We have been back in Battambang almost a month already! Time goes by so quickly! It is good to be in our second home city, with people we have grown to love deeply! God sent us on a mission trip in 2011, one that changed our hearts and our lives! We were sharing that story with a former student today, it is good to refresh our memory of how God called us to spend time here in retirement better called refirement!
Each year we come and say ok God it's up to you, what plan do you have for this year? We have spent a lot of time teaching English and English conversation; this is one way we build relationships and make friends! We thank God for opportunities He has given us, the people we have been blessed to get to know and share life with. These dear people have made our refirement so" life rich", no price tag can be placed on this amazing experience!
The last few weeks we have been able to connect with former students, this warms our hearts; it is so good to catch up and see what is going on in their lives! Some are so stressed and worried their English is not good enough, but it is soooooo much better than our Khmer we remind them and after a time they relax and understand it is them, the student we care about not their English or pronunciation of English! Sure we will help them refresh and say that S or V correctly but each person is our main focus!!It is not only the students we have grown to love and care about, but those in the local restaurants, Ice Cream Shoppe, Stores, Market, Salt Acadamy Staff and players, and of course the Staff and Students at the YWAM Base here in Battambang!!
Our days vary but we are acquiring a schedule as God gives opportunity. We teach Conversation Class at the YWAM YDC (Youth With A Mission, Youth Development Center), we babysit, and we will be teaching morning classes of conversational English at a local coffee shop to the staff so they are better able to converse with the English speaking customers. These classes open doors to relationships and relationships open opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus!
We have attended the Community Light Church while we are here we as a church have been praying for the City of Battambang, for hearts of people to be open to the gospel of Jesus! Not just to add another god to their spirit world but for people to come to know the One True God! The Creator of Heaven and Earth! The Savior of those who put their trust in Him! Also the YWAM Base is praying for the City of Battambang and the Country of Cambodia! For all to know Jesus as Savior!
See the rice field representing the coming harvest? The harvest, the people of Cambodia, of Battambang are plentiful but the workers are few! Pray with the us for hearts to be open and workers plentiful and willing to go!
God bless each of you and thank you for taking the time to read our journey!
Ed and Mary
