Ecclesial Support
Whilst we’ve been here in Cambodia, we have spent most of our time and energy setting up and running a school programme for children to learn English through the Bible. Alongside this, another of our main aims has been to spend a large amount of our time with brothers and sisters, giving them spiritual support and encouragement.
We've been regularly joining the ecclesia in Sihanoukville for memorial meetings on Sunday afternoons, held at the Bible Education Centre (BEC). As quite a small ecclesia, the brothers and sisters have really appreciated having visitors to help boost their numbers - they are all so welcoming. A highlight toward the end of our trip was an enjoyable pizza and praise evening, singing lots of songs together from their hymnbook - it was fun to learn some songs in Khmer too!
The ecclesia is blessed with a large Sunday school class, but of course, with this blessing comes the huge responsibility of teaching them all! We’ve been helping the sisters by introducing them to teaching resources and activities, and taking it in turns to teach Sunday school. Most of the children who came along to our school programme have also been attending Sunday school - it is our hope and prayer that they will keep coming along to the BEC to learn more about God’s Word.
During weekday evenings, the BEC became quite the hub of activity with different classes going on. Bethany taught a beginner English class to a group of young people, whilst I did some one-to-one tutoring. Teaching English through the Bible is very rewarding work - I’ve thoroughly enjoyed preparing lessons and delivering them to children who are keen to learn. Later on in the evenings, Beth taught an advanced English class to brothers, sisters and interested friends, where they learnt more complicated vocabulary through the reading of different Bible passages.
A swap of languages is a great way to create bonds with brothers and sisters. After tutoring and advanced English class was over, we would settle down to Khmer class. It has taken us quite some time to master the Khmer alphabet, but we’re getting somewhere now! We’ve had a lot of fun learning useful words and phrases, to help us with our teaching in the school and also for ordering food at restaurants and cafés.
Once all of our classes were over, sometimes we’d have enough energy left to play sports. One of our favourite things to do was to play volleyball. We would hire a volleyball court near our accommodation and enjoy a few rounds, finishing off with a fresh coconut drink! Every now and again, we also went to play soccer or pool.
We’ve thoroughly enjoyed meeting up for regular sisters’ classes. Fruit Café definitely became our favourite location, where we were able to spend time having deep and meaningful conversations over a cup of coffee or iced tea. Sisters have taken it in turns to lead discussions on different topics such as prayer, thankfulness, bearing burdens, separation, joy, and acts of kindness. The sisters here really appreciate being able to talk and share experiences with each other about life in the Truth.
During our stay here, we were joined by some other fieldworkers from Australia. Brothers Nathan Lines and Daniel Kempster came over for a couple of weeks in February, travelling round and visiting the different ecclesias. They gave some Mutual Improvement classes on helpful topics such as prayer, Bible study and preparing talks.
Whilst they were here, we had a trip to Koh Rong Island for a fellowship weekend with brothers and sisters. We stayed in authentic log cabins, with idyllic views of the ocean and enjoyed spending time together. The brothers shared a question and answer session, whilst we had a sisters’ class on James ch 3. We also enjoyed sharing meals together, exploring the island and swimming in the beautiful, clear sea.
Brothers Steve and Simon McGeorge joined us in Sihanoukville for a few weeks in March. They did lots of building work at the BEC, working hard to construct kitchen cabinets, cupboards and a sliding door. The brothers were able to give ecclesial support too, helping out with exhortations and baptism classes.
At the end of March, a Brothers and Sisters fellowship weekend was held at The Farm in Kampong Speu. The Farm was set up a few years ago by brother Alan and sister Ruth as a way of raising funds for the BECs in Cambodia. This was a wonderful opportunity to get to know brothers and sisters from all over Cambodia. We enjoyed Bible classes and discussions in the mornings, and fellowship and fun in the afternoons. There’s nothing quite like the mangos on the Farm, fresh off the trees.
Overall, it has been a wonderful experience coming to Cambodia. We’ve created bonds with brothers and sisters and made memories which will last for a lifetime. We're keen to return in December for the Bible School, God willing. Anyone would be welcome to join us!
It is our hope and prayer that more fieldworkers will come to Cambodia to help with ecclesial support and preaching work. If you are interested, please feel free to get in touch with any questions!
Thank you so much to WCF for funding us on this trip.
Sister Ruth Legg (UK)
Along with Sisters Beth Palmer, Faith Jenkins and Bethany McGeorge.