Breakthroughblog’s Weblog

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

The young adults are setting Cambodia on fire! We arrived at Phnom Penh airport to an incredible reception. The Cambodians held massive banner aloft, proclaiming “Welcome TBC Youth”. This was followed by Hawaiian style floral leis!

We have been preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, sowing seeds into the future of Cambodia. The Cambodian youth, who have come from all corners of the nation, have been soaking it in! Every young person in attendance has committed their lives to seeking first the Kingdom! We have seen powerful outpourings of the Spirit, baptisms in the Spirit and scenes reminiscent of Acts 1:8.

Highlights thus far include death-defying tuk-tuk rides (little motorcycle-wagon-taxis), Germaine becoming the next Cambodian vocal superstar, seeing a motorcycle piled 6 metres high (no joke) with polystyrene boxes and a brilliant prophecy over the Cambodian youth worship team being covered with a mantle, anointed to lead people into His presence! Next update to come within 24 hours…stay tuned!

Blessings from Kevin, Al, Cam, Ray, Rachel, Naomi, Germaine and Annie.

Onto the third village – Kantuat Prong. We were greeted with a coconut with a straw in it and sweet rice wrapped up in leaves.  There was a different sense to this village. The Lord’s love was very present and they were very open and hungry. 60% were not Christian.  They have a beautiful lady pastor- Pastor Ee- like Christine in the Spirit.  She has very many faithful leaders.  This village is to be a light in their area. Bruce gets up to speak- Tim just said your turn to speak- He shared his father’s heart and His Father’s heart and love for Cambodians and especially the children.  Then he asked if people wanted to open their hearts to the Father and receive Jesus and handed it to Mao An. He brought them in. Nearly all 60% got up and made a commitment to follow Jesus. I cried.  Bruce was overwhelmed as nothing like this has ever happened before. Such an encouragement for him.  Then he was a fireball!  Prophesying and praying for healing.  There was one old man who requested to being set free from demon as he was like Gaderene at full moon festivals.  He had burnt all the occult stuff but experienced shaking for 3 months and wanted to be set free.  Another girl came up to be set free from demon too. We handed out food, medicines, hygiene and clothes for everyone.  We prayed for leaders, prophesied over them, their land and their church.  This place will impact for the Lord!

On Saturday, Carolyn and I had some retail therapy at the Russian markets.  We took a Tuk Tuk to the markets and the Breakthrough driver we blessed with lunch. When guys came back from chicken farm we went out for tea at Redhouse Chinese for our final meal together.

I praise God for all He did.  I have learnt many things. You can do all things!  You don’t know Who is in you until you are challenged.  I see my team members in a new light. They have gone to new levels in God.  Gifts have surfaced as needed at the right time when needed.  He is all we need.  He is Everything. Everything that we need is in us because of Jesus. Christ in you the hope of glory.

Just thought I would give you a taste.  The Lord is good!  Amen!!!!!!

Well, I am feeling a bit more recuperated now. 
What a trip!  There was Tim Johnson, Bruce and Carolyn Carson and me. We were warmly welcomed by Mao An- the pastor and many Breakthrough adults and children at the airport. We all piled into the van.  The first thing that hits you is the heat and then the traffic.  Motorbikes piled high going every which way!  Babies in between adults standing or sitting on motorbikes. No helmets. Cars and utes piled high with all sorts of things and then people sitting on top of the piles. Livestock, like chooks tied on by legs alive to sides of vans and bikes.  Organised chaos and “suggested” road rules.  Amazing not more accidents.  The people must be very patient as Aussies would be raging in this type of traffic.

  I felt like the Lord was saying that these were His scattered sheep that were without a shepherd. I started to pray for the Lord to raise up His shepherds in this nation. The piles of things represented the burdens that the people carried. At times the enormity of what needs to be done in this nation hit me. It was overwhelming at times.  The number of people, busyness, the dirt, the smell, the poverty of the surrounds.  But the people very lovely and generally appeared happy. We went to our hotel and it was very comfortable and air-conditioned. Praise God! We shopped later at Sydney for a few basic items like water, milk and snacks and had dinner at  Khmer Thai Restaurant.

On the Tuesday, we went to the Breakthrough Centre church.  Again we are very welcomed.  Up 5 flights of steps to the church meeting are on top floor.  Families live on the other floors.  There is a drop toilet on this floor.  A Western toilet in Mao An’s office that we were privileged to use. (I did not get my squatting certificate on this trip.) We had a worship time and Tim and Carolyn taught.  You take your shoes off before entering the building and the floors are very super- polished and clean.  I noticed this which led to me falling off my plastic chair twice –once during Tim’s teaching and once as I leant forward to pick a crumb up off the floor. I leant forward and because the weight was more forward and polished floor, leg went skidding out from underneath me.  I sat and laughed as people rushed over concerned I was OK.   I did actually obtain a couple of bruises under my arm and somewhere else.  Sore tailbone for a couple of days. Tim incorporated falling off chair into his talk.  Carolyn used it, laughing her head off and unable to speak, when she prayed about falling and getting up again!  News travelled back to Perth about Al’s mum falling off chair not just once –but twice!  We had lunch of rice, salad and stew washed down with a Coke. I ministered on compassion and then we prayed for some people there and many were released from anger and bitterness. Praise God!

We set off for villages on Wed morning -3hrs away- to Svay Rieng (to be our base for going out to other 3 villages) in Hilux ( 5 in cab and 6 on top) piled high with food for villages, and luggage!  We had to stop at times as we hit a few big potholes and dislodged someone or something! We went on a car ferry.  This overwhelmed me as beggars and hawkers on ferry tapping on windows to sell something or get money.  All sorts of ages, but children broke my heart the most.  No arms, crippled, blind. I cried as these children had to work to survive and did not enjoy their childhood.  It was the same on the way back on the ferry for me. I actually hated being on this ferry.  Finally, we arrived at our first destination and thought we would be freshening up at guest house first, but there was a change of plans.  We stopped at a bamboo house on dirt track and Mao An said we needed to leave our luggage behind to go to the village- Svay Kaeh.  We were to be in the village all day. I madly sorted through necessary items like, tissues, wet ones, aeroguard, sunscreen, mobile phone and camera and put these into plastic bag as we had to get on motorbikes to get to the village.  Mao An points me to a motorbike with this skinny little Cambodian man. My first time on a motorbike!  Motorbike mama!  I am telling myself I can do all things and prayed much! Many bumps and sore tailbone! The track was only one tyre wide with a ditch of water either side through a rice paddy for about 10-15mins.  We had to stop at times and get off as track was muddy. Some of villagers in huts laughed as saw this big western woman on back of bike and a skinny man in front!  I felt like a real missionary.  I was the first into village. All food for village and hygiene supplies had to be brought in by bike too.  Carolyn’s bike toppled into ditch.  I heard much laughing!  Adults were very welcoming but the children very reserved.  We felt witchcraft operating but got on with what we were there to do.  The village was just a baby in the Lord. We gave them food and clothes, thongs and hygiene supplies.  The kids loved the clothes.  Danny, Mao An’s daughter, did worship with kids and Tim and Bruce went with adults to teach. Tim taught on dreams and visions and interpretation.  Mao An did most of the interpreting but his son Timothy could also do some.  Danny speaks English quite well too. We were not as prepared as would have liked to be as couldn’t find stuff I bought for village kids in luggage in time.  The village people ate, and then we ate meal that Mao An’s wife cooked for us on gas burner. Carolyn and I had a rest in their bamboo hut on stilts and slept where 20 villagers slept all together in this one room.  It was a wicker mat on bamboo floor with leaking tin roof.  The rain poured down after lunch and made the land into one giant mud puddle.  The kids went out in it in their new clothes!  The pigs, chooks and dogs were very skinny and milled around our feet. We believe we took kingdom there by just being there.

 While we found a few nuggets in each of the 1st 2 villages we struck a vein of gold in the 3rd. It had a more open and prosperous feel before we drove in the gate. There was a lovely area under trees with tarps strung up for shade. They brought us sticky rice and coconuts to drink from before we started.

The 4 of us were to get up and say a few words then I think Tim was to have preached. It was established before we started that 40% were christians and the rest, people from in the village.

Tim asked if I wanted to start so I said yes not having a clue as to what I wanted to say.

It was here that I felt like I tapped into Gods heart for these people and talked about his heart for them and that they no longer needed to feel like ophans.

Still not sure what I said but God showed his heart and it drew them. It was a bit funny in that I got so far then ran out of words, while I knew an alter call was in order I just handed over to Mao An who I knew to be an expert at landing the fish I had drawn to the boat. This he did, I took a photo and today had a quick look at it for the 1st time today counted 24 or so people that stood up for salvation. Ha, I should have preached as that was just my introduction. Just goes to show God is still using donkeys. I am still staggered about it.

It was the first time that I remember seeing such a large percentage of a congregation stand for the Lord in nearly 30yrs of church going.

That was the 1st time I had preached other than in bible college years ago. It has changed my world view.

 Salvation

Tim, Bruce, Carolyn and Carol comprised the latest team visiting Cambodia. This was a powerful time, with ministry to the villages resulting in several people being saved and many healings. God is so faithful.

One of the highlights of any visit to Cambodia is the love and warmth of the team from Breakthrough Centre Cambodia. Those smiling faces at the airport radiate joy and this time was no exception. It is such a joy to fellowship with the team at meal times, and to serve with them in ministry.

The Australian team first spent some time ministering to and training the team from BCC. They are always so hungry and eager to learn. It was good to share a meal with the leaders as well.

On the third day the team were up early for the long journey to Svay Rieng (3 hours). This was their base for three different village visits. About half way they had to cross the river by ferry. They had hired a four wheel drive for the journey. With five crammed into the cabin, and luggage and team members on the back, it was very much travelling in Cambodia style! They decided to get a taxi as well to help relieve the load.

Village 1:

To enter this village the last part of the journey was by ‘moto’ through rice paddy’s….hahahah oh what fun negotiating this narrow little path through rice fields. The bike Carolyn was on slightly tipped over at one point ditching some of the load into the water. Fortunately I managed to stay dry but myself and the rider laughed all the way from that point on as we entered into the village. I think it was Carole’s first ride on a ‘moto’…brave woman of God! The village people greeted us warmly. Tim ministered here on dreams and interpretation whilst Carolyn and Carole joined Dany with the children. They then gave out clothes and footwear and supplies to the village people. There were heavy showers of rain before we returned to base…so the ‘moto’ track was even more muddy and interesting…but we made it back to base with no major incidents!

It was a delight to arrive back in Svay Rieng to the guest house. The rooms were basic, spacious and clean and cold showers…but who can complain. After dinner in town with the team it was great to find a comfortable bed for much needed rest.

At 2 o’clock a number of intrepid artists gathered at the office for the first art class with Brave Gordon. We were handed our goodie bags of art supplies and set ourselves up at the tables.

 This is Brave Gordon, who somehow expected us to take him seriously.

 The smiling (except for Christine: doesn’t she look happy to be there?), budding artistes. Who is that not paying attention in the back row? Typical.

 Neil with his jar and eggs. We grew to love drawing not the object but the space around it.

 Gordon fixing things up with a few magic strokes.

 Gordon managed to squeeze talent out of everyone.

 See me for further details. I am happy to go for the nearest offer. Highest bidder gets the art.