Friday, April 13, 2007

Swift but Sweet Furlough!




Dear Faithful Prayer Partners,

Greetings of peace and joy in our Savior’s most precious Name!

This update was out sent from Baguio city, Philippines. What a refreshing feeling to be back in our home city! It is so good to be able to kiss, hug and embrace loved-ones whom we have not seen for over two years. It was our intention to have a longer furlough but it seems like that is something we have to reserve for a much later time in the future. For now we have to make the best of just 5 weeks of stay here in the home front!

The main purpose of our coming home to the Philippines at this time was to be able to witness our eldest son,
TJ’s graduation from Asia Baptist Bible College at BBC, Sta. Mesa. It is rather hard to believe that we have advanced that much in age almost like in a wink of an eye. TJ was just 12 years old when we first set foot on Cambodian soil. After spending 7 years in Cambodia, he has learned the Cambodian language well and could speak fluently. We appreciate everyone of you who have made special effort to pray for our children. We sincerely appreciate also all the teachers and staff at ABBC who have invested their lives in the instruction and training of TJ to become a good servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Please continue to pray for TJ and all our children so that they will always follow the Lord’s leading in their lives.

Going 10 in 2007!
This year we will be completing 10 years of ministry in Cambodia. As we look back we can only say that it is only by God’s grace that we have come this far. Apart from God’s grace we also acknowledge all the help from everyone who supported us, prayed for us and encouraged us through all those years. Grace Baptist Church—Phnom Penh continues to go forward in spite of some trials. Members relocating to different parts of the city have helped cause a decline in our attendance.
GBC-Anlong K’ngan is holding on under the leadership of Bro. Sophea. Bro. Sophea graduated from CBBC last July 2006. He also helps in overseeing the Power of Grace Children’s Home. Power of Grace now has a total of 36 children. Most of the children in the home are already saved and the older children are involved in teaching little children in Sunday School. A new dormitory is under construction to accommodate 100 orphans and children at risk. Please help pray for sufficient funds to complete the new dormitory within this year.

College Day
CBBC held its annual College Day last February 23, 2007. This day is dedicated to the honing, recognizing and rewarding of students who have dedicated their talents for the service of the Lord. The day showcased the display of various students’ talents and gifts in singing, songwriting, oratory and preaching. Tokens of appreciation were given to all contestants who have participated in each event and of course, prizes were awarded to the contestants who have excelled in their respective categories. Each year, we see remarkable growth and improvements in the talents and skills of the students of CBBC. Much more remarkable is the prospect of these students maturing and becoming the future leaders in their churches and in the overall evangelization of Cambodia. Please continue to pray for and support CBBC as we continue to train and raise more laborers in the Lord’s harvest.

We are so thankful for your prayers and sacrificial support for us and the ministries in Cambodia. Our family is doing fine. All of us are in good health and we continue to experience the Lord’s blessings upon the ministry. The trials that we go through pale into insignificance when we remember your unwavering support and prayers. We sincerely pray that the Lord continually pours His blessings upon you and your ministries as we all occupy till our Lord comes again.

Yours for Cambodian souls,
Mike & Daisy Valdez