My heart is troubled and burdened over some siblings-in-Christ in Cambodia. From 2000 to 2002, mission teams from my church, which I was also part of for all three years, were sent to train the Khmer youth leaders from all over Cambodia in leadership skills and also to help them have a better grasp of the Bible.
During this period, 7 of these youths took a step of faith and answered God's call to be pastors. It warmed my heart then. Now in 2008, I have been told, just about an hour ago when I called a dear Singaporean brother-in-Christ who is a missionary to this country, 4 of them have resigned. This is excluding the pastor of the Khmer church that my church is supporting. Hearing this news pains my heart. Have they doubted their calling? Nope. They had to make this drastic decision because of the organisation they come under and also for economic reasons - an ideal monthly allowance for a family of four is about US$250 and what they are getting now is between US$70 to US$100. Inflation is high now. Can you imagine a home gas tank (those used for cooking) costs US$34? Rice prices have also sky-rocketed and that's the staple for the Cambodians. No wonder they have no choice but to leave.
I have heard of people making remarks like "How can God's servants because of money issues just resigned. This shows that they are not even sure of their calling in the first place." Sometimes I feel like telling these people off! Are they trying to say pastors and full-time workers do not need money to live? If these insensitive individuals are in the shoes of the pastors and workers, will they be making the same remark? Obviously not! So please think first before making all these unedifying comments.
Sometimes I am saddened that Christians are creating obstacles to their own siblings-in-Christ especially those who have taken a bold step to serve God on a full-time basis. There are bureaucracy almost everywhere but let us not make it worst!
Well, so be it that these four ex-pastors have moved on. I believe God can use them even more effectively now that they are on their own. If they are sure of their calling since the day they made the decision, then I also know these servants of God will be able to make an BIG impact on the lives of those whom they are ministering to.
As a Missions Ministry chairperson, my heart is so heavy as to what else the church can do to help our fellow Khmer siblings-in-Christ. May the Lord show us the way and continue to remind us that the enemy is not our siblings-in-Christ or human beings, it is the devil!
For those of you reading my blogs and are Christians, please pray along with me for the above-mentioned.
I am still in office, finishing some work. It has been a long day but thanks be to God for sustaining me till now.
I have yet to also have my dinner. I guess I shall cook something simple later when I return to my apartment. At least I have food to eat when I go back later. Many from Cambodia and other parts of the world may be hungry and have no food to fill their stomachs as I type.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:10-18
During this period, 7 of these youths took a step of faith and answered God's call to be pastors. It warmed my heart then. Now in 2008, I have been told, just about an hour ago when I called a dear Singaporean brother-in-Christ who is a missionary to this country, 4 of them have resigned. This is excluding the pastor of the Khmer church that my church is supporting. Hearing this news pains my heart. Have they doubted their calling? Nope. They had to make this drastic decision because of the organisation they come under and also for economic reasons - an ideal monthly allowance for a family of four is about US$250 and what they are getting now is between US$70 to US$100. Inflation is high now. Can you imagine a home gas tank (those used for cooking) costs US$34? Rice prices have also sky-rocketed and that's the staple for the Cambodians. No wonder they have no choice but to leave.
I have heard of people making remarks like "How can God's servants because of money issues just resigned. This shows that they are not even sure of their calling in the first place." Sometimes I feel like telling these people off! Are they trying to say pastors and full-time workers do not need money to live? If these insensitive individuals are in the shoes of the pastors and workers, will they be making the same remark? Obviously not! So please think first before making all these unedifying comments.
Sometimes I am saddened that Christians are creating obstacles to their own siblings-in-Christ especially those who have taken a bold step to serve God on a full-time basis. There are bureaucracy almost everywhere but let us not make it worst!
Well, so be it that these four ex-pastors have moved on. I believe God can use them even more effectively now that they are on their own. If they are sure of their calling since the day they made the decision, then I also know these servants of God will be able to make an BIG impact on the lives of those whom they are ministering to.
As a Missions Ministry chairperson, my heart is so heavy as to what else the church can do to help our fellow Khmer siblings-in-Christ. May the Lord show us the way and continue to remind us that the enemy is not our siblings-in-Christ or human beings, it is the devil!
For those of you reading my blogs and are Christians, please pray along with me for the above-mentioned.
I am still in office, finishing some work. It has been a long day but thanks be to God for sustaining me till now.
I have yet to also have my dinner. I guess I shall cook something simple later when I return to my apartment. At least I have food to eat when I go back later. Many from Cambodia and other parts of the world may be hungry and have no food to fill their stomachs as I type.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:10-18
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