Lookback at 2024 | Resiliently Witnessing His Goodness
We wanted to take a look back at 2024 for a bit of review and would like to share some highlights.
What a Year! There’s death, loss and grief, yet it’s also a year of Life, blessings and joy. We have seen God’s grace over and over again with His peace, presence and provision that helped us go through each day.
Personal Rollercoaster
2024 started with a dream come true, the leadership masters program started! I was able to see people from Cambodia rise up as leaders. However there were participants, dear friends of ours who died in a car accident in Tanzania.
Pheap became pregnant with a baby whom we had been praying for.
Then there was the sudden death of Pheap’s sister who lost her life to ovarian cancer in May. It was a very hard time to say goodbye, and it is still hard to live life without her as we were so close to each other.
Photo of Pheaps sister, Sophorn.
In October, we gave birth to our little boy, Liam. He is such a reminder of God being a life giver in the midst of grief, we can look to Him and remember that He never fails.
Our joy at welcoming our baby was short-lived when he became critically ill and required ICU care.
Then on Christmas day the doctor told us that there is no more medication needed. Through the stress and uncertainty we experienced God’s love through all the wonderful people who stood with us. Looking back, there is a lot to be thankful for.
We still need to go back in April for more follow up on a possible concern.
So prayers are still appreciated.
Photo of Pheap holding Liam.
Celebrating the wins
Despite our personal challenges, God did amazing things. There’s been report after report about people meeting and experiencing Jesus in their lives.
- Fire and Rain evangelical training; 120 people
- Impulse youth camp: 51 people
- Discipleship Training School outreach: 179 people
- Love Battambang Concert: 1,663 people!
- Village Christmas Outreach to several locations: 222 people.
Now even the campus security guard believes in Jesus too!
We taught books of the bible in a couple bible schools.
This has helped students understand the historical context of what’s written, which allows them to understand it from the perspective of the original hearers and readers.
Photos of us teaching in different locations teaching the bible.
Pheap has helped leaders grow through the Master’s program,
and stepped in to facilitate a weekly bible study for 20 young women for a while.
Pat gave review/training in being a resilient missionary, and started working on a large project to help improve communication between different teams on campus.
We have continued being faithful in our general roles on campus.
Churches in Cambodia came together with fresh unity.
Pastors and church leaders came together from many different denominations a few times for meetings and community based activities. This is unprecedented in Cambodia and a real blessing to see as there used to be division amongst churches.
Photo of people praying together.
Looking Forward
We sense that this year will be a year for growth. What that will look like, we’re not sure, but we’re confident it’s more than just watching the baby get bigger.
What we do know is that alongside adjusting to a new season in parenthood we will continue serving in our roles and see what other opportunities are presented.
Not sure what we do? You can find out by going to our website here.
Regarding the Master’s program, 2025 will include a lot of travelling:
- Cohort coming together for an Intensive in Indonesia in February.
- Also for an Intensive in Central Asia in June.
- Finally with a thesis defense and graduation in Kona in September.
Big thanks for being with us. You and many others who have enabled us to keep going, serving, educating and developing. There’s a lot to do in Cambodia and hearts are open.
Having read this, if you have any thoughts or discernments (if that’s a word) then please share.
Take Care,
Pat & Pheap.