Cool nights, windy days, and children flying homemade kites—the Cambodian winter has arrived. We are thankful for the change in weather, and we are thankful to you for your prayers and financial support. You are making a difference!
NEW NAMES WRITTEN DOWN IN GLORY
Previously, I mentioned Mr. Samnang, who is my soul-winning partner. Together, he and I met Sokha. He heard the Gospel over several weeks, and on the third visit, he confessed with his mouth the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. I stressed to him that Christians are saved by faith, but gratefulness compels them to serve. I asked Sokha if he was ashamed to confess his faith, and he said no. We will see.
Ri is a teen girl we have known for some eight years. She used to come to church in the early days but stopped for a long time due to her moving away. After a long gap in communication, she surprised us by calling to say hi. My wife and I have been taking her to church again like before. Two weeks ago, she heard a careful explanation of the Gospel and prayed for salvation.
Long is a boy of about twelve. There are actually three boys who live next to each other, and all three come to our church. I like to call them “The Three Musketeers” because they are such good friends and like to do things together. Long, though, is the most faithful of the three. I sat with him recently one on one, and he trusted the Lord.
WHO COULD HAVE IMAGINED?!
I was in Thailand for a soul-winning conference. In Missionary Eddy Arold’s church, there is a Nigerian family with three teen daughters who have lived in Thailand since childhood and speak Thai fluently. One day, I went out looking for someone with whom to share the Gospel, but I could not find anyone who spoke English. I asked one of the girls to help me translate to a shop owner I had just met, and although he did not get saved, he listened well. An American talking to a Thai man about the things of God through a Nigerian teen translator! Who could have imagined?!
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS
Recently, Long invited his friend Soo to visit us. I am always happy when our members bring visitors. I could be wrong, but she looks like she may become a regular. On the other hand, over the last two months, we have lost eight members. Our two children left for college, two faithful teens started a seven-day-a-week job, and four other youth moved away. In fact, you may remember Reaksa and Seyla from our last prayer letter. When we returned from the States on our recent trip, they had moved to another city and didn’t inform us beforehand. Please pray that they will always remember what they learned at Straight Road Baptist Church.
THANKSGIVING SERVICE
Every year since we have been in Cambodia, we have been fortunate to spend Thanksgiving with other American families and enjoy a traditional meal and fellowship. This year, no invitations were given, so we decided to create our own celebration for our church people, Cambodian-style. Four adult members gave heartfelt thanks for God’s grace and provision in their lives over the last year. We are so pleased to see that the drinking man (mentioned in previous letters) has been making progress spiritually. His wife told us that when he is not working, he will sit all day and listen to the Christian radio. I believe he is Scripturally qualified to be baptized, but he must make his own decision.
Pray for:
• Our Christmas service at the church.
• New members to replace those who moved away.
• Moni and Sakana to figure out a way to balance work and church.
Sincerely,
Walter Poole and Family
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- Seyha (teen girl) has learned stepping stones of faith in our church . . . may she always remember.
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- Mr. Samnang, Long, Veasna, and I attended a Christian Men’s Conference.
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- My wife and some family members sang at a Soul-Winning Conference.
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- A couple in our church—praise God for this man’s partial victory over alcohol! Keep praying.
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- Cambodian winters are frigid (nights get down to low 70s).
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- Long (on left) loves to build churches with Lincoln Logs.
