Travel Blog – The Creels' Catch

Exploring the City

Another week of adventure. We’re not sure we can share on a weekly basis, but we’ll try whenever we can. Here’s an update on our life here in Southeast Asia.

Our main mode of transportation in the city is called a “Tuk-tuk” or a modern rickshaw. (Other people have cars). On a daily basis, we travel from our apartment to the radio station office (about 10–15 minute drive depending on the traffic). We thank the Lord for a good tuk-tuk driver, Nara, who drives us to and from the office everyday. Going to other places, we also use a mobile phone app to call a taxi or other rickshaws (like booking an Uber ride).

Visiting the Transmitter Site

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One day last week, we visited the transmitter site of Voice of Love. The studio and office are located in the main part of the city. However, the transmitter site is in the outskirts west of the office site, about 5-6 miles drive, again depending on the traffic. One of the engineering staff took us to the transmitter site. We all rode a taxi.

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David, as a broadcast engineer is happy to see the FM radio transmitter running well. We were delighted also to visit with the faithful workers who keep the transmitter running day in and day out. We were blessed by their hospitality as they served us drinks and snacks.

Construction of new Data Center and Transmitter Building

For the past few months, David and the leadership of the ministry (VOL) with a project team have been planning the construction of a new tower. Currently our radio station is using a guyed tower. Lord willing, the team here is preparing to have a self-supporting tower and other improvements.

Transportation and Language Challenges

After a good visit with the transmitter staff, and seeing the on-going construction, we prepared to book a ride back to town. We found out that it was not easy to get a regular taxi to go back to town, except for a tuk-tuk or rickshaw. Since small rickshaws can only carry 2 people, the staff suggested we take separate rides. So, we booked our rickshaw. When our rickshaw came, just before we drove away, the driver told our staff in the local language that his phone was not working well. The main language of the people in Cambodia is called Khmer (pronounced Ka-mye). We noticed many of the young people speak some English, but others don’t. Communicating is sometimes a challenge.

So going back to our rickshaw story, in the middle of the ride, the driver said something to us that we did not really understand. We thought he said something in English, the word, “cancel”.

So, we said, “No cancel please”. We didn’t know how to say it in Khmer, and we forgot to use our phones’ translation app. We did not know the road, and we were not sure if the driver was taking us in the right direction to go back to town. So, we started praying. In our phone app, the ride was cancelled, so we could not see if the driver was following the right directions in the map. David and I did not know what to do and how to communicate with the driver. We prayed and trusted God to help us. When we got to the middle of the city, we noticed the driver was not sure how to get to our destination (back to our apartment). With wisdom from our Lord, we told him the nearest landmark, a well-known mall near our apartment. After a few minutes, we arrived at the mall. From there, we knew our way to the apartment. We thank our Lord that even amid language challenges, the Lord took care of us.

So, we started language class this past weekend with a small group of 3 students and 2 teachers (a local teacher and an American).

We would appreciate prayer as we study Khmer.

Week 2 – Adventure

Last week was our second week in the city of Phnom Penh. We did paperwork for our visa extension and apartment hunting. We thank the Lord for the kindness of Voice of Love (FEBC) staff helping us with the paperwork. At the same time, we looked at several apartment condos in the area. We also thank the Lord for the kindness of the staff of Quality Expat Services who are helping us to look for different apartment condos. Most of the apartment/condos are in high rise buildings.

This past weekend while recovering from jetlag, trying to adjust to a warm climate and different environment, we went to a park and the riverside.

While going around the city, we noticed many places that have altars and images of the traditional religion. It seems many people are engaged in traditional religion as we see food and other items offered on altars and carved images. It is sad to see many people worshipping gods that do not have life. As the Bible says,

“They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; ⁶They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; ⁷They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk;
Nor do they mutter through their throat.
Psalm 115: 3-7

We are praying for many eyes to be opened to the One True God, who loves and cares for them. When we meet people like taxi or rickshaw drivers, shop workers, and others, we try to tell them, “Our God in heaven bless you!” Sometimes we say, “Our God in heaven cares for you, His name is Jesus!”

It feels overwhelming sometimes to see many people who need to know the One True God who created and saved them. We are praying that the Lord of the harvest will send out workers to the harvest field. (Matthew 9:37-39).

We are also grateful to our Lord for His provision, faithfulness, and protection. The Lord provided for us even before we arrived. We have household stuff that we are using now from friends who used to live here, Mike & Brigit. We are thankful to the Lord for keeping us safe while we ride around the city, and for a trusted driver, another blessing from Mike & Brigit. We are thankful also for little ways God encourages us, like finding almond milk, breakfast cereal and other USA products we are familiar with. We thank our Lord God for His faithful provision for all our needs. We thank Him for friends and ministry partners who pray and support us.

A Little Adventure to Share:

Here is a little adventure to share about the first day we arrived in the city. After checking into the apartment/condo and getting into the room, I said a little prayer. We needed to go out to buy some items at the store. When I saw a safe deposit box in the closet, I thought we could keep our passports there and not carry them around. It did not look like the regular safes I had seen in other hotels that have numerical keypads. (Later, I found out, it had a numerical keypad behind a cover). After I placed my passport in the safe and shut the door with the key, I tried to open it but it would not open. After several tries, still it wouldn’t open. We asked help from the hotel staff and they could not help either. They said, somebody will come in the morning to help. David and I spent a lot of times in the afternoon and the following morning trying to crack the safe. David researched online how to open or crack a safe. We were getting anxious about the situation. We prayed hard and earnestly.

The following morning, we again asked the staff for their help. They kept telling us, the manager was on her way.

That morning, as I prayed and had my morning time with the Lord, He reminded of His Words in Ephesians

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. … ¹³Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (Ephesians 6:10-17 NKJV)

The Word of God in Ephesians 6 spoke to me, first to be strong. When I started to think of the worst, and when doubts and fears started to creep in, the Words of the Lord encouraged me to be strong and to take “the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the of the wicked one.” (Ephesians 6:16)

Instead of fear and doubts, I was reminded to have faith that our Lord God would send help and will take care of us.

After asking a few times, the manager finally arrived just before 12:00 noon. She had the passcode of the safe box, opened it, and got my passport, PRAISE the Lord! Thank you Lord Jesus!

Bible Quotations from Bible Gateway

It’s All About Him!

“The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.” Psalm 121: 8

After many months of cleaning, sorting and packing, the past few weeks have been like a whirlwind for us! We had several get togethers with extended family, friends, church folks and neighbors. We thank and praise the Lord for the outpourings of love through potluck meals, well-wishes, prayers, cards, gifts, etc. Though emotional to say goodbye to everybody, we are grateful to our Lord for His love and goodness expressed through every individual.

One of the greeting cards that touched our hearts was a handmade card from the children of our home church, Christ Central Church.

We praise and thank the Lord for His grace, wisdom, and strength and for sustaining us over the past few months in the most challenging and difficult time of transition. Changes are not usually easy. Moving house, especially international moving is not fun. But we thank and praise our Lord for everyone who gives to our ministry and for everyone who prays for us so we could serve Him. It is a privilege and honor to serve our Lord and to be called by Him. We also thank everyone who helped us in practical ways such as transporting items to storage, and those who helped in other ways.

Again, it’s all about Him, our Lord Jesus Christ, the very first missionary, who came from His heavenly home to earth.

This is not the end, but just the beginning of a new adventure – Jesus’ Call to His Harvest Field, Adventures in the Mission Field

Part 2 – In Singapore

We started our long journey from Alabama on February 27^th, going first to Houston, then to San Francisco and arriving in Singapore on March 3rd. While staying at the Retreat Center of Salvation Army, the Lord encouraged us with the words written on the wall: “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)

While attending a church there on Sunday morning, again the Lord encouraged us through His words:

“The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.” (Psalm 121:8)

Singapore is an interesting place, a melting pot of all kinds of people in Asia. We saw many people from different backgrounds; Islamic people perhaps from Indonesia and Malaysia. There were also people from Hindu backgrounds, Buddhists, Christians, and perhaps people from non-religious backgrounds. We enjoyed a couple of days as we recouped from our long journey.

Part 3 – Cambodia

On March 6th, we finally arrived in the city of Phnom Penh.

We received a warm welcome from FEBC Voice of Love.

It’s nice to reconnect with the staff and workers of Voice of Love Cambodia (FEBC Cambodia). We are touched by their warm welcome, as they presented us with a nice gift of a purple shawl with the official logo of the ministry and with matching white flower-garlands.

Again, we praise and thank the Lord for His faithfulness, for His love and kindness He has shown through our families, friends, neighbors, and church family. We are grateful also for each and everyone who prays and supports our ministry so we can serve Him.

In a recent message we heard, we were reminded that Mission is worship. It’s all about God, His heart for people from every nation and every tongue, to know Him and His love for them. And for them to worship Him.

We would appreciate your prayers as we adjust to a new culture, as we apply for a visa extension, and as we look for housing. Please pray also for wisdom and fruitfulness as we share the love of Christ in Cambodia. Thank you all, and our Lord Jesus bless you all!

The Judean Wilderness

Day 1-The Holy Land Trip

Day 2- Jerusalem

Day 2, Part2- The Western Wall

Day 3- Via Dolorosa

The wilderness and the ^[a]wasteland shall be glad for them,
And the desert^[b] shall rejoice and blossom as the rose;
²It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice,
Even with joy and singing…
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
The excellency of our God….

For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,
And streams in the desert.
⁷The parched ground shall become a pool,
And the thirsty land springs of water;
In the habitation of jackals, where each lay,
There shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

⁸A highway shall be there, and a road,
And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness…

⁹No lion shall be there,
Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it;
It shall not be found there.
But the redeemed shall walk there-
Isaiah 35

Day 4 January 12, Sunday

We drove today from Jerusalem (we checked out from Olive Tree hotel in Jerusalem) to Judean wilderness road/highway. On the road we saw a community of the Bedouins living in tents. Then we drove about an hour to the road through Qumram, Dead Sea and Masada. Saw huge rock formations, caves, and canyons along the En Gedi road which are desert and arid places. However, surprisingly, there were palm date orchards. The huge rocks and caves reminded us of the Scriptures in Psalm 18. “ The Lord is my rock and my fortress..” Some Bible stories came alive, the man who walked on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho and was helped by a Samaritan. (Luke 10:25-37). The story of David in 1 Samuel when he hid in caves in EnGedi. While driving, we had the view of the Dead Sea on the left, and and on the right were the huge rock formations, canyons and caves.

I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
²The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my ^[a]strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the ^[b]horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
³I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-2

DSC_0753_copy

The story of David when he stayed in the strongholds in the wilderness- I Samuel 23 and 24

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
²So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory. – Psalm 63

DSC_0754_copy — Dead Sea Scrolls found in Qumran

Driving by Masada and Qumran, we some orchards of palm dates, green houses of herbs and other vegetable gardens.We saw water irrigation system implemented in the Judean wilderness, and even swimming pool resort.

It reminded me of the word in Isaiah 35, “the desert and the parched land will be glad, the wilderness will rejoice and blossom like the crocus. It will burst into bloom,…water will gush out forth into wilderness, burning sand will become a pool and thirsty ground bubbling springs. And a highway will be there, but only the redeemed will walk. “

DSC_0782_copy — Fun time in the Dead Sea

DSC_0758_copy

Masada National Park

Qumran National Park

The Bible Gateway

Via Dolorosa, Jesus healed a man in the Pool of Bethesda

Holy Land Trip Day 3

Day 1

Day 2- Part 1

Day 2- Part 2

Here is the continuation of our recent Holy Land trip. Please see the above links for Days 1 and 2. We apologize that it’s taking long to get these organized.

On Day 3 (Saturday is Sabbath Day)

Today we started the day going to the Old City (Walled city of Jerusalem). There were city gates, thick stone walled city gates.

Jerusalem (From NTS Travel Holy Land Guide) is located in the Judean Mountains about 2500 ft above sea level. It is also called the “City of David” ( 2 Samuel 5:6-7).

We also went to the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a paralytic. It was interesting to see the actual pool. Before coming, we imagined it to be like a regular oval shaped, Olympic size swimming pool. But it looked very different. It is a deep and large, look like a water cistern with tall marble columns, with steps to go down.

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ²Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, ^[a]Bethesda, having five porches. ³In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, ^[b]paralyzed, ^[c]waiting for the moving of the water. ⁴For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. ⁵Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. ⁶When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”⁷The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”⁸Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” ⁹And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

John 5: 1-8

Then we walked to the “Via Dolorosa”, or the Road to Suffering. There are stations of the cross in the Old City. This was the supposed to be the road that the Lord Jesus went through as he suffered, bruised, beaten and carried a cross from the Judgement seat of Pontius Pilate to the place of crucifixion.

There were 13 stations telling the story of Jesus journey from the time He was condemned from the judgment seat of Pontius Pilate.

From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”¹³When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. ¹⁴Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!”¹⁵But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!”Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?”The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”¹⁶Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus ^[d]and led Him away.And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, ¹⁸where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. ¹⁹Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

John 19

station_cross — One of the stations of the cross.

We walked on a narrow street of the Old City, where we saw many shops.

Some shops and stores were selling wares, souvenirs, scarves, etc, Some vehicles, cars and even small trucks drive that long and narrow alleys, unbelievable!

Then after walking along the narrow alleys, with twist and turns, the alley wound up in a corner through a narrow passage that led to a small square with an old cathedral built by Queen Helena.

The site where Catholics believe Jesus was buried.

I was surprised to see many people, tourists and pilgrims from different countries-Africa, India, Europe, South America, North America, etc. Inside the old cathedral was dark, there were some old paintings, murals, icon, images of Bible characters- Mary, etc. It was literally dark inside, crowded, long lines of people waiting to touch a huge rock on an altar. And other religious relics, believed to be connected to the death and burial of Jesus.

After this, Jesus, ^[e]knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” ²⁹Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. ³⁰So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit –

John 19: 29-30

Then we went to another site called the Garden Tomb. Other Christian groups preferred this site as the burial site of Jesus. It was a nice open air garden, peaceful, calm, much nicer place.

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. ³⁹And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. ⁴⁰Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. ⁴¹Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. ⁴²So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

John 19: 38-42

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb ¹²and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.¹³They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” ¹⁴At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.¹⁵He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”¹⁶Jesus said to her, “Mary.”She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).¹⁷Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”¹⁸Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁰After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.²¹Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” ²²And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

John 20

: At the end of the tour, our tour group had a special communion ceremony.

Rejoice! He is Risen!

Why the Western Wall?

“Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place”.

Day 1

Day 2 Part 1

Day 2- Part 2

wall_city — Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may they prosper who love you. Psalm 122:6

On Day 2, after visiting the Garden of Gethsemane, we drove a couple of miles or so to the Western Wall.

20200110_101243B — Peace be within your walls- Psalm 122:7

I saw a lot people- Israelis and people from other countries walking on the square outside the part of the ruins of the Old Temple. A portion of the wall, on the right side of the square is called the “Western Wall”. According to our tour guide and the tradition, the wall is part of the original temple built by King Herod 2000 years ago. It is the most holy site or sacred place for the Jews.

Why the Western Wall and Temple are significant?

The first Temple was built during the reign of King Solomon in Israel about 3,000 years ago. In 2 Chronicles 7 it says;

“Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. ¹³When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, ¹⁴if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. ¹⁵Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. ¹⁶For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.” The Bible Gateway

Pray_wall — David visited the men’s prayer section of the Western wall.

W_Wall (2) — Vicki visited the women’s prayer section of the Wall.

We wrote prayers on small pieces of papers, and stuck them in the crevices of the Wall. Many people who come to the site do the same thing. So I wrote on my a piece of paper my prayers – salvation of the Jews, revival in the church, and my family. This is the most awesome spiritual experience I had so far. I was also surprised to see some young Jewish women- maybe 16 or 18 years old who were praying and doing the religious rituals, holding their small book, reciting prayers, at the Western Wall. What an awesome place!

*According to the Western Wall Heritage Foundations,” the Western Wall has been the center of Jewish yearning and memory for more than 2,000 years. The only fragment of the Great Temple to survive the Roman destruction, the Divine presence has never departed from the Western Wall.” visit The Western Wall Foundation

Isaiah 56:7 “these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

In afternoon, we visited the Holocaust Memorial museum, outside the Old city in the business district. There were many overwhelming artifacts – names, photos, etc. of many Jewish people who perished during the holocaust in Europe from the 1930’s- 40’s.

20200110_133533C — Holocaust Memorial Musuem

We also went to another part of the city, where a chapel is built to remember home of John the Baptist’s parents – Zacharias and Elizabeth. (Story in Luke 1: 57 – 66).

We saw frames where the prayer of Zacharias in Luke 1 was written in different languages.

DSC_0310 (2) — The prayer of Zacharias, (English version) John the Baptist Father. Luke 1:67-79

Then we went to another site in connection to the birth of Jesus and John the baptist. It is a chapel to remember the story when Mary visited Elizabeth. Luke 1:39-56

Holy Land Journey

Holy Land Journey – Part 2

Day 1- Holy Land trip

On Day 2 Tour –

On day two of the tour, still in Jerusalem, our bus drove up to a road that leads to Mt. Olives. We all got off the bus, and stop at a place which has a breathtaking view overlooking the city of Jerusalem. The tour guide gave us a brief geographical sketch/background of Jerusalem city- the city gates, etc. The old temple wall, the old city wall, from Herod’s time to the Byzantine era. Some parts of the wall are still there from about 2,000 years ago.

A breathtaking view of the city on a hill, the city of King David.

Then we drove down the road, three miles or so, to to the church that preserved the “Garden of Gethsemane”.

It was the place where Jesus spent late night prayer before His arrest.

Gethsemane means Olive orchard.

As soon as we entered the Garden area, and saw the rows of ancient Olive trees, I felt the strong presence of the Lord. It was an awesome presence, I almost cry in tears. I almost felt the agony of the Lord Jesus when He wrestled and prayed, “God’s will not my will..”

A time of surrender to God’s perfect will for Him, and for the salvation of many. The Spirit of revelation came to me, Jesus had actually won the battle, not at the cross, but in the Garden of Gethsemane- The prayer of surrender, absolute surrender to His loving Father, trusting Him, His Father for the best outcome. So, it was Jesus’ battle against human flesh and against Satan’s final temptation, He had overcome the battle, a complete surrender to the Father. Thus, the Father made Jesus triumphant or the Winner!

Gethsame — Some of the oldest olive trees, about 2,000 years old.

Poem Inspiration from the Lord:

The Garden

There in the Garden

My Savior plead,

There in the Garden

My Savior knelt down and prayed,

“Father, not my will

But Your will be done”

There in the garden

My Lord surrendered

To His Father’s plan

Yet He had won

The Victor’s crown

There in the garden

My Savior wept

He cried bloody tears of surrender

There in the garden

My Savior won over sin and temptation;

Death and evil no more have dominion

There in the garden my Savior won the victor’s crown.

The Gethsemane garden is managed by the “Church of all nations”. Many churches from different countries contributed to the preservation of the site and built a beautiful and magnificent chapel/cathedral. In the middle of the chapel’s altar, was a rock that many believe was the rock where Jesus knelt and prayed in the garden.

therock — Inside the Church of All Nations, a painting of Jesus praying in the Garden.

Readings:

John 18:1-2

“When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciple over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered… Jesus often met there with His disciples.”

Luke 22 :39-44

^“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. ⁴⁰On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” ⁴¹He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ⁴²“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” ⁴³An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. ⁴⁴And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.^[c]

More stories and photos later from the trip.

Holy Land Trip 01.2020

Part 1

From January 7-16^th, 2020, the Lord has blessed us with a trip to the Holy Land. It was the most wonderful and awesome place we had been because of the presence of our Holy God. There is so much to share. We have more than a thousand photos between two cameras! Since the Bible is so much part of our spiritual lives, it was amazing and fascinating to see actual places and sites that we have been reading about for many years. We were with a tour group of 50 people from different parts of the USA. We praise and thank the Lord Jesus for blessing with this wonderful trip. And here to share some of the highlights.

Day 1-

We started in the city of Jerusalem.

“Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! – Psalm 122:1-2

The Upper Room in Mount Zion- located outside the southwest corner of the Old City wall. It is believed to be the room where Jesus and His disciples had the Last Supper. (Matthew 26:26-30; John 13)

Our group at the Upper Room (inside a chapel)

South of the Old City wall, on the eastern slope of a hill that overlooks the area of Old City of Jerusalem, is the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu. The church was built in 1931, and is the traditional site of the Palace of Caiaphas, who was the high priest during the arrest of Jesus. It was the place where Peter denied Jesus three times before a rooster crowed. (Matthew 26:57-75)

DSC_0027B — The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu

Our group then drove a few miles, south of the city, to Bethlehem.

The Shepherd’s field –

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. … (Luke 2:8-20).

A young shepherd boy allowed Vicki to carry his little lamb.

Then our group went to the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem . A cathedral was built around the 3rd century on the site believed to be where Jesus was born.

The rock, inside a cave, the stable where tradition says where Jesus was born.

“And she brought forth her first-born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, (feed trough), because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:1-7

More to share later.

To the ends of the earth, (Travel Blog – Oct 12 – 27, 2019)

Reading: Acts 1: 1-8

Key verse: v.8

Jesus said, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NKJV)

As Jesus fulfilled this word to His disciples, it is still the same today with His followers:

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” It is the plan and desire of God that all followers of Jesus be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit so we can be witnesses for Him – with our family, friends, neighbors, and people of other places, countries, and to the ends of the earth. God loves people of every nation, every country, language and ethnicity. God wants every person to know Him, His Word, His love and salvation through Jesus Christ.

In October 7-28, 2019, David and I had the privilege to travel to southeast Asia to visit and help our FEBC ministry fields. Photos from our travels to Thailand are in this post

Here are the highlights as we traveled to Phnom Penh, Cambodia:

The growing and developing city of Phnom Penh

David and the engineering team visited the Transmitter site of Voice of Love radio.

DSC_0725 (1).JPG — A visit to a silk factory

The new Outside Broadcast (OB) equipment finally arrived after many days of waiting. Praise the Lord!

Engineering team testing and working on the new OB equipment

20191025_105926 — David & Mike testing the new OB equipment in the studio.

Setting up the OB equipment to broadcast a live Christian concert via FM and Facebook live

A thousand young people came to praise and worship Jesus in the concert.

The Bible story from creation to Jesus’s birth was presented in the local language in their cultural context by the Bible Society.

The cast of the Bible Story during the concert. According to Franklin Graham, the country’s community of believers is growing, but approximately 98% of the 16 million people still need to hear the Gospel.

A tuk tuk (taxi) ride to the FEBC office every morning.

We thank and praise the Lord for those who prayed with us during this trip. Thank you also for those who faithfully support us so we could serve the Lord and reach more souls for Jesus.

From the streets of Bangkok… (Travel Blog Oct 8-12,2019)

Vicki with a hotel staff, praying she will also know the One True God who loves her, Jesus Christ.

FEBC broadcasts the Gospel to 17 ethnic people in South East Asia

The wilderness and the [a]wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert[b] shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; 2 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing… They shall see the glory of the Lord, The excellency of our God….

For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. 7 The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water; In the habitation of jackals, where each lay, There shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

8 A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness… 9 No lion shall be there, Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; It shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there- Isaiah 35

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. 2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. – Psalm 63

Why the Western Wall and Temple are significant?

Isaiah 56:7 “these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

The Garden

There in the Garden

My Savior plead,

There in the Garden

My Savior knelt down and prayed,

“Father, not my will

But Your will be done”

There in the garden

My Lord surrendered

To His Father’s plan

Yet He had won

The Victor’s crown

There in the garden

My Savior wept

He cried bloody tears of surrender

There in the garden

My Savior won over sin and temptation;

Death and evil no more have dominion

There in the garden my Savior won the victor’s crown.

Reading: Acts 1: 1-8

Key verse: v.8

The wilderness and the ^[a]wasteland shall be glad for them,
And the desert^[b] shall rejoice and blossom as the rose;
²It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice,
Even with joy and singing…
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
The excellency of our God….

For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,
And streams in the desert.
⁷The parched ground shall become a pool,
And the thirsty land springs of water;
In the habitation of jackals, where each lay,
There shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

⁸A highway shall be there, and a road,
And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness…

⁹No lion shall be there,
Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it;
It shall not be found there.
But the redeemed shall walk there-
Isaiah 35

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
²So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory. – Psalm 63

Isaiah 56:7 “these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”