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 steadfast support!
A Young Man from Ohio:
This is a story I forgot to include in last month’s update…
On the NYC subway (en route from PA back to Cambodia), there was a young man in his 20s who reminded me of my former self. He looked like a country boy at heart who came to indulge in the glamour of city life.
Many who struggle with homosexuality feel misunderstood, marginalized and underappreciated. I sat down beside him and asked questions to demonstrate an interest in him.
He said he arrived in New York prior to Covid, that NYC then was great. But these days, he is struggling to find joy in the big city.
Having sought fulfillment and satisfaction in worldly things, he was disappointed. Howard said he comes from rural Ohio and has little communication with his Christian family.
I related to his story and shared what Christ did for me in the midst of my disappointment, when all hope seemed lost… the choice that I made to follow the Bible rather than feelings.
Somewhere in Ohio, there is a family praying for him. The Lord puts me alongside young men on planes, trains and buses to point them to peace, fulfillment and enduring satisfaction that can only be found in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Please pray for this young man from Ohio.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15
The Lord Strengthens a Boy’s Faith:
The Lord works in mysterious ways through life’s tragedies. 14-year old “V” has been a faithful participant in the youth ministry since 2019. He lives with his Buddhist grandma to help with her laundry business.
Late last year, they got a new puppy. Grandma grew fond of Tony’s companionship.
In December, Tony got run over by a motorbike. “V” and his cousin immediately came to me asking for prayer. When tragedy struck, V’s first reaction was to cry out to Jesus. Praise God!
Tony at first was nearly completely paralyzed. Most people would have put Tony to sleep… not “V.” He kept trusting.
Grandma fed Tony via syringe. A few days later, he was able to wiggle legs a bit.
The Lord seemed to be leading for me to keep checking in, which meant to continue praying for healing for Tony.
My question was, ‘Lord, am I giving ‘V’ false hope that You will heal the dog?’ The Lord impressed upon me that He was doing something through this.
Reflecting on God’s Word and experience, I figured the Lord would either: (1) heal the dog, thereby increasing and proving V’s faith through the trial (which seemed unlikely) OR (2) it was a lesson about accepting the Lord’s will (seemed more likely), which would mature “V” in Christ.
So I told “V” that when we pray for healing, we trust that the Lord will heal IF it is His will to do so (1 John 5:14-15).
Returning from the U.S. at the beginning of February, I went to V’s house and asked about Tony. I expected to hear something like, ‘He passed away three weeks ago.’
Instead, V replied matter-of-factly, ‘Tony? He’s healed already. He’s in the house.’
One eye had to be removed, and he walks a little lop-sided. But Tony is able to walk, eat and play. Without being prompted, “V” and his grandma today thank the Lord Jesus for the healing.
The Lord created us and wants to have a personal relationship with each of us. The fact that Christ did something specifically for “V” seemed to impart confidence in Christ.
If the Lord God Almighty who created the heavens and the earth is for us, who can be against us (Rom 5:8; 8:31-32)? Praise Jesus!
“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3
Mission to Kandal Province with Youth:
One of my former students in Kandal Province recently got married. It was an opportunity to take some of our older youth back to the church where I served in 2016.
Against the backdrop of their first (Cambodian) Christian wedding, the Lord led to use the moment to beat home the point…
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers… And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God… Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate…” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
The kids worshipped in song at “M” Baptist Church. Praise the Lord!
Click here to watch One Way => https://youtu.be/OQ7veVTPKFE
“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
My experience serving at this church is narrated in The Church: We Shoot Our Wounded. It was great to visit church family.
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
Evangelizing the LGBTQ:
As pastor’s son “K” continues to delve deeper into gay life, the Lord is opening his eyes to harsh realities of that path. I am ever hopeful that one day “K”will come to repentance and new life in Christ. In the meantime, the Lord continues to use him to connect me with his LGBTQ friends for gospel sharing…
First, I demonstrated genuine interest in their lives. Then, I shared the Bible’s timeless, inerrant truth that has the power to set the believer free.
Were they delighted? No, they scoffed and mocked but took it relatively well.
“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
It was a blessing to walk LGBTQ through salvation and homosexuality-specific Scripture.
 
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32
Evangelizing Non-LGBTQ:
Gas stations are great places to share Christ.
 
Evangelizing Monks:
While scouting how to get to a waterfall to possibly take our youth during the upcoming Cambodian New Year, the Lord re-routed me.
Pagodas and monasteries are often built on top of mountains with steps leading up.
At the base of the mountain, the Lord gave me favor with three lady monks from from Phnom Penh who came to visit the pagoda. They wanted to talk and invited me to walk the stairs (1,000+) with them.
Why would the Lord give me good rapport with these ladies? So that we we could all agree that all religions lead to being a good person? No. He put me there to share the ever-offensive gospel of Jesus Christ.
If I could go back in time, I would have shared with all three sooner. By the time I made a move, I only got to share with one of three.
I explained that doing good (karma) without the Lord Jesus leads to hell because we cannot save ourselves. I explained that only the sinless Lord Jesus can forgive our sins because He paid for our sins with His blood.
She excused herself, got up and left. That was to be expected. I carried out my duty. Praise the Lord.
“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” Luke 17:10
Teacher “Long Hair”:
Dressed in white, one male monk was particularly notable. ‘Teacher Long Hair,’ as he called himself, was sitting alone inside what he called an “ashram” – the same word used on the Indian subcontinent, where Satan first inspired Hinduism and Buddhism (Rev 12:9).
He tried to read my palm. I told him, ‘No, I don’t believe that,’ and proceeded with the gospel message. He listened intently.
 
He read a tract loaded with Scripture very thoroughly, as though he was hungry for wisdom from above (Jam 3:17).
As I prayed with him, the Lord made clear that he was the reason I was sent there and that I need to return to see him again (2 Cor 5:20).
When I went to hug him afterwards, he finally shared that he used to worship Jesus. But like the Israelites in the Old Testament, he has since turned back to Buddhist idolatry.
This monk is a prodigal like I was. Please pray for ‘Teacher Long Hair.’
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13
Prospective Ministry Center:
We are long overdue for a ministry center that can accommodate adults and a growing youth ministry.
Please pray toward this. If the Lord is leading to help, please see “Ways to Partner” below.
“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5
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 LGBTQ.
– 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)! |
Castaway Ministries 