Update from the Phnom Penh dorms

Tuesday, 12 January 2010

John Pople was recently in Cambodia attending the Bible School and P2P preaching trips over the Christmas / New Year break. He delivers this report:

The services and study classes at the Bethezer dormitories, in the North of Phnom Penh, are forming the current backbone of progress of the gospel being embraced in Cambodia. More than 50% of Cambodia’s ecclesial members (the Christadelphian presence in Cambodia is currently limited only to the capital) are ‘dormers,’ as of Jan 2010.

Turnout for these services is wonderfully high: approximately 90% of both the boys and girls dormitories attend the 0600 service, about 35 students in all. The dedication and work-ethic shown by the high percentage of dorm students in attendance at dawn three times a week, above and beyond their full-time duties as students, is both a fabulous encouragement and a stern challenge to their less-motivated counterparts in the Western world. For those thinking they have come to teach at the dorm service: be prepared to learn!

The service is followed by a second hour of in-depth study: typically this is attended by half a dozen students pursuing baptism more intensely.

Speculatively, it may be appropriate to expand the capacities of the dormitory program, if funding permits. Either way, the ‘dormers’ are very close to my heart in terms of their enthusiasm, dedication and simple delight in learning about the Bible. May God bless them richly to glorify His Name!”