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It has been six years since my last visit to Phnom Penh and so much had changed. This was Margaret’s fourth trip – she
is well and truly the seasoned traveller. This team dynamic was different in that there were only the two of us, we were going for double the time usually spent and we were staying with Mao An and Mom in their home in the second week.
We arrived to smiling faces and much laughter – tears were streaming down my face as I walked through the door to greet
Mao An and Mom and the others who had come to welcome us. Everyone loves Margaret and we were made feel very special. After the initial welcome, we were off in the tuk tuk’s to the hotel to settle in. At first glance, nothing seemed to have changed since my last visit and my heart sank again at the poverty, the dirt and the sadness of the nation. During the time and at the strangest of times though, the Lord would show me the progress that had taken place – it is evident that the nation is advancing in leaps and bounds.
The purpose of this trip was to build into the leadership and to “do life” with the people. That we did!! God was simply amazing. We saw His hand at work in so many lives and hearts. We had prayer meetings on the Saturday mornings that we were there (3 in all). There is a committed core team of people who come together every week to pray. One session we felt to teach the people to pray in strong tongues as Peter has been teaching us. The presence of God was strong and the people were excited to come into a different realm of prayer. Many shifted into a new dimension in God as the level of expectation increased.
We ministered to the leaders of the church over two afternoons building into them principles of strong leadership, joining hearts and hands to become one unit, learning to be connected to the house and to each other. We heard many testimonies of how God had touched them through the teaching. We went out for dinner on the first evening and on the way home, God was continuing to work in the lives of those with us. Hearts were being poured out in the tuk tuk as we were driving home. We stood in awe of how God was working among these people. It was so natural and peaceful.
The Sunday services are vibrant praise, (we danced a lot) and it was a real experience to speak with Mao An interpreting. We worked well together and it was such a thrill to see people getting turned on to God and raising their level of expectation for what God wanted to do this year.
After the last Sunday we were tempted to relax and unwind, however, the Holy Spirit really exhorted us to stay strong and vigilant as He still had much He wanted to do in and amongst the people.
We visited two villages – one was very poor, but the presence of God was very rich there. We did not minister as I felt that it was for Mao An to connect with his people. His team came alive under a different anointing and it was a joy to watch them love the people and minister in the gifts that they carry. Mao An loves his nation and was such a thrill to my heart to see the love of God pour out of him to his “family” and the way that they respond to him. We had fresh coconut milk, ate with the Pastors, prayed for individual homes, an watched the kids pick nits out of each other’s hair!! We returned home and ate noodles together before retiring for the evening feeling very satisfied.
We had the honour of staying with Mao An and Mom and family for the second week that we were in Cambodia. What a thrill to be in their home. We experienced lots of things that we would not have normally because we were “right there”. The itinerary suggested that we have several days of cooking with Mom – thankfully she was not happy for us to be in her kitchen – we had lots of time with her, teaching her English, laughing, cuddling and having a wonderful time. Mom is an excellent cook and gave us many culinary experiences that we would not have normally had. We went sightseeing, were invited into people’s homes for meals, went on a night ride through Phnom Penh on the back of a motorbike (power to ya). It was exhilarating. I never lost the thrill of getting in to the tuk tuk first up in the morning and taking off into the oncoming traffic as we weaved our way through onto the correct side of the road. The traffic has to be seen to be believed!!!
The highlight for the people was going to the beach – yes, Cambodia has a beach! It is a 5 hour drive with several “pit stops” along the way for loo breaks and purchase of food, more food, glorious food!!! These people love to eat! Many hit the water fully clothed – it was wonderful to be with this awesome group of people who were so excited about being by the seaside. Everyone mixed really well, we saw relationships healed, formed, and deepened. As you can see by the photos, the beach is quite lovely. There are new hotels/accommodation in the process of being built, the road to the beach is well constructed, no bumps and very busy as it is the main thoroughfare from the port to the city. The ladies had prepared the food in advance and the accommodation was comfortable. This time together was very special and the peace of God reigned. People shared with each other and we know that much was accomplished through this time.
We went out to dinner on the second last evening to seal what had happened in these two weeks. All testified to what God had done and how rich this time had been, and how God had touched their lives. Please pray with us that the fruit will remain and that the people will continue to push through into all God has for them.
We left on Sunday morning with many tears but happy to know that God had well and truly been at work in more ways than we will know.
Thank you for praying and supporting us in the spirit. It was truly an honour to serve God in this way and have the opportunity to represent Breakthrough Centre Perth in Cambodia.
Margaret and Joan
