January 2020

January 2020

CAMBODIA From the Ashes of the Khmer Rouge

Pastor Heng Cheng turned toward me and shared how this school-turnedprison was a hard place for him to visit. We were coming to the end of our tour of Tuol Sleng, or S-21, the infamous torture prison of the Khmer Rouge in the middle of the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.

“My brother was an evangelical pastor.

HENG CHENG He was killed in this place,” Heng Cheng said.

“Many people would come here after [the genocide] to look through black-andwhite photographs of the people who were killed to search for their loved ones. There were many thousands.

That was when I discovered my brother had been killed.”

Tuol Sleng was the first stop on our visit to the EHC office in Cambodia. Heng Cheng, the EHC Ministry Director for Cambodia, wanted us to see a little of the history of his nation before we went to the office. The shocking revelation of this place (where Heng Cheng had actually gone to school before Pol Pot came to power) was a stark reminder of the dark days that Cambodia endured under the Khmer Rouge, a radical communist regime that ruled Cambodia between 1975 and 1978. This place was one of over 150 torture and interrogation prisons established throughout Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge, not including “the

Killing Fields,” where up to 1 million were slaughtered. Walking around the prison with Heng Cheng brought the personal tragedy of what happened in those days even closer.

Cambodia, located on the Indochina Peninsula and home to some 16 million people, has a long, proud history. By percentage, it is still considered the most Buddhist nation in the world. Heng Cheng, however, came from a Christian family.

Perhaps because of this, 41 of his 47 extended family members were killed between 1975 and 1978. The genocide, with an estimated death toll of close to 3 million people, did not target Christians in particular. As radical communists, the Khmer Rouge established a regime of fear that targeted anyone of the professional class, anyone educated, and anyone who was religious.

Phnom Penh was emptied of people as the Khmer Rouge used terror and death to bring about a radical, ideological vision for the nation. Cambodia would start again from “Year Zero,” with the population forced into communal farming efforts in the provinces.

Heng Cheng himself was a student in the mid-1970s, when the Khmer Rouge rolled into Phnom Penh.

He kept a low profile, knowing if the

Khmer Rouge caught him, he would be interrogated and killed. Moving between provinces to work on the newly established communal farms with other young people, he almost starved to death. But then the fateful day came on October 16, 1976, when the Khmer Rouge finally caught up with Heng Cheng and arrested him. Like many others, he was transported in the middle of the night to be executed. In those moments, Heng Cheng considered his life. His family was Christian, but he had spent his teenage years in rebellion against this heritage. Now, knowing that his death was imminent, he prayed, “Lord, my whole family worships You, so I turn my heart to You now and ask, if You want me to live, that You will free me from this hell — and if, by some miracle, You get me out of this, I will serve You my whole life.”

And then, the miracle happened.

For whatever reason, on the banks of the wide and swiftly flowing Mekong River, he was released and was confronted with another decision: either escape across the river to Vietnam or face almost certain death at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. He chose to take the risk and swim across the river as pictured below.

Heng Cheng’s exile in Vietnam was significant in his life, as he was saved in more ways than one. Although he did return to Cambodia briefly when Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge were pushed back in 1979, his stay in Vietnam was extended, and it was in Saigon that he sincerely returned to the faith of his family. Thus, Heng Cheng’s calling to pastoral work began there, among the Vietnamese and exiled Cambodian community. In 1983, Heng Cheng finally returned to Phnom Penh to encourage the tiny Body of underground Cambodian believers.

The Khmer Rouge regime had nearly wiped out the Cambodian Church. The 10,000 to 20,000 believers who had lived in Cambodia before the genocide had been reduced to under 200. Heng Cheng gathered together with those who were left.

“We had nothing,” Heng Cheng says.

“No hymn books. No Bibles. But we were encouraged by the Word of God that we remembered in our hearts, and we prayed even then that we could be used of God to see transformation in the nation and the glory of God throughout the land.”

Refugees flee to Vietnam

Although the Khmer Rouge had been pushed back, the administration that replaced it was also hostile to Christians.

The small number of believers continued to be pursued by the authorities.

Pastors were killed, and Christians were exiled throughout the 1980s. It was not until 1993, when the king returned under a new constitution, that the nation opened up to allow believers to worship more freely.

In 1994, the EHC office opened in Phnom Penh under Paulerk Sars, the first Ministry Director. Paulerk was a national leader who had survived the Killing Fields of Pol Pot. He passed leadership to Heng Cheng in 2006 but remains a leader on the EHC team today.

The story of the Cambodian Church is a story of resurrection. From the horrific ashes of the Khmer Rouge and only a handful of believers meeting for more than a decade, the Cambodian Church now numbers close to half a million believers.

EveryHome for Christ predominantly works in the provinces around Phnom Penh. Like so many EHC leaders, Heng Cheng has influence in many arenas. In addition to leading the EHC team, Heng

Cheng is also the respected leader of the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia, which enables him to serve the national Church on an even greater level. In the capital, he is focused on seeing the Kingdom advance through business communities, advising the government on its religious policies, ministering to military leaders and raising up the next generation.

“The next generation of leaders in the Cambodian Church is important,” Heng Cheng says. “The Khmer Rouge all but obliterated one generation of leaders.

Now the young leaders who are entering the Church don’t have the memories, but it is important to remember where we have come from as a nation.”

For the last several years, Heng Cheng has advanced the vision of MK2021, or Mission Kampuchea 2021 (the local name for Every Home for Christ in Cambodia). This ministry works toward a future where there will be a “group of Jesus’ disciples in every village throughout Cambodia by 2021.”

Many of the churches and Christian ministries have participated in this vision, and what has already been achieved is impressive.

Heng Cheng is excited about the synergy of the MK2021 and the global OIKOS Initiative of Every Home for Christ.

In 2012, the former leader of the S-21 prison, a fearsome man called “Duch,” was convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Unlike the other Khmer Rouge leaders, Duch accepted his guilt. When he was taken to the prison during the trial, he reportedly collapsed and said with tears, “I ask for your forgiveness. I know that you cannot forgive me, but I ask you to leave me the hope that you might.”

It is also reported that Duch has become a Christian in prison. Heng Cheng met with him and gave him a Bible to encourage him. He said of Duch,“Only God knows if he has become a follower of Jesus, but one thing is sure: that the Gospel can transform even the most hardened Khmer Rouge killer.”

Heng Cheng was quick to admit the world was changing rapidly, and he said this was the reason he would come back to the former prisons and the Killing Fields of Cambodia. “It is important that we never forget the dark days,” he says.

“It can never happen again — but I am hopeful for the days ahead.”

Heng Cheng is a perfect example of the leaders of faith that Every Home for Christ is looking for as we move ahead with the OIKOS Initiative.

He is a picture of what is possible when the Gospel breaks in — a picture of light in the midst of the darkness.

by Jono Hall - V.P. of Messaging and Mobilisation

Dick Eastman and first EHC Ministry Director Paulerk Sars

FOR GIVING FAMILIES THANK IN INDIA & BANGLADESH YOU A REASON TO SMILE The Child Sponsorship program in India and Bangladesh has been effectively giving hope to some 1,200 children and their families each year. As our emphasis is on developing whole communities, the program includes 5 free schools, school materials, uniforms and bags, a free lunch each day, clean water and sanitation, opportunity for exercise, health education for children and their parents and an opportunity for teenagers and adults to earn income through tailoring classes, with assistance to the poor in purchasing sewing machines and rickshaws.

Children excitedly receiving their school materials

The staff of Bangladesh Every Home Contact are celebrating the life of the retiring EHC Director, Daniel Sarkar (in the middle in the red shirt) and welcoming the new Director, Macdonald Adhikary whose father was the founding Director in 1973 when Australia EHC first partnered with Bangladesh EHC to give hope to destitute, uneducated children living and playing on the streets of Dhaka.

160 women trained in sewing, 22 receiving their own sewing machines

Thank you so much for your sponsorship!

5 Primary schools educating 1,200 children

Sponsoring children for 46 years

WHAT A DIFFERENCE YOUR GIVING HAS MADE TO FAMILIES IN MALAWI AND ZAMBIA In 2018/19 Every Home Global Concern’s Food Security & Income Generation Program in Malawi and Zambia gave 3,921people in 410 families a reason to smile.

Because of the excellent work done by Every Home for Christ in Malawi and Zambia in the past, their governments are choosing the most destitute communities for EHC to work in. By training 904 farmers and providing tools, seed and livestock; by training and equipping families to build 62 wells and 334 toilets; by making a way for women, children and the disabled to be involved; and through the provision of pigs, chicken and goats to breed and “pass-on” to other farmers, there has been a dramatic shift in the well-being of these 3,921 people. Agricultural yields and food security have improved by 87.3% in Zambia and 90% in Malawi with 386 families now eating 3 meals and 4-6 food groups a day. Malnutrition has decreased in the project areas by 2.2% in Zambia and

THANK YOU

by 95% in Malawi. Conservation farming practices, tree planting and food banks have enabled farmers to be food secure despite dry spells during the year. People now have access to safe clean water and through the building of toilets and training in hygiene and sanitation practices, 3,202 people are experiencing improved health.

The distribution of 1,000 mosquito nets in Malawi resulted in a decrease of malaria cases by 67% with 1,307 people being malaria-free for a year. 794 people have been trained to access financial services with 598 families in Malawi increasing their yearly income from US$68.92 to US$103.65. An independent evaluation of this Food Security/Income generation program will take place in 2020.

FOR MAKING SUCH A DIFFERENCE TO PEOPLE IN NEED

904 farmers trained and equipped to provide 3 meals a day for their families EHGC acknowledges the support of the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

1,100 treated mosquito nets provided to protect from Malaria Partnering with EHC Zambia and EHC Malawi

62 wells built providing clean, easily accessible water

Mr Mkwala and his family are no longer living with shame as their new toilet means they do not have to use the bush for a toilet any more. Now they do not suffer from cholera or spend days in hospital with multiple diseases - their health has been restored! Mr Mkewala said, “I no longer have to dig a new toilet every time the rains come as this one will last 50 years. Thank you, thank you,

THANK YOU

3,921

thank you... this has changed our

lives! “

•

Water and sanitation IMPROVING THE LIVES OF WHOLE FAMILIES

people excited to have clean water to drink

HELPING THE DISABLED

Gilead is a 19 year-old young man in Zambia who has Down’s Syndrome and is a member of the local youth club.

He was chosen to take part in the livestock pass-on program and received three point-of-lay chickens (ready to lay eggs) and one roaster chicken (3-5 months old) from the project.

He said - “I didn’t know that

keeping chickens could be a source of income and nutrition for me and my mother. I was given three improved chickens by the project along with three other people living with disability in my community and later trained in livestock and egg production as a business. I tried the first time but all my eggs were stolen but I did not give up but improved the security around my chickens. " The project continued monitoring Gilead’s progress until his chickens started to lay eggs. Gilead kept some eggs for incubation, sold some eggs and used some for home consumption.

Gilead said “I now know that chicken

keeping can be a good business. I have improved my nutrition status and at least have some money though not enough to buy what I want." Gilead explained that he expects the venture to grow as he sells more eggs and eventually starts selling live chickens to the rest of the community.

It’s clear that EHC’s efforts towards empowering people living with disability are already generating effective results despite being the first year of giving livestock to the community in Zambia. The future for people living with disability as well as their guardians has quickly become bright and promising, helping people with disability to break the cycle of poverty and support themselves and their families,

You can read the full 2018/19 Annual Report on the website everyhome.org.au

Australia: PO Box 168 Penshurst NSW 2222 Telephone: (02) 9570 8211 Facsimile: (02) 9570 4738 ABN: 88001276240 www.everyhome.org.au E-mail: ehc@everyhome.org.au New Zealand: PO Box 31-260 Milford North Shore City 0741 NZBN: 9429043322862 Telephone: Free call 0800 900 200 Facsimile: 0061 2 9570 4738 www.everyhomeforchrist.org.nz

JANUARY 2020

Bible Readings: This month the daily text will be taken from the Zechariah, Malachi and Matthew. For those wanting to do the one-year Bible reading program these chapters are in brackets.

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PRAY FOR DICK AND DEE EASTMAN. Dick is the International President of Every Home for Christ with a large responsibility for EHC ministries across the world.

Zechariah 6 (1 Corinthians 8:1 to 11:1) PRAY FOR DIPLAVE POKHREL Please continue to pray urgently for the Immigration Department to approve Diplave’s visa so that he can continue working with Every Home for Christ.

PRAY FOR ERIC AND LORRAINE LEACH Please ask God to guide them, especially as Eric draws up the plan to visit every home in Australia and helps with New Zealand as Executive Director in both countries and serves on the United Kingdom Board. Zechariah 7 (1 Corinthians 11:2 to 14:40) PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY - sons, daughters and grandchildren, plus others to come to Christ.

Get a piece of paper and write down their names.

Get their photos and pray every day for their salvation; eternity without Christ is a long time!

Zechariah 8 (1 Corinthians 15) MONTENEGRO Pop. 600,000 Map. 73 An EHC team of eight will share gospel literature near the town of Pljevlja. Pray that they will make good connections with the people and that God will lead them to more who are open to the Gospel. Pray for wisdom on how to reply to those who oppose the message.

Zechariah 9 (1 Corinthians 16) CENTRAL ASIA Many believers in this nation have denied Christ during times of persecution.

Pray that they will receive strength and courage from God and return to the fold. And pray that they will be bold and passionate in sharing the Gospel.

Zechariah 10 (2 Corinthians 1 - 7)

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GUYANA Pop. 780,000 Map. 213 Pray for the various outreaches and training sessions that will take place over the next few weeks with the Berbice Ministers’ Fellowship. Pray that this will mark a turning point in the nation and that many churches will awaken and see the need for evangelism. Zechariah 11 (2 Corinthians 8 - 9)

Write your prayer request and we will pray for you too!

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CZECHIA Pop. 10,700,000 Map. 82 Pray for positive results from a recent outreach campaign in Western Bohemia. More than 17,000 families in the border district of Tachov received EHC booklets with the good news about Jesus. Pray for open hearts. Most of the people living here have not heard the Gospel.

Zechariah 12 (2 Corinthians 10 - 13) GUINEA Pop. 12,700,000,000 Map. 45 Stephan gave his life to Christ after EHC workers told him the story of Jesus. His Muslim community has threatened to burn his farm and take away his wife and children. An EHC partner has rescued him, but he is discouraged and traumatised. Please pray. Zechariah 13 (Acts 18:12 to 20:1) NIGERIA Pop. 190,900,000 Map. 35 EHC workers are wary of moving around the country as news of kidnappings becomes more commonplace. Pray that God will put an end to this wickedness and unseat the plans of the enemy so the Gospel can reach every part of the country.

Zechariah 14 (Ephesians 1 - 3) MIDDLE EAST James was recently released from prison and received the Lord as his Saviour. He used to be a drug addict but was freed from his addiction and baptised. Praise the Lord! Please pray for this brother’s life to be changed and for his family’s salvation!

Malachi 1 (Ephesians 4 -6)

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RUSSIA Pop. 144,500,000 Map. 106 Two brothers have been faithful to witness and share gospel literature in a town with few believers. Praise God, they have seen great fruit. Please pray for a successful trip as they now go to a neighbouring village of 300 adults. Pray for many to receive Christ.

Malachi 2 (Romans 1:1 to 3:20) EURASIA Pray for Brother Ram, a young man, well educated, with great knowledge of the culture, and the EHC team staff who are equipping him with outreach strategy. He is very enthusiastic. Pray that God will use him mightily for the Kingdom.

Malachi 3 (Romans 3:21 to 7:25) PHILIPPINES Pop. 104,900,000 Map. 169 Several provinces in Mindanao have a Muslim majority. As the Lord opens the door, please pray for more pastors, believers and Christian workers who will have the courage and passion to share the Good News. Pray that the light of the Gospel will bring many to faith in Christ.

Malachi 4 (Romans 8) ZAMBIA Pop. 17,100,000 Map. 14 The OIKOS Initiative mobilisation of churches is gradually penetrating Central Province. The Lenje-speaking people now have the Gospel, but there are few churches among them. Please pray for churches to be planted in spiritually needy areas.

Matthew 1 (Romans 9 - 11)

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ASIA Pray for Danay, a new believer who is in prison for his faith. His wife just miscarried and they are devastated. Please pray for strength and grace for this family and for comfort and healing for his wife. Pray that God will nurture their faith.

Matthew 2 (Romans 12 - 13) MOLDOVA Pop. 3,600,000 Map. 102 Please pray for the next outreaches in the villages of Cornova, Napadeni and Radeni. Pray for open hearts and that the Word of God would run swiftly. Also, pray for the local brothers and sisters who will host EHC outreach teams.

Matthew 3 (Romans 14:1 to 15:13) LATIN AMERICA Several EHC workers are feeling tired and discouraged, worn down from day-to-day living, and feeling especially low when it is time to go preach the Gospel. May God impart His strength and passion into their weary bodies and mind.

Matthew 4 (Romans 15:14 to 16:27) NAMIBIA Pop. 2,500,000 Map. 11 Pastor Patrick and his team will be doing outreach in two different schools in the Erongo Region.

Pray that they will have boldness to proclaim the Gospel to the young people. And pray for a great harvest of souls during these scheduled outreaches. Matthew 5:1-24 (Acts 20:2 to 21:16) SEYCHELLES Pop. 96,000 Map. 145 Pray that the hearts of young people will be receptive to the Word of God so that they will be able to withstand the attacks of the enemy. May they follow God’s direction in their speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. Matthew 5: 25-48 (Acts 21:17 to 26:32)

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COTE D’IVOIRE Pop. 24,300,000 Map. 41 During gospel outreach campaigns in Aboisso and Abengourou, God performed great miracles in the lives of Muslims who are almost persuaded to surrender to Christ. Ask God to transform their hearts and convince them by the Holy Spirit to become followers of Jesus.

Matthew 6 (Acts 27 - 28) PAPUA NEW GUINEA Pop. 8,300,000

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Map. 146 Please pray for two groups of Pioneer Missionaries who are going on foot to share the Gospel in Poroma and Nipa. Pray for provision and protection. Pray also for wisdom as they speak and for sensitivity to the Spirit as He leads.

Matthew 7 (Colossians 1:1 to 3:4) SOUTH AFRICA Pop. 56,700,000 Map. 1 Pray for an EHC team as it conducts an outreach in Mohlakeng and Randfontein.

The team has joined hands with local churches to saturate Mohlakeng with the Gospel. 23 pastors and their congregations are coordinating the outreach. Pray for a great harvest. Matthew 8 (Colossians 3:5 to 4:18) MIDDLE EAST Joseph recently gave his life to Christ. His mother is a believer and his father is not. He is being persecuted and is having a hard time understanding why Christians get harassed. He wants to meet regularly so he can grow in his faith. Pray he will find a good church to attend.

Matthew 9 (Hebrews 1- 2)

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MEXICO Pop. 129,200,000 Map. 178 Pray for the new materials EHC is producing in order to involve more Christians in the OIKOS Initiative. EHC discipleship groups have increased 11% compared to last year. Pray for many new believers to join us in the Discovery Method and mature in their new faith. Matthew 10:1-22 (Hebrews 3:1 to 4:13) SPAIN Pop. 46,700,000 Map. 60 Pray for students who spend so many hours surrounded by nonbelievers. Most of them are the only Christians in their class. They are authentic, brave heroes of the faith. Pray that God will strengthen young people so they may be examples to others around them. Matthew 10:23-42 (Hebrews 4:14 to 7:28) BURUNDI Pop. 10,900,000 Map. 18 Praise God for the six EHC coordinators who are running the OIKOS Initiative systematically. They are currently working in Makamba Province according to their strategic plan.

Pray for complete coverage of the province, and for many to come into God’s Kingdom. Matthew 11 (Hebrews 8:1 to 10:18 ) GABON Pop. 2,00,000 Map. 21 Please pray for an EHC team as it goes to a remote area in the interior of the nation for a gospel outreach. May the grace of the Lord and the power of the Spirit accompany the preaching of the Gospel. Pray for the mobilisation of many churches and a good harvest for the Kingdom. Matthew 12: 1-25 (Hebrews 10:19 to 12:29) EURASIA EHC workers have shared gospel literature in large cities and small towns. There are many more believers in the towns but also many radical Muslims who hate Christians. Pray that God will touch and change the lives of these radicals. Pray also for the believers in these towns.

Matthew 12:26 -50 (Hebrews 13) BULGARIA Pop. 7,100,000 Map. 77 Thank God that another 10 villages have received the Gospel in the district of Silistra. There are still 62 localities that have not been reached. Pray that God would give passion for evangelism to the local believers so they would have God’s heart for those without Christ in their districts.

Matthew 13:1 - 29 (Titus 1 - 3) LIBERIA Pop. 4,700,000 Map. 42 Brother Abraham fell away from the faith after he had stopped attending church.

When EHC workers shared the Gospel with him in his home, he rededicated his life to the Lord and is now attending church. Praise God for these faithful workers!

Matthew 13: 30 - 58 (Philemon) MYANMAR Pop. 53,400,000 Map. 135 Pray for all those who surrendered their lives to Christ this month. May God meet them and reveal Himself to them. Pray for all those who received gospel literature and did not repent.

May the Spirit convict them of their need of salvation.

Matthew 14 (1 Timothy 1 -3)

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