End of December 2025 Update
It’s true what they say: “Use it or lose it.”
After 11 years of preparing meals in developing countries on one burner with foreign ingredients…my baking skills have deserted me.
At least half of my attempts at baking Christmas goodies (motivated by my nicely equipped kitchen and access to powdered sugar) have been epic fails: there has been much wailing and gnashing of teeth on my part, while Peter, fortunately, is happy to eat the failures (he hasn’t had any desserts…good or bad…in a l-o-n-g time!) In my defense, my efforts have NOT been helped by Hawaii’s dripping humidity, which renders gingersnaps soggy in moments and towels forever damp.
Our December was frantically busy, as we settled into Kailua, found a church in which to serve until we return to Asia, followed up with all the December outreaches in Cambodia and the Dominican, learned(-ish) new technology and editing skills (grrrr!!!!) for our new training course, feverishly planned for 2026, and…of course…”ooohh-ed” and “aaahh-ed” over Judah, marveling (as only grandparents are allowed), how extremely advanced he is in all areas!
As most of you know, in the last few years our ministry has been laser-focused on training disciplemakers and equipping excellent leaders who continue to train other disciples to make disciples. God has blessed and multiplied the results of this goal beyond our wildest dreams…but an unforeseen problem emerged. With trainers successfully training, and believers doing what they were trained to do (going into unreached villages and planting churches), suddenly, there is a desperate need to train the planters to shepherd their people. Even the pastors lack practical Biblical knowledge to lead their people; fewer than 10% have Bible school training. Some of our young people in their mid-twenties are finding themselves the leaders of perhaps 60 to 70 new believers, ready and eager for more knowledge, without the slightest idea how to shepherd them!
That’s why we’re pivoting. Our disciplemaking training leaders will continue training, but we feel compelled to provide a solution for a dilemma they’re inadvertently causing…the pressing and immediate need for pastoral training. We just can’t leave these obedient church planters desperate until we return to Cambodia! Beginning in January, we’re enrolling 50 hand-selected pastors and leaders (who are already ministering) in an online practical Bible course, which we’ll broadcast from here that will be translated simultaneously into Khmer by our team-leader pastor in Phnom Penh. These translated videos will be stored and later used for subsequent courses. Another unanticipated blessing is that two well-known and well-respected Bible schools in the States have generously donated their complete curricula for our use! Of course, this program will increase our budgetary needs considerably as those attending will have weekly internet and/or travel expenses, which must be met. If you’re interested in partnering with us as we work with these believers, here is a link where Peter outlines our plan more specifically. https://youtu.be/FpMFPKqXelg?si=qTv9-youz9djY8sv
At this time of year, we look over our shoulders and remember with wonder and gratitude God’s faithfulness in the ministry and our lives in 2025. (Every time I check the rear-view mirror and see our little miracle fussing in his car seat, I am reminded of ONE miracle!) In December, we received many joyous pictures of ministries celebrating the birth of our Savior with parties, skits, games, special food, and little gifts! In developing countries, where they have SO little, even the simplest of celebrations is a Big Deal, and, of course, kids are kids wherever they are… full of joy, expectation, and enjoyment!
As 2026 begins, we’re excited to start 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting (which never fails to strengthen and prepare us), continue our disciplemaking courses, and begin digital pastoral training until we can return to Cambodia in person. We are deeply grateful for your support, encouragement, and prayers. May 2026 be a year of many blessings for you and your family.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”—Isaiah 43:19