Due to the sensitive nature of this ministry, some details, photos and videos have been removed from the below update that was sent to our prayer partners.
Prayer Partners:
Thank you for your support!
Witnessing to the LGBTQ:
Motorbiking home from the grocery store, the Lord led to a street corner where transgender prostitutes solicit. A group gathered around.
Many scoffed as I witnessed, which is the norm. But two seemed captivated by the story of a God who could so dramatically change a life.
A few days ago, the Lord led back. I idled up to the curb alongside “R”. Typical Cambodian small talk (e.g. ‘Are you happy and healthy?’) segued to, ‘Why are you in Cambodia?’
In response to my testimony, he said he used to live in a Christian ministry facility that provided work for the poor, that residents worshipped Jesus together. I asked him if he believed in Jesus. He replied, ‘A little bit.’
I shared the simple gospel – ‘God created everything. The first man and first woman sinned. Jesus is Lord, without sin, Holy. He came from heaven to earth to die for our sins (paid for our sins 100% in full), rose again and returned to heaven. Today everyone has sin in their hearts, even if they do a lot of good. We must repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. He will return to judge. We must be ready.’
He read John 3:16-18 and said he was familiar with the passage.
With a smile, “R” received the gospel much better than most prostitutes with whom I have shared.
Note: LGBTQ who have some positive experience / memory associated with Christ and his church tend to be much more open. Every little bit counts.
About the time I asked if he was hungry, his friend “S” (also a transgender prostitute) came by. The three of us walked down the street to a food stall and ate together.
“S” also read John 3:16-18. I explained the gospel similarly to him, being clear that everyone has temptation but that we must repent and follow God’s Word instead. “S” was friendly but not open to the gospel.
Before eating, I asked if I could pray with them. I asked the Lord to give them faith. Before parting ways, we connected on Facebook where they can see Scripture posts. Having added them to the prayer list, I hugged them both. Lord willing, we will meet again. Praise the Lord for each step!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
LGBTQ Evangelism – “R”:
“R” joined for two church services this month. Praise the Lord!
Remember my original agreement with him (Apr 2022, May 2022). A “pilot” in many ways, I have learned a lot from this experience.
Every day, I opened and closed in prayer, asking the Lord to give him faith, to save my friend. Some days, I teared up with passion, giving all I had to break through with the gospel. We read the Word together. Then I taught him some English, per our agreement.
He made much progress toward English competency (helpful for this short life but no eternal value) but is not ready to give his life to Christ. I did my part (Acts 20:26-27), and I am thankful for his honesty.
“R” began periodically cancelling our meetings and recently chose to take a study break. Only the Lord can save, and the decision is in the hands of each individual.
Confident that my work has not been in vain, please pray for “R”.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
Neighborhood Youth Ministry – “P”:
Recap: “P” (Apr 2022) is the poorest of our students. Dad left years ago. He lives alone with his ailing mother, who is convinced she will not live much longer.
She insisted he turn away from Christ to study at a Chinese language school (requires students be Buddhist) for upward mobility. Soon he came back. Praise the Lord!
Since these kids began worshipping Christ several years ago, a spiritual war has been underway in their homes. We pray for their / our unsaved loved ones.
The Lord is sovereign. In this next chapter of P’s story, his mom finds herself in a predicament where only the Lord can help…
We have been studying the story of Joseph (Gen 37-50; Prov 27:4).
Natural “leader of the pack,” “P” is the brightest and most proficient in English of our kids. Like Joseph, perhaps the Lord specially gifted him above his peers to help lift him out of challenging circumstances.
The kids are trained to cry out to Jesus in times of need.
A few weeks ago, the Lord led to P’s house. His mother’s teeth mostly rotted out (on top of her other ailments), she was in such debilitating pain that she had not been able to eat or sleep much for weeks. Life-threatening.
“P” had not said a word to me but apparently had been praying.
The Lord’s leading was clear, ‘The dentist will make a recommendation, and you will do it.’
Five teeth were extracted in one visit alone (photo below). After a few more visits, Lord willing, she will have a partial denture.
Despite the fact that it was an emergency, helping his mom provoked envy in the neighborhood (curiously timed as we are studying Joseph). Parents of three of our long-time kids felt it wasn’t fair to help one family and not all equally, pulled them out of the ministry.
Realizing Satan is behind these uproars, I trust it will be temporary and that “P” will ultimately be able to say…
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Genesis 50:20
“P” had shared the gospel with his mom previously, and she had heard it from me. But I prayed for another opportunity.
Twice when he had to be at school, it was just she and I. One morning on the way to the dentist, she marveled that through all of the neighborhood gossip, envy and strife, her son had been a kind peacemaker (Gal 5:22-23).
Launching off her son’s testimony, I pulled the car over and shared the gospel message.
The Cambodian Buddhist mantra is “Do good; get good” (karma). I clarified that Jesus is the only door to heaven, that “Do good; get good” leads to hell.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
While many pretend to believe in hopes of further benefit, she is grateful and listens but does not claim to believe. I greatly appreciate her honesty.
“P” and I take turns praying before and after dental visits. She bows her head.
For the bulk of the past several weeks, P’s mom has either been in severe pain or asleep, only able to eat yogurt, unable to cook or care for him.
Like many Cambodians, for several reasons, they do not have or want a refrigerator. And apart from frying an egg, he cannot cook.
Moreover, the Lord led to “Take care of the boy.” It was a rare meal if he did not want fried chicken, Coke and/or chocolate cake.
All good works must be done in Christ for God’s glory to advance the gospel (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Rom 10:14-17; Eph 2:8-10; John 6:28-29).
So as to distance myself from Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11), know that funds for the dental work come from the bucket in the budget used for ministry expenses, roughly mirroring a believer’s tithe. The cost will be prorated over the coming months to reduce impact on planned ministry.
As for the fried chicken, chocolate cake, yogurt, etc… My Aunt Bobbie gives specially designated, “Food for the kids,” which also covers: Roughly once a month, I take a sack of rice and sometimes other essential food items to the faithful poor. They say, ‘Thank you!’ I reply, ‘Thank Jesus!’
Trusting for a future harvest of parents…
THANK YOU for your sacrificial giving toward earning the right to be heard, toward advancing the gospel!
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40
The Lord Provides for His people (Jam 1:16-17).
“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:25
Near-Future Plan:
Praise the Lord! I am on track to finish seminary in December.
For years, I have gone to the marketplace, “evangelee” or disciple to minister.
For youth ministry, my apartment building manager has allowed use of space on the first floor. But that is not a long term solution.
For years, we have been prayerful toward opening a “starter” ministry center.
However, I had been reluctant to announce anything to you folks until certain it is time to move. Although there would be setup cost, month-to-month rent is inexpensive for a small space. Please pray toward this, and feel free to ask questions.
“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.” Proverbs 19:21
Podcast – Cool Explorations (Canada-based, 1hr, 17min) – Topics Addressed:
1) My Recent blog post about the forthcoming book, The Church: We Shoot Our Wounded
2) What the Lord is teaching through trials (e.g. marriage, church rejection).
3) Tips for those with LGBTQ loved ones
4) How to fight LGBTQ indoctrination of kids
5) Encouragement to “stand alone on the Word of God” (as the old hymn goes) in these last days of rampant heresy.
Praise the Lord!
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11
Any of us could die at any moment. Click Here to find out how you can know enduring peace, God’s purpose for your life and be sure you will go to heaven when your brief time on earth is up.
PRAISE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!
Ways to Partner:
1. Pray for:
– Conviction, eyes to see and ears to hear for the LGBT.
– That seeds would bear fruit, that the Lord would raise up Cambodian evangelists.
– Revival for the U.S. church – that we would stand for difficult truth in these days no matter what the cost.
– Pray for our marriage and the promised son.
– Financial support to keep me in the field doing what I am called to do.
2. Click to Donate via PayPal (tax deductible)! |
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