Gateway News December 2009 (Japanese)

Greetings from Cambodia! ２００９年もあとわずかとなりました。今回は皆さんの日ごろのお祈り、ご支援に対し感謝の気持ちを込めて今年最後のニュースレターをお送りさせて頂きます。

振り返って

この一年を振り返ると、本当にたくさんの感謝すべき出来事にあらためて驚かされます。どのように祈ればよいのかもわからないようなことまで、神様は私たちのすべての必要を満たして下さりました。ご存知の通り新しい家が与えられ、この家にはすべての女子と二人のハウス・マザーが住んでいます。現在、限られたスペースをより効率的に使い、現在の倍の数の子供を受け入れられるようにしようとしているところです。

さらには夏から秋にかけて、数人のボランティアの訪問を受けました。彼らの奉仕、そして交わりを通して私たちはもちろん子供たちも大いに学び、励まされ、恵みを受けました。

２００９年の初めから、ゲートウェイを去って行く者があれば、新たにファミリーに加わる者もあり、それを繰り返しながらも、確実に成長を続けてきました。

現在の状況

ハウスマザー：現在１９人の子供に３人のハウスマザー（内２人は研修期間中）、目の不自由な未亡人１人、そして妻クリスティーナと私の総勢２５人がゲートウェイで共に生活しています。さらには約１２人の子供たちが受け入れを待っている状態です。この夏より、突然子供の数が増え始めたことを受けて、既にハウスマザーとして働いてくれているスライ・ルアッに加え新たに二人のハウスマザー候補を受け入れました。ただこれが自動的に長期の契約に結びつくわけではありません。この仕事はその響きほど簡単なものではありません。一日２４時間、一週間のうちほぼ７日間（月に二日休暇を取れます）子供のケアをすることを意味します。カンボジアに限らず、子供は愛の中にあって育てられるべきです。　ハウスマザーは与えられた仕事をこなすだけではなく、子供たちが本来受けるべきその愛をもってケアをすることを要求されます。そういった意味では、この二人の候補が３ヶ月の研修期間を終えた後もゲートウェイに残るという保障はありません。この仕事を単なる生活収入を得るための手段の一つとしてしか見れないようなスタッフなら、これまでどおり私たち自身の手で子供たちの世話をすることを選びます。この件に関して、きちんと見極め、正しい判断を下せるようお祈り下さい。

健康面：咳を伴った風邪はいまだにゲートウェイを苦しめており、より深刻な病気を引き起こすケースが相次いでいます。肺炎やPharyngitis, Rhinitis, Sinusitis, Tonsillitisといったこれまであまり聞いたこともないような病名から中耳炎やマラリア、腸チフスといったメジャーなものまで幅広くカバーしています。一冊の本が書けてしまいそうです。うち３人は数週間前に扁桃腺を除去する手術を受けました。彼らの素早い回復に感謝しています。

実り

ゲートウェイの子供１９人中１６人は現在小学校・中学校へ通っています。その内の数人は読み書きや計算、また学ぼうという意欲全般に問題を抱えていますが、多くは学校できちんと学べることを大いに喜んでいます。１年生としてスタートしたドラーは優秀なため、新学年が始まってわずか一ヶ月で２年生へと進級させられました。またクラスで順位が１番、２番の子供たちも多くいます。
その一方で、彼らの多くは手のつけられない野生のサルのように私たちの目に映ることがしばしばです。しかしつい最近、ゲートウェイの子供たちとそうでない子供たちを見比べる機会に恵まれ、そのあまりの違いに驚かされました。他の子供と並んで比べると、ゲートウェイの子供たちはサルどころか天使のように見えました！日ごろの小さな教え一つ一つ、しつけの一つ一つがすでに実を結び始めています。これらの実りは、まだ比較するべき他の子供がいなければ気付かないかもしれないような小さなものではあります。しかし、これは単なる一日二日の話ではなく、主イエスキリストと共にある永遠の命へと導かれる人一人の命・人生です。
子供によっては何ヶ月、何年もの継続的な教えとしつけが必要です。ゲートウェイの子供たちにこういった建設的な変化が芽生え始めていることに感謝しています。

クリスマス

現在クリスマスのメッセージをより深く理解してもらうべく、準備を進めています。クリスマスのプログラムについては聞いて知っているだけという子供が多く、今年は劇を含めてもう少し内容の濃いプログラムにしようと考えてます。クリスティーナは主イエスキリスト誕生のストーリーをクメール語に訳し、子供たちと共に劇の練習をしているところです。プログラム自体はゲートウェイファミリーだけの小さなものです。１２月２７日に予定しています。

感謝

最後に、日ごろから私たちと共に歩んで下さる皆さんがあって初めて、今日のゲートウェイがあることをあらためて心より感謝いたします。

お祈り下さい

1- 主が引き続き子供たちの霊的成長を豊かに祝福してくださりますように。

2- 現在健康上の問題を抱える子供たちが速やかに癒されますように。

3- 新たに受け入れたハウスマザー候補が聖書に基づいたゲートウェイ独特の子供へのケアを身につけ、３ヶ月後には正式に受け入れるまでに育ってくれますように。

Our Gateway Family:

Standing: Ma Siam, Roe, Phanut, Dola, Chheing Hoan, Christina, Chheing Hiang, Taka, Srey Lih, Srey Nij, Ma Ruah, Srey Leak-2, Ma Saret, Srey Leak-1

Sitting: Janna, Wuan, Radt, Sy Naet, Srey Lin, Lynda, Srey Nij-2, Srey Niang, Srey Pia, Janny, Srey Pau

Gateway News December 2009 (English)

Dear Brothers and sisters, friends and family,

Greetings from Cambodia! As we approach the end of 2009, we wanted to write you to express our thankfulness for your faithful prayers and support.



Reflections:

When we think about all that has happened in this last year, we have much to be thankful for. God has provided for us in ways that we didn’t even know to ask for. He is so good to care of all matters in our lives here. As you know He blessed us with the ability to build an addition which currently houses all our girls and two housemothers. We are currently working towards making more use of the space available that will enable us to more than double the current capacity.

We have had several volunteers come to join with us and not only to help, but to teach us and our children, to encourage and fellowship and to pray with us in this life here at Gateway.

Since the beginning of the year, we have had our share of comings and goings among staff and also among the children here at Gateway. All in all, we have had 3 staff and 9 children come and go. On the other hand, we have continued to increase in number. In January we had 11 children (8 girls and 3 boys). Now we have a total of 19 children (14 girls and 5 boys).

With this increase, we knew that we needed to start reorganizing our means of caring for the children. This led us to start teaching our cook to become a housemother who is now in charge of 10 of our girls. Srey Ruah has proved to be a quick learner with many resources. It is a blessing to have such a self-motivated and caring woman to look after our girls.

All but 3 of our kids are currently in school and they are doing well, with the exception of some struggles here and there in reading and arithmetic. We are quite proud of their efforts and their desire to improve their knowledge (some of the girls in grade 4 who are weak in their reading abilities have asked for additional tutoring). God has blessed one of our boys with the ability to advance from grade 1 to grade 2 within the first month of school and several children are ranked number 1 or 2 in their class.

Life as it is:

Aside from the 19 children currently living at Gateway, we have met with roughly 12 other children who are still waiting to be accepted. Due to the sudden increase since this summer, we have recently hired two more housemothers in addition to Srey Ruah, our first housemother. They have just started their three month provisional period for training. To be a housemother is not as simple as it may sound. This position requires them to be at service 24/7.

Furthermore, it’s not about getting given tasks done, but more about caring for our children in the love they rightly deserve. In this sense, there is no guarantee at this moment that those two ladies will still be with us after three months of training. We would rather take care of the children by ourselves just as we have been doing than have someone who only takes this position just as a source of income. Please join us in prayer that God will help us have discernment in this matter.

Bearing Fruits:

Very often our children look like nothing but wild monkeys to our eyes! But lately we have had opportunities to compare Gateway children with others from outside, and the difference is remarkable, making our children seem more like angels than monkeys; and so we now know that the small teachings and small disciplines we place on our children daily have actually begun to bear fruits already. Those fruits may still be tiny in a sense that we need outsiders to compare in order to realize. Yet, this is about life, which we hope will be led to eternal life in Christ Jesus. We have to understand that some children may need months or years of steady teaching and discipline. We are so thankful for such positive changes growing in the lives of our children. Some of them have even started sharing with their friends at school what they learn from our daily teaching sessions from the Bible. These precious lives have already begun to be used as His beautiful instruments!

Currently at Gateway:

Health: The long-lasting cold still persists and in several cases has morphed into more serious illnesses including Pneumonia, Pharyngitis, Rhinitis, Sinusitis, Tonsillitis and ear infections. We could write a medical journal, I think. Three of our girls have recently had Tonsillectomies and we thank and praise God for their speedy recovery.

Christmas: We are currently readying our children for the message of Christmas. They have heard all about it before, but we are taking it a step further with actually having a program this year. Christina found a play to translate and is currently working with the children to practice in preparation for our Christmas celebration, which will be held on 27th of December.

Expressing Gratitude:

Again, we want to express our deep appreciation and gratitude to all of you: for bridging the gap and standing with us, for without you Gateway Cambodia would not exist!

Prayer Requests:

1- That God will continue to bless our children in their spiritual journeys

2- That God would bring healing to Gateway

3- That our new housemothers will be positive and long-term additions to our Gateway family




“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”
Romans 11:33





Many blessings,

Taka & Christina

Gateway

Meet the family!

Greetings in His Name! Please find below pictures to introduce you all to everyone here at Gateway including a brief history. Please continue to pray for all of us here at Gateway.


Srey Ruah (age 34)
Srey Ruah came to us in February 2009 when our previous cook left us. She is in training now to be our first house mother and is doing a wonderful job. We are so grateful for her. While she is at Gateway, her 3 daughters are staying with her parents.

Janna (age 35) and daughter Janny (age 5)

Among the first to arrive and become part of Gateway family in September 2008 were Janna and her daughter Janny. They are both under the program of Gateway. Due to the fact that Janna, only 35 years old, is going blind and has no husband and no family with the ability and/or means to support her and her daughter, Janny (age 5), she came to live here at Gateway.

Srey Leak (age 16), Srey Lih (age 15) and Lynda (age 9)

These 3 sisters came to Gateway in September, 2008. We had heard of their situation as being very poor and with no father present to help work and support the family, they were living in a shanty next to their grandparents’ house. The older two girls were sent to work as hired hands every weekend to earn enough money to support the 4 daughters and their mother (the youngest is almost 2 years old now and lives with their mother).

Phanet (age 15), Srey Nij (age 10) and Sy Naet (age 9)

These siblings joined our family the end of October 2008 after their oldest brother came to live here (he has since returned to living with their grandparents). These were the first of our full orphans to join Gateway family. Their parents died in a motorcycle wreck in November 2007 and had been staying with relatives until hearing about Gateway and coming to live here.

Srey Lin (age 2)

This little one first came to Gateway under a temporary arrangement, but after being here 2 months, we received permission and filled out the necessary paperwork for her to be here. Her mother has HIV and we have since learned that Lin is also infected. Though she is infected, we are awaiting the latest blood results to determine whether or not she will start the ARV medication.

Srey Niang (age 9) and Srey Pau (age 7)

Having been orphaned at a young age, these two sisters lived with their grandparents until their grandmother became too ill to care for them. They heard about our center for orphans and disadvantaged children and came to live here in May 2009.

Dola (age 10)

He came to us in June 2009, a month after his cousins, Srey Niang and Srey Pau, came to Gateway. His mother is living, but since his father died when he was too little to remember, his mother has had difficulty working and earning enough to support the two of them.

Srey Pia (age 7)

When her mother died nearly 3 years ago her father had increasing difficulty to support her and her 4 siblings. They heard about our place and so she came with a brother (who did not want to live with us and shortly after coming left to return home) in July 2009.

Cheing Hoan (age 11) and Cheing Hiang (age 10)

When their mother died by lightening 3 1/2 years ago, their father had greater difficulty working away from home and caring for and supporting his three daughters. They came to Gateway in August 2009.

Srey Leak-II (age 12) and Wuan (age 8)

This sister and brother have been almost completely raised by their grandmother. Their mother left them in her care when she went to work in Thailand and has never returned. Their father has taken a new wife and has had no hand in supporting them. Since the grandmother is quite poor, she decided to send them to us. They arrived at Gateway the end of September 2009.

Roe (age 13), Raj (age 8) and Nij-II (age 3)

Our newest arrivals came mid-October 2009. Their mother has died and their father has been unable to support them sufficiently. When the relatives helping to care for them while the father works fell ill, he found it necessary to bring his kids here.

July 2009 Newsletter, Japanese

残念ながら１７歳の青年スィ・ネイを祖父のもとへ戻すという決断を下しました。彼はゲートウェイの子供の中では一番年上というだけでなく、最も勉強熱心な子供でした。このことがなおさらこの決断を下すのを難しくしました。しかし、再三の指導と警告にも関わらず、越えてはいけない一線を意図的に越えてしまったのは彼自身です。彼の引き起こした問題の性質上、他の子供たちの安全を確保するためには、他に選択の余地はありませんでした。このことは多くの試練をゲートウェイへもたらしました。しかし、この残念な出来事にも、神様なりの理由があって起こったことだと信じています。今は雰囲気もすっかり良くなり、ゲートウェイ自身にも以前に比べてある種の安定感がもたらされました。

この出来事以来、すでに３人の新しい子供が与えられ、彼らはゲートウェイ・ファミリーの輪の中に比較的すんなりと入りました。さらに３人の子供を近いうちに受け入れることが決まっていますし、別の２家族からの３人の子供たちについても現在様子をうかがっています。



ゲートウェイでは引き続き一日２回の聖書の学びがおこなわれています。残念ながら、
すべての子供が関心を持って参加しているとは言えません。ゲートウェイでは聖書の学びを強制してはいませんが、中には周りの雰囲気から仕方なくという子供もいます。彼らがメッセージを聞いていないことは容易に見て取れますし、学びの時が終わるなり、建物を飛び出して行くこともしばしばです。しかし、私たちに出来ることは、そんな中にあっても、彼らが主の御言葉に触れる機会を与え続けるよう心がけ、主の真実がいつかは彼らの心に届くことを祈り続けることです。
その一方で、主をすでに受け入れている子供の中には前向きな変化や霊的成長をはっきりと見て取れます。これらの変化や成長の一つ一つはなにか特別に大きなものであったり、急激なものではありませんが、安定して確実な霊的成長といえます。
つい先日ですが、私がマンゴーの木の手入れをしているとき、８歳のスライ・ナエッが一人で祈っているのが聞こえてきました。彼女の個人的な主との会話でしたし、その邪魔をすることがあってはならないと、すぐにそばを離れたので、実際に何を祈っていたのかはわかりません。ただ、一つ言えることは、彼女は誠実に主に祈っていたということです。とても嬉しく、励まされる一幕でした。主への祈りを強制することは出来ません。私たちにできることは励まし続けること、そして、聖霊の働きが彼らをそこからさらに先へ導いてくれることを信じ、奉仕し続けるだけです

この夏休み期間中は、特に霊的な成長を普段よりも意識して祈っていこうと考えています。ゲートウェイのリーダーとしての私たちは霊的に、そして主の真実の中にあって成長し続けなければいけません。 また、ゲートウェイの子供たち一人一人が主とのより個人的な関係を築きあげ、力強い霊的成長を経験することを祈っていきたいと考えています。



ゲートウェイの子供たちは地元の公立の学校へ通っているのですが、そこではしばしば生徒が教師からお金や物を要求されます。特別なホリデーや長期間のホリデー前に、地元のお寺へのお布施としてお金を徴収されたり、学校を掃除するための掃きぼうきや、雑草刈りの鎌、ゴミ袋、さらには自身への贈り物を教師自ら生徒に強制することもあります。そもそも学校がきちんと用意すべきものを私たちが肩代わりするのは理屈が通りませんし、仏教関係の儀式や慣習のために使われるお金を私たちが払うわけにはいきません。
ここで難しいのは、こうして要求されたものを生徒が提供できないとなると、教師から不公平な扱いを受けることが多いのです。中には平気で生徒の成績評価にマイナスに反映させる教師もいるのです。こういった悪い慣習に対する私たちの姿勢は一貫して変わることはありません。しかし、主の目に正しく映る行いをすることは、時には理不尽な扱いや結果をも受け入れなければならないこと、それでもあえて正しい道を選択しなくてはいけないことを、ゲートウェイの子供たちがきちんと理解し受け入れられるようにお祈り下さい。




夏休みが近づいていることもあり、普段より多い自由な時間をより有意義に使ってもらおうとの思いも込めて、新たなプロジェクトを与えました。子供たちはそれぞれ小さな土地を与えられ、好きな野菜を育てるというものです。与えられた土地、そして野菜を彼らが一生懸命世話をするのを見ると嬉しくなりますし、とうもろこしやかぼちゃ、きゅうりなどの野菜が食べれる日を今から楽しみにしています。さらには、ギターを借りて真剣に練習をしたいという要望や英語を学びたいという要望が子供たちから寄せられるようになりました。

新たに建築中の家（二部屋）も完成間近となり、ゲートウェイの女子・女性はすべてそちらに移り住むことになります。小さな部屋は読書や勉強、または静かに時間を過ごすための空間として使おうと考えています。

この夏から秋にかけて数人のボランティアの方を受け入れることになっています。彼らとの交わりの時を今から楽しみにすると同時に、彼らの滞在がゲートウェイの子供たちにとってはもちろん、彼ら自身にとっても実り多きものとなりますようにお祈り下さい。




アメリカでの私たちの連絡先が変わりました。新しい住所は以下の通りです。

Stephen and Carrie Mathis
8798 N. Farm Rd 75
Walnut Grove, MO 65770



1- 主がゲートウェイの子供たちの霊的成長を引き続き祝福して下さいますように。

2- スライ・リンはしばらく高熱が続きました。順調に回復しますように。

3- 新しく子供を受け入れるのあたっての判断・決断がきちんと主の意思を反映したものとなりますように。

4- 私たちと共に奉仕して下さるボランティアが与えられますように。



“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.”
 James 3:17



Many blessings,

宮野貴仁 & クリスティーナ

Gateway

tc_miyano@yahoo.com



PS You can also find us on Facebook via our e-mail address

July 2009 Newsletter

Our Current Gateway Family:
Top to Bottom, Left to Right:
Srey Lin, Christina, Srey Ruah, Phanet, Srey Nij, Jannaa, Dola, Srey Lih, Srey Leak, Srey Pau, Janny, Srey Niang, Lynda, Sy Naet and Taka


Greetings in HIS Name!!

First of all, we apologize for the length of time it has been since our last newsletter. Secondly we want you all to know that your prayers have been felt as you have prayed with and for us. We thank God for you—we couldn’t be where we are without that support and encouragement!

Many things have happened since our last newsletter in March!



Ebb and Flow:

We have had to dismiss one boy, Sy Nay, 17. He was the oldest and most studious among our Gateway children. This made it so difficult for us to have to make him go. However, it was he who crossed a line despite a series of correction and warnings, and from the nature of the problem he caused we had no other choice in order to ensure the safety of the other children. This incident brought many more challenges to Gateway. However, we strongly believe this happened for a reason. Now the atmosphere has changed in a positive way, and more stability has been brought to Gateway.

Since this incident, we have received 3 new children and they have been transitioning well into our family life here at Gateway. We are also anticipating the arrival of 3 more children in the near future and we also have 2 other cases to assess for ourselves the situations and whether or not we will accept them.



Spiritual Currents:

We continue to have our Bible sessions twice a day. Unfortunately, we cannot say that all of them are into it. Although we don’t force them to join the sessions, some still feel obligated to be there. Often we don’t see them actually listen to the messages, and as soon as we finish the session in prayer, they rush out of the building. It’s not very encouraging, but we keep trying to provide opportunities for them to be exposed to His message and pray that the truth of our Lord Jesus will reach their hearts one day.

On the other hand, we definitely see positive changes and spiritual growth in our core children, who have already received Jesus. Those changes are nothing big or radical, but steady spiritual growth. Just a few days ago, when I was taking care of the mango trees, I overheard our 8 year old girl, Sy Naet, praying alone in the ministry building. I don’t know what she was praying about as it was her personal conversation with Jesus and I wanted to respect that by leaving her alone. Yet, there is one thing I saw for sure: she was praying sincerely to God. It was such a blessing to me. We can only encourage – not force – them to pray, and trust that the Spirit of the Lord will work further from there.

Meanwhile, we would like to put our emphasis on spiritual growth. We as the leaders of Gateway have to continue to grow in Spirit and Truth of Jesus Christ. We would also like each of our children to develop a more and more personal relationship with the Lord and experience spiritual breakthrough.



Constant Ripples:

Our children go to public schools, and very often their teachers expect students to bring things/money such as brooms, tools to cut grass, trash bags, etc. as well as special gifts for their teachers, for holidays or Buddhist ceremonies. We cannot provide things which are initially the school’s responsibilities, and we cannot allow ourselves to be part of Buddhist ceremonies by contributing money. The problem is that when our children don’t take whatever their teachers tell them to bring, they can be mistreated, even to the point that the teachers might not give a fair evaluation for their study. Our stance is clear and it won’t change. But we ask you to join us in prayer that our children will understand that to do right things in God’s eyes sometimes costs them in various ways, yet they still need to choose the right path.



Tides of Change:

With the extended holiday coming up between school terms, we have encouraged our kids with other projects to occupy their time. One such project was in the allotment of small parcels of land with which the children were given the choice of vegetables to grow and tend. It is exciting to see them tending their little plots and we all look forward to eating the corn, pumpkin and cucumbers that are growing in various stages. Also, more requests to borrow guitars for practice are coming to us, as well as some added attention to expand their limited English.

With the new addition to our house nearing completion, we are readying the girls for the transition to their new quarters. The second room will be used as a reading/study/quiet room for our children as well as for us.

We are anticipating a couple of volunteers in the coming months. We look forward to the fellowship that we will be able to have and pray that their visit with us will be fruitful to them and also for our children who will benefit from their presence here.



Address Change:

Our contacts for correspondence in the US, Christina’s parents, have recently changed their address. Please make note of this change. Their new address is:

Stephen and Carrie Mathis
8798 N. Farm Rd 75
Walnut Grove, MO 65770



Prayer Requests:

1- That God will continue to bless our children in their spiritual journeys

2- That Srey Lin’s health will improve after these several bouts of high fever

3- That we will have wisdom and discernment when accepting new children

4- God will send volunteer(s) to serve alongside with us




“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.”
 James 3:17




Many blessings,

Taka & Christina

Gateway

tc_miyano@yahoo.com



PS You can also find us on Facebook via our e-mail address

１２月から１月にかけて、海外からの多くの訪問を受けました。まずはクリスティーナの両親が１ヶ月。その間、彼らとの時間を楽しむだけでなく、子供たちとの交流や新しい井戸の設置など、ミニストリーとしても大いに助けられ、励まされました。そして１月初旬には日本からの短期宣教チーム。彼らはゲートウェイの子供たちと英語のクラスに外から通ってくる子供たちにギフトバッグを届けてくれるだけではなく、なんと私（貴）の両親までわざわざ日本から連れてきてくれました。二人とも初めての海外で、英語を話せるわけでもなく、しかも母は左半身が不自由です。そんな二人にとってこの訪問がとても意味のあるものだったことはもちろんですが、まだ主を知ることのない両親に私たちの活動を通して主の働きを実際に見て、経験してもらうといった意味でも、私たちにとってもとても意義深いものでした。 "




ゲートウェイの子供は２人増え、合計１０人に。クリスマス直前に姉と弟の二人を受け入れましたが、ゲートウェイでの生活を大いに楽しんでいる姉とは反対に、弟はつい先日祖母の元へ戻っていきました。もう一人は、生後まだ１９ヶ月のスライ・リンです。彼女は既にH.I.V.の陽性と診断されています。ゲートウェイへたどり着くまでに様々な施設をたらい回しにされてきた経緯から、現在、信頼できる病院をプノンペンで探しているところです。さらには、１９ヶ月にもかかわらず、いまだ７．２ｋｇしかない体重をどうにか増やそうといろいろ試しているところです。

ゲートウェイでは現在、さらに多くの子供たちの受け入れを可能にするため、新しい家の建築作業が進行中です。１月に、カナダからとても寛大な支援を受けたのですが、彼らは私たちが新たに家を建てる必要に迫られていることなどまったく知らずに祝福して下さいました。その時は建築費用がいくらかかるかはまだ知りませんでしたが、その後地元の職人に見積もりを頼んだところ、なんと費用は、その直前に頂いたカナダからの支援金とほぼ同額だったのです。

　このような形で恵みを与えて下さった神様に驚かされ、さらにゲートウェイの子供たちまでもがこの話に驚きを隠せません。彼らはとても寛大な支援金で私たちを祝福して下さっただけではなく、さらに大切なことには、主は全ての必要を満たしてくださるという約束の実践となって祝福して下さいました。経済的にもがき苦しんでいるこの国では、人々の目、そして荒廃した心は彼らの日常の必要性や俗的な富に向けられがちです。

ゲートウェイの子供たちも例外ではありません。しかし、このような証は、その他の“応えられた”数多くの祈りと共に、聖霊のすばらしい働きを、より鮮明な形で子供たちに確信をもたらせます。このような聖霊の働きが、日々当たり前のように起こり、経験できるようなところでゲートウェイがあって欲しいと日々祈り、願っています。



私たちはミニストリーとして成長を続ける過程で、常に新しい教訓を学んでいます。つい先日は、１ヶ月間親戚の家に返されるという罰から２人の子供が戻ってきました。賭け事禁止というゲートウェイの規律を再三の注意と説明にもかかわらず続けたためです。賭け事だけではありません。罰則を与えることが必然的に伴うため、意図的に規律に背く子供たちをどのように厚生させるかは、常に大きく重い悩みとなっています。もう一つは、料理担当として雇っていた女性についてです。ゲートウェイのリーダーシップに害をおよぼし、私たちのミニストリーとしての価値観に根本的に反する彼女の人としての姿勢に悩み、祈り続けていました。するとある日突然、健康上の理由から彼女の方から辞めたいとの申し出がありました。話しがあったその日の夕方には出て行ってしまうという、かなり突然なものでしたが、３週間という早さで新しいスタッフが与えられました。この新しいスタッフ、スライ・ルアッは、もちろん料理ができるという条件で働いてもらっていますが、仕事以外の面でも子供たちにとてもいい影響を与えてくれていて、とても感謝しています。

ハレルヤ！つい最近、３人がイエス様を受け入れました。一番年上の子供がすでに主に従う決断をしているため、合計で４人が主の救いを受け入れたことになります。彼らの日々の生活の中にはすでに沢山の変化が見て取れます。現在、月曜の夜を除いて毎朝、毎晩、聖書の学び、そして賛美と祈りの時間を設けています。朝５時半の学びに、何人の子供たちが姿を見せるのか、またどのくらい続けられるのか、正直なところあまり大きな期待はしていませんでした。学びの時間に参加するよう強制するようなことはしません。ただ、彼らが現れる現れないとにかかわらず、私たちはそこにいるようにしています。

しかし、驚いたことに５：３０AMどころか、その前に現れ、私たちを質問攻めにするくらいです。主の御言葉を学ぶことにそれだけ喜びを感じています。夜の学びの時間でも、私たちが一方的に教えるだけというよりは、むしろその日の学びに対して彼らから多くの反応を見て取れるようになってきましたし、時間をオーバーして教え続けることもしばしばです。

現在、ゲートウェイからバスで７時間近く離れた海辺の町への３泊４日の旅行を計画中で、滞在中にはこの新しい命を授かった４人の子供たちは海で洗礼を受けます。４月７日の火曜日午前中です！


ゲートウェイの位置するコミュニティーへの奉仕をどのような形でおこなっていくか、祈っているところです。当初は、英語のクラスをこのコミュニティーへの奉仕、そして彼らと良い関係を築くという手段の一つして取り入れてきました。しかし、生徒たち自身の取り組む姿勢の乏しさから、英語の授業、そしてその準備に費やす時間は、むしろゲートウェイの子供たちのために費やす方がより有意義であるとの結論に達しました。“家族”としてこの貴重な時間を共に過ごすことは、私たちにとってとても新鮮なものとなっています。ギターのレッスンや様々な遊び、そして時間や場所に関係なく自然と始まる聖書の学びなど。

しかし、ゲートウェイがコミュニティーの一員としてあるべきであるという考えに変わりはなく、それでは“どのような形”で奉仕することができるのかを、祈り、模索中です。




1- スィ・ネイ、スライ・レアッ、スライ・ナイッ、スライ・ナエッの主イエスキリストと共にある歩みが、豊かに祝福されますように。

2- スライ・リンが健康に育ち、また信頼できる病院・医師が与えられますように。

3- ゲートウェイファミリーとして初めての洗礼が祝福されることはもちろんですが、旅行中、安全が与えられ、家族全員が楽しい時間を過ごせますように。

4- 私たちと共に働くボランティアが与えられますように。

Japanese Team planted a memorial garden over one of the burial grounds during Khmer Rouge Regime 30 years ago

Gateway family photo
Standing L to R: Srey Ruah, Srey Leak, Janna, Taka, Srey Lin, Christina, Phanet and Sy Nay
Sitting L to R: Janny, Lynda, Srey Lih, Sy Naet, Srey Nij and Wanna

Visitors:

From Dec to Jan, we received a series of visitors from overseas. Christina’s parents came and stayed with us for a month over Christmas. We enjoyed fellowship with them and they helped to encourage us as well as add some practical help to our ministry; from interacting with our kids to helping us dig a new well. Towards the end of their visit, we received a short term mission team from Japan, who not only brought gift bags for our children and the children attending our English classes, but also brought Taka’s parents all the way! It was so wonderful to have Taka’s parents with us for the week that they were here and for them to see just what it is that we do and have a better understanding of our lives here.

Growing and Expanding:

Our children have grown in number by 2. Just before Christmas we received a girl and her brother. Since then, the brother has returned to live with his Grandmother, but Wannaa is more than happy to stay here. The other addition is Srey Lin. She’s the 19 month old girl we talked about in our last newsletter. She has been tested positive for HIV and so now we are preparing to transfer her medical care to a hospital in Phnom Penh. In the meantime, we are trying every means possible to help her gain weight. Though she’s 19 months old, she still only weighs 7.2kgs (16lbs).

As for what is going on with Gateway, we are currently building a new house in order to accommodate more children. For those who haven’t heard the story, we received very generous financial blessings in January. They blessed us without knowing anything about our need to build a new house. We had been praying about our next step as Gateway and knew we needed extra space for children. At the time, we still did not know how much it would cost to build a new house, but when we met with a builder, we found that the cost would be almost exactly the same amount as the funding we had just received a little earlier.

We have been amazed by the way God has blessed us, and our children have been astonished by this story. They have blessed us not only with their generous funding, but more so by being part of His promise of providing all our needs according to His plan, not ours. In this economically disadvantaged country, people’s eyes and devastated hearts are more focused on their physical and earthly wealth. Our children are no exception. However, a testimony such as this, along with other answered prayers, so powerfully convinces them with clear evidence of the movement of the Holy Spirit. We want to experience this as a daily occurrence in our life here at Gateway.

Growing Pains:

We constantly receive lessons as we continue in this ministry. Two of our girls have just returned from a month at home. They were sent home because they were caught gambling, which is something we have taught against since receiving them. Intentionally disobeying our rules is inevitably followed by punishment, which has been very heavy on our hearts. Helping them develop the ability to make right decisions in their daily life has been an ongoing challenge for us.
Another lesson that we experienced was the loss of our cook. There were many issues which we had with her regarding her attitude and work ethic which was constantly undermining Gateway’s leadership and core values of our ministry. While we were praying about the situation, she decided to leave of her own volition. It was rather sudden notice (she left the same day she told Christina) and we were without a staffed cook for 3 weeks. Now we have a cook, Srey Rueh, who has been doing a wonderful job cooking delicious meals and being a positive influence for our kids.

New Spiritual Growth:

Praise the LORD! Recently three of our children have received Jesus into their life. As our oldest boy had decided to follow the Lord earlier, four children have been saved in total. There have been a lot of very positive changes in their everyday lives. Now we have morning devotions before breakfast everyday, and Bible study with a short message every evening except Mondays. We wondered how many of them would show up, especially for the morning devotion at 5:30am and how long they will continue coming. We don’t force them to join but we make sure that we are there and available anyway.

To our surprise, they even show up before the time and shower us with questions. They are so excited to learn His word! Our evening teaching sessions have become more and more interactive and usually go overtime. Now we are planning on making a 3 nights-4 day-trip to Sihanoukville (a beach town 7 hours’ drive from Gateway) before the Khmer New Year holiday, and have a baptism service in the ocean.

Concern for Future Growth:

We continue to pray for guidance in terms of giving to our community. While we used our English teaching as a means for bringing not only a service to the area, but also to build relationships, we saw, through the attitudes of our students, that our time would be much better employed in spending time with our own children. It is refreshing for us as a family to spend this quality time together, which can have many faces: from guitar lessons, to playing games to having impromptu Bible lessons. This being said, we still desire to be a part of the community and are praying for guidance and discernment to know what shape that “part” will be.

Prayer Requests:

1- That God will bless Sy Nay, Srey Leak, Srey Nij and Sy Naet in their spiritual growth as they learn to walk in their new faith in Jesus

2- That Srey Lin would continue to grow healthily and that we would find the best hospital and doctor for her care

3- That our family vacation will be blessed as we incorporate the very special baptism service

4- God will send volunteer(s) to serve alongside with us



“[We] pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake.”

Philemon 1:6


Many blessings,

Taka & Christina