Edited by Foxit Reader Copyright(C) by Foxit Corporation,2005-2010 For Evaluation Only.
“ B e h o l d I Mak Makee All T h i n g s N e w ” NnamdiMeriam Ikpe Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 2; May 2012
Millions For Christ Missions, Asia
Celebrations of new things, new opportunities, new years, etc are popular and loved all over the world. Last April we experienced three different kinds of celebration of new things. Join us to unfold these dimensions of celebrations:
Our siblings conferred with their degrees
Cambodians washing their Buddha statute
Inside this issue:
Celebration of New Things
1
Country Focus
2
Team up with Us
2
Contact Us
2
1. New Opportunities: Our siblings [junior brothers], one in Nigeria and the other in the Philippines were conferred with their respective University Degrees. Join us to praise God for his faithfulness in seeing our brothers through College. Their graduation ushers them into a new phase with new opportunities in life; may they follow the Lord as they pursue their respective careers. 2. New Life: In April, Christians all over the world commemorated the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. For Christians, Christ’s resurrection brings a great new dawn- the dawn of new life, life as never before experienced by humans. The resurrection of Jesus is not only a reminder but also an assurance that as Jesus rose from the dead by the power of God, all of us who believe in Him have passed from death to life. By the resurrection of Jesus we are also assured of our own resurrection which Jesus will fully accomplish at His coming. May we continue to live in the new life which Easter signifies. 3. New Year: The Khmer people of Cambodia welcomed and celebrated the Khmer New Year. Chaul Chnam Thmey in the Khmer language, literally "Enter Year New", is the name of the Cambodian holiday that celebrates the New Year. The holiday lasts for three days beginning on New Year's day, which usually falls between April 12 and 15, which is the end of the harvesting season. Cambodia, a Buddhist country uses the lunar calendar and the month of April marks the New Year. The Khmer New Year coincides with the traditional solar New Year in several parts of India, Myanmar and Thailand. Cambodians also use ‘Buddhist Era’ to count the year based on the Buddhist calendar. For 2012, Cambodians celebrated and welcomed the Khmer new year 2556 BE (Buddhist Era) on April 13.
Every Khmer New Year, people come out to the streets with dancing and playing of traditional games. The New Year is celebrated for three days. The first day marks the end of the previous year and start of the new one. In the morning people wash their face with holy water, in the afternoon they wash their chest, and in the night their feet, all these are done to bring them good luck for the year. The second day, they will do good things– they contribute to charity or the less fortunate by helping the poor, servants, homeless, and low-income families. Families attend a dedication ceremony to their ancestors at the monastery. On the last day the Buddhists cleanse the Buddha statues and their elders with perfumed water. Bathing the Buddha images is
the symbol that water will be needed for all kinds of plants and lives. It is also thought to be a kind deed that will bring longevity, good luck, happiness and prosperity in life. By bathing their grandparents and parents, children can obtain from them best wishes and good advice for the future. Our hope is that as Cambodians continue to celebrate the Khmer New Year each year, they will come to know and embrace the new life which the Lord Jesus Christ offers to all.
Edited by Foxit Reader Copyright(C) by Foxit Corporation,2005-2010 For Evaluation Only.
Country Focus: Cambodia
Country Info
Population: 14,952,665 (July 2012 est.) Ethnic groups: Khmer 90%, Vie tnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4% Official Language: Khmer Government Type: multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy Religion: Theravada Buddhist (96%), Other 4%; Evangelical Christians (1.7%) Currency: Riel (Exchange rate : approx 4000 Riel = 1 US Dollar) Area: 181,035 sq km (almost ¾ of the Philippines) Location: Southeast Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. Climate: Tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little temperature variation Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 57.6%; industry: 15.9%; and services: 26.5% (2009 est.)
Team Team--up with us Now! Respond now . . . Yes! I want to be part of the Team and be part with you in the mission to Cambodia. (please click here)
Our prayer is for people who will joyfully team up with us in the ministry of bringing the Good News of salvation to Cambodians
Here’s how you can team up with us:
Pray Sign-up to confirm your commitment Share Pray for discernment as we continue our preparation and for God’s provision in raising the resources to facilitate our to ministry among Cambodians: First, START UP fund to cover the initial requirements like visas, airfare, culture and language learning, etc. ; Second, people who will commit through MONTHLY PLEDGEs to help sustain the ministry in Cambodia.
Sign-up to confirm your commitment
you can confirm your commitment in supporting the work today by signing up to our list. The sign-up form will inform us of your commitment to be part of the ministry in Cambodia. Please click the link: Be Part of the Team
Share the need to reach the unreached in Cambodia with your pastors/elders or missions committee, friends and encourage them to share the burden. We will be glad to talk with them.
You may want to know more about our ministry plan towards Cambodia, reach us through our contact details below. It is our joy to share and work with you :)
Joyfully Serving the Lord, Nnamdi
&
Meriam Ikpe
Mobile Nos. Nnamdi: +63 927.754.2712 Meriam: +63 915.199.0149 E-mail: nnamdimeriam@gmail.com cnnamdikpe@yahoo.com Discipling and Training Christians for Christ.
Millions For Christ Missions, Asia
People Group Focus: Khmer of Cambodia The Khmer civilization once ruled much of Southeast Asia. In the 1200s, the Thais and Vietnamese defeated the Khmer and pushed them into Cambodia, where most live today. The huge Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia gives evidence of past glories. They have been primarily Buddhist since the 13th century, but elements of Hinduism and animism are mingled with Buddhist beliefs. Ministry Obstacles Centuries of devotion to their past belief system are not quickly overcome, but there is much progress. Outreach Ideas Multiple means of evangelism, discipleship, and church planting are needed for this large people group. Opportunities are numerous. Pray for the followers of Christ Pray for the steady growth of the church among the Khmer, that they will continue to have a heart of fire for God and a passion for the salvation of their countrymen. Pray for the entire people group Pray the Khmer will heal from the tragedies brought by the Khmer Rouge, and that this past suffering will prepare them for the love and forgiveness found only in Jesus Christ. Scripture focus "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest?' Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest." John 4:35