Groth Report September 2008

From the Word

He (Jesus) replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” Matthew 15:26-28

Jesus Loves Dogs

Cambodians love their dogs!! There aren’t many cats around, but so many Cambodians treasure their dogs. There are many dogs in homes and restaurants across the country. I can’t say I love my dogs, but they are fun to have. Now, as I’m writing this, one of our dogs is relaxing in our office. We love it when we come home, and the dogs are so excited to greet us.

Do you love dogs?? In the text above Jesus has an interchange with a Canaanite woman. Jesus is reminding her that He came initially for the people of Israel. This comment follows her request for healing. In effect Jesus calls her a dog. She is not a part of the chosen people of Israel. But the woman comes through Jesus’ test triumphantly. She is willing to be called a dog because her faith in Jesus reminds Him that the crumbs He gives her are more than enough!!! This interchange reminds us that Jesus has come for all people. For us dogs all over the world the crumbs of faith in Jesus are enough for our eternal salvation.

Current Events

How happy we are that we are “dogs” and that our Savior Jesus loves dogs!!! What a privilege it is to be able to take part in “feeding the dogs.”

Both Chuck and I have had a wonderful feeding experience. We were asked to be part of graduation and awards day at Life International School. We spoke about the importance of education but we also reminded the parents of the importance of CHRISTIAN education. These “puppies” were just too cute!

 

Students at Life International School

Love those dogs!!! What a great feeding time came for fifteen youth of Trinity, Battambang. Pastor Chad Hoover and five Lutherans from Traverse City MI came to share Bible accounts and leadership ministry here. The Battambang youth and this team from Traverse City spent three days here in Sihanoukville enjoying God’s creation of beautiful beach and sharing Bible study and worship time. The plan is that this experience is a starting point for the Battambang Lutherans to provide leadership for another group of Cambodian youth at a future retreat.

We dogs had a great feeding time at the Leadership workshop in Battambang. We always marvel at the progress that our students have made. This time the topic was the Apostles Creed. This was probably one of the best workshops ever!!! There was so much discussion about our beliefs as Lutheran Christians. There was also great excitement over charts of the Apostles Creed that were prepared by our administrative assistant Jesse and Chuck. It was truly “music to our ears” to hear the men plan how they were going to “feed” others with this material. It was also rewarding when in our Friday Bible study one of the men answered, “What is our response to the Gospel?” by saying, “thank, praise, serve and obey.” Jesus loves dogs and so do we!!!

Word chains in the English class

I also love the “feeding” opportunity at Battambang. I always enjoy working with the English teachers there. They are so anxious to learn. I did some teaching on using word chains to reinforce vocabulary. The picture will show you the next day at the English school. Could anyone have any more instant gratification that this??? There was also a great time with the Bible teachers. It is great to see their progress of working at the lessons on their own. The flannel graph pieces for the Bible accounts were already out.

They found the Bible accounts in their Khmer Bible class storybook and even corrected a mistake I made getting the wrong account. (I was “reading” the picture and picked the wrong account of Jesus on the sea.) We studied the Bible accounts and did some crafts together. In October we will sponsor a Sunday School workshop which will be attended by these workers and forty-four others from across Cambodia. We will use the theme of the Apostles Creed since that is our general topic for this time period. I’m sure our Lutheran teachers from Battambang will be good leaders there! Jesus loves dogs!!! Don’t you???

Bible teachers making candy “sheep”

Battambang ladies’ banner

It was also exciting to see how the Battambang ladies used the skills they had learned from our U.S. woman’s team here last spring. While the team was here they worked with the ladies on banner making. The picture shows a beautiful Cambodian interpretation of the banner project by the women and youth at Trinity. What a wonderful addition to worship there! The ladies also were excited to receive a book of pictures from the Women’s retreat. As they looked through the photos they remembered names and experiences. What great Christian fellowship!!! You can teach an old “dog” new tricks!!
Now we are back in Sihanoukville. I am planning for educational/spiritual workshops here and in Vietnam. Chuck is planning a workshop for Open Gate leaders on the Apostles Creed. We are so happy at the growing response to our Friday morning English and Bible class time. We love it that we need more tables and chairs!!! Lots of hungry dogs here!!! One father who is a Christian leader is bringing his son. He prays that one day his son will also be a Christian leader. He is preparing him for this role by the Friday Bible Study.
Memories

These are the amazing things that God is doing here in Cambodia. Of course the devil is always active!! We had a small theft of a battery that was to be used at one of our schools – during the daytime when we were here! This robs us of a bit of the feeling of security. We’ve had a week of breakdowns of computers, printers, risograph, fax machine, DVD player; that gives us countless irritations. We’ve had water leaks through the ceiling that our landlord is not in a hurry to fix. Our daughter Kara is recuperating from mono, and we have a parent’s concern for her. Pray to our “Lover of dogs” to keep us focused on Him. Yes, we love the crumbs from His table. Have you fed the “dogs” lately?

 

Loving the crumbs and “feeding the dogs,”

 

Chuck and Jeanette Groth

 

Our “real” dogs….

Diego

Dora
…named by our grandchildren, of course!

 

Thanks to God for Prayers Answered:

 

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