The bus ride to Kirirom with the 5th Onyx Cohort for their PSF field trip led by Dove Phnom Penh Leadership coordinator Mr. Lay would have been rather uneventful except that I sat next Dove’s Interim Director, Mr. Virak. We talked for two and a half hours straight. We talked about what a privilege it is was to be doing the work we were doing, getting right into the center of peoples lives, very messy lives, and how there is so much out there waiting to destroy the souls of people. We talked about mentoring, coaching, small group dynamics, facilitation, Jesus’ expression of the church with his disciples, and the heart and methodology DOVE uses to help young leaders heal and grow. What we do is rather unique (and somewhat effective) in the Cambodian Christian Community, if it weren’t, I’d insist on closing our doors.
Turning off National Route 4, 20 or so of us traveled on a hard-surfaced road toward the national park. The sky turned dark as we turned off the paved road and onto a red dirt road, entering a large rare pine forest that had two or three steep dips. As we reached the parking lot, we got caught in a downpour and I knew getting back out would be a challenge. We all made our way by foot under a large tarp over the slippery red clay, down short slippery slopes to the thatched hut gazebos along the waterfall (like ants carrying a thin piece of bread crust together). There we had lunch, and Mr. Lay did a great job summarizing that last 3 lessons of our Personal Spiritual Formation block that Lynn created and Bophal facilitated. Mr. Lay sent them out in their small groups where they would split up and spend time alone with God in nature. They could meditate, reflect, write poems or songs, just rest in the Lord, meditate on a psalm, or just be conscious of all the sights, sounds, and smells in the unique pin forest of Kirirom.
When the students returned, Mr. Lay debriefed them and let them share their experiences. Some began to understand what it means to rest in the Lord, others wrote poems, songs, or did drawings. One woman walked along the waterfall and studied the dynamics of the flow, how that the fast running murky water cleared up as it ran over the rock outcroppings, noticing that how our lives can be purified by suffering or challenges, and in turn, smooth over those problems for others. Mostly all confessed that getting a sense the presence of God for their soul’s daily rejuvenation in the middle of the rat race in Phnom Penh was nearly impossible, no matter how committed they were. They all reported that greenery, solitude, silence, nature and their five senses provided a great context or backdrop for ‘resting in the Lord’ and sensing his presence in their souls. They also met God in the debriefing and sharing with each other (tight community) as well.
I was just a fly on the wall, a witness to the great work of Lynn, Mr. Lay and my wife Bophal. That was my takeaway and a boost for my weary soul as well. It was a joy to see emerging leaders find, and practice creative ways to renew their spirits.
Glad to see that what we began 5 years ago can continue on with or without Lynn or me. Oh, and, sure enough, on the way out of the park, our bus got stuck in a muddy rut in one of those dips mentioned but we all pitched in filling up the ruts with wood and stone and although a bit muddy, we were once again on our way back home.
Difficult moment " seek God "
Quiet moment "worship God"
Painful moment "trust God"
Every moment "Thank God"!!
បៃតង បៃតង បៃតង អ្នកស្រស់បំព្រងខ្ញុំបានក្សាន្តត្រាណ
អ្នកអត់រូបខ្ញុំអ្នកអាចរស់បាន តែមនុស្សគ្រប់ប្រាណអត់អ្នកនឹងស្លាប់!
Coffee House:
“Only spiders can fix their own spider web, and only young Cambodians can help fix their Country”
This year (2018), our Coffee House ministry is different from last year because we decided we would alternate having our gatherings in a church to learn and fieldwork to expose the young people to social, environmental and community problems. The 2nd Coffee House gathering on April 29th of our new model we discussed a topic that was voted on by the young people who attend, “How male and female young people should relate and finding a partner.” Our presenter was Ms. Sarady from DOVE, Kompong Cham Province. There were 53 people attending, with 25 males 28 females. Among them, there were 27 are non-believers and 26 believers. After this classroom-learning event, we brought them for fieldwork on May 27th. We called former ONYX students to help lead and organize the fieldwork for our teenagers at Mango Village at Oudong Mountain where they met with the villagers, had fellowship, learned about the history of Mango Village (former ‘Blue Tent Village”) from Kevin and Leakhena Knight and planted Moringa trees on the cooperative farm for income generation for the villagers. There were 41 young people (20 males 21 female) who made the trip. There, we separated young people into 2 groups; one group went to plant 45 mango trees around the school for the school project, and another group dug up the soil in preparation for planting Moringa trees on the farm. After finishing this fieldwork we came together to symbolically plant a Moringa seed and pray together that God will bring this small seed to fruition, and help the farm be fruitful through this community project.
Here is a testimony after the Mango Village Tree Planting event.
“My Name is Pho Phanny. At Blue Tent Village, I saw that the organization, Manna4Life, really focuses on helping people there and their community, like helping the kids of evicted people that really need education, etc. What I really liked is the way Kevin and his wife hosted us, and I really liked it when we visited people’s houses where - they were really friendly. I saw the needs of the community such as lack of food, no education, and few family income possibilities. I feel like Mr. Kevin really focuses on helping them and their community after I heard him share his testimony and history with Blue Tent Village. He is really concerned about the education of all the children of the village. The father of one student wanted her to stop studying and told her to go to find a job to support their family, and the father tried to force her to make documents in a hurry to find a job. She didn’t want to stop studying and go to work, so she promised her family that she will stop studying in about 1 or 2 months. Thus, Mr. Kevin developed a plan to help families by working on the cooperative farm he is building. During the fieldwork, we planted some mango trees and many Moringa trees that will someday number 50,000 plants. I am really happy that I can help through this coffee house and can support planting mango trees with Manna4life NGO. I planted about 50 trees. As I am a youth, my vision for the future is to see this community become more developed and also see more education made available for these kids that are living here, and more trees planted to make it greener to help the environment. I wish the young generation could learn the story of the young girl in this community who really wants an education, and tried to study even when her family wanted her to quit and find a job to support the family. “One Tree, One Life.” I really am thankful so much for the Coffee House ministry and Brother Lay who organized this program, and for helping people in our country through this fieldwork that can help the community. ”
Training outside of the BOX
“We can’t be a perfect leader if we don’t have a great model from Jesus.” Like he says in John 14:6:“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me!
On June 09th, 2018, after the second week of Onyx Leadership lessons, we had fieldwork at Phnom Penh Climb. We all climbed the walls (like rock climbing) at ‘Phnom Climb’ to reflect on the nature of leadership and obstacles that leaders face. When the students saw the announcement about the fieldwork, some students said they don’t want to climb if the class allows, but I had told them that everyone must join on that day. Before the day came, I had told them to be prepared and bring the appropriate clothes for climbing the walls. There were 15 ONYX students that registered for this climb. Because we had experience climbing last year, when we arrived at the place, I shared some of our experiences from last year and instructions -how to use the ropes and harnesses. The trainer provided us with really good instructions on how to do this exercise. First, we did warm up and exercise and after that, he helped us practice free-climbing the easier three-meter wall at the front of the gym. The real fight is coming, I told them that their goal was to reach the top of the wall, and ring the bell. Ms. Daneth was the one who volunteered first and I told them that last year the women always went first and this year it is still the same, revealing the bravery of the ONYX woman. Being full of energy and strength with their age, all of them reached the top and some did it 3 times, some twice, and others just once. Wow, they really enjoyed this exercise and after we finished, we went back to the classroom to do reflection and share our feelings, and how they can compare their experience to leadership theory and practice.
Testimony
“My name is Men Veasna, I am really happy and thankful to all teachers that facilitate this Onyx program. Each class and each block really relates to each other and gives me much practical experience. I can also see more clearly about the purpose of God’s will through his children. Among these experiences, I want to share about one leadership lesson. On June 9th which is the second week of leadership lessons, we did fieldwork at the Phnom Penh Climb. I want to share my feelings before climbing the wall and after the climb. First, my feelings before climbing, when I just heard about this exercise during a class announcement, were feelings of fear, and that I don’t have the confidence to do such a thing, or if I can actually do the climb or not. The feeling of having no confidence, nervousness, and negative thinking were happening in my mind. But I cannot escape it and must face going for it. The time flew by like a rocket, and it was now time for me to fight with my fear. I found myself focusing on the instructions for this exercise, how to climb correctly and with success, without being careless about any small thing. This point reminded me of the Word of God that comes to my life and helps me walk on the right path, and the person that belays us, holding the rope firmly to help the other when a fall is possible, is like Jesus who always helps us, protects and comforts us, every time. One more thing that I learned is that we must have a good plan, commitment, and real practice in order to lead - to keep my will strong and a focus on my goal and plan. By faith, I can do it, because I have God in my life and there is nothing that I can’t do if it is according to God’s will and purpose. And what touched my heart the most, as a leader, is that I can’t achieve the goal successfully by myself. I need a team that knows about teamwork and who can help each other. The leader must have vision and creativity, and willingness to sacrifice themselves for others by the love of Jesus Christ. When I reached the middle of the wall, I was a bit stuck, really scared, and tried to reach the goal, though my hands were really getting sore and tired. I stopped and rested for a short time to relax and find the way forward. At this point, I wasn’t thinking how proud I was of myself for making it this far, but straining to listen to God’s voice, and how I can reach the top safely, through good cooperation with a partner who is holding the rope. I finished the climb successfully, but not only this once, but also I did it twice on 2 different walls, which was way above my expectations for the climb. My successful climb also helped me reflect on how great my life really is. I can do much more than I thought I could. Usually, I doubt that cannot do something. But I shouldn’t doubt God. We must give all our worry to him like Joseph who had faith in God also. In conclusion, this fieldwork really gave me a great experience and many lessons learned for me to reflect on and to develop for myself become a servant leader that is full of love in the future. May God bless! -Veasna
Kampong Thom Satellite
Beginning Year Retreat:
Leadership is an art, a calling, and a journey. This was the theme of this year’s beginning retreat for DOVE Kompong Thom 2018 Onyx Program. We brought our Onyx students to a national park within Siem Reap Province. It was a long trip from Kompong Thom to Siem Reap to visit one of Cambodia richest cultural sites. At the time, students were excited to come and happy to see the nature that God has made along the way to the retreat location. The site, not far from Angkor Wat, was called Phnom Kulen Mountain waterfall. For some student, it was the first time to spend time together, relaxing, and reflecting on creation. It was beautiful there. It was a good time to relax to see the wonderful nature that God has made for us and sharing and caring for each other. Especially, having time to share our personal life stories with each other. It was encouraging.
The Onyx students were responsible for making the meals during our retreat and they were divided into small groups. Each small group worked on different chores like cleaning up the litter in our location, etc., leading games of reflecting parts of the leadership journey. Miss Heang said; “This is my favorite lesson. We come as a team, cook, serve, and learn as a team together on a leadership journey. Getting to know new friends is another favorite thing. I will miss this memory but now I am more willing to study in Onyx after this retreat.”
The beginning year retreat was the beginning of our journey and we can see some shining life examples, and students’ different gifts come to the surface. The journey theme of our retreat is very important for Kompong Thom Onyx Students. It can help the students to be ready for starting their journey through the Onyx classes. I can see they are getting to know one another and are more open with to participating fully in the ONYX program in Kampong Thom.
“It is the first time in my life sharing the personal timeline we did in ONYX class with other people. I don’t want people to know about my failures, brokenness, and some of the bad things I have done. I think that they will look down on my life. I am scared, but through the sharing of my timeline to my good listening classmates, I have found freedom. I do feel that I am set free. I promise I will share this lesson with my family, to be honest with each other in our home. And especially, I am much more open than before. I have more positive thoughts now.” Sokhung said.
Phnom Penh
By Phoebe Omuhinda, Intern
On March 8th, 2018, YESIC (Phnom Penh Drop-in Center) was privileged to conduct the International Women’s Day celebration. As usual, students could extend invitations to families and friends to join us. We had dances, games, skits, and songs from a variety of students who entertained us, making our event lively.
Since this worldwide event celebrates women’s achievements from the political to the social while calling for gender equality, we had one on one interviews with the students, where we discussed some of these achievements with them. We also discussed some of the problems that women have faced from the past to present.
Some of the problems included sexual harassment, reproductive coercion, female infanticide, and forced sterilization. Questions were assembled from these discussions and gifts were awarded for correct answers. We also gave the boys a chance to give a word of encouragement to any female figures in their heart. The girls were asked to share about some of the problems they face as women and to also share about the good things.
Testimony
Soa Lengty is a student of DOVE YESIC Center. He’s 18 years old and has been studying here for almost 2 years. “During Women’s Day, I was very happy to join this event. Through this event, I understood more about women and their suffering. I used to think that a woman is just a girl who needs to stay at home and cook food, take care of children and there is no need for her to work like a man. When I watched the skit, I knew my thoughts were wrong. Women have a right to work like men. They can do what a man can do. I was more surprised when I saw ladies go up to the stage and share their feelings. They explained every bad situation that they go through. I now understand more about women. I want all the people to respect women’s rights.”
Alongsiders Cambodia
God change our lives:
My name's Hoeun Pisey and I am an Alongsider. I would like to share to share my testimony about my life before I decided to believe in Jesus and before I became an Alongsider. Before I was an isolated person, unfriendly, didn't like to share, and didn't like to talk with other people. I lived with my grandparents because my parents are very busy with their work. They sent me to stay with my grandparents so they could look after me. I had lived with my grandparents since I was 5 or 6 years old, along with all my other four siblings. We meet our parents once a year if we are lucky, and now I am 19 years old and still living with my grandparents.
In 2015, I was in grade 10. I had heard about Jesus and believed in him through my friends. Then I realized that my life had changed. I started talking with other people, became friendly, and I wondered why I became new in many ways? Then I realized that it was because of Jesus in me.
After that, the two people that told me about Jesus became my close friends. I knew them since I was in grade 7 but during that time I never talked with them until they came to me and told me about Jesus. I realized that I believed in Jesus for about one year when my Pastor Chan Thy gave me a chance to join training with Alongsiders Cambodia, and she encouraged me to choose one Little Sister to mentor. I started to pray and God answered my prayers and give me a lovely Little Sister. I really like and love her. Though she is a little bit rude, I can still share the love with her and we are sharing love with each other. The reason that I decided to choose her is because her life is similar to my life. She lives with her widowed grandma with 6 grandchildren. All of them love me the same as a sister, and I also love them. These six kids are from different families, some of their parents went to work as migrant workers in Thailand, and some were divorced. These children, like my siblings and I, rarely meet their parents. Every time that I go to visit them, I always play some games with them. The games I learned came from Alongsiders. And we read some Alongsiders designed comic books or read the Bible together. I teach them all the lessons that Alongsiders gives us for our mentoring curriculum. Moreover, we study English together, and we eat some meals together as one family. One special thing is I tell them about Jesus. I teach them how to respect each other, other people, always be humble and learn how to share the love of God and help each other. Before they didn't know how to respect people and were always using demeaning words. They had terrible hygiene as well. After I spent time with them, I taught them for a while, I saw something had changed their lives and they are improving a lot now.
During the time I spent with them I learned something, and that is Love. Now I can share this love with other people, and I know that all this love is from Jesus Christ. He has given it to me to share. My life and my little sister’s life have changed. We have love and can share this love with other people. I still keep praying, because I know God can change my life and make my life better. Not only me but especially for my Little Sister. I want to see her become successful and become a mentor in Alongsiders for a Little Sister like I did. I also pray that Alongsiders Cambodia will grow more, not only in Cambodia but all around the world. Amen.
Kampong Chhnang satellite
My name is Bun Vuthy. I’m 36 years old. I am a member of Cambodia Methodist Truth Church in Kampong Chhnang province, I’m also an English teacher and an assistant leader.
My mother is a widow. She loves me and takes care of me with all of her heart, even though I’m not a respectful son. She gives me everything and tries hard to find money for me to finish my studies like other kids. I feel guilty for what I’ve done to my mom. I didn’t study hard and used to be a gang member. I spent my time drinking and using drugs. I didn’t listen to her advice. After I finished my studies, I married a lady and we had a daughter. Soon we began to have family problems, and this happened when I was so young and now it still comes to plague me. They are bitter memories for me. My beloved wife and I were divorced. She left me with my daughter to go live in Phnom Penh with her new husband. I was so down and wanted to kill myself. I was a bad person. How could I let the people I love most leave me? It was because I was not a good man and I just created problems for them. Anyway, it happened. After my divorce, I became a really bad person. I used drugs almost every day and I became addicted.
In contrast, the Lord lifted me out from alcoholism and drug addiction, and I got out from the bad friendships. But once again, I returned to my bad old situation because of my lack of self-control. I suffered so deeply through my addictions. I missed out on God’s plan and there was no way for me to go. Then there was an older woman who came and carried me out from dark – she was a pastor. She encouraged me to move on. Since then, I started my new life by moving on strongly with the grace of Jesus Christ. I was so thankful for this blessing.
I joined the Onyx program in January and I studied the Timeline block. It took me courage and strength to dig up my old life and reflect on my past and present. And I saw how God changed the direction of lives, and God gave me the strength to follow Him until now. Thank you, God, for allowing me to learn this lesson. Now I can stand firm to move toward the vision of freedom that God wants for everyone.
“Only spiders can fix their own spider web, and only young Cambodians can help fix their Country”
Here is a testimony after the Mango Village Tree Planting event.
Training outside of the BOX
“We can’t be a perfect leader if we don’t have a great model from Jesus.” Like he says in John 14:6:“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me!
Testimony
Kampong Thom Satellite
Beginning Year Retreat: Leadership is an art, a calling, and a journey. This was the theme of this year’s beginning retreat for DOVE Kompong Thom 2018 Onyx Program. We brought our Onyx students to a national park within Siem Reap Province. It was a long trip from Kompong Thom to Siem Reap to visit one of Cambodia richest cultural sites. At the time, students were excited to come and happy to see the nature that God has made along the way to the retreat location. The site, not far from Angkor Wat, was called Phnom Kulen Mountain waterfall. For some student, it was the first time to spend time together, relaxing, and reflecting on creation. It was beautiful there. It was a good time to relax to see the wonderful nature that God has made for us and sharing and caring for each other. Especially, having time to share our personal life stories with each other. It was encouraging.
The beginning year retreat was the beginning of our journey and we can see some shining life examples, and students’ different gifts come to the surface. The journey theme of our retreat is very important for Kompong Thom Onyx Students. It can help the students to be ready for starting their journey through the Onyx classes. I can see they are getting to know one another and are more open with to participating fully in the ONYX program in Kampong Thom.
“It is the first time in my life sharing the personal timeline we did in ONYX class with other people. I don’t want people to know about my failures, brokenness, and some of the bad things I have done. I think that they will look down on my life. I am scared, but through the sharing of my timeline to my good listening classmates, I have found freedom. I do feel that I am set free. I promise I will share this lesson with my family, to be honest with each other in our home. And especially, I am much more open than before. I have more positive thoughts now.” Sokhung said.
Phnom Penh
By Phoebe Omuhinda, Intern
On March 8th, 2018, YESIC (Phnom Penh Drop-in Center) was privileged to conduct the International Women’s Day celebration. As usual, students could extend invitations to families and friends to join us. We had dances, games, skits, and songs from a variety of students who entertained us, making our event lively.
Since this worldwide event celebrates women’s achievements from the political to the social while calling for gender equality, we had one on one interviews with the students, where we discussed some of these achievements with them. We also discussed some of the problems that women have faced from the past to present.Some of the problems included sexual harassment, reproductive coercion, female infanticide, and forced sterilization. Questions were assembled from these discussions and gifts were awarded for correct answers. We also gave the boys a chance to give a word of encouragement to any female figures in their heart. The girls were asked to share about some of the problems they face as women and to also share about the good things.
Testimony
Soa Lengty is a student of DOVE YESIC Center. He’s 18 years old and has been studying here for almost 2 years. “During Women’s Day, I was very happy to join this event. Through this event, I understood more about women and their suffering. I used to think that a woman is just a girl who needs to stay at home and cook food, take care of children and there is no need for her to work like a man. When I watched the skit, I knew my thoughts were wrong. Women have a right to work like men. They can do what a man can do. I was more surprised when I saw ladies go up to the stage and share their feelings. They explained every bad situation that they go through. I now understand more about women. I want all the people to respect women’s rights.” Alongsiders Cambodia
God change our lives:
My name's Hoeun Pisey and I am an Alongsider. I would like to share to share my testimony about my life before I decided to believe in Jesus and before I became an Alongsider. Before I was an isolated person, unfriendly, didn't like to share, and didn't like to talk with other people. I lived with my grandparents because my parents are very busy with their work. They sent me to stay with my grandparents so they could look after me. I had lived with my grandparents since I was 5 or 6 years old, along with all my other four siblings. We meet our parents once a year if we are lucky, and now I am 19 years old and still living with my grandparents.
In 2015, I was in grade 10. I had heard about Jesus and believed in him through my friends. Then I realized that my life had changed. I started talking with other people, became friendly, and I wondered why I became new in many ways? Then I realized that it was because of Jesus in me. After that, the two people that told me about Jesus became my close friends. I knew them since I was in grade 7 but during that time I never talked with them until they came to me and told me about Jesus. I realized that I believed in Jesus for about one year when my Pastor Chan Thy gave me a chance to join training with Alongsiders Cambodia, and she encouraged me to choose one Little Sister to mentor. I started to pray and God answered my prayers and give me a lovely Little Sister. I really like and love her. Though she is a little bit rude, I can still share the love with her and we are sharing love with each other. The reason that I decided to choose her is because her life is similar to my life. She lives with her widowed grandma with 6 grandchildren. All of them love me the same as a sister, and I also love them. These six kids are from different families, some of their parents went to work as migrant workers in Thailand, and some were divorced. These children, like my siblings and I, rarely meet their parents. Every time that I go to visit them, I always play some games with them. The games I learned came from Alongsiders. And we read some Alongsiders designed comic books or read the Bible together. I teach them all the lessons that Alongsiders gives us for our mentoring curriculum. Moreover, we study English together, and we eat some meals together as one family. One special thing is I tell them about Jesus. I teach them how to respect each other, other people, always be humble and learn how to share the love of God and help each other. Before they didn't know how to respect people and were always using demeaning words. They had terrible hygiene as well. After I spent time with them, I taught them for a while, I saw something had changed their lives and they are improving a lot now.
During the time I spent with them I learned something, and that is Love. Now I can share this love with other people, and I know that all this love is from Jesus Christ. He has given it to me to share. My life and my little sister’s life have changed. We have love and can share this love with other people. I still keep praying, because I know God can change my life and make my life better. Not only me but especially for my Little Sister. I want to see her become successful and become a mentor in Alongsiders for a Little Sister like I did. I also pray that Alongsiders Cambodia will grow more, not only in Cambodia but all around the world. Amen.
Kampong Chhnang satellite
My mother is a widow. She loves me and takes care of me with all of her heart, even though I’m not a respectful son. She gives me everything and tries hard to find money for me to finish my studies like other kids. I feel guilty for what I’ve done to my mom. I didn’t study hard and used to be a gang member. I spent my time drinking and using drugs. I didn’t listen to her advice. After I finished my studies, I married a lady and we had a daughter. Soon we began to have family problems, and this happened when I was so young and now it still comes to plague me. They are bitter memories for me. My beloved wife and I were divorced. She left me with my daughter to go live in Phnom Penh with her new husband. I was so down and wanted to kill myself. I was a bad person. How could I let the people I love most leave me? It was because I was not a good man and I just created problems for them. Anyway, it happened. After my divorce, I became a really bad person. I used drugs almost every day and I became addicted.
In contrast, the Lord lifted me out from alcoholism and drug addiction, and I got out from the bad friendships. But once again, I returned to my bad old situation because of my lack of self-control. I suffered so deeply through my addictions. I missed out on God’s plan and there was no way for me to go. Then there was an older woman who came and carried me out from dark – she was a pastor. She encouraged me to move on. Since then, I started my new life by moving on strongly with the grace of Jesus Christ. I was so thankful for this blessing.
I joined the Onyx program in January and I studied the Timeline block. It took me courage and strength to dig up my old life and reflect on my past and present. And I saw how God changed the direction of lives, and God gave me the strength to follow Him until now. Thank you, God, for allowing me to learn this lesson. Now I can stand firm to move toward the vision of freedom that God wants for everyone.
.........................................
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Here is the link:
http://www.missiondispatch.org/missionaries--ministries/dove---cambodia.html
Here is the link:
http://www.missiondispatch.org/missionaries--ministries/dove---cambodia.html
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