Back in Action

From Global Lutheran Outreach missionaries Joe and Viya Stoltenow (Serving in Cambodia):

We are very happy to announce that Ray of Hope is back to normal operations, well, mostly back to normal. We have re-opened our mission center and the kids are back on a structured schedule of education, meals, and Gospel. As with the rest of the world we are certainly using Zoom Meetings more than usual. But thankfully it is helping our students to continue their school work and they’re all on track to graduate their current grade levels.

The kids and staff were so happy to return to our center and get our lives a little bit back to normal. Our schedule has changed a little and we fortunately still get to sleep in a little as our kids Zoom classes don’t begin until 11:30 am. We pick the kids up around 7 am each day and bring them to our center for baths, breakfast, and Bible before we give them some break time where we help the kids prepare for their classes. Then, when classes begin, we spread the kids out and get them setup on computers and they begin their classes. After class we help the kids with homework, feed them lunch, and give them another break before its time to go home.

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Student Spotlight

Srey Sok Saát (Khmer for “Beautiful Hair)

To protect the privacy of these street children and their families, we will not be providing the actual names of our students online.

Srey Sok Saát is ten years old and was one of our original five students, along with her younger sister, back when we started Ray of Hope three years ago. She was very shy when she first came to our center but over time she really opened up and showed us just how fun and happy she really could be. She has a strong desire to go to school and she especially enjoys studying Khmer (the Cambodian language). She also loves listening to our Bible lessons everyday and her favorite Bible story is Father Abraham.

She is currently doing very well in her online classes as she prepares to start 4th grade next year. She also very much enjoys learning new Bible stories and frequently asks questions during our lessons.

Srey Sok Saát lives in a slum near the Sangker River here in Battambang. She lives with her large family of aunts, uncles, and  cousins, but spends most of her time with her mother and younger sisters. Unfortunately, Srey Sok Saát was born with a blood disease that causes Anemia and requires frequent trips to children’s hospital in Siem Reap to receive treatment.

Through the generous donations made by Srey Sok Saát’s sponsors, we have been able to personally oversee and help the family with these trips to Siem Reap. We are incredibly thankful to her sponsors and to all of our supporters who are making it possible for us to help these children.

Click here to read the latest newsletter from the Stoltenow!

Preparing for Nigeria

From Global Lutheran Outreach missionary Joshua Wareham (Preparing to serve in Jos, Nigeria) :

With the virus still prevalent, Hillcrest will be beginning the school year online. This is great because I am still in the states! I wish I was overseas, but this will have to do until the Nigerian consulates open. I have been working on my orientation for working at an international Christian school while at home.

We will learn of the strength God provides us when life is tough. It is good to know that God guides us through situations we don’t want to be in, or even signed up for, yet we somehow always get through them and look back saying, “Wow, how did I make it to the other side?”

We will learn how special we and the people we serve are. Each one of us has a unique and special relationship with Him that no one else can truly understand. We are individualistic. Our experiences in life are all different; and how they impact us, impact our relationship with Christ whether it be positive or negative. But! Learning how special each person is and what their personal relationship with Christ is, can open up conversations that Christ can work through to water a seed that has been planted by you.

Update of What is Happening

As I said before, I am still in Georgia until the Nigerian consulates open. I have been preparing for Hillcrest through this orientation. I am only about half way through it, and it is definitely eye opening. I have been reading the novels I will teach the middle schoolers. I have finished a few of them: The Hobbit, Iqbal, War Horse, and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit (This one is funny so far. I am about half way through it.) School starts August 5th! It is exciting and a little nerve wracking, but Christ will see me through.

As a teacher, I am always excited to share my knowledge about what I know. I would be ecstatic to share, explain, and talk about my call to Jos, Nigeria. If you, someone you know, or bible study groups, home groups, or churches want to hear more about my mission please contact me through my dedicated missions email: warehamj72@gmail.com.

Click here to read the latest newsletter from Joshua!