“Can we meet a day early for Bible study? I have to attend a relative’s funeral on Wednesday.” “Sure, Granny!” This was the third time I was meeting with this elderly Cambodian woman to study the Bible. (Read about the first two days in Part 1 and Part 2.) Soon […]
Pressing Onward in the Race as a Single Woman
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the […]
I Want to Escape the Cycle of Reincarnation: Truth Dawning P.2
“I believe,” the woman insisted. “I truly believe. But I also still light incense and want to participate in [Buddhist ceremonies and rituals]. Can I still do these things?” “Granny,” I said, using a relational term of respect, “for we who follow Jesus, we cannot participate in any other worship. […]
So Jesus is Greater than the Buddha: Truth Dawning P.1
“This is the Holy Bible of Jesus,” I said, picking it up. “Have you seen or heard of this book before?” The elderly woman across from me squinted. “No,” she said. “Never.” I had the opportunity to open up the Bible and teach an elderly Cambodian woman about Jesus. She […]
Teacher, Do You Believe in Ghosts?
I once read a comment that said, “Southeast Asia is haunted.” Cambodia definitely is. People are deeply animist, worshipping spirits of all kinds and seeking to commune with the dead. People see ghosts, interpret dreams, and go to fortune tellers. The language has vocabulary words for categories of spirits that […]
Let’s Play! (But Cambodian Style)
Kids love to play. That’s true everywhere on the planet, but even in games you can find cultural differences that alter the experience. Since I work in children’s ministry, the issue of games and children’s play comes up a lot. As a teacher, how much effort do I need to […]
What Does It Mean to Be “Teacher” in Cambodia?
Kids are kids everywhere, but in different cultures there are different cultural practices around teaching, learning, and even play. As a missionary focusing on children’s ministry, I wanted to develop for myself a style of children’s ministry that would fit naturally into Cambodian culture and be easy for Cambodian Christians […]
Guiding Young MKs: Adventuring Out of the Fortress
It’s a unique thing, growing up in a country where you look different. In the previous post, “Looking Different,” I explained what it’s like for many missionary kids who live in countries where they are in the extreme ethnic minority. It can be hard to deal with the realities of […]
Guiding Young MKs: Looking Different
Many missionaries in my circles serve in countries where their family is ethnically different from the nationals of that country. A lot of these missionaries are citizens of Western nations where the population is a lot more multi-ethnic than the country in which they serve. What does this mean for […]
Devil Prowling
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the […]