Dear fellow laborers of Christ,
Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his ways, but the Lord establishes his steps.” I have always believed in this verse and so I have had the mentality of holding my plans with an open palm. I may make very good, sound, solid plans but, in the end, God will direct my steps and those steps may lead me to a different plan. That is what has taken place in the past four months. I am still living in the city and will be staying here for at least another year. God has closed all doors for me in regards to living in the village at this time. It is not time for me to go. God has shown this clearly to me in several ways:
• I still have so much to learn about the Khmer language and culture
• He has provided me with ministries in the city (discipleship with Roath, teaching medical students, new job as short term team coordinator)
• Our team leader and his family are taking their year-long furlough starting in July of this year. Dale and Nancy Knutson and I will be the only team members remaining. As a team, we do not believe that it would be a wise decision for me to start a village ministry with my team leader in the states
As most of you know, I waited ten years to go on the mission field. It is His pattern with my life that I am to wait. I hope to be working in the village one day but it is not time right now.
The ministries God has given me are wonderful. Let me clarify this statement. There are many struggles in the ministry and I know I am not adequate enough to handle these responsibilities. However, the truth is that God is in control. It is not up to me to make these ministries grow. That is God’s job. I am only supposed to be willing to trust Him and let Him use me for His glory. That is why the ministries are wonderful. Roath is growing in the Lord. We have had many problems and God has been testing our faith. We have seen Him answer prayer after prayer. Roath said to me one day, “Since you have come into my life, you have made my confidence in the Lord grow.” God is using me in her life and it is all for His purpose and His glory. Praise be to God who uses broken jars of clay to pour out His goodness and mercy.
Beginning in July, I will take on the role of short term team coordinator. It will require me to coordinate and host short term teams that come to work with us. This new job will stretch me in many ways and I am excited to see how the Lord will grow me through all this. It is hopefully a temporary job until God brings someone to fill the role on a more permanent basis.
The bible study with the medical students and the mobile medical clinics are progressing very well. God is definitely working through these ministries. Our vision is to continue to show mercy to the people so they hopefully will see God through us and come to know Him personally. Our medical students work alongside the doctors and see what it is like to provide Christian medical care. Some are believers and some are not. Please pray for these ministries and all involved.
I cannot believe that my first year is almost finished and I will be returning to the states in a few months. If it is God’s will, I will spend two months in the states and then return to Cambodia for another year of service. God has blessed me with these ministry opportunities and I desire to continue serving Him here. I am looking forward to seeing all of you and telling of the wondrous works of our Savior. Continue to pray for us.
By His grace and mercy,
Christina Thomas
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