“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” (Psalm 56:3)
Every year, from April 13-16, is the Cambodian New Year. It is the longest holiday in Cambodia. Most of the citizens who live in the capital city of Phnom Penh will go to their villages to celebrate this holiday. The city almost becomes a ghost town.
What do they do during this new year? They will go to a temple and give alms. They will play traditional games, such as Leag-Gone-Saeng, Boh-Ongo-Gunh, etc. Then they will have a party at home, where there is gambling, drinking, and dancing.
I know this happens every year, so I do two things to prepare our church for the upcoming new year. First, I teach and preach to them about sharing the Gospel with their loved ones, friends, and others. I tell them to take Gospel tracts and books about Jesus Christ to share with them. Second, I teach and preach about learning to stand on what they believe. I say, “Do not compromise; do not drink, dance, or gamble. Take this opportunity to share your personal testimony with them. Ask God for wisdom and courage to stand for your faith.” I like what the Bible says in Daniel 3:17-18, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”
For Christ’s sake,
Kounaro, Chorvy, Christina, & Jonathan Keo
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- One of the games played during the Cambodian New Year
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- One of the games played during the Cambodian New Year
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- One of the games played during the Cambodian New Year