Hey everyone! These past few months have been crazy and amazing all at the same time so I apologize that we haven't put a blog up to update you on everything that's going on here. From family visiting, sickness, and ministry ups and downs it has been quite eventful out here to say the least.
As most of you heard, I contracted dengue fever which is nicknamed the bone breaking sickness. It is transmitted through mosquitoes causing super high fevers and your bones literally feel like they are going to break. So as you can imagine that was a really tough time for Bre and I. I really do appreciate all the prayers that everyone was completely diligent with. It really uplifted my spirit knowing how much you guys care for me. Bre was so amazing during this time. She took care of me wonderfully and at the same time maintained working at COH and never complained once, which is a testament to her character because when I'm sick (I'm the biggest baby:) After the fever subsided the doctor told me I had to take it easy for the next month at least because my immune system was stripped and I would be susceptible to any common viruses. Which turned out to be true. I did have a couple of sick spells during my recovery and it was extremely hard for me not being able to be active. I'm a busy body! But PTL I feel back to normal again!
My ministry in the provinces, the Pastors Conferences, have been extremely fruitful. I'm so surprised and excited to see so many local pastors gathering together every month to study the Bible together. It is truly an amazing thing and I thank the Lord continually for allowing me to serve them by teaching IBS (method on how to study the bible). We just finished up the book of Acts in the Svey Reang province and it was so encouraging to go through that book with them and see their eyes light up as they began to understand how the church came to be and the lessons they were able to apply to their life through it. They were asking some very thought provoking questions and applying their newly formed critical thinking skills to achieve an answer. I've been going out to this province for almost 3 years and to see this kind of growth compared to when we started lights a fire in my heart to keep pushing through.
At the Pastors Conference in Kampong Channang, we have been having a great time studying through book of Matthew. This particular group of pastors are so dedicated the Word of God which is why they enjoy coming every time. The head pastor at this church was a student of mine when we ran the bible college in Phnom Penh. He has always been sharp and witty. The goofball of the class, but struggled to be really serious about digging deeper in the Word. When he invited me out to teach in his village, I just about leaped out of my skin and met up with him right away. He wanted to dig deeper along with his fellow pastors in his province and so deeper we are going! I've seen him grow significantly as a leader at the conference and even occasionally broke away from the humor to give honest answers and interpretations. I'm very optimistic about the future for these men and women. Their hunger to better know our Creator is inspiring and contagious.
Please keep these churches in your prayers as many of them were previously under foreign churches to support them and have decided to stand on their own and trust in the Lord to provide for them.
We are extremely blessed to be working under Water of Life. We have a family-like community here that without each other praying and cheering each other on it would be difficult to remain on the field. We definitely were not created to be little islands but one body! There are so many ministries and outreaches that are flourishing under WOL that are divinely thriving. I can't wait to update you on a few of them this month.
During the next couple of weeks my goal is to update you more often about COH, Water of Life, and the Pastor conferences and we will continue to update you on our lives. Again I just want to thank everyone for all their support and love these last couple of months especially. It is so refreshing to know that we are all one family in Jesus Christ and it keeps up pushing forward even after major life shake ups. Thank you!
Stay tuned for more updates soon!
God Bless,
Curtis & Bre