Groth Report September 2006

You are joined together with peace through the Spirit, so make every effort to continue this way. Ephesians 4:3.

Lord teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.

It is always a cause for rejoicing when after thousands of miles, five different legs of travel and 36 hours of elapsed time you finally reach your destination. We are thankful for God’s travel mercies and our safe arrival in Lexington. It was joyous to be safely stateside and be greeted by our children and grandchildren and meet our new grandson. The first opening our local paper revealed the death of a friend who had been a strong supporter of my teaching career. Our first phone call was from a friend whose wife died while we were gone. Our first meeting of a former congregation member told of the sudden death of a faithful leader in our Japanese mission outreach. Then came Sunday and the Lexington air fatality that took the lives of 49 members of our community there. At times like these you listen for God’s voice and are reminded of the above section of His Word. Yes, we are to have a truly purpose driven life. Like our Savior we are to be about our Father’s business of sharing a message that does not just give earthly life but far more important gives life eternal to those who know Jesus as Savior and Lord. While earthly deaths bring us sorrow over our loss, the possibility of the loss of eternal life focuses us on the importance of sharing the message of hope and life to those who do not have this comfort in difficult times. Where is your focus? What is your purpose? May you be applying your heart to true wisdom.

               August saw Chuck mentoring both Pastor Kosal from Battambang and Pastor Naro from Opengate on sermon preparation and working with God’s Word. He has strongly emphasized the use of the pericopes and finds it gratifying to see them use this tool to guide their sermons and worship.

 We were privileged to take Missionary Gary Thiese and President and Mrs. Sieveking on a tour of God’s mission in Cambodia. It is always a blessing to share the exciting things that God is doing in His mission. Personally as you share with others it is also a great reminder of the work God has sent you to do. We spent time with these guests visiting Opengate and God’s ministries there. I (Jeanette) had just finished a workshop with the preschool teachers there the morning they arrived. When we visited at the preschool the teachers were pleased to share some of what they had learned. It was fun to see them display their posters and sing “Father Abraham” in Khmer. Pastor Oun Rien and Pastor Naro took time to explain God’s ministry at Opengate to our guests and we prayed together that God would continue to build His kingdom through this ministry. Our purpose to work in God’s mission here was affirmed.

That afternoon we traveled to Battambang. Sunday morning we worshipped together. It was a moving experience for all of us. The various groups of young people in the congregation sang praises. There were about 80 young people present and the music was full of joy. For the first time the three scripture lessons for the Sunday were read by various congregation members a result of Chuck’s previous teaching. Chuck preached and a young church leader from Opengate, Vannak translated. Then he sang powerfully, “Cambodia for Christ.”  What a moving plea for the saving of his nation !!  In the afternoon we returned for Sunday School. What affirmation to see the Bible teacher telling the Bible account and using the flannel graph in the way I had shared with her two weeks before. What eagerness to learn and share we see among God’s people there!! The youth met and studied God’s Word together and danced traditional dance to praise God led by this same young Cambodian Christian. The English teachers also met for their training session so our guests got a good picture of God’s mission in that place. God’s purpose and direction is clear.

The next morning we traveled to Siem Reap. We had decided to have our guests visit Angkor Watt. It is a powerful testimony to the entrenchment of Buddhism in this country. As we approached the entrance to this World Heritage Site President Sieviking led us in prayer that God would strengthen His mission in Cambodia and bring this land to salvation in Christ. Cambodia has such a history of genocide, pain, and hopelessness that our purpose of bringing the message of true Hope in Christ Jesus is critical. What purpose for God’s mission in this place.

In the afternoon we visited another mission partner possibility—the Bethel school and church. We were there to see the preschool operation and to visit the English/computer center. We are discussing the possibility with the pastor there of furthering the school beyond preschool so these children can continue the foundation of good Christian education begun there. The young pastor told of his life change to Christianity as well as his vision that this school would provide a firm grounding in Christianity for the young children there. We are exploring how we can partner to make this Godly vision reality. We visited with English students and computer students who were using God’s Word in their studies. We also met a young man who had been a Buddhist monk for eight years and now was part of the Christian community there. Purpose and direction for mission here is obvious.

As we worked and toured with these mission supporters we shared and saw anew God’s purpose in our ministry here. Your prayers for discernment have begun to help us focus the direction of our work here. There is so much to do. As we begin intensive workshops for 12 key leaders we hear the lament, “We can send just one?” As we talk about Sunday School we hear the plea, “Can you come and visit our 15 congregations to build a relationship so we can pull our teachers together and you can teach them?” Yes we pray that God would help us apply our hearts and time wisely in serving Him

Our transition stateside for furlough saw us orienting new long-term missionaries in Thailand. It was a delight to experience the start of God’s mission there with Bob and Diana Hedtke and Kimmy Galiant. They have discerned God’s purpose for their life and are ready and able to share Jesus through their English teaching, devotional leading and relationship building.

We pray that you too, will discern God’s purpose in your life and continue your financial and prayer support of His mission.

Truly enjoying the purpose filled life of God’s mission,

Chuck and Jeanette Groth

 

Prayers Answered

Prayer Requests

Mentoring – Chuck working with Pastor Kosal and another church leader

Workers – the group of preschool teachers that Jeanette is working with

Anchor Wat – Gary Thiese, Groths, Pastor Paul & Sue Sieviking in front of the Anchor Wat Buddhist temple.