Wednesday, November 6, 2013

First Month in Cambodia

Us with our SBS staff and students!
Hello friends and family,

We apologize for the delay of the update from Cambodia. Things have been in full swing for us as we approach a full two months of being here! Below is a few excerpts from different aspects of our lives for you all to be informed. We just want to take the time to again thank you for constant love, prayers, and support that you show to us. We are deeply grateful that you all have enabled us to follow the call of God on our lives.

SBS
Week after week we are diving into the Word in a whole new way. In SBS, we will go through the inductive bible study method for every book of the Bible. Three times a week we receive teaching on each book, so that we may better share the gospel and bring the kingdom of God to all the aspects of our lives. A few weeks ago, Johno calculated his time in the book of Acts there was a total of 56 hours of studying! We are blessed to take diving into the word of God to a whole new level. To see the vision of what we are doing go here - uofnbattambang.com/sbs/

Our Ministry
We are so blessed to be able to serve the people in Cambodia, and the amazing YWAM base here that is sharing the gospel and equipping Cambodian missionaries to reach their own people. If you would like an overall look at YWAM Battambang and what exactly you are apart of by partnering with us, check here - uofnbattambang.com

  • Johno
    is being able to use his computer IT skills to help the base here in Cambodia become more knowledgable in technology and computers. During the week, he is the main person who is in charge of all the technical issues that arise, and also is serving the base and other missionaries here on campus on how to use the resources that God has given us through technology! It may look a bit unconventional, but it is really encouraging to see God use the gifts that he has given Johno in order to enhance the kingdom of God here in Cambodia.



  • Roberta
       is living her dream here in Cambodia! She is volunteering at YWAM's local cafe in town called "Cafe Eden". This ministry is located right in the heart of town, and is training at-risk-youth in English, Hospitality, and Restaurant skills. The job is a platform for the underprivileged youth to have a means to support themselves and their family. Roberta with her skills from previous jobs in the states, and also the blessing of her bilingual language is working in equipping and training the youth at the cafe. The profits of the Cafe here in Cambodia alone every months supports 23 Cambodian YWAM missionaries that wouldn't otherwise be able to serve God without it. We see God working incredibly through Cafe Eden. To learn more about where Roberta serves every week, check out the link here. www.cafeedencambodia.com

Things to pray for:
  • Increased revelation as we study the word of God
  • Safety on the roads here in Cambodia
  • Health in all aspects, protection from dehydration, stomach illness , etc
  • God would continue to open up doors for relationship with Khmer people
  • Increase in Roberta's khmer language & Johno to be able to learn 
  • Finances that we may be able to be generous with others and able to make extra purchases for our living conditions/arrangements 

Thank you all so much for your continued support and love. We would not be able to be here without the gracious generosity of you all!

A Panorama of an area near where we live.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

After 2 and a half weeks in Cambodia


Dear friends and family,

We've been in Cambodia for a little over two weeks now! Our transition time into a new country has been filled with grace! There was a small hiccup with our visas upon arrival, so we had to take a detour to Thailand for a re-entry but thankful God provided finances and the time for it to go very smooth.Our food adjustment and jet lag has been bearable and we are grateful for God's grace in our lives. Please continue to pray for us in this area that our health would stay strong.

For our Biblical Studies, we had one week of orientation, and have just finished up our first official week of the school of biblical studies. We have completed our first two books, Titus and Philemon, and we just started Ephesians! We will be inductively studying each book of the bible for the next 9 months, serving in local ministries with the YWAM base, and allowing the gospel to transform not only our lives but the lives of local Cambodians as well.

We are so thankful for all of the support and prayer! We would not be able to be here without each and every one of your support. We are eternally grateful

Ephesians 1:16
"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers"
Love,
John and Roberta

If you are still interested in supporting us, it is very possible and also available online!
Click here for the info
Or

Monday, September 9, 2013

We Are Leaving In 5 Hours!

Dear Friends and Family,

The day has finally come!
It's finally here. After 5 months of prayerful preparations our departure for Cambodia is today. We leave America with expectant hearts of all that's to come and what God has in store for us.

Saying goodbyes to friends and family has been a whirlwind in both Washington and California, if we missed you we are deeply sorry. We tried to fit in as much as we could.

We will be boarding our flight with Singapore Air to Cambodia at 2:20pm(PST) Today. We will have two stops on our way to Siem Reap, Cambodia, our stops will be in Seoul, South Korea and Singapore! We will arrive in Cambodia at 9:50am on Thursday(9/12/2013)or(6:50pm 9/11/13 PST). Pray for us as this is going to be about 29 hours of travel! 
God is good. God is Faithful.

And so now our journey begins! And fully funded! We are extremely excited to say that the original goal of $10,000 was fully met throughout this Summer by the generosity of all those God has called. Thank you all so incredibly much for being apart of this journey.

If you are interested in giving while we are away, click here.
We are so thankful for all those that continually support us on this journey, it hasn't ended... It's just beginning!


Next time you hear from us... We'll be in Cambodia! It might take us a few days to settle in but once settled we should have Internet connection.

Want to know more about what we are doing? Check out YWAM Battambang, Cambodia's Website and the School of Biblical Studies page, as well.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

$1,000 and 17 Days Until Cambodia!

Hi friends and family!

This is the most exciting update yet, we're only about $1,000 away!

Last week, Roberta got to share in my home church for the first time, ever! She shared her heart on Cambodia and the link that her roots have there with her being half Cambodian and her mom escaping from the Khmer Rouge. It was a truly touching time for both of us and dawned a new reality, were really going to Cambodia!

We are so eternally grateful for all of the generous love, support, and most importantly prayers. We ask that you continue to pray with us as we are quickly approaching a huge transition, all the way to the south east Asia!

We truly feel Gods hand and working in our lives as we have taken this step of faith, and this is only the beginning! Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for the generosity to give that allows us to follow Gods amazing call on our lives. 

With deep gratitude,

John and Roberta

PS Visit gofundme.com for a creative way to support us OR visit this page to find out how to in other ways.






WATCH: These videos tell you a lot more about what we are going to be doing.  See also: www.uofnbattambang.com

School of Biblical Studies, the course Roberta and I are taking.

Why, we are going to do this school in Cambodia.

Friday, August 9, 2013

32 Days Until Cambodia

Only $3,100 left to go!
Dear Family and Friends,

We have an exciting update! Roberta and I are only $3,100 away from our goal, from an original $10,000 at the beginning of this summer. Time and time again God has proven himself faithful in our journey and pursuit of him. This season has been refreshing, many new ideas and new directions and we are so excited that you are all apart of it!

We will be leaving for Cambodia on September 10th. We have 32
days to meet our goal of $3,100. At this point, every little bit counts. Please continue to pray for us as we trust God for the last bit of what we need for our trip to Cambodia for the next 9 months. Click here for more info on how to give.
We would not be where we are at without the love and support of all of or supporters, prayerfully and financially. We are eternally grateful and pray abundant blessing for you all in return for your gracious generosity towards us!

In him,

John and Roberta