End of April 2026 Update

You may remember, I totally failed at learning the Cambodian (Khmer) language! Its unique ancient script, 33 consonants, 23 vowels (which wrap around consonants…above, below, before, and after), assorted other symbols, nospacesbetweenwords, and consonant clusters that can stack vertically...well, they just did me in.

You’d THINK, given the Hawaiian language uses the familiar Latin alphabet, only 5 vowels and a mere 8 consonants…that it would be a breeze. Ha! Not so! It is elegant but deceptively tricky. I aspire only to read street signs and remember area names, but… Hawaiian LOVES its few vowels, recycling them in impressively long combinations, like the street name Kalanianaole, or the Hawaiian state fish---humuhumunukunukuapua’a (I kid you not!) And then, to complicate matters, there’s the ‘okina (a backward apostrophe for a glottal stop) and the kahako (a line over the vowel to stretch the sound), so the opportunities for pronunciation blunders are everywhere. ALSO…and this is no lie…every second word here starts with a K, has 5 to 8 syllables, and is eerily similar to another word of totally different meaning. While it’s essential when you’re in a different culture to learn a modicum of the language… it's not easy!

Since we’re nicely into our second semester of training Cambodian pastors over Zoom, I want to Spotlight three of our participants so you can learn about the growth of their ministry and their divergent needs for Biblical training.

The first is Pov Pe Path (34) and his wife, Chorn Sokmeng, who, with their 5-year-old son, are serving in Chheu Teal Village, a remote village in Kampoing Cham province in Cambodia. For three years, he traveled by motorcycle from Phnom Penh, 90 kilometers every week, to minister before being led by God to move his family to the village permanently. Despite facing initial opposition from the villagers, Pov stayed faithful, and now they have a growing church with children’s services, a small church plant in another village, and a service for the elderly, in addition to a regular Sunday service. From humble beginnings in a short time…

The second young Cambodian minister is Pov Chanthoeun (33), serving with his wife, Soy Theata, and their two-year-old son. They are working as assistant pastors in a growing church and congregation (60 children, 50 adults and youth) in Trea Tboung Village in Rolea B’ier District, and are getting on-the-job experience, but lack formal Bible training.

The final Cambodian Bible Training Spotlight this month is on Men Seiha (34), who, with his wife, Ngim Davy, and two children (6 and 3), has served as pastor for the past 8 years at Phum Samraong Teav in Phnom Penh. Their church has around 45 members and 25 kids in the children’s classes and is organized into 4 levels of Bible teaching. Additionally, they have a growing sports ministry to provide Christian fellowship for their youth.

While the first semester focused on the participants’ position and authority in Christ, the second semester focuses on God’s purpose for believers, making disciples who make disciples. Many leaders are adept at witnessing, but few know how to train their followers and congregations to do the same, which is critical for multiplication. These sessions seek to equip each believer to become an effective teacher of the Why, Who, How, and When of Disciplemaking.

We’re thrilled that the first shipment of solar-powered Messengers (Bibles and sermons in both Khmer and English recorded on a device) has arrived…and Peter is already doing trial packings! (Given we’re taking Sawyer Water Filters as well, we’re praying for leniency with the overweight baggage charges!) In partnership with In Touch Ministries, God willing, we’ll take 600 of these tiny, lightweight, wildly versatile (they even have radio capacity and a flashlight) back with us to Cambodia. They can’t be shipped due to (corrupt) customs and duties, but can legally be brought in with us for free distribution. These are such answers to prayer, incredible blessings, and invaluable tools for villagers who don’t read or write!

Each of the teams with whom we work in the Dominican Republic, Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia faithfully reports their progress, and some of April’s photos are attached.

After last month’s newsletter, there were several pointed criticisms that the “Judah Coverage” was sparse and insufficient…so I’ll do my best to remedy that oversight. He’s officially at hernia-inducing weight, so when I’m on Judah Duty, I’m employing a brilliant device called a Tushbaby hip carrier that spares my arms and keeps our grandson in his preferred position (worn) without undue strain. I can report he’s wildly interested in food (although sardines are iffy), has two teeth, is teetering on separation anxiety, and is an adventure to diaper…somewhat akin to wrangling a writhing eel. Liz officially went back to work (gasp!), but the painful separation was mitigated by Aaron taking HIS paternity leave, so Judah still has a full complement of minions to do his bidding. We only half-jokingly refer to him as HRH (His Royal Highness). He’s also taking baby swim lessons…a Hawaiian baby to the core!

With only two months left until we leave for Cambodia, God-willing, we covet your prayers for the following:

· For health and strength here to prepare physically for a rigorous ministry schedule in Cambodia (we’re walking daily and have a training program),

· For continued financial support for our existing team members in four countries,

· For additional support for the Bible Training pastors' in-person conference in Phnom Penh, and for travel costs while in the country to visit their ministries.

We are incredibly grateful for your encouragement, your responses (even when you fuss about neglect of Judah news!), your prayers, your support, and your love. May you find favor with God and man in all you do.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

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