr. Kwong, a missionary from Hong Kong, who had a vision and burden to start a Christian university. Now, Darryl is returning to Phnom Penh as the COO of Trinity Institute of Cambodia. God is replacing Darryl\u0026rsquo;s lost English Program with a Christian university!\nOur move will make Darryl\u0026rsquo;s work with Fount of Wisdom Publishing and Far East Broadcasting more efficient as well. There are also good, Christian Schools for Benjamin. We are also thankful that we could rent a townhouse in a safe and convenient neighborhood from a Singaporean tentmaker missionary couple. The electricity here is much more stable so Darryl was very happy to sell the generator and put the battery powered fans into storage!\nTrinity Institute of Cambodia Update Now that we have moved to Phnom Penh, Darryl\u0026rsquo;s work as COO of TIC will be more efficient because he no longer needs to commute 2 hours by car each way for meetings. Now, he will have a 10-minute bike ride.\nDarryl and Dr. Kwong finished the draft constitution. On January 14th, the Board will meet to discuss, modify, and hopefully ratify it. We are also making final decisions on the logo. In January, TIC will be able to move in to an office located in the pictured building and will be able to rent classroom space as needed. The rest of the building will be used as a Christian school.\nLord willing, we will be able to offer a certificate course in Strategic Management in March. For more information about the background of TIC please visit: /record/trinity-cambodia/.\nPlease pray for strength, wisdom, unity and provision for this entire undertaking. Only God can bring this Christian university from a vision and burden into reality.\nBook Update hristianity: Reasons For Faith\nDarryl has been spending most of his time editing the English manuscript of Christianity: Reasons for Faith. So far, he has edited 24 of 33 chapters (85 of 150 pages). Fount of Wisdom has arranged for Mr. Hoeun (Philip) to translate the book. So far, he has translated three chapters. Please pray for provision and wisdom in setting the budget and layout of the book.\nFount of Wisdom has to sell the books well below cost in order to make them affordable and available to the Cambodians who need them. A book that would sell for $12 in the US is sold for $3 in Cambodia. Even then, $3 is more than a one day\u0026rsquo;s wage for minimum wage Cambodian workers, as opposed to $12 being more than one hour\u0026rsquo;s wage for minimum wage American workers.\nUnlike publishers in the US, Fount of Wisdom cannot pay its authors but must rely on the authors to donate their writings and raise additional funds to pay for translation and publishing costs. Our current book, Christianity: Reasons for Faith, will be produced in a bilingual (Cambodian \u0026amp; English) format. To publish it with full-size English text, would cost around $5,700. So far, God has provided $5,000 through Doug and Doug\u0026rsquo;s ministry partners in the US and Japan. We look forward to making this amazing tool for discipleship and evangelism available to missionaries, pastors, and Christian leaders in Cambodia.\nRadio Program Update: Anchors of Faith\nDarryl continues to write scripts for the Anchors of Faith: Truth, Relationships, and Experience radio program. We are looking forward to the start of broadcasting in January. Darryl and the FEBC staff will need to meet in January or February to plan for the upcoming year of programs. Please pray for continued wisdom for all those involved in writing scripts, translation, and producing this program.\nFamily Prayer Requests\n1. The past few months have been very FULL of amazing breakthroughs and exhausting trials. We, especially Darryl, are getting physically, mentally, and emotionally tired. Please pray for refreshment and wisdom in managing all of the demands and opportunities.\n2. Please pray for our family to settle in to our new environment and routine. Please pray for Kayo as she gets our house and lifestyle set-up and organized. Please pray for Benjamin to adjust to Sunday School, make friends, and adjust to life in the city.\nIn Christ\u0026rsquo;s Hands,\nDarryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2011/12/15/cambodia-ministry-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA New Chapter: Return to Phnom Penh\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_211\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;240\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Our Street in Kampong Chhnang\u0026rdquo;] \u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/12/kc-street1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/12/kc-street1-300x225.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e[/caption]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/12/Kampong-Chhnang-to-Phnom-Penh-008.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/12/Kampong-Chhnang-to-Phnom-Penh-008-300x225.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoving Truck\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn December 5, under cover of darkness, we moved  from Kampong Chhnang to Phnom Penh, the capital.  The moving truck had to travel at night to avoid extortion at police checkpoints, a common practice.  This just reminds us that we need to continue to pray and work so that in Cambodia; some day the honest people can boldly operate in daylight and the criminals will have to sneak around at night.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Cambodia Ministry Update"},{"content":"Flooding Update:\n[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_194\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;300\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Flooding in Downtown Kampong Chhnang\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nTwo weeks ago, we were concerned about the 10 year flood that Cambodia is experiencing. Already a national disaster, if the waters had continued to rise it could have turned into a catastrophe. Even though we live on a hill, our backyard turned into a pond and we were concerned that the water could come into our house. We were also concerned that National Road #5 could become too flooded for us to drive to Phnom Penh.\nWe asked for prayer. Soon, the rains stopped for a few days allowing the water to subside some. Even though there were a couple more rainstorms last week, the flooding is beginning to go down. There is no more risk of getting cut off from Phnom Penh, where we must go for supplies and medical care.\nOne more adventure that came from the flooding was that we found and killed a snake in Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s\nplayroom. We can\u0026rsquo;t figure out what kind of snake it was. There are 86 species of snakes in Cambodia and 17 of them are venomous.\nSnake found in Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s Playroom\nWe thank God that Benjamin did not disturb the snake while playing. We will need to be extra careful when we move old boxes in preparation for moving to Phnom Penh on December 6.\nTrinity Institute of Cambodia\nDarryl started drafting the constitution\n[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_196\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;225\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;The future home of TIC\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nand Human Resource Policies in October. Lord willing, the board will approve everything in December or January so that we can move forward. TIC will sublease office and classroom space in a school building probably starting in December if the building is completed. Certificate classes could begin as soon as March, 2012 but there is so much to do between now and then.\nPlease pray for wisdom and unity for Dr. Kwong (CEO), Darryl (COO), the board, and future teachers. Please pray for efficiency and wisdom in establishing the constitution and policies that will help keep this institution true to its Christian founding. Pray for financial provision for the set up of the office, classrooms, staff, and student recruitment. Book UpdateDarryl and Doug are making final revisions to their book, Christianity: Reasons for Faith. In November, they will begin turning in chapters to Fount of Wisdom Publishing for translation into the Cambodian language. Lord willing, the book will be published in English-Khmer bilingual format in early 2012.\nPlease pray for special wisdom in the editing, translation, translation checking, and publishing process. Please pray for wisdom and provision in setting the final budget for this book. God has blessed us with a large portion of the funds already. Anchors of Faith Radio ProgramDarryl has written 12 scripts for the Truth segment of the 30 minute radio program, Anchors of Faith: Truth, Relationships, Experience. The staff at FEBC Family FM 99.5 in Phnom Penh have produced around ten complete programs. Lord willing, the weekly program will start being broadcast, on the radio station beginning in January 2012.Around half of Cambodia\u0026rsquo;s 14 million population live in the broadcast area of this radio station. After broadcast the program will be available in areas that don\u0026rsquo;t get the radio signal on CDs or MP3.\nPlease pray for wisdom and stamina for Darryl and the rest of the FEBC team to be able to produce 52 programs each year. Continue to pray for FEBC Cambodia\u0026rsquo;s finances. They have had go off the air on Saturdays. Family Prayer Requests\nThank you for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support for our family that God uses to empower us to continue or ministry in Cambodia.\nPlease pray for our family\u0026rsquo;s health and protection. Especially for Benjamin who recently seems to be in danger from sickness, falls etc. Please pray for strength and stamina to finish our time in Kampong Chhnang well. Please pray for guidance for Darryl as he prepares 3 devotions for Tahas Bible Institute and 2 sermons for Toul Ksaich Church, and delivers them in Khmer language. ","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2011/10/31/october-ministry-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlooding Update:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_194\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;300\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Flooding in Downtown Kampong Chhnang\u0026rdquo;] \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/10/October-2011-008c1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/10/October-2011-008c1-300x224.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e[/caption]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo weeks ago, we were concerned about the 10 year flood that Cambodia is experiencing.  Already a national disaster, if the waters had continued to rise it could have turned into a catastrophe.  Even though we live on a hill, our backyard turned into a pond and we were concerned that the water could come into our house.  We were also concerned that National Road #5 could  become too flooded for us to drive to Phnom Penh.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"October Ministry Update"},{"content":"Please pray for the flooding in Cambodia. So far 247 people have died and 13% of the rice crop has been destroyed. To buy supplies or go to the pharmacy Darryl has to wade through flood waters. We are concerned about the flooding in our backyard because it could eventually get into our house. [caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_184\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;aligncenter\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;300\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Downtown Kampong Chhnang-Flooded\u0026rdquo;] [/caption][caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_185\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;aligncenter\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;300\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;National Road 5\u0026rdquo;] [/caption][caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_186\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;aligncenter\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;300\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Our backyard, now a pond. \u0026ldquo;] [/caption]\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2011/10/19/flooding-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003ePlease pray for the flooding in Cambodia. So far 247 people have died and 13% of the rice crop has been destroyed. To buy supplies or go to the pharmacy Darryl has to wade through flood waters. We are concerned about the flooding in our backyard because it could eventually get into our house. [caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_184\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;aligncenter\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;300\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Downtown Kampong Chhnang-Flooded\u0026rdquo;] \u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/10/October-2011-008c.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/10/October-2011-008c-300x224.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e[/caption][caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_185\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;aligncenter\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;300\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;National Road 5\u0026rdquo;] \u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/10/October-2011-011c.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/10/October-2011-011c-300x224.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e[/caption][caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_186\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;aligncenter\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;300\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Our backyard, now a pond. \u0026ldquo;] \u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/10/October-2011-007c.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/10/October-2011-007c-300x224.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e[/caption]\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Flooding Update"},{"content":"[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_174\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;225\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Our friend, Jun, tries out a Cambodian bicycle powered water pump. \u0026ldquo;] [/caption]\n\u0026ldquo;He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.\u0026rdquo; John 7:38 NKJV\nSince the visit of the prayer team from Japan the end of August, we have experienced greater spiritual protection. September, could have been a very difficult month because of the attacks that came, but through prayer, the fiery darts continue to be deflected. For example, Benjamin was sick twice this month for around 10 days each time. The first time, around Sept. 8 he spiked a fever of 104.5 F. It was evening and we were in Kampong Chhnang so it was just too late to safely drive the hour and a half to the hospital. All we could do was pray and ask for prayer. By the next morning his fever dropped to 101 and he recovered from there. Kayo and Darryl had food poisoning as well. But, these illnesses did not become nearly as severe as they have in the past, so there was minimal disruption to our lives. At the beginning of October, we are actually more refreshed than before the trials.\nReasons for Faith Book Update\nAs of September 30, Darryl and Doug finished collecting feedback from their editors. In October, they will make final adjustments and revisions to the manuscript. Lord willing, Darryl will be able to start sending the first chapters to Fount of Wisdom\u0026rsquo;s translator by the end of October. This book started as an idea in 2009 and, Lord willing, in 2012 it will be published.\nPlease pray for special wisdom in making the final edits to this manuscript. Please pray for the translators and translation process. Trinity Institute of Cambodia Update\nThe first of many steps toward developing a Christian university in Cambodia took place in September. Darryl\u0026rsquo;s work during the month was to write the MOU to make TIC an official subsidiary of Tabitha Services, a Cambodia based organization. He also began researching accreditation standards and started writing the constitution and other administrative work.\nThe decisions that are made during this stage are very important to the future of the Christian university. The challenge is to achieve high quality education without compromising the Christian values. For example, Harvard University was started by Rev. John Harvard, \u0026ldquo;to advance learning, and perpetuate it in prosperity; dreading to leave an illiterate ministry, when our present ministers shall lie in the dust (What If Jesus Had Never Been Born, 53).\u0026rdquo; Sadly Harvard, Princeton, and many other \u0026ldquo;ivy league\u0026rdquo; universities have abandoned and rejected their Christian heritage.\nProvidentially, Trinity Institute of Cambodia is starting just as Cambodia is emerging from the shadow of war and destruction. We have an opportunity to raise up a new generation of Cambodians who will be prepared lead their churches and transform their nation\nPlease pray for wisdom for the board and administrators of TIC as we set the course and lay firm foundations. Pray for wisdom and provision for the finances necessary to start this university. Anchors For Faith Radio Program UpdateDarryl has written 10 scripts for the Truth segment of the Anchors for Faith: Truth, Relationships, and Experience radio program. The staff at FEBC family FM 99.5 so far have been able to produce 8 programs. We are thankful for the progress and we are looking forward to the time when we will have enough programs recorded to begin broadcasting on the radio station and distributing recordings to places where the signal does not yet reach. Darryl will be meeting with the FEBC staff on October 13 to discuss the future plans for the radio program.\nPlease pray for continued wisdom and guidance for all those involved in the production of this radio program. Please pray for financial provision for FEBC 99.5 FM so that they can resume 7 day a week broadcasting, they recently have had to go off the air on Saturdays. Toul Ksaich Church Update\nThe local church in Kampong Chhnang seems to be going through a time of deepening their relationship with Christ. It seems that after a season of storms and refining that the overall health of the churches in the area are also improving.\n[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_175\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;300\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Pastor Kita (Japan) praying with Pastor Moen, wife, and head elder at Toul Ksaich Church.\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nDarryl will continue to speak there monthly until December, when we move to Phnom Penh, and may return periodically to preach in the future. Now that he has completed his apologetics series to help the church understand that God\u0026rsquo;s Word is true, he is moving on into encouraging the church to learn the \u0026ldquo;whole counsel of God.\u0026rdquo; In August, the Japan Prayer Team gave the pastor a Bible Handbook and Commentary Set in Khmer language. In October Darryl wants to give the church members a one-year bible reading plan and will continue to encourage the church to move more toward a more systematic pattern of bible teaching instead of random topical sermons.\nPlease pray that this church will become a church that is truly well- grounded in the Word. Please pray for protection and discernment for the Pastor and other leaders so that they will not look at situations from the outward appearance, but truly see the heart conditions of the people in the church and to have the courage to apply the Word. International Fishers: Christian Evidence Ministry Update\nWe\u0026rsquo;ve closed down our website www.wwnet.org and transferred most of the apologetics articles to ww w.sgwm.com/record/if. In the future, Darryl will post new articles here. This is more efficient than trying to maintain two websites. Family Update\n[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_179\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;225\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Benjamin discovers basketball\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nWe have agreed to rent a house for five years in Phnom Penh starting on December 6. We are blessed that the house is owned by a Singaporean Christian family, is in a great location, is very clean, and is in a safe neighborhood. In addition to being a safe haven where we can work and live, we will also have enough extra room to host our missionary-friends who work in the countryside but must come to Phnom Penh. If/when short term teams come to visit us, we will also be better prepared to host them.\nPlease pray for our continued physical health and protection. Please pray that we will be able to \u0026ldquo;finish strong,\u0026rdquo; in Kampong Chhnang. Please pray for special wisdom and provision as we prepare our 2012 budget to meet expanding ministry and family needs (Benjamin\u0026rsquo;s education etc.). Please pray for healing for Darryl\u0026rsquo;s mother. ","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2011/10/04/september-ministry-update/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_174\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;225\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Our friend, Jun, tries out a Cambodian bicycle powered water pump. \u0026ldquo;] \u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/10/bikepump1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/10/bikepump1-225x300.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e[/caption]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.\u0026rdquo; John 7:38 NKJV\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince the visit of the prayer team from Japan the end of August, we have experienced greater spiritual protection. September, could have been a very difficult month because of the attacks that came, but through prayer, the fiery darts continue to be deflected.  For example, Benjamin was sick twice this month for around 10 days each time.  The first time, around Sept. 8 he spiked a fever of 104.5 F.  It was evening and we were in Kampong Chhnang so it was just too late to \u003cem\u003esafely\u003c/em\u003e drive the hour and a half to the hospital.  All we could do was pray and ask for prayer.  By the next morning his fever dropped to 101 and he recovered from there.  Kayo and Darryl had food poisoning as well.  But, these illnesses did not become nearly as severe as they have in the past, so there was minimal disruption to our lives.  At the beginning of October, we are actually more refreshed than before the trials.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"September Ministry Update"},{"content":"Some people reject Christianity because they believe that there is not enough evidence that it is true. Still there are others who do not reject Christianity because of its lack of evidence but because they have doubts about God’s character. In other words, is God really good? We wanted to take a moment to address some of the doubts and objections that people have in this area.\nObjection #1: If God knows everything, has all power, and claims to “love the world”, why is there so much evil, death, and suffering in the world?\nThe above question is a good question. Many people, especially Christians have struggled through this issue. The good news is that there is a good answer. One only has to look at the major story line of the Bible, God created a perfect world, humans chose to rebel against him, as a result, sin, death, and suffering became common to all life. The good news is that God provided a way to fix the problem of eternal separation from God, and one day, there will be a new heaven and new earth where there will once again be no suffering, sin, and death, and this time it will be unchangeable.\nBasically, the sins of humans are the causes of suffering, evil, wars, diseases, and death. The fact that evil and suffering is in the world actually is evidence that the Bible is true, instead of being evidence against its Truth. The good news is that God sent Jesus to fix the problems that we as humans have caused. We can read about this in Romans chapter 8 and in other parts of the Bible as well.\nOf course there is some suffering that still seems unjustified and unnecessary such as, the death of a child, a teenager being paralyzed for life, or the murder of a young mother. Still, in those times we can trust that God knows and understands our pain, his Son, Jesus, was beaten and killed too. There are also many examples of people who have suffered greatly but who have grown and been a blessing to others as a result, the teenager who was paralyzed, Joni Erikson-Tada, went on to write many books, compose songs, and speak at conferences, because of her testimony and courage countless lives have been touched. There are many more examples in which God allowed suffering in order to use the suffering for some greater purpose. In Genesis, Joseph was sold as a slave by his brothers, falsely accused, and imprisoned unjustly but God used this as the stepping stones that were necessary for him to become the second-in-command in Egypt, save his family from starvation, and to help them become a nation (Genesis 37-50) In Genesis 50:20, Joseph was able to tell the brothers that had sold him as a slave, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”\nGod is not the cause of suffering, He prevents a lot of suffering, and what suffering that He allows to happen in the world, He is willing and able to use the most painful, humiliating problems in our lives to make us stronger, to give us compassion, and to encourage others. He gives, “beauty for ashes” (Isaiah 61).\nObjection #2: If God has all-power and knows everything before it happens, why did He allow Adam and Eve to commit the first sin in the Garden of Eden? So much suffering, pain, death, and evil has resulted from that event? Why does God allow people to reject Him?\nThis is also a good question. One thing we need to make sure that we understand comes from Genesis 1:1. “In the beginning, God created\u0026hellip;” Does the word “beginning,” refer to the beginning of God or to his creation? The answer to this question is that the word beginning,” does not to refer to God. God is eternal, this means that God has no beginning. The universe had a beginning, and even time itself. If God existed before the “beginning,” he must have created time as well as the universe because time, as we know it, could not have existed, before the “beginning”. If God created time, he is greater than time, he can be outside of time, and he is not limited by time the way His creation is. This is the reason that God can so accurately inspire the prophecies in the Bible because He sees all time with the same clarity. Imagine that there is a 1 mile long path. If you are standing on the path, you can only see a few yards ahead and behind you with any kind of clarity. But, imagine that you were able to hover in the air above the path and that you could hover at any height over any part of the path you chose at any time. You could see whole path clearly. As a result of this different perspective you could tell people at the beginning of the path about the conditions at the end of the path, with complete accuracy.\nThe second aspect of God’s creation of time itself is that God can know future events with total accuracy without having to causing them to happen unless he chooses to intervene. Therefore, God did not cause Adam and Eve to sin, he just allowed it to happen and that is where this question comes in, “Why didn’t God, prevent Adam and Eve from sinning? Why doesn’t God prevent all of the suffering in the world?” Many people who ask that question, feel like God either doesn’t care about humans, he is too weak to do anything to help us, or that he enjoys our pain. None of these conclusions are correct.\nJohn 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” I John 4:19 says, “We love him, because he first loved us.” It really all comes down to love. God loves us and wants us to love him. If you really love someone you cannot force them to love you. For example, let’s imagine that a young man thinks he loves a certain young woman. Instead of trying to win her heart and her love so that she will marry him, he kidnaps her, holds her against her will in his house, forces her to go through a marriage ceremony with him, forces her to say, “I love you,” to him every day, forces her to bear his children, and forces her to live with him for life. Could a man who would commit the crimes of kidnapping, intimidation, and rape against a woman really love her? Even though the woman says, “I love you,” to the man every day for years, does she really love him? Can she? The answer is no! True love cannot be forced, it must be given freely. Love is a choice but the choice belongs to the giver. God freely chose to love humans. He has been trying to win our love since the moment he created humans. He has proven his love to us by dying on the cross to pay for our sins. Now, consider a second man, he loves a woman, he tries to win her, she rejects him. He keeps trying again and again. Over time, the woman begins to take him seriously, so she willingly accepts his proposal, she willingly marries him, she willingly, says, “I love you,” to him, she willingly has children with him, and she willingly lives with him for life. This is true love. The man may truly love the woman but she may never love him in return. In this case, it is more loving for the man to allow the woman to reject his love, even though this rejection has consequences for her, than to try to force her to love him, and in doing so become a kidnapper and rapist. God had the power to force Adam and Eve not to sin but he chose not to use his power to try to make them and us love him by force. Instead, he has been trying to win our hearts, to win our love. It is our responsibility to give Him what he deserves.\nObjection # 3: How can a loving God send people to hell?\nThis is a hard question but not a difficult one to answer if you understand that God does not force humans to love him. In heaven, those who believe in Christ, will be his bride (Ephesians 5:25-33). In Revelations 19:7 there will be a wedding ceremony. Do you think that God would try to force those people who reject him to be his bride? God has made every effort to win our love, but if we continue to reject Him, he will eventually respect our wishes and allow us to be separated from his presence forever, this is hell, and the Bible teaches that it is a very horrible place. People go to hell by their own choice, not God’s. 2 Peter 3:9 shows this, “The Lord isn\u0026rsquo;t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.”\n2 Peter 3:9 also answers the question, why God does not punish sin immediately. He is patiently waiting for all of us sinners to repent. If he killed every murderer before or soon after they could murder, they would not be able to repent and be saved. Yet, there are many murderers who have confessed their sins, put their faith in Christ, and have done great things to be a blessing to others and to lead others to salvation. While it is easy to ask God to bring swift justice and punishment on the murderers, do we really want God to bring swift justice and punishment for our own sins? Or, are we thankful that he is merciful and patient enough to give us time to repent?\nObjection #4: Is Jesus the only way to saved?\nDespite the fact that some famous pastors get all nervous and try to sound politically correct when Larry King asks them this question there is a clear and correct answer. Yes, Jesus is the only way. John 14:6 says, “Jesus told him, \u0026ldquo;I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Acts 4:11-12 also confirms this, “For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, `The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.\u0026rsquo; There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.\u0026rdquo; Christians are just the messengers, we did not make this up. If people are unhappy with this, they should talk to God about it. If a doctor gets back a lab results that say, \u0026ldquo;cancer\u0026rdquo; it is his/her responsibility to accurately pass on the message, even if the patient does not like it. It would be malpractice for the doctor to say, \u0026ldquo;Indigestion,\u0026rdquo; when the lab results say \u0026ldquo;colon cancer.\u0026rdquo; Of course, an accurate diagnosis is the first step to a successful treatment and cure. The same is true for Christianity.\nObjection #5: Isn’t it God being cruel by only giving one way to salvation?\nIf you are drowning in the ocean and a helicopter comes to rescue you, would it be cruel for them to provide only one cable and only one rescuer? One rescuer is enough to save you from drowning, if you are willing to follow the rescuer and hold on to the cable that will pull you up to safety. Two ropes and rescuers would actually cause problems because people would waste valuable time trying to choose one. We should be grateful that God, through the sinless life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ provided a suitable ladder for us to be saved instead of complaining about the limited options.\nObjections #6: What about the people who live in isolated places who have never heard the Gospel?\nThis is a good question. In Romans 1:18-21 we read, “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves. For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities\u0026ndash;his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God. Yes,they knew God, but they wouldn\u0026rsquo;t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused.” This passage teaches us that God has put the knowledge about Himself in the hearts of all humans and he has also given us evidence of his existence in the universe that He created. However, people do not want to follow the lights of conscience and creation that will lead them to Christ.\nIf someone is genuinely seeking after God, God will either lead them to the Bible, lead a Christian to them, and there are credible accounts of God speaking to people directly through dreams that start them on the path that leads them to salvation. Acts chapter 8:26-40 is a good example of this. In Acts 8:26-27 we read, “As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, \u0026ldquo;Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.\u0026rdquo; So he did, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship. . .” Ultimately this man from Ethiopia was led to salvation. Jesus also commanded his followers to “go make disciples of all the nations (Matt. 28:19-20).” In the book, Killing Fields, Living Fields, the author writes about Cambodians who were escaping from the Khmer Rouge in 1979 and in their journey they came across Bibles and evangelistic tracts left behind by Christians years earlier. These Bibles and tracts led them to accept Christ as their personal Savior. God is actively seeking those who will believe in Him and love Him.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/if/objections/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eSome people reject Christianity because they believe that there is not enough evidence that it is true. Still there are others who do not reject Christianity because of its lack of evidence but because they have doubts about God’s character. In other words, is God really good? We wanted to take a moment to address some of the doubts\nand objections that people have in this area.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eObjection #1: If God knows everything, has all power, and claims to\n“love the world”, why is there so much evil, death, and suffering in the world?\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Objections to Christianity"},{"content":"Question: If God is all-powerful and completely good, why are there so many bad things in the world such as war, famine, disease, and death?\nAnswer: God created everything to be good. Read Genesis 1:18, 1:24, and 1:31 “Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way.” God made Adam and Eve, their bodies were perfect so that they would not get sick or die. God placed them in the Garden of Eden which had everything that they needed. They didn’t even have to work. “The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it. But the LORD God gave him this warning: \u0026ldquo;You may freely eat any fruit in the garden except fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat of its fruit, you will surely die.\u0026rdquo; God walked with them in the Garden and everything was perfect.\nIn Genesis chapter 3 we see that Adam and Eve were tricked by the serpent or Satan, God’s enemy, into eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. As a result, they were removed from the Garden of Eden, sickness, death, famine, and war came into being as the result of human sin. “When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. Adam\u0026rsquo;s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.”\nSatan was once an angel who also had the freedom to choose. He was very powerful and beautiful so he chose to rebel against God. He also led other angels to rebel against God and become the enemies of God. These former angels are known as demons.\nQuestion: “Why did God, who knows everything, create angels and people to have free will when he knew that some of them would disobey him and as a result all of this suffering would enter the world?”\nAnswer: Imagine that a rich man let you live in a palace that he had built just for you. Inside of the palace there was plenty of food and it was very comfortable. You might imagine that this would be perfect. You would not have to worry about anything, you could just play and relax all day. One day, you discover that the doors and windows of the palace are locked and you cannot go outside. Suddenly, you would feel like you were in prison. Regardless of how luxurious and comfortable, without freedom, a palace is a prison. You would no longer be happy with the palace or with the rich man because you would be missing something- freedom. God created us to worship him and to love him. Jesus said, `You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.\u0026rsquo; This is not to say that God needs anything from us because he is complete but he does want us to love him. It is impossible to love someone unless you have the freedom not to love them. If someone points a gun at me and demands that I say to them, “I love you,” the fact that I say the words would not mean that I really love them. Worship without freedom is also meaningless.\nQuestion: “Okay, so God allowed sin to happen because he needed to find out who really loves him, but why doesn’t he stop evil from happening today?”\nAnswer: God is a very patient God. He has given us many warnings in the Bible that we should stop rebelling against him and accept Christ as our personal savior so that we can avoid his future punishment of sin. In the future he will stop all sin and evil but now he is just giving us time to change our minds about sin and repent. If every sin were punished immediately, no one would be alive because we are all guilty of sin.\nQuestion: Why do bad things happen to good people?\nAnswer: There are no good people because we are all sinners. “For all have sinned; all fall short of God\u0026rsquo;s glorious standard (Romans 3:23).” Many of the bad things that happen to us are because of the sin of Adam and the sin that is common all humans. For example, disease and death came from the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden. Still, some people suffer because they are doing good. In Hebrews 11:35 and many other places we see this.\nWe also see that when we suffer for doing good, we are placing our eyes on the rewards of heaven instead of earth. It is much like a mother being willing to suffer the pains of childbirth in order to have the joy that the child brings.\nUnlike other religions who have gods who do not understand our suffering,we have Christ. Jesus Christ, the only one to ever live a sinless life,suffered a lot in his life and then he was beaten and nailed to a cross. His suffering was for a higher good because by it He purchased our salvation.\nMany times our problems in this life produce better results in the end. “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything (James 1:2-4).”\nSometimes God may allow suffering into our lives to train us for greater service to him. When athletes are training for competition, they often have to work very hard and there is some pain that comes with their training. However, as they continue, they become stronger and stronger. God does not allow suffering in our lives just because he wants to see us in pain but because he has some higher reason that we may not understand now. Sometime in the future, if not in this life, when we get to heaven, we will likely understand why we had to go through hard times. As Christians, our suffering keeps us from becoming proud, helps us to learn to depend on Christ\u0026rsquo;s strength instead of our own, and gives us compassion so that we can minister to a world that is also suffering, but does not have the same Hope that we have. When, I have been discouraged and hurting the most,the people who have been able to encourage me the most were the people who had suffered the most, but yet still had joy in the Lord. They could be much more helpful than people who seemingly had perfect lives and no real problems.\nThis may provide little comfort for someone who is in the midst of suffering but we must also never forget that we have a personal relationship with God. We can talk to him about our pain. He will be there for us to comfort us. If we feel angry with God because of our suffering, we should pray that God will help us to let go of that anger which would pull us away from him. Even though God has done nothing wrong by allowing suffering in our lives it is natural to feel angry with Him during hard times. It is important to be honest with Him about your feelings and your hurts, and ask him to help you deal with your anger, frustration and pain so the trial will bring you closer to Him, instead of further away.\nWe need to have three anchors in our lives that will help us to maintain our faith in God, regardless of the trial. We need Truth, Relationships with other Christians, and the Experience of God working and moving in our lives. When we emerge from the trial, we will be able to honestly say, \u0026ldquo;I would not repeat that trial for millions of dollars, but I also would not want to give up the things that I have learned and the ways that I have grown as a result of the trial.\u0026rdquo;\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/if/pain/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eQuestion: If God is all-powerful and completely good, why are there so\nmany bad things in the world such as war, famine, disease, and death?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnswer: God created everything to be good. Read Genesis 1:18, 1:24,\nand 1:31 “Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way.” God made Adam and Eve, their bodies were perfect so that they would not get sick or die. God placed them in the Garden of Eden which had everything that they needed. They didn’t even have to work. “The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it. But the LORD God gave him this warning: \u0026ldquo;You may freely eat any fruit in the garden except fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat of its fruit, you will surely die.\u0026rdquo; God walked with them in the Garden and everything was perfect.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Pain"},{"content":"The World is a Better Place Because of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ is the most important person who ever lived on earth. Not only did He die to save people from their sins, He also changed the world for the better.\nJesus said, \u0026ldquo;The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds but when it is grown it is greater than the other plants and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.\u0026rdquo; Matthew 13:31-32\nJesus was born in a stable. His family was poor. He did not have a lot of money. He did not have an important job, he was a carpenter. In fact, at the end of his life he did not have a home. But, He became the most important person in history. His birth is the foundation for our calendar. Even non-Christians recognize Jesus Christ as the most important figure in history. Former President George W. Bush, said that Christ was the most important influence in his life.\nLook at the list below. Could you imagine life without these institutions?\n1. Hospitals 2. Universities 3. Free public education for all people 4. Literacy (teaching people to read) programs 5. Capitalism and free-enterprise 6. Representative government, especially American democracy. 7. Separation of powers (no single branch of government has all power, this limits corruption and protects freedom). 8. Freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and religion 9. Slavery has been made illegal 10. Modern science. 11. The discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus. 12. Women\u0026rsquo;s rights and equality. 13. Charities (organizations that help the poor). 14. High standards of justice 15. Elevation of common people. 16. Prevention of adultery, homosexuality, and other sexual sins. This has helped to protect the family and saved people from needless pain and death through disease. Christians love people who do wrong even if we do not agree with their lifestyle. 17. High value on human life. 18. Establishment of order and government in undeveloped cultures. 19. The written form of many languages. 20. Greater development of art and music. 21. Transformation of many lives as a result of Christ. Murderers and criminals have been changed for the better. 22. Heaven for countless souls.\nAll of these things are the result of Christ, Christianity, and Christians.\nChristianity also values human life more than other religions because the Bible teaches that every life is unique and special in God\u0026rsquo;s eyes. \u0026ldquo;So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female.\u0026rdquo; Genesis 1:27\nIn the culture of the world at and before the time of Jesus human life was not valued. Prisoners were forced to fight each other to the death or to be killed by lions for the entertainment of crowds. Babies were killed for as offerings to various idols. Abortion was widely practiced along with the killing of newborn babies. Wherever Christianity has become the religion of the majority of the people, these terrible practices have been made illegal. As Christianity declines in countries such as the US, abortion and other practices become legal again and life loses its value.\nIn non-Christian cultures women often have the same value as farm animals. They have no rights and are not allowed to do anything without the permission of their father or husband. Today, in such places as China, it is common for parents to abort female babies so that their one legal child will be male. Christianity teaches that men and women are equal before God. \u0026ldquo;So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all in one union with Jesus Christ.\u0026rdquo; (Galatians 3:28).\nIn the US (not to mention all the other nations where Christians live and give) Jewish and Christian religious institutions donate more than $19 billion each year to care for children, elderly, education, medicine, food for the hungry, and housing for the homeless. In addition, more than $6 billion is given yearly in volunteer labor (free work; doctors, teachers, builders, etc.) People who do not believe in God are not nearly so generous to the poor. They generally do not give their own money. Instead they expect the government to help the poor with other people\u0026rsquo;s money.\nThe belief that all people should receive education came from Christianity. Over the past two hundred years Christian missionaries were the first to provide education to hundreds of millions of people in lesser developed nations.\nThe universities of Cambridge, Harvard, Yale, Princeton were started to teach people about the Bible and to train pastors. Today, these universities are anti-Christian despite the fact that Christians started them.\nMuch of American democracy is based on Christianity. The idea of limited government power comes from the idea that God is above all nations and so even kings must obey God and not take away the rights of the people. The idea of human rights is based on the teaching of Christianity that humans are created by God and are given rights that cannot be taken away by the government. The idea for the separation of powers (President, Congress, Supreme Court) comes from the Christian teaching that all people are sinful and so no single person should have all power but that others should limit their power.\nImportant scientists who believed that God created the universe. Joseph Lister-antiseptic surgery Louis Pasteur-bacteriology Isaac Newton-calculus Johannes Kepler-mechanics of stars and planets Robert Boyl-chemistry Georgess Cuvier-comparative anatomy Charles Babbage-computer science John Ambrose Fleming-electronics Gregor Mendel-genetics Blaise Pascal-hydrostatics. William Ramsey-isotopic chemistry John Ray-natural history And many more!\nHospitals-The first hospitals that took care of the poor as a ministry were founded by Christians around the year 350. Christians believe that serving the poor and the sick is the same as serving Christ.\nMatthew 25:34-40 34. \u0026ldquo;Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37. \u0026ldquo;Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38. When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39. When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40. \u0026ldquo;The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'\nThe Red Cross was founded by Henry Dunant in 1864 to prevent the suffering and death of soldiers on the battlefield because he felt the call of God to do this.\nSource: Kennedy, D. James. and Newcombe, Jerry (1994) What if Jesus had never been born? Thomas Nelson Publishing.\nThis is a very encouraging book!\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/if/god-and-life/jesus-changed-the-world/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe World is a Better Place Because of Jesus Christ\u003c/strong\u003e\nJesus Christ is the most important person who ever lived on earth. Not only did He die to save people from their sins, He also changed the world for the better.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJesus said, \u0026ldquo;The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds but when it is grown it is greater than the other plants and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.\u0026rdquo; Matthew 13:31-32\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Jesus Changed the World!"},{"content":"Many people think that one has to believe in evolution to be a scientist but this is not true. Modern science was founded by people who believed that God created the universe.\nIf everything happened by random chance, then everything would be random so you could not study it. But, the universe shows a lot of order. Where did all this order come from?\nFaith is not contrary to science. Christians have faith (supported by a lot of evidence) that God exists and that He created the universe. Atheists have faith too. They have to have faith that everything happened by chance and that there is no God. If our Christian faith is misguided, we lose nothing, because random chance cannot hold a grudge.\nHowever, if the atheists are wrong, then they have offended the Creator by not giving Him credit for his creation. They will lose everything.\nCreationists Who Founded Modern Science Kepler—Astronomy Pascal—Hydrostatics Boyle—Chemistry Newton—Physics Steno—Stratigraphy Faraday—Magnetic theory Babbage—Computers Agassiz—Ichthyology Simpson—Gynecology Mendel—Genetics Pasteur—Bacteriology Kelvin—Thermodynamics Lister—Antiseptic surgery Maxwell—Electrodynamics Ramsay—Isotopic chemistry\nSource: Geisler, N. L., \u0026amp; Brooks, R. M. (1990). When skeptics ask (Page 214). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/if/god-and-life/science-and-creation/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eMany people think that  one has to believe in evolution to be a scientist but this is not true.   Modern science was founded by people who believed that God created the universe.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf everything happened by random chance, then everything would be random so you could not study it.  But, the universe shows a lot of order.  Where did all this order come from?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFaith is not contrary to science.  Christians have faith (supported by a lot of evidence) that God exists and that He created the universe. Atheists have faith too.  They have to have faith that everything happened by chance and that there is no God.  If our Christian faith is misguided, we lose nothing, because random chance cannot hold a grudge.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Science and Creation"},{"content":"Sadly, some people think of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ as merely a story that people tell around Easter. However, this event, the most important event in all human history, really happened just as it says in the Bible. If this Jesus Christ really came back to life, then Christianity is true and Jesus is the only way to heaven. If it is not true, then Christianity falls apart (I Corinthians 15). Here are some answers to questions about this subject.\n1. How do we know that it was really Jesus that was killed and not someone else? Did they crucify the right one? When we read the stories of the arrest of Jesus (John 18:1-11,Luke 22:47-53, Mark 14:43-52, and Matthew 26:47-56) we see that Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus\u0026rsquo; disciples for three years identified Jesus for the soldiers so that they could be sure that they had the right man. Jesus had been teaching in the temple and so it is likely that there were others in the mob that arrested Jesus who could confirm that Judas identified Jesus correctly instead of mistakenly identifying one of the disciples. In Luke 22: 47-53 we can see that Judas not only identified him but that one of the disciples cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus, healed the man on the spot. Only Jesus could perform miracles like that. He just touched the place where the ear had been cut off and it was healed. He also gave one more teaching about living by the sword and dying by the sword, this is a teaching that only Jesus could give. He was so peaceful. If they arrested one of the disciples by mistake, there is no way that the disciple would have calmly healed the servant and given a sermon as we can see in Matthew 26: 52-54 Put away your sword,\u0026quot; Jesus told him. \u0026ldquo;Those who use the sword will be killed by the sword. Don\u0026rsquo;t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?\u0026rdquo; (NIV) Only Jesus could so calmly heal the servant\u0026rsquo;s ear and then calmly make such a profound statement about living by the sword and dying by the sword. From the time Jesus was arrested until he was sealed in the tomb, the living and dead Jesus was in constant view of soldiers. He was bound and there was no way that any mistakes were made about who he was. The right man was crucified. After the resurrection, the skeptics of that time, denied the resurrection but they did not claim that the accidentally crucified the wrong person instead of Jesus. This argument was only invented much later.\n2. How do we know that Jesus really died? Maybe he just pretended to be dead or fainted and then \u0026ldquo;came back to life\u0026rdquo; three days later. Let\u0026rsquo;s look at what happened to Jesus. He was beaten with a whip by Roman soldiers. The whips that were used had lead balls or bone at the tips of the 9 thongs. These whips made deep cuts into his body. Many people died just from these beatings. Jesus would have lost a lot of blood. If each thong made a cut and Jesus received 39 blows (he may have received more), Jesus\u0026rsquo; body would have had 351 deep cuts. Then they placed a crown of thorns on his head. Later, spikes were driven into his hands and feet and he was hung on a cross which killed people by slowly suffocating them. After Jesus died, the soldiers drove a spear into his chest which went through a lung and into his heart. There is no way that Jesus could have survived this. In addition, Jesus was in a tomb which was closed by a big stone. There is no way that a man in Jesus\u0026rsquo; condition or even a healthy man could have stayed in the grave for three days without food or water then suddenly moved the stone and escaped without alarming the guards. Jesus really died. Even if all the above were possible, Jesus would have been in such bad condition that he might have gotten pity from his followers but they never would have believed in him. They would not have been so sure of his resurrection that they themselves were willing to be tortured and executed for that belief. Jesus after the resurrection was so inspiring that his disciples were transformed and his skeptics, including his brother James believed.\n3. How do we know that Jesus was really placed in a solid rock tomb and not buried in a shallow grave under a pile of rocks?\nThe Bible teaches that Jesus was placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man. Rich people were buried in rocks which were carved into solid rock. The opening was covered by a large rock which was rolled into place, just as the Bible teaches. We should trust what the Bible teaches on this point because it describes perfectly Jewish tombs of the day. Beyond that, we see that soldiers were placed in front of the tomb. In addition a seal was placed on the stone. Both the disciples, the priests, and the Romans all agreed that Jesus dead body was placed in a tomb. The idea that Jesus body was buried in a shallow grave was never considered factual at the time of the disciples. It came from people who do not want to believe in the resurrection and are looking for any excuse, no matter how far-fetched.\n4. Is it possible that the disciples stole the body of Jesus? The disciples were very frightened and ran away when Jesus was arrested so it seems unlikely that they would be brave enough to face fully armed Roman soldiers just days later. Remember, the disciples were fishermen and tax collectors etc. They were not trained soldiers. They would not be a match for Roman soldiers. During Jesus\u0026rsquo; arrest, one of the disciples tried to kill one of the servants of the priests with a sword, but he was only able to cut off his ear, which Jesus healed. Given the fact that the body was in a stone tomb, with a big stone and a seal over the only entrance it would have literally taken a miracle to be able to steal Jesus\u0026rsquo; body without being noticed. If the disciples tried to covertly steal Jesus body, there his a high probability that the guards would have noticed and there would have been a fight. If that happened, many of the disciples would have been killed or wounded in the fight.There is also no report of harm being done to the guards. A meeting of all the religious leaders was called, and they decided to bribe the soldiers. They told the soldiers, \u0026ldquo;You must say, `Jesus\u0026rsquo; disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.\u0026rsquo; If the governor hears about it, we\u0026rsquo;ll stand up for you and everything will be all right.\u0026rdquo; So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today. Matthew 28:12-15 NIV The guards may have said that they fell asleep but there were anywhere from 10-16 guards guarding the tomb. If they were caught sleeping while on guard duty, they were to be beaten and burned alive. There is no way that every one of 10-16 guards, who knew that the penalty for falling asleep on duty would have fallen asleep. If even one guard was awake, the disciples could not have stolen the body without someone being injured or killed. If the disciples had stolen the body of Jesus, why would they die for the belief that he rose from the dead?\n5. How do we know that Jesus rose from the dead?\nWe know that the tomb was empty, both Jesus\u0026rsquo; friends and enemies agreed to that. We know that whatever happened was so amazing that it frightened Roman soldiers. Also, Christ\u0026rsquo;s grave clothes were empty but still wrapped in the form of his body. Jesus appeared to many people, including women and 500 people at one time (1 Cor.15). He even appeared to people who were skeptical such as Thomas. Even James, his brother, who had earlier been one of Jesus\u0026rsquo; critics later became a leader of the Church and was stoned to death for this belief. James knew Jesus well and despite all of the miracles he did not believe in him until after the resurrection. Jesus must have been very amazing in order to convince James.\n6. After the resurrection did Jesus have physical body or was he just a ghost or a dream (hallucination) that appeared to his followers?\nPlease read Luke 24:35-43 Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. He said, \u0026ldquo;Peace be with you.\u0026rdquo; But the whole group was terribly frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! \u0026ldquo;Why are you frightened?\u0026rdquo; he asked. \u0026ldquo;Why do you doubt who I am? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it\u0026rsquo;s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don\u0026rsquo;t have bodies, as you see that I do!\u0026rdquo; As he spoke, he held out his hands for them to see, and he showed them his feet. Still they stood there doubting, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, \u0026ldquo;Do you have anything here to eat?\u0026rdquo; They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched.\nJesus was not a dream or a hallucination. A single individual may have a dream but hundreds of people cannot have the same dream. Jesus was not a ghost or spirit. Spirits do not have physical bodies. Jesus could eat fish. When he walked along the road and talked to his disciples, I am sure that he left footprints and the disciples could hear the sound of his footsteps and breathing. If he were a spirit, his disciples would have noticed. Several people at the same time could see the wounds in his hands and feet. I am sure that some of them touched him, most likely Thomas. John 20: 24-28 One of the disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, \u0026ldquo;We have seen the Lord!\u0026rdquo; But he replied, \u0026ldquo;I won\u0026rsquo;t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.\u0026rdquo; Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. He said, \u0026ldquo;Peace be with you.\u0026rdquo; Then he said to Thomas, \u0026ldquo;Put your finger here and see my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don\u0026rsquo;t be faithless any longer. Believe!\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;My Lord and my God!\u0026rdquo; Thomas exclaimed.\nJesus after the resurrection was in a physical body. His body after the resurrection was better than the one that he had before the crucifixion. For example, he could go through walls or closed doors without opening them. He could disappear when he wanted.\nHe is risen! He is risen indeed!\nFor more information read:\nStrobel, Lee The Case For Christ Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 1998\nWilson, Bill The Best of Josh McDowell A Ready Defense Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 1993\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/if/resurrection-evidence/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eSadly, some people think of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ as merely a story that people tell around Easter.  However, this event, the most important event in all human history, really happened just as it says in the Bible.  If this Jesus Christ really came back to life, then Christianity is true and Jesus is the only way to heaven.  If it is not true, then Christianity falls apart (I Corinthians 15).  Here are some answers to questions about this subject.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Resurrection Evidence"},{"content":"Biosphere 2 inferior to Biosphere 1\nOn September 26, 1991 four men and four women entered a special building named Biosphere 2 in the US state of Arizona. The doors were closed and locked and did not open again until September 26, 1993. The walls and the roof of the 12,700 square meter building were made of glass. The building was completely sealed so that no air from the outside could get in. No expense was spared in this US $200 million building to make it possible for eight people to be completely independent of outside oxygen or food. Inside, the building, there was a 1,900 square meter rainforest, an 850 square meter ocean with a coral reef, a 450 square meter mangrove wetlands, a 1,300 square meter savannah grassland, a 1,400 square meter fog desert, a 2,500 square meter agricultural system, and a living area for the eight people. Sunlight through a glass roof and electricity were the only things that came in from the outside.\nBiosphere 2 was built to research whether people could live in a self-contained environment. They grew their own food, recycled water including human wastes, and maintained a healthy atmosphere. They raised crops such as bananas, papayas, sweet potatoes, beets, peanuts, beans, rice, and wheat. They also raised goats, chickens, pigs, and fish.\nMaintaining human life and health in this artificial environment was much more difficult than expected. During the two year term mission, the eight person crew was only able raise 83% of their own food. This means that without emergency reserves of food brought in from the outside, they would have eventually died of starvation. Carbon dioxide levels went up and down quickly, and as a result, most of the animals, fish, and birds died. The crew had to constantly monitor carbon dioxide levels, grow more plants, and even used special machines to reduce carbon dioxide levels to a safe level. Oxygen levels dropped from 20.9% the same as in the earth’s atmosphere to a dangerously low 14.5% after 16 months of the 24-months experiment. The crew began to experience health problems and so additional oxygen had to be pumped into the building. Without the addition of oxygen from the outside, all living things would have died.\nAfter the mission ended, they made improvements to the building to deal with the carbon dioxide problems. In another mission that lasted six months, they were able to produce enough food and did not have problems with oxygen or carbon dioxide.\nOne of the greatest lessons we can learn from the Biosphere 2 project, is that creating and maintaining an environment that can sustain living things, especially human life, requires more intelligence, planning, energy, and money than anyone expected. In biosphere 2, they struggled to manually control the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels but this is done automatically in Biosphere 1, which we know as our earth. We all live in Biosphere 1, the earth. We do not worry about our oxygen and carbon dioxide levels because they are maintained automatically.\nBiosphere 2 required a lot of engineers and scientists to build and during the 2-year project, without outside assistance in the form of oxygen boosts, carbon dioxide management, electricity, and emergency food reserves, life in Biosphere 2 would have ceased in less than 2 years.\nSome people mistakenly believe the universe and the earth were created by chance. However, the Biosphere 2 project is strong evidence that ecosystems that can sustain life require intelligent minds to create and intelligence to maintain.\nThink about these verses:\nGen 1:1 NLT - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.\nJob 5:10 NLT - He gives rain for the earth. He sends water for the fields.\nJob 12:15 NLT - If he holds back the rain, the earth becomes a desert. If he releases the waters, they flood the earth.\nMat 6:25 NLT - \u0026ldquo;So I tell you, don\u0026rsquo;t worry about everyday life\u0026ndash;whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn\u0026rsquo;t life consist of more than food and clothing? Mat 6:26 NLT - Look at the birds. They don\u0026rsquo;t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Mat 6:27 NLT - Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not. Mat 6:28 NLT - \u0026ldquo;And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don\u0026rsquo;t work or make their clothing, Mat 6:29 NLT - yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. Mat 6:30 NLT - And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won\u0026rsquo;t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! Mat 6:31 NLT - \u0026ldquo;So don\u0026rsquo;t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Mat 6:32 NLT - Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, Mat 6:33 NLT - and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. Mat 6:34 NLT - \u0026ldquo;So don\u0026rsquo;t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today\u0026rsquo;s trouble is enough for today.\nGod not only created the universe He maintains it as well. The Biosphere 2 project demonstrates that complex ecosystems cannot happen by chance but instead, they must be planned and constructed by intelligent beings in such a way to provide an environment that can support life.\nThe Biosphere 2 experiment also shows us that maintaining the environment also requires intelligent beings to manage it directly or to design automatic control systems that can control it based on some kind of a program. The earth has an automatic management system.\nExamples of Fine Tuning\nHere are some examples of how God has designed the earth and the universe so that humans and other living things could live.\n1. If the earth were 5% closer to the Sun, all the water would evaporate and all living things would die (Malcom Bowden). 2. If the earth were 1% farther away from the Sun, the oceans would freeze (Malcom Bowden) 3. If the Earth\u0026rsquo;s diameter were just 9% smaller, then nearly all of the Earth, due atmospheric difference, would be constantly covered by snow and ice (Dr. Duane Gish). 4. Gravity is very important to life. Too little gravity and we would fly off of the earth’s surface as it spins, too much and we would all be crushed. The force of gravity in our universe could possibly be extremely different that it is. However if it were different by even a very small amount, “our sun would not exist and therefore neither would we” To give you an idea about how precisely gravity must be balanced in order for the sun to exist we have to have big imaginations.\nImagine if someone could stretch a tape measure between the Sun and beyond the planet Pluto by 25%. This is a huge distance. The earth is 150 million kilometers from the sun. The distance between the Sun and Pluto is nearly 50 times longer than the distance between the Sun and the Earth.\nNow imagine if someone could make a tape measure go between the Sun and the 25% beyond Pluto more than 100 trillion times. Somewhere on that tape measure that runs between the Sun and beyond Pluto 100 trillion times is a grain of rice. The grain of rice represents the force of gravity in our universe. The tape measure represents the entire range of the strength of gravity that are possible. If that grain of rice were moved by just 1 millimeter in either direction, the Sun would disappear and so would al living things. That is absolute precision. That is amazing balance.\nHugh Ross, who holds a PhD in Astronomy from the University of Toronto lists 93 examples of fine tuning or factors that must be perfectly balanced for life to exist in our universe.\nThis question must be answered, what or who is responsible for all of the fine tuning in the universe?\nIn another program, we discussed how living things are full of examples of technology from DNA that is superior to any man-made software, to microscopic flagellar motors that exceed the performance of any engine made by humans as well as the high technology found in birds, whales, dolphins, and fireflies that are superior to the technologies of the most advanced militaries in the world.\nAll of these high-tech living things live in a precisely balanced environment called the earth. When humans tried to manage a small-scale self-contained environment during the Biosphere 2 experiments in the 1990’s they found that constructing and maintaining a life-supporting environment was more difficult than they could have imagined.\nThe fact that the universe is fine-tuned, is confirmed by many scientists, not just Christian scientists.\nDr. Dennis Scania, the head of Cambridge University Observatories, has been quoted as follows: “If you change a little bit, the laws of nature, or you change a little bit the constants of nature-like the charge of on the electron-then the way the way life develops is so changed, it is very likely that intelligent life would not have been able to develop. (Simpletoremember.com)\nDr. Michael Turner, astrophysicist at the University of Chicago is quoted as follows: “The precision is as if one could throw a dart across the entire universe and hit a bulls eye (of a target) on millimeter in diameter on the other side (of the universe) (Simpletoremember.com)\nPhysicist Paul Davis is also quoted as follows: “It is hard to resist the impression that the present structure of the universe, apparently so sensitive to minor alterations in numbers has been rather carefully thought out\u0026hellip;The seemingly miraculous occurrence of these numerical values must remain the most compelling evidence for cosmic design. (Strobel, Case for the Creator 125).\nThe fact that so many factors that are critical to life must be precisely balanced, demonstrates that not only is it impossible that the universe was created by chance alone but it could not be maintained by chance alone either. Imagine that we could walk into a room and find a large control panel with 93 knobs on it. So far scientist such as Hugh Ross have listed 93 examples of fine-tuning in the universe that are critical to the existence of living things.\nThis imaginary control panel, controls the settings for the universe. Now, imagine that if you moved any of the 93 controls more than just a little bit, or at all in some cases, the universe, sun, stars, earth, and/or all living things would cease to exist. I am sure that if we discovered such a control panel, we would ask two questions. 1. Who made the control panel, because it could not happen by chance? 2. What intelligent being set all of the controls on this control panel to the precise levels so that life could exist?\nThere are some objections to this argument. One common objection is that there may be more than one universe and if there is more than one universe then, the living things in this universe were just lucky. Earth just happened to win the lottery. One way we can respond to this objection is to point out that there is absolutely no evidence that more than one universe exists. The only reason why people want to believe that there are multiple universes is because they do not want to follow the evidence of fine-tuning to its logical conclusion, that there is an Intelligent Designer, a God who made and manages the universe. While there is no evidence for multiple universes, there is a lot of evidence for the existence of God besides fine tuning. There is strong evidence for the Bible and there is strong evidence for Jesus Christ. There is also the evidence from many people from all over the globe from all times that have personally experienced God’s power in one way or another. The multi-universe objection to fine tuning is similar to the student who did not do his homework but told his teacher, “I did my homework, but the dog ate it.”\nAnother objection to the fine tuning evidence is that living things on earth adapted to the universe through chance, evolution, and natural selection. The universe was not adapted to the living things but the living things were adapted to the universe. For example, a tailor adjusts the clothes to fit the body but does not adjust the body to fit the clothes. Living things are the clothes that are adjusted to fit the universe’s body and not the other way around. One way to respond to this challenge is to point out that cloth will not form itself into a perfectly fitted shirt or pants, or even a poorly fitted shirt or pants by chance. If you see a shirt, you know that it did not happen by chance, someone, whether it was a tailor or a garment factory worker made it. The fact that living things are adapted to the universe does not disprove the evidence of fine-tuning of the universe but it actually shows us that God created a universe that things could live in, and then created living things that could live in the universe. A person can make a cabinet for plates and then make plates that will fit in the cabinet. The evidence that the dishes were made to fit in the cabinet does not mean that the cabinet was not made a specific size and shape so that a certain number of dishes that were made later, could fit in it perfectly.\nA third objection to the fine-tuning argument is that there may be different kinds of life that are not carbon based life, as we have on earth. If so, these life forms may not need the same levels of gravity and 92 other factors that carbon-based life on earth needs. One way to respond to this objection is to point out that all living things on earth are based on carbon and that no other life forms have ever been discovered that were based on any other element such a silicone have ever been discovered anywhere. This idea is not constructed from the evidence but is merely a way to avoid the inescapable conclusion of the evidence.\nIf there are 93 factors such as gravity, liquid water, and correct distance from the sun that must be balanced. Let’s assume that each one of these factors had a 10% probability of coming about by chance. If we remember the fine tuning of gravity at 1 millimeter in more than 100 trillion times the distance between the Sun and Pluto, 10% is too high but for mathematical simplicity we will accept it. Therefore, the probability of all 93 factors that are necessary for life to happen by random chance alone at a single place and time in order to make life possible on the earth is 1 chance in a number so large we cannot even give it a name, we can only imagine a 1 with 93 zeros behind it.\nThese small odds of life being able to exist by chance let alone to have been brings Dr. Norman Geisler and Frank Turek’s book entitled, “I don’t have enough faith to be an athiest,” to mind.\nRomans 1:20 says it best, “From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities\u0026ndash;his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.” Location of Earth\n“Location, Location, Location” is the mantra of the real estate industry. The price and value of a particular house, building, or property is greatly influenced by its location. A small apartment in the right location in certain cities can have a higher value than a huge house in a bad location.\nThe same is true for astronomy and cosmology, the science-fields that study, planets, starts, galaxies, and ultimately the universe. The location of the earth is very important to those fields. If the earth were located in a different place in the Milky Way Galaxy, the sky could be too hazy to be able to see the sun, or the stars. Scientific research would be impossible. Scientists have also recently discovered that the same factors that make life possible on earth also make earth the best place in the galaxy if not the universe to make scientific observations. Is it only a coincidence that humans, who are capable of making intelligent observations about the universe, are living on a planet that is not only fine-tuned for life but also for scientific observation? Guillermo Gonzalez and Jay Richards, co-authors of the book entitled Privileged Planet do not think so. They argue that, “The same narrow circumstances that allow us to exist also provide us with the best overall setting for making scientific discoveries.” They suspect that this is not an accident but an evidence of an Intelligent Designer, God.\nAccording to Charles Beichman, Project Scientist for NASA’s (United States-National Air and Space Administration) Terrestrial Planet Finder Program and Bijan Nemati, a Physicist at Jet Propulsion Laboratories, the same laws of physics and chemistry that apply on earth to making life possible also apply on any other planet anywhere in the universe just as they do on earth. Therefore, the factors that are necessary for complex on earth would be the same factors necessary for complex life on any other planet.\nJust as life on earth needs dry land, liquid water, and an oxygen rich atmosphere to survive, life on any other planet would need those things as well. In order to have these things, a planet needs to be within a specific range of distance from a star. If it is too close there will be no water, if it is too far away the water will freeze. However, liquid water is not the only factor that is necessary for life to survive, there are many other factors as well that need to all come together on a single planet all at the same time for complex living things to be able to survive.\nAccording to Donald Brownlee, the Principal Investigator of NASA’s (National Air and Space Administration of the US Government) Stardust Mission and author of the book entitled Rare Earth, simple microscopic life could exist on other planets, but planets that could possibly host complex life such as humans, animals, and plants are very rare. Brownlee says, “If you compare all of the known places in the universe, none of them compare to earth. We live in a very special environment, which provides what we need, it provides air, it provides food, it provides stable conditions. So the earth is almost like a giant organism where systems are interacting in a way that allows animals to survive\u0026hellip;.If you look at thousands of planets, only a small fraction, a very small fraction will be earthlike.”\nComplete solar eclipses occur when the moon comes between the earth and the sun at specific time and place. This rarely happens but when it does happen it has provided key information that have made it possible for scientists to make important discoveries about light, discovered elements such as helium, and has provided the basis for calculating distance in space. Perfect solar eclipses are rare but possible between the sun, moon, and earth but they are impossible from most other planets. In order, to have a perfect solar eclipse, the moon must be able to completely block the light of the sun. The sun is 400 times larger than the moon but the moon is 400 times closer to the earth than the sun so they appear to be the same size from the surface of the earth.\nThe size of earth’s moon and the earth’s distance between the earth and the sun are both critical to the survival of life on earth. The moon regulates earth’s climate and the earth is just the right distance from the sun to have liquid water. Therefore, the factors that make earth able to support intelligent life also make it possible for intelligent beings on earth to observe the universe. This relationship between earth’s special ability to support life and its ability to provide the perfect platform for scientific observation can also be seen in the precise location of the earth between the arms of the Milky Way Galaxy. The atmosphere of the earth, which is precisely tuned for both life and scientific discovery, is also extremely rare. The fact that the atmosphere allows in visible light while blocking the other kinds of radiation from spaces such as ultraviolet radiation is important for both life to exist and for scientists to be able to observe the universe.\nWhen detectives investigate crimes to find out who committed the crime, they look for clues and evidence. A single fiber from a carpet can link a person to a specific vehicle or building, a single hair or drop of blood can provide DNA evidence that can prove beyond all reasonable doubt that a certain suspect was at the crime scene, even if the suspect denies it. A fingerprint in one place or another can be very powerful evidence for the guilt or innocence of a suspect. Eyewitnesses are another important part of the body of evidence that go together to make a strong case for a suspects guilt or innocence. Expert testimony and scientific research also comes into play.\nDuring this program and other programs in this series, we have seen a lot of evidence from science that all point to one fact, the universe, the earth, and the living things on the earth, including humans, were not created by chance or accident. Instead, the evidence points to an intelligent creator, a being that is infinitely more intelligent and powerful than humans. The only being that fits that description is God. The case is even stronger because God, the only one that has the power and intelligence to create the universe and all that is in it has said that He was responsible for the creation of the universe. God clearly states that He alone created the universe in the Bible.\nSome may mistakenly think that God is just one of many creators of the universe and that there are many gods. However, God denies this claim in the Bible. God is sufficiently powerful to have created the universe. The uniformity of the laws of chemistry and physics through-out the universe indicate that the entire universe came from a single mind, and that there is only one Creator God.\nThe words of the Psalmist reflect the evidence from the scientists:\nPsa 19:1 NLT - The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship. Psa 19:2 NLT - Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. Psa 19:3 NLT - They speak without a sound or a word; their voice is silent in the skies; Psa 19:4 NLT - yet their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to all the world. The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it.\nSources: Strobel, Lee Case for the Creator, Zondervan,2004 Privileged Planet: Illustra Media http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosphere_2 http://www.blueletterbible.org/ http://www.creationencounter.com/space/finetuning.php http://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/creatorfacts\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/if/god-and-life/finetuning/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBiosphere 2 inferior to Biosphere 1\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn September 26, 1991 four men and four women entered a special building named Biosphere 2 in the US state of Arizona. The doors were closed and locked and did not open again until September 26, 1993. The walls and the roof of the 12,700 square meter building were made of glass. The building was completely sealed so that no air from the outside could get in. No expense was spared in this US $200 million building to make it possible for eight people to be completely independent of outside oxygen or food. Inside, the building, there was a 1,900 square meter rainforest, an 850 square meter ocean with a coral reef, a 450 square meter mangrove wetlands, a 1,300 square meter savannah grassland, a 1,400 square meter fog desert, a 2,500 square meter agricultural system, and a living area for the eight people. Sunlight through a glass roof and electricity were the only things that came in from the outside.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"God and Fine Tuning"},{"content":"Technology is becoming more important in the daily lives of more and more people. Radios and televisions can be found in huts in the jungle. Jet airplanes fly above us and satellites orbit the earth. These are all examples of technology. Technology can relate to many different things from simple things like a clay pot, a wooden automobiles, and aircraft.\nWhether a device is simple or complex, a clay pot or a jet airplane, all technology has two things in common. First, someone made it. Second, it could not possibly have been created by accident or chance. All buildings have a builder. All computer programs have one or more programmers. All paintings have a painter.\nChance does exist and some things can happen by chance. For example, chance is the force behind gambling, lotteries, and casinos, tornadoes, typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis. While chance can determine if a person wins or loses at a card game it cannot create anything new. If someone goes into a casino and is found with extra cards in their sleeves, the casino owners will know that they are cheating. If they say that the cards formed in their sleeves by chance, no one will believe them.\nChance is a powerful force but it is a destructive force. A large sign near Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia advertising a mobile phone company that took skilled workers days or even weeks to construct was destroyed by high winds in just a few minutes. Chance in the form of winds, rain, and storms could not build Angkor Wat, but without humans to maintain the buildings, eventually time and chance would reduce the famous temples to piles of rocks.\nIn Toul Tom Poung Market in Phnom Penh, you can find all of the parts necessary to build a motorcycle. You can find wheels, motors, seats, handlebars, chains, and more. If a tornado hit that section of the market and picked up all of the motorcycle parts and spun them around at high speed, do you think that any motorcycles could be put together from the parts that are spinning around in the air? It is obvious that no motorcycles would be created by chance and even more likely that the parts that were in good condition before the storm would be destroyed by the wind.\nIf you believe that technology can be created by chance, you can perform a simple experiment. First, take your cell phone completely apart. Second, put all of the pieces in a bag. Then, shake the bag for one year. This is chance. At the end of the year, open the bag. Will your cell phone have been put back together by chance? Or, will you have a bag full of dust and broken cell phone parts? Chance cannot create complex things but it can destroy them.\nCreation of complex structures and devices requires an intelligent designer. Designers of lesser skill often copy the designs of other more skilled designers. This is why there are so many fake Loui Vitton, Gucci, and Chanel bags, clothes, and sunglasses in the markets. By imitating some design or something, even if it is with a bad motive such greed, the copying copying designer is admitting that someone else’s ideas and design are better than their own. Their own ideas and work are not good enough to sell so they must copy someone else’s work.\nIf the saying by Charles Caleb Colton that “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” is correct, what can we learned from the following examples?\nFirst example: Here is a quote about research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on sciencedaily.com\nEveryone knows what it is like for an airplane to land: the slow maneuvering into an approach pattern, the long descent, and the brakes slamming on as soon as the plane touches down, which seems to just barely bring it to rest a mile later. Birds, however, can switch from barreling forward at full speed to lightly touching down on a target as narrow as a telephone wire. Why can’t an airplane be more like a bird? MIT researchers have demonstrated a new control system that allows a foam glider with only a single motor in its tail to land on a perch, just like a pet parakeet.\nSecond example: Here is another quote from the Stephanie Reitz of the Associated Press which was posted on Yahoo News.\nSomeday, the secrets of fireflies or glowing sea plankton could save an American soldier in battle, a Navy SEAL on a dive or a military pilot landing after a mission. That\u0026rsquo;s the hope behind a growing field of military-sponsored research into bioluminescence, a phenomenon that\u0026rsquo;s under the microscope in laboratories around the country. For university scientists who specialize in bioluminescence, an organism\u0026rsquo;s ability to illuminate with its own body chemistry, military research grants are offering a chance to break ground.\nThird example: Sea living mammals such as whales and dolphins have amazing ability to hear underwater. Before noise of modern propeller driven ships, whales could hear the sounds other whales swimming up to 20,000 kilometers away. Dolphins can detect fish as small as 3 centimeters long up to 70 meters away. This greatly exceeds the capability of any human-made technology to hear underwater. Even with all of the modern SONAR equipment used by the most advanced militaries of the world, they still cannot equal the abilities of dolphins and whales to hear underwater.\nFourth example: Here is a quote from wikepedia.org about the flagellum or whiplike tail that moves cells such as bacteria.\nThe bacterial flagellum is driven by a rotary engine made up of protein\u0026hellip;. The engine is powered by the flow of protons (hydrogen ions) across the bacterial cell membrane. The rotor transports protons across the membrane, and is turned in the process. The rotor alone can operate at 6,000 to 17,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). According to Michael Behe, PhD, “the flagellum’s propeller can spin at 10,000 rpm,” which is faster than the engines of most high performance cars and it can reverse direction in only ¼ of a revolution, which is impossible for any engine made by humans.\nFlagella do not rotate at a constant speed but instead can increase or decrease their rotational speed in relation to the strength of the proton motive force. Flagellar rotation can move bacteria through liquid media at speeds of up to 60 cell lengths/second (sec). Although this is only about 0.00017 km/h (0.00011 mph), when comparing this speed with that of higher organisms in terms of number of lengths moved per second, it is extremely fast. By comparison, the cheetah, the fastest land animal, can sprint at 110 km/h (68 mph), which is approximately 25 body lengths/sec.\nWe have seen that scientists are copying the design of birds in order to improve airplanes. Researchers for the U.S. military are trying to copy the design of fireflies in order to provide better lighting for the military and the underwater listening capability of dolphins and whales cannot be equaled by the most advanced navies of the world. On the other hand, birds are not trying to imitate airplanes, fireflies are not trying to imitate electric lights, and whales are not trying to copy modern ships.\nThis indicates that the designer of birds, fireflies, dolphins, and the rest of the natural world is more intelligent and more powerful than the most intelligent scientists with the financial resources of the wealthiest nations. If high technology equipment such as airplanes cannot happen by chance, then even more advanced technologies found in birds, dolphins, fireflies, and bacteria could not have been created by accidental chance either. If the technology is too advanced to have been made by humans, the most intelligent living things on earth, it must have come from an even higher intelligence. God alone has the intelligence and power to be the Creator of the universe.\nGenesis Chapter 1 says that God created the universe, the earth, all the living things, and humans. When we look at the evidence with an open mind, we can see that the evidence confirms that claim.\nSources: Massachussetts Institute of Technology (2010, July 26). A plan that lands like a bird. Science Daily. Retrieved July 28, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily. com/releases/2010/07/100725170454.htm\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagellum\nStrobel, Lee Case for the Creator, Zondervan, 2004 Page 205\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagellum\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/if/god-and-life/supernatural-technology/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eTechnology is becoming more important in the daily lives of more and more people.  Radios and televisions can be found in huts in the jungle.  Jet airplanes fly above us and satellites orbit the earth.  These are all examples of technology.  Technology can relate to many different things from simple things like a clay pot, a wooden automobiles, and aircraft.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether a device is simple or complex, a clay pot or a jet airplane, all technology has two things in common.  First, someone made it.  Second, it could not possibly have been created by accident or chance.  All buildings have a builder.  All computer programs have one or more programmers.  All paintings have a painter.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Supernatural Technology"},{"content":"DNA and God Darryl Record MA Christian Apologetics\nImagine that you discovered an advanced information storage system. This storage system contains 715 MB of complex coded information, about the same amount of information as a CD or VCD (video CD) which can hold up to 700 MB. This is a large amount of information. It is equivalent to 715 typical books with 500 pages each.\nIf you discovered such a complex code and information storage system, even if you could not decode it, you would be absolutely certain that it could not happen by chance. You would be certain that someone made it. Even if you discovered something as simple as a clay pot in the middle of the forest, you would be sure that that a potter made it. You would never believe that that one day it rained and made the clay soft, then a wind came and formed it into a special shape, and then the heat of the sun baked it and made it hard. Even though you could not see the potter make it, you could be sure by looking at the pot that it did not happen by chance.\nDid you know that there are more than 100 trillion cells in the human body? That is a large number. It is a 1 with 12 zeros after it. There are many different kinds of cells, such as bone cells, nerve cells, skin cells, and many more. Inside each one of those 100 trillion cells you can find the same code of DNA. Each person has their own unique DNA and so scientists can use DNA to solve crimes and determine a person’s relatives.\nDNA is like a set of blueprints, a recipe, or a computer program because it contains all of the instructions needed to construct a living organism. All living things such as animals and plants have their own unique DNA as well.\nInside each one of the 100 trillion cells in the human body, there is a strand of microscopic DNA that is almost 2 meters long. The DNA for humans is a complex code of 715 MB of information. If you have 715 books full of information, you must have an author. That much information could not have happened by chance.\nAccording to biochemist, Michael Denton PhD, DNA’s four-letter chemical alphabet’s capacity to contain information, “vastly exceeds any other known system.” “The information needed to build proteins for all of the species of organisms that have ever lived-a number estimated to be approximately one billion-“could be held in a teaspoon (5ML) and there would still be room left for all of the information in every book ever written.”\nThe fact that DNA is so small that it can only be viewed through the most powerful microscopes also indicates that it is high technology. One only has to look at the advances of computers and other electronic devices to see that as technology advances, the same or more information can be stored in less and less space. As a result, manufacturers can make their new devices smaller. The first generation computers took up entire rooms and they still had less computing power than a modern high tech cell phone. But, to compare the technology of the most advanced computers of our time to the technology of a cell and DNA is like comparing an oxcart to the most advanced airplanes imaginable. If an oxcart could not be made by chance, how could another technology that is a lot more complex have happened by chance?\nThe evidence for design begins at DNA and gets stronger from there. According to the documentary entitled Unlocking the Mystery of Life, which aired on many public television stations in the United States, DNA serves as the instruction book for a manufacturing process in which amino acids are linked together in the right order to produce proteins. In order to build living cells, the bonds between the amino acids, their sequence, and the way that they fold must exactly right or they will not function properly or at all. This process, called transcription is very similar to the assembly line of a high tech factory, except that it is microscopic!\nCells are very complex. If DNA is like a software program, the cell is like a computer that uses the software. The cells of most organisms have compartments in them, similar to rooms in a building. The nucleus, where the DNA is, acts as the control center for the cell. Mitochondria, the power plants, convert energy into a usable form. There is a factory, called a ribosome, that makes proteins, a warehouse to store the newly manufactured proteins until they can be transported, a garbage disposal system, and a complex transportation system that makes sure that the right proteins are taken to the right place in the cell.\nBiochemist Dr. Michael Denton compares a ribosome to an automated factory which can make any protein that DNA instructs it to make. Denton wrote, “It is astonishing to think that this remarkable piece of machinery, which possesses the ultimate capacity to construct every living thing that has ever existed on earth, from a giant redwood (tree) to the human brain, can construct all its own components in a matter of minutes and is one trillionth of the size of the smallest piece of functional equipment ever constructed by (humans).”\nAmino acids are only the building blocks of proteins you have to have DNA in order to put them together into a useful order. The simplest proteins require at least 75 amino acids. The amino acids have to have the right bonds between them, you have to have only left-handed amino acids (right-handed amino acids will not fit into the sequence), and you have to have them in the right order, just like a sentence. If all of these things are correct, you can get one protein that will fit into a cell, if anything is wrong, it is useless. The probability of forming one protein from chance would be 1 chance in 10 to 125th (a 10 with 125 more zeros behind it)! Each cell needs at least 300 proteins. Remember that a human body has 100 trillion cells. If you think about it, the probability of any life forming by random chance, even a single celled organism, such as an amoeba from chemicals is too small to be possible.\nNot only is DNA such a complex coded alphabet that it could not have possibly happened by chance. It is also so advanced that humans, the most intelligent beings on the earth, could never have created it. Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft said, “DNA is like a software program, only much more complex than anything we’veever devised.” Microsoft uses highly intelligent programmers to make software such as Microsoft Windows. Software does not happen by chance it requires intelligence. DNA is even more advanced than Microsoft Windows, so how could it have happened by chance?DNA could only have been created by a being that is infinitely more powerful and more intelligent than human beings. The fact that all living organisms have DNA points to a common designer of all living things. Living things need a suitable environment to be able to live. Earth is a finely tuned environment that has been designed by our Creator to sustain life. The Creator is God. Hebrews 3:4 says: For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.\nWhen we study God’s creation, we can see his infinite power and knowledge. We can learn to trust him more.\nHebrews 11:6 says: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.\nThe 100 trillion strands of DNA in your body are strong evidence that an all-knowing and all-powerful God created you. He knows you better than you know yourself. You are not an accident. God created you for a purpose and he has a plan for your life.\nPsalms 139:13-16 says: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother\u0026rsquo;s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.\nTake time to praise God for being your creator. Ask Him to show you His plans for your life. God made you, He knows you, and he loves you very much. He wants you to know Him.\nSources: Blue Letter Bible www.blueletterbible.org NIV version\nStrobel, Lee The Case for A Creator, Zondervan\nWikipedia \u0026ldquo;DNA\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;Megabyte\u0026rdquo; www.wikipedia.org\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/if/god-and-life/god-and-dna/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDNA and God\u003c/strong\u003e\nDarryl Record\nMA Christian Apologetics\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImagine that you discovered an advanced information storage system.  This storage system contains 715 MB of complex coded information, about the same amount of information as a CD or VCD (video CD) which can hold up to 700 MB.  This is a large amount of information.  It is equivalent to 715 typical books with 500 pages each.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you discovered such a complex code and information storage system, even if you could not decode it, you would be absolutely certain that it could not happen by chance.  You would be certain that someone made it.  Even if you discovered something as simple as a clay pot in the middle of the forest, you would be sure that that a potter made it.  You would never believe that that one \u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/09/claypot.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/09/claypot.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e day it rained and made the clay soft, then a wind came and formed it into a special shape, and then the heat of the sun baked it and made it hard.  Even though you could not see the potter make it, you could be sure by looking at the pot that it did not happen by chance.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"God and DNA"},{"content":"History of Christianity in Japan: Lessons to be Learned By Darryl Record, MA Christian Apologetics Written in 2005 for a Graduate Level Class at Biola University Thesis: The present malaise of Christianity in Japan can primarily be traced to the European and North American liberal and Unitarian theologies which were common to Buddhist anti-Christian apologists and liberal missionaries around the turn of the 20th century. These Western concepts continue to make many, but not all Japanese Christians unable to withstand persecution and vulnerable to recidivism. Despite the fact that Japanese collectivism is a barrier to Christianity, history shows that it is not insurmountable if the foundations of Christianity are presented in a credible way. Introduction According to Operation World, 2001, Christians comprise only 1.56% (1,976,742) of Japan. From this 1.9 million “Christians” one must subtract many groups such as 282,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses, 240,000 Moonies, 96,000 Mormons, and others who reject the essentials of Christianity (e.g. creation, inspiration of the Bible, deity of Christ, and salvation by grace instead of works) (Johnstone \u0026amp; Mandryk, 2001). Despite its religious freedom, modern economy, and Western educational system, Japan continues to be referred to by some as the \u0026ldquo;graveyard of missionaries,” because many missionaries have spent their lives there and have made few if any converts. This paper will explore the reasons that Christianity has not made greater gains in Japan and to consider solutions to these problems in the hope that Japanese Christians and foreign missionaries can utilize this understanding to strengthen their respective churches and ministries. The lessons we can learn from the history of Christianity in Japan can also be applied in many other mission fields in Asia. Exploring the reasons for Christianity\u0026rsquo;s lack of growth in Japan is a broad topic but because of its eternal significance, it needs to be studied. On the surface, one could argue that Japanese collectivism is the main reason why Christianity has not taken root in Japan. However, this paper will demonstrate that at different time periods, Christianity has both thrived and withered in Japan. Collectivism has been a stable feature of Japan for many centuries. The strong focus on the collective in both China and Japan stems largely from Confucianism and, to a lesser extent, from Buddhism. Confucianism, founded by Confucius (551-479 B.C.) during the Han Dynasty, became a system of social ethics more than a religion. Confucianism persisted as a great and pervasive ethical tradition, western societies, politics and economics have been influenced by industrial, business and trade groups, but in China, such matters, as well as the general conceptions of family and cultural life, still have Confucian roots. Those values today blend with the needs of the village economy. (Winfield, 2000: 329) This project will break the various history of Christianity in Japan into several eras which exemplify the various factors that have both supported and discouraged the growth of Christianity in Japan. These factors are then analyzed in greater detail and hypotheses were formed in terms of, \u0026ldquo;lessons learned.\u0026rdquo; These hypotheses can be tested in two ways. First modern ministries that are successful can be studied to see how they are dealing with issues such as liberalism and division. Second, other ministries can be encouraged to adopt these \u0026ldquo;lessons\u0026rdquo; and their success can be judged in the future. The main goal of this project is to increase the understanding of the situation of Christianity in Japan so that steps can be taken to help it to grow once more. Japanese Christian History Entrance and Extinction 1549-1640 The Christian History of Japan provides the background for understanding both the present status and trends of Christianity. Surprisingly, the history of Christianity in Japan spans more than 400 years. The first missionaries were Jesuits who reached Japan in 1549. In the mid-seventeenth century, the Japanese government began to see Christianity as a threat. They forced all citizens to become Buddhist, expelled the missionaries and systematically persecuted the Christians to extinction by 1640. (Thelle, 1987: 5). Return, Revival, and Rifts 1859-1889 In 1859, Japan once again opened its doors to the West and accepted missionaries. The Catholics returned and were able to regain Christians who had been faithful to their faith for generations since the time of the persecution. This time, Protestant missionaries entered. However, the Christians still carried some baggage of being considered by the masses as part of a \u0026ldquo;heretical and evil religion.\u0026rdquo; (Mullins, 1998: 21). The first Protestant churches were inter-denominational in that Congregational, Reformed, and Presbyterian missionaries joined to form the \u0026ldquo;Church of Christ.\u0026rdquo; There desire was to be the \u0026ldquo;body of Christ in Japan,\u0026rdquo; and thereby avoid the pitfalls of denominationalism. This church eventually formed fifty branches but, sadly, they split along denominational lines. (Mullins, 1998: 15) Still, Christianity grew rapidly during this period. There were those who projected that Japan would become fully Christian in a short time. Pressure and Compromise 1889-1945 However, when the Meiji government established the new constitution in 1889 which was based around official Shinto and emperor worship, this growth spurt was slowed. From that point until the end of the Second World War, the state systematically restricted the activities of the church. Growth continued from the 1900\u0026rsquo;s until 1930. Protestant churches grew from 50,785 in 1901 to 193,937 in 1930. Catholicism also grew from 56,321 to 92,798 during the same period (Mullins, 1998: 18). In the 1930\u0026rsquo;s the Meiji government became totalitarian. Shinto became an institution of the state and participation in its rituals was defined as patriotism. In 1939, the government passed the Religious Organizations Law, which gave it the power to disband any religious organization that taught things in conflict with state policy. All denominations were officially forced to recombine by the government. Due to this pressure, Protestant and Catholic denominations eventually, \u0026ldquo;instructed their members to participate in the rituals of civil religion. By the late 1930\u0026rsquo;s most churches had also created some form of theological rhetoric to legitimize the Imperial Way, including support for Japanese military expansionism.\u0026rdquo; (Mullins, 1998: 20) This \u0026ldquo;United Church of Christ in Japan,\u0026rdquo; went as far as to raise funds for to purchase a warplane for the military in 1943. (Mullins, 1998: 21). Post-war Growth 1945-1971 After WWII, Shinto was placed on a level playing field with all other religions in Japan. The churches separated once again into their pre-war denominations. During this period Christianity grew again. Following General Douglass MacArthur’s call for missionaries to Japan, many American missionaries came to Japan. From 1942 to 1960 Protestantism grew from 190,000 to 400,000 while Catholicism grew from 100,000 to 323,000 during the same period. Since 1971 the church in Japan has stagnated into almost no growth (Lee, 1999: 46). Buddhist Opposition and Persecution Although Buddhism is often presented as a purely Japanese religion, Mahayana Buddhism was imported to Japan from China by Tao-sheng (A.D. 360–434).(Geisler, 1999). Siddhartha Guatama (Buddha) was born in India in 560 BC and lived there until he died of food poisoning in AD 480. (Geisler \u0026amp; Brooks, 1990: 134). Tokugawa shoganate, Oda Nobunga, attacked the Buddhist strongholds and brought the religion under his control in the sixteenth century. When the Jesuit missionaries arrived, in the 1500\u0026rsquo;s, the political structure of Japan was closely controlled by the shogunate. The state operated under the philosophy of Confucianism but used Buddhism for political reasons to suppress Christianity (Thelle, 1987: 8). Buddhist temples, under supervision and financial support of the Shogun, became the government’s primary agency for Christian persecution. All Japanese were required to register at the temple. This registration certificate was necessary for \u0026ldquo;weddings, travel,changes of residence, and to employ servants. In order to receive the certificate, the Japanese had to trample on pictures of Christ or the Virgin Mary in order to prove that they were not Christians (Thelle, 1987: 8).” This time of persecution resulted in the martyrdom of 250,000 Christians. (Thirumalai, 2003: 119). Further demoralization of the Christians came through the Christian retractions of Fabian Fucan, a former Jesuit and through other anti-Christian tracts written by Buddhists (Thelle, 1987: 9). Because of Buddhism\u0026rsquo;s favored position within the Tokugawa government, the morality of the Buddhist priests declined. They became infamous for corruption and sexual debauchery (Thelle, 1987: 18). When the Christian missionaries returned in 1859, the people were sufficiently disenchanted with Buddhism and desired Western learning so Christianity could grow, despite the fact that the treaties forbade, \u0026ldquo;interference,\u0026rdquo; in Japanese religious matters by foreigners. Even though the foreigners were allowed to practice Christianity, Japanese were still persecuted for doing so. Until 1873, signs were posted in Japan which read, \u0026ldquo;Evil religions like Christianity are strictly forbidden. Suspicious persons should be reported to the proper office. Rewards will be granted. (Thelle, 1987: 13).\u0026rdquo; In 1866-1868, Japanese Christians were severely persecuted through deportation to other provinces and the decapitation of Japanese Christian leaders. (Thelle, 1987:10). As soon as the anti-Christian signs were removed and the government allowed open evangelism, many Protestant missionaries began apologetics-evangelism. Japanese Christians moved their messages out of the church and into the public arena.\u0026ldquo;They appealed to the public in great open-air meetings, or apologetics lectures in public halls. So-called theater meetings were held all over the country; they were a very popular way of addressing the public, drawing large audiences in cities and towns. A missionary described the situation: \u0026ldquo;The apologetic age is begun; no other topic will draw the multitudes together in Japan like discussions on Christianity. The masses are appealed to as judges, and surprised that they are of so much importance, they gladly accept the honour (Thelle, 1987: 56).\u0026rdquo; Because Protestant Christians challenged Buddhism in the public arena with such confidence, the number of Protestants in Japan increased by 600% from 1882-1892 (5,634 to 32,334) (Thelle, 1987:54). This new confidence and growth of the, \u0026ldquo;evil religion\u0026rdquo; forced the Buddhists to respond. Buddhists priests began to purchase boxes of Bibles and commentaries and to study Christianity so that they could argue against it. Others went so far as to become the students of missionaries and even to be baptized so that they could infiltrate the Christian church and learn its secrets as ammunition for future counter-Christian apologetics works. Buddhist seminaries integrated anti-Christian apologetics intontheir curriculum. As a result, new anti-Christian literature started being distributed. Once Buddhists realized that their apologetics literature was not successfully stemming the tide of Christian expansion they began to adopt, \u0026ldquo;more aggressive methods, including violent obstruction of Christian work, intimidation, social pressure, and ostracism.\u0026rdquo; (Thelle,1987: 13). Their slogan in 1883-1885 called for the, \u0026ldquo;extermination of Christianity.\u0026rdquo; Once the government became more open to westernization after 1885, this onslaught subsided for a while. However, once the nation became nationalistic in 1889, Buddhists, were able to attack Christianity once again on the basis of not being loyal to Japan. (Thelle, 1987: 93).\nDarwinism and Liberal Theology Direct Buddhist attacks on Christianity both in the arena of ideas and even their violent and social persecution of Christians were unable to successfully defeat the Christian movement. The most damaging attacks on Christianity did not originate in Japan but rather in Europe and North America. In 1872, the first delegation of Japanese Buddhist priests, traveled to France, England, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, the Middle East, and India. Others went to the United States. On these trips, the Buddhists were able to gather their most effective anti-Christian apologetics materials. They brought back critical theology from Europe and books such as Self-Contradiction in the Bible, by Henry Ball along with the works of Voltaire and Renan. Others brought back the philosophies of Comte, Mill, and Spencer; and the evolutionism of Darwinism and Huxley. This new ammunition brought new confidence to the Buddhist apologists (Thelle, 1987: 78-85). These new Buddhist attacks were difficult to defend against because at the same time, \u0026ldquo;American liberal theology, represented by the Congregational Andover Theological Seminary, and German liberal theology, represented by the so-called Tubingen School,\u0026rdquo; as well as Unitarian Universalism began to be introduced in the 1880\u0026rsquo;s by various Christian missions such as The Evangelical Protestant Missionary Society (TEPF). TEPF, \u0026ldquo;wanted liberal Christianity to engage in missionary work on a declared liberal basis (Thelle, 1987: 177).” After a little while, higher criticism and liberal theology were being advocated by some of the most influential Japanese Christians. (Thelle, 1987: 179-180). When liberalismjoined forces with the \u0026ldquo;Japanization\u0026rdquo; movement, the belief that Christian theology was unchangeable vanished. One leader, Yokoi, \u0026ldquo;advocated consistently that the central concern of Christianity was not doctrines, asceticism, worship, or rituals, but religious and ethical life. With his weakening of the doctrinal aspect of Christianity and his emphasis on benevolence and love, moral and religious life, Yokoi inevitably had to acknowledge similar ideas in other religions (Thelle, 1987:180).\u0026rdquo; Once liberalism became popular in Japanese churches, orthodox Christianity based on the doctrines of Divine inspiration, inerrancy of the Scriptures, and the historical Christ began to fade. The foundations of Christianity were eroded by these beliefs so much so that Christians began to remold the doctrines of Christianity to suit their own desires. It is little wonder that when the government required emperor worship, the Christians quietly submitted, because they no longer had any Biblical basis for resisting. When faced with the choice between persecution and compromise, the Japanese church chose the latter. Christianity did grow rapidly after the war, but without any foundation of truth, the main draw of Christianity was the temporary comforts that it could provide to Japanese in their post-war poverty and discouragement. Once the nation became prosperous, Christianity ceased to grow because the number of people leaving the church equaled the number that was entering (Lee, 1999: 46). Indigenous Christian Movements Indigenous Christianity grew out of disenchantment with Western missionaries. Denominationalism was the prime source of their disappointment. Uchimura Kanzo, the founder first indigenous movement, the Nonchurch Movement, spoke of this in 1890.\u0026ldquo;The sectarian bigots revive on a heathen land their own petty jealousies, for which their forefathers fought and burned one another. Nothing is more ugly and repugnant to Japanese eyes than these sectarian quarrels and jealousies; worse the Japanese seekers find themselves puzzled by the maze of conflicting teachings of different Christian bodies (Mullins, 1998: 24).\u0026rdquo; As a result of this confusion, several leaders in Japan decided to go off on their own and start their own forms of Japanese Christianity. While is praiseworthy that each of these leaders took ownership of Christianity not just as a world religion but also developed a robust Japanese expression of Christianity, it appears that the founders of these religions moved to the limits of essential Christian doctrine, and in most cases beyond. Even though it could be assumed that the primary driving force behind the theology of these indigenous movements was the contextualization of Christianity to Japanese culture, its real foundations are on American and European theological liberalism and Japanese nationalism (Thelle, 1987: 179). Due to the doctrinal erosion of liberalism, these leaders were freed to incorporate non-Christian elements into their Christianity. Some returned to a veneration of Buddha and Confucianism along with Christ. Others were influenced by Darwinism and Unitarianism (Mullins 1998: 75).\nEmperor Worship Even though Japan is thought of as a homogenous society; before the Meiji Restoration, Japan was divided into a weak federation of feudal domains. The Meiji Dynasty successfully united all of these parts into a unified nation-state. Using the emperor\u0026rsquo;s name, the government confiscated the lands of the samurai feudal lords and abolished the hierarchical social structure in which samurai, farmers, craftsmen, and merchants were separated. The masses were empowered and became upwardly mobile because of the emperor. Finally, the emperor \u0026ldquo;blessed\u0026rdquo; the people with a constitution which made all people citizens in a modern nation. Because the average Japanese person benefited so much from the Imperial Way, they began gratefully began to see the emperor as divine. The government used this gratitude to form an indigenous Shinto/emperor worship civil religion. State Shinto drew on past Shinto beliefs and made the emperor a direct descendent of the founding sun goddess, Amaterasu. Even though the emperor declared that he was not divine following WWII, many Japanese people continued to believe in his divinity. State Shinto is slowly regaining power in Japan. (Lee, 1999: 46). The fact that Japanese identity owes so much to the emperor system makes it difficult for Japanese people to become fully devoted to Christ. Their loves for Jesus and Japan are often equally strong. As one indigenous Christian leader said, \u0026ldquo;I love two J\u0026rsquo;s and no third; one is Jesus, and the other is Japan. I do not know which I love more, Jesus or Japan.\u0026rdquo; (Lee, 1999: 33). This underlying conflict in the heart of Japanese is one of the reasons that Japanese Christianity has not continued to grow.\nRecidivism After the war and the disavowal of divinity by the Emperor, many Japanese turned to Christianity because it offered hope that they did not have within their traditional society. However, within a generation churches either stopped growing or even shrank. The reason for this was that many people began to leave the church and return to more popular beliefs. [T]he conversion of individuals who were first, generation Christians could not be sustained if the family members were not Christians. In short, recidivism has become a major issue of evangelism, because two out of three first-generation converts leave the church at the first signs of family conflict, company disapproval, or community opposition (Lee, 1999: 46). Cultural Barriers In Japan, there is a saying, \u0026ldquo;The nail that sticks out, gets hammered down.\u0026rdquo; This illustrates that members of the culture are not expected to stand out.\u0026rdquo; Japan is has a very collectivistic society (Gudykunst et. al, 1996: 23-25). Japan\u0026rsquo;s collectivism makes it difficult for Christianity to grow because in order to become a Christian, one must acknowledge their individual sins and need for personal salvation. Even though, salvation may happen in groups, each individual must make their own commitment. Secondly, because Christians are such a minority in Japan, becoming a Christian guarantees that one will \u0026ldquo;stick out.\u0026rdquo; The fear of the consequences of \u0026ldquo;sticking out,\u0026rdquo; keeps many Japanese from becoming Christian. Another aspect of Japanese collectivism that impedes the acceptance of Christianity is the Confucian concept of truth. “ It is clear that Confucius did not espouse individual wisdom, or purport that “man” individually could discern truth.. . . In other words, the determination of truth is a top-down process in a direct, linear form. Politeness is stressed over candor; people should say they are ill instead of coldly refusing invitations (Winfield et. al, 2000: 333).” This impedes Christianity because it is essentially a truth based religion. I Corinthians 15 places the validity of the Christianity under one simple test of truth—the resurrection. In addition, Christianity requires a personal decision to follow Christ and a personal belief or faith in the truth of the gospel message. Because Japanese tend to value politeness over honesty, short term missionaries have often been led to believe that a Japanese person has “accepted Christ,” after a short evangelistic conversation. Sadly, it is more likely that they merely went along to avoid a confrontation but no real decision was made. These issues need to be addressed in any evangelistic effort. Evangelistic programs which combine the development of personal and community relationships with other Christians along with a solid multi-faceted truth component have been able to overcome this obstacle. The Alpha Course is an example of such a program which has had some success in Japan. The fact that the collectivism of Japan impedes the growth of Christianity does not mean that collectivism is inherently anti-Christian. Acts 2: 43-47 demonstrates that the first Christians were very community oriented. Furthermore, Christians in more individualistic cultures are often admonished by on the basis of these passages to: \u0026ldquo;pay more attention to the needs of others,\u0026rdquo; or to \u0026ldquo;think about the Body instead of only your own needs.\u0026rdquo; In fact, Christian collectivism would strengthen the Church and actually prevent recidivism. The fact remains that collectivism brings stability of values and beliefs within a culture. If the culture is predominantly Christian, collectivism will tend to maintain the Christianity. However, if the culture is non-Christian, collectivism will maintain the status quo. If Japan were to become predominantly Christian, its collectivism would cause it to remain a Christian stronghold for centuries. Rev. Hideki Kita (MA in Missions), argues that one of the reasons that Christianity did not take root in Japan is that missionaries failed to focus on the poor. In Korea, the missionaries served the poor and built orphanages. In Japan, the missionaries focused on the Samurai class. As a result the common people of Japan came to believe that Christianity was only for the elite while the Koreans believed that it was for the masses (Personal Conversation, 11 April 2005). Successful Churches After studying the history of Japanese Christianity, one could easily become discouraged. However, there is reason for hope. While many of the more liberal churches in Japan are in decline, there are other churches that are growing rapidly. These churches are under the direction of Japanese pastors rather than foreign missionaries. If missionaries are present, they are there to partner with and support the Japanese pastor rather than in a supervisory role. Most importantly, each of these growing churches has a strong Biblical theology which rejects liberalism (Snider, 1985). Decline of Buddhism Buddhism in Japan is also declining. \u0026ldquo;Many temples are deserted, temple grounds are overgrown with weeds, and in some cases temple doors are closed as priests have died or gone elsewhere.\u0026rdquo; (Snider, 1985: 22) In some cases, Buddhists priests have accepted Christ and left the priesthood to preach Christianity (Wakabayashi \u0026amp; Terry 1989). This decline only indicates that Japanese are less committed to Buddhism and not that they are moving toward Christianity. Lessons from History There are three main lessons that we can learn from the Christian history of Japan. First, the fact that despite persecution, Japanese Christians remained faithful in secret from 1600‘s to the 1860‘s demonstrates that even systematic persecution could not destroy the faith of the Japanese Catholics (Mullins, 1998). Unfortunately, these \u0026ldquo;secret Catholics,\u0026rdquo; were, \u0026ldquo;isolated groups [who] imperceptibly drifted from Catholicism into a syncretic folk creed tinctured with Buddhism and Shinto.\u0026rdquo; Eisonas, 1991 as quoted in Lee, 1999: 369). Even so, they still were able to maintain their faith. Rather than impugning their record, it should highlight the need for missionaries to ensure that their disciples are well grounded in the essential doctrines of Christianity so that these people will remain true to the faith even if they are isolated and persecuted. These \u0026ldquo;crypto-Christians,\u0026rdquo; should serve as an example for all those who leave the faith because of social pressure in the modern time. The Christians of that time were systematically persecuted to extinction yet, they were able to continue in the faith and maintain it for generations. The second lesson is that the rise of denominationalism and division within the Body of Christ weakened the cause of Christianity from within and ultimately disenchanted some Japanese Christians. Denominationalism is dangerous on the mission field because it confuses local Christians about which are the essentials of Christianity. When the indigenous leaders rejected the petty denominational doctrinal disputes, they also rejected many essential doctrines. Of course, Calvinists and Charismatics may disagree on issues such as tongues and predestination but they agree on essential doctrines creation, the inspiration of Scriptures, and the deity of Christ. These essential doctrinal agreements must be emphasized so that non-Christians will see the unity. The third lesson is that, compromise is costly. It was liberal theology and Darwinism that weakened the church. This led many churches to compromise on the issue of emperor worship. In the face of potential persecution, the church willingly submitted to emperor worship and nationalism. As a result, the Japanese church as a whole lost the respect of the Japanese people. It is my contention that the present stagnation of Christian growth in Japan is because of the disenchantment with liberalism rather than Biblical Christianity. When the church was boldly proclaiming the truth of Christianity through apologetics in the 1870\u0026rsquo;s, revival took place. When the church compromised its faith, it declined. In the modern context, Churches in Japan may be able to build on this foundation and use more evidence-based apologetics in their evangelism and discipleship. This might help to counteract Darwinism and liberal theology. It might also help to strengthen the faith of the believers so that they will be able to withstand persecution because they know that Christianity is true. Apologetics might also embolden the Christians to share their faith because they would be equipped to confidently proclaim the Christian message as true with evidence to support their claims. It should be noted, that in Japanese culture, the credibility of the speaker is of equal or greater importance than the strength of the message. Still, the quality of the message is important so we must earn the right to be heard and then speak the truth with wisdom and love. Conclusion It is my prayer and hope that Japanese Christians and missionaries working in Japan will be encouraged by the knowledge that the culture of Japan is in fact compatible with the Gospel. The successes of the 1870\u0026rsquo;s demonstrate that when the Gospel is seen as true, it will be accepted by Japanese people. The decline of Buddhism combined with the recent economic decline may provide an opening for Christianity to grow once again. The key is to roll back the influence of liberal theology and Darwinism on the Japanese churches, religious schools, and universities. While this is not an easy task, there are many apologetics resources now that can help them do just that. When Christian community becomes united around the truth of God\u0026rsquo;s word, denominational disputes will be put into perspective and the church will be able to confidently share these truths within their own communities. Spiritual awakening in Japan could be just around the corner. References Dodd, Carley (1998) Dynamics of intercultural communication. 5th ed. San Francisco: McGraw Hill. Geisler, Norman (1999) Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics. Grand Rapids: Baker Books. Geisler, Norman \u0026amp; Brooks, Ronald (1990) When Skeptics Ask. Grand Rapids: Baker Books. Gudykunst, William., Ting-Toomey, Stella., \u0026amp; Nishida, Tsukasa eds. (1996) Communication in personal relationships across cultures. .Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. Johnstone, Patrick and Mandryk, Jason (2001) Operation World: When we pray God works, 21st Century edition. Cumburia, Paternoster Publishing and WEC International. Lee, Robert (1999). The clash of civilizations : An intrusive Gospel in Japanese civilization. Harrisburg: Trinity Press International. Mullins, Mark (1998). Christianity made in Japan: A study of indigenous movements. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. Snider, K. Laverna (1985). Ten more growing churches in Japan today. Osaka: Japan Free Methodist Mission. Thelle, Notto (1987) Buddhism and Christianity in Japan: From conflict to dialogue, 1854-1899. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. Thirumalai, Madasamy (2003). Sharing your faith with a Buddhist. Minneapolis: Bethany House.Wakabasyahi, Satsuki \u0026amp; Terry, John (1989) Buddhist priests choose Christ;: Kametani Uenu and Ohori Michata.. Wilmington: Dawn Press. Winfield, Betty; Mizuno, Takeya \u0026amp; Beaudoin (2000) “Confucianism, collectivism, and constitutions: Press systems in China and Japan”. 5 Communication Law 323-347\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/if/japans-christian/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of Christianity in Japan: Lessons to be Learned\u003c/strong\u003e By Darryl Record, MA Christian Apologetics Written in 2005 for a Graduate Level Class at Biola University \u003cstrong\u003eThesis:\u003c/strong\u003e The present malaise of Christianity in Japan can primarily be traced to the European and North American liberal and Unitarian theologies which were common to Buddhist anti-Christian apologists and liberal missionaries around the turn of the 20th century. These Western concepts continue to make many, but not all Japanese Christians unable to withstand persecution and vulnerable to recidivism.  Despite the fact that Japanese collectivism is a barrier to Christianity, history shows that it is not insurmountable if the foundations of Christianity are presented in a credible way. \u003cstrong\u003eIntroduction\u003c/strong\u003e According to Operation World, 2001, Christians comprise only 1.56% (1,976,742) of Japan.  From this 1.9 million “Christians” one must subtract many groups such as 282,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses, 240,000 Moonies, 96,000 Mormons, and others who reject the essentials of Christianity (e.g. creation, inspiration of the Bible, deity of Christ, and salvation by grace instead of works) (Johnstone \u0026amp; Mandryk, 2001).   Despite its religious  freedom, modern economy, and Western educational system, Japan continues to be referred to by  some as the \u0026ldquo;graveyard of missionaries,” because many missionaries have spent their lives there and have made few if any converts.  This paper will explore the reasons that Christianity has not made greater gains in Japan and to consider solutions to these problems in the hope that Japanese Christians and foreign missionaries can utilize this understanding to strengthen their respective churches and ministries.  The lessons we can learn from the history of Christianity in Japan can also be applied in many other mission fields in Asia. Exploring the reasons for Christianity\u0026rsquo;s lack of growth in Japan is a broad topic but because of its eternal significance, it needs to be studied.  On the surface, one could argue that Japanese collectivism is the main reason why Christianity has not taken root in Japan.  However, this paper will demonstrate that at different time periods, Christianity has both thrived and withered in Japan.  Collectivism has been a stable feature of Japan for many centuries. The strong focus on the collective in both China and Japan stems largely from Confucianism and, to a lesser extent, from Buddhism. Confucianism, founded by Confucius (551-479 B.C.) during the Han Dynasty, became a system of  social ethics more than a religion. Confucianism persisted as a great and pervasive ethical tradition,  western societies, politics and economics have been influenced by industrial, business and trade groups, but in China, such matters, as well as the general conceptions of family and cultural life, still have Confucian roots. Those values today blend with the needs of the village economy. (Winfield, 2000: 329) This project will break the various history of Christianity in Japan into several eras which exemplify the various factors that have both supported and  discouraged the growth of Christianity in Japan. These factors are then analyzed in greater detail and hypotheses were formed in terms of, \u0026ldquo;lessons learned.\u0026rdquo; These hypotheses can be tested in two ways.  First modern ministries that are successful can be studied to see how they are dealing with issues such as liberalism and division.  Second, other ministries can be encouraged to adopt these \u0026ldquo;lessons\u0026rdquo; and their success can be judged in the future. The main goal of this project is to increase the understanding of the situation of Christianity in Japan so that steps can be taken to help it to grow once more. \u003cstrong\u003eJapanese Christian History\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEntrance and Extinction 1549-1640\u003c/strong\u003e The Christian History of Japan provides the background for understanding both the present status and trends of Christianity.  Surprisingly, the history of Christianity in Japan spans more than 400 years.  The first missionaries were Jesuits who reached Japan in 1549.  In the mid-seventeenth century, the Japanese government began to see Christianity as a threat.  They forced all citizens to become Buddhist, expelled the missionaries and systematically persecuted the Christians to extinction by 1640. (Thelle, 1987: 5). \u003cstrong\u003eReturn, Revival, and Rifts 1859-1889\u003c/strong\u003e In 1859, Japan once again opened its doors to the West and accepted missionaries.  The Catholics returned and were able to regain Christians who had been faithful to their faith for generations since the time of the persecution.  This time, Protestant missionaries entered.  However, the Christians still carried some baggage of being considered by the masses as part of a \u0026ldquo;heretical and evil religion.\u0026rdquo; (Mullins, 1998: 21).  The first Protestant churches were inter-denominational in that Congregational, Reformed, and Presbyterian missionaries joined to form the \u0026ldquo;Church of Christ.\u0026rdquo;  There desire was to be the \u0026ldquo;body of Christ in Japan,\u0026rdquo; and thereby avoid the pitfalls of denominationalism.  This church eventually formed fifty branches but, sadly, they split along denominational lines. (Mullins, 1998: 15)   Still, Christianity grew rapidly during this period.  There were those who projected that Japan would become fully Christian in a short time. \u003cstrong\u003ePressure and Compromise 1889-1945\u003c/strong\u003e However, when the Meiji government established the new constitution in 1889 which was based around official Shinto and emperor worship, this growth spurt was slowed.  From that point until the end of the Second World War, the state systematically restricted the activities of the church. Growth continued from the 1900\u0026rsquo;s until 1930.  Protestant churches grew from 50,785 in 1901 to 193,937 in 1930.  Catholicism also grew from 56,321 to 92,798 during the same period (Mullins, 1998: 18). In the 1930\u0026rsquo;s the Meiji government became totalitarian.  Shinto became an institution of the state and participation in its rituals was defined as patriotism.  In 1939, the government passed the Religious Organizations Law, which gave it the power to disband any religious organization that taught things in conflict with state policy. All denominations were officially forced to recombine by the government.  Due to this pressure, Protestant and Catholic denominations eventually, \u0026ldquo;instructed their members to participate in the rituals of civil religion.  By the late 1930\u0026rsquo;s most churches had also created some form of theological rhetoric to legitimize the Imperial Way, including support for Japanese military expansionism.\u0026rdquo; (Mullins, 1998: 20)  This \u0026ldquo;United Church of Christ in Japan,\u0026rdquo; went as far as to raise funds for to purchase a warplane for the military in 1943. (Mullins, 1998: 21). Post-war Growth 1945-1971 After WWII, Shinto was placed on a level playing field with all other religions in Japan. The churches separated once again into their pre-war denominations.  During  this period Christianity grew again.  Following General Douglass MacArthur’s call for missionaries to Japan, many American missionaries came to Japan.  From 1942 to 1960 Protestantism  grew from 190,000 to 400,000 while Catholicism grew from 100,000 to 323,000 during the same period.  Since 1971 the church in Japan has stagnated into almost no growth (Lee, 1999: 46). \u003cstrong\u003eBuddhist Opposition and Persecution\u003c/strong\u003e Although Buddhism is often presented as a purely Japanese religion, Mahayana Buddhism was imported to Japan from China by Tao-sheng (A.D. 360–434).(Geisler, 1999). Siddhartha Guatama (Buddha) was born in India in 560 BC and lived there until he died of food poisoning in AD 480. (Geisler \u0026amp; Brooks, 1990: 134).   Tokugawa shoganate, Oda Nobunga, attacked the Buddhist strongholds and brought the religion under his control in the sixteenth century.   When the Jesuit missionaries arrived, in the 1500\u0026rsquo;s, the political structure of Japan was closely controlled by the shogunate.  The state operated under the philosophy of Confucianism but used Buddhism for political reasons to suppress Christianity (Thelle, 1987: 8). Buddhist temples, under supervision and financial support of the Shogun, became the government’s primary agency for Christian persecution.  All Japanese were required to register at the temple.  This registration certificate was necessary for \u0026ldquo;weddings, travel,changes of residence, and to employ servants.  In order to receive the certificate, the Japanese had to trample on pictures of Christ or the Virgin Mary in order to prove that they were not Christians (Thelle, 1987: 8).”  This time of persecution resulted in the martyrdom of 250,000 Christians. (Thirumalai, 2003: 119).  Further demoralization of the Christians came through the Christian retractions of Fabian Fucan, a former Jesuit and through other anti-Christian tracts written by Buddhists (Thelle, 1987: 9). Because of Buddhism\u0026rsquo;s favored position within the Tokugawa government, the morality of the Buddhist priests declined.  They became infamous for corruption and sexual debauchery (Thelle, 1987: 18).  When the Christian missionaries returned in 1859, the people were sufficiently disenchanted with Buddhism and desired Western learning so Christianity could grow, despite the fact that the treaties forbade, \u0026ldquo;interference,\u0026rdquo; in Japanese religious matters by foreigners.  Even though the foreigners were allowed to practice Christianity, Japanese were still persecuted for doing so.  Until 1873, signs were posted in Japan which read, \u0026ldquo;Evil religions like Christianity are strictly forbidden. Suspicious persons should be reported to the proper office. Rewards will be granted. (Thelle, 1987: 13).\u0026rdquo;  In 1866-1868, Japanese Christians were severely persecuted through deportation to other provinces and the decapitation of Japanese Christian leaders. (Thelle, 1987:10). As soon as the anti-Christian signs were removed and the government allowed open evangelism, many Protestant missionaries began apologetics-evangelism.  Japanese Christians moved their messages out of the church and into the public arena.\u0026ldquo;They appealed to the public in great open-air meetings, or apologetics lectures in public halls. So-called theater meetings were held all over the country; they were a very popular way of addressing the public, drawing large audiences in cities and towns.  A missionary described the situation: \u0026ldquo;The apologetic age is begun; no other topic will draw the multitudes together in Japan like discussions on Christianity.  The masses are appealed to as judges, and surprised that they are of so much importance, they gladly accept the honour (Thelle, 1987: 56).\u0026rdquo; Because Protestant Christians challenged Buddhism in the public arena with such confidence, the number of Protestants in Japan increased by 600% from 1882-1892 (5,634 to 32,334) (Thelle, 1987:54). This new confidence and growth of the, \u0026ldquo;evil religion\u0026rdquo; forced the Buddhists to respond.  Buddhists priests began to purchase boxes of Bibles and commentaries and to study Christianity so that they could argue against it.  Others went so far as to become the students of missionaries and even to be baptized so that they could infiltrate the Christian church and learn its secrets as ammunition for future counter-Christian apologetics works.  Buddhist seminaries integrated anti-Christian apologetics intontheir curriculum.  As a result, new anti-Christian literature started being distributed. Once Buddhists realized that their apologetics literature was not successfully stemming the tide of Christian expansion they began to adopt, \u0026ldquo;more aggressive methods, including violent obstruction of Christian work, intimidation, social pressure, and ostracism.\u0026rdquo; (Thelle,1987: 13).  Their slogan in 1883-1885 called for the, \u0026ldquo;extermination of Christianity.\u0026rdquo;  Once the government became more open to westernization after 1885, this onslaught subsided for a while.  However, once the nation became nationalistic in 1889, Buddhists, were able to attack Christianity once again on the basis of not being loyal to Japan. (Thelle, 1987: 93).\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Japan's Christian History"},{"content":"Missions or Missiles, Bibles or Bombs Christian Missionaries are Key to True Peace and Reconciliation Response to “Should Christians Convert Muslims” Time Magazine, June 22, 2003 Darryl Record Written: August, 2003 Revised: November, 2010\nThe June 22, 2003 Time magazine article, “Should ChristiansConvert Muslims?” asks a very important question. Rather than launching directly into the material, social, and spiritual benefits that missionaries can bring to the Muslim world it is important to carefully consider our most basic assumptions. The Time article appears to be written from a secular postmodern worldview in which Christianity and Islam are both equally true (or more likely untrue, but Time wouldn\u0026rsquo;t want to be impolite). There are some basic questions that we must be able to answer. 1. Did God create everything? 2. Is the Bible truly God’s Word? 3. Is Jesus Christ God? If we answer “No” to any of these three questions, then converting Muslims to Christianity (especially when this conversion can cost them their lives, not to mention the risk to the missionaries) is not only foolish but unethical and cruel. The objective truth of the resurrection of Christ is so vital to Christianity that if it is not true all churches should close and all Christian leaders should publicly apologize and be punished for profiting from fraud (I Cor. 15:12-22).\nFortunately, these three questions can be answered in the affirmative. There is convincing evidence that indicates that God exists and created the universe. There is also strong evidence for the Bible and Jesus Christ. In fact, the truth claims of Christianity are supported by evidence from archaeology, astronomy, biology, geology, history, mathematics and prophecy, if one wishes to examine the evidence with an open mind. Therefore, if Christianity is true, then we must accept what the Bible says. The Bible makes some very specific claims about having “no other gods (Exodus 20:3-5)” and about Jesus Christ being the only way to heaven instead of hell (John 3:16, 14:6 Matt. 10:27 23:33). It is the same for Christians to tell to our Muslim friends (or any unbeliever) that without Christ, they are on the path to hell unless they turn around as for a doctor to tell their patients with cancer that withoutsurgery they will die. In fact, the most unloving thing Christians can do is to know the truth about the only way to salvation and refuse to tell the world. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (I Peter 3:15).\u0026quot;\nAsking the question, “Should Christians convert Muslims,” today is the same as asking the Apostle Paul, “Should Christians convert Gentiles?” I am thankful that he answered that question with an emphatic “Yes!” For this answer he was beaten, stoned, and imprisoned. When Christianity was in its early stages it was much different from western style Christianity in which pastors have nice cars, expensive suits, nice offices, the protection of the law, and the respect of the community. The first Christians lived and evangelized in a hostile environment which was similar to Afghanistan under the Taliban. They were rejected by their families, beaten, imprisoned and killed. Why? Unlike, Christians today who put everything from gardening to golf ahead of Christ, these early Christians had rock solid faith. They knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Christ was really God and that he had really come back to life. They had experienced the power of the Holy Spirit in their midst in the form of answers to prayer, releases from prison, healings, and more. They also had a close-knit community who was united around Christ who would take care of people who were persecuted. This is the faith that we as Christians must possess if we are to reach the world for Christ. Not just Muslims and Buddhists but everyone. Not just the 10-40 window but all the windows in the world. Therefore, Christian missionaries must be prepared and willing to suffer imprisonment, torture, and even death to share the Gospel in Muslim lands. Jesus said, “Follow me.”\nIn addition to salvation there are secondary benefits that Christianity has historically brought to the lands that have accepted it. Women have gained equality; polygamy, slavery, and cannibalism have vanished as a direct result of Christianity even though credit is not given. Quoting D. James Kennedy in What if Jesus Had Never Been Born? “Had Jesus never come, Gloria Steinem had she survived childhood, might very well be wearing a veil today!” Dr. Kennedy further outlines how that Christians applying their Christian beliefs of compassion, service, and excellence started such organizations as the Red Cross, the YMCA, the Salvation Army, charities in general, hospitals, universities, free public education for all, literacy programs, the concept of limited government, basic freedoms, antiseptic surgery, bacteriology, calculus, chemistry, computer science, electronics, genetics, non-Euclidian geometry, gynecology, and more. Would conditions improve in Afghanistan if they all converted to Christianity? Based on the evidence of history, I would have to say \u0026ldquo;Yes!\u0026rdquo;\nBeyond evangelism, missionaries are more than ambassadors for Christ. They represent their home countries, churches, families, and cultures. One of the reasons that Muslims view westerners with contempt is that they only thing they know about the west is what they see in western media. Imagine if the only thing you knew about America was what you saw in Hollywood movies. You would think that all Americans are wealthy, arrogant, disrespectful, violent, and immoral. I am an American and yet my lifestyle in no way resembles Hollywood. At best, movies represent the worst aspects of our society.\nYou certainly do no not see movies entitled “Johnny Goes to Church,” “Sally Gives Blood,” or “Susan Helps the Homeless.,” even though there are many people who do many good things. Just as all Muslims are not terrorists, all Westerners are not immoral. I had the privilege of having a Muslim roommate in college. Within a short time, we got beyond stereotypes and began to see each other as people and friends, even though we did not agree about spiritual matters. Likewise, during the three years that I spent as an English teacher in Cambodia, my students had the opportunity see me as a person instead of the “ugly-American.” It is impossible for me to hate Muslims as a group because have a Muslim friend. My students will never hate Americans, as a group, because they grew to love me, an American. Similarly, when Christian workers go into a Muslim country to feed the poor, teach English, set up hospitals, and to share their lives and faith, the Muslim people will stop seeing Christians as the “great Satan.” One Afghan man told my friend, a Christian worker, “Our Muslim brothers never came to help us, but the Christians came to help us.” I doubt very seriously that this man, who has experienced the love of Christ in my Christian friend will ever become a terrorist. To send a Christian aide worker or a missionary to a Muslim land to love the people, serve them, and be a positive ambassador for Christ and country costs a few thousand dollars a year, while cruise missiles cost a million dollars each! Maybe, if Americans had sent more missionaries to Afghanistan and Iraq over the past decades, maybe we would not have to spend millions of dollars each day for military personnel in these very countries. Don\u0026rsquo;t misunderstand, I am not opposed to defense spending or the use of military force when necessary. I am just saying that the way that \u0026ldquo;an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.\u0026rdquo; There is a better way.\nThere are many examples of the way that Gospel has transformed the lives and cultures of the most violent people groups. The Wadoni people are found in the non-fiction book and movie, The End of the Spear by Steve Saint is a good example. The widows, children, and supporters of the missionaries that were killed, did not hate the Wadoni for their violence. They did not call for airstrikes and an invasion. Instead, they loved them enough to live with them and show them the truth of the Gospel through their lives and witness. Only Christ can make help us to love those that we would naturally hate. Isn\u0026rsquo;t that the example of Christ?\n“They will kill you and think they do God a service, because they have not known the Father or me (John 16:2).”\n“Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do (Luke 23:32).”\nThis kind of forgiveness is only possible by the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and it is the key for reconciling the lost world to Christ. As a result of this reconciliation with Christ, there can be peace between people.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/if/missions/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMissions or Missiles, Bibles or Bombs Christian Missionaries are Key to True Peace and Reconciliation Response to “Should Christians Convert Muslims”  Time Magazine, June 22, 2003\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDarryl Record\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWritten: August,  2003  Revised: November, 2010\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe June 22, 2003 Time magazine article, “Should ChristiansConvert Muslims?” asks a very important question.  Rather than launching directly into the material, social, and spiritual benefits that missionaries can bring to the Muslim world it is important to carefully consider our most basic assumptions.  The Time article appears to be written from a secular postmodern worldview in which Christianity and Islam are both equally true (or more likely untrue, but Time wouldn\u0026rsquo;t want to be impolite).   There are some basic questions that we must be able to answer. 1.  Did God create everything?  2.  Is the Bible truly God’s Word?  3.  Is Jesus Christ God?  If we answer “No” to any of these three questions, then converting Muslims to Christianity (especially when this conversion can cost them their lives, not to mention the risk to the missionaries) is not only foolish but unethical and cruel.  The objective truth of the resurrection of Christ is so vital to Christianity that if it is not true all churches should close and all Christian leaders should publicly apologize and be punished for profiting from fraud (I Cor. 15:12-22).\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Missions"},{"content":"Am I willing to put myself in my unsaved loved ones\u0026rsquo; shoes?\nImagine that you have a friend who is Buddhist. This person is always thoughtful, and kind. Naturally, you would be drawn to such a person. You become friends. You begin to talk about deeper things. One day, your friend wants to share something with you.\nHe reaches into his pocket and pulls a small booklet. He begins, \u0026ldquo;Buddha loves you and has a wonderful plan for your next life.\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;Humanity has done many bad things, and has brought bad karma upon itself, therefore we can never experience Buddha\u0026rsquo;s love and his plan for our next life.\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;Following the Buddha\u0026rsquo;s teachings is the only way to go to Nirvana and avoid the pain of being something lower in the next life.\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;We must individually, follow the Buddha\u0026rsquo;s plan so that we can go to Nirvana.\u0026rdquo; Between each statement he reads a quotation from the Buddhist scriptures.\nAfter twenty minutes of explanation time, he tells you his testimony. He was on drugs and had a bad family but finding Buddhism changed his life and had given him self-control and peace. He states that he has a video on the life of Buddha if you would like to watch it sometime. After watching the movie, he asks if you are ready to become Buddhist.\nIf the preceding story actually happened to you would you convert from Christianity to Buddhism? What would converting to Buddhism cost you? Would it cause problems with your friends and family? Most likely, you would not convert to Buddhism.\nEven though your friend is nice and you like him, every reason he has given for converting to Buddhism is subjective. Personal testimonies and relationships are often highly subjective because they are based on feelings. If you had some problems that he could solve for you or if you were lonely, you might convert based on the strength of your respect for her but if he disappointed you, you would likely turn from Buddhism and return to your former ways.\nOn the other hand, imagine if someone could give you logical evidence from history, science, mathematics, archeology, and logic that Buddha was real and that Buddhism was true and that Christianity was false. If you loved truth and truly wanted to know and follow the truth you probably would be willing to risk everything to follow it even if it cost you everything.\nInterestingly, many Christians evangelize in the same way as the \u0026ldquo;Buddhist friend\u0026rdquo; who just tried unsuccessfully to convert you to Buddhism. They live good lives that earn them the right to be heard. They are kind and exhibit Christ\u0026rsquo;s love to their friends. They are prepared to share the basic doctrines about how to accept Christian but they are afraid of the critic and the skeptic and often flee from any objections or difficult questions. Yet, they are often frustrated because the people that they witness to either do not accept Christ, or are weak in their faith when faced with opposition from their families and friends. Also, many Christians know they should be bolder in sharing with their friends, co-workers, and families but are often afraid to share because they are afraid that they will be laughed at or even worse that someone will ask them a question they cannot answer and they will look dishonest or foolish. They are afraid of the science teacher, the skeptic, and the cult member down the street. They only show their faith when they are surrounded by believers but then quickly cover it up when they leave the church door. If they do witness, it is often with great fear of being contradicted and is often done out of duty more than a sense of excitement. This is not to say that our witnesses and personal testimonies are not important, and the ability to communicate the simple plan of salvation is not important. They are vital but one leg is missing evidence. Integrating evidence (apologetics) into the evangelism process will help accomplish four things:\nOpen the seekers\u0026rsquo; minds as they see that there are some legitimate logical proofs that support Christianity which their own belief systems lack.\nHelp the new believer to withstand any repercussions because their faith is based on experience, relationships, and evidence. Experience is important but it can often become clouded in the midst of difficult circumstances. Relationships to the body of Christ are also vital, but if the new believer only believes in God because he/she trusts a Christian or a group of believers, will she/he still believe if that individual or group disappoints or fails them or will he/she fall away? However, if one\u0026rsquo;s belief system is supported by experience, relationships and evidence it will likely withstand the storms. In essence it is loving \u0026ldquo;the Lord your God with your heart (relationships/emotions) soul (spiritual experience) and mind (evidence) Matt. 22:37.\u0026rdquo;\nGive the believer more confidence in their own faith because they know that it is really true and so they can more easily trust and apply the promises of God. If the emotionsfade and their relationships disappoint, they still have the evidence. 4) Give the believer more confidence and boldness in witnessing because they are no longer afraid of the scientist, skeptic, or cultist. In fact, they often seek out the most skeptical people and share with them. Instead of seeing objections to Christianity as a closed door to evangelism, they begin to see objections as open invitations to share. It is easier to reach the skeptical than the apathetic. Skeptics do not believe, but if their objections and questions are answered properly there is a chance that they will open their minds, which prepares the way for their hearts to be opened as well. The apathetic may listen politely but they don\u0026rsquo;t think what you have to say is important enough to question or object.\nThe problem with modern evangelism is that we tend to use \u0026ldquo;tried and true\u0026rdquo; techniques with the assumption that a tract, video, or seeker study that worked in the United States decades ago will work in today\u0026rsquo;s post-Christian world. Although the \u0026ldquo;Four Spiritual Laws\u0026rdquo; are a very clear and concise presentation of the plan of salvation they are based to three assumptions: 1) God exists and is the creator of all. 2). The Bible is true and infallible. 3). Jesus really came to earth, died, and rose again. These three essential truths are no longer taken for granted as being true, evolution, secular humanism, secular archaeology, liberal theologians, and the media have planted many doubts in the minds of people through out the world. If we as Christians do not counter these often unspoken obstacles to belief, our non-Christian friends will listen politely but will never truly make the step of faith. This is precisely why I encourage my non-Christian friends to voice their objections. I tell them, \u0026ldquo;During this study if there is something that you don\u0026rsquo;t understand or don\u0026rsquo;t believe, tell me. I know that if you went to church you might be afraid to ask the pastor because you don\u0026rsquo;t want to be impolite, but with me there are no impolite questions.\u0026rdquo; To get the discussion going, I give them a list of difficult questions: \u0026ldquo;Does God exist?\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;Is the Bible fact or fiction?\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;Is Jesus real?\u0026rdquo; and others.\nBefore you begin an apologetics-based study you need to be personally equipped to answer objections from several directions. To answer these objections, there are three books that you should read in addition to two more that you should use as a reference. These books are all easy to read and are written in such a way that you should be able to remember the arguments. The best book in the world will be of little use to you if you cannot understand its arguments and use them effectively in conversations without notes.\nRecommended Books Evolution/Existence of God, Lee Strobel, Case For a Creator\nDiety of Christ/Validity of New Testament- Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ\nChurch History- D. James Kennedy, What if Jesus had Never Been Born?\nEvidence for the Bible/Christ-Josh McDowell, Evidence that Demands a Verdict\nCults-Walter Martin., Kingdom of the Cults.\nEvangelism- Ken Ham Answers in Genesis, Creation Evangelism\nBeginning the Study\nUsing apologetics does not replace traditional evangelism materials. Instead, it provides a factual support for them so that they are taken more seriously. In other words, traditional evangelism can be the nail and apologetics can be the hammer used by the Spirit to drive the nail of the gospel deep into the heart.\nIt is always good to begin with establishing why it is important for our non-Christian friends to make their own decision about religion because it is the most important decision they will ever make. Next, it is important to find out what your friend believes about the basic questions of life: Were we created by God or merely the result of chance? Is the Bible God\u0026rsquo;s word or just a book? Is Jesus really God? Does your friend want to know more about Christianity? After that, you should spend some time answering your friend\u0026rsquo;s questions. Finally, you can present the plan of salvation from creation to the cross.\nOur non-Christian friends will pay a price for accepting Christ as their personal savior. Some will lose friends. Others will have family problems. In extreme cases they could face more serious persecution. We owe it to them to give them the best evidence for Christianity that we can so that they can make an informed decision. The Golden Rule of Evangelism is this: Before you share your faith, ask yourself, \u0026ldquo;What would it take for me to be converted to my friend\u0026rsquo;s religion or worldview?\u0026rdquo; Then work backwards.\nThe parable of the sower in Matthew 13 and Luke 8 remind us of our role in evangelism. We must be faithful in sowing the seed of the gospel into the lives of the people that God has placed in our path. The original audience for that passage came from a farming society. They would have understood that the good soil did not happen by chance, it had to be prepared. We need be available for God to use us to prepare the hearts and minds of the lost by plowing, removing rocks, weeds, and other obstacles to the Gospel. God will be faithful in his part. We need to be faithful and available so that He can use us to be faithful in our role the process as well.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/if/evidence-and-evangelism/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAm I willing to put myself in my unsaved loved ones\u0026rsquo; shoes?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImagine that you have a friend who is Buddhist.  This person is always thoughtful, and kind. Naturally, you would be drawn to such a person.  You become friends. You begin to talk about deeper things.  One day, your friend wants to share something with you.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe reaches into his pocket and pulls a small booklet.  He begins, \u0026ldquo;Buddha loves you and has a wonderful plan for your next life.\u0026rdquo;  \u0026ldquo;Humanity has done many bad things, and has brought bad karma upon itself, therefore we can never experience Buddha\u0026rsquo;s love and his plan for our next life.\u0026rdquo;  \u0026ldquo;Following the Buddha\u0026rsquo;s teachings is the only way to go to Nirvana and avoid the pain of being something lower in the next life.\u0026rdquo;  \u0026ldquo;We must individually, follow the Buddha\u0026rsquo;s plan so that we can go to Nirvana.\u0026rdquo;  Between each statement he reads a quotation from the Buddhist scriptures.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Evidence and Evangelism"},{"content":"We all must make decisions: what to wear, what to eat, and so on. Some of our decisions are not important, but there are some decisions that could change your life and even the world.\nHere are the two most important questions we should ask ourselves. 1. What do I believe about God, the Bible, Christ, and Salvation? 2. Why do I believe it?\nYour choice of religion is the most important decision you will ever make. The second most important decision you will make is whom you marry. The third is your career.\nIf you choose a bad career you might be unhappy until you find another job.\nIf you choose a bad husband or wife you might be unhappy until you die.\nIf you choose the wrong religion you will be unhappy for the rest of your life and even after you die. If Jesus Christ, is the the only way to God (John 14:6) and you choose not to accept Him as your personal savior, you have made the worst mistake of your life.\nSo, you need to do some research to make sure that you make the right decision about your relationship with Christs. Following a religion simply because your family believes it or it is popular in your culture makes about as much sense as jumping off a tall building simply because all your friends are doing it. As an intelligent person it is important to make decisions based on facts and evidence instead of just blindly following the crowd.\nCHOOSE WISELY!\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/if/decision/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eWe all must make decisions: what to wear, what to eat, and so on.  Some of our decisions are not important, but there are some decisions that could change your life and even the world.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are the two most important questions we should ask ourselves.  1.  What do I believe about God, the Bible, Christ, and Salvation?  2.  Why do I believe it?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour choice of religion is the most important decision you will ever make.  The second most important decision you will make is whom you marry.  The third is your career.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Most Important Decision"},{"content":"God Gives Value to Life\nWhen we look at nature; the stars, the moon, the sun, the earth, the ocean, plants, animals, we often think, “Where did all of this come from?” Is everything just the result of an accidental combination of atoms? Or, is there a designer and creator who made the universe? These are some of the most important questions of life. They are important to our future as humans and they are also important to Christians.\nIf everything happened by chance, then humans and animals would have the same value. When people believe that everything happened by chance and that humans have no greater value than animals, the result is that human life loses its value. One famous philosopher who holds this view argues that killing of animals for meat is wrong but that killing one-month-old babies for the parents’ convenience is not wrong. When people follow this idea to its logical conclusion, the results are frightening. Animals are treated like humans and humans end up acting like animals. People end up spending thousands of dollars to take their pets to the veterinarian but do not care about children who are starving around the world.\nAtheism, the belief that there is no God, has no standards of right and wrong that apply to all people at all times. Humans and animals would have the same value and could be killed at the convenience of those who have power. Without God, there would be no one to give humans rights that cannot be taken away. When governments believe in Atheism, they tend to think of themselves as gods with unlimited power over their citizens.\nWhen governments take this philosophy and turn it into law, the result is mass killings of their own citizens. If one studies the history of the 20th century, one will find a pattern of genocide in many nations. If we add all of the killings of innocent citizens by their own governments together we get a number around 127 million people. These are not deaths from wars with outside nations but these are systematic killings of private citizens by their own government. Governments are supposed to protect their citizens and the governments that have a basic belief in God, religion, and morality above themselves, generally try to protect their own citizens. However, the governments that do not believe in God, see themselves as the predators and their citizens as their prey.\nAn example of one of these governments that applied the philosophy of Atheism is the Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot. Saloth Sar learned this philosophy as a young man. Later, as the prime minister of Cambodia from 1976-1979 he was free to act on it. Without God to give human life value, millions of Cambodians were killed for the political convenience of the Khmer Rouge. The Angka, Pol Pot’s organization took the place of God in that it controlled all of people’s lives and could kill at will. S-21 (Toul Sleng) and The Killing Fields (Choeung Ek) are visible reminders of what happens when atheism becomes the law of the land.\nIn his book entitled Tortured For Christ, Richard Wurmbrand who wrote this: The cruelty of atheism is hard to believe when man has no faith in the reward of good or the punishment of evil. There is no reason to be human. There is no restraint from the depths of evil which is in man. The\u0026hellip;.torturers often said, “There is not God, no Hereafter, no punishment for evil. We can do what we wish.’ I have heard one torturer even say, ‘I thank God, in whom I don’t believe, that I have lived to this hour when I can express all the evil in my heart.’ He expressed it in unbelievable brutality and torture inflicted on prisoners.\nOn the other hand, if God created the universe, especially if it is the God of the Christian Bible, things are completely different. We have just talked about how that without a God who created the universe, there is no objective morality, humans have no special value, and the governments can give and deny human rights such as life and freedom at their convenience. However, if God created the universe, then God alone has the right to determine right and wrong for all people in all nations in all centuries.\nGenesis 1:26-28 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.\nIn this passage, we read that God made humans in the “likeness and image of God.” This means that human life has some special value over the animals. God also placed humans in a place of authority to use and manage the earth and all of the living things in it. As humans, it is our responsibility to be good managers of the earth.\nIn Genesis 1:28-29 God gave humans the right to eat plants such as fruits and vegetables. Later, after sin came into the world and the great flood, God gave humans permission to eat meat in Genesis 8:3-7. From the beginning, God prohibited the murder of humans.\nIf God exists, humans have value and rights that God gave them even before any governments existed. Therefore, humans have rights and value that no government can take away. The Bible encourages people to obey their governments but governments must also obey God and respect the rights that he has given to all humans.\nNow, let’s think about how important it is for God to exist and to have created the universe to the Christian religion. John 3:16 is the most famous verse in the Bible. It says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in himshould not perish, but have everlasting life. ” If God does not exist and did not create the earth including humans, Christianity could not be true. In this verse God loved the world and gave Jesus. If there is no God, there is no one to give Jesus. Therefore, there is no one to save people who believe. People may believe in Jesus, but if there is no God, they have no one to believe in that will save them. Without God’s creation of the universe, Christianity is like a building without a foundation. It will not stand. The good news is that there is strong evidence that supports the belief that God created the universe.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/if/god-and-life/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGod Gives Value to Life\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we look at nature; the stars, the moon, the sun, the earth, the ocean, plants, animals, we often think, “Where did all of this come from?”  Is everything just the result of an accidental combination of atoms?  Or, is there a designer and creator who made the universe?   These are some of the most important questions of life.  They are important to our future as humans and they are also important to Christians.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"God \u0026amp; Value of Life"},{"content":"Jesus looked at them intently and said, \u0026ldquo;Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.\u0026rdquo; Matthew 19:26 NLT\nWe have had three very intense weeks in Cambodia since returning. We’ve experience heavy rains and floorboard deep floods, daily blackouts, mechanical and computer problems, and illnesses. We’ve also had great blessings and breakthroughs in our ministry.\nOut of our weakness, trials, and spiritual warfare God has been growing some amazing fruit!\nUniversity Project Update: Trinity Institute of Cambodia\n[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_73\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;285\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;University Planning Committee\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nThe university planning committee has finished its work. We now have a mission statement, a vision statement, a name, a board, a CEO, and a COO. The name for now will be Trinity Institute of Cambodia (TIC), Lord willing, it will eventually grow to become Trinity University of Cambodia.\nThe mission statement is: To actively equip and mentor our students to discover their identity and purpose and to actualize their potential. This means that we want the students to discover who they are as special creations of God, along with how this identity influences all other identities; national, cultural, and personal. We want them to discover the purpose that Jesus Christ has in their lives and to reach their fullest potential through the power of the Holy Spirit.\nThe vision statement is: Renew Minds Transform Lives.\nThe board will be made up of Rev. Heng Cheng (General Secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia), Dr. Andrew Kwong, Dr. Kevin Lowe, Mr. Uon Seila, and Darryl\nDr. Kwong will be the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and Darryl will be the COO (Chief Operations Officer). Please pray for special grace and wisdom for all those involved in the leadership of this new venture. At this point, we have no funds, so all administrators and board members are purely volunteers.\nAs COO, Darryl will have to draw on his political science background to develop the policies and structure for the organization. This will be a part-time position so that Darryl will be able to have time for his other ministries.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2011/09/05/august-update-1/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eJesus looked at them intently and said, \u0026ldquo;Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.\u0026rdquo;  Matthew 19:26 NLT\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have had three very intense weeks in Cambodia since returning.  We’ve experience heavy rains and floorboard deep floods, daily blackouts, mechanical and computer problems, and illnesses.  We’ve also had great blessings and breakthroughs in our ministry.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOut of our weakness, trials, and spiritual warfare God has been growing some amazing fruit!\u003c/p\u003e","title":"August Ministry Update: Part 1"},{"content":"Update: Anchors of Faith: Truth, Relationships, and Experience Radio Program, FEBC 99.5 FM [caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_80\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;285\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Darryl, Benjamin, \u0026ldquo;Nimol\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;Udom\u0026rdquo;\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nSo far the FEBC radio station staff has been able to produce more than 5 half-hour radio programs. Darryl has written and had translated scripts for 8 programs. In September, he will continue writing more scripts for the Truth segment. During a recent visit to the station, Darryl was able to meet Meng and Ally the voice actor and actress who play the roles of Udom and Nimol.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2011/09/05/august-update-2/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUpdate: Anchors of Faith: Truth, Relationships, and Experience Radio Program, FEBC 99.5 FM\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_80\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;285\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Darryl, Benjamin, \u0026ldquo;Nimol\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;Udom\u0026rdquo;\u0026rdquo;] \u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/09/Truth-Cast.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/09/Truth-Cast.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e[/caption]\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo far the FEBC radio station staff has been able to produce more than 5 half-hour radio programs.  Darryl has written and had translated scripts for 8 programs.  In September, he will continue writing more scripts for the Truth segment.  During a recent visit to the station, Darryl was able to meet Meng and Ally the voice actor and actress who play the roles of Udom and Nimol.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"August Ministry Update: Part 2"},{"content":"Mission and Prayer Team from Japan August 25-30: The Ordinary is the foundation for the Extraordinary\n[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_84\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;285\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Japanese Team Praying For Cambodians\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nOn the surface, they were very quiet, polite, and very Japanese. Pastor Kita from Kayo\u0026rsquo;s home church, Tokyo Chapel, accompanied a team of six church members from Tokyo Grace Church, which was made up of a two university students, two corporate workers, a language teacher, and a pastor\u0026rsquo;s wife. Even though they were with us for only five days, we can honestly say it was an EXTRAORDINARY time!\nWhat made the time so extraordinary was that this team was very committed to prayer. They started each day with devotions and intensive prayer. Everywhere they visited they prayed intensely. After meeting the team and taking them to meet and pray for Precious Women Ministry, which helps Cambodian women escape from prostitution, Kayo returned to the guesthouse and told Darryl, \u0026ldquo;When they prayed, I sensed that the demons flinched and ran away.\u0026rdquo;\nWe took them to Kampong Chhnang, a place where we have experienced a lot of spiritual warfare and oppression. Everywhere they prayed, Darryl sensed the darkness lifting, even though he could not understand their prayers.\nThe team hosted a special meeting in our house in which they shared their testimonies and encouraged the Cambodian Christians not to compromise their faith despite the pressure from their families and culture. They also went from place to place in Kampong Chhnang praying for the Bible School, The English and Computer School, and the local Church as well as praying at the Pastor\u0026rsquo;s, Elders\u0026rsquo;, and a Church Members\u0026rsquo; home. They prayed for healing for the sick and steadfastness for the Christian leaders.\nWe believe that God really used their prayers to make a breakthrough in many of the areas of our life and ministry. They were able to raise funds to build a room and bathroom for a young church family whose 27 year old husband and father has total kidney failure and is only surviving because of donations for dialysis. They also led worship, gave testimonies, and Pastor Kita gave the message with the help of Darryl\u0026rsquo;s former student Seila, who could translate from Japanese to Cambodian. Seila was Darryl\u0026rsquo;s English student back in 2001. She accepted Christ in a student Bible study he was leading. Later, she won a scholarship and earned a BA and MA in Japan and became fluent in Japanese. It was very encouraging for us to see the seeds planted ten years ago, bearing fruit in Seila\u0026rsquo;s life and testimony.\nWhile we praise God for the team\u0026rsquo;s service, we believe that their ministry of prayer was even more important. Sometimes short-term teams come to Cambodia so consumed with service that they overlook the importance and power of prayer. The \u0026ldquo;work\u0026rdquo; of ministry can always be done by the long term missionaries but we need the spiritual breakthroughs and cover that only intensive prayer can bring.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2011/09/05/august-ministry-update-part-3/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMission and Prayer Team from Japan\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAugust 25-30:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Ordinary is the foundation for the Extraordinary\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_84\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;285\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Japanese Team Praying For Cambodians\u0026rdquo;] \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/09/prayerlivingroom.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/09/prayerlivingroom.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e[/caption]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the surface, they were very quiet, polite, and very Japanese.  Pastor Kita from Kayo\u0026rsquo;s home church, Tokyo Chapel, accompanied a team of six church members from Tokyo Grace Church, which was made up of a two university students, two corporate workers, a language teacher, and a pastor\u0026rsquo;s wife. Even though they were with us for only five days, we can honestly say it was an EXTRAORDINARY time!\u003c/p\u003e","title":"August Ministry Update: Part 3"},{"content":"We arrived in Phnom Penh on August 12. It is good to be back on the field in Cambodia. We are in the midst of the rainy seasons which bring with it the adventures of flash floods. On Sunday evening, the street in front of our guesthouse was so flooded that the water was above the floorboards of our car. Thank God it didn\u0026rsquo;t leak.\nToday we will make our way home to Kampong Chhnang Cambodia a 1.5-2 hour trip over a narrow highway with every possible challenge from speeding buses to meandering ox carts.\nWe are looking forward to resuming our work and ministry.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2011/08/14/on-the-field-in-cambodia/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eWe arrived in Phnom Penh on August 12. It is good to be back on the field in Cambodia. We are in the midst of the rainy seasons which bring with it the adventures of flash floods. On Sunday evening, the street in front of our guesthouse was so flooded that the water was above the floorboards of our car. Thank God it didn\u0026rsquo;t leak.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday we will make our way home to Kampong Chhnang Cambodia a 1.5-2 hour trip over a narrow highway with every possible challenge from speeding buses to meandering ox carts.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"On the Field in Cambodia"},{"content":"[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_57\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;aligncenter\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;300\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;\u0026ldquo;Udom\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;Nimol\u0026rdquo; recording the Truth dialogue\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nAnchors For Faith: Truth, Relationships, and Experience\nRadio Program\nIn March, Far East Broadcasting’s Cambodia FM 99.5 station was able to record the first 30-minute radio program. Darryl was very happy and pleased that even though he originated the radio program’s concept and the original script for the truth segment, the final product sounded completely Cambodian. For the Truth segment, Darryl writes dialogue scripts for conversations between two Cambodian university students “Nimol” and “Udom.” In this script, “Udom” and “Nimol,” discuss the evidence that helps them overcome their own doubts and the objections of others about the truth of Christianity. For the Relationships section, FEBC staff members prepare a dialogue about how Christians should relate to other believers and offer practical advice about how Cambodian Christians can maintain their witness and testimony with their non-Christian family and friends. The Experience segment was based on the testimony of Pastor Sok Em, our close friend, the founding director of Tahas Bible Institute.\nSadly, Phearun who played the role of “Udom” in the Truth dialogue was killed in a traffic accident in Phnom Penh. Despite their sorrow over the loss of their co-worker, the staff at FM 99.5 found another young man to become the second “Udom.” Since then, they have re-recorded program #1 and are on schedule to record 2 episodes each month until they far enough ahead to begin broadcasting on the radio station which has a potential audience of 7 million of Cambodia’s 13 million population.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2011/08/02/update-82011-radio-program/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_57\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;aligncenter\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;300\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;\u0026ldquo;Udom\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;Nimol\u0026rdquo; recording the Truth dialogue\u0026rdquo;] \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/08/drama3.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/08/drama3-300x225.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e[/caption]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnchors For Faith: Truth, Relationships, and Experience\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRadio Program\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn March, Far East Broadcasting’s Cambodia FM 99.5 station was able to record the first 30-minute radio program.  Darryl was very happy and pleased that even though he originated the radio program’s concept and the original script for the truth segment, the final product sounded completely Cambodian.  For the Truth segment, Darryl writes dialogue scripts for conversations between two Cambodian university students “Nimol” and “Udom.”  In this script, “Udom” and “Nimol,” discuss the evidence that helps them overcome their own doubts and the objections of others about the truth of Christianity.  For the Relationships section, FEBC staff members prepare a dialogue about how Christians should relate to other believers and offer practical advice about how Cambodian Christians can maintain their witness and testimony with their non-Christian family and friends.  The Experience segment was based on the testimony of Pastor Sok Em, our close friend, the founding director of Tahas Bible Institute.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Update 8/2011 Radio Program"},{"content":"[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_13\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;300\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\u0026rdquo;] [/caption]\nWe are excited about this new chapter of ministry in Cambodia with Saving Grace World Mission. Darryl served in Cambodia from 2000-2003 and we have been working in Cambodia since 2007 as a family with different missions organizations. We will return to Cambodia on August 11 to continue our ministry there.\nPlease pray for us as we make the transition to SGWM, including learning how to manage this new blog and website.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2011/07/31/a-new-chapter-of-ministry-in-cambodia/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e[caption id=\u0026ldquo;attachment_13\u0026rdquo; align=\u0026ldquo;alignright\u0026rdquo; width=\u0026ldquo;300\u0026rdquo; caption=\u0026ldquo;Darryl, Kayo, and Benjamin\u0026rdquo;] \u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/07/File0067.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/07/File0067-300x225.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e[/caption]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are excited about this new chapter of ministry in Cambodia with Saving Grace World Mission.  Darryl served in Cambodia from 2000-2003 and we have been working in Cambodia since 2007 as a family with different missions organizations.  We will return to Cambodia on August 11 to continue our ministry there.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease pray for us as we make the transition to SGWM, including learning how to manage this new blog and website.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"A New Chapter of Ministry in Cambodia"},{"content":"Today, our family made our bi-annual shopping (2009, 2011, 2013) trip to IKEA. IKEA is an amazing store full of high quality, stylish furniture, housewares, towels, bedding, and more at reasonable prices. We kept saying, \u0026ldquo;I wish they had this in Cambodia.\u0026rdquo; Then, we reminded ourselves of the airline luggage allowance and we ended up purchasing the things that we really needed that actually would fit in our suitcases. If we had forgotten about the airline luggage limits, we might have created a scene at the airport as we tried to bring a futon or chair as carry-on luggage.\nJust like the airline luggage allowance, heaven also has a luggage limits. We can\u0026rsquo;t bring our houses, cars, clothes, or other physical things. Physical things will not fit into our \u0026ldquo;spiritual suitcases.\u0026rdquo; Just like an airline, we need a ticket and our personal relationship with Jesus Christ is that ticket. We didn\u0026rsquo;t buy that ticket ourselves. It was purchased for with Jesus\u0026rsquo; blood. Once we have a ticket, we are given a spiritual luggage allowance. We want to make sure that we pack our luggage full with all of the spiritual things for heaven (worship, prayer, ministry, etc.).\nOf course life is like a trip to IKEA, we need to constantly remind ourselves of Heaven\u0026rsquo;s Luggage Allowance. With that in mind, we can prioritize the spiritual things that we can take with us. We can also enjoy the physical things that we will leave behind.\nActually, I am kind of relieved that I don\u0026rsquo;t have to try to carry a chest of drawers through the airport. I am also looking forward to leaving the sickness, sorrow, and pain of this world behind and getting the new things in heaven. I am also glad that in Heaven, everything that I really need will be waiting for me. There will be no need for my relatives to burn little paper replicas of cars, houses, or money as many Buddhists feel they must do. There are plenty of seats left on the flight to heaven, so I want to invite my friends and loved ones to join me.\nEternal life-It\u0026rsquo;s the only way to fly.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/2011/07/30/suitcases-and-eternal-life/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eToday, our family made our bi-annual shopping (2009, 2011, 2013) trip to IKEA.  IKEA is an amazing store full of high quality, stylish furniture, housewares, towels, bedding, and more at reasonable prices.  We kept saying, \u0026ldquo;I wish they had this in Cambodia.\u0026rdquo;  Then, we reminded ourselves of the airline luggage allowance and we ended up purchasing the things that we really needed that actually would fit in our suitcases.  If we had forgotten about the airline luggage limits, we might have created a scene at the airport as we tried to bring a futon or chair as carry-on luggage.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Suitcases and Eternal Life"},{"content":" Darryl, the son of a bi-vocational lay pastor in Missouri, grew up in a Christian family and church environment. At the age of five, he accepted Christ as his personal savior. During his time as a student at a secular university, he nearly lost his faith. Christian radio and research into the evidence for Christianity renewed his faith. From 2000-2003 Darryl worked as an English teacher at a university in Cambodia and ministered to students and others outside of the classroom. During this time, God called him to be a long-term missionary in Cambodia and to focus on developing multi-media resources that clearly proclaim the Truth of God\u0026rsquo;s Word. Darryl earned an MA in Christian Apologetics from Biola University.\nKayo was born in Japan into a non-Christian family. She attended a Christian high school where a Christian teacher planted the seeds of the Gospel. She accepted Christ while she was a college student in Tokyo. During short-term mission trips God called her to be a long-term missionary. She came to Biola University and earned an MA in Bible Exposition from Talbot.\nDarryl and Kayo met at Biola and have been sent out as missionaries by Calvary Chapel La Mirada. They were married in 2004. They have been missionaries in Cambodia since September, 2007. Benjamin was born in 2008.\n","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/our-testimony/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/07/Cambodia-Feb-2011-019.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/record/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2011/07/Cambodia-Feb-2011-019-300x225.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Darryl, the son of a bi-vocational lay pastor in Missouri, grew up in a Christian family and church environment.  At the age of five, he accepted Christ as his personal savior.  During his time as a student at a secular university, he nearly lost his faith.  Christian radio and research into the evidence for Christianity renewed his faith.  From 2000-2003 Darryl worked as an English teacher at a university in Cambodia and ministered to students and others outside of the classroom.  During this time, God called him to be a long-term missionary in Cambodia and to focus on developing multi-media resources that clearly proclaim the Truth of God\u0026rsquo;s Word.  Darryl earned an MA in Christian Apologetics from Biola University.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Our Testimony"},{"content":"","permalink":"https://archive.sgwm.com/record/record/","summary":"","title":"Auto Draft"}]