A Time to Give Thanks

A Time to Give Thanks

by | Nov 27, 2022 | SAMS Missionaries

  • Our yearly photo update

Last week, we hosted our 6th Thanksgiving gathering! Thanksgiving is an inherently American holiday, but even more than that it’s a way of life that God calls us too. These words from Catechesis Books, a publishing company, really sum up our heart for hosting and sharing Thanksgiving to those around us here in Cambodia.

“As many of you may know from “We Believe,” the word “Eucharist” simply means “Thanksgiving.” This word has been used for over two thousand years to refer to the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. When we celebrate American Thanksgiving, I always think about the Eucharist as well – how very beautiful to be invited to and to participate in a Thanksgiving feast instituted by Christ himself in his final days!

There are some distinctly common elements shared by the two feasts – both are a participation in ordinary graces (our basic food) for the sake of remembering with gratitude what we have been given and for binding us more tightly in relationship (during the Eucharist with Christ, and during Thanksgiving with one another).”

This has been our heart, to host a Thanksgiving that fits into a larger picture of fellowship that God calls us to have with other believers. We gather, reflect on the year, and give praise to God for the wonderful things he has done for us, in us, and around us. 

When we first started this six years ago, we rented large tents and invited everyone from AHIS and had 120 people! We’ve toned it down since then to more of our closer friends who we walk alongside with regularly. This year we prayed about who we will miss the most since next year we will be in the States for Thanksgiving, and it mostly centered around our Cambodian friends. So this year we invited our closest Cambodian friends and our new Norwegian friends (who had never experienced Thanksgiving before!) We are so grateful for these fellow image bears the Lord has placed in our lives. 

 

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Thanksgiving and Prayers from Your SAMS Missionaries

Thanksgiving and Prayers from Your SAMS Missionaries

by | Dec 4, 2017 | SAMS-USA

So much has happened in the mission field this year! Your SAMS Missionaries want to give thanks to the Lord for all that happened in 2017 and share their prayers for the upcoming year with you.

David and Mary Beth Alenskis

2017: We give thanks our churches have been growing (the parish by 15% and the mission by 45%), new families are joining the church, and new discipleship groups are forming, especially for the youths. We are so thankful to the Lord for what he is doing, and we are so thankful to those who are supporting this ministry through prayers and gifts!

2018: We ask for prayers that the Lord would raise up new leaders. We need local lay leaders to take even more responsibility and initiative to sustain the growth that we have been experiencing.

Anne

2017: I’m thankful to witness the Lord raising up people to fill evangelism positions that are needed, especially those with a heart for the French-speaking world where we currently need ministry development.

2018: I’d like prayer for direction and an open heart to the Lord to hear how He wants me to move, particularly for the guidance of my role within the larger picture.

Cathy Donahoe

2017: I’m grateful that this year God has given me 180 physical therapy students in 9 different classes to teach, most of whom are very motivated to learn how to work with people who need rehabilitation. I am also thankful for the supporters that God has raised up to permit reaching out in my community to help some of the poorest folks have more secure housing.

2018: I pray that in 2018 God continues to guide me in improving my teaching abilities and discernment for a construction ministry and that he would send others to help.

Rusty and Tammy Firestone

2017: We are thankful to see La Trinidad transform into a mission-oriented community.  We see the growth of our church plant on the eastern side of the city (Puntiti). The youth group has been revitalized by doing weekend mission projects, and lay leaders are starting new groups and expanding leadership.

2018: Our prayer for our ministry in 2018 is for La Trinidad to become self-sustaining in terms of leadership and finances and be able to support the Puntiti church plant, as well as for an additional core group to take root as a plant. Please pray for the formation of new leaders with servant hearts and missional minds.

Chris Feuillade

2017: I give thanks to the Lord for the opportunity to serve him in Chile in 2017, especially with the Yachal children’s center and at the university. This has also been a very difficult year for me and my family in several ways, and I also give thanks to God for the many times he has shown us his faithfulness in looking after us.

2018: I pray for spiritual discernment, and for renewed love for the people of Chile, and renewed joy for my work here during the coming year.

Jessica Hughes

2017: I give thanks for the opportunity to study the Bible with my students. It is an honor to teach them how to interpret the Scriptures, and an immense joy to go through the Scriptures with them, seeking what God is saying to us through it, and how to apply it to our lives.

2018: please pray for my time in God’s word, that I would really hear God rather than just reading for academics.

David Ledwitz

2017: I am thankful for learning the importance of building relationships. Seeing God at work in me whether it is sharing coffee and sweets with someone or simply listening and learning, along with language practice. There is far greater value in the relationship and not the material projects.

2018: Join me in prayer for more meaningful relationships and more supporters for projects.ts and missional minds.

Janine LeGrand

2017: I give thanks for all the wonderful people I get to work with, the Ugandan’s, the Americans and even those from other countries including the UK. These individuals have the heart to share God’s love through their actions and sacrifices.  I am strengthened by the Ugandan clergy I work alongside, the short-term visitors and even those who send an encouraging word.

2018: For this upcoming year, join me in prayer for sustained financial support to keep this ministry possible, for good health, and for expansion of the health ministry.

Jacky Lowe

2017: I give thanks that I have three-quarters of my support for my 3-year mission to Madagascar. Support raising has taught me to be self-sufficient and I have learned perseverance. I must rely on God to do His work. I give thanks to my senders who provide prayer, emotional, and financial support.

2018: Please pray for the completion of my support raising in January, that I get my visa to go to Madagascar, and that I complete the language acquisition course. After all these steps are fone, pray for my travels to Madagascar and my ministry with the women there.

Juan and Maria Marentes

2017: Thank you, faithful supporters for the great blessing that you have been for us. 2017 has been a year of challenges and submission to God’s will, but at the same time, we see His powerful hand in every challenge. We have witnessed baptisms, home bible studies, and the growth of children’s ministry.

2018: Please join us in prayer as outreach to the Hispanic population continues and grows in the Western Anglicans Diocese. Pray for the four different congregations in the San Diego Deanery who will be reaching out to the community there.

Jack and Mary McDonald

2017: We are thankful for the international students at Virgina Tech who we have built relationships with and for Mary’s ministry, Gospel goats, which is reaching out to impoverished families in Uganda.

2018: Please continue to pray for these ministries as well as F.A.R.M. (Farm Animal Refresher for Missions training) and for mobilizing long & short terms missionaries by representing CVM & SAMS.

Todd and Patsy McGregor

2017: We are thankful for the future generations in the Diocese of Toliara who are coming to know Christ because of their parents’ new commitment. Whole villages are making commitments to Christ because one family member believes and tells the others the Good News.

2018: Plese pray for humble and Godly leadership development and integration for new Assistant Bishop  Rev Canon Samitiana and his wife, Holy. Rev Canon Samitiana will be consecrated in February 2018.

Mark and Susan P

2017: We continue to be thankful for the ministry of healing, restoration, and hope that we get to witness as pastoral care providers to other missionaries. We are ever thankful for the ways in which God draws us to Him and continues His redeeming work in our own lives and in our ministry.

2018: We are currently in a two-year program of Spiritual Direction. We would appreciate prayers in 2018 for continued funding for the tuition but more importantly that God would grow us in our ability to listen well and accompany others on their journey with Christ.

Russ and Heidi Smith

2017: We are thankful for being involved in starting up ESI-Equipping Servants International in Chile.

2018: For this upcoming year, please pray that in the middle of all the activities we do that we will be able to share the Gospel with our neighbors.

April Sylvester

2017: This past year we graduated 20 students from our gap year program. I saw them grow from teenagers in high school to young adults ready to take on the world. I am also thankful that I have been able to use my talents, gifts, and passions in this program through mentoring, teaching fitness, and leading art lessons.

2018: I pray God would be preparing the students that will come to us in January for this next gap year course. Also for unity and love within our team to lead the students well.

Johann and Louise Vanderbijl

2017: We give thanks to the many individuals we were able to teach through our discipleship training classes. They will go on to teach others to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

2018: We pray that the Lord will raise up partners who would help us get where we need to be. Pray for reliable vehicle. Pray for scholarships for those who simply cannot pay for the courses as well as personal financial support.

Gregory and Heidi Whitaker

2017: We are thankful for the many lives we have seen transformed by the Gospel coming through the Church.

2018: Please join us in pray for more Khmer leaders to be raised up to lead Cambodian young adults into a deep relationship with the Lord.

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Mission in Zambia: Top 6 Things to be Thankful for This Year

Mission in Zambia: Top 6 Things to be Thankful for This Year

by | Nov 30, 2017 | Africa, Zambia

Thanksgiving may be over, but SAMS Missionaries are still giving thanks for all that has happened this year in the mission field. April Sylvester, serving in Zambia mentoring youth, shares her thanksgiving:

Here are just a few of the reasons I have to be thankful this year…and you are on the top of the list 🙂

1. YOU! My partners: It just blows me away that there are over 60 people that want to a see change in the world so much that they are willing to sacrifice by financially and prayerfully partnering with me! 21 US states and 6 countries are all coming together to bring up strong youth in Zambia! (Just look at that map!) Meeting with all of you has been beyond an honor.

2. My students: Needless to say, they bring me lots of joy and take awesome selfies. I can’t wait for next year.

3. Nanna Lukama, my boss’s wife. Some days are hard as a missionary and on those days I am so thankful I have people like Nanna, who is right next door and always understanding.
4. My family: our skype dates every week are just a hoot. I love laughing with you all.

5. Quiet mornings: Whether in the US or Zambia, I love a slow morning with a nice egg breakfast, a cup of coffee, and a good podcast.
6. Mexican food and taco Tuesdays: Random I know, but I am just so thankful for Mexican food. I don’t get much of it in Zambia so it makes me doubly appreciative while I am back. When I am Zambia, though, I lean on my homemade Taco Tuesdays for my Mexican fix.

April is involved in an outreach ministry to Zambian youth that involves discipleship and mission training. Thank you for your faithful support that allows April to serve others in Zambia. Please visit her SAMS page to prayerfully consider giving!

 

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Giving Thanks With the Longs

Giving Thanks With the Longs

by | Nov 30, 2017 | Indonesia

I am not quite ready to move on from the Thanksgiving holiday yet!  There is too much to be thankful for.   I am grateful that Denise from SAMS made her way to Jakarta last month to visit our family.  Living half way around the world from “home”, a familiar face and encouraging words are very precious indeed.  I was happy to introduce her to Hope Special Needs School, an institution very near and dear to my heart.  Ibu Lingkan, the school’s founder, asks, “Who will tell them God loves them, if we don’t do it?”  I am so thankful for her servant’s heart.  Please watch this short clip of the children singing at their Thanksgiving Service and be inspired to carry on this holiday season with an attitude of gratitude!