Abi Van Heerden recently spent some time in Cambodia, working in the dorms and experiencing Phnom Penh life at its craziest and friendliest. This is what she had to say…
Services and classes are still running regularly at the dorms in downtown Phnom Penh. Compulsory classes run most days of the week. David and Anna, a young married couple from New Zealand, have been here 12 weeks and have been running the 6 – 9am & 5-7pm classes. They are currently covering books of the bible in their morning session & the ‘the way of life’ book in their evening sessions.
Classes have been a little more sporadic than usual because of Khmer New Year, which is a 3 day holiday that falls over 13 – 15 April. Most of the Dormers left a few days before and returned a few days after, so classes shut down for almost 2 weeks. This providentially came at a good time, because of the ‘big BEC move’ that was on the cards. We then decided to use this valuable time to move the BEC to the new premises.
Every Sunday afternoon we continue to hold our regular worship services at 2:30pm at the dorms. This is followed by a short break and refreshments and then separate into baptised and non-baptised classes which run for one hour.
Those who cant make the memorial meeting on Sundays, come and meet at the new BEC on wednesday evenings for a delicious dinner cooked by Loy and helpers, followed by a few songs, short service and the breaking of bread.
Soon the dorms will be celebrating the marriage of two of their own. Vitou and Dany are due to get married in November this year. The baptised couple plan on staying on in Phnom Penh after their wedding to begin their new life together as husband and wife. Vitou has recently been employed by the BEC and Dany will continue to finish her studies in Business Economics of which she still has 2 years to complete. Dany currently works for the NGO ‘Transform Cambodia’. This is an organisation which helps children in need of funds to complete their schooling. Dany works as a teacher in this institution, covering subjects such as English, Drama, Music and Life Skills. Dany hopes to one day open up her own business providing similar services to her community. Vitou and Dany make an exceptional couple together. I wish Vitou and Dany every happiness in their walk together towards the Kingdom.
It has been an amazing experience being out here in Cambodia and playing my very small part in trying to spread the good news of the Kingdom of our amazing God! I pray that God continues to bless the people here and bless all the hard work!
