In recent days, Both, who I have had the privilege to disciple for the past 18 months, has let me know that he wants to translate my new book “Keep the Dream Alive” into the Khmer language. To be honest with you, at first, I didn’t take him serious. I didn’t take him serious until he sent me a text that said, “Praying for the book. Hope it will appear in Khmer soon. I am going to try my best to finish it.” He then wrote, “The purpose [for translating it to Khmer] is (1) To encourage people to pray for Pastor Joe,  (2) Show our church members [in Cambodia] how much Pastor Joe loves them, (3) To expand his dream here. I have finished the Introduction and Chapter One, but haven’t had it checked by Pastor Dave yet. Thank God for Pastor Joe!”

To be honest with you when I read Both’s words I wept like a baby. And, even now, typing these words, I am finding it difficult to hold back the tears. After I replied and commended him for attempting to take on this task, he shot back a quick reply: “FOR WITH GOD NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE!”

I meet with him twice a week. He has asked that during our time together, prior to my leaving for the States, if I could help him to understand the meaning of some of the words and phrases that I have used in the book!

PLEASE PRAY FOR BOTH TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE GRACE TO DO WHAT GOD HAS LAID UPON HIS HEART!

It is always a blessing for my wife and I to go to Abraham and Rohm’s house for a time of Bible study on Friday mornings. It has been a real treat to have Pastor Tho go with me the past 6-8 weeks now. He even filled in for me while I was in China and will do so again when I leave for Guangzhou in a few weeks. Lord willing, he will be doing it full-time coming in September.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ABRAHAM AND ROHM’S SPIRITUAL GROWTH!

This past week I had the opportunity to preach for our Psa Thrict church on Thursday and our Phnom Penh congregation on Sunday morning. While it is always a joy to preach the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ, it is especially a blessing to preach to hungry hearts in this part of the world. Of course, when I go to Psa Thrict it is always a very busy and blessed day. We go out soul-winning, teach the Bible to new converts, and I had a chance to give a devotion or teach the leadership of the church four times that day, including about two hours was spent on teaching the men the difference between a teacher and a shepherd!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL BLESS THE WORDS THAT WERE PREACHED, THE SEEDS THAT WERE SOWN, AND THE LIVES THAT WERE IMPACTED!

On Saturday evening we hosted Nak and his wife Srey Gee. We go back a long way with this couple. Not enough time to share the whole story, but thankful that Nak recently trusted Christ, and that he, Srey Gee, and Sros are faithfully attending church. Srey Gee and Sros are even going out with us on Sunday afternoons to Steung MeanChey. Praise the Lord!

PLEASE PRAY FOR NAK, SREY GEE, AND SROS TO CONTINUE TO GROW IN THEIR FAITH!

The ministry in Steung MeanChey is really going well. God is blessing the prayers and the labors of His people. The past two weeks we have had over 100 teens and children in attendance for the Sunday afternoon Teen/Children’s Ministry. Brother Man and his workers are doing a great job. We have also seen some adults saved, and many who are still open and listening to the Gospel, but who have yet to trust Christ. Man, Kosal, and their wives are moving to Steung MeanChey this week and on Sunday, August 7, they will have their first adult and teen Bible study. Lord willing, this will someday soon blossom into a church.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE MINISTRY IN STEUNG MEANCHEY!

While the Teen/Children’s Ministry is going on in Steung MeanChey, I am normally soul-winning with Brother Vannak. As always, the past two Sundays have been a great time of soul-winning. Brother Vannak and I had the opportunity to share the Gospel with a man named Nuen and a neighbor woman named Phannay. They were both very open, especially Nuen. We tried to get back with them on the following Tuesday but they weren’t home. A few days later, Vannak and I were able to share the Gospel with Nuen’s wife Sokha. While Nuen, his wife Sokha, and Phanney have not yet trusted Christ we are believing God for their salvation!

This past Sunday I went out visiting with Brother Adrian. We were able to share the Gospel with two men, named Perun and Tang (hope I have that spelled right). While neither one of them trusted Christ, they both are very open. Perun’s wife and daughter were murdered during a home invasion in a village outside of the city. He is a broken man who so desperately needs Jesus, not only for comfort but for salvation!

Another woman, who lives in the same general area of Steung MeanChey as those named above is Sophat. Vannak and I had the opportunity to share the Gospel with her. Again, she didn’t get saved either, but she was very open. As with the others, we will be going back to visit her and share with them the love of God!

PLEASE PRAY FOR NUEN, SOKHA, PHANNEY, PERUN,  TANG’S, AND SOPHAT’S SALVATION!

It was a real joy to be able to host the Single’s Small Group this past Sunday evening. Bounna and his wife Thy work with these precious folks and are doing a great job, but are in the States for about a month. We had a great crowd, lots of fun, and I taught on “Three Potential Pitfalls for Singles.” It seemed to go over well!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS BOUNNA AND THY AS THEY MINISTER TO THESE YOUNG PEOPLE! 

About two months or so ago, Vannak and I were privileged to lead Samaat to Christ. Since that time, we have been sharing the Gospel with his 25-year-old son, Sokcheat, as well as with his wife, another son, and a daughter. Sokcheat has been very open and receptive. He has even attended our church services the past two weeks with his father.

PLEASE PRAY FOR SAMAAT’S SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND SOKCHEAT’S SALVATION!

Recently, while Vannak and I were sharing the Gospel with Sokcheat in Steung MeanChey. I noticed through the corner of my eyes a Monk going from house to house. I was able to quickly take the first picture below. This was about 50 feet from where we were sharing the Gospel with Sokcheat.  About a week or so later, while sharing the Gospel with some of Sokcheat’s other family members, I was able to take the second picture below. This sad scene took place less than 10 feet from where we were sitting and sharing the Gospel. Good reminders why we came to this part of the world!

PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE OF CAMBODIA, SOUTHEAST ASIA, AND THE REST OF THE 10/40 WINDOW TO COME TO A SAVING KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST!

It was a blessing to recently have the opportunity to share the Gospel with one of the mothers of one of our teen boys named Alec. At one time, Alec was very faithful. In recent months, he has drifted from the Lord and from the church. Please do pray for him! Yet, his mother Leak was very open as I shared the Gospel with her for well over an hour and Grace Ortiz interpreted for me. Her daughter, Srey Neath, is deaf. When I asked Leak if she understood that she was a sinner she said, “Yes! That’s why I have a deaf daughter.” 😦 Of course, I explained to her that her having a deaf daughter had nothing to do with her being a sinner!

PLEASE PRAY FOR LEAK’S AND SREY NEATH’S SALVATION AND FOR ALEC TO GET RIGHT WITH GOD AND GET BACK IN CHURCH!

Please do pray for my upcoming trip to Guangzhou, China, my trip to Laos, and our trip to the States. I will be in Guangzhou for only four days checking out the city as a potential place for a team from Pacific Baptist Church. I will be in Laos for over two weeks. I will be preaching for three churches and doing a lot of teaching for two different Bible Institutes. Definitely covet your prayers!

My wife and I, along with the girls, and the rest of our team here in Cambodia, want to thank you for your prayers and financial support!