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To anyone who has been following this blog or is interested in reading posts from other mission teams, we've created a dedicated blog for every mission team.

The new URL is http://fromthefield.wordpress.com.

So, please update your bookmarks and follow the new blog for all updates and information.

Thanks!

Hope Center Orphanage Dedication Battambang Cambodia

This music video was filmed on Saturday during the Dedication of Hope Center in Battambang Cambodia. Special thanks to the people of Celebration Church whose contributions make projects like this possible!

Some final thoughts from the team

As our last post, the team would like to share some of the highlights from the trip. Each team member answered the following questions.

1. Describe the funniest moment of the trip.
2. What was the most impacting experience for you?
3. How were you challenged during the trip?
4. What is the one piece of advice you would give to future mission teams?

Brooks Decker

1. At the restaurant we ate most of our meals at, anytime you asked for something, they told you yes, went to get it, and never came back.
2. Seeing a country of people so different than us worship and praise the same God we do with just as much passion and conviction.
3. I was challenged by God more than circumstances. I came expecting certain things from Him, but learned quickly my expectations weren't what God planned for me in Cambodia.
4. Don't go expecting anything in particular from God or anyone else. Have an open heart and mind and a willingness to except and be blessed by whatever comes your way.

Tracy Litzer

1. Watching everyone inhale their McDonald's food as if they hadn't had real food in a week or so. Also listening to the translators attempt to use slang. ;)
2. Worship with the Khmer band and spending time at the orphanage and Rapha House.
   
3. The challenge for me was to do what I could for God to bless the Cambodian people without feeling like there was "so much more" that I could be or should be doing. Also sweating all the time.
   
4. Be open to God, flexible, work as a family and watch God move.

Jenny Huang

1. Having our entire team be asked to sing our worship songs to attendees at a local Cambodian church we visited. Never thought I'd be part of the choir!
2. Gazing into the eyes of a four year old girl at the Rapha House, a program for victims of sex trafficking and sexual abuse. If you saw the joy and innocence in her eyes, you would never know how much pain she has experienced.
3. Syncing up completely with the time zone difference, especially during daytime hours.
4. Pray for revelation of God's heart for the country's people and sensitivity to His presence.

Terry Turner

1. Rooming with John Brooks.
2. It took Vatanak (one of our translators) half a weeks pay to eat with us at Burger Place. A 4 year old at Rapha House. Praying over Cambodians in English.
3. Rooming with John Brooks. Wanting to help everyone but only being able to help a few.
4. Practice trying to make your heart bigger before you go, you'll need it.

Samantha Ziesk

1. Teaching the translators American slang. "We tight!"
   
2. The second night of the festival when everything went perfectly!
3. It was hard to get the courage to sing in front of 3000-5000 people.
   
4. Always wear your passport.

Dean Gilliland

1. "If it isn't big enough to kill you, it is probably on the menu." This was a quote from Sopoan (one of our interpreters) describing Cambodian cuisine.
   
2. Getting to know the interpreters. Oops, actually God broke my heart at the orphanage. I have several. Can I have another sheet?
3. Changing gears. Changing my mode of operation in order to maximize the impact of the ministry.
4. Pray for the leaders and those in authority in the nations you visit.

Trevor Olesiak

1. Walking by the nail parlor and seeing John Brooks getting a manicure.
   
2. Being a part of worship on the last day of the festival.
3. Patience and flexibility.
   
4. If you don't physically put your bag on the bus, it's not there. A lesson I had to learn the hard way.
   

Chelsey Jones

1. Seeing a girl on a moped with an IV in her arm.
2. Getting to pray for people at the festival.
3. Being flexible with the hotels. Some were better than others. ;)
   
4. Take lots of clothes and be prepared to change during the day.

Robert O'Gorman

1. For four days in a row, we ate chicken fried rice and pizza for both lunch and dinner.
   
2. Seeing the girls at the Rapha House and getting a feel for where they've been and where they are now.
   
3. Trying to stay focused and have fun.
4. Don't think, just do it (no matter what Pastor Mike says).
   

Jay Callicott

1. Watching Lance (from Healing Place Church) eat a cricket. Also "chicken fried rice and pizza anyone?"
2. Looking out from the drum cage and seeing smiling faces and the hope in their eyes during worship.
3. Definitely patience and endurance.
4. Be flexible, prepared, and stay focused on the main reason you are there . . . God!

John Brooks

1. Rooming with Terry Turner. Period!
2. Being brought into the presence of God in another language.
3. Patience and serving others.
4. Be flexible. Bring extra clothes. Expect great things!

Dougie Fowler

1. Trying to do a sound check and not one person running sound spoke English, let alone knew how to run sound. It was ridiculous and hilarious.
2. Seeing all those children at the orphanage and bringing a smile to their face.
3. The food and our hotel rooms at first, but it turned out good thanks to the hospitality suite (aka John Brooks' and Terry Turner's room).
   
4. Just get ready to definitely not be in your "comfort zone."

Kassie Fowler

1. Watching our team look like hyper 5 year olds when we got a McDonald's breakfast during our last layover in Singapore. Never thought I'd be so happy to see a McDonald's.
   
2. Ministering in a country that has been through so much and continues to face challenges we never will was one of the most humbling experiences I've ever had. Their servant hearts and sweet faces are forever imprinted in my mind and heart.
   
3. Choosing to believe that God will use you even when you feel like you have nothing to offer.
   
4. GO FOR IT! Live BIG with Jesus and learn to love people and see them the way He does.
   

Alex Tran

1. Our tour guide in Singapore was a trip. Among the many funny things he said, one was "I was manufactured here" when we asked him where he was from.
   
2. Realizing and believing that God can change the country of Cambodia. This was after seeing thousands of Cambodians worshiping God in a Buddhist country and knowing hundred (if not thousands) of them experienced Him for the first time.
3. Not being able to communicate with people in their native language. There are only so many translators.
   
4. Journal during the trip and reflect on what God is doing both through you and in you. The experiences you have on the mission field are extremely precious and you don't want to forget them.
   

There is hope . . .

Thirty years ago, the Khmer Rouge wiped out an entire generation of Cambodians. Today, we see God raising up a new generation.

Below you will be able to meet and read the testimonies of some of the translators who helped us along the way. They are a generation who love God and want nothing more than to be used by him.

We feel privileged to be able to introduce you to . . .

Keo Sopoan (18)
Eight years ago I was taken to a Christian orphanage where I was brought to church and taught the Bible. I had a bad life as a kid and was very bitter. My mom was in the hospital and we couldn't pay the bill, so the hospital let my mom die. I stole a lot and people tried to kill me. They stole my land and my house and I became a street kid.

I thought all people did bad stuff to people, but God set me free. I began to understand God in bad situations. I prayed and read the Bible and learned God does good for those who love him.

Vatanak Vong
I studied English at a private high school and was very interested in learning more. A friend introduced me to a place that taught English for free. This was at New Life Fellowship.

One day while studying the Bible in English, the teachers shared their testimony and I saw their joy. I wanted to be like them, so I started coming to church. I received Christ and was baptized either in 2004 or 2005.

I saw many miracles. One of them was when I was translating for a guy from Texas. At the time, my faith was not strong.

There was a 60 year old who had been in the hospital for 20 years because of swollen feet. God led us to his room and we shared to him about God and told him that we believed God wanted him to be healed. We were going to come twice a week to pray for him, but it only took one week before the swelling went down and he was completely healed. Afterwards, he was able to leave the hospital and go to his homeland.

Bun Na (25)
I lived with my aunt in Phnom Penh while I tried to find a job. My aunt was a Christian and sent me to New Life Fellowship in Phnom Penh to study English. At New Life, I also heard about the Gospel and accepted Jesus six years ago.

Seng Ehud (18)
In 1999, an American missionary named Mary came to our home. I was an orphan at the time. After talking with my brother and aunt for three months, they allowed me to go to a Christian orphanage. That's where I learned about God and read the Bible. I didn't understand what I was reading until four years ago. Then a year later I accepted Jesus and was baptized.

Paneth Kim (20)
My cousin told me about Jesus in 2003. I didn't believe him, but two or three weeks later I became a Christian. My cousin did a small group in the village to make him strong, so I went to New Life to become stronger for Jesus. Eventually I became a worship, children's, and small group leader.

Dong Hang (19)
An American missionary came in 2003 to teach the Bible. Back then I was Buddhist, but I studied the Bible and understood it. I prayed Jesus into my heart and felt him. I knew it was different. I had joy. It's been 2.5 years since then.

Leaving on a jet plane . . .

Hi everyone! The team finds itself in Singapore today. We've got a little bit of time to kill before we head off to the airport, so we're about to take a little tour of the island.

This will probably be the last post until we return to Jacksonville, but be sure you check back this weekend. We'd like to introduce you to some people and give you some final thoughts on the trip.

In the meantime, we'd like to share a bunch of pictures from Phnom Penh. Some from around the city, the Genocide Museum, and a tour of the Killing Fields.

Note: There are some graphic images from the Genocide Museum.

On a brighter note, the team is coming home and God totally accomplished His purpose with this first leg of Hope Cambodia (our team was the first of three).

Romans 8:21 (NLT)
But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will
join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.

The team looks forward to the day when we will join generations of Cambodian's with Jesus in Heaven.

God is Good!

That is the word of encouragement that I gave the girls at the home for the sex slave trade victims yesterday morning in church. I told them that with God all things are possible, the healing, the love that they are recieving from their pastor and the foundations that are helping them and their future.

It was a God thing that I was even in the church with them. The night before at the festival, the pastor came up to me along with a psychologist from California and invited me to come to their church. When the pastor told me about the work they are doing with the girls I knew I had to go. Tracy went with me and we were so blessed to see the transformation that God has done in the lives of the girls. You look at them and their eyes sparkle and you receive a big smile.

The pastor shared with me that when they first receive the girls that it takes months to get the girls to have any trust in them because of all of the abuse they have received.

The girls range in age from 4 years old! Yes, 4 (as hard as it is to believe) to 18 years old. It is a long process to get the girls legally, but God is working because they are getting them in a Buddhist run country to come into a Christian run organization.

You can feel the love of Christ working in these girls. The girls are not forced to go to church but about 80% of them do get saved!

The home is a total transformation center for the girls. They work on the heart first to repair scars with the love of Christ! They start them in sewing classes, move them to hand sewing machines and then into other skills so they can get jobs when they leave the center.

God is doing a wonderful work at this center!

I have so many encounters on this trip meeting people that have put me in places that I feel God wants me to be! God is alive and working in Cambodia! We need to continue to pray and share his work. All hopped up for Jesus.

Bwana John Bryan

Team Celebration

What an incredible privilege I have been given to lead this team of ambassadors for Jesus. This group has been the definition of the word team in every sense of the word. Travelling with a group of nearly 50 people in a provincial town of Cambodia can present (shall we say) some "challenges." The simple act of eating lunch can sometimes turn into quite an order. Patience and flexibility are the order of the day in everything we do while still maintaining a smile, a handshake or a hug for everyone we see. Of course there is also perfecting the ability to return the traditional Cambodian greeting we get from everyone - palms together in front of the chest and under the chin accompanied with a slight bow towards the other person.

Oh and did I mention the heat? This time of year is considered the rainy season, cooler than what they call their "hot season!" One would think that a team coming from Florida in July should be ready for anything. Nope, not a chance. Seems like from the time you arrive in Cambodia one begins to sweat and from there on out it is a fact of life. A/C is not a common thing and just because you find it doesn't mean it works well, if at all. The hotel is air conditioned, however, they actually shut off the power to your room when you are not there. You are required to stop at the front desk to have the power turned back on upon your return. Welcome to the mission field!!

In spite of these difficulties our team has shown that none of these creature comforts really matter. What really matters is that we are here to offer hope to these precious people who are still reeling from the atrocities inflicted upon them nearly 30 years ago. Hope Cambodia - the name says it all. We are all incredibly blessed by God to be able to partner with Him in bringing the hope that is in the love of Jesus. The Celebration Team has exemplified that love in every step of the way on this journey. I am honored to lead this team on their way to discovering that God can and will show up in incredible ways when we are willing to say "yes Lord, send me." I am so proud of each and every one of them who have given up their time, their finances and family time to put their life on hold and step out of their comfort zone to bring Jesus to the people of Cambodia. We are truly God's hands and feet while we are on this earth.

Thank you Team Celebration. I am truly blessed by God to be your leader.

Mike Pier

Captain, we need more pictures!

It's the picture guy again. Lots of stuff went on today which leads to lots of pictures. We got Sunday morning church, getting an inside look at some temples, and a hike up a mountain side to see the "killing caves."

For those that aren't familiar with Cambodia's history, the genocide of over 1.7 million Cambodian's is the whole reason Hope Cambodia is taking place. These 1.7 million people were buried in "killing fields." If you're interested in learning more, you can read about it on Wikipedia.

And finally, I can't forget to mention tonight was the last night of the Festival of Hope. Since this is just a "picture" post, I'll leave the God details to the pictures and posts from our team members.

Dougie's Blog....

My heart is broken and I'm overwhelmed. It's very difficult to share the experience that we are having without being able to show you first hand. But I am reminded of the scripture in Matthew 9:35-38 where it says that "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. And when Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harrassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." I don't necessarily feel that I've been "changed" in any way so to speak, but I do feel the compassion of Jesus more that I ever have for these people here. It's so incredible to see the joy and happiness in their hearts in spite of their living conditions, their past, and their way of life.

We just finished our last night of the festival, and after about 2 hours of worship in the steaming heat, literally, I could do it all over again. The crowd was as energetic as I've ever seen, and it was amazing to see around 4-6 thousand people (about 2000 in the building, the rest outside), none of which could understand a word I was saying, going totally crazy for Jesus and vibrantly expressing themselves in worship. It was really cool, you'll have to check out the pictures later!

But I have to say that even beyond all of the hype, and massive quantities of people, the time when I was moved the most was when we had the opportunity to help dedicate the childrens orphanage on Saturday. Just to see the hope that we have brought to these children in just the little bit that we've done makes this whole trip worthwhile. Kassie and I met the most beautiful little girl, about 3 years old, named Leeza (probably not how you spell it) at the orphanage. She was very shy and closed off when we first arrived, but when we brought out the balloons, you would have thought it was Christmas morning all over again; and every time she smiled as she caught the balloon, my heart broke into a million pieces at the thought of her, or any of the other children, never being able to experience the love that we gave them. If we were allowed to adopt them, or take them home right now, I have no doubt in my mind that I would. It's a very humbling experience.

On a much lighter note, I have thoroughly enjoyed the extreme miscommunication between us Americans and the Khmer speaking population. For example, last night when we were eating dinner at the one and only place we've eaten at this whole trip, Kassie and I decided we wanted to order some ice-cream. No big deal right? Well, I ordered a regular mixed fruit flavored ice-cream in a "cone", which took a while to explain, and Kassie ordered a cappucino flavored ice-cream in a "cup". After some confused looking faces, the servers finally figured out what we were ordering, and confidently assured us that it would be there in a few minutes. Well, it finally came out, and it ended up being a scoop of cappucino ice-cream placed on top of my scoop of fruit ice-cream, in a cup, and finely decorated with a cone on the top like a hat. It was awesome! We couldn't stop laughing, and the Cambodians were once again confused!

Anyway, I love you guys, and I'll see you all next weekend. Later.

Dougie

The Best Seat in the House

Being up on stage for worship the past three nights, I have to say I have the best seat in the house. I get to experience worship. It's amazing that no matter what country, what race, or what language, God shows up in music. He moves through music in a powerful way. Especially when you're the one being used.

People don't get to experience what I get to to experience. My cup is full. Actually, it's overflowing.

Jay Callicott

Lord I'm Amazed By You

Let me begin by saying that God is awesome and as is evident by the other posts, He has moved in a GIANT way over the past 3 days. Just to give a short background on who I am...my name is Trevor Olesiak and I have been attending Celebration for almost 2 years. I am a college student at UNF about to enter my junior year. God called me to go on this trip and I, fortunately, heeded the call. This has been one of the most powerful experiences of my life.

The first night of the festival, I sat with the group and watched that Khmer team worship and got to experience the entire event from the crowd's perspective. Through some fast and unexpected circumstances, I was asked to play bass guitar for the second night of worship. I have played and led worship all my life, but I am not currently involved with the worship team at Celebration. It is hard to emphasize the fear that was flooding my entire being. I was about to play anywhere from 5 to 10 songs I didn't know for over 3000 Cambodians! But God is awesome and, especially in worship, when you completely focus on Him and set your eyes on the cross, He moves in big ways. The second the first note was played, God's amazing and overwhelming peace flooded over me and He allowed me to make a joyful noise unto Him! Praise God!

I'll tell you upfront, there is no possible way for me to put to words my expereinces on stage the past 2 nights. We just finished the last night of the festival, and I am in utter awe of what God has done. My perspective from the stage was something that most people didn't get to experience, so I will attempt to describe it the best I can. The first two nights, the building we played in had many chairs set up for people to sit. Tonight, they had to put all of the chairs away in order to fit more people in the building. They also broadcasted the feed outside in the courtyard, where the people were also packed in. Estimates I heard from people where anywhere from 4000 to 6000 in attendance. Looking out into the sea of smiling faces and to witness the excitement of the people was amazing. One of the songs we played really stuck out to me and I feel describes how overwhelmed we all were:

Lord I'm amazed, by You
Lord I'm amazed, by You
Lord I'm amazed, by You
How You Love me

As everyone worshiped, the Holy Spirit rained down like I have never felt anywhere before. As we sang the Halleluiah chours, and I gazed out on all of the hands raised as high as they could go; as I saw the desire and longing in the faces of people who were crying out to God; as I heard all of the voices in the room singing the internationally understood word, Halleluiah; tears just welled up in my eyes as I finally begun to understand what was happening. God wasn't simply loving us. He wasn't merely showing love for other people. God, in his sovreign, divine nature, was revealing His true self. God IS the embodyment of love. And when we experience the love of Christ in a very real sense, when you can SEE God and FEEL His love and compassion coursing through every portion of your soul, you can't help but cry. The presence of God is far too overwhelming to keep your composure. The most amazing part was when the pastor made an alter call. One by one, all across the room, people raised their hands to accept Jesus. Literally thousands of people tonight gave their lives to the Lord! Amen!

And let me tell you, Cambodians know how to worship! For the entire set (I dont know how long but I'm guessing between 30 and 45 minutes) they would not stop jumping and dancing and clapping! God was coursing through thier veins as they vibrantly and passionately worshiped. I have never played for a more excited or less reserved people anywhere, ever.

Having the priviledge to lead worship for that many people is an honor and a blessing. Music is a universal truth that everyone understands. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity and I look forward to getting plugged in to the worship team back home at Celebration. Be encouracged! God is making a huge difference through us in this wonderful nation of Cambodia!

Much love,

Trevor

God Transforming Lives...

Today our team got to go to the Rapha House. The Rapha House is a home for girls who have been rescued from sex trafficing. There are 60 girls who are currently living there in the home. They are currently in the process of building a new dorm that will be able to house 30 more girls. Most of the girls at the home are teenagers, but the youngest girl was 4 years old. When we arrived the girls welcomed us with with warm smiles and huge hugs!! It was so refreshing to see how happy and full of joy these girls were despite the horrible situations they come from. When we first got there we gathered all of the girls and prayed over them. The girls then showed us these beautiful hand made purses, blankets, Bible covers, men's shirts, stuffed animals, and pillow covers that they had made. The girls are taught how to sew and they were so excited to share there beautiful creations with us. The girls also are taught English, so it was really cool to be able to talk to them. These girls also really love to dance. They performed several different dances thoughout the festivals. Once we arrived at the festival tonight the girls found us right away and hung out with us. They just loved being around us and we also loved being around them. It was just truly wonderful to see the love of Christ on these girls faces and how happy they were. It is just so awesome that despite horrible situations God is able to transform our lives and make us completely whole again.

Chelsey Jones

Fantastic trip

Today is Sunday and we were blessed to go to Faith Bible Church in Cambodia where Jenny Huang preached and she was awesome! It’s really touching to see how friendly and welcoming these people are and seemingly how appreciative they are for us to give of our time to just be here. Little do they know that we are the ones being blessed. They just want to come up to you and smile, touch you, have their picture taken with you or just communicate in some way.

After church we had the opportunity to a place where they rescue girls from sex trafficking. There were about 60 girls there from 4 to 19 years of age and they are in the process of building another building to house 40 more. It’s amazing to see the passion of the Cambodian Pastors, as I look and see what they do and have compared to what we do and have, it doesn’t seem fair. The American dollar goes so far here, two of the needs in the girls home are sewing machines ($120 ea) and scooters ($200 ea) the main source of transportation.

We are truly blessed to be a part of a church where one of the main focuses of our Pastor is missions and even though we don’t hear that much about what we do as a church you can bet its being done right. You should see the orphanage the others talked about Celebration help fund, we got to paint and play with the kids our first day in Battambang.

I can’t wait till tonight, the finale for the Festival, I don’t know how many came down front for prayer last night but it was a lot and we were ask to pray with them and knew God was working especially when we don’t even speak their language. I understand now what they mean, you won’t understand until your there!!

Dougie and the band are doing a fantastic job, you should see 4 or 5 thousand Cambodians singing and praising the Lord, in english.

Terry Turner

Pictures (with bonus organization)

Whew! We just got done adding some more pictures from the festivities we've had over the past couple of days. Time has finally permitted us to organize the chaos of pictures, so they've been grouped into the different events for you.

You can view them in the "Pictures" section off to the right. Hope you enjoy them!

Also, thanks for all your comments and continued support. The team really appreciates hearing from you. Keep the comments coming!

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of Cambodia

Our team just got back from the Faith Bible Church in Cambodia where the guest speaker, Jenny Huang preached a great message on how Jesus was moved with compassion on the people that he ministered to. For me, this missions trip began with much prayer for the people of Cambodia. The book of I Timothy 2 (praying for Cambodia version) states:

1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all Cambodians...
2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that all people in the Nation of Cambodia may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Your prayer mission is as follows according to this prayer list:
King Norodom Sihamoni, head of government: Prime Minister Hun Sen; Deputy Prime Ministers Sar Kheng; Sok An, Lu Lay Sreng, Tea Banh, Hor Namhong, Nhek Bunchhay, Kev Put Reaksmei. Also pray for the Cambodian National Assembly, because this is the place where many decisions are made. Your help in this effort is greatly appreciated.

Gifts of Love, Gifts of Peace, Gifts of Joy within Cambodia, manifest now in the name of Jesus Christ. Lets get busy with Divine Appointments... I ordered 45 copies of the Jesus Film in 6 different languages (http://www.jesusfilm.org/) before we left. During our first morning in Cambodia, I was riding the elevator with an American. My first impression was that he was with ont of the GoGlobal groups. He informed me that he was a missionary.... "Do you want a copy of the Jesus Film?" I asked. He told me "We rented equipment to show the Jesus Film to a village next week, and we had been unable to get a copy of it, that would be great." I gave him the versions for North and Central Khmer, and a copy for an undisclosed country.... undisclosed because the Bible, and Christianity are illegal in some parts of Asia. Moving the word of God into Asia is definitely on my Todo List.

Would you believe me if I said that we are the ones who can make the change in Cambodia today? The future of Cambodia has yet to be written. Please continue to pray for people in Cambodia, and the successful preaching of the Word of God unhindered.

I John 4; 7 Beloved, let us love Cambodians, for Love is of God, and everyone that Loves is born of God, and knows God.

It is good to fellowship with our Cambodian brothers and sisters overseas. The fact is that Hope Cambodia will not be over in August. The impact of our prayers and our Love for the people of Cambodia has an everlasting impact. I also would like to come back here.... So lets also pray for the manifestation of Hope Cambodia II; The Festival Continues. Much love to all of the Celebration friends and family, and for the blessed brothers and sisters on our team. Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward Cambodians.

Dean Gilliland

Raising Hands in Worship

Tonight was absolutely AMAZING!!! It was the second night of the Festival of Hope, and the worship team did an awesome job, as well as Pastor John Siebling from Life Church of Memphis.

I was told that every night would have more and more attendence, but tonight blew my mind. We estimated that at least 3,000 people were there, and they stayed the whole time. The Festival started with worship from the Khmer band, and then Dougie and the worship team played a few songs. Pastor John Siebling preached for a little while with a great message about salvation, and then the worship team rocked it out 'til the end. If I had to choose the perfect day, today would be it. Everything went absolutely perfect. The sound level was awesome, and the participation in the crowd was out of control. Everyone was jumping up and down, raising their hands, and cheering with the music.

For those who don't know me, my passion is music. I absolutely love praise and worship and will sing my heart out, but I've never been the one in the front row at church with my hands in the air. For some reason I have never been able to just let go and show how I feel when I'm singing about the most important Person in my life.

During worship tonight, I was looking around and seeing all of the amazing people that were literally surrounding me. There were people who didn't even know what the songs were saying that had their hands in the air. I could just see the love for God in their eyes and the huge smiles on their faces. It was at that point that I just let go. It was the most freeing sense that I have ever felt. I was able to show God the love that He deserves by raising my hands and giving all that I have to Him. I found myself cheering and jumping up and down until I couldn't physically do it anymore. I was so exhausted yet so energized and on fire for God that nothing else mattered. It sounds like something so simple and easy, but it has definitely changed my life and my walk with God.

You know, when I think of a mission trip, I think about myself helping others in such a great way, but this is a testimony of how I was changed by others and I wouldn't take today back for the world. God Bless you all. We miss you and we will miss them here when we leave, but just know that God is doing AMAZING things here in Cambodia. Lives are being changed as well as our own, and we can raise our hands to God in praise for giving us such a great opportunity.

United in Christ,

Samantha Ziesk

Hear the Sound of a Generation

I love how God heightens your sensitivity to His presence on mission trips. His Word offers fresh revelation, your heart is stirred deeper during worship, lyrics to praise songs you've sung for a million times suddenly leap out with new meaning.

Last night, during the first night of the Festival of Hope, Dougie and the band jammed out to "Salvation is Here" with thousands of young adults and kids from Cambodia jumping in the air. As we sung the lyrics "Here the sound of a generation, making loud their freedom song," I suddenly realized this was the freedom cry of the new generation of Cambodians whose parents/grandparents/relatives have been scarred by the horrible genocide. This new wave of young Cambodians were shouting out their freedom from fear, shame, and death -- and declaring all honor to Jesus! So cool!!

This morning, I had an opportunity to speak during day 2 of our leadership training for church leaders in Cambodia. Such an honor to share the training with Sherri May from Healing Place Church and Pastor Mundo Menses at Life Church. Ms. Sherri spoke about the importance of training and investing in our youth and Pastor Mundo did an incredible bring-down-the-house message exhorting the leaders to fulfill the Great Commission. I spoke about the importance of leadership and relationships. Specifically, I talked about how to build new relationships, sustain relationships, and how that translates into church partnerships. Really interesting to be speaking on such an oft-talked about subject in a foreign country with young church leaders. Most of them seemed to be engaged -- which is the biggest win when you're speaking with a translator! -- but hopefully they all learned something new too.

I heard yesterday that the churches in Battambang have pretty good relationships for the most part, but there is always the undercurrent of division when it comes to money, power, and politics. My prayer is that God will unite them and help them proatively share resources and leverage their differences! We've already seen much of this church synergy with the massive church volunteer teams that have come to help with the Festival of Hope - I can't wait to see the long-term fruit that will come from this festival weekend!

Miss everyone -- praying for all the incredible new services this weekend back in Jax!!!

Jenny Huang

Leadership Training Conference

Greeting from the other side of the world. We had a great opportunity to conduct a leadership training conference for church leaders in Battambang. The event started with a Cambodian worship team taking us into the presence of God. It was such a special feeling hearing songs being sung in another language yet feeling God's presence move just the same. Dougie Fresh and his team lead us next and they were incredible. Seeing how they had no sound check and had never played togethter, the sound was amazing. The Lord's presence again came down and fill the building. It was a great start to a wonderful conference.

After worship, we had three quest speakers. Lance LeBlanc, from Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, La, spoke on being salt and serving in your community. I spoke about overcoming adversity and growing closer with God, Sheri, from Life Chuch in Memphis, spoke about managing your team.

The main theme that we all took back from the conference was how young the leaders were. There were 300-400 leaders in attendance and 95% were under the age of 20, yet here they were leading small groups and ministries in their churches. 300 churches were represented in this leadership conference. The truth we were able to impart to them will not only help change this country but will impact this part of the world for generations.

Yet, the biggest impact was made on me. Seeing people with nothing, who live on $2 a day, living not only their life but there Christian walk with pure joy was inspiring. We are so blessed in America, yet we constantly get trapped in the same game: Keeping Up with the Jones. Seeing people truly happy always put things in perspective. This is a great thing we are doing over here. We are all blessed to be part of Church that make missions a focus and a priority.

John Brooks (JB)

Innocence in their eyes

Today, the majority of our team went to New Life Orphanage to help paint the new building for the children. It will be dedicated tomorrow. What a blessing for these children to have a new building so that the boys and girls can each have their own space. It truely amazes me at times all that we take for granted back at home. I am so greatful and thankful to God that my children and I have a home to feel safe in. This building has no glass in the windows and no carpet on the floors, but it is such a blessing for these children to have. They greeted us with smiles on their faces and innocence in their eyes. After we were done painting we spent time playing ball and other games with them. Just like all children they love to play, hold your hand, sit on your lap and feel special. When it came time to leave they all came out to the vans to wave goodbye. I hated to leave! I am so thankful for the privelege to be here in Cambodia and to be able to sow into the lives of these children and the lives of others while I am here. I believe that this orphange is a starting point for each of these children to build a new life, with Jesus as the center. My prayer is that they will grow up and become awesome christian leaders in the country, making a difference for their generation.

Tracy Litzer

Van Ride and Prison

Wow. So much to share, so many thoughts, so many stories already... We've finally arrived in Battambang and i want to share a little about our trip and our first morning here. After a 6 hour van-ride, 1 broken-down van, hundreds of potholes, and beautiful people to observe out the window, we made it to our hotel and have just completed our 1st outreach.

I couldn't help but ponder and ask God many questions about life as i observed so much poverty, purposelessness, and yet such beauty and simplicity. Thankfulness is something you will always here from people who return from a mission trip..that definitely has been an overwhelming feeling I've had since landing on this soil. Yes, i'm thankful for my home, air condition, road rules, and bug-free bathtubs, but what i'm forever thankful for is that I know THE God of the universe, who loves me unconditionally and gives me purpose. The God who paid a price for me to be able to have true LIFE and hope. What a mystery it is that He uses us to bring Him glory and do His work on the earth. How thankful I am that He brings me along on this process of sharing His love and hope... such a privilege.

I'm also thankful that we got to do a prison outreach this a.m. We went with an organization called "Prison Fellowship Cambodia." They are an organization that strives to bring people to relationship with Jesus Christ while equipping them to impact their society. They work with prisons to help educate and rehabilitate the prisoners and are still in the beginning stages of developing relationships with the prisons here. I love it.

So, a group of about 15 of us (from the Go Global Team) were able to go into the prison and share the love of Christ by giving them gifts, smiling, praying, and buying some of their paintings ($2 per painting) to support their education. Tom, who works with Joyce Meyer Ministries in Australia, shared the Gospel with them and then we stood in front while they lined up to receive gifts. There were hundreds of men and about 45 women (and 2 children). The common reasons they all were in prison were breaking contracts (debt) and drugs (youth). The women most likely were in prison for human trafficking (for example: selling their children for work). Broke my heart. In such a poor country, it's hard to blame them for not being able to pay back debts, furthermore, many of the women don't know that they have any other solutions for supporting their family than selling a child for work. I'm not condoling any of these actions, but it is heartbreaking.

We prayed over that place and believed God to save and rescue them from the prison of life without Him. I believe we sowed some seeds today in their hearts and took some significant steps for Prison Fellowship Cambodia to have a solid relationship with this prison in Battambang. The people from PFC were so thankful that we were willing to come to help them jumpstart this ministry here, but we were so thankful to be a part. I love that we serve a God of justice, who fights for those who have suffered and calls us to be a part of bringing freedom to the captives. Just like Isaiah 61 says, "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upone me, because the Lord has appointed me to announce the good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce the captives will be released and the prisoners will be freed." Thank you Jesus for LIFE and HOPE!

Kassie Fowler

Taking a step of faith

It shocks some of my family members when I informed them that I've been called to venture out into areas of the world that don't have the best tract record, but I follow that faith. Many steps of faith that I've taken were turn offs especially to my father here on earth. He tells me of the high risk I am taking and all about the incidents that have taken place in the respected country I've been called to. I try to explain that I'm taking a step of faith. In Psalms 23 v.3 It stakes "as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death you are with me Lord." Therefore I tell you fear no one or anything. I deny myself take up my cross and follow Jesus. In the process I'm able through Christ to see the world through my own eyes and not the tainted view of the media.

Though my first step of faith rendered my being on life support and paralyzed, I still focus on the plan and mission I was given. Through following Jesus on these missions to parts of the world, The Lord has led me to inspire those who thought they had it bad. You see that first step of faith when I was 12 open my eyes to how easy it was for everything I've been given to disappear. The Lord has used the adversity that I've overcome through him to inspire others that "Quitting is not an option." It is no different today half way around the world in Cambodia as it was in my comfortable hometown. The mission is the mission is the same just a different time and place.

The people of Cambodia have been great. The look in their eyes is of being lost and a cry for help. They want more out of this life and we are the resolution or cure. If anything we are the light to a new world of Jesus Christ. I think the culture shock is gone now, but for each new heart that is touched brings the feeling all back. Let us remember we are all called to the great commission. Will you follow that calling either home or abroad. Or will you simply brush it off due to being in an inconvient or high risk position.
Robert O'Gorman

Pictures are up!

We just got done uploading all our pictures so far. Check them out.

It was a long trip. Really long.

On paper, flying to the other side of the world is a long trip with many hours of travel. It felt a lot longer than it seemed on paper though. I'm sure it didn't help that we had a lot of multi-hour layovers at various points on this little globe we call Earth.

Here are the places we've stopped at so far along the way.

1. Jacksonville, FL
2. Atlanta, GA
3. San Francisco, CA
4. Hong Kong (somewhere in China)
5. Singapore (is that its own country?)
6. Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Total travel time: about 50 hours. Same clothes, same deoderant, no toothbrush. ;)

It wasn't as bad as it sounds though. The international flights were filled with a lot of perks. Here comes another list (in no particularl order)!

• Decent food
• Hot towels to wash your face
• An LCD screen for each passenger
• Lots of on-demand movies and music
• Video games (I beat Super Mario Brothers 1)
• Mall-esque airports (they put our airports to shame)

So now that I'm finally here and well rested (let me add sweet down pillows and comforters to my previous list), it's time to rock and roll.

Right before we left Jacksonville, we circled up to pray for the trip. Afterwards, I looked around and saw everybody with their "Hope Cambodia" t-shirts and God reminded me of Romans 5:3-5.

Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

I love this verse because it talks about a hope that does not disappoint. The hope of salvation.

The magnitude of what we're doing here is eternal. I got that reminder when I heard there over a thousand people and 250 salvations on opening night.

So this verse has become my prayer. That this Festival of Hope is one that also brings the Hope of Salvation.

It's time to rock and roll.

-Alex Tran

We Have Arrived.

It has been a looooooong trip folks! It seems like we have been traveling for days, and well, its because we have. The flights themselves havent been too bad. Long, but pretty much smooth with really nice airline employees.
I dont think it really hit me that I was actually GOING to Cambodia until we landed in Hong Kong for a layover. I just kind of kept repeating in my head, "Oh my gosh, you are landing in Hong Kong. You are on the other side of the world." Its very surreal. We spent a lot of time, meeting and preparing as a group and personally, but it is still SO surreal that I am actually here. Its like I was doing all the planning, and talking about going, but never really registering, "YOURE GOING!"
Driving to the hotel was unreal. Everyone is on scooters. By everyone I mean ENTIRE families, on one little moped. Someone driving, 2 babies in the middle, and someone on back. Not to mention, like most foriegn countries, there is basically NO traffic laws or signals, so everyone is weaving and honking and whatever else they can do in order not to get run over. There was actually a family on a scooter, and it looked from behind them in the van as though they were holding an IV. We were all thinking "No way." Yes way my friends. It was a young couple, father driving, shirtless tot in the middle, with a mother holding ther childs IV up as they drove. Its like nothing you can imagine.
From what Ive seen so far it pretty much looks like the whole city of Phonm Pehn is under construction....only it isnt, its just that much of a wreck. Everything seems to be within moments of falling apart. Its like if a brisk wind came it would be complete devestaion. There were a lot of people just hanging out in the streets. Some selling gasoline out of coke bottles, others selling what looked like cooked duck on a stick. But again, everything just seems SO run down. We passed the hospital and it looked like something out of a horror movie. You know, like the scary insane asylum some group of teenagers would be stuck in.
Our hotel however is AWESOME. We are being beyond well taken care of. Everything seems to be very organized, which will be for the best Im sure. We all had dinner at a Chinese resteraunt in the hotel and it was the best Asian food Ive ever had...I guess thats what I get for comming to Asia right?
Other than that I think everyone is exhausted beyond belief and ready for bed...I know I am. Im so excited to see what tomorrow has to bring, as we have a 5 hour bus trip to Battambang where the festival is being held. Im not sure yet what our tasks are going to be, but I know God has a plan and I cannot wait to find out what it is!
Thanks so much to all who are praying, I cant wait to get home and talk about all this in person!
God Bless.
-Brooks Decker

Updates from the other side of the world

chumree-uhp soo-uh from Cambodia! That's Khmer for "hello." ;)

Our team just settled into our hotel in Phnom Penh, so we made it to Cambodia safely. Tomorrow we'll embark on a five hour bus ride to our final destination in Cambodia, Battambang.

Thanks to everyone for all your prayers and encouragement so far. Internet access permitting, we'll try to keep you in the loop by having different members of the Celebration Hope Cambodia Team share their hearts and the things God is doing here in Cambodia.

So, be sure you check back often for updates and pictures!