BLT Missions Trip in Cambodia

This was taken at Garcia's residence after the long travel from Baguio City Philippines.

"Family Matters"

Our son, David Jeremiah has grown so fast and he has started doing some of his favorite activities.

We have been so amazed how God has tremendously worked in our son's life since his birth. The fact that he was bottle-fed and yet he survived was truly an amazing symbol of God's faithful and unending sustenance upon our son's life.

"THERE'S REJOICING IN HEAVEN OVER A SINNER WHO REPENT..."

Praise God for a new month to proclaim God’s faithfulness and goodness in our lives!

The month of May is another wonderful month just like the previous months that passed. We thank God for using our lives to lead souls into the Kingdom of God. This month of May, three of Pstr Raymond’s students accepted Jesus Christ in their hearts as their personal Savior. To God be the glory!

Mr. Mak Sabol and Tith Chanreun are studying at Svay Rieng University. They have been observing the way we conduct our lives. They were thankful that they met Pstr Raymond. They said, that it is only through Pstr Raymond’s teaching that their understanding about “life” has widened. Bro Sabol invited one of his friends, Ngann Sothy last Sunday and he, too accepted Jesus Christ. Right now, they are coming to our small group every Sunday.
Once again, we thank God for the lives of those who are praying and are extending their gifts sacrificially for the missions work here in Cambodia. May God richly bless you all.

The ISOLD 1st Batch Graduation

We thank God for another year had added to our years on earth. My wife (Sis Maribeth) and I celebrated our birthday last March 28 (my birthday) and 29 (my wife’s birthday) respectively. The month of March was devoted to empowering young people in their close relationship with God.
For the month of April, the long awaited graduation of the ISOLD 1st batch students was done last April 12, 2009. There were twelve graduates all in all but two were not able to attend. The students were grateful to God for the opportunity they had in studying the Bible intensively through the ministry International School of Leadership Development. At the moment, there are five Pastors and church leaders who are willing to enroll for the second batch. We are still praying for seven more students to open ISOLD classes again this year.
We are grateful to God for the lives of the founder and coordinator of ISOLD. Through this ministry, more and more Pastors in the provinces especially in the villages came to learn a lot about God and the Bible.
We also thank God for the lives of our faithful prayer partners and supporters in this mission. May God bless you richly. To God be the Glory!

“A Servant’s Heart...”

“If you want to be great in God’s kingdom, learn to be the servant of all.” This was just a song that we used to sing during our preschool years in the church. When we started doing missions here in Cambodia, the essence of the song really stuck into our hearts. Up to now, we are serving God by serving others.
This February, we are blessed by the lives of Pastors and deacons of Baguio Lord’s Temple, a mission team from the Philippines who just visited us recently. For the past years, we have been accommodating young people mission exposees but this year is different. Those who were once young came to do short term missions here. Praise God! What a challenge! This proves one thing, that is, all of us, young adult, adult, middle aged people and old ones are called for missions no matter who you are and no matter where you are! Just trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy and gay.
The focus on our mission this February was Health and Hygiene. Kids and young people are taught cleanliness in their home, on themselves and in their souls. BLT team just came on time for this purpose to be accomplished in the lives of the villagers. They served God by preaching the Word of God, bathing the children, cutting their long and dirty fingernails and teaching them the right way to live. They were blessed to be part of our missions here in Svay Rieng and we’re also blessed with their lives and encouragement. Each one of them has learnt a lot about missions. One of them said “it takes a lot of love, patience and etc. to be a missionary. They’re willing to serve, not to be served”. Now they understood what is and how to be a missionary – a person with a loving heart and persevere no matter what.
To those who are called to do missions out there, whoever you are and wherever you are, it is time to obey and count the cost. God will always be with you wherever you go and whatever you do. JUST TRUST GOD and OBEY!
All glory and honor belongs to God alone!

ISOLD Studentry Testimonials

ISOLD _ Svay Rieng Coordinator's Note!

We would like to give you some of the testimonies of our ISOLD - Svay Rieng students on their experiences and plans in the future after completing their training in ISOLD 1st batch! We are so blessed to have these students presently having their training in ISOLD. Our vision is to see these students grow "in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" and to fulfill the plans of God in their lives as they will be equipped in the Word of God. Let's continue to pray for these youths who has the vision to reach out their country for Jesus Christ. May we join them in their shout that, "Cambodia is for Christ"! Thank you very much!

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My name is Meun Channa. It’s my joy to share about my testimony and experiences in my study in International School of Leadership Development. I have a poor understanding of God since I became a Christian. I couldn’t explain my faith to others especially my friends and relatives. I even wonder who is God and where He is after I accepted him. I want to study with a Bible teacher but I just can’t find the right person to teach me. Then, a hunger to study the Bible grew inside me. My pastor told me about the ISOLD recently opened in Svay Rieng under Pastor Raymond Garcia. I was informed late about it and I was late to register then. Nevertheless, I was accepted to be part of the 1st batch of students.

I can’t express my joy in being a part of this school because it was my desire before to study about God deeply. It is a good opportunity God gave me to study truths about Him and to answer all the questions that my friends and relatives often ask me. Compared before, I got more confidence to talk about my faith in Jesus Christ now. I learned many truths and promises of God in this school. ISOLD equipped me to become a better Christian. I also thank God for the foreign teachers used by God to explain and expound the truths that I am learning in this School. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!

Finally, I thank God that ISOLD help people like me to become well-equipped in the Word of God. I also thank God for the lives of Missionary Raymond and Maribeth Garcia, who patiently and faithfully help me in my spiritual growth. I give God all the glory, honor and praise!

(Channa is one of our students who got an accident while driving from Vietnam border. He got a broken collar bone but God has hasten his healing. Praise God for all the people who prayed for him.)

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I am Lanh Rady. I am so pleased to have the chance to join the training in ISOLD. I thank God for its curriculum that helps me grow in my walk with God. It’s been my aim and ardent desire to study in a bible school in Phnom Penh but God didn’t allow; instead He allowed me to study in ISOLD. The lessons that I study in ISOLD has led me to know more of God’s heart and His will in my life. I fully understand that God has called me to do a specific task in the fulfillment of the Great Harvest in Svay Rieng Province. My prayer is to fulfill the plans of God in my life after completing my training in ISOLD-Svay Rieng. My thanks to God the Father, in Jesus’name!

(Lanh Rady is part of our ISOLD praise and worship team. He has a strong desire to pastor a church in the future. He is presently studying Bachelor of English in Svay Rieng University - Cambodia.)

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I’m Han Vicheat. I came from Battambang province but I am presently studying in university and residing in Svay Rieng province. I accepted Jesus Christ since 1993 when my parents led us to the church. I have been staying in the Church of Nazareth in Battambang province since I was a child until I became 18. I am a musician in our church and I am the assistant youth leader, too. I’m always joyful to serve God in every activity that our church have. Jesus was my inspiration in all of these activities.

When I went to Svay Rieng province to study in the university, my understanding about God is very poor. I have so many questions about the bible and God that most pastors couldn’t answer. I have a deep hunger in knowing God more through a school or a bible institute or through a bible teacher. And God has seen my desire to know him more. He led me to ISOLD that just open so recently that I don’t even know anyone in that school. My study in ISOLD for the 1st 3 months led me to have a clear understanding on my previous questions about God. I have seen myself developed in my spiritual life and understanding about God. God moved in my life tremendously that my zeal in serving God in Battambang was rekindled in ISOLD. I joined the music ministry that the Pastor Raymond Garcia opened for the youths and became an effective musician and a worship leader for God.

I plan to teach people about God after completing my training in ISOLD. I would like to serve God in any way that He will lead me and I would like to see my co-Cambodians worshipping the Living God. I believe that God will help me do His will in my life.

Finally, we thank God for the lives of Missionary Raymond and Maribeth Garcia who lovingly teach us the lessons in ISOLD. God bless us all!

(Han Vicheat is one of the members of our ISOLD Praise and Worship Team. He's vision is to become a Bible teacher among the youths and children. He is presently studying Information Technology in Svay Rieng University - Cambodia.)

These youths are the pillars of their churches too. They have been involved in their churches and they are active in doing evangelisms among university students, high schoolers and children in the villages.

To God be the Glory!

Partnership With Local Cell Groups

Partnership is one of the best ways of enlarging the work of God. We have been in partnership with the 44 different local cell groups here in Svay Rieng for not too long. Pastor Ich Raksmey pioneered these 44 cellgroups and he is helping us in pioneering a cellgroup near the Vietnam - Cambodia border too. Our goal is to evangelize the whole Svay Rieng province and to "make disciples" through cell groups; and to extend our territories within the nearest border province of Vietnam.

Last Sunday, February 10, 2008 I was invited to meet with the 2 of the 44 different cellgroups here in Svay Rieng Province. It was amazing to see the local villagers worshipping and praising God. They even put a worship place for them to meet every Sundays. It was amazing to see even the children participating and listening in the worship service.

Here are some photos of what God had made possible for us in 2 of the 44 cell groups under Pastor Ich Raksmey.

It's me (Raymond) exhorting the word of God to the believers in Beung Raye, Svay Chrum District. There were 15 members of this cellgroup.

Pstr Tauch Si Yeung, a cell group pastor, welcome all the visitors and members of his cell group.

The children attentively listened to the exhortations through Raymond.

The worship place of the cell group every Sunday and the rest of the week is just made of local materials which makes people feel at home.

Most of the members of the cellgroups are older generation. They are attentively listening the exhortations made.

Members are praying for their Prayer Request before starting the cell group service.

As the service closes, we meditate on the word of God that we just heard.

Raymond and Pstr Ich Raksmey pose after our cellgroup service.

We thank God for all the opportunity to meet 2 out of 44 cell groups under the leadership of Pstr Ich Raksmey. We also thank God for the partnership fo Pstr Raksmey in pioneering the cell group in Vietnam border. We thank God for everything He has brought in our lives!

To God be the glory!

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS: http://picasaweb.google.com/mobedajergarcia/Cellgroups