This year has been a blur, full of amazing people & experiences as well as challenges. Too many to put into words but here are a handful of pictures to help capture a glimpse of our lives. Hope it captures both the difficulties as well as the beauty and joy of our lives that are sometimes so obvious but sometimes hidden beneath the surface.
JANUARY
Our welcome home after our quick 2-month East Coast HMA. A prelude to a year of house issues and construction.
Annual Pastors’ Conference
A special visit from a former intern and friend.
FEBRUARY
Short-term team from our sending church
Susan enrolls in a Khmer class at the first nearby school
Caleb’s Boy Scouts Community Project
MARCH
Paul at the MTW Asia Pac Leadership Meeting in Singapore
Paul & his PP Bible School Class learning from the Book of Hebrews
KCC says goodbye the Knutsons retiring off the field after 15 years
Reaksmey & Piseth’s Wedding – after a few months of marital counseling with Paul & Susan
Nate & His Cub Scouts Troop
APRIL
Reunited with Susan’s Mom during their family trip and her 4th visit to Cambodia
Our homeschool’s end-of-the-year performance
Nate starts cajon lessons
MAY
Bridges Homeschool Graduation
Team Retreat in Siem Reap with a handful of special co-laborers and returning teammates
Team Retreat outing to the Angkor Wat – Susan & the boys’ first time!
Send-off for the Schleper Family who now serve in Indonesia
JUNE
Paul preaches at One Covenant Church (OCC) in SG
Celebrating Caleb’s birthday at Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church (PRPC) in SG
Paul speaks at a joint retreat for the two churches
Reuniting with their friend, Zach, in Singapore
Marady’s brother and KCC member passes away while away in Singapore
JULY
Intern John Lee, returns to the States
Susan restarts teaching an English outreach class at KCC
Susan’s regular fellowship with some pastor’s wives
Former teammates, Albert and Natalie Shim vist
AUGUST
Susan joins the Monday night KCC Women’s Fellowship
Paul teaches a Tuesday night Theology class
Caleb’s Boy Scouts Leadership Training with the US Ambassador
Caleb & Nate join gymnastic class with friends
Pastor Sam Ath & Vina have their third baby
SEPTEMBER
Sending off our summer intern, Chris. Back to college!
A newly arrived intern joins us for family night w the Schlepers’ old ping pong table
MTW hosts a table at the annual Asian Christian Conference
Another plumbing issue
OCTOBER
Pisey & Samnang’s Engagement in AKJ
Caleb, Sophea & Orchea lead praise for our team worship in the village
Susan & her sprained, bunion foot
Ongoing electrical issues & blackouts
NOVEMBER
A packed month of visitors and conferences, including fellow co-laborer, Hannah, who stayed with us for a month, teaching English at KCC and PPBS and having her first Thanksgiving meal in six years. Former Intern, John, and Pastor Andrew, who returned for his 3rd visit, returned for our Annual Youth Conference, held for the college students of all our ministries in the city and village.
Sending off our dearest friends, Singapore Lees, for their 3-month HMA. How will the kids survive this long separation?
DECEMBER
Caleb’s 6th Overnight Boy Scouts Camping Trip
Our Homeschool Prince Caspian Performance – Caleb as Cornelias and Nate as Centaur & Dryad
Bridges Homeschool Cast Party
Lee Men pack and prep the ground floor for construction. Time to move?
From roof to foundation, we’ve covered it all this year.
Through all the ups and downs, changes, and richness of our lives here on the field in SE Asia, the one constant is the glaring reality of how good and great our God is. All of it is a constant reminder to remember and not forget who God is, what He has done and who we are apart from Him and in Him (Deuteronomy). As we close out the year and celebrate Christmas, we want to continue to cling to Christ our King and enjoy Him and to live a life “in a manner worthy of the calling to which [we] have been called.”
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas Lees!!! Thank you for taking the time to put this together and sharing! We love you and miss you guys!
Love this monthly recap of this past year, Susan! So much has happened! Praise God for his faithfulness with the lees in Cambodia! Miss you!!
Merry Christmas. Thank you for your faithful serving and kingdom impact. You are encouraging and inspiring many, me and my family included in that. Much love and God bless!
Dear Lee Family,
Thank you so much for the update, and it’s great to see your faces via the blog! Pray that you have a blessed time celebrating our Savior’s birth!
Merry Christmas Paul, Susan, Caleb and Nate! Thank you for your updates and may God continue to bless you all.
Thank you everyone! Lots of love to you all. We’re very thankful for you. Happy New Year!