Groth
Report June 2008
From the Word
“Make your ways known to me, O Lord, and teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me because you are God, my savior." Psalm 25:4-5
Current Events
Perhaps paths and roads are at the forefront of my mind. We have just returned from a trip to one of the most remote parts of Cambodia, Ratanakiri. Let me tell you about rugged paths. The first miles from Phnom Penh to Kratchie were relatively easy. Now, I don’t mean superhighway, divided road easy, but they were over a paved road, and while the usual cows, motorcycles, pig carriers and fast buses took their share of the road at least there was a road to share. The next section of road was a little poorer in quality but still drivable. Then came the real challenge. We faced eighty miles of poor, pure dirt with more holes than flat space and only small fast traffic. This section of road took us about four hours. At the end of the first hour the air-conditioner went out so we continued with the windows down and dust flying. About midway into this section of travel a passerby pointed out that we had a flat tire. No problem, we had a spare and two willing Cambodian friends to help us. The luggage was unpacked and sure enough someone had stolen the jack and wrench. Now what?? No emergency road service. In the next hour about four cars stopped but none had the correct wrench. The fifth helpful person had the wrench and jack and finally the tire got fixed. On we went and arrived in Banlung safely.
The purpose of our trip was to ask the Lord to guide our way as we met with some leaders of the Jarai ethnic group. They had a representative at our training and wanted to hear more about Lutheranism and the possibility of branching out to develop some training and programming there. The meetings went well, and Pastor Kosal from Battambang and our assistant Jesse guided the discussion as we attempted to find ways to share the Gospel and work within the structure of the Cambodian government. The next day saw us returning home, but yet another car problem challenged our path. Our car kept overheating; so with no air-conditioning and a crippled car we inched our way back to Phnom Penh. When we stopped for our overnight I got a bad stomach so I laid low while the men attempted to find a garage that would service the car. None available so we slowly took the path back to Phnom Penh. After one unethical mechanic (?) who charged $400 for not fixing it we finally got a fix at another garage. Chuck went back to Sihanoukville, and I stayed in Phnom Penh to greet a visitor. We drove the car to a bunch of sites and through errands and all seemed well. Sure, the next morning when we started for home the air-conditioner went out again, so it was back to the garage and a four-hour wait to replace the compressor. This is one of those times it is great to know that God is in charge and teaching us His paths!
Chuck had men and women from many paths come to Open Gate Christian Fellowship for a worship workshop. About forty people were in attendance and they learned about what makes Lutheran worship, Lutheran. The participants were really involved and eager to learn more about the path of worship. They watched with interest a DVD of a Lutheran worship service from a congregation in Illinois.
I did a preschool workshop on transportation for Open Gate’s preschool teachers. We used the story of Jesus riding on the donkey and Noah’s ark to discuss transportation in Bible times. We played get on board by the color choo-choo and created shape buses. The best part was next week’s return visit and seeing the great transportation pictures on display. These young teachers are truly pursuing the path to excellence.
I am also excited about a new path that I will be getting involved in. There is much interest in teaching Khmer Christians to produce their own Christian materials. I am thrilled with the opportunity to do writers’ workshops on devotional writing. I will have my students for three days for the initial seminar and then do a day a month for six months. In that time we pray that God will lead us to create a marketable Khmer devotion book. This is truly a new path for most Cambodian Christians.
We are delighted that Lutheran teaching on infant baptism is leading parents on the path of bringing their children to receive this wonderful gift. It was special that our worker Jesse and wife Naomi had their children David and Jonathon baptized in our home. If you remember I wrote previously about the young pregnant woman at our women’s retreat on peace. She had asked questions about infant baptism, and we had a great discussion on this topic. She took some water from her first trip to the ocean and thankfully chose to have Pastor Kosal baptize her newborn daughter Lena. What a blessing to see parents chose the path of life and salvation for their children.
What paths has the Lord led you on this month? Do you see and seek His direction in your life? Praise God that He has led you to know Him as your Lord and Savior and ask Him to lead others on this same path.
Following His direction,
Chuck and Jeanette Groth
Thanks to God for Prayers Answered:
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Safe travel
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Continued opportunities for spreading God’s Word
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A good report from the doctors on the cancer treatment of Linda, Kristyn’s fiancé’s mom
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Good health for us
