Kairos Training Center: February Update

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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!​

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Spreading the Word

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“As the rain and the snow
 come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth
 and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire
 and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. ”
— Isaiah 55:10-11 - The Holy Bible
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It is rainy season in Cambodia: roads are getting muddy, fields are turning green. Farmers rely on this time of year for enough water to flood their rice paddies as part of their yearly planting cycle. From now until September, we could see anywhere from 5-8 feet of rain each month!

In this time of seasonal flooding, it is perhaps appropriate that we have received what can only be described as a flood of Khmer-language Bibles: 1,000 to be exact! Through communication with Messengers International, we were able to receive this huge donation from the Cambodian Bible Society for distribution to our church and others in our area. 

This gift is a wonderful opportunity to get the Word of God into the hands of many who have had little access to it before. Last Friday at our Pastor’s Fellowship meeting, our leadership team gave out over 400 Bibles to many different churches, who in turn are free to distribute them to anyone in their area who needs one. On Sunday, we had a chance to give even more Bibles, as members of our church young and old came forward to receive their very own copy! 

It’s a joy to be able to provide this precious resource to so many, and we believe God’s promise from Isaiah 55:11: his Word will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it.

​Please pray with us for each person receiving a new Bible, that the Holy Spirit would help them understand, receive, and apply what God wants to speak to them. Who knows how many hearts will be touched and lives will be changed by having the Word of God in their hands for the very first time? 

-IHSI

Working Together

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​As a ministry, we’re constantly on the lookout for ways to bless and mutually strengthen those in church leadership in Saang and neighboring regions. That often takes the form of training seminars and church visitation, as well as benevolent giving to meet needs in various congregations in Kandal province. By working together with other area churches, In His Steps can bless a much larger group of people than simply those in our own congregation!

We recently received a donation of 200 Khmer-language copies of the book “Bait of Satan” through Messenger International. Having already partnered with John and Lisa Bevere for other projects, we were excited to have an opportunity to bring this resource to Cambodians in their own language. After meeting with their Asia contact in Phnom Penh, we loaded up a tuk-tuk full of books and brought them out to Saang for distribution.

Even in Phnom Penh (Cambodia’s capital city), there are not a lot of quality Christian resources available in the Khmer-language. In rural areas like Kandal province, many pastors have little or no access to Christian books and teaching materials. When we arrived with “Bait of Satan” in hand, these pastors were quick to open their copy and begin reading, hungry to learn more.

As we made our rounds delivering the books, we heard many stories of how devastating flooding in the region has challenged pastors and their congregations dealing with the aftermath. Although things are getting better, many families still have a lot of work ahead repairing homes, cutting down waterlogged crops, and trying to resume life as normal. Eric and Pheaktra were able to offer some advice, but more importantly, listened as pastors shared their concerns and struggles.

The following week, we continued with our next initiative: giving away eyeglasses that had been donated from a family in New York. Re-visiting each pastor and again spending time to encourage and advise them, we also distributed glasses to them, their families, and congregation members with vision problems. It was perfect timing, since many of them had their books on hand to test out the new eyeglasses!

Whether visiting pastors in their homes or meeting with them each month at our pastors’ fellowship, we want each church leader in our area to know that we love and care about them. Being in ministry can be a lonely calling, which is why we emphasize listening to and encouraging each other, not just giving resources or dealing with ministry business. We want each pastor in Kandal province to know that their service to God is not for nothing, and they are not alone! Today, please join us in taking the time to pray for the Body of Christ in Cambodia. 

- In His Steps

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