July 2008 Update

What a blessing babies are for a family! In December and January there were several babies born in Victory slum area. Two of those in families we know since long. The mothers have been part of bible studies, have been going to church regularly and they now have a personal relationship with Jesus. When they had their babies they wanted to dedicate them to God and they asked us to give them names. What a priviledge! Sereang's boy got the name Juda, which means "Now I will praise the Lord" and Maly's son got the name Johan (or John in English). Sereang has 6 kids since before but this is the first child after she decided to follow Christ. So now she will praise the Lord for this child. Maly's husband has had drinking problems and has beaten his wife, but after they got the child there has been a change in his life. He is softer, more present and caring about his family. So as the angel prophesied over John the baptist to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children we want to do the same over this family.

The New Land
More and more people have moved to the relocation (the new land) and that is why we have changed our main focus to be out there. The Kid's club and the clinic (washing of the kid's hair with lice schampoo, clipping nails, hygiene teaching, etc.) has already moved. There are a lot of new kids we didn't know before so it is like starting all over again to teach them to listen and to sit still and not scream and run around. But it is a joy to know that more people get to know Jesus. We also started a cell group in order to meet the spiritual needs of some of the ladies who are literally crying out for more of God. So we have a faithful group of ladies, and some men coming every Tuesday to learn more about our Savior and King. Praise God! Our hope is in the future to partner with a local church in order to integrate the cell group into that church.

In April we financed a well to be dug for about ten families that lives close to, but not in the actual, relocation area. Before they have relied on rain water and during the dry season they have bought their water. They were so thankful to Jesus for the new well and particularly one man was so thankful that he asked what he could give to Jesus as a sacrifice (this is in the anemistic tradition to give a sacrifice to the spirits when something good have happened). One of our staff told him that Jesus gives out of love and that he doesn't need to sacrifice anything, but that he can give his heart to Jesus. Now the families have put a big white cross over the well that everybody that passes, sees very clearly. To God be the glory!

Jan Mony (a boy who had drug problems) who we brought to a rehabilitation center for 3 months, is doing much better. He has been talking more, when before he was hardly replying. And he is now joining us in both the cell group and the Kid's club. Although he is better he is still in need of praying support please continue to pray for him for the love of his heavenly Father to heal his precious heart.

A few more families have received a start up capital for businesses, two in the Victory slum area and one in the new land. We pray for God's wisdom and favor for their small businesses as the prices of many things including food has gone up a lot. It is a good opportunity for discipleship through supporting microbusinesses, as Jesus taught about the talents and how we are as stewards. Pray for more opportunities to support families with micro loans.

If you would like any further information
about any aspect of this work,
please contact us at:

University of the Nations - Children At Risk
PO Box 1415
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

car@uofncambodia.org