Before Joshua could establish God’s kingdom in the Promised Land he had destroy the enemies strongholds. Battles easily won are shortly remembered. Perseverance can be hard to muster when you are constantly bombarded with the constant question: “When does the, ‘Good News’ arrive?” 2022 has been a year of challenge. First, no fertilizers, then, no pesticides and the diesel fuel doubles in price. Next, it rained during the end of the dry season and the rain stops in what should be the rainy season. Finally, the rivers run dry during the crucial reproductive stage of the rice plant, and we have to stop irrigation, then …  

In the Bible Jesus talks about counting the cost before you go to war. (Luke 14:28) But, some wars are forced upon you. Did you ever begin to restore a vehicle or remodel a house out of necessity, thinking all it needed was some minor repairs and a coat of paint, only to discover it was totally shot? You find yourself over your head! You have too much invested to quit, but not enough money left to complete it? Well, welcome to our “Rice Mill”! What began with just the replacement of a few bucket elevators and a new shaker box has …  

Why did Jesus come to the earth? Most Christians would immediately respond, “To save our souls”! But, I submit that it is a major part of a bigger package. Jesus Himself proclaimed in Luke 19:10 “for the Son of man has come to seek and save that which was lost.” And, John sums this up in 1 John 3:8b, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” Obviously, more was lost in the Garden of Eden than our souls. FCOP pastors and church members have cast out thousands of demons …  

Most of the young people on our FCOP staff were too young to remember the PolPot regime, however the effects of that time remain tangible today. In the 1970s, 80s, and even early 90s, the Cambodian people learned to live off of the land and became the ultimate survivalists. As the central government was dismantled, the people learned to eat anything and everything; oftentimes making tools from very unlikely sources. Since protein is essential to one’s survival and a balanced diet, Cambodians have learned to consume protein from every possible source. It’s not uncommon, even in the capital of Cambodia, Phnom …  

  We’re looking for a good crop on the rice we had protected from flood. The Thing is we need 400 hectares (1000 acres) of protected land producing 3 crops per year, and that takes a grant of $1,500,000 to develop. Why Rice? Why this big push to develop the farm? Good questions. Common Questions. It has to do with the transition of leadership. How do Sou and I replace ourselves? That’s more than a rhetorical question when you are 70 years old and have been at the helm of a rapidly growing work for 18 years. We have a …  

I’d say, “This kid could talk a mouse into boarding a cat bus!” When do you give up on people? There are times when they need to be isolated (incarcerated ) for public safety, or you may have to avoid them, or remove them from your presence, due to harm they can cause, but really? I guess the answer is, “Never!” An orphan boy we found in the garbage, diagnosed by doctors as too malnourished to ever learn or ever walk, has certainly tested us. Nazareth has been in jail, rehab centers, stolen car batteries, cell phones, money, even stole his …  

Things do go wrong! Two pastors at Church/Homes decided to take off with with monthly home support in the last 60 days, one to pay off bad debts, and the other to take off with new wife. We’d like to think we’re above that, but though people will always give you a reason to be disappointed, they also every reason to hope! Sou went to Preah Vihear province to “Clean up Dodge”, and the one pastor who was holding things togather, from another church/home 40 kilometers north of there came down with acute appendicitis. Sou and the leaders prayed, had …  

Don Bosco Technical School. Sixteen of our kids graduated this year with degrees in everything from automotive technology to electronic repair, electrical wiring, machining, sheet metal and welding, printing, to hotel and restaurant management. Eleven more students head toward completion of their technical degrees. Our favorite partners in Cambodia, the Salesians of Don Bosco, our Catholic brothers and sisters! We love these guys!