Sre Trang Christmas Program

The Sre Trang congregation had their Christmas program on Dec. 13th.  We met in the new church building that had just been finished a few days before. 

 The new building.  The old one is just to the left.

Several of the local police were there, as well as some area government leaders.  One of the leaders got up and spoke, having highly favorable things to say about the church there and Christianity in general.  What a blessing to have the support of the local leaders out there.  We can't be naive.  It wouldn’t be unheard of to, at the Christmas program, extol the church and affirm his most affectionate commitment to its prosperity, then shut it down the next day.  But thus far local support has seemed genuine, so we thank God for this blessing and pray that it would continue. 

Guests arriving on the road toward the church

All of our students and a few church members went to the program.  (We left at 4:30 AM!  Yikes!)  Groups from both congregations presented songs and skits.  I missed most of it.  The crowd of children around Katherine (and I) was causing a significant distraction to the audience, so we went outside.  There were over 100 children there; most without an adult counterpart, all without adult supervision.  Some of our students played games under a tent with the ones who weren't interested in the program. 

 Some of the children checking out Katherine

On a side note, Sre Trang has actually had over 100 children attend their Sunday worship service consistently over the past few months.  Please pray for them as they figure out how to wisely manage and effectively teach them about the One True and Living God. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." Matt 19:14

Children waiting for the program to begin 

When the program was over we all ate curry soup together, then our students taught the Sre Trang youth a series of gestures/movements to go along with the song "God Will Make a Way."  They really enjoy doing gestures along with songs. 

  The tent under which the children played and we ate lunch

Overall, it was a really nice time for the two congregations to worship and fellowship together.

Jennifer

Christmas Play video

Here is the Christmas play video from 2007.  Hope to post this year's play soon.

 

Click here to see the full screen video.

 

Merry Christmas,

The Church of Mercy

 

www.thechurchofmercy.org

www.firstbaptistparker.org

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Sre Trang Building Photos

Here are some pictures of the new Church building in Sre Trang. Enjoy!

Back to School in Cambodia!

Hello again!  We have just begun our fourth year of school here at the PATC.  We have 21 students in this year's class.  Here is what their schedule looks like:

Our teachers this year are:

Pastor Chheng Nuon - 2 classes of the T.E.E. program
Bill Hale - Systematic Theology, 1689 London Confession, 2 classes of Computer Tech, Guitar
Jennifer Hale - 4 levels of English
Miss Sopheak - Piano level 2
Miss Sreylip - Piano level 1

Also the October 2008 newsletter is posted on our web site.  

Click to read the newsletter

Please pray for our teachers and students to be filled with grace, faith, and wisdom to make the most of this good time in Cambodia.

Grace and Peace

The Church of Mercy

Pictures of Worship

January 5th, 2008

Things are going well here in Cambodia. The above pictures are from our Christmas service on December the 16th. In Cambodia Christmas can be celebrated any day from Dec.1-31. We brought both churches together, Sre Trang & Prek Ambel, for a great time of fellowship and celebration of the Lord's birth.

We invited many from the community to join and we had over two hundred in attendance including local police officers, school teachers, and city hall employees. Please pray the word spoken of the grace of God would find the good soil and produce a crop 30, 60, 100 fold.

God Bless,

The Church of Mercy

September 12, 2007

The newly named "Prek Ambel Training Center" is now in it's 3rd year of operation. We had opening ceremonies and the first day of classes on Monday. This years class has 27 students. This year's 1st semester will offer 5 classes.

T.E.E. - Theological Education by Extension - Pastor Chheng
English 1, 2, 3 - Ms. Linda
Music Appreciation - Ms. Linda
Computer 101 & 102 - Mr. Bill
Systematic Theology - Mr. Bill

Mrs. Jennifer is available for English tutoring.

Please pray for our teachers and students as they teach and study. Pray for the next generation of believers in Cambodia to grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

God Bless You,
The Church of Mercy

July 31, 2007

We are sad to report the Ministry of Cults and Religion has made a new directive banning all public evangelism. Including door to door witnessing, passing of tracks, and open air broadcasts. We are still free to worship and preach inside the church property.

They have released numerous radio and TV broadcasts in the last week to make the public aware. If churches continue to evangelize they will first be warned. The second time the church in violation could be closed.

Here is a bit of the news; "All public proselytizing activities are prohibited. Christians are not allowed to proselytize citizens' houses by knocking on doors or waiting for them, saying "the Lord is coming" which is an interruption to daily life or may intrude on privacy in the community."

And then: "Teachings of religions must respect other religions and avoid insulting and degrading each other, especially Buddhism, the state religion. "Minister of Cults and Religion Chea Savoeun said last week that the new directive is a prudent move. "People have complained a lot to the Ministry of Cults and Religion over this issue," he said, adding that some Christian groups have been accused of "looking down" on other religions and disturbing people in their homes.

Though we are saddened by this, we are encouraged by God's providence. Our afterschool teaching program draws in about 150 students per day; they come to us. The Lord lead us to start this program before any of this happened with the government and we are thankful for His provision. Here is a link to the whole article that summarizes the ministry's position. Please continue to pray for Cambodia.

http://www.camnet.com.kh/cambodia.daily/selected_features/enva.htm

May 12, 2007

The 2nd floor of the Discipleship Training Center is nearing completion. The roof should be completed sometime this week. The Lord has been at work in the school and in the churches. We have seen steady spiritual growth and are very thankful for the Lord's work in hearts. Please continue to pray for the churches and the school. We hope to establish the churches in a way that will continue to produce fruit even after this generation is with the Lord.

Peace,
Bill

May 1, 2007

The rains have finally started to come down giving us some much needed cool weather. Southeast Asia is surrounded by water which brings in storm after storm during the wet season.

The DTC is nearing the end of the official school year (May 15) and is beginning to accept applications for next year. Please pray for next year's students. Pray the Lord would be with us as we select the students and discuss future classes and schedules.

The Churches are both doing well in the Lord. The rains make it difficult for some to attend services. The dirt roads they use to travel from their villages become very slippery and dangerous. To travel them by car or motorbike is a challenge but on a bicycle it is almost impossible. As the waters rise throughout the wet season many people must travel by boat. The Churches have boats that we use to pickup the members for worship. Similar to a church bus in the United States. Pray the people would persevere in these difficult traveling times.

God Bless,
Bill Hale

April 9, 2007

The work continues on in the Lord! The church in Prek Ambal has seen a large number of visitors over the last few weeks. Thanks be to the Lord for his work in the people. The DTC students are on vacation for 2 weeks to celebrate the Khmer New Year. Chheng and I will have some valuable time to plan future outreach activities and make a few school policy changes. We will also take some time for rest. Pray the students will have a valuable time of rest. Pray for the Nuons and the Hales to get some needed rest as well.

Grace and Peace,
Bill

March 19, 2007

Intro to Computers 101

Here the students are studying the internal components of a desktop computer. They are learning about the power supply, ps/2 ports, USB ports, Parallel ports, etc. They are also learning how to troubleshoot common system problems. We hope by gaining computer skills the students will be better equipped in the future to serve the Lord and the Church in Cambodia. Please pray for them as they study.

March 12, 2007

At the Church of Mercy Discipleship Center the students have group worship each evening from 7:30 - 9:00. They sing hymns, have Bible study and group prayer. It is evident the Lord is at work in them as we hear them discuss the Word and pray. We are all encouraged and inspired to press on in the Faith.

Pray the Lord would continue to build the bond of Christian fellowship in us as we work and worship together.


Grace and Peace,
Bill

March 2, 2007

(Atonement Class)

The students are busy with their studies and community work everyday. This is what their schedule looked like today:

5:00-6:00 AM Group Prayer Time

6:00-7:00 AM Personal Bible Study

7:00-8:00 AM Breakfast

8:00-9:00 AM English level 1 / Computer 101 1st class

9:00-10:00 AM English level 2 / Computer 101 2nd class

10:00-11:00 AM Computer 101 3rd class

11:00-12:00 AM Personal Study Time

12:00-2:00 PM Lunch

2:00-3:30 PM Personal Study Time

3:30-4:30 PM Community Work

4:30-5:00 PM Dinner

5:00-6:00 PM English for Children - 1st class (taught by students)

6:00-7:00 PM English for Children - 2nd class (taught by students)

7:30-9:00 PM Group Worship & Prayer

9:00-10:00 PM Personal Study Time

Also on Monday and Thursday mornings from 8:00-11:00 AM they have Bible study class with Pastor Chheng and they have an atonement class with me on Thursday afternoons from 2:00-3:30 PM. As you can see they are very busy.

Please pray for them to manage their time wisely. Pray that they would redeem the time. Pray for those who teach that we would give them the right amount of material.

Grace and Peace to you all,

Bill

February 17, 2007

IMPORTANT NEWS FLASH!!!

The power lines from Vietnam seem to be well on their way to bringing Prek Ambel 24 hours of continuous power per day. The utility crew installed 4 lines yesterday and we have been told the power will be available in one month. This will enable many simple things like fans for worship, refridgerators, and lights but also more important things like day computer classes, printing, and the use of recording and mixing equipment.

The students have taken a week of vacation to visit family and celebrate the Chineese new year. We are scheduled to start back on Monday. Please continue to pray for the work in Cambodia.

Peace,
Bill

February 8, 2007

(Children in Sre Trang)

The work continues on in the Cambodian countryside. Both churches are doing well in the Lord and the discipleship school is busy preparing students for the Lord's service. In Prek Ambel we have recently opened an English class for children from 5PM to 7PM every evening. The turnout has been amazing! Last night we had over 100 children in attendance. The class is one part English and one part Bible teaching. Many of the children were in church on Sunday. Please pray for this ministry as it is somewhat overwelming to have so many students. We have run out of chairs and tables but they don't mind to find a shady tree somewhere and sit on the ground to learn.

Please pray that the Lord would help us to steward these dear ones. Pray we would present the Gospel to them clearly and that the seed would find the good soil.

Grace and Peace,

Bill

January 14, 2007

After many months of preparation Jennifer and I are happy to be in Cambodia. Today we were able to worship with the Church of Mercy members. We had a sweet time together and they were very kind and gracious as usual. Thanks be to God for his continued work in Cambodia.

I took three pictures of the Discipleship Training Center (front view, inside hallway, a class room). The inside of the building has now been completed and really looks beautiful. Thanks to everyone who helped make this building possible. It is inspiring to see it taking shape. Chheng and I have scheduled a Wednesday meeting this week to discuss the school's future classes, schedule, and curriculum.

Grace and Peace,
Bill Hale

December 28, 2006

I am amazed by the way Cambodia teems with life. During the rainy season the land explodes with all kinds of fruits and vegetables and everything turns to a briliant green. The land has been plowed and seeded, watered and fertilized, and in due time the seed properly cared for produces abundant fruit.

Please pray for the work in Cambodia. As we plow up the thorns and briers, scatter the good seed, water the earth and wait for the "Heavenly" fruit, we know that it is God Almighty--in his good time--who gives the increase. Pray for the seed to fall on the good soil. Pray for the harvest workers to bring in the good fruit of the Gospel.

Peace,
Bill

Building Photos

November 14th, 2006

The Discipleship Students class picture with Chheng Nuon in the center. Three members of our church have just come back from visiting the Church of Mercy. They report that all is well and the have returned with many good pictures. More pictures soon to follow.

Grace and Peace,

Bill