Kairos Training Center: February Update

Since opening the doors of the Kairos Training Center, it has been wonderful to see the community of Saang embracing opportunities for growth and empowerment. Children are learning to read their in own language, pastors are signing up for Bible courses, young people who might otherwise be wandering their neighborhood aimlessly are being taught practical skills and the principles of service and leadership. From English students who now can study sheltered from the sun and rain, to toddlers enjoying our nursery as their mothers attend church, the Kairos Training Center offers something for everyone.

In addition to our weekly English classes, Khmer literacy training, youth group, computer skills class and worship services, a few recent highlights at the KTC include:

• Holding our first two ecumenical Youth Fellowship events, with nearly 200 youth from local churches joining for a time of worship, prayer, learning, and fun
• Opening our Reading Room and watching children and teens enjoy access to more books than most Cambodians see in a lifetime
• A very special gathering of women from area churches to meet Lisa Bevere, receive one of her books in the Khmer language, and be challenged to walk out their faith in boldness and authority

The need for a multi-purpose community building like the KTC was placed in our hearts several years ago, and to see this need being met is such a blessing. We are so thankful for Pearl Alliance's faithful partnership with us in pursuing the vision God has given In His Steps for this region. Please keep the KTC and all who enter its doors in your prayers, that God would be glorified and the community of Saang would be equipped to reach this nation for Him!

Click here to download our update!

Kairos Training Center Debut

When Eric and Ginny Hanson first began In His Steps International, they felt led to focus on the Saang District of Cambodia. They wanted to influence this community in a deep, life-changing, empowering way and one way they chose to so was through teaching English. Over time, that choice grew and developed into children’s programs, youth services, a church plant, leadership training and more.

This past weekend marked both the fulfillment and the embarkation of a long-awaited vision — a center which would offer multiple avenues for training and equipping children, teenagers, young adults and the elders of the community. Construction of the building started in January 2012 but the foundation was laid years ago in a one-room building crammed full of the poorest of the poor, eager to learn.

We hope you will enjoy this video about the Kairos Training Center.

Also, we are pleased to announce the debut of our new website. We hope you will take time to look around. Engage with the ministries, see where In His Steps began and what God has done over the years, peruse the pictures and more. Enjoy!

Growth in Changing Times

Although it’s only March, this year is already bringing much change to us here at In His Steps! We are growing, and with growth come new responsibilities, new strategies and new steps along the way as we work to accomplish the goals God has given us as a ministry.

Change can be uncomfortable, but we believe that God has good things in store as we journey through this time of transition. As we move forward, one of the things that God has provided for is a project that we have been hoping to begin for some time: the construction of a new multi-purpose building on our Foundation Center land!

Due to the volume of people attending our English classes, church services, children’s programs and other activities, we frequently end up holding these events outdoors for lack of space. That works great during more temperate months of the year, but is a challenge during Cambodia’s long rainy season and scorching hot season. That’s why we’re so excited about this new building, which should be completed this summer just as rainy season makes its entrance!

We’re thankful to be able to partner with Pearl Alliance in this new project, and are prayerfully looking forward to using this building to bless many more members of the Saang community.

Please pray with us for:

•  Safety and peace at the construction site
•  Salvation for the laborers involved
•  Good fruit in the lives of all that we reach through the use of this new building

Stay tuned for photo updates in the coming months!

Equipping and Empowering the Next Generation

In the Western world, technology has become so ubiquitous that most of us can no longer imagine life without computers. Yet for most Cambodians, a computer is more of a mystery than a necessity. Generations have conducted business and done everything else in life without a keystroke or a double-click.

But Cambodia is changing rapidly, and the way that people do things is changing with it. Computer experience is now on par with English language skills as a key to job opportunities. It seems that every corner in Phnom Penh is touting computer classes, internet tutorials, and typing tutors. Yet for most Cambodians, the cost of a computer is more than their year's earnings, and those in rural areas rarely even see one!

We want the very best for children in our care, and know that in a changing world there are many things they must learn in order to thrive. As they express their hopes and dreams for their future, we have been looking for ways to equip them in the area of computer literacy. 

Through donations from many in the U.S., we are happy to announce that we are finally able to begin meeting this need through the installation of several computers at Father's House! This past week, Jacob and Eric have been busy finding desks, setting up hardware, and troubleshooting as we prepare for our very first computer classes for Father's House children. Not only will Father's House kids be learning computer skills, but our staff will receive more training as well. That way, they can teach others in the future when we have enough funds to set up a computer classroom for the community!

Our goal for Father's House children is to equip them to fulfill their destiny, whether as an accountant, farmer, doctor, or repairman. As they receive unconditional love from our staff, we want each child to know that they have a secure place in our hearts and God's, no matter what path in life they choose to take.

Just as we believe God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11 for hope and a good future, we believe it's our responsibility to prepare each child in our care for that future as best we can. From new computer classes and cooking lessons to homework help and Sunday School, we are committed to doing everything in our power to help them be successful at whatever their hands find to do in the future!