A Thankful Update

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all our friends! Whether you’re getting ready to enjoy a thanksgiving meal or not, we’d like to take this time to share about our family and some of the reasons we are thankful to our Heavenly Father.

Our first Thanksgiving in Cambodia, 2010

After our long HMA last year with Caleb transitioning into college and Susan’s father suddenly passing away, we had a lot to process, to grieve, and to adjust when we returned to Cambodia. Ministries here were moving forward. Short-term teams and visitors were ready to come and serve. We are thankful how the Father takes every part of our lives to free us from sin and reveal Himself in order to bring us closer to Him. Here’s a glimpse…

PAUL – After about three years of not being able to visit the teams and ministries he overseas in Southeast Asia, it was a priority for him to visit everyone at least once to check in and encourage them. This included Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore. The other was giving some time and attention to some of his health needs. We are thankful to God for his improved health.

NATE – Adjusting to life without Caleb has been one of the most difficult times for Nate. It’s probably one of the most difficult aspects as a TCK/MK parent. For both, they lost that one person with whom they can be themselves and who understands their lives. Yet through it, there’s been real growth in maturity and in their relationship with Jesus. Graciously, God continues to provide some sense of community. For Nate, it is through Scouts, basketball, and, especially, rock climbing. As well as everyone at our ministry site in Angk’jeay with the Smiths and John Lee.

CALEB – Can you believe it? He is already in the middle of his sophomore year. Following many’s advice, he was able to quickly commit to a local church and a campus ministry that has been his source of community and points him to Christ. Being so blessed and thankful, he wanted to give back and decided to serve as freshman small group leader with the fellowship. It’s definitely bringing him out of his comfort zone. Loneliness and homesickness is real, especially with us here in Cambodia. We are so thankful to Paul’s cousin and his family who live nearby, to our sending church and the pastor & family, to our friends who have been his uncles and aunts visiting and sending care packages and money. Please continue to pray he will deepen his identity and rootedness in Christ alone, and how this appliesto his everyday life and struggles.

SUSAN – The main news is she has tinnitus (likely from hearing loss) and fibromyalgia. (And yesterday she pulled her back so she isn’t in any thanksgiving pics.) Though she’s still figuring things out, we want to share so you understand when she might seem like she’s not listening and when she’s not as active and visible. Through counseling sessions and conversations, she is learning about her own needs and heart issues. And ultimately, she’s learning to rest IN CHRIST. To cease striving. To be his daughter. She’s so thankful for the friends God has given her who listen and speak into her life. Sadly, no pics of emails, chats, and zoom calls with precious people.

Thank you Abba Father for:

• Our new home at Camko where we have running hot water and no cockroaches.
• Technology so that we can have weekly zoom calls w Caleb.
• Loving us – Always pursuing us and never giving up, patiently leading us to You (1 Corinthians 13)
• A team of unique people who love you and love the people, seeking your glory
• Sustaining the church plants and work here, through all the changes and challenges in the ministry, in families, in the economy and workplace.
• For the people in our lives, here and there. Though it’s not the relationships we would have planned for ourselves but you have brought so many who reveal you each in their own way. And through each who have cared for and supported us in meaningful ways.
  • Our Cambodian partners and friends, who are humble and patience with us, who love us despite how we fall short. We co-labor alongside them but they’re also the ones who cheer us on and love on us when we’re sick or weary.
  • Relationships abroad – Though we cannot be close by and miss so many moment, they are faithful and supportive. Those who remember names of our ministries and people after so many years. Prayer warriors. Financial supporters. Those willing to go out of their way to pick us up at the airport or drive our TCK back to college.
• Being “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

In the midst of the busyness of ministry post-pandemic and juggling family relationships with one of ours now across on the other side of the globe, ironically God has been teaching us to slow down and “be still and know that [He] is God” (Psalm 46:10). We are learning to be present, to value the lives God has given us and how He has made us, and to value the broken people placed in our lives.

It is not a trite saying or an exaggeration when we share how vital your support has been. Your prayers and your financial gifts are needed and appreciated. Thank you to each of you who have been a part of our lives and ministries over the years. Blessings in Christ.

Some pics of the many who visited. Many former team kids, now young adults!