Saying goodbye to Lyheu, one of our closest Cambodian friends, whom we met in our first neighborhood, Beng Trabek.

By the time you receive this final JBF newsletter, we will have already moved back to the United States. We are looking forward to making Seattle our new home. Upon arrival, Danny will begin studies in Global Epidemiology at University of Washington in addition to working part-time as a Research Assistant. I, on the other hand, am looking forward to making new friends, getting involved in a church or some sort of missional ministry, and taking walks around the many bodies of water that surround the Emerald City.

As our time in Cambodia has drawn to a close, we have been extra diligent in speaking with our kids about American history, life, and culture. We have been trying to get them excited about this big move by telling them things like, “We will go to lots of playgrounds, borrow books from the library, go to museums, and take walks in the parks. Silas, you will even get to go to school!” But when we ask him if he is happy that we are moving to America, he says, “No, I will miss Ming Kouen (his baby sitter) so much!” Silas’ response reminds me that it is the people, not our work, which has made Cambodia so special for our family.

We will miss dining alfresco with sunset views and palm trees gently swaying in the distance. We will miss our daily supply of tropical fruits and freshly squeezed lime juice. We will miss the relaxed pace of life and going to bed at 9 o’clock. Yes, there are many things we will miss. Most of all though we will miss those people that God has so graciously allowed us to meet here. Accordingly, the process of saying goodbye has been bittersweet, bringing closure to this chapter of our lives as well as leading us forward into the future that God has prepared.

Sunrise staff arranged a farewell ceremony for us wherein we felt overwhelmed by and undeserving of their lavish generosity. It was an emotional event, with Danny crying during his farewell speech. Anita gave all of them gifts of silk slippers to remind them to keep walking after God.

Yesterday, I asked Silas if he would like to come back and visit Cambodia. He responded, “No, I don’t want to come back and visit. I want to come back and live here!” Others seem to share Silas’ hope when they ask when, not if, we will return to Cambodia. The simple answer is “We don’t know.” What we do know is that we desire Danny’s training and our time in Seattle to further equip us to be a blessing to the poor and to open doors for us to continue to serve God in the developing world. However, we have learned from experience that God often calls us to places and tasks that we would have never thought of on our own. He has proven Himself much more creative than us and tends to open doors that we do not even realize exist. So, instead of making any concrete plans, we are content to simply trust God and receive whatever opportunities He might present us.

Please continue to keep our family in prayer during this new season. Pray for:
* our family’s overall adjustment back to the US and into a new city
* church and refreshing ministry opportunities
* Silas starting pre-school
* new friends and meaningful relationships in Seattle
* Danny’s studies and work at UW

Thank you again, dear friends, for all the prayers and support you have shown us over the last four years. It has been quite an adventure and we are glad we have been able to share it with you!

With much gratitude,

Anita

Thank you so much for laboring on our behalf. We have really been feeling uplifted by your prayers these days as our time in Cambodia is coming quickly to an end.

Sunrise - Three of the most amazing people in Cambodia have committed to serving on the board of governance for InnerCHANGE-KCC (a.k.a. Sunrise)! We are praying for one more. In addition, our teammate, Samantha, will be assuming the role of InnerCHANGE liaison between the national staff and supporters in North America. Please pray for this team as they negotiate new relationships and carry new responsibilities.

Health - Thank you so much for praying for our health. Our medical appointments in Malaysia went very well and we enjoyed the few days we spent in the cooler climate of the Cameron Highlands. Please pray that God would continue to sustain our health during our final hot season.

Tying up loose ends - There are still a number of things the national staff and new board need to learn before we leave. Please pray that Danny will be able to transmit necessary information and know how efficiently and effectively.

Finances - Bless all of you who have been faithfully supporting us and our ministry! Upon completion of our commitments with InnerCHANGE this August, we will be removed from CRM’s payroll. If there is any surplus in our account, it will be redistributed to other staff or ministries. We therefore advise you to stop donating to our account on June 1.

Also, if you are interested in continuing to support ministry in Cambodia, we can recommend some high quality individuals and ministries. Just let us know what you are interested in and we will gladly connect you.

Summer schedule - We are excited about our last assignment with InnerCHANGE - visiting YOU!!! Here is our current schedule:

• May 23-30: Seattle
• May 31 - July 3: Connecticut, New York, western Massachusetts
• July 4 - 20: Boston
• July 21-August 19: Maryland, DC, northern Virginia

We look forward to meeting with many of you in various informal gatherings. If you desire us to speak at your church or fellowship, please contact us immediately so we can begin scheduling.

Website - We have archived the Ministry, Prayer, and Newsletter portions of our website into one section called “Cambodia”. (Creative, huh?) If you’re curious, you can find it at http://colombara.org/cambodia/.

Big love!

Anita

We know some of you out there must be praying BIG TIME for us. Right after we sent out the last prayer update:

1) Cassia was healed! Within a few hours of sending the email she went back to normal!
2) Danny slept for 10 hours straight! And then 7 hours straight last night (woke up to an alarm or would have slept more).
3) Received an affirmative regarding joining the Sunrise Board from one of the most wonderful people here in Cambodia.

All this is to say, God is awesome. You guys are awesome too! I’m not surprised that God answered but that he did all this within 24 hours … now that’s amazing!

Love you all,
Anita.

P.S. Just a reminder of other prayer points
* Our trip to Malaysia on Wednesday
* All the details involving our move to Seattle this fall (housing, pre-school, car, church, etc)
* summer “speaking tour” and visitations

Thanks for all your prayers and support. We really need them as we come close to the final stretch.

Seattle - On May 23 we leave Cambodia and fly into Seattle where Danny will be attending University of Washington for the next few years. We are really excited but still need some things to come into place.

• Before we head to the East Coast to visit family, churches and supporters, we will be spending about a week there to drop off some belongings, tour the campus, meet Danny’s professors and advisor and get familiar with the area. A couple of people are helping us look for a place for us to stay for that week but nothing has been finalized. Please pray that God would provide a comfortable place for our family to rest, get over jet lag, and recuperate before we hit the ground running.
• We are applying for family housing at UW which is MUCH cheaper than renting an apartment. However, the waiting list is long. Please pray we get a spot!
• We are also applying for the on campus pre-school for Silas and possibly Cassia. Again, the waiting list is long so we really need prayers to secure a spot.
• Please pray for our overall transition into this new city.

Furlough - We still do not have our summer schedule in place but if you would like us to visit you or your church please let us know. If you have moved, let us know your new contact info.

InnerCHANGE-Kompong Cham City - We have asked several people to join the Board of Directors but no one is able or interested. Please pray for God’s wisdom to know what our next steps should be. On a positive note, On March 27 we signed our Government agreement and have successfully renewed IC-KCC’s license for the next 3 years.

Malaysia - Next week, we will be going to Malysia for medical stuff (nothing serious but would like your prayers) and rest. We will also be seeing the Chang’s, possibly for the last time, who graciously hosted us for two months in their small 3 bedroom apartment when Cassia was born.

Health - Danny has been having serious insomnia for quite a while. Some nights he only sleeps a couple hours. Please pray that he would be able to sleep well and not get sick as a result of the insomnia. Also, Cassia has had diarrhea for more than a week. Other than that, she’s been her normal happy and energetic self. Her stool sample came up with fungus. We have consulted with several doctors but keep getting conflicting diagnosis and treatment plans. So far, because she hasn’t had any other symptoms (no fever, no fatigue) we haven’t given her any medication other than re-hydration fluid. Please pray for her quick recovery and that we would give her the right treatment.

Thanks,
Anita

Dear Friends,

Darany receiving an award on behalf of IC KCC from our provincial governor last year. IC KCC was one of only a handful of NGOs to receive governmental accolades for ministry benefiting the poor of our province.

A little over two weeks ago, this verse planted itself in my mind. Since then it has germinated and shown itself intent on interpreting much of my daily life. Specifically, I have been reflecting on my practice and observation of leadership development in light of this verse. In doing so, I have become convinced that what was true for Joshua over three thousand years ago is still true today. Often times an existing leader must “die” for a developing leader to flourish.

Darany Hang, the Director of InnerCHANGE Kompong Cham City (IC KCC), is such a leader who I believe is ready to flourish. She learns quickly, is a natural teacher and encourager, and regularly exhibits wisdom beyond her years. On top of that she is self-aware, emotionally intelligent, well regarded in the community, and is unwavering in her devotion to Jesus. I have no doubt that God specifically chose Darany to lead IC KCC.

That being the case, I am often at a loss for how to convey this conviction and confidence to Darany. Just the other day, when she was facing a difficult decision, Darany asked me what Diane (the founder of IC KCC) might want her to do. I replied, “Diane is no longer here and soon I’m leaving too. Now you’re the leader. We trust you to lead.” In light of Joshua 1:2, I was tempted to say, “Diane is dead and soon I will be too [figuratively of course]. It’s now your turn to lead.”

I have to stress this fact regularly because there are so many cues to the contrary. Without fail, when a government official or police officer enters our office they address me first in the assumption that I am the one in charge. When I tell them that I am simply an advisor and helper, they often look at me in disbelief, as if I am lying or am overly modest. This past week at the bank I had an argument with our account manager over this very issue. She kept insisting that the forms in question needed my signature rather than Darany’s. These situations are made even more awkward because I am significantly younger than Darany in a society where status increases with age. Sadly, in many people’s minds, my wealth and US Passport often trump Darany’s wisdom, experience and character. This being the case, I need to get out of the picture in order for Darany to thrive.

As many of you know, on May 23 our family will return to the US for at least 2 years (details will follow in the June JBF). I am convinced that this will be a critical time for Darany’s development both as a leader and as a disciple of Jesus. Please pray with us that, like Joshua, she would receive direction and assurance from God not in spite of our missionary absence but because of it.

Grace and peace,

Danny

A photo of IC KCC staff on a recent all InnerCHANGE-Cambodia retreat in Koh Kong, a remote northwestern province. Most of the staff had a series of “first” experiences: first time in Koh Kong, first time visiting a theme park, and first time crossing the border into Thailand.

Life is good though I’m feeling a bit more aggravated than normal with the quirks of daily life here. I think it’s because I know that we’re going to leave in just a few months and our hearts have begun detaching from all things Cambodian. Thankfully I’ve been assured that this is a normal part of the process of getting ready for a significant move.

Here are the latest prayer requests:

Government Agreement: We have a signing ceremony scheduled with the Ministry of Social Affairs for March 27th! Though 6 months overdue, please join me in thanking God that this 3-year agreement will be renewed prior to our departure. Apparently this is a big event where I have to rent a suit and might be on TV!

Staff Retreat: The all staff retreat went very well overall and we learned quite a bit for how to make it better the next time. Thanks for your prayers! You can see pictures of Koh Kong on Anita’s blog.

IC KCC Leadership: My work with IC KCC will begin winding down in a big way over the next few weeks. Please pray for Darany, the Program Director, to continue to receive wisdom to lead and grow IC KCC in the absence of regular missionary input.

IC KCC Administrator: Our administrator, in whom Darany and I invested countless hours, resigned with little notice at the end of February. Please pray for a replacement who is honest, intelligent, computer savvy, and will work with IC KCC for at least 2 years.

IC KCC Board: For the long term health and development of IC KCC, we’ve decided to pursue forming a board of directors. I’ve been told that finding board members may be excruciatingly difficult. Please pray that God will help us find the right mix of people who will ensure IC KCCs vitality well into the future.

Graduate Studies (1): On December 10 we requested that you join us in praying that I could attend graduate school for free. One of my top choice schools offered me a Research Assistantship which covers tuition and insurance plus gives a generous monthly stipend! Praise God that our prayers have been answered!

Graduate Studies (2): For a variety of reasons, we are fairly certain that we will accept the offer mentioned above. Please pray that we God would speak loud and clear if this isn’t the best choice for whatever reason.

Thanks for partnering with us through prayer!

Grace and peace,

danny

Happy St. Valentine’s Day!!! Here in Cambodia it’s “Sweetheart Day”. Yeah, more importation of Americana. Anyway, here’s an update and prayer points.

Sunrise - We found a new place for the office and hospice that needs a lot of cleaning and fixing up. But we are pleased that the new property has a lot of fruit trees and shady spots for the hospice patients to enjoy. Our current  landlords are going to let us rent until we leave in May. So our family doesn’t have to move into temporary housing. Unfortunately, different parties are still squabbling over the property and are trying to get our staff involved. Please pray for our staff that they will not get in the middle of this family feud and will be able to have a good move into our new facilities after we leave on May 23.

Government Agreement - They came, they inspected, and they’re happy. However, due to lack of efficiency we’re STILL waiting for official approval.

Danny’s Health - Is much better. He went to see a doctor. Turns out his cold / sinus infection was exasperating his allergies and asthma. He still gets boughs of allergy attacks in the middle of the night that make it difficult for him to get a good nights rest so please continue to pray for his health and strength.

Staff Retreat- On Monday ALL IC-Cambodia staff, including ex-pat and nationals, about 40 plus in all, will be taking a 10 hour bus ride to Koh Kong, a “Wild West” seaside island near the Thai boarder. The purpose of the retreat is…

* to start to integrate the many faces of InnerCHANGE in Cambodia
* to help integrate foreigners and Khmer staff a bit more
* to introduce InnerCHANGE to people who have been indirectly
working for InnerCHANGE for a long time
* to throw out the vision for Khmer missionaries to Cambodia and
other parts of the world
* to have fun and party hardy (Anita’s addition)

Please pray for our safety on the road and in Koh Kong (as it is a pretty remote place).

Thanks,
Anita

A dance troop from a local church came to bless us with three sets of performances.

What was the biggest Christmas bash you have ever been to? I am not much of a holiday person, but this year was something else. We celebrated Christmas with over 700 people from the community.

Every year, Sunrise sponsors a Christmas party for the Kampong Cham City community. Supplied with food, fun and festivities our staff put on quite a show. Traditional dance and music, gifts, games and prizes and of course the Christmas message all play a part in the fun. Being a town with not much going on, it is one of the biggest events in town each year and is usually held in a public setting such as a school or hospital. This year, it was held at the local prison.

The musicians get to show off their talents by leading the Christmas caroling with the traditional Khmer instruments that Sunrise / InnerCHANGE donated earlier this year.

Since soon after Sunrise’s inception, our staff have been serving at the local prison by providing Domestic Violence, Morals, and Peace & Reconciliation training as well as literacy and numeracy classes for the prisoners. 2007 proved to be a banner year. The prison staff requested Peace Building training for themselves after seeing the valuable training that we gave to inmates. We were able to donate a set of traditional Khmer instruments for musicians to continue to hone their skills and teach other prisoners as well. We also partnered with a church to donate soil, seeds and farming tools for the inmates to cultivate a vegetable garden. The main purpose is to supplement the prisoners vitamin deficient diet. However, another goal is to encourage generosity and benefit the community as a whole as ten percent of the produce is to be donated to those in need outside of the prison. Moreover, we have continued to provide support to the children who are locked up with their parents and are looking for ways to get the community to protect and care for the children of those incarcerated. Slowly but steadily the prison is becoming a place of rehabilitation, not just punishment.

The guests settle down for a lunch of beef curry soup with bread and each receive a Christmas gift bag full of toiletries.

Because of our longstanding relationship with the prison, they invited us to have the annual Christmas party on their premises. Among the 700 who attended were the prisoners, prison staff, community members and special guests. There was dancing, singing, feasting and overall merriment. Most important of all, our staff were able to share the Good News of the birth of Christ.

After the festivities, Sunrise staff all expressed their joy for being able to celebrate Christmas with those in our community who would not have been able to attend if it were at a school. The group consensus was, “Let’s do it here again next year!”

As 2008 begins, our 14 staff and numerous volunteers continue to dream big for God to be a blessing, not just at the prison, but throughout Kampong Cham. Please pray that this new year would prove just as fruitful and joyous!

With much joy,

Anita

For the most part life has been really good but this week some serious challenges presented themselves as well. Would you pray with us?

Landlord: Our relationship with the landlord at Sunrise (our hospice, office, and home) has gone from bad to worse. This is extremely frustrating because we’ve done nothing contrary to the details and spirit of the rental agreement. Currently, the landlord wants us to vacate by March, which is 17 months earlier than we had agreed to in the contract. There are three prayer requests attached to this situation.

1. We really don’t want to rent another house for only two months. Pray that we can somehow extend our time at least until we return to the States in May.
2. Pray for wisdom with regard to whether or not we (the ministry, not us personally) should pursue purchasing property.
3. Pray for us to find a great alternative location at the right price.

Government Agreement: The government agreement which gives us permission to carry out our ministry in Kompong Cham is now 4 months expired. As with the landlord issue, this is frustrating because we’ve done everything properly and on time. It’s obvious that bribes were and are expected and wanted. Please pray for wisdom in how to successfully navigate this relationship while maintaining Christian integrity.

Physical Misery: I’m happy as a clam relationally, spiritually, etc. but am miserable physically. For the last month and half I’ve had severe allergies that wake me up in the middle of the night and prevent me from going back to sleep for hours. In the last 58 hours I’ve only slept about 5 hours because of a severe cold. It’s getting to the point where I can’t think. Please pray for healing of whatever respiratory problems I’ve been having and please pray that I would have at least 2 consecutive days of high quality sleep.

Thanks for standing with us during both trials and blessings!

Grace and peace,

danny

Life is good. Ministry is good. Weather is good. Everything is good! So good in fact that nearly a month and a half has gone by without the sending of a prayer update!

Praise: Everything really is going very, very well. Please thank God for his generous provision and protection.

Human Rights Day: Today, December 10, is the 21st official public holiday we’ve had this year! This year I decided to read the UN Declaration of Human Rights and found it to be challenging and uplifting (though completely godless). I thought you might want to check it out as well. Also, please pray for greater respect of the rights of the poor in Cambodia since the wealthy, including many government officials, do not hesitate to steal land from the poor and cause bodily harm to their opposition.

Christmas: On December 15 Anita is leading devotions at our team Christmas party in Khmer. Please pray that God would bless her to be able to communicate powerfully.

Retreat: February 18-23 we are having our first ever all InnerCHANGE-Cambodia retreat. While it’s exciting to gather together more than 30 foreign and national staff for our adventure to the Thai border, there are bound to be some difficulties. Please pray for logistics in getting everyone there on time as well as enhanced bi-directional cross-cultural communication.

Visitors: In a two month period, early December to early February, we will be hosting 7-8 different sets of guests at our home. Though we are looking forward to spending time with each visitor, downtime will be limited. Please pray for grace to be genuinely hospitable to the very end.

School: I’ve finished applying to public health graduate school. Now I’m praying that I’ll get in and that I can study for free! I’m seriously praying for a full ride. Would pray with me for this? Thanks!

Continued blessings,

danny