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Please pray for the 13th Cambodia Crusade for Jesus - Dec 21 to 31 (Crusade for Dec 25, 26, 27), which will be held at the Soccer Field of the Bethel Institute, Kampong Cham Province.
This year's Crusade theme: Jesus is the Light of Life.
Harvest Mission International
http://www.harvestmission.net, haijoon@hotmail.com
“Join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God…” 2 Timothy 1:8
8847 Rhine River Ave, Fountain Valley, CA 92708, U.S.A., 1-714-964-4123, 349-4123
Vol. 18, No. 10, October 30, 2009, Missionary/Pastor Hai Joon Kim
When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. “– John 8:12 –
The 13th Cambodian Crusade for Jesus
Come and celebrate! (Mirk Yioung Up Er Sato in Khmer) This was the worship song sang by Khmer evangelizing praise team EFC during the 1st Crusade. Even after over 10 years we still feel so exciting and joyful when we think of the very first crusade held in the Kampong Cham City in ‘97. All crusade participants from the States, who prepared for this event with earnest and sincere prayers for whole year, shed tears with deep thankfulness to the Lord Jesus for His keeping remnants of believers in Cambodia even after long years of life ravaging civil war. Among peoples deeply fallen with idolatry throughout its history, out of them the Lord Jesus reserved small number of His followers―all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouth s have not kissed him, over which we’re so joyful. Though from nearby regions we constantly heard gun shots sound, Khmer Rouges’ threat and activities, all crusade participants boldly praised the Lord with top of voice and shared the gospel of salvation to anyone encountered in the streets with ardent heart. Year after year since ’97, we had traveled around the country to praise, worship the Lord Jesus, true living God and Creator of all, and preached the gospel, declaring He is only way to salvation. From the 11th Crusade, in the soccer field of El Shaddai Bible College all the students of the BFS and Bethel Middle/High School with teachers and staff gathered to worship and praise God, while sharing good news with many spectators to ball games (for the crusade all the schools are in recess during the last week of Dec). Seeking His Spirit’s lead for this year’s crusade theme, we’re led to: Jesus is the Light of Life. We’re so awe-stricken and thrilled to be reminded that the Holy Spirit gives us the message we need to tell Cambodians; people in darkness need Jesus Christ for salvation and fruitful life. Indeed as the Lord Himself said, His Spirit teaches and reminds us of everything He said to His disciples (John 14:26). We worship and praise Jesus, who gave up His life in order to save the world in darkness of death because of sins, and more than ever determined to become His witness during the Crusade and beyond (1 Peter 2:9).
Even though Cambodia had been recently transformed from communist regime to free democratic country, since its national religion is Buddhism by constitution, it exercises much restrictions on Christian activities (street evangelism and house-to-house visiting, public preaching banned by law). The Central Government (Min of Religion) asks excessive church registration fee for assembly (most of churches are not self-supportive) and tries to unify all Christian denominations and control, and thus cultic activities are so rampant. On top of this, corruption and injustice in government are nationwide. As it gradually gains economic progress (though mostly in big cities), its people pursue gratification of flesh, spending on earthly things more physically, not paying attention on spiritual welfare. Therefore, in the time of whole country in deep darkness and evangelizing is slow, it’s so perfectly timely appropriate that we proclaim that Jesus is the ‘Light of Life’ and whoever believes Him as the Lord and Savior shall have new life as a free gift.
Thirteen years ago, many children of active lepers in the Trang Village heard first time the Name of Christ Jesus, who overcome death’ authority and resurrect, and became pupils of the Bright Future Christian Elementary School (BFS). Since then, many have moved up to the Bethel Middle and High School, and grown to become evangelists, future missionaries and pastors, or spiritual leaders by His grace. Many of them, during the Crusade, will glorify God by praise and body-worship. What a change by His grace! We believe that Cambodia would become Jesus’ stronghold, and from here many would go out to preach to the unreached peoples to fulfill His ‘Great Commission’ (Matthew 24:14, 28:18-20).
O Lord, Come quickly! Marana tha!
Please pray that: (a) We’ve been praying for a long time that we would start world missionary training school in the Bethel Institute, and we’re about to start its construction (school classrooms and housing; first phase, 3 units, each unit with one classroom and 4 studios, 28m x 8m, costs about $50,000). Please pray that the Lord Jesus would provide us with good instructors and needed finance. (b) Pray for the Crusade participants (evangelists, praise and worship team, preachers, etc) for their spiritual strength and dedication.
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