PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER
ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS Pastor Lee Sok Fong
In life, various events may bring us to the point
the Father. Our hope can be found in the
of hopelessness. Hope may seem far when
finished work of Christ on the Cross where He
one is faced with the unexpected death of a
took our punishment and freed us from the
loved one, the loss of a job, an illness, a
penalty of sin. Hope arises when we believe in
broken marriage or relationship, a rebellious
Jesus Christ, Son of God, who came to die for
child or even the uncertainty of the political
us in our place, buried and rose again in three
situation in the country. Even a microorganism
days. When we receive Him as our personal
like COVID-19 is turning the world upside
Saviour and Lord, we are forgiven of all our
down and robbing the peace and hope of
sins and delivered from God’s condemnation
humanity. Jesus said,
and eternal punishment. Our hope is found as “…hope is from Him” (Psalm 62:5). He is the
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
When sin entered the world, our perfect relationship with God was broken. Jesus Christ has come to show us the way to the Father. He has come to restore our life and broken hopes so that we may reconcile with
source of hope, and He gives hope. Hope is found in hopeless situations when we fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith!
PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
10 FACTS about the Cambodian Genocide that brought Cambodia to Hopelessness
1. The Genocide took place between 1975-1979.
7. The civil war raged on until the last heavy artillery was decommissioned in 2000.
2. It was carried out by the Khmer Rouge regime.
8. Pol Pot, the leader of this brutal regime, led Khmer Rouge until
3. 25% of the population was killed
1997.
(estimated 2 million people). 9. Every ounce of hope in the nation 4. Most victims were educated and literate.
5. 90% of teachers were killed, according to the Soviet sources.
and her people was ripped apart as a result of this brutal regime.
10. Khmer Rouge left a lasting scar that persists to present-day Cambodia. It continues to affect
6. Only 50 of the 725 university
the economic, social,
instructors, 207 of the 2,300
manufacturing, infrastructural
secondary school teachers, and
development, healthcare and
2,717 of the 21,311 primary
educational systems in the
school teachers survived.
country, especially in the countryside.
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PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
THE CHALLENGE IN CAMBODIA THE LACK OF PROFICIENCY IN THE
including not being adequately prepared
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM is a great
for school, poor quality teaching and
concern in Cambodia, where 5.9 million
learning experience, and irregular school
(mil) of its 16.1 mil population (37% of
attendance.
total population) are under the age of 17
children drop out of school altogether.
years old. Children in Cambodia fail to
Inadequate learning in the early years of
reach learning standards appropriate for
life, coupled with insufficient nutrition
their age.
leaves children developmentally behind.
Eventually,
the
school
There are not enough qualified teachers, At the primary level, nearly 25% of children in Grade 3 are unable to write a single word in a dictation test. Only 27% of 3 to 5-year-olds are developmentally on track in literacy and numeracy, and by the time they are 17 years old, 55% of adolescents will have dropped out of school. Cambodian children continue to fall behind in school for several reasons,
and the quality of learning environment is poor. There is a lack of necessary infrastructures, hygiene
such
facilities,
as
which
water
and
particularly
impact adolescent girls. Moreover, many parents do not understand the value of education, and most cannot afford to send their children to school, particularly in rural and deprived areas.
PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
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EDUCATION IN CAMBODIA
While public education is free for
tuition rates vary. Although nobody likes
Cambodians until Secondary or High
this unofficial system, including some
School, the actual costs are the same or
teachers themselves, the Cambodians
higher than what people in some first-
accept it as their reality.
world nations would have to pay due to Each month, a secondary or high school
bribery.
student might need to spend about US$5 Many teachers in the Cambodian public
- US$6.25 per subject, if he or she wants
schools provide extra tuition classes and
to make it through. Most students can
would
about
only afford to attend tuition classes for 2
US$0.25 - US$0.50 per session or hour.
to 3 subjects out of the 7 core subjects. It
At these private classes, the teachers
will cost at least US$15 - US$20 a month,
complete teaching syllabus, which they
and
might intentionally miss out during the
textbooks.
actual
charge
school
every
student
lessons.
this excludes stationeries and
Examination
questions and answers might also be made available during these private classes to attract students to attend them. Attendance at such tuition classes will guarantee a good grade for that subject in school exam. Failure to attend risks failing the subject or getting a very low score. Such practice is common across the board, from Primary School to Secondary or High School, though the
Public education is, in reality, very expensive in Cambodia, especially for low-income families. The situation is even more challenging for families with many children. While the challenge in Cambodia’s educational system is a complex issue, every child still deserves an education regardless of race, socioeconomic status, and gender. Each child should receive an opportunity to succeed and reach their potential.
PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
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JESUS CHRIST — THE HOPE RESTORER JESUS CHRIST is the Gospel that everyone needs. He is the way who makes right our relationship with the Father in Heaven. He is the truth who leads us to walk in the paths of righteousness. He is the life who gives life and transforms life. He is the Healer for the broken soul. He is the source of hope for a hopeless nation!
THE VISION OF A CHURCH SCHOOL When I visited Cambodia in the year of 2002, God gave me a vision of education that should come out from Church. Education plays an important role in touching and impacting lives. Education is
not
merely
passing
information
or
employment,
but
on
useful
knowledge the
for
formation
of
character, mora ethics and values of the whole person. The Church plays an important
role
as
an
influence
and
impact
educator lives
in
to the
community. The position of the younger generation today is strategic in changing the next generation and their nation.
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PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH
Sunday Adults & Youth Worship
Village Cell Group Service
PERMAI
CAMBODIA
CHURCH
was
emotionally,
spiritually,
intellectually,
established in 2015 through cross-cultural
personality, socially and in every aspect of
mission work by Permai Chinese Methodist
their lives. For a community to be transformed,
Church (Malaysia) in the mission field of
it needs good Godly strong leaders; Leaders
Cambodia. Besides the preaching of the
who are not only skilled but who truly care for
Gospel to the lost and shepherding the needs
their people. That is what we hope our young
of the congregation, the Church is also
people will become one day — good leaders
involved in the ministry of reaching out to the
for the villages, communities and country,
youth and children in the community through
leaders with both competency and character.
education conducted within the Church at Permai Cambodia Mission Education Center.
Our vision is to see Godly leaders leading local communities. Therefore, our mission is to build
Education is one of the crucial ways to
the lives of the congregations and students
transform a nation. Through the educational
with the Word of God and with good character.
programmes in the Church, we hope to see the
Who knows, some of the students might
lives of the young people and the entire
become future teachers, headmasters, village
community change and transformed for the
elders, district governors, or even government
better. We want to see Cambodians living
ministers!
quality
lives,
not
just
materially,
but
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PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
LOCATION Permai Cambodia Church is here!
Our Church premise is located in Tropeang Prasat Village, Tropeang Prasat Commune, Tropeang Prasat District, Oddar Meanchey Province. It is about 3 hours from Siem Reap International Airport by road. We reach out to 6 villages of students in Tropeang Prasat Commune.
Permai Cambodia Church is the name of the Church and Permai Cambodia Mission Education Center is the name of the Church School that provides informal education to the Cambodian students. Both names are registered with the Ministry of Religions & Cults and the Ministry of Education, respectively.
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PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
ABOUT PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH
This family in Tusalao Village, which is about 10 km from our Church, has accepted Christ as their Saviour.
Idols and altars at their home were removed and burnt on 27 June 2020
Youth Worship
PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
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Saturday Bible Study with the Youth
The Youth assisted in teaching Children Sunday School
Children Sunday School
PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
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PERMAI CAMBODIA MISSION EDUCATION CENTER FACT SHEET
English and Chinese Classes Tuesdays to Saturdays
120 students (Ages 9 – 18) 15 children (Ages 4 – 7)
Weekly Bible Devotions in language classes
tagging along their older siblings
Weekly Sunday Worship 90% of the students have accepted Christ as their personal Saviour Weekly Bible Study for Youth and Teenage groups
Bi-weekly Youth Fellowship
We are blessed to have teachable and
The youth and teenagers learn to serve
great youth, teenagers and children.
God in the Church and help to teach in
Often,
one-on-one
Children Sunday School. We have a
counselling sessions for the youth and
meaningful time learning and growing
teenagers who come to us to seek for
together despite our limited resources.
advice when they encounter issues in life
Seeing them grow in character and the
or when they have some life’ decisions to
Word of God is profoundly encouraging
make that confuse them. Apart from
to me as it is the evidence of the work of
helping them bring their issues and woes
Holy Spirit in them. It is also my desire to
to the Lord and seek God in prayer, it is
raise local Christian leaders who can
also a must to spend time listening to
lead the student ministry for the long
their problems and giving advice to them.
haul. I firmly believe that the Khmers
We are glad to see them experience God
must lead the Khmers. Please pray for
personally through prayer and the work
God to raise such leaders.
we
conduct
of God in their lives.
PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
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ON A PERSONAL NOTE, whilst the
with God so seriously that we talk about
students bring me immense joy, much
God and how to impact our world a lot in
energy is zapped from me. Nevertheless,
our lessons. My prayer is for them to
I love teaching them because they are
grow with increasing passion for our
like little sponge, who are so eager to
Saviour and become ambassadors for
learn and absorb the knowledge shared
the Lord to transform their nation.
with them. They take their relationship
PRAYER POINTS for the Students of Permai Cambodia Mission Education Center
1. For believing students to stay firm in their faith to follow God and be the witnesses for Christ in their homes,
schools, villages and
community
2. For God to open the hearts of the remaining 10% of the students who are unbelieving, for the seeds of Gospel to be planted
3. For the students to know Jesus experientially in their hearts
PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
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PERMAI CAMBODIA MISSION EDUCATION CENTER Students in the Language Class
Our students, Kanha and Shun Leng, assisted in teaching the junior class.
PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
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SPONSOR MINISTRY SECONDARY / HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ONE
OF
THE
MINISTRIES
OF
OUR
CHURCH is to help the needy students with their school tuition fees. Some students from villages have a high dropout rate because families would rather let their children work in the fields. It is a more pragmatic choice to them. Many who managed to finish Grade 6 are forced to stop schooling because they are unable to afford the monthly tuition fee of US$15 - US$20 that is associated with
s
secondary / high school. Although most children are not living in extreme poverty, their
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
families cannot afford any additional expenses on top of their daily meals and basic needs. Some students are very bright academically, but their families are unable to afford secondary / high school education for them. Our goal is to be a light of hope by providing the opportunity to as many students as possible to learn and develop by completing their basic education. We are grateful for the Brothers and Sisters in Permai Chinese Methodist Church in Malaysia and friends in Christ who supports the monthly tuition fee for the students and enable them to continue their studies.
Besides secondary / high school students, we also sponsor the school fees for University students. Since 2013, we helped 13 students further their university studies and some among them are Bible School students. 10 of them have completed their studies and 3 of them are currently in university. More students will complete their High School education next year and we hope we could help them to further their study to the tertiary level.
PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
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SPONSOR MINISTRY UNIVERSITY AND BIBLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
YONG EN
DINA Diploma in Christian Studies, Cambodia Bible Institute
GRACE Bachelor of Theology, Cambodia Methodist Bible School
SREY MOM
NAOMI
JOEL
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Literature
Bachelor of Accountancy
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Literature
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
ISAAC
HANNAH
Bachelor of Art in Interior Design
Diploma in Hospitality Management
MARY
MEY YA Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (Year 4)
THEAREAK Diploma in Christian Ministry, Malaysia Bible Seminary
Bachelor of Accountancy
MARIN
Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy (Year 3)
CHEVORN Bachelor Degree in Engineering (Foundation Year)
PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
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HOSTEL MINISTRY Our Church has also received 4 students who live too far away from the school
From Left: Boaz, John, James, Keomli
since 2017. Staying at the hostel close to Tropeang Prasat Secondary School and High School has allowed them to complete their education. These 4 boys are Boaz, John, Keomli and James. The Church helped to pay for half of their school tuition fees, while their meals and welfare are paid by their respective parents. We provide partial subsidies for meals and welfare to the students who have financial difficulties in their family.
Hostel students helped to interpret messages for non-Khmer speaking speakers
PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
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HOW CAN YOU HELP?
GIVE TO THE EDUCATION FUND
DONATE STATIONERY SUPPLIES
The Education Fund is primarily used to
Stationery supplies are constantly given
support the school tuition fees of needy
out to the public schools located in the
students, and the purchase of school
villages of remote areas. Stationery
uniform and shoes for poor students or
supplies are also often given to students
students with widowed parent. You may
in our center as prizes for their study and
give towards a general one-time gift or
attendance.
choose to sponsor a student. Colour pencils, erasers, exercise books If
you
would
like
to
have
more
and pens are all very useful materials.
information, please do not hesitate to write
to
Pastor
Sok
Fong
at
amazinggrace.sflee@gmail.com.
You may either choose to donate the supplies in kind by sending them to the Permai Church Mission team or send a monetary gift and specify the use of the fund.
CONTACT US: You may also direct your queries to :0000
Bro. Vernon Phuah Email: vernon_phuah@yahoo.com HP: +6012 - 208 8617 If you wish you to give financially, you may transfer the funds to: Permai Chinese Methodist Church Malayan Banking Berhad (MBB) Account No.: 512482152098 (Please specify: Cambodia Education Fund)
Up: The Sunday School Children and Helpers received gifts from The Samaritan Purse Down: The Sunday School full attendees for three months received stationery pack as gift
PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
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STUDENT TESTIMONY | PONLEU My name is Keo Ponleu. I am 20 years
cry
for
the
deceased.
old. I live in Tropeang Prasat with my
misconceptions
parents. They are farmers. I am the
become obstacles for my village villagers
eldest among the three siblings. I have a
to accept Jesus as God.
of
The
Christianity
had
younger brother and a younger sister. I was a good boy when I was young. My parents and people in my village always loved me. My parents were very proud of me as I studied well in school. I was always within the top 5 in my class every year.
I have never heard the criticism others said about me. Instead, I always heard the words of others praising me. I thought the compliments from other people about me were enough for me. These words always flattered me. I always thought to myself: “I am a good boy!” and “Most of
When I was 10 years old, my parents
the people love me”! Thus, I became very
wanted me to be a Buddhist monk in the
proud of myself.
temple. Why? This was because they saw me as a good child and the monk was always been labelled as “good person”. I nearly followed my parents’ advice to become a monk that time.
I heard about the Gospel again when I was 12 years old. I was very angry with the person who shared the Gospel to me. In my mind, I told myself, “I don’t need God; I hate God; I don’t want to accept
I heard about the Gospel a little when I
God to live in me; I don’t want to know
was young. All the people in my
about God”. I left my home and village
community did not know about Jesus.
and began to live alone in a student
They are always confused about God
hostel in Tropeang Prasat as my village
and Christianity. They thought that this
is about 20 KM away from the Secondary
God – Jesus Christ, is the God of foreign
School in Tropeang Prasat. When I lived
countries. He belongs to foreigners and
away
not the Khmers! My fellow villagers used
unfriendly, easily angered and lazy.
to hear that Christians could not obey their parents. If their parents or ancestors pass away, Christians could not mourn or
from
my
family,
I
became
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PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
Two months later, God called me again.
and laziness have changed. I am no
I didn’t know why this time I didn’t reject
longer living as a lone-ranger, but rather
God anymore. I accepted Lord Jesus to
I have become friendly with people. I am
be my personal Saviour. I reconciled to
no longer quick to anger and lazy. My
God and started to live a life that counted
parents
God in my life. Two months later, I found
witnessed with their own eyes how God
changes within myself. I wanted to know
has changed my life.
love
me,
and
they
have
God more and be serious about Him. I started to read the Bible. Thank God and finally I have decided to follow Jesus in December 2014.
God changed my life. He provided me the best thing that I never got before. Thank God as I have hope in Him. He makes my way successful and He is the
When I first believed in Jesus, my
Lord that I can lean on forever. He grants
friends, parents and relatives laughed at
me peace and joy in my life.
me. They persecuted me but I had never been upset because I knew they didn’t know God, just as I was before. I heard many words that hurt me after I became a Christian. But I knew God is in me, so I was not worried and did not care about the hurting words against me.
Even though sometimes I meet with terrible situations and difficulties in life, I have the strength to overcome them and I am hopeful because I know God is with me all the time and wherever I am. God is a great big God and He is kind. He is the purpose of my life. I am very thankful
My life was changed by God. My bad
to believe in Lord Jesus. I will follow Him
behaviour such as self-isolation from
until the end of my life. I hope my family
people, unfriendliness, quick to anger
will respond to the call of the Lord one day and accept God’s only Son, Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour, too.
PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
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Ponleu and his home
Ponleu shared about success in study with the youth in Church
A WORD ON PONLEU
Ponleu was one of the first batch of
pursuing his study in the engineering
students who came to learn English at
field at the Institute of Technology in
our Center back in 2015. He was also
Phnom Penh.
one of our first batch of students in Tropeang Prasat who took the Cambodia National Exam of Grade 12 in the year of 2019. He got A in the National Exam, and was the first student who scored A in the district of Tropeang Prasat and also the only student who scored A in Oddar Meanchey
Province
in
2019.
The
previous student who was also the first student scored A in Oddar Meanchey province was 6 years ago, back in 2014. Even though Ponleu’s family is poor, poverty has never been an excuse for Ponleu to stop his studies. He is currently
Ponleu is a very keen student with a good attitude. He works very hard in his studies. He always offers his helping hand to those in need. When he was in the High School, he learned English at our Center and at the same time, he taught a group of junior students in the student hostel after his own English learning. He would ask for materials such as reference and textbooks from me to teach his students whenever he finished teaching the syllabus. I felt very glad as he is very generous to share his
PERMAI CAMBODIA CHURCH NEWSLETTER ISSUE DATE | 25 OCTOBER 2020
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knowledge and help the weak. He always
from Tropeang Prasat to share the
spent hours to patiently help a few
Gospel with the students in a primary
weaker students at our Center with their
school on Sunday. Even though the
revision. These students were very weak
learning schedule in High School is very
in their studies and almost could not pass
hectic in Cambodia (Public School here
the Grade 8 final exam. But Ponleu
runs from Monday to Saturday from 6am
taught them patiently and they managed
- 12pm. It continues again for 1pm - 6pm
to pass their final exam and went on to
(for those with tuition classes with the
the next grade.
school teachers)) but Ponleu has always put God as the first priority in his life.
Ponleu is not only good academically, he also has good life character. He is a God-
God will honour those who honour Him.
fearing youth. He loves God and always
When we put God first, we will never be
spends his weekends travelling to a
last. In everything we do, put God first,
village school which is about 20 km away
and surely, He will direct and crown our efforts with success
Lee Sok Fong Pastor, Permai Cambodia Church
