How to find JOY in Serving?

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It's been more than a decade since we have started serving the body of Christ here in Phnom Penh. God has been gracious in directing us to minister to His people. It's all by His amazing grace that we could do it. He is our greatest Rock and Provider.

Off to church! We need to always leave earlier,
since we drive at least 40 minutes away to PPC
(we are living in the outskirt of Phnom Penh - closer to the airport)

As a pastor's wife serving alongside my Khmer husband, I've come to understand the profound joy and fulfillment that comes from serving others without expecting anything in return. This selfless giving is not only a beautiful act of kindness but also a form of worship to God. Along the way, God has impressed to me some bible verses to reflect and pray upon. It has assured us many times, because we also need encouragement (we also feel tired, weariness and even being burned out sometimes). Personally, sometimes I would ask myself is it really worth to serve? our resources have run out at times 😅💪😍but God would be gracious to talk to me through these verses isn't God amazing? 👉 Who we are?



Serving as Worship

The Bible is filled with countless verses that encourage us to serve others as a way to honor God. Here are six verses that speak to my heart as we serve the body of Christ:

Matthew 25:40: "And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers, you did for me.’"

This verse emphasizes the importance of serving others as a way to serve God directly. Our actions towards others, especially the most vulnerable, reflect our love for and obedience to God.
*In Cambodia, this could involve visiting the sick, providing immediate help for a safer place to stay and study (Dorm Ministries: University students from the provinces - Indigenous/tribes as they work and study in the city), or simply offering a listening ear to those in need. By serving others, we are building up the body of Christ and demonstrating the love of God to the world.

Galatians 5:13: "For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but by love serve one another."

This verse reminds us that our freedom in Christ is not meant to be selfish but to be used to serve others. Love is the driving force behind our service.

*This could involve offering free English classes to the dorm people, orphanages, or community centers. By serving others with love and compassion, we are demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel.

Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

This verse encourages us to approach our work with diligence and excellence, as if we were serving God directly. Our work is a form of worship.
*It could mean working in various fields, such as education. By God's grace, I was able to become a Lecturer to one of the Universities here in Phnom Penh 👉 My Journey as a University Lecturer I acknowledge that God has put me here for a purpose. By approaching our work with a servant's heart, I desire to honor God as I interact to my students and making a positive impact to their university life.

1 Peter 4:10: "As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's grace."
It highlights the importance of using our unique gifts and talents to serve others. We are all called to serve, but we do so in different ways.
*Here in Cambodia, this could involve using our skills and expertise to teach English and translations from Khmer to English. By using our gifts to serve others, we are fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. Actually, we don't need to be ministers and missionaries to serve. God could use our lives ultimately to serve in the Marketplace as long as we have that sincerity and willingness of heart.

Hebrews 13:16: "Do not forget to do good and to share what you have, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

This verse reminds us that serving others involves both acts of kindness and generosity. Our material resources can be used to meet the needs of others.
*There were several times, we would willingly share some financial assistance to our dorm people and even coworkers in the ministry (as God leads us), donating supplies, or supporting local ministries. By sharing our resources with others, we are demonstrating God's love and compassion. 

Acts 20:35: "In everything I did, I showed you that by working hard you must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’"

This verse emphasizes the importance of serving the weak and vulnerable in our communities. By supporting those in need, we are following the example of Jesus.
*We have a lot of long holidays in Cambodia, most of us would go back to the countryside to spend time with families. My husband would always remind all of us at church to take this time as wonderful opportunity to show God's love and care to our families especially to our parents and elderly. By serving them, we are demonstrating the love of Christ and would open doors to share the gospel, because our immediate families would need Christ as their Saviour too.

Heartfelt Prayers

Sharing with you some specific prayers that would help us serve our community here in Cambodia. We invite you to join us in prayer and support as we continue our ministry in the Khmer mission field. Your prayers and love will make a significant difference in the lives of those we serve. Together, we can spread the love of Christ and make a lasting impact on our community.

For the Khmer Church: 

Lord, bless our Khmer church with growth, unity, and spiritual depth. May they be a beacon of hope and love in their community.

For University Students: 

Lord, guide and protect our university students as they navigate their academic and personal journeys. May they find purpose and fulfillment in their studies.

For Young Couples and Young Professionals: 

Lord, bless the young couples and young professionals in our community with strong marriages, successful careers, and a deep connection with You.

For Coworkers in the field: 

Lord, grant our coworkers wisdom, strength, and a passion for their work. May they be a positive influence in their workplaces.

xoxo!

Thank you for praying! 

Sending our 💖 from Cambodia

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