Second day in Battambang

We were scheduled to do two presentations and a testimony at Battambang AOG the second day on Sunday. That was the reason for our rush to get to Battambang.
We got ready by 7.30am in the morning after devotions and all, and Grace and Mao were already waiting for us at the lobby. Church starts at 9.00am and Grace was bringing us for early breakfast.
We walked to a nearby Chinese restaurant, and the owner of it spoke to us in Cantonese. It was great coz I could order my own food. The food was great! I had beef noodles with milk tea.

We talked and fellowshipped and got to know Mao and Grace a little more.

After breakfast, we got onto Motodops. Motodops are basically motorbikes that carry up to 2 passengers like a taxi, for USD0.25 per person. It was my first experience riding with 2 other persons, without a helmet and all, but it was fun. And I could take pictures while on it. The moto took us across town, past a bridge and over some scenic places. Aside and many idols in every corner of the streets, Battambang is generally a very nice and homey place. I immediately liked the place.

We got to church in time, and were greeted by Ps Kelly and wife, as well as an American missionary, Danielle. Danielle is only 21, and there she was, all alone in Battambang away from her family. I really admired her.

The church was a fine looking one, there were no aircond like back home, with quite a number of people. Considering that it was Khmer New Year, many have gone back to their home towns. We met a cute bubbly girl, Rexa.

She immediately started interpreting all that was preached to us girls, which was really helpful. Turns out she’s an English teacher with the school Salaa Hope, run by the church.

Rex was called to give a testimony, which went really well. After praise and worship, offerings and all, the team did our mime for the song, I will have No Other Gods, and a silly little action dance, to the song, Walk in the Light. The church loved it and clapped alone!

Later, we had an altar call, and we get to pray for all the members. Though some couldn’t understand English, we just prayed as led by the Spirit, and the Spirit just touched these people. It was just so encouraging.

After the service, we fellowshipped and were then brought out for lunch at a spanky restaurant.

We tasted some Khmer food which was strange, but fantastic nevertheless. I was glad Khmer food aren’t as spicy as Thai food! Ps Kelly the stubborn missionary insisted on paying even after we declined many times! Yes, he said to tell our pastor he’s a stubborn missionary.

We then went back and rested for just a while, before we went out again at 2.00pm. This time, we went to visit the learning center where we were supposed to teach in for the next few days. We toured the place, prayed for it and talked to Grace about the place and the students. We were then served some spicy and sour mangos. Grace told us that we were invited to a baptist pastor’s birthday bash. Mao came to bring us there, we walked there, which was a totally long journey in the hot sun. As we got there, Ps Ramon was preaching to his church. We sat through, but couldn’t stay for the actualy party, as youth service was starting at 5.00pm.

We got into some motodops and got to church. Some youths were already gathered there by then. I had to share my testimony to the youths. At first, I was just wondering and praying what to share. I thought my testimony might be irrelevant to the people there. However, when it was my turn, I just shared whatever was in my heart. I was really surprised, when my translator started crying. I can’t stand it when people cry, it just made me wanna cry! Apparently, Rexa, my translator was touched because my testimony reminder her of her own life. It was touching….

We had drama and sharing with the Youths, and I believe they were really touched by it all. Later on, we prayed for each one of them, and many shared their problems and were eager to be prayed for. I could just feel the hunger of these people. They have great faith, even though they know little. It’s like life is so hopeless for them, but with Christ they found their hope. We really connected with them easily as we were all Asians and of nearly the same age. The youth service ran longer than expected, so after a long day, we all went for dinner together.

After dinner, we went back to the hotel, prayed, shared and rested for rejuvenate for the next day.