Sunday, May 10, 2009

Not a Typical Mother's Day

"What do you usually do for Mother's Day?"

Making breakfast for Mom, planting flowers in the yard, or going out to lunch together may be your idea of a typical Mother's Day. Not for us! The holiday was a special time of testimonies and baptism for over forty youth and adults from Saang District.

Up bright and early, staff and new believers met at a hotel pool to prepare for the baptism service. Those who gathered were clearly excited about their chance to make this important step and publicly affirm their faith! For many Cambodian youth, it is difficult to convince their Buddhist parents to allow them to participate in Christian events. We encouraged them to honor their parents' wishes, and were blessed that almost everyone who wanted to attend could come.

After a time of worship and testimonies, I (Eric) and Foundation Center director Pheaktra began the baptism. Almost all of the 42 participants are new believers who accepted Christ while attending the Center. One HIV/AID+ woman who is sponsored by our Loaves and Fish program had an especially joyful Mother's Day, as she and two of her children were baptized together. Although it looked like rain, our prayers were answered and the skies were clear until after everyone safely arrived back home.

We were blessed to host this event and look forward to many more baptisms as the Saang community grows in Christ. Please keep Christians in Saang in your prayers, and stay tuned to our blog for more updates and prayer requests! Happy Mother's Day!

~In His Steps

Getting To Know Us

Welcome to the In His Steps blog! Our hope is that we'll be able to raise awareness of issues in Cambodia and what In His Steps International (IHSI) is doing to help. We've been working here for over nine years, and have seen God move in mighty ways as we bring the love and compassion of Christ to Cambodian communities. If you've never heard of IHSI before, or want to learn more about our ministry programs, please take a moment to check out our website!

Our vision:
Our vision is to provide all people with the opportunity to be set free from affliction, deprivation, and oppression, and to have their lives transformed.

Our mission:
IHSI is non-profit NGO dedicated to working with the global church, local communities, and government to set captives free. To the hungry we offer life, to the forgotten we give opportunity, to the outcast we introduce dignity, and to the desperate we bring hope.

Get involved:
We want to encourage you to keep our ministry and the country of Cambodia in your prayers. The intercession of believers worldwide is vitally important! We hope that reading this blog will help you stay informed as you pray. Also, if you'd like to make a tax-deductible donation to IHSI, please click here.

Check back soon for ministry updates!


~In His Steps International