Welcome!

Thank you for visiting our groups blog.
Take a moment to watch the video above to get a good summary of the trip.

The three organizations that can use your generous financial support are:

missionofmercy.org

teenchallengecambodia.org

kenhuff.org

Undone ~ Dayna

I sit here completley undone at what God did in just 10 very short days.
I traveled to Cambodia with the idea that God could use me to show compassion on a people group and a country that has somehow almost been forgotten yet not left alone. I went with the notion that if I could be God's hands and feet that others would see Him and I do believe that did happen. But what I also see now, is that in going God had such mightier plans for the people of Cambodia to show compassion to me and by them loving, respecting and accepting me they were Jesus's hands and feet in motion to me.
I am amazed that on the other side of the world people that we came to minister to ministered to us even more. I will quote a good friend of mine and fellow CC traveler in saying that "I have never seen the fruits of the Spirit alive and more active here, than I have ever witnessed in my whole life." I 2nd that opinion and add that I have never witnessed a more genuine, loving, accepting, and whole hearted people group chasing after God more than I witnessed there.
I miss my new friends very much and my heart aches to see them again and I know that one day God will take me back there but in the meantime I consider it an honor and a privlige to carry the burden to pray for not only my new friends but also for the entire country. So as new friends faces pass through my mind and God continues to bring up names and situations I consider it great joy to be a part of God's plans for Cambodia and the generation He is raising up there, even if its the just the undergirding of prayer.

Indescribable really ~By Meredith

So now that we're back from Cambodia, everyone wants to ask me what they think to be an easy question--How was it? The answer for me is not so easy though. The trip was "indescribable really" is about all I feel I can say. Of course, at first, they might not understand what I mean by that, but it is about the only way I can begin to even express my experience. I try to go into detail(without retelling the entire trip) but you almost need to share the entire trip to not forget any of the most interesting and wonderful moments.

Monday-Friday consisted of a consistent schedule. Wake up at 5-5:30am, eat breakfast at 6 and leave the Guest House by 6:30am. We then drove for 20-30 minutes(depending on traffic--which is an entire story in itself!) to the school where we taught English from 7am -4pm with a LONG lunch break from 11am-2pm when the students and teachers go home for lunch and a nap. At 4pm, when we were done at the school, we drove back to the Guest House for a short rest of 40 minutes to an hour before walking a few blocks to the English school put on by the local church. We taught another hour there and then would walk back to a restaurant between the school and Guest House to eat dinner. We would arrive back to the Guest House by about 7:30pm and be in bed and asleep usually no later than 9pm! All of this in 100 degree weather and VERY high humidity, but the Lord provided energy and strength to get through the long, hot days.

The part that I feel is so "indescribable" is the people of Cambodia! A few adjectives that would only begin to describe them are: wonderful, warm, welcoming, honoring, joyful, full of laughter, smily, loving... Our group has never felt such love and acceptance in our lives as we did while in Cambodia! We made instant friends and each of the 7 of us, left a part of our heart there when we left!

10 days seems like a long time, but when you're being continually blessed and spending your time with friends, 10 days feels like 10 minutes. We had a blast teaching English and playing games, and teaching songs while we were there. We also had the time of our lives watching the people of Cambodia interact with one another! They give each other the highest form of respect and honor and that in itself was amazing to watch through our foreigner eyes!

If you ever have the chance to go to Cambodia--GO!!!!!!!!!!! You will never be the same after being amongst people that live such a happy, joyful, life even against our American idea of being "poor" they are so much richer than most of us in their lives for they have a joy that transcends my understanding!

Compassion...redefined ~ by Billy

I've always correlated compassion with the word pity. When I think of the phrase "Jesus looked on the crowd and had compassion." I subconsciously interchange compassion with pity, so the paraphrase becomes "Jesus looked on the poor pathetic people and had pity on them." This definition of compassion has become infinitely more clear to me now.


Jesus didn't have pity on them because of their harsh living existence. He didn't feel sorry for the crowds because they were sick. He loved them with a passion that necessitated action. He loved them so much; He would do anything, risk anything for them. He loved them so much that He couldn't stand the thought that they could be in pain.

I'm not sure why it's taken me 30 years to grasp this concept. My heart aches to be with the friends I've made in Cambodia. I do not feel sorry for them, I don't pity them. I would do anything for them.

Honor ~ by Billy

Sorry for the sparse postings so far. We're getting up at 5am every morning and not done till 8pm, in 100+ degree weather. Everybody's been ready to crash at night ;)
Here is a journal entry and a few pictures:
The people here greet us with honor everywhere we go. This is simply because we are foreigners. Almost all of them defer to us in a slightly uncomfortable way - reminiscent of a slave to master relationship. The society is entrenched in an uncomplicated caste system: rice farmers (the poor country people) and people with money.
Status and money is HUGE here. People that drive Lexus's have the word LEXUS emblazoned in bold letters on the side of their cars. They drive wherever and however they want, because it is their privilege.
We have been greeted with nothing but smiles and laughter everywhere we go. We are honored to be here.

The Begining ~ Dayna C

All of us, including so many bags it was staggering, piled into the van with a prayer of blessing and darkness surrounding us we pulled away from FT on what I know is going to be a life changing adventure, for all of us. As the drive began at 4am the anticipation and excitement began to become almost overwhelming. Sleep was varied and intermingled with prayers and the what ifs. God has done so many miracles to get all of us to this point. That fact alone makes me ponder the love of God and the absolute vastness of it. Surely He is a great big loving God and in Him we already have the victory.
God is such an amazing Creator. As I write this at 38,000 feet in the air with a wonderfully melodic, beautiful serenade of languages and cultures swirling all around and one of the most beautiful sunsets just outside my tiny window. The beautiful backdrop of dark blue fading into teal then into the yellow and just a touch of orange, barley visible at the lowest point of the horizon is enough to take my breath away. Then as a beacon in that vast blue is one bright, beaming star, yet that one bright star God has named and knows exactly the location of the one star. He knows because He created it and called it into being.
Now, as night takes over the sky I am reminded over and over, how much more precious we are to Him than that star. For such a time as this, we are here because that is His plan.
Thank you for all of your prayers, God is already moving.

We're here!

Everything is good.
This will just be a quick post. This is the first time we've had internet. This is a picture of some of the kids and a gas station.

Early Start

Spirits are high and laughter is more like guffaws. The early morning (4am) start has everyone acting a little goofy from lack of sleep. Here we are at Bill and Kathy's Restaurant, ready to order our last American Food for awhile.

T minus 2 ~ by Billy

Two days until blastoff. Wow!
I have a checklist a mile long, but the feelings of expectation overwhelm any thoughts of work.
God has put this group together for a purpose not yet fully revealed. The spirit in which we are unified and working together and being led by Christ leaves little doubt that this is an important endeavor.

Mark 16 says:
15 [Jesus] said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

The last thing Jesus spoke on earth. Go, preach, signs will accompany you, you will drive out demons, speak in new tongues, sick people will get well. Jesus said this about every believer. These things: miracles, the work of preaching the good news, GOING; is not just for pastors or the “super spiritual”. This is for EVERY believer.

We all have a million reasons and excuses for why it’s not really for us, and that’s nothing new. (Read Moses' excuses here) But what if we simply took Jesus at His word and did what he said. What if we were like the disciples who tried it and the "Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs." I am confident that as we do the Lords work in Cambodia, He will confirm his word by signs.

excitement welling ~ by Dayna C

I have so much excitement welling up inside. I have a hard time putting into words just the feelings that are prancing around. I have no doubt that God is going to be doing mighty mighty things while we are there in us as well as through us. After getting some descriptions last night, from the Nichol’s who went recently, I see these wonderful people in a different light. My heart aches to look into their eyes and hear their stories, and really just experience life with them, even if it is for a short time. I pray that God would break my heart for the Cambodians and more specifically the one’s that He has placed in my path. The idea that God chose the 7 of us, for such a time as this, to go and serve, absolutely blows my mind. Most of the country has experienced more heartache and loss than I could even imagine and yet they are persevering and continuing on. I expect that not one of us will ever be the same and that is a good thing.
I also would like to say, in complete honesty, that I am hoping to be able to eat the countries "delicacies" of tarantulas legs and the newly heard of scorpions on a stick. What is the idea of going to a different country if you don’t try some of the local cuisine? =)

7 days till Cambodia ~ by Sarah

As the time approaches, I feel trapped in this checklist of what I need to do; all these small insignificant things. Well finals aren’t insignificant but I need to trust in the fact that the Lord has made me more than capable.

But it is 1:32 am and I am called awake by my Father reminding me that he gave it all away for me! I will be in Cambodia in 7 days, a place he has called us to bring his voice. I am overwhelmed by the joy that my Father is going to move in peoples lives; I want to see people realize the Lord their God is in their midst, that they are being saved by the Mighty One, that He is rejoicing over them with gladness, that He can quiet them with his love, and that their Lord is rejoicing over them with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

Father make us into the vessels you need for this journey to Cambodia. May we at every turn see what you see, may we hear your voice so we may speak the words that will touch and change lives, may you break our hearts with the things that break yours so we might understand and not be oblivious. Bless us with strength and health so we may fulfill your will, may we be all that is needed to minister to your people. Open our eyes Father; take a hold of us so that the people we come across see you and your love. You gave it all away for them. Bless them and open their ears and heart to the promise you have given us all. I give this trip, the people we shall come across, my teammates and all my worries into your hands.

Power! ~ by Meredith

God is moving in Klamath Falls and I believe it's just a small taste so far for what God has in store for our city. I've been raised in church and have heard the verse Acts 1:8 since I was a child. The verse talks about receiving power from heaven. Today I saw it in a new light and would like to share it from the Amplified Bible.

⁸But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.

Reading this version of the verse gave me new insight. ABILITY, EFFICIENCY, AND MIGHT! Jesus told us that He had to leave, in order for the Holy Spirit to come. He never tells us to do something that He does not provide us the means to be used in order to accomplish our task. Luke 24:49(Message Bible) tells us: ⁴⁹ “What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high."

I am so overly excited for our trip to Cambodia. I've always known I've had the "power", but I've never realized really how simple it is. He has not only sent the power, but has given us the ability to be equipped to use that power to fulfill what He calls us to do! Now, I will walk in it with ability, efficiency, and might!

What's this trip all about?

Purpose: At Chi Alpha OIT we have fully embraced the idea that every Christian Prays, Gives, and Goes to reach the lost. A unique opportunity has opened for us to minister to an often overlooked people group: the Cambodians. Cambodia is a nation still recovering from the brutal regime of Khmer Rouge. Peace inside the borders of Cambodia was a foreign concept until the early ‘90’s. The dominant religion is a form of Buddhism, while only 2% of inhabitants are Christian. The average income of a Cambodian family is under $500 per year.

In the gospels, Jesus often looked at large crowds “and had compassion on them.” While we believe that praying for and giving money to under privileged people groups is important, we know that compassion cannot stop at prayer and money. Compassion means getting involved. Compassion means getting dirty. Compassion means touching people that most would ignore.

Summary: We will leave Klamath Falls in a 15 passenger van at around 4am March 18^th, drive to San Francisco and board a plane to Phnom Phen, Cambodia. For the next seven days we will work with missionary Ken Huff and other national church pastors in ministering to the people of Cambodia in whatever way presents its self. Tentatively, we will be working with children in a Sunday School type setting during the day. Then teaching English to adults each evening. We will also be taking part in several church services in the evening, sharing testimonies, singing, teaching and preaching. We will take one day out for sightseeing, the plan is to visit Angkor Wat. We will leave Cambodia on the morning of the 28^th and arrive in SFO at 11am and make the drive back to KFalls.