Kam Rieang - Day 3

Last night was our first night at Battambang hotel where we will be for several days. Today we drove out to a little village house church. When we got there we were greeted by over 30 kids and several of the church leaders. 

The children sang several songs for us in Khemer. I recognized the tune of a couple of them: I have decided to follow Jesus and This is the Day. 

After they sang we sang Open the Eyes of my Heart and Lord I lift your Name on High. After that we taught the kids Peace like a River with all the hand motions. 

Amidst the heat we also brought a craft for the kids to color. They did a great job and after a few minutes started to open up a little. The boys in this lower photo learned to give high fives with me and some of the other team. 

Games! We taught them Duck, Duck, Lobster (duck, duck, goose) which in Khemer is pronounced like this: dia, dia, bagong. We also did limbo too (picture).

We heard the story of this church that has been here for almost 7 years in this village. We gathered the church leaders together and prayed for them. 

We asked what the church and village needed and if there was something that we could pray for them about. They asked for us to pray for: a church building (right now they are meeting in the ministers house), they want to build a bathroom for the village, and they wanted us to pray for evangelism (that more from the village would come and hear God's word).

On the ride back I read this Psalm: 

Psalm 31:1-24 NIV

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. [2] Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. [3] Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. [4] Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. [5] Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God. [6] I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord. [7] I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. [8] You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. [9] Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. [10] My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. [11] Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends---those who see me on the street flee from me. [12] I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. [13] For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life. [14] But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” [15] My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. [16] Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. [17] Let me not be put to shame, Lord, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and be silent in the realm of the dead. [18] Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous. [19] How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. [20] In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues. [21] Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. [22] In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. [23] Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. [24] Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

It was after reading this Psalm that I was really touched by the simple yet powerful prayer requests. I was asked to pray about the evangelism. And just like is mentioned in this Psalm there is great strength and security, there is a refuge when we hope in Jesus. 

May the face of The Lord Jesus shine on you and give you peace!