September 4, 2003

Kompong Thom, Cambodia — Hours northeast of Phnom Penh rests the little town where we drove to teach the Bible this morning. Departing at 5:45 a.m., we arrived about 8:30 and began teaching the group of forty that was assembled and waiting for us to bring the Word of God. I taught until 10:30, and then our Cambodian brother who accompanied me taught until 12 noon. We had gone there at the invitation of one lone brother who has only been a Christian a few weeks.

Three of the listeners said they wanted to be baptized, so a truck with seats in the back for 35 was summoned and everyone climbed aboard. It was only about one kilometer to the baptismal sight, we were told, as we started down the narrow mud road. After a few yards, the old Jeep was put into four-wheel drive. As we fell from one bottomless hole to the next, the jeep struggled. After twenty minutes, we pulled into a mud hole that proved to be too much of a challenge even for our faithful jeep. We were stuck up to the hubs of all four wheels. No amount of shifting and pushing seemed to budge us. The mud-covered brethren finally hooked a chain to the truck we were following and with a heave-ho on everyone’s part, we spun and splashed out of the hole and continued on.

Soon we arrived at the serene little lake and the three were baptized. As the others watched, they slowly made their own decisions. Before we left the lake shore, thirteen had obeyed the Lord’s command to be baptized for the remission for their sins. Another congregation was born! Sunday we plan to go first to worship with the new group, and then travel about fifty miles across country to the “Church under the tree” and worship with them.

As we closed the services this Sunday at the “Church under the tree”, I asked them what we should be praying for. Now, I’ve often asked Bible classes and churches around the world that question, but never have I received the answer I got Sunday at the “Church under the tree.” Without deliberation or long thoughts, their three requests came: rain (the rice crop is not going to survive unless they get some rain soon), health for the children (the request of a young father who held on his lap a two year old ravaged with parasites and malaria), food (from an older man for without a good rice crop, they will go hungry).

I asked all of them to pray for those three things and I’m asking you to join us in prayer for rain, good health for their children, and food. If we all pray this prayer, the Lord will hear us. Join them in this just as you have sent the gospel message to them, because He Cares.

Three more have now obeyed the gospel and were baptized, and a fourth in the city last Sunday, which makes seventeen already this week.

William E. "Bill" McDonough, Director
Partners In Progress
Phnom Penh, Cambodia