JOINING IN PRAYER

Several months ago, a group of doctors from Alabama were searching for a place to serve on a short term medical trip. Marty, one of the leaders of the group had joined a team of medical students headed to South Asia to serve. Because of political unrest in the country, they were diverted to another country to serve. It just so happened that Nancy and I were serving in that country on a different team. We met Marty, and began to dialogue about bringing his group of doctors to serve in Cambodia on a short term trip. 

Several doctors from Alabama prayed for an opportunity to serve with a short term medical team.  Church members in Cambodia prayed for new churches to begin in a place where the gospel was never heard.  Several months later these groups joined together to share in cross cultural ministry.

Adam and Seng Long

When the team asked about coming to Cambodia, I surveyed the church planters as to who would like the team to come.  Samath, the pastor of Khmer Christian Church (KCC), asked if they may be willing to go to the outlying region of Kampong Speu where the roads are difficult, the climate is hot, and malaria is an ongoing concern.  I presented this plan to the Alabama team who enthusiastically embraced the idea and from that point on the leadership of KCC took the responsibility of leading and organizing the procedure.  They met with the village leaders, set up venues for the medical clinics and determined where we would eat and sleep.  In addition, they organized the translators and gathered an evangelistic team together. 

Over the next several days we ministered together in three different villages, with about 30 people serving on our team.  The second night we slept in a village with extreme heat and the constant threat of malaria.  Most of the people there had never heard of Jesus and most had never met with a doctor. It was a powerful experience to serve them, and we hope to return soon with a medical team to follow up with the village.  On the third day of clinic we moved to Prey Mein, another village, at which the gospel was heard for the first time and only minimal care had been available.  As I write this letter, as  leader from a small church plant in a nearby village has moved to Prey Mien to serve the people there.On days four and five we ministered in Prey Thom, where there a 15 month old church plant and the people who had been displaced from other areas of Cambodia have  received the team with great joy.  

We rejoice as we see the hand of God orchestrating events and motivating people to serve for God's glory. We know that by ourselves we could not have made these events take place. It has been a privilege to see people from different countries and cultures joined together to spread the good news and we rejoice in God's grace.

SATISFIED WITH DISSATISFACTION

When I totally get my way then I will experience ultimate satisfaction.  Bill Gates, Solomon and others who have wealth and power perceivably have time energy and resources to accomplish most every desire of their heart, thus becoming very satisfied.  I am not sure about Bill Gates and his level of satisfaction, but from Solomon’s writings we begin to understand that his satisfaction level decreased  as he aged.  

Now if Solomon’s wealth, power and multiple wives did not bring him satisfaction, far be it from me to find satisfaction.

So how does one become satisfied with dissatisfaction, when the quest for life is for me to live life my way.  Yes we look to scripture which states delight in God and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Realistically, my desire certainly do not match up with God desires.  So I must live with my dissatisfaction.  Moment to moment living hardly brings satisfied living.  As I delight in my own thoughts I become more overwhelmed with my dissatisfaction.  When will satisfaction come.  Will it come in the next moment of life.  

Life in Christ should bring satisfaction.  As i read the scripture and rest in the truth of scripture I perceive small glimpse of satisfaction.  When I begin to Delight in God my desire begin to fade for that moment of delight.  Then my desires  steal the beginning of the satisfied life delight in God.  

So I must come to grips with the dissatisfaction and begin to be satisfied with that dissatisfaction as I from time to time begin to understand the work of Christ in my life.  So in the middle of my dissatisfaction, I know that Christ will satisfy the longing of my heart as i allow Him.  That is a journey that will have its true beginning as the gates of heaven open to my soul.