It is hard for us to comprehend that we have been here in Cambodia for a year and four months now! We have experienced many of the “firsts” we looked forward to while preparing to come here and have waded through numerous challenges and misunderstandings. We feel blessed as we look back over the past year and clearly see God’s hand leading us through every step of our journey. There is truly no better place to be than where God calls you!
We arrived in Cambodia toward the end of April 2013 and spent about nine months living in the capital city of Phnom Penh. During that time we were able to take formal language classes, connect with the Cambodian Adventist Mission (CAM) team and the ADRA team and get familiar with the city, which is where we will be making supply trips. During that time we also made several trips to “our” village, meeting people, spending time with Josh Hooker, and getting familiar with Cambodian country life. This was also the time when Josh, with CAM’s help, led out in purchasing a piece of property in the Mission’s name for our project to use as a house site and future ministry site. The property is well located on a thoroughfare between key Cham villages in the area.
At the beginning of February we moved from a spacious house in Phnom Penh to the student missionary house, which was moved from the previous property. It has been somewhat amusing to hear people ask us, “Why are you living in such a small house?” or “When are you going to build a big house?” The student missionary house is 418 square feet including the porch, which is nice and cozy with all six of us! We have been very thankful for this dry little home as rainy season has blown in and saturated many of the houses around us.
The way we live in the village has been the subject of many of our prayers. We want the people here to realize that Christ, not our money, is the reason for our joy. We also want to communicate that we do not have to make merit by our deeds, but that the kind deeds are a manifestation of God’s love for people through us. We believe that even the house we live in speaks of our belief in Jesus, so we have been praying fervently about what kind of house He wants us to live in. It should be comfortable for visitors and yet practical for ministry and our family needs.
This last week, our friend Mean came and told us about a house for sale that is made of “good” wood, which means it’s the hard rainforest wood that is illegal to cut now. This good wood is very resistant to insects and rot. After going to look at it, we believe that it answers our prayers for what we have been looking for in a house of ministry. It is a place that local people will be comfortable visiting, and it allows us to add on a more modern kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, which will allow us to have some conveniences. The man who owns the house will sell it to us, move it to our property, and reassemble it for $15,000. With the foundation and addition of kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and incidentals, we estimate the total cost will be around $40,000. This is about two thirds of the original estimated cost of building here, and a cost that is in the lower midrange for a home here, as near as we can tell.

We are excited about this opportunity and are looking forward to seeing how God will pave the way for the next phase of our project. There are still several hurdles that will have to be dealt with, many of them out of our control. The Land Office here will have to finish some paperwork for the property and grant a permit for building. The finances will have to line up. The weather will have to cooperate. None of these matters are out of God’s hand, however, and we look forward to being able to watch Him work. He has led us thus far, and we have no doubt of His continued leading!
Thank you so much for your gifts that will make this house possible. Please continue to keep this project in your prayers.

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