From 29 December 2023 to 3 January 2024, our brothers and sisters in Cambodia enjoyed an International Bible School for the first time in 4 years. 32 local Cambodian brothers and sisters and 90 local young people/Bible students attended. It was well supported by international visitors, mainly from Australia, with 43 non-Cambodian brothers and sisters and young people visiting. The venue was the beautiful Shalom Valley Campsite near the coastal town of Kep; the first time a Bible School has been held outside the capital, Phnom Penh. Study leaders were Bro John Pople (USA) “Leading Ladies” and Bro Michael Hewitt (Australia) “Living the Truth”. There was a great atmosphere at the School as people built or renewed friendships based around the hope we share. It was also high on adventure with plenty of team building exercises and sporting activities for young and old to enjoy.
The highlight of the Bible School was the baptisms of Bro Reachea and Sis Saron, two of our Sunday School students. Some intensive first principles sessions were organised during the School for another 8 seeking baptism, who still have a little more to learn. It was wonderful to have brothers and sisters and young people come together from all over Cambodia and enjoy time together in what really was a sanctuary.
Our first long term fieldworkers came to Cambodia in 2023, with Bro Jonathan David from India arriving in February, and still continuing his stay. He was joined by Bro Zac Forbes from NZ in September 2023, who is also still teaching in Cambodia. Their time is spent mostly in the capital city, Phnom Penh, teaching at our Bible Education Centre and our two dormitories for university aged students sharing the Good News. Some shorter visits have been made by other brothers and sisters from the UK and Australia over the last 12 months which have been very encouraging for our local brothers and sisters.
