Cambodia Bible Education Centre

A number of religious groups in Cambodia are employing the use of dormitories to recruit Bible students. The idea has been successful because it provides free accommodation to students wishing to study at the Phnom Penh universities. The Bethezer funded Dorm does its best to ensure that the students who come in are interested in furthering their understanding of the Scriptures, and in fact is producing results. In one day we witnessed 5 baptisms, more than doubling the number of Cambodian believers. The Dorm itself is a four story house out a little from the main city centre making the rental a little cheaper. It is solidly built, and is in good condition, and of very similar design to the house being used as the base for the BEC. The architecture is essentially French and the design repeated all over the city. The Dormers sleep on bunks and eat a common diet which is basic and little more than subsistence food, rice with some little amounts of protein. During our stay they were introd...

Long Ang began studying at BEC when the dorm opened; he attended every lesson and soon developed a strong understanding of first principles. He was one of the five 'dormers' baptised recently. He still comes for extra lessons whenever he can and he has often assisted as a translator. We were really busy yesterday and he filled in, teaching a new contact. It has been wonderful to see the change in this young man from a hungry student to someone who has taken the responsibility of teaching. Today Him was able to also fill in for us by teaching two outreach students. It is just so wonderful seeing local brethren feeding local sheep. It was also wonderful for us to share this with Raju while he has been visiting.

We all enjoyed gathering together after Theavy's baptism for a group photo! Raju snapped the happy family! We were so sad to say goodbye to Tim and Judith on Thursday. Their contribution to the ecclesia here in Cambodia was immeasurable and they take back so much enthusiasm to encourage our brothers and sisters at home to support the spreading of God's word in this country.

Sometimes joy comes in the form of hard work, feeling God’s purpose in your heart and mind as you share the gospel with others. At other times joy comes with rest and reflection upon the work He gives us to do. Today twenty five of us witnessed the baptism of Theavy. God’s peace was ruling over this event. Her husband Him being comforted by the eternal bond God has gifted to him with his new sister/wife. The rest of us watched in wonder as our Father in heaven gave Raju words that brought comfort, strength and inspiration to us all. How rich we all felt as we lazed in hammocks beside the Mekong, eating fresh fish and Cambodian vegetables. The beauty of God’s light shining from the eyes of our new sister as she emerged from the water, and the sheer exhilaration of belonging to God and feeling His purpose beaming from Raju’s face. Bro Tim gave us words to remember. Kuntheavy means 'flower'. Tim showed that natural beauty is short-lived and the sweet spiritual moments that accompa...

I am delighted to report from Cambodia of the planned baptism of Kuntheavy (Theavy), wife of Bro Him, who would be baptised God willing in the Mekong River east of Phnom Penh on Wednesday 23 July 2008. I met with Theavy nearly three years ago when her brother introduced her and her husband Meng Him to me. She has remarkable knowledge of the Scriptures. Lately Sis Lynne has been guiding her through the 'preparing for baptism' lessons. This time the baptism would be held beside the little hammock huts some distance away across the Friendship Bridge near the 'blue elephants' pagodas. We all will travel in a convoy of Tuktuks (a two stroke three wheeler taxi) with pilot guard of motor bikes lead by Sis Loy. We will have a friendship lunch in the hammocks after the baptism (some heavy weights would have to do with sitting on mats on the wooden platform), with special charcoal grilled fish which is a local delicacy - all washed down with freshly beheaded coconut water! Who sa...

What a wonderful day we had yesterday on the Mekong River, when five new brothers of Christ emerged from the waters of baptism. The day was an absolute joy because everybody found some way to contribute and participate. Cambodian culture builds into its people selflessness, that, when God directed, is so healing to us all. We had over thirty witnesses of this wonderful occasion – including brothers and sisters, many boys from Bethezer dorm, friends from other dorms, and even the tuk-tuk drivers joined us! Kosal (K), Veasna, Vitou, Long Ang and Kosal were so excited and full of happiness as they celebrated the beginning of their new life in Christ. Steve, Max and Nirann baptised our new brothers and Him welcomed them into God’s family with beautiful words from scripture on the boat afterwards. Following a delicious lunch of pizza at BEC we gathered together for our very special worship service, which included the welcoming of our new brothers into the ecclesia at Phnom Penh. Sixteen bro...

It is so good to be back in Cambodia after two weeks home in Australia. How fantastic to catch up with family and visit the Gold Coast Ecclesia, sharing much love and exciting adventures with so many loved ones. Special thanks to the Gold Coast Ecclesia who have committed a monthly contribution to God’s work here in Cambodia. Steve, Max and Mitzi have worked tirelessly sharing God’s love and message with so many of our contacts while I have been away. It is wonderful to welcome Judith and Tim from the Lismore ecclesia to the BEC for three weeks. Tim is deep in study of God’s word with our brother Him ‘as we speak’, and we know that both Tim and Judith will be a wonderful strength to our Cambodian brothers and sisters while they are here! We are busy today getting last minute jobs done for our wonderful day tomorrow when we will baptise five young men from Bethezer dorm into the saving name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Please remember these young men in your prayers as they prepare for thi...