7th Annual Youth Retreat

September 1, 2010

Acts 2:32 “ God has raised this Jesus to life and we are all witnesses of the fact.”

This was the logo for the 7^th Annual Youth Retreat. Your Life is a Witness for Jesus ChristWe had 75 students participate, originally I wanted the retreat to be an outreach, but the National Youth Council decided a few years back that they wanted it for a time to help youth who are believers have the opportunity to be encouraged to grow deeper. So, we focus on teaching and small group discussions as ways to help take the teaching and make it more practical for day-to-day life.

My goal this year working with the National Youth Council has been to take steady steps backwards allowing the council to take more ownership and control. We have covered a great distance together, and the group of leaders I have been working with are now not so much youth but young adults. It has been a long and arduous journey but the first night of the retreat they played a video retrospective of the past 6 years and I must say I was a bit misty eyed as I looked at a review of my ministry over the years. So many days while bogged down in the middle of the walking with people and it seeming like no progress is happening and wondering to myself why I am here? Am I making a difference? And then to see it on a screen I was filled with a parental type of pride of seeing where we have been and how far we have come and it giving me a renewed sense of purpose, hope and vision for the future.

It was three very full days of teaching and fun. Fun being the optimum word! We have a young man named Cheat who came into his own this year and shined at the retreat. This young man has the ability to create a game from nothing. Most of the time the his games are crazy and fun; no one is quite sure what is happening but everyone is laughing and enjoying them-selves, to the point of exhaustion, and for youth it doesn’t get much better than that. As you can see many smiles! The retreat ended on a serious note with time around the bonfire. It was my time to teach and I used 1Corinthians 11:1 Paul says, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” We had a time of prayer and repentance, so that we could leave the retreat ready to have others see us as witnesses to Jesus Christ. I know I consistently say this but it was the best retreat ever, far beyond what I could have ever dreamed. It made me think of Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” The key is the power that is at work within us. Thanks yet again for your prayers and partnership, that power we share allows, God to receive the glory, the people to get the message and us to be blessed by being involved.

April 17th

April 17^th is a very historic day in Cambodia because 4/17/1976 is the day the Khmer Rouge took over.

Thearath, yes in Khmer culture your last name goes first so the whole facebook thing, has been a bit challenging, because some of my Cambodian friends have done it the traditional way and others the Western way, it is a bit confusing. Another confusing thing is that when you marry here, women do not take their husband’s last name, so it is difficult to identify married couples and family members entirely from their names. I was pondering what to write about, and since today April 17^th, 1983 was the day a very good friend of my was born, I thought I would write about her. I realized just today that I was a senior in High School when she was born. Since the victory over the Khmer Rouge happened on January 7^th, 1979 she did not live during that time period, but instead began her life during the Vietnamese occupation, which puts her in the category with 70% of the 14.1 million people in the country who were not alive during Pol Pot’s reign of terror. She is at the forefront of what I call the new Cambodia. They are not as bogged down with the consequences of Cambodia’s history but instead have the ability to dream, and see the possibility of positive change and hope for the future.

Most of you will recognize the face and the name. Thearath is one of the gals that I am working with on the Emmanuel Friends Church plant. It has been my privilege to know her for the past nine plus years. Of that she has been a member of the National Youth Council for the past 5 of those years. Over the past year we have been involved in a mentoring relationship and I have seen her grow in her faith, leadership, and desire to hear God’s call on her life. She has the greatest smile and encourages me consistently with it, and her quickness to laugh and just plain enjoy almost any situation. She is a positive person, who is a delight to be around. Sunday morning at church I witnessed and event that was probably
not even possible just a few short years ago. In the middle of church Vysal said they were going to play a game, a game I thought to myself during church? They brought Thearath up and tied a blindfold around her head and lead her around and during that time brought up a cake. She was totally surprised, we sang Happy Birthday – yes that is different in church, but then the Pastor when on to share how much they appreciate her and all she does in ministry at the church. Then her mom who was crying by this time had the opportunity to give her praise as well. In the past open displays of affirmation like this were unheard of. I was thrilled to watch this play out, because I saw how touched she was personally, but more than that I saw how this group of individuals is pulling together to truly be a family of believers. Often times we look at youth, and they look at themselves and say I am too young to affect those around me. This is an example of how untrue that thinking is. It reminds me of Jeremiah, when God tells him, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you;.. “do not say, ‘I am a youth,” Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. “Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 1:5, 7-8 NASB. Thearath listening to God and following him, has assisted in pulling this church together. She is but one example of the many young people I have the opportunity to coach, mentor, be a friend to, and be stunned by their lives, as well as walk through challenges and disappointments with them.

Praises:

· For Ny and Thearath’s commitment to Emmanuel Friends church plant

· My time in Thailand and new expectancy for the future

· My health check-ups in Thailand all is looking good

Prayer Requests:

§ I will be the speaker at the International Youth Group April 30th

§ For youth event in Battambang May 1-3

§ My continued walk with the Lord – reliance on Him alone – He is my provider, leader and Lord

My House

I was thinking the other day about Dan Tanna - maybe if you're old enough you remember that TV series Vegas from the late 70's. He was a PI who lived in an industrial building, he would pull in his car - it was a hot vette if I remember correctly, but the thing I was thinking about was the fact that his living space was right next to where he parked his car, I thought that was really cool. Well, my new house

I knew I was a grown up when...

I knew I was a Grown Up when... a story I submitted for a contest in Real Simple Magazine

As far back as I can remember I have always had my own theories about how life really works. When I was a child, I decided that everyone knew; you didn’t get the first two items on your Christmas list because those were usually big and the ones you really wanted, so you needed to change it up and put what you really wanted as number three on the list. If you put what you really wanted behind some things that were even bigger then your mom and dad felt like they were choosing a compromise, and were giving you what you wanted but not going over the top. I remember one year, when I was 18 I thought I was being very clever when I wrote out my wish list. I put

1. A car

2. Trip to Europe

3. Condomaximum.

I didn’t want a condominium that was small thinking I wanted something bigger. Yes as you can imagine my folks got quite a chuckle from that, and I didn’t get any of them so much for that theory. In spite of that, it did not stop me from theorizing about life, which I continue to do to this day. The fault in my theory lay in the fact that I was still writing a wish list at the age of 18, only kids have Santa wish lists that must have been the problem I reasoned. Having given you a brief glimpse into my thought processes, I will never forget the day, it is burned into my mind, March 5^th 1996, when the realtor with heartfelt congratulations, handed over the keys to my first ever condominium. The elation, pride and other emotions I felt at that moment are beyond description.

I knew I had stepped across the invisible barrier; I was truly a grown up. I had a real address and a 30-year mortgage to prove it. Then the inevitable doubts crept in and brought me back down to earth. I was 30 years old and had just committed myself to monthly mortgage payments for the next 30 years of my life, what was I thinking? I could not do this, could I? While at the same time I was jumping for joy, it was mine, mine all mine. I had a brief thought about getting a sleeping bag, throwing it on the floor and spending my first night, in my new place but decided against it because I had a multitude of nights ahead to sleep there, and in a bed no less.

During the time I was looking for the condo and working out the details for the purchase, I was living with my parents after a brief foray as an apartment dweller. We had settled into a congenial existence with each other. No matter how old you are, when you are living with your parents, you are still the child and they are the adults, it is inherent in the relationship. So, on that magical day when I took possession of the keys to my place; I thought to myself, my house, my rules. Yes! my rules after all those lectures I had endured growing up, which included the words, “my house, my rules.” Now it was my house and so, de facto my rules. No rules is what that truly meant to me. It would be liberating having no one telling me what to do, when to go to bed, giving me the look if came home too late, I could do whatever I wanted. When all those thoughts are rolling around in your head it sounds good, like living in Fantasyland. But it isn’t real, there is no once upon a time or happily ever after. Life requires boundaries, rules and self-disciple. That I thought l could live without those things proved, that legally I might be an adult but I was far from being mature.

The correct word to describe the situation was immature. The day I realized that I was the person who could and needed to make the rules and live a life of self-discipline and control, was the major turning point in my life. It started me on the journey to becoming the person I am today. During those first weeks and months in my new home, I came to understand why rules exist and that I needed to choose to be actively involved in the decisions that would shape my life instead of just letting things happen. Life requires planning and daily attention to the details. I found this quote by Zig Ziglar, and accepted its truths. "What you get by reaching your 
destination is not nearly as important as what you will become 
by reaching your destination." When I stopped and looked around, I realized I wanted all those things and the lifestyle my parents had, but didn’t want to put in the hard work, or dedication to get them. I wanted them the easy way; but alas life doesn’t work like that.

Yes the easy way I chose was buying on credit. When I started furnishing and decorating my house, I was content to find many of my bigger pieces of furniture, couch, dining room table and chairs, at the thrift store or I gladly received them as gifts from family or friends. However, it is the little stuff that gets you like brooms, dishes, silverware, pictures, towels, etc.. they add up. I happily kept the plastic within easy reach, and swiped it often. My credit card balances were the proof of this behavior. It didn’t take all that long and I was over $6,000 in debt. I guess you really know how grown up you are when; you are in debt and there is no one to bail you out and you don’t want to ask your parents, because that would require actually admitting not only can you not do it on your own, but that you were not as grown up as you thought. I was willing to do almost anything to avoid admitting such a shameful thing, or at least I thought so. Oh such a conundrum.

I had a good-looking house but not much money for a life. I learned an important lesson which is stuff does not make a life, but the choices and the person we are or are becoming is what makes a life. I have often heard people say, don’t work so hard making a living that you forget to make a life. When I was younger, this didn’t make sense to me. They are they the same thing I thought to myself. My lack of rules, boundaries and planning had created the mess I found myself in. I was beginning to realize that all of those lectures contained things my parents were trying to teach me. They wanted the best for me. Despite that it was up to me to make good choices and decisions, which would ultimately make the distinction between the chaotic life I was living and the life I really wanted. I ultimately controlled the way I lived my life, by choice or lack there of. This was the first time I had lived by myself, so there was no one to blame for the dishes in the sink, or the dirty bathroom, it was all me. I recognized that I could chose the life I wanted, I could be a slob or I could have a tidy place where I was not embarrassed to invite people over. I don’t remember the exact day but it was in August of 1998, I decided to take control of my life, that is the day I grew up.

When we as a society use the word grown up, we mean one of two things, to be a legal adult or to be mature. The distinction between the two is vast. At 18 years old, a person is considered to be a legal adult, with the ability to sign contracts and vote, but maturity is a different matter all together. I had thought because I could sign a legal document and assume financial responsibility it made me a grown up. In my own mind, that meant mature. In retrospect I was far from mature but instead this was the first step in the process; when I signed that piece of paper it was the first step leading me toward maturity. I often acknowledge that I learn the most from adversity. Good times are fun, and remembered fondly, but the life lessons learned from difficulties are what create character that is ultimately when we can look at our self and say that I am a mature adult, a grown up.

King

I was in Bangkok last week at the movies. First off I love the movies in Thailand, you choose your seat so you don't have to get to the theater early because your seat is waiting for you. Now back to the King - when you go to the movies, they show all kinds of ads before the movie starts, and then everyone stands and pays respect to the King. They show a video while playing the national anthem. I remember the first time it happened I had no idea what was going on, but now it is just a part of the process, for me. But for the Thai people they truly love and respect their King, I think they think it is an honor.
So, I got to thinking about the King we serve, on of his names is King above all Kings, but do we show him love and respect like this mortal man. I know that often I am guilty of relegating him to a small part of my life - not a place of honor. I think it is a wonderful thing when worldly things can teach me a lesson about my Heavenly King.

The Dream I Dreamed

I must admit that I have watched the YouTube video of Susan Boyle at least half a dozen times.  I love that she is cheeky and knows exactly what she wants.  She said she was going to rock the audience and she did.  As soon as the first note came out of her mouth, people stopped their giggling and nay saying, and started to pay attention, then they were stunned, then they stood and lastly they cheered.  She won them over, even the judges, the genuine smiles were of pure delight that they were lucky enough to be present for the gift of true talent being displayed in front of them.  Maybe it is because I am an American I don't know, but I sure do like to root for the underdog.  This single lady from a small village in Scotland, who by her own admission had never been kissed surely falls into this category.  Below I have inserted the lyrics to the song.
I dreamed a dream in time gone by 
When hope was high, 
And life worth living 
I dreamed that love would never die 
I dreamed that God would be forgiving. 

Then I was young and unafraid 
When dreams were made and used, 
And wasted 
There was no ransom to be paid 
No song unsung, 
No wine untasted. 

But the tigers come at night 
With their voices soft as thunder 
As they tear your hopes apart 
As they turn your dreams to shame. 

And still I dream he'll come to me 
And we will live our lives together 
But there are dreams that cannot be 
And there are storms 
We cannot weather... 

I had a dream my life would be 
So different from this hell I'm living 
So different now from what it seems 
Now life has killed 
The dream I dreamed.

I so like the lyrics, when we start out on life it is a dream.  But so often life throws us a curve and we stop dreaming, and stop trying.  I know that when I look back at my life I will probably regret the things I didn't do more than the things I did.  I don't want to live the life that has been killed but the life I dreamed, and pursued no matter the cost.