Frustrations of a Foreigner- Introduction

After being in Cambodia for going on two years, I must admit that being a foreigner still has its challenges. Although I have grown accustomed to many cultural differences, there are some issues that still give me a headache. In these posts, I am going to be blunt and transparent. I am the first to admit that some of these cultural struggles are simply the result of my lack of Spirit-filling. (I'm sure that a good percentage of my readers on this blog have never had that struggle.)  :)   Nevertheless, I am going to document some of the culture battles that I have faced and am continuing to face. I intend for this to be a record that I can look back on 10 years from now and hopefully be able to say, "Thank God that His grace has allowed me to conquer those issues that I faced back then." I also want to give a reality check to anyone who is getting ready to move to the foreign mission field- especially if they are coming to Southeast Asia. I don't want to come across as overly negative or down on the country to which God has called me to serve Him. We love Cambodia. We love our lives here. We plan on being here long-term. But I would be lying if I told you, "Being a missionary in Cambodia is just one big blissful experience with no frustrations whatsoever!" Just like America, Cambodia has its issues. What makes it doubly difficult for me as a foreigner is that some of the issues in Cambodia are issues that I've never dealt with in the States. So, I hope these posts will be enlightening and in some cases entertaining. I am making this part of my life an open book....enjoy!

September/October 2012 Update/Prayer Letter

A New Location of Ministry

Since our last prayer letter, we have moved from Phnom Penh to the city of Ta Khmao in preparation of working in the church that God has called us to lead. We thank God for the year and a half we had to work at Good News Baptist Church under the leadership of Stephen Benefield. I am thankful for true, godly friends like the Benefield family that God has given us to encourage one another here in Cambodia. On October 28 we had our last service there at Good News Baptist, and this past Sunday, November 4, we began attending the church here in Ta Khmao. I preached both the morning and evening services, and I was so pleased at how well the people responded to the preaching of God’s Word. We are so thankful for this opportunity to serve the Lord at Liberty Baptist Church in Ta Khmao!

Salvations

I was so excited to find out about two young people whom God has allowed me to have a small part in their coming to Christ. I met Srey Laek, a 15 year old girl, about a year ago while soul winning. I and a couple of others from the church spoke with her and her mother and invited her to our services. For a year, Srey Laek has come faithfully. At first, she was coming with several others from her area; but as time went by, those others moved away or lost interest- but Srey Laek kept coming, even if she was the only one. I just got word that this past Sunday, after studying the Gospel one on one with Karona, one of the faithful ladies in the church, Srey Laek received Christ as her personal Savior. I thank God that He led us to Srey Laek’s house a year ago, and that the Holy Spirit worked in her heart until she was gloriously saved.

I also just heard from Bro. Benefield that a 12- year old boy named Naveen was saved on the same day as Srey Laek. God gave me the privilege of teaching the Gospel to Naveen for about 3 weeks. On the fourth week I was not able to teach him, but Karona was able to finish teaching him the following week (after we had already moved to Ta Khmao), and he was saved! I pray that God will work in both of these young people’s lives in an amazing way, and that they will continue to grow in the Lord until they die or the Lord returns. I thank God that they have a solid church that will love them and nurture them spiritually!

A New Return Date to Cambodia

As you know from my last prayer letter, God had blessed us with another child. Last week we learned that Linda had a miscarriage at the very end of her first trimester. Thank God that she is doing fine, and we know that God has a plan and a purpose in all things. Our original return date was set for July 16, 2013. That was intended to give Linda plenty of time to rest and recover after the birth of the child. We have now changed our date to return to Cambodia to May 27, 2013. This will obviously make it impossible to visit as many of our supporting churches as we originally hoped. If we are not able to visit your church on this furlough, I will take note of that and make sure that your church has first priority on our next furlough.

We thank you again for your love, prayers, and support for our family. We are looking forward to seeing many of you in just a few weeks or months. God bless!

In Christ,

Chad Phillips