Monthly Prayer Requests
May 2017
Jennifer Lee:
Alex Lee:
- Praise God for the salvation of one our students! Please pray for her as she learns to walk in faith and as she learns to depend on God. Pray that the teachers will be good disciples who will help her build a strong foundation in her faith.
- Please pray for one of the secondary teachers who is sick. She has not been able to come to school for the past week. Please pray for complete healing, so that she may be able to come back to school healthy.
- Third quarter is almost over, which means exams are coming up for the students. Please pray for the students as they study for their exams. Pray that they will be motivated to study hard and that they will try their best on all of the exams. Please also pray for wisdom for the teachers as they prepare for exam week.
Alex Lee:
- Praise God that students have been opening up their hearts to Him. We have just celebrated the baptism of one of our 9th grade girls! Also, a 7th grade student has expressed interest in learning more about Salvation and accepting Jesus as her savior. Praise God, and may hearts continue to turn to Him!
- I pray that God will change the hearts of some of the non-Christian families at LIS. It is very common to receive complaints from parents that we spend too much time learning about Jesus at LIS. Students have also shared struggles with being a Christian, while their Buddhist parents do not approve. Please pray for wisdom and courage for these students to continue in their faith, and that their parents may one day know God as well.
- With only 3 months left before I return home, I pray that God will show me how I can make the best impact for His Kingdom. Please pray that He will use me for His glory and that I will obey. God is really working in Cambodia. I pray that He reveals to me how I can reach friends and students here to really see His Glory in these last few months.
April 2017
Jennifer Lee:
Alex Lee:
- Please pray for our upcoming Easter program. Every grade will be participating in performing a song. Pray that the performances will be edifying God and that the students will be able to fully understand the gospel message.
- Please pray for the week long break that is coming up next week for Khmer New Year. Pray for safety, rest, and productivity for the students and the teachers.
- As the third quarter is halfway done, there is still much to cover for some the classes, especially for grade 9 physics and grade 9 chemistry. Grade 9 will be taking their exit exam at end of the school year, so please pray that the teachers will be able to fully prepare the students for the exam.
Alex Lee:
- Please pray for the students who are beginning to lead praise time in the mornings. Pray that it will be more than a performance for them, and that God will speak to them during worship.
- The secondary school English classes will hold a spelling bee this month. Please pray that the students will study hard, have fun, and that the event will be a success.
- Please pray for the salvation of our students. Many of the students are struggling with their faith in God and are seeking answers to their doubts. Pray that God will speak through all the teachers to be able to guide these students to a stronger sense of faith in Jesus.
March 2017
Jennifer Lee:
Alex Lee:
- We just finished quarter 2! Praise God for all of the hard work our students and teachers put in. Please pray that the students will continue to study hard during quarter 3, and pray for the teachers as they make preparations for third quarter.
- We will be having parent-teacher conferences for all grades this Monday and Tuesday (3/6-3/7). Please pray that it will be effective, and everything will go smoothly.
- The secondary school will be attending a retreat this week (3/8-3/9) at a bible college in which the gospel will shared. Pray that there will be students who are convicted to come to Christ.
Alex Lee:
- A fellow missionary recently gave a sermon that reminded us to never forget the power of Jesus and the importance of His commission, even when we don’t see results right away. This really spoke to me. Please pray that I will keep running the race, even when it is hard to see progress.
- Please pray for the salvation of our students. Many of the students are struggling with their faith in God and are seeking answers to their doubts. Pray that God will speak through all the teachers to be able to guide these students to a stronger sense of faith in Jesus.
February 2017
Jennifer Lee:
Alex Lee:
- A few of the students have expressed more and more interest in the gospel. Please pray for the teachers that we will be good witnesses. Pray that we will have more opportunities to talk personally to these students. But most importantly, pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in their hearts in convicting them of the truth.
- Please pray for the tenth grade class. Two of the students left to move back to their home country, Laos. Ever since two of their classmates have left, the tenth grade class seems to have lost much of their enthusiasm and motivation. Pray for the students who have moved, that they will adjust well back at home. And also pray for the rest of the tenth grade class that they will continue to have motivation to learn.
- Please pray for the leaders of our school and Life Campus. Pray that they will continue to seek and be guided by God’s wisdom. Please pray against any misunderstanding amongst our staff and that we will continue to grow closer in God’s love.
Alex Lee:
- As I approach my 7th month in Cambodia, please pray that I do not lose focus on God's plan for this mission. I pray that God's will is evident in the 2nd half of this mission trip and that my passion will be renewed to see people come to Christ.
- Please pray for the future of LIS, especially the secondary school. As many of the teachers will be returning to their home countries next year, pray that God will provide the school with new teachers who are dedicated to the Great Commission.
- All the ministries on Life Campus have decided to combine for Sunday worship service. This includes the English ministry that Jennifer and I served in, Chinese ministry, Korean, and Khmer. Please pray for the continued progress of this combined service: that we can learn to serve together and worship as one body. Praise God for this opportunity.
January 2017
Jennifer Lee:
Alex Lee:
- Praise God that Alex and I had safe travels. We are back in Sihanoukville and are preparing for the start of second quarter. Please pray that the teachers and students will also be well-rested and ready to start school on Tuesday, January 3.
- There will be some schedule changes and curriculum changes next quarter. School will be starting 10 minutes earlier and there will be a major change in the English curriculum. Please pray that both the students and the teachers will adjust well to these changes.
- As I prepare for the second quarter, please pray that I will have wisdom to plan well. I want to be well prepared, and I hope to continue to grow and improve as a teacher.
Alex Lee:
- Praise God for a great break full of reflection and new experiences. Our God is truly a God of Wonders.
- As the second quarter starts, please pray that I will continue to build on my strengths and improve in my weaknesses as a teacher. Pray that I would not be complacent, but that I would give my all every day.
- Please pray for the growth of Life English Service (the church service that we attend on Sundays). Pray for guidance as we serve and listen to how God wants to direct our congregation.
- Continue to pray for all the construction projects on Life campus.
December 2016
Jennifer Lee:
Alex Lee:
- As the quarter is nearing the end, I want to be able to finish the year strong. Lately, I’ve been feeling a little burnt out, so please pray for more energy and strength as we wrap up this quarter.
- Please pray for the students as they study for and take their quarter 1 exams. They will also be doing additional standardized testing, which will help gauge us on their academic level. Pray that they will take all of the exams seriously but not to be too overwhelmed by them.
- For the upcoming Christmas program, the secondary school is preparing a play based on a Christian novel with the central theme of forgiveness. Please pray that everything will go well, but also pray that the audience and the performers will gain a deeper understanding of forgiveness and of the gospel story.
Alex Lee:
- Praise God that Jennifer and I were able to meet the Tieng family and visit their church in Siem Reap. Please pray for the blessing of their ministry and family.
- Please pray that all the students and teachers finish this first quarter with strength and determination. It has been a challenging quarter, but pray that all the hard work pays off during exam time.
- Please pray for the growth of Life English Service (the church service that we attend on Sundays). Pray for guidance as we serve and listen to how God wants to direct our congregation.
- Continue to pray for all the construction projects on Life campus.
November 2016
Jennifer Lee:
Alex Lee:
- Teaching, with it being a new experience for me, has been a little difficult in terms of finding the balance between disciplining when necessary and desiring to be more than just a teacher to the students. Please pray that God will grant me wisdom to discern the moments when discipline is needed but also pray that God will provide divine appointments with students when I will be able to share more about the gospel.
- As some of my students are struggling in my science classes, please pray that the students will be granted with the determination to study hard even though the subjects may be difficult. Please also pray that I will learn to be a better and more effective teacher to the students.
- Please pray for our students to have an open heart and an open mind to the gospel. All of our students know what Christianity is about, but please pray that they will come to know who Jesus is personally.
Alex Lee:
- Thank you for your continued encouragement and prayers! I praise God that He has sent me to Cambodia through such a supportive church!
- Please pray that the students will continue to adjust well to the longer school days. Pray that they would rely on God to find the strength to study every day.
- Please pray for our after school clubs that will begin in November. Pray that this extended time with the students would help them learn more about Jesus as well.
- Continue to pray for all the construction projects on Life campus.
October 2016
Jennifer Lee:
Alex Lee:
- Thank you for praying for my travel safety! My travels to Sihanoukville, Cambodia went very smoothly. Please continue to pray for my health as I am still adjusting to my new home.
- We just completed our first week of teacher's orientation. As we continue our training and lesson planning this week, please pray that I will be well prepared for this upcoming school year. I will be teaching Chemistry, Biology, and Earth Science in the secondary school.
- As the first day of school is approaching on October 4, please pray that the students will adjust well to the changes in the school schedules, administration, and staff.
Alex Lee:
- Praise God that Jennifer arrived safely and is adjusting well! Please pray that we continue to work together as the mission team sent by FKBC.
- Please pray for the us, the teachers, and the students to acclimate well to the exciting new changes occurring this school year. We pray that this adjustment period will be smooth for everyone, and that God will bring unite us all in our work.
- Continue to pray for all the construction projects on campus: That they would be completed in a timely manner, and that all students, teachers, and visitors to Life campus will stay safe and unharmed.
July 2016
Grace:
Daniel:
- Please continue to pray for our Grade 9 students. Some of our summer mission team members will also join us in teaching them science. Please pray that our students will learn the material quickly and efficiently so that they can do their best on the national exit exam.
- Please pray for our summer mission team that will arrive in Cambodia on July 8. They will have two weeks here. They will be helping out LIS in many areas so please pray for strength, wisdom, and good health!
- Please pray for Chanyang, Daniel, and me as we finish up our one year mission trip at LIS. Please pray that we will end well with no regrets and do our best to the end. Please also pray for our future plans after Cambodia.
- Please pray for Alex Lee who will come with the summer mission team but stay for one whole year. He will not have a team like we did, so he will need our prayers and support more strongly than ever.
- One month is left for our school year which means our mission trip is ending too. Please pray for strong finish. I pray our students will remember how God provided our school year with so much blessings and good memories.
- Although Grade 9 and 10 students are preparing for the national exit exam with limited resources and tight schedule, I am thankful that God is providing us with good teachers. Please pray that our students can learn the material well and be able to use it in their exam. Also pray for concentration and dignity when the new teachers come to teach.
- It is rainy season in Cambodia. Please pray for our school building, it floods so often. I hope our summer mission team can fix this for us. Maybe because of cooler weather, I feel sick and can’t enjoy this chill weather. Please pray for safety and health.
Daniel:
- Please continue to pray for our Grade 9 students as the time for their exit exam is just around the corner. They are working very hard to keep up with their rigorous schedule and it is quite encouraging to see them persevering through this time of trial.
- I am excited to see my brothers and sisters from FKBC. They arrive in a week so please pray for safe travels and that they come to Cambodia with readied hearts and fire in their hearts. A few of them will be teaching our students in preparation for the exit exam, so please pray that those that are teaching can do so wisely and productively; while at the same time enjoying and learning from the experience.
- As it is our final month in Cambodia, I can not begin to fathom how difficult it will be to say my farewells. I have learned so much through my time here. Learned about myself, learned about relationships, and learned about God. It is quite a remarkable testament to how God works. I came here to teach, but I have learned so much in return. I will greatly miss Cambodia and I genuinely want to ask for prayers for our students, our teachers, our school, and the nation of Cambodia. It is a desperate nation in need of God’s love and mutual edification.
June 2016
Grace:
Chanyang
Daniel:
- Please continue to pray for our Grade 9 students. They are studying a rigorous curriculum in order to prepare for the national exit exam. Our LIS teachers are doing everything they can to help them while the Cambodian teachers are trying to teach them in English. It’s a hard quarter for everyone, so please pray for students and teachers.
- Please continue to pray for Yuna. She’s being a real trooper and teaching all of the health and music classes for LIS primary school. She is also helping with the LIS Talent Show. So far she hasn’t gotten sick, but please continue to pray for her health and her struggle with the humidity :)
- LIS Talent Show will be on June 17. Please pray that all of the students will have fun and prepare well for their performance!
- Daniel has been asked to lead the praise for our English Worship Service! Finally this opportunity has opened up for him. Please pray that he will do his best for the two months we have left here.
- Please continue to pray that we can have a good full-time pastor for our Life English Worship Service soon.
Chanyang
- Thank you for your prayers in May. We had many events and changes and I give praise to God for being in control. I pray for my faith in trusting that God is in control for my future, too.
- This quarter is challenging for teachers and students as we are preparing Grade 9 and 10 students for the National Exit Exam. Please pray for our students as they are learning with new teachers and new curriculum.
- It is hard to believe that August is just around the corner. Please pray for me to stay passionate and not hesitant to share gospel with our students.
- Please continue to pray for MK meeting. We meet on Fridays after school for Bible study and fellowship. We do Bible study on topics they are questioning and curious about like ‘purpose of life,’ ‘relationship,’ ‘addiction,’ and ‘how do we know God’s plan.’ I want to ask prayer for wisdom and clear understanding as I prepare and lead this Bible study.
Daniel:
- My Grade 9 students have had to adjust to a new, much more rigorous schedule this quarter because they need to study additional courses in preparation for their exit exam in August. This change was last minute, but our students are buckling down and grinding through hardship. Please pray for my students in this challenging time of their lives. I pray in hopes that their hard work will not be of waste.
- God’s timing is truly amazing. I will be leading praise for the Life English Worship Service on Sundays. As I take on this new responsibility, I ask for prayer so that I can lead wisely and be open to what God has to teach me through this experience. Please pray for our service as well. We are still in need of a pastor and leadership.
- My last prayer is for two of my students in Grade 9. Their names are Paul and Peter. Since the beginning of the school year, I have had the heart to disciple them after hearing Paul’s testimony and Peter’s heart for serving on praise team. However, I have not been totally pursuing this heart because I wasn’t sure how to approach them to do this. Nonetheless, God has remarkably been working this whole year with my heart’s desire. Just this past weekend I was able to help Paul create a rap from his testimony and bring him to church with us. As for Peter, I am able to finally “mentor/lead” him as his praise leader. Please pray for these two young men that they can understand God in a more personal and deeper relationship. And please pray that I can speak wisely and guide them faithfully to this deeper relationship with God.
May 2016
Grace:
Chanyang
Daniel:
- Starting with the 4th Quarter, our Grade 9 students will be learning a whole new curriculum in order to prepare for the national exit exam. That involves learning three new subjects: physics, chemistry, and earth science. Please pray for our Grade 9 students as they go through a stressful 4th quarter. And please pray that they will all pass the national exit exam so that they can get their diploma from the government.
- Our Secondary School will be going on a field trip to Phnom Penh on May 13-14. Please pray for safety as we are travelling between the cities and going around Phnom Penh. Please pray that our students will learn about Cambodia’s history as we visit important landmarks of the city. Please also pray for our teachers as they chaperon and take care of our students.
- Yuna Kim will be coming to Cambodia through Duke University’s Duke Engage project for 8 weeks. Please pray for wisdom as she teaches our health and music classes. We hope that this will be a great mission experience for her.
- Life Campus is going on our annual retreat on May 21-22 to Highlands. Please pray that many Cambodian students and staff will join us because it is a Gospel rally/retreat in Khmer. We hope that many people will hear the Gospel and accept Jesus as their personal Savior through this retreat.
- Please pray that we can have a full-time pastor for our Life English Worship Service soon. Most of the congregation has left and there’s only a few people coming every week. Not only for our LIS teachers’ sake, but for anyone else in Sihanoukville who is looking for an English service, we really need to rebuild our worship service and provide a good Christian community and place of worship.
Chanyang
- Please pray for our secondary school students as they are finishing third quarter. They are taking final exams this week. Because of the weather getting hot and humid, students find difficulty staying focused for long time. Pray for teachers’ to have wisdom in teaching and students’ to find joy in studying in this circumstance.
- Ending third quarter also means that we have three more months to go. Praise the Lord for his faithfulness for showing me and our team how awesome He is. I want to ask you to pray that we would continue to experience God’s blessing in this campus in coming quarter.
- We are blessed to have many holidays and this coming holiday, our secondary school is going on a field trip. I pray that this exciting time for students and teachers to be good relationship bonding trip. Through the relationships we build with students, I pray for God to speak to students’ heart so they also can experience the walk with Jesus.
- I learned that Life International School especially secondary school faces new changes very often. Sometimes improvement, but sometimes changes due to limitations. Please pray whatever the change is, God’s will be done and during the process, only His name is glorified.
Daniel:
- Our quarter three exams are just around the corner. Please pray that our students can study well and do well on the exams.
- I am looking forward to this month because we have many events happening. The first thing is our secondary school field trip to Phnom Penh. I am greatly excited for this trip because I get to know my students in a different way than teaching or coaching. Secondly, we have Yuna joining us for 8 weeks and I am pumped to have her energetic and passionate presence here at LIS. I pray for her safe travels. Lastly, we have a staff retreat at the end of the month. Please pray that all the staff that attend this retreat will have a time of relaxation and revitalization with God.
- I cannot believe that we only have 3 more months left in Cambodia. Now that I am entering quarter four, I really want to ask prayer for energy and passion in the work and relationships I have here. I do not want to return to the states with a hint of regret. So I please ask that you all could pray that God use me in every capacity with the time remaining I have here.
April 2016
Grace:
Chanyang
- Thank you for all of your prayers last month. It was truly a blessing and honor to experience so many prayers being answered. And for those of you who prayed with us, you can probably feel what we are feeling too! This is true partnership in missions. It is awesome to see God working through our prayers, so please continue to pray for us and for our school!
- Please pray our team will stay spiritually strong and faithful. Overall I feel like our team has been slipping in terms of spiritual discipline. Please pray that we will keep putting our personal time with God as a priority, we will read our daily Bible readings faithfully, and we will pray more and cling to God more regarding our futures after our time in Cambodia.
- We have a one week break from school on April 11-15 for Khmer New Years. As our teachers and team travel during this vacation, please pray for safety!! Some teachers are traveling out of the country and many of our Cambodian friends and students travel to their hometowns. Please pray that everyone will enjoy a safe holidays and come back to school safely.
- We finally finished our staff Bible study on Galatians. It was a challenging but rewarding experience as I studied Galatians in order to teach it. Starting this month, we decided to take turns leading Bible study. This month, T. Malou will lead on Romans so please pray for wisdom.
- Please pray that we can have a full-time pastor for our Life English Worship Service soon. Also Mike Loftis, who has been leading the English service, will be visiting America for several weeks. So please pray for our service in his absence too.
Chanyang
- As you guys can see from our April mission video, we had so many prayers answered last month. I am so grateful for all of your prayers and kind encouragement. Please continue to pray for us. We can’t do this by ourselves.
- I find myself being too stressed thinking about what my next steps are after this mission trip. Pray for peace in my heart and diligence in seeking God’s clear guidance.
- From the beginning, I wanted to make a fellowship time with Korean missionaries’ children. They have strong christian parents and community but they lack the time and opportunity to share and learn about their curiosity about Christianity. I finally started to have a regular meeting with them. I am hoping to build strong and faithful relationship with them and may God use this fellowship time to strengthen their faith.
- During Khmer New Year, our team is traveling to Siem Reap. And on a side, I was asked to teach one-day ESL class at a small school where my sister came to do one-week music camp. I am excited to experience new school and to meet new students. Please pray for safety as I travel separately from my team and for overflowing blessings at the camp.
- Please pray for me as I lead the praise for Life English Service. Due to the praise leader visiting home, there will be no praise leader for the next 6 weeks. I will be leading in his absence, but please pray that God will help me lead and will keep me prayerful throughout this whole experience.
- Thank you for praying for us last month. Your prayers are an incredible strength and powerful encouragement. We had many of those prayers answered and it’s clear that God is really watching over us and First Korean Baptist Church. We are continually praying for you all. Thank you!
- I cannot believe that we only have 4 more months left in Cambodia. Please pray that God will use me in every way possible and that I can return with no regrets in serving His kingdom!
March 2016
Grace:
Chanyang
Daniel:
- We are already halfway through the mission trip. Five months have past and we have only five more months to go. Please pray that our team will work hard and do our best to the end! We want to make the most of the remaining time we have here.
- We have a soccer match against Life Secondary School and we are very excited. Last year it didn’t go so well, but this year they really trained hard so I think we will play much better! So please pray that the team will do their best and have fun! Please pray that it will be a good, clean, fair game and nobody will get hurt.
- Our team is all facing uncertainties about what we will do after Cambodia. We have some plans or ideas, but anyway nothing is for sure. Please pray that we will trust in God’s timing and plans. Please pray that God will show us clearly what we need to do and that we will be obedient to that calling.
- Please continue to pray for our staff Bible study on Wednesdays. We will be finishing up Galatians this month! We are thinking of what to study afterwards, so please pray for wisdom.
- Please pray that we can have a full-time pastor for our Life English Worship Service soon.
Chanyang
- We finished second quarter last week and starting third quarter without long break. Please pray for our students to faithfully study and consistency in hard working. I struggle to challenge and encourage students at the same time. I pray for God’s wisdom in my teachings and actions so I can show how much I care and how much I am willing to help them.
- Continue to pray for our team’s health. The weather is amazing these days but we are entering ‘rainy season’ soon which we will need to face humidity. We also notice more mosquitos, spiders, and ants. Please pray for healthy and protective immune system from insect bites :D
- It is comforting and good to feel that God is challenging our faith to grow in Cambodia because that is what we were looking forward to during this trip. But we need prayers to overcome our weakness and fully devote to God.
- Need prayers especially for students who are struggling at school because of their learning disabilities or barrier with English. We would regularly meet to recap the lesson taught in class and to help with homework but I think students easily get discouraged with amount of work they need to do. Please also pray for me to have patience and good understanding.
Daniel:
- We hit our five month mark and it has been a rewarding experience thus far. I am learning more about myself and my relationship with Christ. The students are a pleasure to teach because of their warm hearts and I have started to build relationships with a lot of my students. With the remaining five months, I pray that I can pour out my whole heart for the students, LIS, and Cambodia.
- We have our trophy soccer match on March 19, 2016 against the Life Secondary School. My soccer team has been training since first quarter and I just pray that no one will get injured during the match. But more importantly, I pray that my boys will pour out all their energy and not give up during this match. I have continually been encouraging them to work harder every practice and not only in soccer but in life. I pray that I can lead my boys in becoming persevering men of Christ!
- As I was warned before coming to Cambodia, with the mark of our fifth month in Cambodia, I am feeling spiritually dry. Yes, we do not have a pastor for our Life English Service. Yes, the church community is not strong or united as compared to my community back home. Regardless, I am on the mission field. I think I forget that I am on the mission field sometimes. I shouldn’t rely only on the church to be watered by God. Even when I have the least, I actually have the most because God fulfills everything. So please pray that in this time of communal, spiritual deficiency, I can let God fill me in the areas that are lacking. Because I lack so much I know God will fill me up much more, but I lack the power and focus to be totally full of Christ. I need Him.
- Our students are improving, but there are a handful of students that are falling behind with the more rigorous curriculum as compared to the previous years. Please pray for all of our students, but especially for the students that are having a hard time following the curriculum. Some students actually struggle with learning disabilities, but I know that having a disability does not mean they will fail in life. I pray that these students will be able to refine their weaknesses into strengths. Lastly, the other students who are falling behind are students that do not give enough effort or focus to school. I know they have the ability, but they are not committed to studying. Please pray for them as well.
February 2016
Grace:
Chanyang:
Daniel:
- We are already halfway through the 2nd Quarter! Thanks to less holidays, we have been going through full 5-day school weeks and getting a lot of studying done. Please pray for our teachers as they wrap up the 2nd Quarter this month.
- Our days and nights have gotten cooler, so many teachers and students are sick. Please pray that everyone will be healthy and take care of their bodies. Please especially pray for our Secondary School teachers’ health because it is much harder to provide a substitute teacher for their classes!
- Please pray that our team will continue to spend more time with God and be faithful in our walk with Him. We started the year strong! So please pray that we will continue this and our relationship with Him will deepen.
- Please continue to pray for our staff Bible study on Wednesdays. On the first Wednesday of the month, Daniel leads a praise and prayer night. For the rest of the Wednesdays, I lead a Bible study on Galatians.
Please also pray for our Secondary school Bible studies for the boys (led by Kevin and Daniel) and the girls (led by Bronwyn and Chanyang). - Please pray that we can have a full-time pastor for our Life English Worship Service soon.
Chanyang:
- Please pray for LIS teachers and students. January was full and long month so many teachers are very tired physically. Pray for us to manage our health wisely so we would have strength to help our students in all the areas. Thankfully our students learned a lot but, please pray that they would retain the information learned. I pray what they learn at LIS can help them see bigger world and lead them to live a purpose driven life in Christ.
- I started tutoring four students after school. I would appreciate prayers especially for students who are struggling at school because of their learning disabilities or barrier with English. We would regularly meet to recap the lesson taught in class and to help with homework. Please also pray for me to have patience and good understanding.
- Please continue to pray for all of our team’s mission work in Cambodia! May God’s work be done and His name glorified as we work hard as Principal, Secondary school teachers and Bible study leaders, and in all other after school activities and village ministry.
Daniel:
- The month of January was very long and I feel energyless after each day. Please pray that we can find energy through Christ and work even harder in times of adversity.
January 2016
Grace:
Chanyang:
Daniel:
- Praise the Lord! Our team came back safely after our Christmas vacation and are ready to work. We thank God for giving us this much-needed time of rest and recharging. We are now ready to get back into school.
- We have several teachers taking maternity leave so we have new teachers who will start work this quarter. Please pray that all of the new teachers will get adjusted well to LIS and love their job :)
- Our team started the new year with praise and prayer, and through this time we felt God calling us to deepen our relationship with Him and also to seek His call in our lives. Please pray for us as we spend more time with God and grow our relationship with Him. May we be faithful as He is faithful.
- Please continue to pray for our staff Bible study on Wednesdays. On the first Wednesday of the month, Daniel leads a praise and prayer night. The rest of the Wednesdays, I lead a Bible study on Galatians. Please also pray for our Secondary school Bible studies for the boys (led by Teacher Kevin and Daniel) and the girls (led by Teacher Bronwyn and Chanyang). We pray that through these Bible studies, we can teach God’s Word and make disciples for Christ.
- Please pray as we start Quarter 2. There will be some major changes that I cannot reveal right now but I pray that everything will be according to His will. May God lead this school.
Chanyang:
- After two weeks of Christmas break, we are starting second quarter this Monday. Please pray for LIS staff and students. There are many changes every month for teachers and students to adjust and these things can stumble our hearts very easily. I pray that we would focus on God in this quarter firmly so whatever change we face, we can glorify God for this goodness. May God use this school as His tool for His kingdom.
- I praise and thank the Lord for our team. Please pray for our team as we do our best to be obedient in God’s calling here in Cambodia and in our future.
- Please continue to pray for the classes I teach. Though first quarter trained me to have better knowledge of being a teacher, I still need a lot of prayer. Pray for me to genuinely prepare the lesson and teach each of the students with loving heart.
Daniel:
- The new year has come and it is the beginning of our second quarter at LIS! There is already a lot of change with some teachers leaving and new teachers coming in. Please pray for greater unity even amidst these changes. I pray that I can be prayerfully supporting all the teachers and lifting them up with my words and actions.
- Please continue to pray for our students here. I pray that the students could get to know God through a genuine encounter with Him. Please pray that we can lead our students in the most christ-centered way and encourage them to know God themselves.
December 2015
Grace:
Chanyang:
Daniel:
- Praise the Lord! God is filling in the teaching positions little by little. We still need a Khmer teacher, primary school teacher and assistants, so please pray God will provide us with good teachers soon!
- We are nearing the end of the 1st Quarter of the school year. Please pray that the teachers will be able to wrap up their lessons, administer the exams, and finish the report cards this month. Please also pray for our students as they review what they learned this quarter and do their best on the exams.
- Please pray for our LIS Christmas program on December 18. In the morning, all of our classes will perform a song or dance. In the afternoon, our Secondary school students will perform a musical about the birth of Jesus. We pray that many parents and students will hear the Gospel through the program and realize the true meaning of Christmas.
- Please continue to pray for our staff Bible study on Wednesdays. On the first Wednesday of the month, Daniel leads a praise and prayer night. The rest of the Wednesdays, I lead a Bible study on Galatians. Please also pray for our Secondary school Bible studies for the boys (led by Teacher Kevin and Daniel) and the girls (led by Teacher Bronwyn and Chanyang). We pray that through these Bible studies, we can teach God’s Word and make disciples for Christ.
- Our team will be traveling for Christmas break (Dec 19-30). We have been carefully saving money and planning the trip on a tight budget, but we are very excited for this opportunity to travel around Southeast Asia. Please pray that we will have safe travels and rest well during this school break.
Chanyang:
- It is last month of 2015 and it is end of the first quarter. Each of us have many things to do within next two weeks, please pray for us to patiently teach and love students as we help them prepare for their end of quarter exams.
- Girls Bible Study started three weeks ago and we have more students come every week! Praise the Lord ! As we talk about the many lies young women believe in this world, I pray that the students would be set free from sin by putting their faith in the Truth.
- This Saturday, HJ and I are going to the portside village to have a Christmas party along with LIS teachers. We are hoping to do a skit, sing Christmas songs, play games, and eat lunch. Pray for the children’s heart to be ready to accept Jesus as their savior and for us to carefully share Jesus’ love.
- Please continue to pray for my daily submission to God’s words. I want my priority to be God’s ministry not my pleasure or my satisfaction.
Daniel:
- It is already the end of first quarter and that means it has already been 3 months since we moved to Sihanoukville. There has been many challenges in adjusting to this new environment and culture, but now I feel very comfortable being here. My prayer request is that I do not become too comfortable. I would like to deepen my relationships with my students and I do not want to feel complacent with what I have now. I pray that I will continually pray for God to strengthen me and provide me with the fire to humbly invest all my energy, love and time during my time here.
November 2015
Grace:
Chanyang:
Daniel:
- Praise the Lord! God provided us with much needed teachers within the first two weeks of school. So we were able to split the classes back into their normal sizes. We also had a couple of assistants and teachers hired throughout October to fill our needs. Thank God!
- We have several teachers who will be leaving due to personal reasons, maternity leave, and contracts ending in the next two months. Please pray that we will get new teachers as soon as possible. This is truly the most challenging part of my job. Finding teachers is beyond my ability; only God can send us teachers.
- Our team will be moving into new dorms in the LIS building. Basically we will be living in our workplace haha. Please pray that the move will go well and that our new rooms will be well-equipped and safe.
- We started our staff Bible study on Oct 21. Every Wednesday night we are meeting at LIS to study the book of Galatians. It’s been a blessing for me to study Galatians in order to prepare for this Bible study. Daniel is leading the praise & prayer night once a month for this Bible study also. Please pray that our teachers will be encouraged and strengthened through this time.
Chanyang:
- For my daily submission to His words: before coming here, I was excited to have my time with God without any distraction. However, the workload keeps me busy throughout and I am not physically up to it. I would get tired very easily and won't do anything when I am home. I barely get through the daily commitment of reading Bible and doing QT with the team.
- For new after school activities: I am thankful that God is slowly showing me how He wants to use me by putting burden on my heart to lead a Bible study. Most of the students here hear about Christianity, learn Bible and have chapel time, but they lack a community to help them grow. I see the need in two groups- Korean missionary kids and secondary students at LIS. Thankfully, guys Bible study group is starting this week and with another female teacher at school, we will start girls Bible study next week. We are not clear about what or how the Bible study will go, but we pray that this time would give the students to really open up about their faith and desire their lives to change. Please pray for guidance and wisdom in teachers who lead these Bible studies. Also, I am careful to start the Bible study for the missionary kids yet. I ask to pray with me that God uses my heart for serving in this specific need.
- Please continue to pray for the classes I teach: 7th grade math, pre-algebra, algebra, geometry and life science for secondary school students. Knowing my weakness as a teacher, I rely more and more on God’s guidance in everyday lessons. But I am not sure how I can teach or relate about Jesus’ love in class especially math classes… and this sometimes makes me question why I am in Cambodia. It is hard for me to see how God is working in my classroom, and in this school through me. Please pray for me to find joy in teaching and for my students to find joy in learning~
Daniel:
- I started to coach the secondary school soccer team and at times I have felt very proud of my kids, but I have also felt very disappointed. I realize that they just come out to practice when they feel like it and they have lied to be about their reasons of not showing up. I pray that I can be a good example for my kids and encourage them to not give up so easily or try to find ways out from tasks.
- We have started Wednesday night staff bible study led by Grace and I have the opportunity to lead praise during this time. Already, I feel much more at peace being able to worship God and meet God during this time. My prayer is that this time could continue to be blessed by God’s hand and that this time could be unifying time for the staff at LIS.
- I would also like to continue to ask for prayer over my 9th grade students, who are my homeroom students as well. I have just gotten to know them, but I really feel the need to be a good Christian brother to them. I came here as a teacher, but I think that establish a spiritual brother/mentor relationship would be awesome. I say this especially because the majority of the students in this grade are boys.
October 2015
Grace:
Chanyang:
Daniel:
- Praise the Lord the school year started well. It was not ideal since we do not have all of our teachers, however thanks to all of our hard-working teachers who were willing to help out as much as possible, all of our students were able to attend classes. Please pray for our teachers who are teaching 35-45 students in one class, teachers who are teaching without any assistants, teachers who are new at teaching. All of our current teachers really need your prayers for wisdom, strength, and patience.
- Please pray that we will get new teachers as soon as possible. We need teachers for Grade 2 and 3 most urgently. We also need assistants for preschool and our large primary school classes. This is truly the most challenging part of my job. Finding teachers is beyond my ability; only God can send us teachers.
- Praise God that none of us are sick. All three of us are healthy and don’t even have stomach problems. This is truly by the grace of God. Please pray that we will continue to be healthy because none of us can afford to be sick at school.
- I feel God calling me to lead a staff Bible study this year, and I also have the desire to do so. But at the same time, I feel hesitant on whether I can do this well, on top of my other school duties. Please pray that God will give me the strength and wisdom to do this and also help me to manage all of my other duties too
Chanyang:
- For the classes I teach: i am teaching 7th grade math, pre-algebra, algebra, geometry and life science for secondary school students. Thankfully my students are cooperative and enthusiastic but, i struggle with every element as a teacher especially adjusting my lessons to different levels of each student. Most of students come with various education backgrounds. Pray for wisdom, patience and loving heart as I teach and prepare my lessons.
- For my daily life to be tunnel of Jesus' love: Before coming to Cambodia, I heard how the students and young Christians need a good example of Christians. I have been praying and seeking to see how God can use me. But currently i get tired easily just with teaching and preparing for school. I want to ask you to pray for my physical strength and ability to serve where I am needed.
- For the relationships I form: missionaries, volunteers, and staff at LIS are very friendly and I feel much honored that I could meet these humble godly people. I want the relationship I build in this community is encouraging and pleasing in God's eyes.
- For our team: Grace, HJ, and I started our 1-year Bible reading and daily QT devotion. We also make sure that each other is taking good care of the health. Pray for our spiritual and physical health so we can enjoy every day of our ministry.
Daniel:
- There are a lot of ministries that are here to get involved with on LIS campus. My prayer request is that God uses my heart for serving his kingdom by using me for the ministry he has planned for me. Two specific ways I could see God using me would be through the Life English Worship Service praise team and the LIS soccer team. I ask for prayer so that God can go forward and prepare me for those ministries at LIS.
- I feel like I am becoming spiritually dry. It has become very hard to make time for QT and bible reading. Our team has committed to reading the bible daily and doing QTs, but I am really struggling keeping up with this already. I know God will definitely use this commitment to strengthen my walk with Christ, but I’m having trouble balancing this time with God with my time allotted to preparing for school and teaching.
- I would also like to ask for prayer over my 9th grade students, who are my homeroom students as well. I have just gotten to know them, but I really feel the need to be a good Christian brother to them. I came here as a teacher, but I think that establish a spiritual brother/mentor relationship would be awesome. I say this especially because the majority of the students in this grade are boys.
May 2015
Grace:
Sarah:
Sally:
Esther:
- It is the end of the 3rd quarter, so it’s exams and report cards time again! Hopefully it is getting easier for the teachers, but I still want to find a way to make it more efficient. Please pray that God will give our teachers the wisdom and time management skills to get all of their work done on time.
- By the time these prayer requests are uploaded, the Life Campus Retreat would’ve ended (May 1-3), but please pray that everyone who attended (all Life University staff and students, Life Schools’ teachers, and LIS teachers) was touched by the Gospel and would be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim 2:1).
- One of our Kindergarten teachers is going home to South Africa to attend her daughter’s wedding. Please pray that she will be able to take care of all of her business in South Africa and return to LIS safely by the end of the month. And pray for her substitute teacher who will be leading the class during her absence.
- We only have three months left in Cambodia. While so many of our friends and family are excited to see us again, we are very torn at the thought of leaving Cambodia. We love this place so much, made such good relationships with the people here, and really poured out our hearts for this school. To leave all of this behind will be very difficult. So please pray for our team as we slowly wrap up our one year mission trip here and head back home.
- As for me, I am in prayer about my future and return to Cambodia. I need wisdom to see and think clearly. “We can make our plans; but the Lord determines our steps” Prov. 16:9 May God’s will be done!
Sarah:
- Just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse, exams start again next week for the quarter! yay! ha.ha.ha. I will say these exams and report cards are always a struggle, but I learn something new every time. For instance: time management. I can’t tell you how essential this is around this time of the year, but every time, I always find myself distracted by something or someone. I do learn how to be better at it every time, but I can’t say I’m giving it my all. Please continually help me with a word of prayer for time management for making these exams, report cards, and even just planning for my classes.
- I’ve encountered several instances when I had to really seek for God’s wisdom. A lot of times students come up to me with issues that even I can’t find the answers to, such as understanding how to love yourself. Even I have a hard time with this, so it’s even harder to explain to the students how they can learn to love themselves. Listening to these kids’ daily struggles definitely helps me reflect and rely more on God for His wisdom and His presence. So, please do continue to pray for me on counseling my students.
- I haven’t talked about this with anyone back at home, but just recently I discovered that some of the children we see and teach during Sunday school or being abused are coming from horrifying and broken homes. I knew that these kids didn’t come from a very good environment, but it didn’t hit me as hard as it did yesterday. When we were praying during service, my heart just broke. Jesus literally broke my heart for what broke His and tears just kept streaming down my face. For once, since the first day we started teaching Sunday school, I felt a burning passion for these children and the desire for them to meet Christ. Please help me pray for these children and help them see the love that we give them is not just from us, but from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Sally:
- It’s that time again: EXAM TIME! haha even though it is a continuous prayer, it is needed all the time: please pray for our students and our teachers. Please pray for our students to study hard and to study smart. Please pray for our teachers to receive wisdom from God to review all the 3rd quarter materials wisely and effectively. I really don’t want our students to just memorize the material for the exam but rather I want them to really absorb what they learn in school and expand their knowledge.
- Second, please pray for our team. We have exactly 3 months left before we leave Cambodia, and we all have torn feelings about leaving. We are heartbroken whenever we think about our departure date, but at the same time we are excited to go back home and see our family and friends. So please pray that in all things we keep looking at Jesus and seek Jesus in our remaining time here. I hope that we will not waste precious time here nor will we rush and do things without God’s wisdom.
- Third, please pray for Cambodia. As time is passing by, I am learning more and more about the beauty of Cambodia but also the overwhelming sadness in the streets of Cambodia. Many people still hold onto their Buddhist traditions and it really does affect their thinking and lifestyle. I see it in the homes of families and how there is no light of Jesus Christ in the homes or in the streets. Please pray for this nation, that it will change from the inside out and from the top to the bottom.
- Lastly, please pray for me in seeking God’s Will for when I return back to America. God has been showing me carefully what He wants me to study in graduate school and even possibly what He wants me to do after graduate school. Please pray for me to continue to seek His Will and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit speaking to me.
Esther:
- Wow! I am continuously shocked at how quickly time passes by. We only have three more months in Cambodia and I have mixed feelings about thinking about returning back home. I hope that these last three months would not be wasted and that we would all use our time wisely. Time is so short… and I pray that we would spend that time in a way that would glorify God. Please pray that we would manage our time wisely.
- I think that lately I have been attacked emotionally and physically. I found that even the smallest incidents triggered unpleasant emotions inside of me and caused me to become more easily frustrated or upset. As a teacher and ambassador of Christ, it is so important to be a good role model for the students… and I really want to make sure that my life is a reflection of Christ and my identity in Him. Please pray that I would seek wisdom from Him and not be someone who is easily angered/upset and that I would continue to be strong in the Lord (both emotionally and physically).
- Please also pray that I would be able to prepare for exam time. We recently finished a three day retreat (on campus) and we did not have much time (or any) to prepare for our final exams. I pray that we would be prepared and use this week to review with our students and to finish preparing for exam week… I don’t want for us to be discouraged during exam time. Thank you all so much for thinking about us and praying for all of us. I am always very thankful to have such awesome brothers and sisters in Christ who are looking out for us and giving us encouragement in what we are doing. I am also praying for you all and if you have any prayer requests, please shoot me a message!!
March 2015
Grace:
Sarah:
Sally:
Esther:
- Thank you for praying for our final exams and report cards. It was a lot of work, but many teachers did say it was easier than last quarter, so praise the Lord! Please pray that I will continue to find ways to improve the process of making report cards so that it will be efficient and smooth for everyone.
- Although we haven’t found a permanent teacher to replace the one who left in December, we have many teachers filling in the position, me included. I am now teaching 8th grade English class. I love teaching them, but like my LU night class, it is an added responsibility on top of my work load. So please pray for wisdom and time management skills for me to do a good job in teaching them.
- Thank you for praying for the hiring of new teachers. I’ve found some great teachers and I’m praying that everything will work out and that they will come to LIS this Sept. I will be talking to our current teachers to see who is staying and leaving this month. Please continue to pray for this! This is all in preparation for the new school year.
- Life University spring semester has started so I began teaching my English night classes again. I moved the class from Monday nights to Thursday nights, so that should help me a lot. Also I separated the vocabulary quizzes to be taken on a separate day instead of on Thursdays because it took up so much class time. Please pray that these adjustments will improve the quality of the class and also help me manage my duties better.
Sarah:
- Report cards for second quarter are finished!!! I’m so thankful that we were able to finish and pass them out on time! It was seriously only through God that we were able to manage our time wisely and hand out every single one of them. I know it’s only second quarter, but I hope it continues to run smoothly throughout the year!
- Speaking of time management, that’s something I need prayers for this month! I know every month our team makes mission videos for everyone to see, but it’s sometimes difficult to make. I think the main reason why is because of time management. I feel like I could spend my time wisely with school work and the video, but I think my motivation is at the wrong place. Please help me by praying for time management on our videos and school work!
- Please continue to pray for me on counseling my students! There were several instances in the past where I jumped into conclusions instead of understanding the situation from both sides. When the problem could be resolved a lot faster, I feel like because I don’t put God’s wisdom first it takes a lot longer. I need his wisdom and guidance more than anything.
- I also need to pray for trust. Even though I pray for His wisdom and guidance, if I don’t believe that He will and can do it, His answers to my prayer request won’t be as clear. When He helps me, and I don’t trust that He answers my prayers, then how can I root the work that He has done back to Him? I trust in God, but I need to trust Him more.
Sally:
- It's crazy to think that we have been in Cambodia for 6 months now! Praise God for protecting us and for watching over us this whole time and for even all the times we aren't even aware of! I have learned a lot from the first 2 quarters so for this 3rd quarter I am excited to keep making my classroom better and to determined to teach better. But I need a lot of motivation since I am in a midway slump. Please pray that I will keep being motivated for God and remember my first emotion when I first started teaching: the excitement and determination of a newbie teacher hahaha
- My second prayer request is for all of our health. We have been facing a lot more health complications here and we need everyone's prayers that we all stay healthy because it really is so hard to teach when we are sick. But I also know that God is glorified even more through our weaknesses so please join us in prayer that we may be healthy and well but even when we are sick that God will use that for His Glory.
- I have been learning a lot about Cambodia and its people and just how different I have grown up from my brothers and sisters here. I don't want to be desensitized to what I see around me but instead I want to keep my eyes open and my ears open and my spirit alert to the Holy Spirit inside of me. Please pray for me to be spiritually aware and to remember always that I am an ambassador of Christ.
- Lastly, please pray for me to continually seek God and His Presence everywhere and all the time. If He wants me to go, I will go. If He wants me to stay, I will stay. Please pray that I will be obedient to Him and do His Will.
Esther:
- I’m so thankful that we have survived and powered through both first and second quarter! Please pray that we would be more prepared and motivated to begin our third quarter and to have the strength to do our best. The transition into the new a quarter has been a lot smoother than the past quarters. Please pray that we would continue to do well.
- Starting last Tuesday, I have decided to join our school’s new track and field club. We meet every Tuesday after school from 3:30 - 4:30. This is not significant news or anything, but I’m nervous to start running with the students… because I’ve never participated in anything like this before. Even if I fail to deliver as an instructor, please pray that I would still be the best role model I can for the students. I hope to be a spiritual leader for the students and to be able to give constructive moral support.
- For my last prayer request, I pray that we would all be challenged to be true ambassadors of Christ. I’m learning every day what it means to live for Christ, represent Him, and to allow Him to speak through me. To be honest, this process has been brutal at times… and I’ve hit many points when I wanted to drop everything and run away, but that’s all part of growing and learning, right? :) I pray that we would all be encouraged to keep fighting this battle even when we feel we’ve hit rock bottom.
February 2015
Grace:
Sarah:
Sally:
Esther:
- Starting this new year, my team has decided to challenge ourselves by meeting at 6:45am every weekday to do our QTs. So far, it’s been going well and everyone has been attending. I’m very proud of the team, but we want to continue this until we go back home. We’re reading through the Bible (we’re in Psalms now) and learning a lot through Sally’s teaching. I hope that we will all be more spiritually disciplined and mature by the end of this mission trip!
- The end of 2nd quarter is already upon us. The last week of Feb is our quarter exams. Please pray for wisdom and strength as the LIS teachers prepare their quarter exams and report cards. This is our second time doing them, so hopefully it will go by more smoothly.
- Thank you for praying for the hiring of new teachers. I’ve found some great teachers and I’m praying that everything will work out and that they will come to LIS this Sept. I still need to talk to our current teachers to see who is staying and leaving. Please continue to pray for this!
- After thinking about it carefully, I have decided to continue to teach the university class. I love them too much to not continue. They are all hard-working students and they deserve every opportunity to learn more English. I believe my life calling is to provide good English education to students whose first language is not English so that they can be better equipped to accomplish their dream. So in obedience to that calling, I will continue to teach the English class for the spring semester. Please pray for wisdom and time-management skills.
Sarah:
- One thing I really need prayer for this month is wisdom. I’ve been having some difficulties handling situations because I have no idea what to do. It’s a constant struggle. One of them is loving my brothers and sisters in Christ. Not saying that I don’t! It’s just when I get upset about things, I have no idea how to approach them and the last thing I want is situation exploding into something bigger and worse haha
- Going off of the prayer request for wisdom, I need a lot of help with counseling my students. Now that I’m working with secondary school students, I have to handle different problems. When I was working with kindergarteners, the problems were a lot lighter and could be solved by just saying sorry. With the older kids, the problems are a lot deeper and difficult to understand. Sometimes I don’t know how to explain to them why this was wrong or why it was inappropriate. I sometimes don’t know how to respond to the things that happen without jumping into conclusions.
Sally:
- Teaching my students has become more and more fun for me now, After almost 5 months of being with them and building relationships with them, I feel more comfortable around my students and even so attached to them (calling them my babies). Although not every day is a perfect day as a teacher for me, I am thankful I at least get to share God's love with them and my prayer request is that I will continue to do so, even when (especially when) I am frustrated and lethargic.
- Our team has begun to have Quiet Time every morning at 6:45am and it's been such a big help spiritually to start off my busy day with Jesus. Please pray that we will continue to diligently meet every morning on time and really synch our minds, heart, soul, and spirit with the LORD's.
- I have started studying for the GRE's for when I return back to America. Please pray that I will be able to set aside time to study and to prepare well for the GRE's, but above all seek God's Will in all my preparations and studies.
Esther:
- These past couple of weeks have been filled with challenges for me… I’ve struggled a lot and I have felt very overwhelmed by…. life. As someone who is unexperienced with teaching, I’ve had a lot of personal struggles with figuring out how to be a teacher and how to effectively teach my students. One of my biggest fears is finishing the school year and realizing that my students have not retained anything that I taught them… Please pray that I would have more confidence in teaching my students and rely on God to fill for what I lack and know that He will guide me.
- We are almost finished with our 5th month! I never imagined we would get this far… God continues to amaze me with His faithfulness even when I make (and made) many mistakes. I pray that I would have the strength to give it my all during these next 6 months. I know there will be times when I want to give up.. and I already had plenty times when I wanted to… but I also know that God will help me to grow stronger through those experiences. :)
- Please keep our health your prayers. Thankfully, none of us have become severely ill and I really hope that none of us will. God has blessed us with good health and I pray that we would have a strong body to withstand any sickness.
- To be honest, I’ve been struggling to stay organized… personally and professionally. I thought I was an organized person, but teaching has school has proven otherwise. Please pray that I would be wise with how I organize as a teacher and with my personal life. It’s also easy to let outside factors distract me while teaching, so please pray that I would come to trust God full heartedly. Your prayers really do mean so much. It is such a blessing to know that there are people who are thinking of our team and praying for us all!!
January 2015
Grace:
Sarah:
Sally:
Esther:
- It’s already been 4 months since we’ve been in Cambodia. It seems like time flew by. There were many challenges that I faced personally and also at work. But through it all I was able to learn to rely on God only and seek the peace that only He can give. Some of the challenges still exist right now, so it’s a daily struggle, but I’m enjoying this relationship I have with God and hope to deepen it throughout this year.
- According to the agenda and timeline I set for myself, this 2nd quarter at LIS will be focused on setting up the middle school. The curriculum needs to be adjusted in order to comply with the Cambodian Ministry of Education standards. Please pray for wisdom as I choose textbooks and work on setting up a more logical and organized curriculum for the middle school.
- It’s never too early to start recruiting teachers for the new school year. Please pray that God will send the right teachers for LIS this upcoming fall. I would love to see LIS filled with good Christian educators who truly have the heart to teach here in Cambodia.
- Please continue to pray for my university English class. I love teaching them but I’m always pressed for time. Preparing my lessons and assessments while working my job at LIS is still a great challenge.
Sarah:
- It’s finally 2015! Thank you so much for all your prayers! I know I say this every month, but I can definitely feel the Holy Spirit working through us. His presence is a lot stronger BECAUSE of all of your prayers. Praise the Lord that we haven’t had any accidents or major problems up until now. I honestly believe that’s because God is sovereign over our lives here in Cambodia and because of your prayers. Please continue to pray for our safety and health!
- I am finally going to start teaching my new classes this coming Thursday! I’m excited but I’m also a little worried :( I’m not really worried about teaching, but just classroom management. Please pray for me to receive wisdom from God to guide me throughout the day.
- Every day being here, I have heard many prayer requests from brothers and sisters in our community. Many of them say ask for prayer requests for their family, health problems, and sometimes about school (such as financial problems, grades, etc.). There’s so many that I can’t list every single one of them on here, but I just want to ask a prayer request for these brothers and sisters.
Sally:
- Happy New Year everyone! 2014 was a great year and I am looking forward to what God has in store for the year 2015! As we return to school this Thursday, I am starting to get worried again about teaching. My biggest challenge is effectively teaching Language Arts to my students, especially since we are at an International School. Please pray for me that I will earnestly seek God's Wisdom and Knowledge and that I will be able to teach my students well.
- My 2015 New Year's Resolution is to really evaluate my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Lately I have found myself habitually praying and reading the Bible and although it's not bad, I don't want to be lukewarm. I want to have a burning passion for my Lord Jesus Christ every single day. Please pray for me and help keep me accountable in that I will invite Jesus into all my daily activities and that I will have my Quiet Time with God eagerly and joyfully.
- I also ask you to pray for all of our health. Please pray that we will be healthy and not hurt so that we will not be hindered in serving God and our community here.
- Lastly, I ask that you pray for me in knowing God's Will for me after Cambodia. I am so happy I get to spend the first half of 2015 in Cambodia. But for the rest of 2015, well OGK (Only God Knows) - a saying the missionaries say here a lot haha. Please pray that I will be attentive and obedient to the Holy Spirit as He guides my footsteps.
Esther:
- My biggest prayer request would be for my health.Thank you for all those who have been praying over my coughing. I think my coughing has gone down a lot but I still struggle to breathe properly or talk without going into a random fit of coughing. I think it has a lot to do with the dust in the air…. Please pray that I would no longer have a coughing problem.
- The new school year starts on January 8!! Although I am excited to resume teaching, I am also feeling some anxiety. Please pray that I would trust in God fully and know that He will guide me every step of the way. I feel that I lack so much and it is hard not to let negative thoughts get to me at times.
- The English Ministry (Life English Service) has started a new Sunday school program that began in December. On top of teaching at LIS, we (Sally, Sarah, and I) also have responsibilities as Sunday school teachers. Please pray that we would be able to manage our time wisely and prepare for our Sunday lessons with willing, loving, and serving hearts.
- Lastly, I ask for prayer over my relationship with Christ. It’s so easy for me to become lukewarm and be in a comfortable place, but I always want to be challenged and continuously seek after Him and be sensitive to the Spirit and His word. I know this can’t happen overnight or right at the start of the new year… it’s always going to be a daily struggle, but it’s a struggle I want to have and to desire to overcome.
December 2014
Grace Choi
Sarah Park
Sally Han
Esther Yoo
- It is already the end of the 1st Quarter! That means final exams and report cards for us! Please pray that all of the students will study diligently for their exams. Pray that the teachers will calculate 1st quarter grades and write thoughtful comments about their students’ progress to put in the report cards.
- Pray for wisdom and time management skills as I review every exam and report card before they are given out.
- LIS is preparing a huge Christmas Program. It is an all-day program for all of our students from preschool to middle school. There will be performances, gifts, and the Gospel presentation. Please pray that everything will go smoothly and the students will understand the real meaning of Christmas :)
- Teaching the university class continues to be a big challenge and responsibility. Please pray for wisdom to discern what to teach and how to teach it to these university students. They are diverse in English levels and work ethic. I want all of them to enjoy the class and learn practical English skills that will help them in their university studies and in their everyday life.
- Although this is not my first time away from home for Christmas, I know I will miss my family back at home. So I can imagine how much my team members will miss their family and friends this Christmas season. Please pray that they will not get too homesick and that we will be able to enjoy Christmas together as a team!
Sarah Park
- First quarter is FINALLY coming to an end haha. I know I’m veryyy inexperienced, but I definitely think things went a lot smoother than I expected (thank you to all your prayers). As I mentioned last month, I’ve decided to leave teaching Kindergarten and become the homeroom teacher for 9-10th grade and head teacher of electives. I honestly can say that I could’ve been a better teacher to my students, but I still have 2 weeks left to be with them. Please please pray for me so that the last 2 weeks I spend with my kids will be enough time to make up for what I couldn’t give them this quarter.
- Since the quarter is about to end, we have to wrap up with exams and grades/report cards. I really worry about my kids passing the exams, because if they fail, I feel like I’ll blame myself for not teaching them well. Which I know I shouldn’t, and I hope I won’t haha. but please help me prepare my students for these exams with your encouraging prayers!
- To be honest, I haven’t been very good with my quiet time and even praying when I really really need Him. I can tell it’s starting to affect me, because I’m starting to worry a lot more and finding it harder to trust that God can and will handle everything. For my prayer request, please pray for me to find a way to balance my life with God.
Sally Han
- As we begin the new month of December, we are finishing up the 1st Quarter of the school year. Wow! Time has flown by so fast, it seems like. Please pray that our students will study wisely for their exams (Dec. 3-5) and we, as teachers, will grade the exams wisely.
- Right after the 1st Quarter Exams, we begin the second quarter immediately. Please pray that I can learn from my mistakes and prepare for a better quarter for my students.
- Every day I am learning what it means to love with God’s love. I have been learning lately that when I ask God to give me His Love, He gives me opportunities and experiences to learn about His Love and how to share it. He does not just give it to me; He allows me to be refined first. Please pray for me that I will ask God and receive His Wisdom in being able to see how God is showing me how to love.
- As this is the month we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, please pray that I will hold on to Jesus Christ every day and moment, remember what Jesus has done for me and for the whole world, and share that Great News with everyone around me, especially to my students!
- Lastly, as I am away from my family and friends and church, I miss them (you) a lot. It is my (and our team’s) first Christmas away from home. Please pray that even though we are in a different country we may celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth altogether in heart and in Spirit.
Esther Yoo
- I recently found out that I need to start paying for my student loans.. Since I am out of school now, my grace period has ended so I need to start paying. It’s not a huge concern right now, but I pray that it won’t become a worry or a concern.
- Please pray for our team’s safety for our winter holiday break. We will be traveling outside the country to Singapore and Bangkok. I pray that we would be able to have great fellowship and travel safely without any problems.
- All of LIS will have final exam week from December 3 - 5. Please pray that those exam days would go by smoothly. I pray that the students would not be stressed during that week.
- I also pray for renewed motivation for the new quarter that will begin on December 8th. Please pray that I would be encouraged and more organized when teaching and discipling.
November 2014
Grace Choi
Sarah Park
Sally Han
Esther Yoo
- As the school year progresses, I am dealing with new student and teacher issues every day. Please pray that God will give me wisdom to handle these issues well.
- Pastor Park Wonchul who has been our huge support and help will be leaving for Korea mid-Nov to welcome his fourth child. For the first time, we will really be alone. However the Korean missionaries here have really embraced us and the LIS teachers also provide a great community. So it shouldn’t be too bad; but we will really miss him and his family :( Please pray that Mrs. Park will have a safe delivery!
- My back, which has been hurting since my car accident in January, has gotten worse in Cambodia. I should’ve taken better care of it but it is becoming more painful. Please pray for healing and that I will exercise regularly and try not to sit for long periods of time.
- Teaching the Life University students has been a blessing but also a great responsibility. I want to be able to teach them effectively for this one academic year but without proper textbooks and curriculum I’m not sure how much I can accomplish. Please pray that I will do my best to provide them with the best lessons so that they will learn a lot of English and use it well.
- We are planning on going to Siem Reap to visit brother Chanthan and sister Sienglai’s church and ministry. The last time I visited them was in 2009 on summer missions. Please pray that we will have a safe trip (12 hour bus ride!) and a blessed time with them.
Sarah Park
- A teacher from our school is leaving soon, and our school needs a new teacher to take her place. I was asked to fill in her place, but I wasn’t sure whether or not it would be good for my students to get a new teacher in the middle of the year. Most importantly, I wasn’t sure if this was something God wanted. After praying and meditating on what God was trying to tell me, I’ve decided to fill in the teacher’s place. Which means, starting from second semester, I will be the homeroom teacher of 9-10th graders; the library, music/choir, art, and health class teacher. Please pray for a smooth transition for me and especially for my Kindergarten class as they adjust to their studies with a new teacher.
- I find it still find myself having difficulties with being obedient towards God. Please pray for this to help me throughout this year.
- I find myself losing motivated in a lot of stuff and losing spirit in a lot of things for my class. I want what’s best for these kids, and there’s no way I could give them that by just standing still. Please pray for me to find motivation and especially patience through God for my students.
- I know they’re young, but I want these kids to understand what Jesus’ love means. Please continually pray for these children to be filled with wisdom so that they could experience His love, and if they’ve never accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, for them to meet Him one day.
Sally Han
- After visiting Angkor Wat, I am reminded of how influential Buddhism is in Cambodia. Please pray that God will heal this land and its people. Please pray the people of Cambodia will turn to God and only God and taste and see the Salvation that comes from Jesus Christ.
- A day goes by so fast here when teaching young students. Please pray for me that I will not let the day go by without really showing God's Love - meaning loving my students even when I am frustrated and exhausted.
- Please pray that I will have wisdom from God in everything I do: even for the smallest things. I need His Wisdom for everything!
Esther Yoo
- It’s so easy to want to give up and sometimes I would get a random feeling of wanting to give up… but I realize that I get those thoughts when I lose my focus on Him. Pray that I would have a heart that is strong in the Lord and to be rooted in the Holy Spirit to help me stay on track.
- Please pray that I would have wisdom to help me be a better teacher, missionary, and role model. I have 22 students in my class that are with me almost daily… and I want to be someone who they can look up to.
- In terms of health, I’ve had a coughing problem for a little over a month now. The cough comes and goes randomly. Please pray that I would no longer cough… it has made me feel physically weaker and has woken me up some nights. :(
- I also ask that I would have wisdom in discipling my students. I want to be able to discipline in a way that is with love and gentleness…
October 2014
Grace Choi
- The new school started off very smoothly. All of the teachers and parents complimented on how well organized it was and that they are proud of LIS. Praise the Lord!
- Another blessing is the LIS cafeteria food. We have American style breakfast and lunch being served so our team members are well taken care of! Thank God!
- I’ve been losing my appetite and not eating much because of the workload, but thankfully my appetite came back and I am eating healthily. Please pray that I will continue to eat all my meals and take care of my health.
- My mom, who stayed with us from the beginning, will be leaving on Oct 14. She has been such a huge support to me and the girls. We will really miss her presence and care. Please pray we can survive without her and that she will get back home safely.
- The Korean cook who made the Korean food in the dorm cafeteria is leaving for about 2 months. Please pray that we can still have food provided for our dinners. Or else, we will have to cook and eat on our own.
- I’ve decided to teach the Life University Dept of Theology “English in Ministry” course starting on Oct 6. It will be a 2 hour class on Monday nights. Please pray that I will use my time wisely and prepare well for the class
- It’s been only a week, and I already came to know a lot about my students. At first, I questioned a lot about how I could help these children or how I could direct these children to a path that God would rejoice in, but I realized that it was not my doing to guide them, but it was and still is God. I want to pray for trust and obedience for God as His hands are put to work this year.
- After school started, I’ve come to love these children sooooo much. It gives me motivation to work even harder for these kids, but it worries me that sometimes I feel like I lack in the gift of teaching. I want to pray for that mindset to never let me down and continually put my all in everything I do for my class, but most importantly, for God.
- Even though it’s hard to manage the classroom, I continually pray for God to fill me with His presence so these children can see not just me, but how much Jesus loves them. I want to pray for them to see God all in the end.
- I can’t tell you guys how thankful I am for your prayers. I can definitely feel and actually see the Holy Spirit working through us and all around us. It’s empowering and it gives me so much hope.
- We finished our first week of school! I would like to thank God for being with us and for allowing us to see Him working in us and in our school.
- There is this unexplainable love for my students, whom I have just met, that I never have experienced before and I absolutely love it. I know it is completely by the grace of God who loves to shower His love on these children. I pray that I will be obedient in being His vessel of Love to His precious children.
- I pray for the wisdom of our Lord Jesus Christ to discern what is holy and what is worldly when teaching my students.
- Please pray that I will be able to motivate and encourage my students to learn and to dream big for God and for their nation.
- Lastly, please pray that I will remember to tell each and every one of my students at least once a day that Jesus loves them.
- I have had such an awesome first week of school, but I also encountered a few hardships. Please pray that I would have wisdom to discipline in a way that is loving yet firm. I want to be able to show my kids that I discipline because I love and care for them.
- I’ve had a few moments of stress, but God has truly helped me out of those times. I really appreciate all of you who have been praying for me and encouraging me. I know that through prayer and reliance on God, I will be okay! Please pray that I would have strength to overcome negative thoughts and wholeheartedly trust in God.
- In my class, I have an awesome teacher assistant who has really helped me through my first week of school. I want to be able to maintain a great relationship with her and get through this year together as both co workers and sisters in Christ. Please pray that we would have good communication and be able to work together in love, patience, and understanding. I know that at times that it will be extremely difficult, but God has shown me that nothing is impossible to get through!!
- Please pray that I would be the best Christian role model for my kids. I know my patience will be (and has been) tested… but even so, I want to show them Christ’s love and be a light onto them.
- Please pray that I would have a heart that would be open and wide. It can be difficult to be understanding and loving all the time… but I can try to be the best that I can be so that I can grow as a Christian and as a leader.
September 2014
Grace Choi
- As the principal of Preschool through Grade 10, there is a lot of work to be done. I will need wisdom to discern my duties and priorities.
- I might have to teach university level English courses in the Theology Dept. Please pray for wisdom and time management skills.
- There is a retreat for all faculty and staff of all Life University and Schools on Sept. 15-16. Please pray that we will bond well.
- The first day of school is Sept. 29. We need to have curriculum, textbooks, schedule, and teachers finalized by then.
Sally Han
- To wake up early before my day starts to spend quiet time with God.
- To manage my time well despite electricity and wifi outages.
- To pray for and encourage my team members and also my supporters back home.
Sarah Park
- Health (there were some stomach problems)
- Focus and keep my mind on what God has called me to do and not what I wish to do.
- Patience… I’ve been struggling with understanding things that were outside of my own perspective.
- To ready my heart and spirit for the plans He has in store for us
Esther Yoo
- To not be let down by negative thoughts, stress, or worries.
- To try to prepare physically and mentally as much as possible before the school year starts. I will be teaching a lower level first grade class starting September 29.
- Be a light onto the students that I teach and not fall even when things do not go smoothly. It’s easier to say I can love, but it’s much harder to put it into action through everything that will happen in the classroom.
- To not only be loving to the students, but also to my co-workers, staff members, and other missionaries living with me. It takes a lot of discipline to act in love and be loving especially if misunderstands arise.
August
2014Grace Choi
- Share God's love with the students, teachers, staff, and parents
- Be a good Christian leader
- Take care of the team members
- Manage stress and worries wisely
Sally Han
- Never be afraid or worry but instead be bold in the LORD
- Be open-minded to the Cambodian people and culture
- Meditate daily on God's love and be filled with the Holy Spirit
- Always work hard as if I am working for the LORD
Sarah Park
- For my safety and health, especially dehydration
- To trust God with everything we leave back at home
- Letting go to let God do His work through me
Esther Yoo
- Share Christ's love to everyone I encounter
- Allow the Spirit to work powerfully in me and through me
- Be a leader inside and outside the classroom
- Think before acting in all situations
Team Prayer Requests:
- Spiritually Strong: Rely on the Holy Spirit and don’t worry. Pursue intimacy with God on a daily basis. Grow together spiritually
- Team Unity: Communicate openly. Encourage each other. Pray for one another
- Physical Strength: Be healthy and safe from sickness or harm
- Safe travels: Have a safe flight to Korea on Aug 21 and then to Cambodia on Aug 28