What do a large tub of water, two strong men and a broken hand have in common?
Okay, people this is not joke. What they have in common is that they are all part of my past week. I will explain.
1. Large tub of water: Baptism of course! Last Saturday 6 boys that Jonathan and Tom had been discipling were baptized at our house! It was such a blessing. These children were beaming as they shared their testimonies about how Jesus has changed their lives!
2. Strong men: The power team came to visit Svay Pak! For those of you that don't know, the power team is a group of American strong men that do feats of strength and share their testimonies. The village was freaking out! They looked on as the men did incredible things like bending a frying pan like a burrito and bending a tire iron with his teeth. The strong men shared their testimonies and asked the men of the village to come to the newly opened gym to learn more about Jesus. It was amazing. I pray that the men will be interested and want to learn about getting strong physically and spiritually.
3. Broken hand: Sadly, Alli broke her hand! It was the result of a tuk-tuk accident. We were riding back from Svay Pak, when our tuk-tuk had to stop suddenly. Our driver fish-tailed and the bike became detached from the tuk-tuk, almost causing it to flip completely. Alli was thrown from the tuk-tuk and caught herself on her hand. Today we found out it was broken. Although Alli is in pain, we are thankful there were no more injuries. The accident could have been a lot more serious especially if the tuk-tuk would have fallen on Alli and the driver. Praise the Lord that the injuries were minor!
That is my week at a glance. Sounds exciting, right? Maybe almost as exciting as being attacked in a Spiderman costume. :)
Please remember our team in your prayers.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The journey continues
Things have settled down quite a bit. I haven't been attacked by any small children lately. Ha Ha!
In Svay Pak feel like there continues to be increased favor and connections. More children know me by name and greet me with smiles. Also, we continue to receive isolated smiles and interest from some of the adults.
I'm amazed at the work that I get to do here. I get to spend hours with these precious children in the middle of their hurting.
I know the reality.
The truth is that for many of them our hours together is a respite from the life they live. When we leave the village at 5 o'clock many will have to spend the night in forced prostitution.
For years, I've asked the Lord to put me in a place with those that are broken. Each day I have a chance to love and encourage one of these small ones in the name of Jesus. Each day I get to be there while they are reminded that the Lord has called them by name and they are his (Isiah 43:1). What a blessing!
I feel that the Lord has great plans of restoration for Svay Pak. Restoration that will take place with much prayer and time. I have asked you all to pray and I feel the urgency for prayer even more. Svay Pak is so dark and oppressed. Some of the most important things we do is praying and warring in the spirit.
Know that your prayers are needed and felt. It takes armies to fight wars and you are part of that army. Please continue to pray for Svay Pak. Ask for breakthroughs. Ask for connections in the village. Ask that the enemy's stronghold would be broken and people would be set free.
Please also pray for my time here. Our team's time is almost up and I am prayerfully considering staying longer. I am asking the Lord for a more defined vision of the work He has for me if I stay.
In Svay Pak feel like there continues to be increased favor and connections. More children know me by name and greet me with smiles. Also, we continue to receive isolated smiles and interest from some of the adults.
I'm amazed at the work that I get to do here. I get to spend hours with these precious children in the middle of their hurting.
I know the reality.
The truth is that for many of them our hours together is a respite from the life they live. When we leave the village at 5 o'clock many will have to spend the night in forced prostitution.
For years, I've asked the Lord to put me in a place with those that are broken. Each day I have a chance to love and encourage one of these small ones in the name of Jesus. Each day I get to be there while they are reminded that the Lord has called them by name and they are his (Isiah 43:1). What a blessing!
I feel that the Lord has great plans of restoration for Svay Pak. Restoration that will take place with much prayer and time. I have asked you all to pray and I feel the urgency for prayer even more. Svay Pak is so dark and oppressed. Some of the most important things we do is praying and warring in the spirit.
Know that your prayers are needed and felt. It takes armies to fight wars and you are part of that army. Please continue to pray for Svay Pak. Ask for breakthroughs. Ask for connections in the village. Ask that the enemy's stronghold would be broken and people would be set free.
Please also pray for my time here. Our team's time is almost up and I am prayerfully considering staying longer. I am asking the Lord for a more defined vision of the work He has for me if I stay.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
I was attacked by an angry mob
My adventures at Svay Pak are endless. Since working there I have: had a small dead chick thrown at my back; been stoned by 10 small laughing children; and recently been attacked by an angry mob. . .
It all started on Wednesday. We began teaching about how powerful God is. Alli had a great idea to dress up in super hero costumes. The idea was that we would show our super powers and begin fighting only to have God silence us with one word. Thus, showing God as all powerful.
Well, let's just say the children lost their minds.
They were fine at the point when each superhero was introduced, but something clicked inside of them once we started showing our super powers. I couldn't see much through my spiderman mask, but at one point my eyes met the crazed eyes of 80 small children as they stormed towards us. Suddenly 80 children became one great mob. They were screaming and pushing and trying to rip our costumes right off of us. At first I thought they would heed our cries and sit down.
But they didn't!
I felt my feet leave the floor more than once, as I was carried by their small hands. As I felt my body being slammed into the wall repeatedly, I began to ask, "God, is this how I'm going to go?" I couldn't think of a more humorous way to die than wearing a spiderman costume and being trampled by 80 small children.
But soon my rescue came. I heard Alli yell in a loud voice "Ï will protect you!" Finally the translators convinced the children to sit down. Alli encouraged us to stay pressed against the wall until it was safe.
I quickly checked my body for injury and found only a few scratches.
Whew! That was close!
I never knew how quickly I would face this kind of persecution. Ha Ha!
The truth is that despite the children stoning and beating us, we still love them. They are amazing children with broken hearts that just want to be loved.
So, for now I guess I'll take the rocks and hopefully learn how to dodge them a little better!
*Please continue to pray for our team and the work that is happening in Svay Pak. I feel like we are finally able to make some connections with the families.
Blessings,
Ruthie
It all started on Wednesday. We began teaching about how powerful God is. Alli had a great idea to dress up in super hero costumes. The idea was that we would show our super powers and begin fighting only to have God silence us with one word. Thus, showing God as all powerful.
Well, let's just say the children lost their minds.
They were fine at the point when each superhero was introduced, but something clicked inside of them once we started showing our super powers. I couldn't see much through my spiderman mask, but at one point my eyes met the crazed eyes of 80 small children as they stormed towards us. Suddenly 80 children became one great mob. They were screaming and pushing and trying to rip our costumes right off of us. At first I thought they would heed our cries and sit down.
But they didn't!
I felt my feet leave the floor more than once, as I was carried by their small hands. As I felt my body being slammed into the wall repeatedly, I began to ask, "God, is this how I'm going to go?" I couldn't think of a more humorous way to die than wearing a spiderman costume and being trampled by 80 small children.
But soon my rescue came. I heard Alli yell in a loud voice "Ï will protect you!" Finally the translators convinced the children to sit down. Alli encouraged us to stay pressed against the wall until it was safe.
I quickly checked my body for injury and found only a few scratches.
Whew! That was close!
I never knew how quickly I would face this kind of persecution. Ha Ha!
The truth is that despite the children stoning and beating us, we still love them. They are amazing children with broken hearts that just want to be loved.
So, for now I guess I'll take the rocks and hopefully learn how to dodge them a little better!
*Please continue to pray for our team and the work that is happening in Svay Pak. I feel like we are finally able to make some connections with the families.
Blessings,
Ruthie
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
A day in Svay Pak
Now we have been in Svay Pak for over two weeks.
We have been working out of Rahab's house which used to be a brothel. Recently, I was standing in the room that used to be known as "the virgin room". Horrible things were done in this room to young girls. We have heard some of the stories. We know that videos of children being abused in this very room are still being sold on the streets. It can be overwhelming. But standing in this place, I hear one word.
RESTORATION
I am reminded of Isaiah 58 and specifically Isaiah 58:12, "Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."
I am reminded that the Lord has come to restore. He desires that captive people be set free and relieved of their burdens. The Lord desires to bring restoration to Svay Pak. Restoration to the children and girls whose lives and bodies have been used and abused. Restoration to the families stuck in a generational cycle of poverty. Restoration and justice for the men and abusers.
The Lord has come to repair and restore.
I am encouraged by this truth as I see the adults in the community starting to smile at us. Some of the children who would only cry or frown during the program are actually timidly smiling and laughing. These are the same children that are sold every night. As I see these little changes, I count them as big changes. Nothing is too big for my God! Sometimes it's the small steps that lead to great things. I will continue to ask the Lord to bring healing and restoration to these people and know that it will happen.
Will you pray with me?
*pray for open doors in the community
*pray that we would be able to connect with families as we enter homes in the village
*pray for justice-there are many people that know what is happening in Svay Pak, however there is still a lot of corruption. Pray that someone in law enforcement will care and do the right thing for these girls
We have been working out of Rahab's house which used to be a brothel. Recently, I was standing in the room that used to be known as "the virgin room". Horrible things were done in this room to young girls. We have heard some of the stories. We know that videos of children being abused in this very room are still being sold on the streets. It can be overwhelming. But standing in this place, I hear one word.
RESTORATION
I am reminded of Isaiah 58 and specifically Isaiah 58:12, "Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."
I am reminded that the Lord has come to restore. He desires that captive people be set free and relieved of their burdens. The Lord desires to bring restoration to Svay Pak. Restoration to the children and girls whose lives and bodies have been used and abused. Restoration to the families stuck in a generational cycle of poverty. Restoration and justice for the men and abusers.
The Lord has come to repair and restore.
I am encouraged by this truth as I see the adults in the community starting to smile at us. Some of the children who would only cry or frown during the program are actually timidly smiling and laughing. These are the same children that are sold every night. As I see these little changes, I count them as big changes. Nothing is too big for my God! Sometimes it's the small steps that lead to great things. I will continue to ask the Lord to bring healing and restoration to these people and know that it will happen.
Will you pray with me?
*pray for open doors in the community
*pray that we would be able to connect with families as we enter homes in the village
*pray for justice-there are many people that know what is happening in Svay Pak, however there is still a lot of corruption. Pray that someone in law enforcement will care and do the right thing for these girls
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
New ways to join the journey
Hello friends!
As I mentioned in my last note, I will be going to the village of Svey Pak three days a week. I am so excited to see what the Lord is doing in that village. There is still a lot of prostitution and police corruption in the village. But there is hope! The Lord knows each and every one of the people in the village. He knows the name of every child that is forced to have every night. He knows the level of poverty and hopelessness that surrounds each each person. But He is hope and He is light.
Will you partner with us as we visit Svey Pak? We currently will be teaching children three afternoons a week. We will be teaching them about their identity in Christ. We will also offer English classes and creative expression dance classes for the children. Almost all of the children do not attend any school, so we believe our program will be very welcomed. Above all else, we seek to show real love and hope to the children.
As this great opportunity has opened up for us, we see that we have a financial need. It will cost us $96 dollars a week to travel to Svey Pak and pay two translators. We currently do not have this money in our budget. In addition to $96, we would love to have extra money to purchase supplies for the children (we could have close to 200 children show up for our classes.) Please prayerfully consider making a financial donation to this cause. You can give by mailing a check to the address listed to the right. Please remember to attach to the check a piece of paper with my name on it. Any money you give by the 21st of February will be hand delivered to me by our visiting CPX friends and available for immediate use. If you choose to make a financial donation, please email me to let me know what amount we should be expecting.
I am very excited about this opportunity. Thank you for considering partnering with us.
Love,
Ruthie
As I mentioned in my last note, I will be going to the village of Svey Pak three days a week. I am so excited to see what the Lord is doing in that village. There is still a lot of prostitution and police corruption in the village. But there is hope! The Lord knows each and every one of the people in the village. He knows the name of every child that is forced to have every night. He knows the level of poverty and hopelessness that surrounds each each person. But He is hope and He is light.
Will you partner with us as we visit Svey Pak? We currently will be teaching children three afternoons a week. We will be teaching them about their identity in Christ. We will also offer English classes and creative expression dance classes for the children. Almost all of the children do not attend any school, so we believe our program will be very welcomed. Above all else, we seek to show real love and hope to the children.
As this great opportunity has opened up for us, we see that we have a financial need. It will cost us $96 dollars a week to travel to Svey Pak and pay two translators. We currently do not have this money in our budget. In addition to $96, we would love to have extra money to purchase supplies for the children (we could have close to 200 children show up for our classes.) Please prayerfully consider making a financial donation to this cause. You can give by mailing a check to the address listed to the right. Please remember to attach to the check a piece of paper with my name on it. Any money you give by the 21st of February will be hand delivered to me by our visiting CPX friends and available for immediate use. If you choose to make a financial donation, please email me to let me know what amount we should be expecting.
I am very excited about this opportunity. Thank you for considering partnering with us.
Love,
Ruthie
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Greeting friends!
I am overjoyed right now to be writing you all. And for those of you who think I might be over exaggerating-I’m not! I was quite ill for more than a week and was unable to make it to the internet café (or anywhere for that matter) until this week. Luckily, I am doing much better now. I had a case of food poisoning that hit me with all kinds of unpleasant symptoms and eventually landed me in the hospital for two days. Now, I’m back on my feet and regaining strength and my appetite. My next adventure was that I fell down the stairs and hurt my back. My back is healing more everyday. I may end up even getting a massage once my bruises have healed.What have I learned from these ordeals? First, don’t trust the street vendors even if they do appear the sterilize their silverware. Second, I have really big feet! The stairs in our house are uneven and steep and small by American standards. I have learned that for my shoe size I must take the steps very slowly and never let go of the hand railing!
During the last two trying weeks, I have been reminded that God is a mighty and faithful God no matter what my circumstances. Being sick and injured is no fun in any country, but I can say that I am now more convinced of the great God we serve and his purpose for me here in Cambodia.
Speaking of purpose.. . here's what I've been doing when I haven't been lying in bed sick.
*On Monday and Friday I teach two English classes. I love my students. I have elementary to adult ages and they are amazing! I feel very blessed to meet with them each class and pray with them throughout the week.
*On Saturdays I will be having a bible study/mentoring time with 2 or three teenage girls. We are going to be reading the book of John together and of course have needed girl talk! :)
*I have spoken with a lady named Michelle from Samaritan's Purse who has asked me to help her with a day care project. In Phnom Pehn, whole neighborhoods of people are forced to leave their houses if the government wants the land. These people are forced out of town with no compensation. They live in makeshift villages without water or electricity. Many of these people then loose their jobs because they can't travel so far to the city. It's a very bad situation. Michelle has asked me to be a consultant for the three day cares they want to start in these villages. I will be talking regularly with her to help with the planning of the day cares and to answer any early childhood questions staff might have.
*This week, I have the opportunity to start working three afternoons a week in a village called Svey Pak. I am extremely excited and feel like this village may be the reason I am here. In this village every young girl has been sold for sex. International Justice Mission did a raid on a brothel a few years ago and rescued 30 something girls. Since then the brothel has been turned into a center for the children of the community. It's called Rahab's house. Alli and I ,and possibly Christina, will go there to teach and love on the children. Unfortunately, the condition of the village has not changed. Almost all the girls we work with will be sold that same night. It's heart breaking, but I'm really asking the Lord for these young girls. I pray that I could show light and real love to them.
** Book recommendation: Terrify No More. This book tells about the village of Svey Pak and about the raid that took place. It is a little graphic but still hopeful. Reading this book will give you an idea of the darkness in the village, and better yet the hope that Rahab's house will bring.
So that has been my life in a nutshell. I do intend to write more often, however sometimes the Cambodian computers have different ideas. :)
Prayer requests:
*For me personally please lift up all of the activities I am involved in. I really want to encourage others and see God move in mighty ways.
*For the team please pray for encouragement and rest. We have all been struggling with sleepless nights and a case of the "blaghs" sometimes. Pray that we would be energized for all that needs to be done in the day.
Please feel free to email me any time. I love hearing what is going on in every one's life.
Blessings,
Ruthie
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Arrival
So, I've made it to Cambodia and I am slowly adjusting. There is a 13 hr time difference from Kansas City, so I'm still adjusting to the time and travel. Overall, I really like the city, Phnom Phen. It's fairly clean and everyone is very helpful and nice. Everyone is pretty used to Westerners, our team doesn't get too many odd stares. The most challenging thing so far is trying to learn two languages! Khmer is necessary to get around the city and Vietnamese is necessary for teaching the Vietnamese people English. Whew! Please pray that I can pick up the languages quickly. I will write more soon, however the computers are slow here and time is ticking.
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