From Peace to Reflection to Sorrow - May 2012

It has been quite a month in April..the beginnings were blessed Leakhena and I were blessed to finally have a honeymoon 3 months after being married. As many of you know already we were blessed by being able to build 18 more homes of Hope in the community starting  the day after our wedding. One of our friends Wally sent us to one of his favourite places in Vietnam called Vung Tau whuch is a 6 hour bus ride and a one and  a half hour ferry ride to get to.

We were blessed with great weather and God provided us with meeting good friends of Wally's to show us around but for us the time spent away from the busyness of starting the Ministry and to spend time with each other was blessed. We were able to find that Peace that only comes from Christ and realized the necessity to step back and put time into our marriage and the love we have for each other .I believe this was a blessing to understand this and not to get caught up with the "good works" but realize our Covenant  with God needs time spent investing in also.

One of the things they have in Vung Tau is a huge statue of Jesus that you can walk up to the top of the mountain and then actually walk inside up to His outstretched hands. I just wanted to share some reflections as I walked up the mountain:


As I was walking up the mountain ....the journey was tough ...I was walking to see Jesus up this mountaintop and as I climbed the many stairs I needed to stop and rest many times. I was asking myself all the time is it really worth it to see Jesus. This journey is so hard just when I turn a corner thinking I am there another set of stairs to take me just a little bit further in my journey. I was out of breath most of the time as the mountain was steep and I am overweight and out of shape. As I stopped for one of my numerous breaks I was thinking about my lack of physical fitness and the words "my yoke is light" rang in my head. I was thinking that maybe your burden is light but my body surely isn't. Then it struck me that my weight was a burden I put upon myself and one that affects my walk with Christ. It took my being out of breath and shape to start to realize the burdens I put upon myself and there are many. I put many burdens upon my shoulders...raising funding for the community and our Ministry, expectations of others,expectations of myself, pride,ego, I will show them attitude.


As I journeyed closer to Jesus (yes I know its only a statue ) and as I started to lay these burdens down and seek God's forgiveness I started to catch a second wind and didn't feel quite so exhausted. I reached the last plateau before the top and there was Christ lying dead before me but more importantly for me. It was funny that  joy not sadness came over me then that he loved me so much to die for me a sinner. The last few steps were made with ease and as I got to the top I was refreshed. You see there was a small stand at the top that had cold water and as I sat and drank of it I was so thankful to the Lord for providing this water of Life to me . I sat at His feet and drank of the water and looked out at His beautiful canvas of sky and ocean mesmerized by its beauty.


As I started my journey down I thought it would be easy but as I started to descend my legs felt like rubber from the climb up and every step I took away from Jesus my legs felt like they would collapse under me. This was all a reminder to me for a couple of things...one that if I walk away from Jesus every step I take the legs can be taken right out from under me at anytime..secondly that I wouldn't be in that position if it wasn't for the chains (burdens) I mentioned before putting on myself . Needless to say I need to go on a diet for the physical healing but as I write this I put all my burdens down at the feet of Christ and pray that I do not lift them up again,


The month ended in sorrow as a civil rights activist was shot and killed exposing the corruption and devestation of the forests of Cambodia by the government and military. Chut Vutty was a tiresome defender of the forests. You can see an article here


 http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012042755825/National-news/another-chapter-in-bloody-history.html


Please pray for his family and the family of the military officer that also died in this incident supposedly by his own hand but there are many speculations about the true happenings that day.




I pray that we all they our burdens at the foot of the Christ and move forward in His yoke


God bless


kevin and Leakhena

May 2012 - Personal requests

As everyone knows it takes many people to come together in order for me to be here and share God's love. We have many needs for the community and I will attach a document sharing about our ministry vision,missions statement and the projects we have ongoing. I pray that you will spend a little time and pray how God can use you to help those in need here in Cambodia.

This month brings a pressing need of a personal nature in three regards.

1. Leakhena and I are short about $800 dollars to complete our home so we can move in to the community this month. Our personal support is extremely low but does provide us with the basic necessities and we are grateful for God's provision through our supporters.This money would be used to provide a working toilet and electrical to our home.

2.. Leakhena the faithful servant that she is quit her job in december( which provided almost $300 a month which she helped provide for her family ) knowing God wanted her to start up the ministry Manna4life and she has been amazing at getting things together for our new ministry as there is only the two of us at this moment. BY looking at the document attached you will see how busy we are and all that is happening and are amazed at God's provision for this community. An indigenous missionary like Leakhena is makes it very hard to raise support for herself as Cambodia is a poor country and many of her friends make only a small amount as salary. I am asking on her behalf if you can help Leakhena with monthly support through your small groups or as an individual...we will be set up shortly to give tax receipts for personal donations but not at this moment (1-2 months away) . Please consider this in prayer

3. My motorcycle has been a great asset to our ministry as it is our only mode of transportation...I travel approximately 3000km a month doing outreach to the community and others . My motorcycle is 17 years old and demands monthly if not weekly repairs and this has both been frustrating and a drain on our limited finances.It costs approx $2500 for a reliable motorcycle and I am in dire need of one. With all the resources needed in the community I find it very difficult to put out personal requests but feel that this issue is an important one. Most of you know that I live a simple life and would not be asking if it wasn't a necessity in order to function here. Please prayerfully consider my request.

Thank you and Som Preah En Pro Te An Poh(May God bless You)

kevin knight               Manna4Life

P.s. For those feeling led to commit financially to help us they can contact me at kknight45@hotmail.com or our giving page on our blog at http://kevinincambodia.blogspot.com/2011/11/donations.html       

Manna4Life - Mission, Vision & Needs

God has blessed Manna4Life and the community with many ongoing projects in various stages of completion. It is our goal to continue to walk with Christ in making these projects come to fruition and to Glorify Him. We cannot do this without the Body of Christ working together to bring " His Kingdom o n earth as it is in Heaven." HERE IS THE LINK TO A NOTE on Manna4Life its Mission and Vision and the needs of the Ministry. Please spend some time reading this and asking our Lord how he would like you to join us in sharing His love to this community. 

Thank-you 

Kevin and Leakhena 

 

Easter 2012

Just some thoughts and prayers and wishing all a deeper understanding of our Lord's sacrifice for us

Agape Love

I have been thinking a lot about agape love lately and how essential it is in our lives if we are to follow Christ.

It is now the Easter season and one which I know reinforces the love we know that Christ has for us. It is a time that we reflect and think prayerfully of the ultimate sacrifice Christ paid for us . We are blessed to also rejoice in His resurrection and with grateful hearts we give thanks.

Christ I believe wants us to met Him on a deeper level than that of gratitude but one of entering into love for others that transcends “normal” understanding. A sacrificial love that affects not just the people around us but ourselves and our relationship with Christ. He wants us to meet Him in a place many will not go….we love and love greatly at times…and at others as soon as the pain gets to much retreat. Jesus in the garden even asks the Father if there is any other way please take this from me. Jesus knew just as many of us know that there is no other way but that doesn’t stop us from trying. We look for less painful ways to interact with each other and to assure us we are ok the way we are walking . We congregrate in small groups at church (that in itself not a bad thing) but we tend to enter into groups that have the same socio-economic class. We can justify what we are doing with our lives and finances because all the people around us are doing the same. Our churches can be that way too…how many people have gone church shopping until they find one where they “belong” again probably a same age group or class.


Many choose to take a step the other way…some of my supporters are in that category where they step out and engage with people outside their “norm” and I believe are finding that God has blessed them by allowing them to love deeper. We do a lot of great things in the name of Christ as Christians we support numerous charities and mission groups and volunteer at drop-ins and community centers ,teach ,disciple,visit hospitals and the elderly. Most people that do those things will attest that they get so much out of it and feel blessed to serve. Where is the anguish of loving completely when we receive more than we give.

Christ knew the real cost of love.

This Easter as the Lord is heavy on your heart maybe it is a time to ask Him….Father I know there is not another way…Father do not let me count the costs of loving ….Father I want to love like you love us….Father guide me with your tears to where you want me to serve…Father do not take away the pain of loving but let me understand the pain of my friends through it….Father for all the times it gets too hard let me instantly run to you and not away from my calling...…Father please!!... will you use me?

God is Great!!!!!

It has been awhile since I have updated everyone through the forum of blogging or email...although many of you know through some emails and posting on our Manna4Life site some of the things that have been transpiring.

Since my last blog here are some things that have kept me busy.

1. Praise the Lord!! Praise the Lord!!!! I got married
2. Was able to have a whirlwind trip to Canada for 18 days of meeting up with many of you and having Leakhena meet family and friends.
3. Preaching again as the Lord opened the door and used me this way again at the U.G.M. drop=in centre
4.Share about our ministry at the justice meeting that Servants facililitates in the Downtown Eastside
5. Sharing about our ministry with many of you at Mosaic church
6. Praise the Lord!! Praise the Lord!!! I got married again in Cambodia with the big Khmer wedding
7. Spent time with family and friends who were here for the wedding and/or share in serving God here in the community
7. Built 18 more structures of hope for the community
8. Have almost completed our home also for moving into next month.

It has been an exhausting few months and at times found myself drained but the Lord refreshes as we spend time with Him. The fact that Jesus has thousands waiting on Him and needing care and healing and the Word of God but knew that the most important thing was His relationship with our Father. Even great things like the ministry God has blessed us with can take time away from that relationship which is a detriment for ourselves and the very people he wants us to Love. It has certainly been a time of reflection on how best to serve in our limited time here on earth and have definitely prioritized my devotional life and thoughts of the ministry God has laid before us.

Spending time with my friend Wally was refreshing and us being able to share about the amazing God that loves us despite ourselves and as we give our life over fully and completely to Him that is when we are fully in His will and the life we live in that relationship is worth all the sacrifices here in this broken world we live in.

One of the priorities we have set forward for ourselves and our ministry is that we will spend time in the Word and prayer for the first hour of our ministry day for ourselves and all future staff. I can't think of a better way to start our day of loving people than to spend time with the one who as Romans 5:8 tells us"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. "

I think of the past life I led and am so grateful to be able to serve the very One who loves me this deeply.

Although this is a very short update considering my lack of words recently I just wanted everyone to know that as we move into the community in the next couple of weeks is that our relationship with our living ,loving God is ever increasing and everyday that I can say there is "less of me and more of Him " in my heart and mind is a great day.

I will enclose many photos in this update from the weddings to friends helping in serving our Lord . I will include the last 18 structures of hope and will also show you a pic of our future home. Click here for my online photo album, which includes wedding pictures.

Some prayer points... that our devotional life will bring us forever closer to God.
we continue to make this a priority
that we can be the fragrance of Christ to many in the community
God's provision as we still need some funding to complete our home for plumbing and electrical

God bless you all as we cannot do it without the help of the Body of Christ.. we love and cherish all your support

kevin and leakhena

Christmas visit, 2011

Hi Folks:

Leakhena and I have been blessed with the opportunity to come home this Christmas and for her to meet my family and friends. We will be in vancouver for the service on the 1st of january and for a couple of days after. There is a possibilty we might have an opportunity to share about our new ministry on January 6th at Tenth avenue and I will inform you if this is a definite. I pray that you enjoy our November update and look forward to seeing many of you in person soon

God bless and Merry Christmas


Kevin and Leakhena

November update - Someone's waiting (or taking the 8:30 bus)

I have recently been in Bangkok this month for Pre-marital counselling at a Christian Counselling centre. It was definitely worth the investment for Leakhena and I to prepare for our upcoming marriage on January 28th.
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Leakhena and I will be in Canada for Christmas and New Years and hope to meet up with as many people as possible while we are there.We will be at Tenth for the service on the 1st of jan and for a couple of days after.

I would like to talk about a moment we had on the way back from Bangkok this month.

We just got over the border from Thailand and had entered Cambodia at Poipet . The bus station was a km down the road and when we got to the bus station Leakhena booked us seats on the 830 p.m. bus. This bus was a few hours away and we had to spend time waiting ..it got closer to the time and then Leakhena realized that there was actually an earlier bus that we could have had at 730. We didn’t realize at the time that it was God’s plan for us to be on the 830 bus.

The bus was just 15 minutes from leaving and as we took our seat a commotion happened outside and as I looked out a man was beating another with a chair. I had just spoke with the guy being beaten just moments earlier as he was collecting bottles and was living on the street and had addiction issues. I bolted off the bus and got in between the man beating him as others just gathered around and watched what was happening. I knew what had happened and the man who was beaten had tried to steal luggage from the other man. They then called the police and it seemed like tensions had settled down so I proceeded to get back on the bus. I no sooner got to my set when the man again attacked the other and was kicking him as others watched and laughed.

Obviously I bolted again from the bus and Leakhena was quickly behind me more I think to try to save me than anything else because I was “interfering."

I stood in between the two of them again and calmed the abuser down and told him he had done the right thing and called the police but that no one deserved to be beaten. This is where the story gets interesting…I felt a great urge and prompting from the Holy Spirit to share about God’s Grace….I leaned down and as I started to talk to the “thief” I knew my limited language skills couldn’t properly share with him so I called Leakhena over. She was explaining to everyone why I had jumped in between and she told the whole crowd that I was Christian and I couldn’t let the violence happen. That statement alone I will try to share more on in a future note.

Leakhena was translating for me as I shared that many people around here would not forgive him for what he had done in trying to steal the luggage but that there was someone who had already forgiven him and that was Jesus Christ….I went on to share with him about unmerited favour how we don’t deserve that forgiveness but that He loves us so much that He died for our sins. I wish I could tell you a great story of him becoming overwhelmed and coming to Christ at that moment but in some moments when I was sharing he was actually looking around and wondering if someone else would hit him..I could see in Leakhena’s face that she wanted to stop translating but I urged her to continue to translate for me because I told her God’s Word does not come back empty. You see there were thirty people gathered around at the bus station all listening to the Word of God and of His Grace not just the “thief."

The police then came and as we got back on the bus all the people on the bus had crammed themselves to the windows watching all that was transpiring. Two of the ladies on the bus said that I would have many blessings coming my way because of what I did….in the Buddhist culture doing good things in this life will give you blessings in the next…..I was then able to share with them that I have been blessed already and paid in advance by the Agape love of our Lord Jesus….from a simple missing the bus for 730 to doing the right thing and actively pursue non-violence and opportunity opened itself to share about our Lord Jesus with many who have not heard.

I titled this “Someone waiting” and the meaning of this came from a Pastor in Thailand when he said “someone is waiting on the other side of our obedience” as we go forth in obedience which is what I have done in coming to Cambodia there are fragile people waiting for us to engage with them and share the love of Christ.

What is God asking you to do? ….it just might have eternal implications in anothers life.

God bless you all as we celebrate the Lord’s birth this month . As you know Leakhena and I are trying to raise funds for the community and to build more homes for those that were unlawfully evicted . Please consider helping those in need as a gift to our Lord and those He holds dear.

Please follow this link if you feel led to give...