It's not often that Lutheran Hour Ministries has the opportunity to report on the specific results of an LHM International Volunteer Team's efforts, but this is one of those times. In February 2013, a ten-member LHM team from Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Mt. Prospect, Ill., traveled to Kompot Province, Cambodia to help build two Sunday school classrooms for Prich Lutheran Church, which serves a remote village in the province.
Upon arrival, team leader Sue Husar had blogged, "We are very eager to follow God and learn what His plans are for us in Cambodia!" What God had planned was several days of physical labor, together with opportunities to participate in some children's programming and make friends with local construction workers, people in the community and members of Prich Church.
In fact, the volunteers' worship experience with the Prich congregation left them with a new sense of how big and diverse the Body of Christ truly is. After blending their English prayers and songs together with the Khmer songs and prayers of their Cambodian brothers and sisters in Christ, Sue reflected, "So many voices, two different languages—and our amazing God clearly heard each one of us."
Now, two years later, there is exciting news from Prich Lutheran Church. "Nearly 50 children are studying Khmer and English languages in these two classrooms!" says LHM Asia Regional Director Gunya Na Thalang. "The facilities have made it possible for LHM—Cambodia's staff to work with Pastor Bun Sopheap and help local children learn about Jesus through our Bible Correspondence Courses—and the Holy Spirit led 29 children to be baptized in November 2014!" Prich Church's education ministry is continuing to reach children and families in the surrounding community.
Is God calling you to reach out with His love as a Lutheran Hour Ministries volunteer? Get started today at www.lhm.org/teams.