Thursday, July 7, 2016

A New Ministry!

We have continued in teaching English daily, connecting with students one-on-one or in small social outings, and hosting “hang outs” on Saturday evenings with the goal to attract more university students and to share truths about the Gospel. Recently, we have begun to host a bible study offered for students who are interested in learning more about God, but have not fully heard the Gospel and/or fully counted the cost of following (not just believing).
It is beautiful to see the student’s interest in the study and to hear the scriptures read in both English and Khmer. The students are hungry for love and fellowship with Christ and did not want to end our time when we concluded the study, asking us to spend more time with them doing “whatever” we had planned for the afternoon. This Sunday we are planning on having the bible study again and following that up with visiting a local church with any interested students. We have been able to invite more students to the bible study this week, and many have agreed with much enthusiasm!
Please pray for us in adding this new ministry that we would continue with increased energy and passion for sharing the word of God with these students! 
Please also pray that we would lead them into an independent faith, in which they do not become dependent on western culture or western leaders to continue and grow in their faith.
Please pray for continued divine opportunities to have conversations with students about the gospel and their decision to count the cost and follow Christ. Several are very close to committing their lives!
Pray that God would alleviate the students’ fears about suffering and persecution (rejection from their families) if they choose to follow Christ. As we study 1 Peter, pray that they would grasp a deep understanding of the greater importance of a relationship with Christ than the avoidance of pain in this life.

1 Peter 1: 6-7 – In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine.

1 Peter 4:14 --  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

-Ashleigh