In Feb. we attended the Cambodia Foursquare Pastors Convention with the national leaders from many SE Asia countries: (Sitting from left)---Vietnam (Peter) Thailand (John), Vietnam (Joshua), George Butron (Regional Coordinator, SE Asia). Standing (from left): Henry (Malaysia), Val (Philippines), David (Singapore), Gary, Kelly Hilderbrand (FMI Missionary to Thailand), Gilbert (Singapore), Pastor Dton (Thailand). John Watson (not shown), the FMI Senior Regional Coordinator led this 'visiting' team. Cambodia is now about 30% Christian! The convention was overfilled, with 2,500 pastors!!! There was no room for anyone else. Cambodia is adjacent to Thailand and we expect to have very similar growth in Thailand over the next few years. Paula and I want to do our part in God's great plan! (I wish Paula was in this picture, but she was elected to be the photographer! But she was a key component to the entire event, inspiring us all with her openness and heart.)
Missionary to Cambodia (Ted Olbrich) and Pastor John Watson on night 1!
The above slides show various Cambodian dances, as the convention kicks off. Cambodians are discovering the Lord as well as re-discovering their heritage after the fall of Pol Pot's regime.
There is nothing like sharing and laughing with believers from other countries. We find ourselves in the common love of the Lord!
The Foursquare orphanages in Cambodia houses about 3,000 currently. In Thailand, too, churches are building orphanages to help children change their futures...and their country. These children were praising the Lord in song!
Is there anything more beautiful? These orphan children whose families were destroyed by the K. Rouge in Pol Pot's regime find Christ....and new hope!
Pastors Joshua and Peter from Vietnam!!! I wish you could meet these 2 great men. They have been persecuted several times for sharing the Gospel....and yet their hearts and smiles are as wide as the Mekong River! They are true heroes!
Pastors John (President, Foursquare Thailand) and Dton (Pastor, Good News Foursquare Church, Bangkok)
What a great worship team we have!! Easter service was a day to celebrate His rising...and afterward to attend a Buddhist funeral, as one of our member's father passed away.
Preaching at Easter Service. Wun is a tremendous young woman, a leader in the church. She is translating (Making me sound a LOT better than I do normally)!
At the Buddhist funeral. Very strange to do this on Easter Sunday. And a sad time for this family when we know that all who believe in Christ will be resurrected! The casket is being prepared for cremation.
Several Buddhist monks chant and walk to lay flowers on the casket.
