Spreading the Word

“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

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.

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​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

Building Pastors

Today we want to tell you about a man whom we recently had the privilege to bless in a small way. His story is one of faithfulness in the face of tragedy, hardship, and isolation.

In the group of church leaders that join us for our monthly fellowship meetings, there is a certain pastor who attends somewhat sporadically. He stood out to us because the first time he attended the fellowship, he arrived more than four hours early! Pastor Pheaktra chatted with him for a while and discovered that he had ridden a bicycle for more than two hours to our Center, simply to receive teaching and spend time in fellowship with other local church leaders.

This man has had more than his share of difficulties: a handicapped leg, the loss of two young children, and a life of relative poverty could have left him embittered and withdrawn. Yet he chooses to walk in the calling that God has placed on his life, despite the hardship that he faces daily. He finds joy in service to God through ministering to the people in the small rural village where he lives as assistant pastor.

His salary is small and he and his family have sacrificed much to continue in ministry, so when our leadership team discussed his situation we knew we wanted to help. We decided to target one of his biggest needs: transportation.

Below is a photo of the pastor enjoying his new moto, brought to him as a surprise by Eric and Pheaktra. We are also committing to provide him with some gas money each month, to make sure that this gift remains a blessing not a burden.

God has seen this pastor’s labors, his long bicycle rides around the countryside, and his uncomplaining spirit. We’re so happy to have been able to help him in a small way. It truly is more blessed to give than to receive.

~In His Steps

Strengthening the Body, Building the Kingdom

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up..."

1 Thessalonians 5:11

When In His Steps began the process of planting a church in Saang last summer, we knew that area pastors were in need of a way to build relationships, be mutually strengthened, and work together. That's why we began holding monthly pastors' meetings, listening to testimonies and prayer requests, studying the scriptures, and seeking God for each other's churches. 

With two American pastors (Bishop Rick Callahan and Pastor Jim Datri) visiting us this November, we felt it was a perfect time hold a seminar for pastors and their wives. So last Wednesday, we gathered in Saang for a day of teaching, food, and fellowship. Over 20 pastors and wives were able to come and hear messages of encouragement and exhortation from Ginny and our visitors. We got wonderful feedback from those who attended, and were greatly blessed to be able to minister to pastors who are spreading the gospel in their villages. 

Check out the video below, and don't forget to pray for the Body of Christ in Cambodia!