Our Stories
Reaching Cambodia: Anything is Possible
By Leanne Purvis
Imagine feeling the call to sell everything, give up your life, move to another country, learn the language, and dream of obeying God's calling to teach the Bible in the people's heart language. Then, after two years of dedicated language study, you begin to wonder if that call was even real. Because the language just seems impossible.
That was us a few months back. We were often in tears, frustrated, and feeling like we would never be able to share the gospel with the Khmer, let alone teach the Bible.
Nonetheless, we stubbornly joined an online proclamation group and started praying about opportunities to share the gospel. That very next Sunday, we sat in church behind a man we had seen a few times before. We were feeling quite useless when he turned around, introduced himself as Limhea, and asked us to share the gospel (in Khmer) with his nephew (Sothea), who was sitting next to him!!
After we recovered from the shock, we stepped out in faith and began sharing the gospel with Sothea. Thankfully, the pastor joined us to help correct our mistakes. After sharing the gospel and confirming he was seeking a saviour who could take away his sins, Sothea chose to repent, cut off his red band, and follow Jesus. It turned out that, for the past 14 years, Limhea had been the only believer in his household. So, later that day, Limhea invited us to his house the following Thursday evening to share the gospel with Limhea's wife and sister (i.e. Sothea's mother).
We took all of this as the work of the Holy Spirit and simply followed His leading. We arrived at their house with the pastor, who asked us to share our testimonies (again speaking in Khmer). Neither of us felt prepared for this, but again, we just trusted that God would do the heavy lifting and get us through. After we all shared, we asked what the two ladies thought about what they had heard. After a short discussion, they responded by saying they wanted to repent from their sins of idolatry and false worship, remove the spirit altar from the house, and follow Jesus. This was followed by a long prayer period as they confessed sin and committed to following Jesus. Then, we prayed over them and their house and removed all the Buddhist shrines and paraphernalia. We now meet with this family and the pastor every Saturday evening for Bible study and discipleship. What an amazing privilege to be part of God's work to redeem this family.
We often feel we need to be more useful and capable of doing the work set before us. But we are continually reminded that if we only look at ourselves, then we are indeed incapable of doing anything (John 15:5). But if we can simply trust in Him, then anything is possible (Philippians 4:13). Do you believe this?
HBBC partner with Alan & Leanne through prayer and with a monthly financial contribution. Gifts purchased through our Two Birds Christmas Catalogue, coming out very soon, also supports their ministry to the Khmer.
If you would like to support Alan & Leanne in their work through WEC, donations can be made through the HBBC missions account (BSB: 704 913 Acc Number: 400041919 Reference: Purvis).
Imagine feeling the call to sell everything, give up your life, move to another country, learn the language, and dream of obeying God's calling to teach the Bible in the people's heart language. Then, after two years of dedicated language study, you begin to wonder if that call was even real. Because the language just seems impossible.
That was us a few months back. We were often in tears, frustrated, and feeling like we would never be able to share the gospel with the Khmer, let alone teach the Bible.
Nonetheless, we stubbornly joined an online proclamation group and started praying about opportunities to share the gospel. That very next Sunday, we sat in church behind a man we had seen a few times before. We were feeling quite useless when he turned around, introduced himself as Limhea, and asked us to share the gospel (in Khmer) with his nephew (Sothea), who was sitting next to him!!
After we recovered from the shock, we stepped out in faith and began sharing the gospel with Sothea. Thankfully, the pastor joined us to help correct our mistakes. After sharing the gospel and confirming he was seeking a saviour who could take away his sins, Sothea chose to repent, cut off his red band, and follow Jesus. It turned out that, for the past 14 years, Limhea had been the only believer in his household. So, later that day, Limhea invited us to his house the following Thursday evening to share the gospel with Limhea's wife and sister (i.e. Sothea's mother).
We took all of this as the work of the Holy Spirit and simply followed His leading. We arrived at their house with the pastor, who asked us to share our testimonies (again speaking in Khmer). Neither of us felt prepared for this, but again, we just trusted that God would do the heavy lifting and get us through. After we all shared, we asked what the two ladies thought about what they had heard. After a short discussion, they responded by saying they wanted to repent from their sins of idolatry and false worship, remove the spirit altar from the house, and follow Jesus. This was followed by a long prayer period as they confessed sin and committed to following Jesus. Then, we prayed over them and their house and removed all the Buddhist shrines and paraphernalia. We now meet with this family and the pastor every Saturday evening for Bible study and discipleship. What an amazing privilege to be part of God's work to redeem this family.
We often feel we need to be more useful and capable of doing the work set before us. But we are continually reminded that if we only look at ourselves, then we are indeed incapable of doing anything (John 15:5). But if we can simply trust in Him, then anything is possible (Philippians 4:13). Do you believe this?
HBBC partner with Alan & Leanne through prayer and with a monthly financial contribution. Gifts purchased through our Two Birds Christmas Catalogue, coming out very soon, also supports their ministry to the Khmer.
If you would like to support Alan & Leanne in their work through WEC, donations can be made through the HBBC missions account (BSB: 704 913 Acc Number: 400041919 Reference: Purvis).
Posted in Our Stories