Dear Friends,

 

I’m a pretty amiable guy for the most part.  Typically my disposition never gets too high or low.  But even after rearing four children and experiencing all the sleepless nights that go with it,  I simply do not appreciate being woken up unnecessarily out of a sound sleep.  However, for whatever reason I actually function at a pretty high level if I happen to be awakened at night. The drawback is that once I am awake I don’t go back to sleep – bummer.    Right now we’re now coming into the dry season here in Cambodia, which I like to think of as the official start of the “Wedding Season”.  Rain is not expected anytime soon so everyone rushes to get married (and to enjoy their accompanying celebrations).  IF you are still reading this….you must be wondering - How in the world do my sleep patterns, weddings in Cambodia and ministry in general tie in???  Probably not as perfectly as I think but if you’ll indulge me I’ll explain.

 

Take this morning for example.  It is 3:45AM, at least that’s what my phone read.  I hear the distinct sound of wedding music being piped through our open window.  For some reason I recognize that it is not too close (like right next door) but within a few blocks.  I was tempted to try and quickly close our window but alas I knew it was too late! Now, realize you really can’t appreciate our wedding music unless you’ve experienced it but suffice to say it is not altogether soothing several hours before the sun comes up.  BTW – if you really need to experience it for yourself you can check out this link and make sure you turn up the volume ALL the way for the full affect.  In a traditional Cambodian ceremony the music is a call to friends, neighbors and interested parties that something big is happening. And it is very much a “CALL”!  They find the biggest speakers around, hoist them up on a pole and let ‘em rip!  There can be no doubt in anyone’s mind in the community what is taking place because your walls literally shake with the announcement!  When the wedding begins (usually after sunrise) there is a private ceremony that takes place that is primarily for the families of the Bride and Groom (a recent picture of our friends, Kosal and Karona, is attached).  Gifts are exchanged and the respective families give their blessing to the new couple.  The event is a huge source of honor for both families, signifying that they have passed their heritage on to the next generation.  At some point after the ceremony there is a party where everyone is invited where they invariably serve a massive, out of proportion (at least by our economic standards) feast.  My favorite part of these festivities is when they roll out THE FISH (see attached picture) which is a delicious delicacy that demonstrates the great care the new Bride and Groom have taken to indulge their guests.  Each person  is expected to bring a gift (usually money) along with their invitation  - which was carefully hand prepared and delivered in person weeks before the wedding!

 

When I popped out of bed this morning I was not feeling the love for my adopted culture.  Not only had my sleep been interrupted but I know good and well that these kind of events are so over the top that they typically put the bridal party in debt for years!  But in God’s providence He graciously allowed me to get my day started early.  In my early morning Bible reading I was lead to Revelation 19:6-10, which says:

 

 

In many respects the traditional Khmer wedding serves as a wonderful picture of what each of us should be looking towards in the future!  An Invitation has been sent that announces that THE Bridegroom of the Ages is coming back for His Bride (Is 25:6-8, Matt 22:1-14, 25:10, 2 Cor 11:2, Eph 5:25-27).  And there will be a celebration, like the universe has never seen, at least for those who are ‘Blessed’ (Rev 19:9).  Is the event costly?  It was paid in full with the Blood of the Bridegroom Himself.  But what glory it brings to the One who reigns eternal, and Who is the Almighty!  While there is great anticipation for the participants there is also a sobering reality for those not in attendance. This event will signal the beginning of judgment (Rev 19:11-21), a judgment that stands as a brutal contrast to the permanence of the eternal marriage of Christ to the Church. 

 

His CALL cannot be ignored because it is an inevitable reality as sure as the sun will rise on the earth today.  Can you hear the music?  It is the CALL of the Bridegroom to His Church my friends!  Let every tongue, tribe and people on earth know….call them to the Feast of the Lamb.  Thank you for allowing us to participate in seeing the Khmer Church prepare for that day!  May we be about the Bridegroom’s business with an abiding love and passion until He returns for what is rightly His.  Come Lord Jesus come. 

 

In His Bonds,

 

Daren

 

"Sola fide  et simul justus et peccator" 

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14; ESV). We are thrilled to announce that the translation of the children’s manual “Learning About Jesus” is complete! The book contains thirty lessons, each with a verse for memorization, a short teaching, a story and a coloring page. 

Happy New Year! This past month has been a whirlwind of activity.  It started with the Shalom pastor’s training workshop, where Pastor Sopheak and I instructed several church leaders in the use of the Design for Discipleship books by the Navigators. I also taught two sessions on how to study the Bible—particulary on the relationship between exegesis and exposition. It was really the first time that I have had the opportunity to pass on some of the teaching I received in seminary to pastors here. I cannot fully express the joy I experienced as I taught what has been entrusted to me to other faithful men and to see them encouraged and excited to learn more from God’s Word.