Exciting News from Cambodia

JESUS SAID,

1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

John 15:1-8

We have some exciting news to share with you about our work in Cambodia that we hope you will find encouraging. Please pray for our work.


For The Glory of GOD!


Special Announcement

We are excited to announce our commitment to join the Nutritional Feeding Program facilitated by Troy & Tabitha Snowbarger, On-Site Administrators of the program. Drawing on Troy and Tabitha’s experience, we have begun a process of on-the-job training in the Cambodian countryside. Initiated in 2005 by Doctor Shannon DeShazo and Bill McDonough, Director, Partners In Progress, this program strives to provide nutritional supplements to the basic rice diet of Cambodia’s impoverished, malnourished children. The Central Church of Christ, Stockton, CA has joined with Partners In Progress, Little Rock, AR to provide funding for the Nutritional Feeding Program. This announcement is yet another positive step forward for this program which has continued to evolve and grow over the past 5 years.



At the time the program began the Ministry of Health reported that 47% of the children under the age of 12 were malnourished, while the findings of Partners In Progress physicians placed that figure as high as 63% in the areas where they conducted their studies. The results showed that at that time more than 7 million children nation-wide were malnourished! Children who are malnourished are robbed of mental and physical development which then results in a nation being robbed of its future potential to develop for every generation that is malnourished. Young minds do not develop to their full potential and young bodies are never allowed to gain the strength needed to fight diseases or have the energy to study and work.


In addition to the Nutritional Feeding Program, Troy and Tabitha also administer a Back-to-School Program and a Book Club. All three of these programs work directly together in nearly all the same villages with the same children. Every weekday, three trucks with a two-person crew each travel to the countryside to feed about 1600 children in 12 villages on a rotation that allows all the children to be fed about four times a week. The nutritional supplement they receive consists of vitamin-fortified soy milk, bread, and vitamin and mineral enriched peanut butter from a traditional Cambodian recipe. All the food used in this program is produced locally and is familiar to the taste buds of Cambodians.


The Nutritional Feeding Program includes more than improved health through these nutritional supplements. Every visit to a village includes a lesson on improving nutrition through diet; personal, family and communal hygiene; stories from the Bible, songs and a prayer. Every 2 or 3 months the children are measured and weighed to evaluate their growth.



In these villages, the overall nourishment of the children has improved greatly and continues to do so! Many others have selflessly given to help provide nutritional supplements to Cambodian children that otherwise might have never had the opportunity to develop physically or mentally. Would you like to help too? Please join us as we pray for partners to help us feed more children. The children are the future of Cambodia and the future of the church that is growing within this impoverished nation.

Love & blessings in Christ

Dennis & Sharon

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

JesusServant4U@yahoo.com

www.missioncambodia.wordpress.com



Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14

Colorado or Cambodio hmmmmm

While Rick is slaving away on the ship, I am enjoying a visit to Colorado. It is wonderful waking up to 60 degree weather vs 80 and humidity! So I am enjoying a few days here with Nancy but Rick did get to go to Phnom and stay with his brother for some relaxation. Rick took Roger to the home of Bun Roth (phamacist)last saturday to help them plant rice. They had alittle problem when Rick took hold of the cows to pull the plow and they cows ran off. They didn't plant rice but did enjoy a nice visit with Bun Roth's family.

Trip To Phnom

Last weekend Rick was able to travel to Phnom Penh for the first time since his return to the ship. I think if I had been with him we would have gone sooner! ha! Anyway, the ship moved to the next location heading back south on the Mekong. So as soon as it docked, Rick caught the last ferry across the river to ride a van to Kompong Cham City to drive the truck that Walt had left for him. Crossing the ferry, the crew got to talking to a man with a truck. How fortunate,so they thought, that this man would take them to KPC. As they started loading into the truck, they realized they were not the only riders, the man was carrying several Muslim men. Since the front was packed with them they got in the back of the truck. They offered a seat for Rick up front, but he declined to ride with the crew. However, when it started raining I think he might have answered differently. So for an hour in pouring rain they rode to KPC. Then Rick started driving the PIP truck. It was still raining, dark, and the roads had not gotten any better since the last time he drove! He was never more thankful to arrive in the city and get to his brother's room. I certainly thanked God and kinda glad I didn't know ahead of time. With trucks, people, motos, animals, all traveling down the road, it is scary in dry daylight. Rick's brother had Skype, so it was so fun to have a video call from them. Greg and Janice were here and we had a great hour long visit. He is back on the ship working away. Thanks for all your prayers! gail

Hot Times

These Arkansas days have no sign of relief from the heat in the next few days! Maybe I should travel to Cambodia where it is at least in the low 80's! The ship got the paperwork to travel back through Kompong Cham province heading south on the Mekong toward the capital city. I am sure that it is good news for the crew. On board this week is the two nurses from Little Rock and Rick says they are adjusting well. When he brings them back to the city for departure, he will be able to visit his brother who is there again for a few weeks in Phnom Penh. gail