Reaching Young Men

Anyone who has done missions work in Cambodia knows that young men are a difficult demographic to reach. There is a void in the lives of many who have lost fathers to war and sickness, or who have been abandoned by parents and are spiritually orphaned. Without role models and positive mentors, boys grow up without learning what it means to be be husbands and fathers, how to respond to life's challenges, or how to think and plan strategically to care for their families. Discipline, teamwork, grace in the face of failure - these are traits that are not acquired for lack of an environment that values them.

One of the ways that In His Steps is compensating for this problem is by providing an outlet where young men can practice teamwork, grow in discipline, and learn good sportsmanship: our Gospel Community Church Saang soccer team! When paired with our ongoing Boys to Men group, the team is a great way to draw youth towards positive challenges and growth, both on and off the field. It is a venue not only for developing physical ability, but for discipleship and community-building.

Our team attending a sports seminar organized by the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia.

Our team is made up of beginners, but already this season they have distinguished themselves with their practice ethic, fitness, and good attitudes, as well as many wins in the games they have played so far. They even placed second in a local tournament last month! We are so proud of each team member, not because of tallying wins and losses but because we see them working together, encouraging others, and doing their best. The lessons they are learning will prove valuable no matter where life leads them!

Other Updates

• Please keep founder/director Eric in your prayers as he and Ginny return to Thailand for several days next week for a follow-up check of his heart related to the emergency procedure he had in June.
• Staff member Rhiannon has returned to Cambodia and is now in the process of readjusting to life and ministry while continuing her recovery. Please continue to keep her in prayer! 
• Thank you for your continued intercession regarding Cambodia's election last week. There are still many concerns (read an insightful overview of the current situation here), but God is faithful and we are thankful that for the most part things are reasonably calm.

- In His Steps

June News

Visitors and Volunteers

During the spring and summer months we often host short-term teams and volunteers that come with a desire to serve Cambodia and bless the community here. In His Steps has been blessed with many friends from around the world, and have had visitors from places near and far: the U.S., Canada, Germany, Norway, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, and more!

Last month, a friend of a friend came to Cambodia for two weeks, a volunteer from Russia. While visiting us Yulia got to experience ministry in Saang and help with our literacy program, English classes, visit our Sak Saum ministry, children’s programs, and youth group. She also spent time with the children in Father’s House, was a part of our church services, and built relationship with staff member Aly by “shadowing” her throughout each day. It was great for staff and those in our programs to meet this new friend, and judging from a recent email we think she enjoyed her time here as well:

“...I came back to Russia 2 weeks ago, [and] today I was able to share with my church about Cambodia and your beautiful ministry…I would like one more time to thank you for accepting me, for giving me chance to feel like a part of your family!!! I really felt this [and] I will be praying for you... your ministry, your people and Cambodia. Thank you very much.”

Yulia is by no means the first visitor to mention feeling like part of the In His Steps family. Family is one of our highest values as a ministry, and each person working with us is loved and valued for who they are, no matter how long or short their time with us is. And sometimes, those who have come to visit find that God begins to stir a calling to ministry (whether in Cambodia or elsewhere). That’s what happened to Rhiannon, a former intern who has just come back from a visit home, this time as a full-fledged staff member. Read her most recent blog post here.

If you or your church/organization is interested volunteering with In His Steps in Cambodia, learn more on our outreach page!

Other News

• Although Father’s Day is not a particularly recognized holiday in Cambodia, just like on Mothers’ Day our church chose to celebrate parents through songs, dramas, and a message of encouragement and exhortation. It was a sweet and meaningful service, with a fun children’s dance, a drama about forgiveness between generations, a great lesson from Ginny on the value and calling of fathers, and an original song written by boys in our Loaves and Fish/Father’s House programs (video below).

A staff member caught this Father's Day song on her phone this past Sunday, written and composed by youth from our Loaves and Fish/Father's House program and performed by some of the members of our Gospel Community Church Saang soccer team.

• Since forming our very first Gospel Community Church Saang soccer team, we have been enjoying seeing young men in the church working hard to hone their skills and growing in team unity and sportsmanship. So far the GCCS team has won 3 out of 4 games this season!

• Cambodia has a major election coming up next month. Please keep the nation in your prayers, that wisdom, truth, and justice would be the hallmarks of the entire election process.

- In His Steps

May Update

Hansons’ Travel Update

Recently, our founders Eric and Ginny Hanson were in the U.S., completing our NGO annual tax returns and doing some stateside ministry. They always keep very busy when they are “home”, and this trip was no exception! Just a few of the highlights of their time in the U.S. were:

​Ginny sharing at Woodman Valley Chapel, CO

• Speaking at Boulder Street Church and Woodman Valley Chapel
• A three-day conference in Rockford Illinois, where Ginny was able to share about human trafficking and showcase products from our Sak Saum ministry
• Planning outreach opportunities with future volunteers and church groups coming to Cambodia in 2014
• Meeting with partners in ministry and brainstorming about some exciting new projects

The Hanson's love to share about what God is doing in Cambodia, and are  gifted teachers and deliverance ministers. They are often requested to speak across the U.S.  and parts of Asia. If you are interested in booking the Hansons for a seminar, conference, or other speaking engagement, please email them at erich@ihsionline.org/ginnyh@ihsionline.org.

Other News

• IHSI loves having visitors and volunteers, and in May alone we have two volunteers (one from the U.S. and one from Russia) and two different American teams! We are excited to share with them our vision for ministry and provide opportunities for them to bless Cambodia. Teaching children and youth, working in Sak Saum, training Cambodians in new skills, and constructing a playground are just a few of the volunteer activities taking place this month! Stay tuned to our Facebook page in the coming weeks to see photos of the new playground and more.

• Sak Saum is constructing a second community house for women in our program! Click here to read more.
  

• Nearly ten people received Jesus as their Savior this past Sunday! God is stirring hearts towards Himself, and we are honored to be a part. Please keep the new believers in your prayers, that they would be rooted deeply in God’s love as they grow in their newfound faith.

Until next week,

In His Steps

Building Youth

Each week at Gospel Community Church Saang, we hold a regular youth group meeting for area teens to come and worship together, pray for their nation, and be taught the Word of God. Many of those who attend have become volunteers at church, helping with nursery, children's programs, and team outreaches! But since we at IHSI feel called not only to build our own church, but also to invest in others, we host several Youth Fellowship meetings throughout the year: ecumenical gatherings joined by youth from many other churches in Kandal Province.

Each time this large group of teens comes together, it is a ​beautiful time of worship, learning, prayer, and of course lots of fun! Dramas, music, testimonies, and games almost entirely led by the youth, a great way for talent and leadership abilities to be developed. Last week, we also were able to have a member of a visiting team from YWAM shared on the power of forgiveness. 

Below are some images from last Saturday's festivities, complete with Khmer "pinatas" and more. Please join us in praying for the many youth that join these events, that it would build unity in the local Body, encourage new believers, and motivate all to press in to God and pursue Him in their community!

​` In His Steps

Sunday School in Saang

At our church in Saang, many of the new members have just received Christ and are learning for the very first time what it means to be part of God’s Kingdom. Many are friends and relatives of those in Sak Saum and other programs, drawn by the effective testimony of changed lives.

As more young couples and new mothers become a part of our church family, we are seeing a new generation of children in need of a solid Christian foundation. Since their parents are not yet mature in their faith, we are constantly looking for ways to minister to every part of the family unit and build it as a whole. That’s why we are so excited about our newest Sunday School program for 6-12 year olds!

Jessica and volunteers from Sak Saum are spearheading this new class, teaching simple lessons from the Bible and helping the children learn how to behave in a classroom. Fun crafts and activities reinforce their learning while teaching creativity and teamwork!

Parents and their kids are excited to have this new opportunity for learning and fun, and in our first week we had eleven children attend. We pray that each student who receives this love, care, and training would become deeply grounded in Christ. The building blocks put in place today will be the foundation of tomorrow's leaders!

​- In His Steps