God’s perfect timing
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” Psalm 28:7
Dear Family and Friends,
During the past 3 months, we have had some wonderful divine appointments and we can see God’s perfect timing. God has provided homes for us, a car for us, gifts to cover costs, new friends who want to partner with us in prayer and financially to enable us to continue serving in Cambodia. We have spent time with our family and many old friends; enjoyed many delicious meals (including some favourite foods!) and experienced some beautiful places to walk or sit. Alongside these sources of thankfulness, we have also had challenges and tears.
We write this to you from London, UK where we have been based during our visits to churches and supporters here in the UK. We expected to be back home already in Cambodia, but at the end of July, Wendy’s dad became unwell, then passed into heaven. We are very thankful for the way God took care of him, and of our family as we were able to gather to support each other, to grieve and remember, giving thanks for his life well lived. We are thankful for the timing for us, that we had not yet left the UK, which meant we were able to plan the funeral and then the memorial service in Devon, within the community of friends and believers who loved him.
For over 6 weeks, Yong has been struggling with a painful knee, which we think was an old injury that worsened. We were thankfully able to get an Xray and senior physio input in London when it happened, however it has not improved. It has been painful and very limiting for him and for us during our home assignment time. Unexpectedly, a generous friend here offered to arrange a private appointment with a knee orthopedic specialist, so we await that at the end of this week. Please give thanks with us for this provision of expertise and also that God would bring a clear plan and healing for Yong.
Back in Cambodia, many of you will be aware of the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand over the past 6 weeks. Whilst the land border between the two countries remains restricted or closed, this will have a big economic impact on families who live day to day. We don’t have friends who have been affected directly, but we do know some people working to support people who are displaced. Please pray for peace and for normal work and trade to return, as well as for those displaced to receive support from NGOs or charities working in that sector.
At MMCC hospital, 4 new trainee residents have started their 3 year course with us in family residency which is like GP training. We also had a new nurse start this month. Please pray for them to settle in well and to deepen their faith. Several of our MMCC leaders just attended a weekend retreat together, with the purpose of learning about leadership through change, and for deepening relationships. Spouses and children of our leaders joined also, since this is a witness to being a community who care for each other and honour our families. Praise God that during the weekend the husband of one of our senior doctors made the decision to follow Jesus. Please pray for him with his wife, to find fellowship to continue to grow in his faith and trust in Jesus.
Thank you for your ongoing journey praying for MMCC hospital and for our community in Cambodia. Thank you for praying for us in the challenges and also for giving thanks with us for all the blessings. Through it all, to God be the glory.
For pray and thanksgiving:
Pray for peace at the borders of Cambodia/Thailand, for people to return to their homes and their work.
MMCC team- praise the Lord for 4 new trainee doctors (Family Residency training, which is like GP training); and for 1 new nurse.
Pray for Yong’s knee and a provision for getting it fixed.
Thanks for Bryan’s life and faith (Wendy’s dad) and the timing that we were in the UK while he passed.
Thanks for the divine appointments and provisions that God has given during our home assignment.