Chum reap suor
“Hello” in Khmer!
I hope this letter finds you well and full of the JOY of the Lord. God has been so faithful and good to me this past year as I’ve been serving as a full-time campus minister with Emmaus Campus Ministry at Seoul National University. I’m so excited to now tell you about a new trip the Lord is sending me on to Cambodia this winter break, January 28-February 4!
As we look at the history of Cambodia, it’s easy to see all of the ways the enemy has tried to destroy this nation (through the predominant religion—95% of Cambodians are Buddhist—and also through the Khmer Rouge’s reign in the 1970s, resulting in bloody massacres of over a million people). There is something so special, precious, and valuable about Cambodia. This is a nation that belongs to the Lord. His heart beats for it. Our God of redemption, renewal, and reconciliation longs for the people of Cambodia to know Him. To discover the fullness of life found only in His Presence, to collide with the beautiful reality of Jesus. To taste salvation and true hope. That is our God’s desire for this people!
This past month, God has been speaking to me a lot through the book of Jeremiah, a book documenting a young minister’s interactions with God as he is called to prophesy and speak to a corrupt, devastated, torn and idolatrous nation. One verse has been heavy on my heart:
Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:9-10).
While in Cambodia, the New Philly team and I will be working with native Cambodian Pastor Kimeng, who pastors a local church, has a thriving youth ministry, and oversees a child sponsorship/orphan program. I believe that our team and this partnership with Pastor Kimeng will be a fulfillment of this passage. As we draw near to the Lord in intimacy, He will reach out His hand and fill our mouths with His words of hope, salvation, joy, and redemption. In these young people that God will let us minister to, He will uproot the work of the enemy in this nation and build and plant His kingdom within their hearts. Oh! What a powerful work He will do! Hallelujah!
None of this glorious work in Cambodia can be done without our team being sent out through financial partnership and prayer covering. The total cost of my trip is 1.3 million KRW ($1,300) and I need to raise all of my funds within a few weeks! Would you like to be a part of this Kingdom work?
If so, please use this support site to give financially and email me at ronababb@newphilly.cc so that I can send you updates and prayer requests!
Blessings and favor and mucho love,
Rona Michelle Babb