Groth Report February 2009

From the Word

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28.

Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;

The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.

Jeanette teaching at Children’s Bible Study

In January I was privileged to take a working trip to India. While there I spoke at a women’s retreat, did a children’s Bible study and worked with two groups of Christian teachers. In order to go from Bangalore to Vellore we took a night sleeper train. This was an adventure since the train stops for only about five minutes, and you quickly have to get your stuff on and get situated. The train was full and our group was spread across one car. I had early on opted NOT to try a climb to the top sleeper bunk. So we all shuffled around and four of us ended up in a compartment with an Indian family. At first we were all a bit hesitant. After all, we had been cautioned to be a bit careful about sharing our purpose in India - we were tourists. Now we were put with a group of Indian people that we didn’t know anything about. It wasn’t long until Otto introduced himself and his sisters and mom. He told us that he was from Canada, and that broke the ice. Next came the picnic. His family had brought sandwiches and all kinds of Indian snacks. Of course we MUST share, and he did understand about hygienic conditions and all, but this food would be fine for us. We feasted, tasted, laughed until it was time for the lights to go out. Otto climbed to the top bunk and for some reason as he climbed I joked, “Nearer my God to Thee.” There was but the breath of a moment until he, his sisters and the four of us came together in perfect harmony singing the first line of that beautiful song. What a moment to realize that more than a compartment on the train bound us together. So as I write I can’t help but think of what binds this newsletter family together. For the most part we are connected by the most important thing in all creation - our Savior’s love.

Current Events

Taiwan team with the children at Battambang

You may remember that we did not make it to Battambang for Christmas. We did, however, make it in January for the devotion writer’s workshop. Our writers had done their homework, and we are well on the way to forty-nine completed devotions. This session drew us together around a study teaching the use of the concordance. We are working hard to bring depth to Christianity here, and so I am doing all I can to make use of Cambodian research tools to give the writers new depth of understanding of God’s Word. Our next session will teach the use of a commentary to bring greater textual understanding. Of course, when in Battambang we are always drawn together with our Christian family at Trinity. This was a particularly special time as while I was gone we had the opportunity to host a wonderful team from LCMS in Taiwan. Chuck and Matt did all the arrangements via Internet and SKYPE, and the team came to work in the English/Bible School there and just give a Christian support to the congregation there. On Sunday Chuck preached, and Jesse translated. It was good to be with LCMS workers Shannon and Seth and to share God’s Word with our Christian family there. Oh, by the way, I want you to see one Christmas shot. Notice how the tree in the photo has Christian symbols on every inch!! What a wonderful witness to the real meaning of Christmas that we share.

Friday Morning Sermon Preparation Class

We are also pleased to say that the Friday sermon preparation class is growing in size. Many times we have over twenty participants. These leaders are there to get more insights into the Sunday texts and prepare their messages. We are pleased that we have run out of table space, so this week Chuck and several of the Christian leaders worked together to make more tables for our living run class area. There is such a thing as too much togetherness. I am also having fun teaching a bit of English before the Bible study.

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday sees Naomi continuing the workshop for our Hotel English teachers. We are getting ready to go to sites to test on the interview process. It is a blessing that she and I can work together on the preparation of these classes and that she can work with fellow Cambodians on the lessons for the week. Parts of these classes also teach Christian work ethics and stewardship.

 

We are thankful for the bonds that draw us together with all of you. We are thankful for your support in prayers and finances in these difficult financial times. May God give you eyes to see what binds you together with Christians all over the world - His grace and love.

 

With Christian love,

 

Chuck and Jeanette Groth

 

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