Dear Friends in Christ,
Since we started a "blog" I have not sent out as many "e-updates" on the work here. A good many of you probably still don't know about the blog, so I thought it best to go back to sending the e-updates as well as continuing the blog. I try to post to the blog once a week, sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. What is a "blog"? It's short for "weblog" which basically means it is sort of an online journal. I hope that you will check it out at billyhaas.blogspot.com. This year has been filled with both blessings and trials. We've been through a building project with our new orphanage going up and all the frustrations that go with it. Having something built in the 3rd world by 3rd world building crews can be a strain. But God's grace is always sufficient. The buildings are done now and our family and the orphans and staff have moved in. Now we face the additional challenge of raising money for the furnishings and equipment needed for the new place. That includes new beds, curtains, screens, diesel generator, water purification system, furniture, cabinets, landscaping, etc. Please pray for us as we try to meet these needs as soon as possible.
The mission works in Phnom Penh, Kandal, Takeo, and Prey Veng continue to grow stronger. Many new believers who were saved in this past summer's youth camp are now growing in Christ and being discipled. We purchased a piece of land in Prey Angkunh for less than $500! Now we are trying to raise about $800 to put up a simple structure for church meetings. These folks are amazing! All the members showed up on Sunday, each one bearing at least one heavy post. These posts will be used to support the roof over the church. The plan is to build a wood, bamboo, and thatch building. These folks are on fire for the Lord! When they trusted Jesus Christ as Saviour, they, not by my leading, but by the leading of the Holy Spirit, took all their idols, amulets, and anything of the old religion, and destroyed them all publicly in front of their house! It reminds me of 1 Thessalonians 1:9 and how they "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God."
A lady in our church here in the city has donated a piece of land to start a mission in her home village of Tro Ket, about an hour from the capitol. We have already started services out there, but need to put a fence or wall up around the property in order to secure our rights to the land. In Cambodia, if you don't do this, squatters can come in and occupy your land, and then it's nearly impossible to remove them. We will also need to put up a simple structure there. Brothers Tito and Kimlong are working in that mission every week.
Bunna is doing well in Ksach Kandal, seeing souls saved and is now averaging around 30 in his church attendance. James is doing well in Ampov Prey, and he's seeing about 100 in his services. Seyhar is leading the work in Nirot and directing the Manna Feeding Center there.
Finally, we are helping about 30 students in our Bible school with education, food and housing. We've rented two small houses to use as a boys and a girls dorm. In addition, we are feeding them good meals everyday. These are kids from the remote areas who have traveled to the city to study the Bible. We really could use some extra help with this, as it is a HUGE financial cost, but these young people know that Jesus Christ is the hope of Cambodia. It is worth every effort, but we could use your help in this.
God bless each of you and thanks for always thinking of souls over here in Cambodia! We will be in the US on furlough from December 18 to June 12 and hope that we can see many of you while we are home!
In Christ,
Billy, Cindy, Leah, and Kayla Haas
Missionaries in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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