This is the day the Lord has made!

Bunthan bargaining in the local market for our lunch

This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it! Indeed God gave us a special day today. We started it off with a full buffet breakfast at our hotel which has both western and khmer food. All of us were wearing white Tshirts that I got made here with 'The Ratanak Foundation' logo in the front and at the back the words 'Not Forgotten: Child Sex Slaves" and the verse Proverbs 31:8-9 'Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves'. One of the guests came up to chat as it turned out they were American missionaries in Battambang and were familiar with Ratanak's work in that city. Such a small world. Their daughter wanted to buy one of our t-shirts but as we have no extras here I promised to give her one back in Phnom Penh as I have ordered a whole bunch to take back to Canada.

Bible study at the beach

Anyway, the students and Pastor Chantha went off to the beach for their morning bible study and devotional time while I head with Bunthan, Siny and Dary to the local market to buy the seafood for our lunch. Bunthan was totally in her element bargaining away and getting good deals for the crab, prawns, clams and rice we would eat. The next stop was taking all the seafood to a place across the street from the market where the food would be cooked. We then headed down to the beach with all the goodies for lunch and arrived as the bible study time was just ending.

Getting Ready To Be Baptized

It was now time for the baptisms. God blessed us with incredible weather---a beautiful sunny day with clouds in the sky. The students lined up in two rows---boys in one row and the girls in the other as they began to sing contemporary Christian worship songs while Pastor Chantha, myself, Ratanak and Bunthan prayed in preparation. One by one they came forward and I shared with each a personal word and prayer and Pastor Chantha translated and also prayed for them. At the end they all broke out in more worship songs and then Pastor Chantha asked if I would say something to them as a group and then pray over them with him translating.

Sharing God's word

Lunch

I am so in awe of this incredible privilege and opportunity today. Some sow, some reap, but I feel like I have reaped where I have not sown. To see this kind of fruit is one of the most precious gifts among many that the Lord has blessed me with on this trip. There are no words that can fully express the emotions felt today. 'Thank you Jesus' is simply not enough! Today is not only a spiritual marker in the lives of the students but will definietly be one of the most significant spiritual highlights that I have experienced in my life. Bunthan shared that as we were doing the baptisms, she felt the Lord was smiling down on all of us who are part of His work in Svay Pak. These youth are the first fruits of a harvest that is being nurtured in Svay Pak of all places. Who could have ever imagined this 3 years ago. Thank you Lord for the miracles you are doing in Svay Pak as you are raising up a generation that will serve you with all their heart, soul and strength.!

Well there's more to write but my eyes and brain are shutting down after a long day. Tomorrow we head back to Phnom Penh but will be taking a pit stop at a waterfall. Another little adventure I am looking forward to participating in.