Groth Report January 2009

From the Word

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:” The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” - which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:22-23.

One of the favorite parts of my job these days is a monthly workshop that teaches Cambodians to write their own devotional material. In December I decided to teach the authors how to use the resources of their self-study New Testament. The self-study New Testament has center column references and notes at the bottom of the page to help Bible students gain further knowledge in God’s Word. Since we have few Bible tools translated into the Cambodian language, this particular New Testament is a real blessing. It is a real blessing to me personally because my English study Bible exactly matches the Cambodian New Testament. Because of this I can use my version to point out the tools in their New Testaments.

In our study I used the Christmas account, and we used the references to give new insights and context to the Bible account. We spent quite a bit of time looking up the references suggested in the center. We set the Christmas account in the background of the genealogy. When we finished, I asked, “What do you think this account says to the Cambodian people?” One rather pensive author said, “You know Buddha is always on the shelf. Our God is with us right here,” and he touched his heart. What a reminder to all of us - Jesus is born!! God is with us.

Current Events

God has truly been with us as we went on our Christmas travels. Our Friday Bible studies continue to be a wonderful way to connect with our Sihanoukville leaders and help them to connect to God’s Word. The in depth studies of Christmas texts made the season richer for all of us. As Chuck finished working with the leaders on the Christmas text there was one final question that has echoed in our hearts. Isaac pondered the text and then said, “Couldn’t God have done better?” He was overwhelmed that the Son of God would come to our dirty world and be born in a stable. Chuck explained, “Yes, God could have done better, but He did this for us. He came to our sin filled human selves to save us.” The mighty God came to be with us.

It has been fun teaching English lessons by making banners that say, “The Light Of Jesus Shines In Me!” at the top and “Believe In The Light So That You May Become Children Of The Light” at the bottom. The shiny Christmas tree in the middle brightened many a village home this season and gave a great witness to what Christmas is all about. We made the first banners with the New Life School in Phnom Penh. It was hard to tell who was more excited, the children or the young teachers. God was with us.

 The next banners came as our coworkers Naomi and Jesse and I made trips to seven of our English centers. We came for two reasons, the first to test the students on their hotel English learning, the second to share Christmas and the message of Jesus. With Christmas booklets and banners we shared the news, “God is with us.” Children quickly gathered to listen, color and learn. The Christmas books in Khmer donated by a Christmas businessman were such a hit that hesitant adults came to learn and listen as well.

Naomi helps boys at an English teaching center
We went to Phnom Penh to spend Christmas with our volunteer missionaries Shannon and Seth Hoeppner. On Christmas Eve afternoon we went to share the Christmas message via banners and booklets with a local orphanage. This group had just been displaced from their former residence by the government. We traveled quite a ways to the new residence, and when we arrived the orphanage teacher sadly said, “I’m sorry only six of the children have moved so far.” We explained that we would be happy to work with just six and began our lessons. God is good, and soon our six turned to twenty-six. What a blessing to tell these little ones displaced to a new place that truly, “God is with them.”

Young Girl with her banner

On Christmas Day our team went to church together as Chuck preached. Interestingly, the devotion writing story above and the story from the Bible study found their way into the sermon. It was good to be with fellow Christians and to remember that although our congregation truly came from all corners of the world we all rejoiced that here in a foreign place “God is with us.”

We were planning to leave for Battambang Christmas the next day but our stomachs had different plans. We both had a bug, and while mine passed quickly Chuck was laid up a bit longer. Thankfully we were on the mend by Sunday and came home to Sihanoukville. So I still have to get pictures of the ornaments the Battambang ladies made. Even in changes of plans “God is with us”.

Boys and banners

Prayerfully this New Year finds you remember too, that God is with you. Changes, economic conditions, and world chaos cannot separate us from His love.

Thankful for His presence,

 

Chuck and Jeanette Groth

 

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