SPECIAL EDITION

“Tell the students to give up their small

ambitions and come eastward

to preach the gospel of Christ.”

After a brief word about our most recent trip to Thailand and Laos, I would like to take the rest of this update to share with you a little about the importance of young people surrendering their lives to Christ and the cause of Christ in the world and about some of our young singles who are serving here in Cambodia.

As I mentioned in our previous update, our trip to Thailand and Laos was unbelievable. I had the opportunity to preach four times at the camp in Thailand, another four times in Laos for two different churches, and teach another 25 hours for the Bible Institute. Only time will tell, but I do believe that many life-changing decisions were made during our 11 days in Laos and Thailand.  Many of the young people were talking about serving God full-time and reaching, not only their own people, but going to other places in the 1040 Window such as China.

Thank you for praying!

  

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BELOW THAT WE SENT TO MY BROTHER PASTOR JOE FROM OUR TRIP TO LAOS AND THAILAND!

Thai-Lao Trip April 2016 (6715BB23-EC70-456F-9D54-40C6BF39CD42) from carrithelight on Vimeo.

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL BRING A GREAT INCREASE TO THE SEEDS THAT WERE SOWN DURING OUR 11 DAYS IN THAILAND AND LAOS!

Surrounded by so many young people, between the ages 18-25, I was reminded of the words written by missionaries Jake Taube and Mark Tolson over ten years ago in their book On the Edge:

 “Until we have young men and young women of God who are willing to do anything necessary to see God’s name glorified, there will be no city-taking. Until there is a generation willing to suffer, willing to bleed, and willing to die for the glory of God, there will be no conquering of the land God has promised us. We may watch walls fall and doors open, but it is our hearts that determine whether or not the cities of this world will be taken. … What will make the difference for the fulfillment of the Great Commission in this generation? It will be nothing less than the mobilization of student leadership towards God’s worldwide purpose. Only when students realize that God has a powerful plan for their life and abandon their own small dreams, plans, and passions will this world of 6.5 billion people be reached. Only when students cast their aspirations and goals onto the altar of commitment to Christ will China, now at 1.3 billion inhabitants, be evangelized.  The message of the need of China must be proclaimed to this new generation. Over a billion souls hang in the balance. We bear a command from our Savior to go into all the world, carrying the Gospel of His death, burial, and resurrection. The question is given to this generation, ‘Who will go for us?’ (Is.6:8) What can be done to raise up a generation of Christian students for China? What can American students do?   The students of America must be mobilized to the harvest fields of China. No other group in the world has the opportunity for so much training, so much financial power, and so much life ahead of them. Francis Xavier said, ‘Tell the students to give up their small ambitions and come eastward to preach the gospel of Christ.’”

With the above words in mind, I would like to introduce you to a few young people, singles, who have given their all to Christ and the cause of Christ:

Grace Ortiz has been in Cambodia now for nine years. She grew up in Hillside Baptist Church in Los Angeles and came here to the country not knowing a soul and with very little support. For the past two years she has been serving with our team here in Phnom Penh. Her main focus at the moment is working with the deaf in Phnom Penh. She is currently enrolled in the Cambodia Sign Language (CSL) Interpreters Training Course at the Maryknoll Deaf Development Center. In addition to this, she is able to soul win, visit, teach, and disciple the deaf in areas surrounding Phnom Penh: Steung Meanchey, Toul Tom Pong, Boeung Trabek, Chbar Ampou, and Chomroeun Phal.

She is also currently working with 5 saved deaf ladies to create/teach signs that relate to Bible vocabulary and scriptures that are separate from the Buddhist religion. Once a sign is created or taught, it is drawn and recorded as a new sign and kept to be taught to other deaf who attend our church services.

As of today,  God has used Grace and our deaf ministry to see eight deaf Cambodians accept Christ as their Savior. Many other deaf Cambodians have attended our church services on several occasions but have not yet made decisions to accept Christ. Grace has had as many as 17 deaf in one of our services.

She has also been given the privilege, with special talents from God, to interpret during our church services and small group teachings. She is still studying CSL and please pray that the Lord will continue to use her to win more deaf to the Lord.

Adrian Torres grew up in Pacific Baptist Church and graduated from both Pacific Baptist School and Pacific Baptist Bible College. Soon after graduating from PBBC, Adrian came to Cambodia with absolutely no support. He has been here in Cambodia for three years and is a vital part of our ministry here. He works full-time in a private school here in Phnom Penh to support himself.  He is a tuk-tuk captain and brings about 20-25 poor children to church every week. He is involved with other different soul-winning ministries, teaches English to teen boys on Thursday, assists me with a Bible study on Friday afternoons, works with our Teen Boy’s Ministry on Fridays, preaches to 20-25 teenagers every Sunday, and oversees the church finances here. 

Sue Esposito also grew up at Pacific Baptist Church, graduated from Pacific Baptist School, and Pacific Baptist Bible College. She is my niece and Pastor Joe’s second eldest daughter.  She has been in Cambodia for just over a year now and her favorite time of the week is when we go to Steung MeanChey, one of the poorest areas in Cambodia. Sue is able to go with one of the ladies and they disciple and teach the Bible to recently saved ladies there, and also share the gospel with the lost.

Sue is also very involved in our Music ministry. She is a part of our ladies’ choir and our English choir. Every Wednesday she has the opportunity to play for our children’s choir practice. They do such a great job! She also gets to play piano for our teen girl’s music group in addition to our English Bible study group on Sunday nights.  The teen girls come over on Fridays for a weekly Bible study, which includes a time of games, singing, and sometimes crafts.  They also have a small group of young single ladies who come over to our house for a Bible study also. They teach from different subjects in the Bible that will help the girls to grow in the Lord.  Every Saturday evening Sue enjoys teaching some of our girls English. They do many different things to help them get some teaching experience also. Each week the girls have the opportunity to learn a Bible verse in English. Soon the girls will be teaching new English songs also. 

Joy Esposito is my daughter. Of course, she grew up at Pacific Baptist Church, graduated from Pacific Baptist School, and Pacific Baptist Bible College. She served on staff at Pacific Baptist School for two years, teaching elementary-aged students, until volunteering to come to Cambodia to serve. She came to Cambodia with only a few hundred dollars’ support. Like her cousin Sue, Joy is involved with the Ladies’ Choir, the English Choir, she works with the teen girls, she teaches English to the teen girls, has a Bible study with a few single ladies, and she personally disciples Sokchea and Srey Nich. She has been used by God in a mighty way in these two young ladies lives. Joy has also been working in one of our village ministries for almost the entire time she has been in the country. On Tuesdays, she leaves the house at 6:30 AM and does not return until 6:30 or 7:00 PM. On Saturdays, she leaves at 6:30 and returns about 1:00 PM. Both Joy and Sue are extremely helpful around the house, especially when we have guests over, which is quite frequently! Joy will be leaving Cambodia soon. She was recently engaged to Chris Ayala, another one of our graduates. The two of them, Lord willing, will be serving the Lord in the future in Asia.

We thank God for these three young ladies and for Adrian. They left their family and friends to come to a country that desperately needs the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You might say, “Much of what they are doing in Cambodia they could do back home in the United States.” Yes, this is true!

HERE’S THE DIFFERENCE: THERE ARE PLENTY OF FOLKS WHO CAN FILL THOSE SLOTS IN AMERICA. OUR CHURCHES HAVE PLENTY OF YOUNG PEOPLE. BUT THERE IS NO LINE OF FOLKS WAITING TO SERVE IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD!

May God continue to call, and  may young people respond to the call, to go to the uttermost parts of the world to bring the glorious Gospel of Christ where it is needed most and where the laborers are few!

Denise, Joy, Sue, and I thank you for your continual prayers and consistent support!

 

Since leaving our team in Laos and joining our team in Cambodia in November of 2014, I have had the privilege of returning to Laos on five separate occasions. On each of these trips, which lasted from 10-12 days each, I have had the privilege to preach for our team, as well as for two other churches, and various conferences, camps, and teach in two different Bible Institutes. It’s always a real blessing to be able to come back and be with our dear friends in Laos and Thailand.

On this most recent trip, we were invited to come and preach for the “Striving Together for the Faith of the Gospel” Bible Camp held in Nong Khai, Thailand and to preach and teach for our team in Laos. This was my fourth year in a row preaching for the Camp, which is always held during Laos/Thai New Year. This year’s camp had folks in attendance from eight different churches in Thailand and Laos. There were over 120 people in attendance and the vast majority of these were young people between the ages of 15-30 years old.

I had the privilege of preaching four of the twelve messages, including the opening and closing messages for the camp. The other speakers were missionary to Thailand Philip Pope and a Thai national, Pastor Pradith. Both of these good men also preached four times. Brother Philip Pope is the man who not only started a few churches here in the country that in turn started seven other churches in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar, but he also translated the entire Bible into the Thai language.

The first three days of the camp I preached messages from the Book of Philippians, using Philippians 1:27 (the Camp’s theme verse) as a spring board. On the final day of the Camp I preached a message entitled “For the Gospel’s Sake” from 1 Corinthians chapter 9, challenging the folks to go back to their homes, their villages, their cities, to their schools, and to their places of employment and bring the Good news of Jesus Christ. God moved in a special way and many, if not most, responded by asking God to help them to live, and if need be, die for “The Gospel’s Sake.”

One special blessing during the 3½ days of camp was the fact that three individuals trusted Christ including a lady named At. At is the mother of one of our faithful young ladies named Lilee. Needless to say, it was an emotional moment for everybody, but especially Lilee.

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL TAKE THE SEEDS OF HIS WORD THAT WERE SOWN DURING THE CONFERENCE AND BRING MANY LOST PEOPLE TO CHRIST!

After camp was over and crossing the border returning to the “Creative Access” nation, I had the opportunity to preach for our team in the capital city on Sunday. In spite of it being a holiday weekend they still had a good crowd for a church less than an year-and-a-half old, especially for this part of the world. It was great to have At [see picture above] in both of the services with a Bible and taking notes. Both the morning and the afternoon services were wonderful and, as always, the meal in between the services was fantastic!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS THIS MINISTRY!

I was supposed to preach twice, as well as teach during the Sunday school hour, but we ended up spending the entire Sunday School hour sharing testimonies (there were 6 different testimonies) from the camp. It was a tremendous blessing to say the least. One of the many great testimonies was a young Hmong girl named Pachou. She is 15-years old and recently trusted Christ. She is from one of the distant villages up north. She is not only the only Christian in her family, but the only Christian from her entire village. Apparently, she left home because her step mother is trying to sell her off for $600. God used the testimony and love of missionary T.J. Slayman and his family to reach this young lady as He has in many of the young people in this church!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS PACHOU AND THAT SHE WILL GROW TO BE THE YOUNG LADY GOD DESIRES FOR HER TO BE!

Koumaly and Darath Thongdy, along with T.J. and Kam Slayman are doing a great job here in the capital city of this “Creative Access” nation. They surely need your prayers as they have a boatload of young people who are hungry for God. We will be here in the country for another five days, and sincerely covet your prayers, as I teach for 25 hours in the Bible Institute and preach for their midweek service. Today, was my first day of teaching in the Institute  and it was fabulous. During the morning session, we had a few extra join us so we had ten in attendance. Immediately after the morning session we all went out to lunch and had a great time of fellowship.

During the five days of morning sessions (9:30 AM-12:30 PM), I am teaching from the Book of Philippians. During the evening sessions (6:00 PM- 8:00 PM), I am teaching on “Finding, Following, and Finishing the Will of God for Your Life” and “Biblical Stewardship.”

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REMAINING SESSIONS IN BIBLE INSTITUTE THIS WEEK!

We all sincerely thank you for your constant prayers and consistent support of our ministry in Southeast Asia. Please do keep our upcoming trip next month to China for a Missions’ Conference in your prayers!

Johnny, Denise, Joy, and Sue

 

On Resurrection Sunday we had a fabulous “Celebration Service.” We had over 250 in attendance and 16 followed the Lord in Believer’s baptism. Brother Dave Board preached a great message and introduced a memorial portrait of five individuals in our ministry here who have gone on to be with the Lord after trusting Christ. The picture now hangs in the auditorium as a reminder that our labor is not in vain.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE 16 MEN, WOMEN, AND TEENS THAT FOLLOWED THE LORD IN BAPTISM TO GO ON SERVING CHRIST!

Once a month I go visiting in our village ministries in Psa Thrict and Chom Kha, as well as preach for our church in Psa Thrict. It’s always a blessing! The first of the two really special blessings for me this past week was the opportunity to teach Grandpa Pun and his family in Chom Kha village. They have an amazing testimony that all started with Man picking up grandpa (who is blind) and bringing him to his village. Within a few weeks of their visiting and teaching him the way of salvation he trusted Christ. Now, many of his adult children and grandchildren have also trusted Christ. What a joy it was to teach him and some of the family for nearly an hour as they sat attentively soaking up every word we shared!

 PLEASE PRAY FOR THE WORKS IN CHOM KA VILLAGE AND PSA THRICT VILLAGE!

The other blessing was quite unexpected and a bit emotional. I had the chance to talk to a young lady named Srey Neen. It’s a long story, in fact, a very long story, but five years ago God used her and her story to speak to my heart in a mighty way to inspire me to leave the comforts and conveniences of America to come to Southeast Asia. Five years ago, as a ten-year-old girl, she was receiving unbelievable persecution from her Muslim family. I believe the day that I met her five years ago was her last chance to attend a Christian service.

 PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL BRING SREY NEEN BACK TO HIMSELF!

As we have mentioned in a few of our recent updates, every Friday Adrian and I go to Abraham’s house for a time of Bible study and discipleship with him, his wife, and his 22-year old brother-n-law Vay. Vay is a great guy who has a desire to grow. We had been trying to get him to come to our Friday evening Teen Boys/Young Adult Men’s Meeting. He finally came this Friday. He had a great time! 

PLEASE PRAY FOR VAY TO KNOW AND FOLLOW THE WILL OF GOD FOR HIS LIFE!

One of our most faithful young men is Veasna. He loves the Lord. He is faithful, not only to all the services, but is very active in the ministry here. He has been saved for a while. His father trusted Christ about a year ago. This past Saturday Man and I had the opportunity to visit his older brother Panha. He is 26 years old and had never trusted Christ. After sharing Christ with him for close to an hour, Panha bowed his head to trust Christ!

PLEASE PRAY FOR PANHA TO GROW SPIRITUALLY IN SPITE OF HIS VERY BUSY WORK SCHEDULE!

A little over a year ago Man and I started working with a few university students who were being housed by a French NGO. We had them over our house a few times for food, fun, and fellowship. I took a few of them out to eat. Our hope was to see many of them come to Christ. It never really materialized. If you will remember, one young lady who trusted Christ was Nissa. She trusted Christ and started attending our services faithfully. She invited a friend of hers named Sochea. Sochea started attending services, we had her and Nissa over a couple of times and finally Sochea trusted Christ. About two weeks after trusting Christ Sochea found out she was expecting a child and her boyfriend dumped her and left her without a home and to be honest with you, at least in her eyes, without hope. With God’s help, I talked her out of committing suicide and talked her out of getting an abortion.  Our family got her a small apartment, we paid her rent, utilities, and groceries for about four months.  A few months later, her brother Chanta arrived in Phnom Penh, she invited him to church and after just a few services, he trusted Christ. Their mother Navy just arrived in Phnom Penh recently. Chanta showed her a film about Jesus (probably the Jesus Film) and led her to Christ. Praise the Lord!

Nissa, Sochea, Chanta, and Navy. That’s four generations of Christians in just over a year. And to think it all started with taking four young people out for an inexpensive meal!

PLEASE PRAY FOR SOCHEA, CHANTA AND NAVY TO GROW SPIRITUALLY AND FOR NISSA, WHEREVER SHE, IS TO LIVE FOR CHRIST!

In our March 24 update we mentioned a lady named Theara who lives in Steung MeanChey. More about Steung MeanChey in a bit.  In that last update, we mentioned how, after two months of sharing the Gospel with Theara, she was very close to being saved. We asked you to pray and we are sure that many of you did so. Thank you! Theara trusted Jesus this past Sunday afternoon when Vannak and I had the chance to share the Gospel with her one more time. In fact, when Vannak went to her place there were about ten men partying next door and she asked can we go somewhere and talk. He brought her to where I was and within 40 minutes of Vannak and I sharing the Gospel with her Theara trusted Christ. Again, thank you for praying!

PLEASE PRAY FOR THEARA’S SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND FOR HER HUSBAND TO TRUST CHRIST!

ANOTHER BLESSING FROM STEUNG MEANCHEY! As we mention in just about every one of our updates it is such a tremendous blessing to be able to go soul-winning in Steung Meanchey every Tuesday and Sunday. Steung MeanChey is one of the poorest places in all of Cambodia. In fact, it is probably one of the poorest places in all of Southeast Asia. The poverty is unbearable and heart-wrenching to say the least. 

Over the past six months or so, we have  been sharing the Gospel regularly with a lady named Nouen who lives in Steung MeanChey and just today she trusted Christ as her Savior!

PLEASE PRAY FOR NOUEN’S SPIRITUAL GROWTH!

About three months ago Thinus arrived in Cambodia from South Africa. He has been attending our Sunday morning services (of course, he doesn’t understand a word), attending our Sunday evening English Only Small Group, and our English Chapel services since his arrival. Thinus has also been meeting with me for two hours every Monday these last two months. It looks like he will be leaving Cambodia in a few weeks. According to Thinus, he thought he came to Cambodia for a particular reason, but God brought him here to get him right with God and back on track. Thinus was away from the Lord and out of church for the past five years. He said his Bible had gathered quite a bit of dust on it. I am grateful for the opportunity to have had a small part in seeing Thinus turn things around for the Lord!

PLEASE PRAY THAT THINUS WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IN GRACE AND FIND GOD’S PURPOSE FOR HIS LIFE!

Next week we will be leaving for Laos. We will be in Laos and Thailand for a total of eleven days. I will be preaching for a Bible Conference in Thailand four times and preaching another four times for our team and the church there in the capital city. I will also be teaching for 27 hours in the Bible Institute.

WE DEFINITELY COVET YOUR PRAYERS CONCERNING THIS TRIP!

Denise, Joy, Sue, and I want to thank you for your continual prayers and financial support. Anything that is accomplished here through us is because of God’s amazing grace, your prayers, and your financial support.

Thank you!!! 

 

Just over a week ago my wife and I celebrated three years as missionaries in the 1040 Window. After just under a year on deputation we left the States for Southeast Asia. It was on March 14, 2013 that my wife and I left Los Angeles, California to start a new phase in our journey with Jesus. On March 16, 2013, as a 56-year old man and a … well, I won’t tell you my wife’s age, we arrived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. After spending three weeks with our team in Cambodia we arrived in Laos and spent 17 months there. We have now been with our team in Cambodia for the past 16 months. It has been a wonderful three years and we couldn’t be here, nor could we accomplish what God is accomplishing through us without your prayers and financial support!

I JUST WANTED TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUAL AND CONSISTENT PRAYERS FOR US, AS WELL AS FOR YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT!

Over the past two months Vannak and I have had the privilege to share the gospel over and over again, on a weekly basis, with Grandma Heang and her adult daughter Touch who live in Steung Meanchey. Praise the Lord! Two weeks or so ago Grandma Heang (89-years old) trusted Christ.

PLEASE PRAY FOR GRANDMA HEANG TO GROW SPIRITUALLY!

In our last update I mentioned Ra, a 15-year old boy from Steung Meanchey that Vannak and I recently had the privilege to lead to Christ. Ra has been attending our services the past few weeks now. He has also been bringing a friend. In recent days, two of his buddies have trusted Christ. Interestingly enough, both of his friends are named Sela. Last week Vannak and I had the privilege to lead one of them to the Lord and Man led the other Sela to Christ when he visited our Friday night teen boys meeting.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE YOUNG MEN TO GROW SPIRITUALLY AND HAVE AN IMPACT AMONG THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

As we have mentioned often there are hundreds, actually thousands, of children and teenagers in Steung Meanchey. The vast majority (97-98%) of them are Buddhists and do not know Christ.  And the majority of these have never once heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. Last week as Man and I were making a few visits in Steung Meanchey we passed a small dental clinic (NGO) where we met about 20 seventh graders who were there to have their teeth checked. We started talking to them, passing out tracts, inviting them to church, and just having a fun time with them. They were so open and, trust me, they were having a great time and so were we!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL USE US, ESPECIALLY OUR NATIONALS, TO REACH THE MULTITUDE OF LOST YOUNG PEOPLE IN STEUNG MEANCHEY!

This past Sunday we started our Children’s/Teen Ministry in Steung Meanchey. Dave Board, our team leader here in Cambodia, has set down three primary objectives with these Children’s/Teen Ministries. They are as follows:

• Get the gospel to the children and teens.
• Assimilate the ones who do get saved into the church.
• Give our nationals the opportunity to love and serve their people.

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL USE THIS NEW MINISTRY IN STEUNG MEANCHEY TO ACCOMPLISH THOSE THREE OBJECTIVES!

As is often the case, when you are working with the poor and the marginalized, they often move without much notice and you tend to lose track of them. This is the case of one mother named Yun and her disabled son Yan. About five or six months ago Vannak and I had shared the gospel with them quite a few times over a month or two period of time and then they just suddenly disappeared. We hadn’t seen them in quite some time, but this past Sunday while we were making a few visits, and I was by myself, the mother (Yun) grabbed me and with a big smile on her face started talking to me. Unfortunately, I didn’t understand much of what she was saying other than “Teacher, it is good to see you.” I flagged down Vannak and we followed her to her house. Lord willing, now that we know where they live we will be able to get back to sharing the gospel with them!

PLEASE PRAY FOR YUN AND YAN TO TRUST JESUS CHRIST!

Over the past month and a half Vannak and I have been sharing the gospel with a handful of new folks in Steung Meanchey. They are very open and keep asking us to come back and teach them more. One lady named Theara has been especially receptive to the gospel and I think she is very close to trusting Christ. Unfortunately, her husband is a skeptic and a mocker. 😦 The other day when we stopped by Theara’s place-as with many other ladies in SMC-she was trimming strings from new blue jeans for a local factory. These ladies are given pallets with 100 pairs of jeans to trim and when they are finished they receive less than $2.00 (actually $1.75) for finishing the 100 pairs of jeans. From what I understand it takes most of them two days to complete the job. That’s less than a dollar per day. Such is the cycle of poverty in Steung Meanchey! Last month her family was being evicted from their shack because they didn’t have the $20 to pay rent. I had someone bring her the money later from the Lord.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THEARA’S SALVATION!

Our English Only Small Group is doing very well. We meet on Sunday evenings and it is a real blessing in so many ways. We are presently going verse by verse through the Book of Colossians. Last Sunday we had a brand new visitor join us. Her name is Jessica and she is originally from the State of Washington. It looks like Thinus will be heading back to South Africa at the end of April and Jessica will be heading somewhere in May. Not sure yet. She’s a traveler! 🙂 Anya, who is from Russia, may be heading back to Russia in May. Not sure about that yet!

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FOLKS IN OUR GROUP AND THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO REACH MORE ENGLISH ONLY PEOPLE FOR CHRIST OR WHO ARE SAVED BUT ARE NOT PART OF A LOCAL CHURCH HERE IN PHNOM PENH!

Living in this part of the world, you are afforded many opportunities to obey (or disobey) passages such as Deuteronomy 15:7-11, Matthew 25:31-45, James 2:14-16, 1 John 3:16-18, and dozens of other passages that deal with helping the poor. In recent days our family has been given another one of those opportunities to help a homeless mother and her child. Please pray for a woman named Chenda and her daughter as our family are helping her to try to get back on her two feet. My niece Sue is sort of “adopting” her spiritually. First, and foremost, pray for her salvation. I had a chance to share some with her today (she understands English some). But we need to send a Khmer speaking lady over with Sue to share the gospel with her in her heart language!

PLEASE PRAY FOR CHENDA’S SALVATION!

I recently had the opportunity and privilege to preach for Bethany Baptist Church here in Phnom Penh, which is pastored by Ranier Rolda. BBC is a Filipino congregation. They are wonderful people and they love preaching. Brother Ranier has been here in Cambodia longer than any other IB missionary. They also have another church which is all nationals at another location!

PLEASE PRAY FOR BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH AND OTHER BIBLE PREACHING CHURCHES HERE IN PHNOM PENH AND THROUGHOUT CAMBODIA!

In our last prayer update we asked for prayer for Chanty and his friend Chanta. In recent days both of them have trusted Christ. Thank you for praying!
PLEASE PRAY FOR CHANTY AND CHANTHA’S SPIRITUAL GROWTH!

Denise, Joy, Sue, and I would like to once again thank you for your prayers and financial support. We couldn’t be here without your concern for us and compassion for the people of Southeast Asia.

I also ask that you would pray much for our upcoming trip to Laos. I will be preaching seven times and teaching for our team’s Bible Institute for another 27 hours!

 

 

 

 

 

We recently conducted another mini-basketball camp, which was conducted outside. The temperature was 99 degrees with a heat index of as high as 106. We even had one of our young men pass out! 🙂  We had about forty teen boys and/or college age young men attend the camp, including a handful of our Cham young men from our Psa Thrict ministry.

This is a blessing for so many different reasons: First, it was a blessing because in this part of the world it is often difficult to get men, young or old, involved with the church. Secondly, it was a blessing because we had the chance to help these young men see how sports could be tied in with life. Throughout the four hours we had together I shared many principles for living and serving Jesus. Thirdly, it is a blessing because our national workers, as well as our younger missionaries, have taken an interest in the lives of these young men.  After camp was over we all went to a pizza place and had a really good time of food, fun, and fellowship!

Please pray for these young men to grow into devoted servants of Jesus Christ!

The last few Sunday mornings we have had a packed house. The spirit has been great, the singing has been loud and exciting, and lots of new faces. Two weeks ago it was a blessing to see a few folks that we haven’t seen in a while attend the service. It was a real joy to have Meanhuang in the service. It had been nearly a year since she was in one of our services. Meanhuang is the first person I led to Christ after arriving in Cambodia. She trusted Christ and started attending Sunday AM, PM, and Wednesday services along with our Sunday afternoon Children’s/Teen Services. She completed her Bible study in the Book of Mark and received a Bible (which is given out after completing the study).  Then, during one of our Celebration Services she got baptized. She never returned again, more than likely once her parents found out about her being baptized they stopped her from returning to the services. We never could find out the truth!

Also in the service, for the first time in years, was a young lady named Srey Gee. She is a wife and a mother now. Apparently, she at one time (long before I arrived) was a very faithful teen but her parents pulled her out of church to work and help support the family. This is a very common problem here in this part of the world. When I first arrived in Cambodia Srey Gee was the first individual that God really burdened my heart for. Vannak and I started visiting her weekly and eventually my wife and I had her and her husband over our house to eat. Then she moved! She’s back on this side of the city now. Lord willing, we can see her return to the place of faithfulness she once exhibited as a teen girl.

It was also good to see Chanthy in the service. If you will remember our last update I mentioned that Kosal and I had witnessed to a group of 15 people in Steung MeanChey.  Chanty was one of those 15. He has attended three straight Sunday morning services and just the other day Man visited him and led him to Christ!

Another person in the service was a 15-year old boy named Ra. Vannak and I had the privilege to lead Ra to Christ a few weeks ago. He has been in our last few services and has even brought his friend.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF MEANHUANG, SREY GEE, CHANTHY, AND RA!

What a joy it was to have some of our deaf girls over our house for a meal. Grace Ortiz is doing such a wonderful job with our deaf. We have had as many as 17 deaf in one of our services and will normally have 4-6 (it used to be more but we have lost a few) on an average Sunday.  Let me tell you, these girls are a blast! We had a really good time with them and I am sure they appreciate us having them over. In Cambodia the disabled folks are looked down on by the average person. It means much to the deaf to have a “hearing person” take an interest in them. We were joking about gossip and one of the girls said we the “hearing” folks could gossip about the deaf and they could gossip about us and nobody would know. That is, unless Grace  spoiled it and told everyone! 🙂

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR DEAF FOLKS AND FOR GRACE AS SHE SEEKS TO REACH OUT TO THEM!

It’s been a blessing to have Chris Ayala here with us the last few weeks. Chris is a member of Pacific Baptist Church of Monterrey Park. He was actually led to Christ by Sara Vong (one of our team members here in Phnom Penh) a few years ago.  He is a senior at Pacific Baptist Bible College. This is his last semester and he is spending it on the mission field. He spent two months in China and will be here in Cambodia for two months also. Chris believes that God wants him to serve in this part of the world. He especially believes that God wants him to serve in China. Oh, did I mention that he is also my daughter Joy’s “friend”?

PLEASE PRAY THAT CHRIS’ TIME HERE WILL BE ONE OF GREAT BLESSING!

Every day as you walk the streets, ride a moto, or a tuk-tuk you are faced with the grim and extreme poverty in this country. It is heart-wrenching to say the least! We seldom go a day without being approached by the child-beggars of Phnom Penh. Some of them are orphans. Others are not, but they are all poor! Concerning the poor, you will find these words in my book Peeking Through the 10/40 Window: Why it Matters to God and Why It Should Matter to Us:

Economist Robert Heilbroner describes the luxuries a typical American family would have to surrender if they lived among the billion hungry people the Two-Thirds World: We begin by invading the house of our imaginary American family to strip it of its furniture. Everything goes: beds, chairs, tables, television sets, lamps. We will leave the family with a few old blankets, a kitchen table, a wooden chair. Along with the bureaus go the clothes. Each member of the family may keep in his wardrobe his oldest suit or dress, a shirt or blouse. We will permit a pair of shoes for the head of the family, but none for the wife or children. We move to the kitchen. The appliances have already been taken out, so we turn to the cupboards…the box of matches may stay, a small bag of flour, some sugar and salt. A few moldy potatoes, already in the garbage can, must be rescued, for they will provide much of tonight’s meal. We will leave a handful of onions and a dish of dried beans. All the rest we take away: the meat, the fresh vegetables, the canned goods, the crackers, the candy.

 Now we have stripped the house: the bathroom has been dismantled, the running water shut off, the electric wires taken out. Next we take away the house. The family can move to the tool shed…communications must go next. No more newspapers, magazines, books-not that they are missed, since we must take away our family’s literacy as well. Instead, in our shantytown we will allow one radio…Now government services must go next. No more postmen, no more firemen. There is a school, but it is three miles away and consists of two classrooms…there are, of course, no hospitals or doctors nearby. The nearest clinic is ten miles away and is tended by a midwife. It can be reached by bicycle, provided the family has a bicycle, which is unlikely….

 Finally, money. We will allow our family a cash hoard of five dollars. This will prevent our breadwinner from experiencing the tragedy of an Iranian peasant who went blind because he could not raise the $3.94 which he mistakenly thought he needed to receive admission to a hospital where he could have been cured.

How can we read these words and not be moved with concern and compassion? These are real people. These are people just like you and me. They may look different on the outside but they are people just like us and like those whom we love.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE POOR OF CAMBODIA AND OTHER COUNTRIES HERE IN THE 10/40 WINDOW

Also, if you could begin praying for a few upcoming ministry trips that I will be taking in April, May, and July I would surely appreciate it.

• In April, Lord willing, I will be preaching and teaching in Laos and Thailand for two weeks.
• In May, Lord willing, I will be preaching in a Missions’ Conference in China. I will be bringing Kosal with me. It’s going to be great!
• In July, Lord willing, I will be preaching and teaching in a Leadership Conference in China with my dear friend Dwight Tomlinson of barnabas1040.com. 

Denise, Joy, Sue, and I want to thank you for your consistent prayer and financial support for us and the work here in Southeast Asia!

Johnny and Denise

God has really been good the past few weeks in Steung MeanChey, of course, He is always good even when we don’t think so. Over the past few weeks we have had the chance to meet many new people, share the Gospel with dozens of people who have been extremely receptive, and are attracting so many more children. Kosal and his new bride Phalley are going to Steaung MeanChey with us every Sunday afternoon now and Phalley also goes with us on Tuesdays. Recently, we ran into one of Kosal’s former students named Tola. Over the past few weeks we have had the chance to share the gospel with her and her husband. One really special blessing was the opportunity to share the gospel with 15 very receptive adults, teens, and children in one setting [see picture below]. Kosal and I spent nearly an hour explaining the gospel to the folks who, other than two of them, had no idea who Jesus was, nor why he had come!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD OPENS THE DOOR FOR US TO HAVE REGULAR MEETINGS IN STEUNG MEANCHEY!

On Saturday, February 13, my wife Denise flew back to the States to be with my father-in-law and the rest of her family for a little over three weeks. Her father Eugene had Stage 4 cancer and was under Hospice Care. My father-in-law loved the Lord and he loved people, especially children. He was a Bus Captain at Metro Baptist Church (Pastor John Vapreszan) in Bellville, Michigan for over 25 years. According to his pastor, his route averaged 81 riders per Sunday for 25 years. He and my mother-in-law have been faithful servants of Christ for many years. And, they did a great job rearing my wife. On Saturday, February 20, my father-in-law was ushered into glory and the presence of the Lord that he loved and served for the past 48 years!

I had the opportunity to watch the funeral service on Periscope. Two statements made during the service really stuck out. “We are here today to celebrate a life well lived for Christ” and “He lived his life for the Savior.” Oh Lord, may these words be said and be true at my funeral!

PLEASE PRAY FOR MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, MY WIFE, AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME!

Every six weeks or so we have our regular “Celebration Service.” This is a very special time when our three churches, as well as some of our other village ministries, gather together on a Sunday morning to celebrate God’s goodness. We will normally have somewhere between 250-275 people in attendance for this service. Our “Celebration Service” is normally a little bit longer than our regular morning service. During the service we will have various testimonies given by folks from the different ministries, as well as special music from the different ministries, along with the regular congregational music and of course the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. In addition to the above, we also have a baptismal service. During this past “Celebration Service” we had 20 different people baptized, including Lynn (pictured below) who Vannak and I had the privilege to lead to Christ recently. Praise the Lord!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO USE THE VARIOUS MINISTRIES HERE IN CAMBODIA FOR HIS GLORY AND THAT WE WILL ALWAYS KEEP IN REMEMBRANCE TO CELEBRATE HIS GOODNESS!

Recently Thinus Botha moved to Phnom Penh, Cambodia from South Africa. As soon as he arrived in Phnom Penh he started attending all of our church services, our English Only Small Group, and our English Chapel Service. He is a good “friend” of one of our ladies. I just started meeting with him for a time of discipleship on Monday afternoons. He comes from a more formal Protestant background and had been out of church for many years. Our time together on Monday’s seems to be going very well!

PLEASE PRAY FOR THINUS’ SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND THAT HE WILL FIND A JOB!

I had another chance to go soul-winning in the Chom Ka village and the Psa Thrict village recently. It was a blessing to share the Gospel with a handful of folks, as well as take time to spend with some new converts, including Hong and his wife who Man and I had the opportunity to lead to Christ last month.

It was also a joy to be able to spend almost an hour with a you man named Chu. I believe he’s in his mid-20’s. He’s Cham (former Muslim), he is saved, and at one time, he felt the call to preach. A few years ago, before I came to this country, he was faithfully serving Jesus. Apparently, when persecution arose in the Psa Thrict village from the Muslims, he drifted from God. We had a great talk, it was apparent the Holy Spirit was working and we prayed together.

Another real blessing was the opportunity to share the Gospel with Grandma Nas. This is Vannak, Man, San, and Kosal’s 90 year old grandmother. She is very close to trusting Christ but is very fearful of the village priests, family, and friends in the village. While sharing the Gospel with her she looked at every tuk-tuk, motorbike, and car that drove by, as well as every person who walked by with concern that she was going to get in “trouble.”

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FOLKS IN CHOM KA VILLAGE WHO ARE SAVED TO CONTINUE TO GROW IN THEIR FAITH, PRAY FOR CHU TO COME BACK TO GOD, AND FOR GRANDMA NAS TO TRUST JESUS!

After a wonderful day of soul winning, in Chom Ka and Psa Thrict, I had the privilege to once again preach for our church in Psa Thrict. This church, as I mentioned a few updates ago, is about 60% Cham or Muslim and 40% Khmer. I love these dear people and count it a privilege to preach for them occasionally. San and his team are doing a wonderful job with the church and reaching out to other surrounding villages.

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO USE THE CHURCH MEMBERS FROM PSA THRICT TO REACH OUT, NOT ONLY TO THEIR FELLOW CHAM PEOPLE IN PSA-THRICT, BUT THE THOUSANDS OF LOST BUDDHISTS AND MUSLIMS IN THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES!

So grateful for a ministry that is busy about the Father’s business every day of the week. It reminds me so much of our home and sending church (Pacific Baptist Church of Long Beach). On Friday evenings here in our building Thy Has has a Bible study with our adult ladies in her apartment. Vannak, Man, Kosal, Adrian, and our teen boys meet on the roof. And, as if that wasn’t enough, Kanha, Joy, Sue, and Phalley meet with teen girls in our apartment. Some of the girls got away before I could take the picture! 😁

A couple week’s ago Kosal and I had the opportunity to lead Socheat to Christ. We spent nearly an hour and a half sharing the Gospel with him before he called on the name of the Lord. Socheat is a 20-year old young man that Man and I have been witnessing to for quite sometime now. A few months ago he, along with another five or six college age guys, ate at our house. Most of the other men his age have moved away or have lost interest in hearing of Christ, but Socheat kept wanting more. Praise the Lord he showed up for the church services the following day, for both the morning and the evening services. He showed up to play basketball with the guys on Tuesday, for our midweek service on Wednesday, and for English class on Thursday.  Grateful that Kosal has taken Socheat under his wing and will be meeting with him on Saturdays after he brings him to the Men’s Prayer Meeting! 🙂

PLEASE PRAY FOR SOCHEAT’S SPIRITUAL GROWTH!

I love preaching and teaching Gods word and it’s always a blessing to preach for our congregation here in Phnom Penh. On a recent Sunday morning and Wednesday evening I preached parts one and two of a message entitled, “Just Keep Running by Faith and Not by Sight.” On Sunday morning the service was jam-packed, the music was great, and the response to the message was encouraging. For a good portion of the message I was running around the platform and, at times, around the auditorium with a backpack. I did this to illustrate the truth of not filling your spiritual backpack with unnecessary “stuff” as found in Hebrews 12:1.

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL USE THE PREACHING OF HIS WORD TO SAVE THE UNBELIEVERS AND STIR THE BELIEVERS IN PHNOM PENH!

My wife, Joy, Sue, and I would like to once again thank you for your prayers and financial support for us and the work God is doing in Southeast Asia, especially here in Cambodia!

If you did not get a chance to see the video we posted in our last update for Pastor Joe, please check it out below.

For His Glory in the Nations,

Johnny

Team SE Asia from carrithelight on Vimeo.

My first Sunday back in Phnom Penh was a real blessing. In spite of Chinese New Year (think of July fourth in the States on a Sunday), our morning service was packed out. Our afternoon Children’s Ministry definitely took a hit, as was expected. The fellowship was great, the music was sweet, and the message was powerful. While I do not understand most of what was preached, it was apparent that God was moving when the invitation came and many decisions for Christ were made. God is definitely using the preaching of His word to change lives here in Phnom Penh!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR SERVICES IN PHNOM PENH!

Our Sunday evening English Only Small Group was fantastic. It had a little taste of the United Nations. We had one lady from Russia. Another lady from Cambodia. My wife and my niece from the United States. My daughter Joy was in the nursery. We had one man from South Africa. Two men from Kazakhstan. And, of course, I was there! 🙂 Regrettably, our folks from Nigeria missed. We are taking a few weeks and teaching on the importance of prayer, and especially emphasizing “The Lord’s Prayer” or “The Model Prayer” as found in Matthew chapter 6.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SMALL GROUP AND PRAY FOR VOLARE’S (one of the men from Kazakhstan) SALVATION!

It’s always a blessing to preach for our English Chapel service. Once a week all of our missionaries, as well as a few other missionaries in the area and their children, and some of the nationals who understand English well enough gather together for a service. We always have great singing, games, and of course, the preaching of the word. This week, after our men got totally shut out by the ladies in a game of pictu-nary, I preached on “The Spirit of Nehemiah.” As always, a great response to the message!

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR WEEKLY ENGLISH CHAPEL SERVICES TO CONTINUE TO BE A SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE MISSIONARIES, THEIR CHILDREN, AND OTHERS WHO ATTEND!

Nearly every update I mention our discipleship sessions. The reason for it is simple. I love spending time with these men and love having a small part in their lives. I especially enjoy watching their growth over time. On Mondays, I meet with four Cham men and their hunger for Christ and the cause of Christ is so encouraging. On Tuesday’s and Thursdays, I meet with Both. On Thursday evenings, I meet with Kosal and beginning this past week, I started meeting with him and his new bride Phalley. Kosal is an avid reader and unfortunately there isn’t a lot of decent books to choose from over here. So recently I purchased a Kindle for him. He is excited to say the least! Check out his Instagram post the day after he received the Kindle with 25 books downloaded on it below.  On Fridays, Adrian and I meet with Abraham, his wife, and his brother-n-law. On Saturdays, I have the privilege of meeting with another Cham man named Chaay. There is so much potential in these men’s lives.

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL USE THESE MEN IN A MIGHTY WAY TO REACH THE PEOPLE OF CAMBODIA AND POSSIBLY BEYOND!

Of course, another thing that I mention just about every update, and I surely appreciate your prayers about it, is Steung MeanChey. We do soul winning and follow up visitation in Steung MeanChey on Tuesday morning and Sunday afternoon. Lord willing, some time in the near future, we will be starting a Children’s Ministry and possibly an adult Bible study. This past Sunday afternoon was a real blessing. We had a few folks who do not normally come out with us come. On Sunday, one lady was led to Christ by fellow team member Grace Ortiz. It was a thrill for Vannak, Kosal, and I to be able to share the Gospel with nine different people between Tuesday and Sunday in Steung MeanChey, including two men, who recently moved from the village to Phnom Penh, who claimed that had NEVER HEARD OF JESUS. It was also a joy to hear about Phat standing for Christ during Chinese New Year. She was asked by neighbors why she wasn’t sacrificing during the New Year and her reply was, “Because I serve the True and Living God!”

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL OPEN UP A DOOR AND PROVIDE A LOCATION FOR US TO MEET IN STEUNG MEANCHEY!

As I mentioned above, on Thursday evenings, I meet with Kosal for a time of discipleship. We have been meeting for about 14 months now. The growth in his life has been a great blessing. This past Thursday, his wife Phalley, Samantha (Vannak’s wife), Kanha (Man’s wife), and Srey Nech, along with Denise, Joy and Sue had a great time of fellowship and baking brownies from 4:30-5:30. At 5:30, Phalley joined Kosal and I for some good Mexican food (Her first time) and a time of discipleship. We just started going verse-by-verse through the Book of Philippians, pending a lot of time this week on “A Spirit of Gratitude.” Lord willing, in May I will be preaching a Missions’ Conference in China and will be taking Kosal with me to give a testimony of what God has, and is doing in his life.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR KOSAL AND PHALLEY THAT GOD WILL USE THEM IN A SPECIAL WAY TO REACH THEIR PEOPLE AND POSSIBLY OTHERS IN THE 10/40 WINDOW!

One last note. Just before leaving China I had the opportunity to FaceTime my brother and his wife Mary. Of course, it was the burden that God had laid on my brother’s heart for China and his last words prior to being hospitalized, “China or Bust,” that have been the impetus towards our desiring to send a team to China, and thus the primary reason I am making a few trips there this year. As I talked to him about China and the needs of the Chinese people he was so alert and hanging on every word. It is very apparent that Pastor Joe still has China on his mind and in his heart!

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE FOUR MINUTE VIDEO, “KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE,” THAT WE PUT TOGETHER FOR MY BROTHER. IT CAN BE FOUND JUST BELOW THE PICTURE OF HIM AND HIS WIFE MARY!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR PASTOR JOE, HIS FAMILY, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF SENDING A TEAM TO CHINA! 

Team SE Asia from carrithelight on Vimeo.

What a blessing it was to be able to teach at Pacific Baptist Bible College via FaceTime. In one of PBBC missions classes this semester they are having different missionaries from our three teams in Southeast Asia teach. I will be teaching four times this semester, including during their “College Days.” We teach at 1:00 AM our time in Southeast Asia. So the challenge isn’t so much to keep the students awake during the lecture but the instructor. 🙂 My first two lessons are entitled, “Why Missions? Why Me?” I have been told from back home that the response to part one of the lecture was great. I am grateful that my brother Pastor Joe had a vision to reach the world and the vision continues today in spite of the fact that he is still hospitalized!

Please pray for the students of Pacific Baptist Bible College as God continues to work in many of their hearts about the possibility of going to the mission field!

As I have mentioned in a few previous updates my language tutor is named Abraham. He was given that name after trusting Christ. Abraham was already saved when he started tutoring me, but he had drifted from the Lord. So for the past few months we have split our language learning time in half and I have been discipling him. Three weeks ago Adrian and I started meeting at Abraham’s house for a time of Bible study. It is primarily a time to disciple Abraham, his wife, and his brother-n-law, but we had a few visitors for our first Bible study. We are taking the first few weeks to emphasize the importance of the Bible.

Please pray for spiritual growth for Abraham, his wife, and his brother-law Vayy and that God will bless our time together!

One young man you have heard me talk about much over the past year has been Kosal Sann. For over a year now I have been meeting with him at least once per week. Last week he married a wonderful young lady named Phalley. The wedding ceremony was great and I had the privilege to give the challenge to the couple. The reception was special. It was great to see Kosal’s unsaved father Pheap attend the reception. Pheap is still a Muslim and has had very little interaction with the family since disowning them a little over four years ago when they decided to follow Christ.

Please pray for Kosal and Phalley’s life together as a married couple and for his father’s (Pheap) salvation!

When my wife and I left for the mission field three years ago we had ten grandchildren. We just recently were blessed and our 16th grandchild was born. My daughter Jessica and her husband Pastor Joshua Aquino just had their fifth child. Little baby Emma had a healthy delivery and is a joy, not only for her parents and grandparents, but for her four siblings.

My daughter Joy and I visited Beijing China and stayed with one of our dear friends who has been in the country over 17 years and is doing an amazing work in a very difficult place. He specifically asked me not to post any names or any pictures of his ministry online, so unfortunately, we will only insert a few general pictures below. Of course, the purpose for our going to China was to continue to do research about the possibility of bringing a team, sent out of our church, to this country. It was a very helpful and beneficial visit to say the least!

China (1.4 billion people) is often referred to as an Atheistic country; the largest country in the world. It is referred to as an atheistic country for a good reason. Unlike any other country that I have ever visited, including Communist Laos, China and the Chinese people seem to be an extremely non-religious people. Unless of course, you refer to “atheism” and/or “materialism” as a religion!

One of the most peculiar things about China, at least Beijing, is that you will find very little, if any, signs of religious belief–of any kind–in the public sector. You see no temples or altars. No monks or priests. You see nobody bowing to a statue or burning incense. And I surely saw no church but the illegal one that I attended for a mid-week and Sunday service.

WHEN THE COMMUNISTS OVERRAN THIS COUNTRY IN 1949 THEY DID A THOROUGH JOB OF ERADICATING RELIGION, AT LEAST IN THE PUBLIC ARENA!

China is a country of 1.4 billion people (about three times more people than the United States) with 150 cities of over one million people (the United States has only nine). Depending on what statistics you read,  only about 3-5 percent of the population professes any form of “Christianity.” This would include Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Roman Catholics, mainline Protestants, and just about any sect that would claim to be “Christian.” In America, 77 percent of the population claims to be “Christian.”

Yet, there are only somewhere around 50 Independent Baptist churches in the entire country. At the same time, Los Angeles county (with it’s ten million people) would more than likely double the number of churches that the entire country of China has. I know for a fact that the State of California (with its 38 million people) has well over 350 Independent Baptist churches. What a painful disparity in where the laborers are located!

Please continue to pray for God’s wisdom concerning this matter of sending a team to China and that God will raise up the men and the women who are willing to go!

We thank God for your prayers and financial support. We couldn’t be here without you.

For His Glory in the Nations,

Johnny, Denise, Joy, and Sue

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to spend the entire day (13 hours) visiting in the Chom Kha village and the Psa Thrict village. That evening I had the opportunity to preach for the folks in our Psa Thrict church. This church is about 60% Cham (former Muslims) and 40% Khmer. It really is an amazing work and God seems to be expanding it’s outreach on a weekly basis.

While visiting in the Chom Kha village, I had the opportunity to lead Hong and his wife Sokim to Christ. For the past few months our folks from the Psa Thrict church have been sharing the Gospel with them, but the Lord allowed Man and I the privilege to see them trust Christ. I guess that’s what you call “entering into another man’s labours” (John 4:38), which I have seen often here. Thankful for those faithful laborers, from our churches, who paved the way for Hong and Sokim’s salvation by faithfully sowing the seed.  PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF HONG AND SOKIM!

After visiting with Hong and Sokim, Man and I headed over to get ready for a time of Bible teaching where San would be teaching a few of the new converts in the Chom Kha village. Just before the teaching started we had the opportunity to share the Gospel with the 19-year old grandson of Pun (the first to be saved in this village), and praise the Lord, Sala trusted Christ. Again, while I witnessed to him and Man interpreted, this young man had been witnessed to and prayed for in the past. We just “entered into another man’s labours,” and were thankful for the opportunity!    PLEASE PRAY FOR SALA’S SPIRITUAL GROWTH!

It was a blessing to sit in, even if I didn’t understand what was being said, on the Bible study with a handful of new believers while San was teaching them the Bible. While San taught the adults and teens Kam was teaching a handful of children.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE NEW BELIEVERS OF THE CHOM KHA VILLAGE!

After the time of Bible teaching, Man and I went and visited a woman who is dying of hepatitis. She is forced to live outside of the family’s house. Her daughter told us that the doctors have said, ‘THERE IS NO HOPE!’ While it may be true that on this side of eternity there is little or no hope for her. She has trusted Christ and better days are ahead for her, and she’ll be the first to tell you so.

After a great lunch served by our Cham folks, Vannak and I went to visit a few of his relatives. First, we visited a few of his relatives who are believers, and then a few who are not believers, and who have in the past, persecuted him and his family for their faith. It was a great visit. I was shocked to find that his great grandmother was a woman that I had met some five years ago on my initial trip here to Cambodia. I remember that visit like it was yesterday. It so moved me that her picture went with me all over America while I was on deputation. God used grandma Nas, along with others in the Cham village, to stir my heart to leave the comforts and conveniences of America to try to make a difference in the lives of those in the 10/40 Window.

PLEASE PRAY FOR GRANDMA NAS’ SALVATION AND FOR OTHER CHAM FOLKS WHO HAVE YET TO TRUST CHRIST TO DO SO! 

What a privilege it is to preach for the Psa Thraict church. It’s always a joy to preach for them. They are wonderful people, they love preaching, and boy do they love to sing. In addition to many congregational songs, I think they had four specials. 🙂 It was a blessing to have Hong and Sala, who had trusted Christ earlier in the day, in the service. Sokim couldn’t come because she had to take care of her sick mother-in-law. I preached from 1 Samuel 14 on Jonathan and his armor-bearers great victory over the Philistines and the armor-bearers words to Jonathan, “Do all that is in thine heart.” The message was very simple. Delight yourself in the Lord and his word and he will place his desires in your heart and then just go do it. God really moved in the service!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS THE PSA THRICT CHURCH FAMILY!

On Sunday evenings I am teaching a small group of folks whose first language is English, needless to say, it’s a small group. It’s been a blessing. It has especially been a blessing to have Wanita and her cousins Isabelle and Vanessa meet with us. This past Sunday was a real blessing as Isabelle and Vanessa shared their testimony of salvation. I had the privilege to lead them to Christ about six months ago at the very table they were sharing their testimony. What made it especially sweet was this was on my 39th spiritual birthday. A great reminder that we are “saved to serve.”

PLEASE PRAY FOR WANITA, ISABELLE, AND VANESSA’S SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND THE SALVATION THEIR MOTHER!

Two or three weeks ago, Vannak and I had the privilege to share the Gospel with Srey Neit (21-years old) and her sister Lynn (15-years old). They live in Steung MeanChey. On that day Srey Neith trusted Christ, Lynn did not. If you will remember, we mentioned this in our last update and asked for you to pray for Lynn’s salvation. Well, this past week, Vannak and I had the opportunity to share the Gospel once more with Lynn while Srey Neit was reading some Christian literature we gave her, and she trusted Christ.  

PLEASE PRAY FOR LYNN AND SREY NEITH’S SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND THEIR MOTHER JAN’S SALVATION! 

In just a couple of days Joy and I will be flying to Beijing, China. We will be there for ten days to meet with an American missionary and survey his work. God has blessed him mightily in the 15 or so years he has been there. This is one of two trips that I will be making to China in the next four months. The purpose for both trips is to continue the pursuit of Pacific Baptist Church sending a team to China sometime in the near future. Please do pray for God to bless this trip and to give us, as well as the leadership of Pacific Baptist Church, wisdom concerning China and a future team.    

Denise, Joy, Sue, and I, once again, want to thank you for your investment in eternity, for your investment in our ministry here in Southeast Asia through prayers and financial support, and for your faithfulness to Jesus right where you are!

Johnny

 

As many of you know, last week we had a near tragedy. One of Vannak and Samantha’s twins, Annabelle, fell down a flight of stairs in her walker. They had to rush her to the hospital on the back of a moped. Unfortunately, that’s how things are done here, more often than not, in this part of the world. Kosal held her unconscious little body in his arms as they took the 10-minute trip from the house to the hospital. And, while the first night looked very disheartening, God was merciful! Annabelle, after about four days in the hospital, is now home. Praise the Lord!

PLEASE PRAY FOR ANNABELLE TO HAVE A FULL RECOVERY FROM HER FRACTURED SKULL!

In previous posts we have mentioned a young lady named Lynn and her mother Jan. We have asked you to pray for their salvation, and we ask that you would continue to pray for their salvation. While Vannak, Sue, and I (primarily Sue) have been working with Lynn and her mother, we recently had the opportunity to meet her 21-year old sister Srey Neith. Srey Neith, along with Lynn and Jan, visited a Sunday morning church service and on a visit to their house a few days later as Vannak and I shared the Gospel with Lynn and Srey Neith, Srey Neith trusted Christ. Unfortunately, about half way through the Gospel presentation Lynn was called away to assist some neighbors with some work!

PLEASE PRAY FOR SREY NEITH’S SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND FOR LYNN AND JAN’S SALVATION!

In the past few posts we have mentioned Phat often, who trusted Christ about two months ago. We have been discipling her on Tuesdays. She recently had a baby and when I asked them what the baby’s name was, they replied with, “He has no name yet.” That is very common here in Southeast Asia. They wait until after the baby is born, often a few days or even weeks, before naming them. What they said next shocked Vannak, Sue, and me. They asked us to pick a name for him. So we helped them pick a name. His name is Joshua. Needless to say, it’s a huge step for a new Christian in this Buddhist country to give their child a “Christian” name.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR PHAT’S SPIRITUAL GROWTH, HER HUSBAND SAMNAN’S SALVATION, AND FOR BABY JOSHUA!

Other than ministry in Steung MeanChey, my favorite time of the week is when I have different men over my house for a time of accountability and discipleship. On Saturdays, I am with Chaay. On Mondays, I meet with Zeng, Sen (Tom), Ra, and Man. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I am with Both. On Thursday evenings, I meet with Kosal. I also find time for discipleship with my language tutor Abraham a couple times a week.

I have been meeting with Kosal for just about a year now. His spiritual growth has been very exciting. I think he would be the first to admit to you he had plateaued in his Christian life and had become somewhat stagnant. For pretty much most of the past year, he has been faithful to do his assigned Bible reading (along with his personal Bible reading), memorize a few verses each week, and read countless books that I have given him. While meeting with him in recent weeks it has been a blessing to hear him talk about what God is doing in his life and to hear of his greater desire to go and share the gospel with others. As I mentioned in a previous post, Kosal and Phalley will be getting married January 23!

PLEASE PRAY FOR KOSAL’S CONTINUAL SPIRITUAL GROWTH, PRAY FOR HIS AND PHALLEY’S WEDDING, AND NEW LIFE TOGETHER!

It is such a blessing to have my daughter Joy and niece Susanna here with us. They are such an asset to the team here. They work with the children, the teen girls, and the single girls, along with teaching English, Joy goes twice a week to one of the village ministries, and Sue helps quite a bit with the music here. Of course, as you know, we have folks over our house for meals on a regular basis and they lead the way in our “hospitality” ministry, not to mention that they, along with my wife, cook some really serious meals for us.

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS JOY AND SUE AND THE PEOPLE THEY ARE INFLUENCING FOR CHRIST, AND THAT MANY OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE INSPIRED BY THEIR EXAMPLE, AND SURRENDER THEIR LIVES FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST IN THE 10/40 WINDOW!

Sixty years ago, last week, five men (Jim Eliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Yourderian) literally gave their lives for the cause of Christ. All five men were attacked and speared by a group of Huaorani warriors. The news of their deaths was broadcast around the world and Life magazine covered the event with a photo essay.

The death of this men galvanized the missionary effort in the United States, sparking an outpouring of funding for evangelization efforts around the world. Their work is still frequently remembered in evangelical publications, and in 2006 was the subject of the film production End of the Spear. Several years after the death of the men, the widow of Jim Elliot, Elisabeth, and the sister of Nate Saint, Rachel, returned to Ecuador as missionaries with the Summer Institute of Linguistics (now SIL International) to live among the Huaorani. This eventually led to the conversion of many, including some of those involved in the killing. While largely eliminating tribal violence, their efforts exposed the tribe to increased influence from the outside.

While they were students together at Wheaton College, Ed McCully had written an impassioned letter to Jim Elliot describing how the Lord was compelling him to be a missionary. Ed was in law school and working as a hotel night clerk, but was unsettled in his heart about his decision to become an attorney.

While he was walking and praying one morning, the Lord unmistakably sharpened the focus of his life to a single point. In the letter Ed wrote: “Jim, I have [only] one desire now – to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all of my energy into it. Maybe he’ll send me some place where the name of Jesus Christ is unknown.”

Five years later, Ed confirmed his heightened fervor for the desperately lost Waodanis in a simple statement scribbled in the margin of his journal: “I’m willing to give my life for a handful of Indians!” And a few days later, Ed McCully and his four friends did. Five good seeds fell into the ground and died on January 6, 1956—and the crop began to spring up. 
Who or what are we willing to live and die for?

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL RAISE UP MANY MORE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WILL ALSO SAY, “I have [only] one desire now – to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all of my energy into it. Maybe he’ll send me some place where the name of Jesus Christ is unknown.”

Denise, Joy, Sue, and I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continual prayers and consistent financial support!