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March 7, 2008
Dear beloved Brothers and Sisters,
I returned from Cambodia on March 1st, having spent the last two weeks with Chen to visit all the work in progress. My conclusion is that God has truly blessed this work. Chen has taught over 100 students since he opened the school in January of 2007. Last quarter, though, several students had to be sent home due to the lack of funds at the school. The cost of living has increased in Cambodia and the rent has doubled in the past year. Fifty kilograms of rice costs $20.00 and only lasts 2 days for the men at the school. These are circumstances that were not anticipated.
 Shortly after I arrived Chen had the students travel home to their villages ahead of us. We traveled to 12 different villages where the students lived to distribute 100 school uniforms, clothing for 250 people, 100 Bibles, and noodles were given to over 2,000 people. Many of you sent donations specifically for this purpose. These donations are requirements for our NGO and it is important to maintain a good relationship with the government by doing this humanitarian work.
 The van has been such a blessing to this ministry because the students can travel to the villages to practice their preaching and teaching techniques or to follow-up on the newly baptized Christians. Consequently, on this trip, 257 people were baptized in the villages.
Some students baptized several members of their families. It is so  rewarding to know that the teaching from the school is bearing fruit and multiplying. We hope you feel blessed to be a part of this productive Lord’s work. Please pray with us that we’ll soon find substantial sponsors to partner with us so we can afford for those students to return to the school. There’s plenty of room for even more students to attend. In December, Chen moved the school near the airport where they found the rent for less, but more noisy!! Chen’s home and the school are attached.
  So much has been accomplished in this past year. Please pray that this work will continue to grow. The Cambodians are very receptive to the Lord’s word.Our goal is to begin to reach people in levels of influence. We attended a dinner with the Prime Minister’s wife. We never know what the opportunities in God’s plan for us may be, but we can be assured we are doing His will when we share the gospel!
In His Service,
Rick & Sylvia White
Looking Ahead
2008
Dear Friends and Supporters of Cambodian Outreach,
 As we head into the New Year, we reflect on the many accomplishments in 2007. It was in January, a year ago, that the preaching school was started in Dr. Chen Lam’s home with 27 students. They completed the courses for the first session then returned to the villages to teach and preach. More than 600 people were baptized last year, and Chen has baptized over 1300 souls since he’s been in Cambodia. This could not have been accomplished without the love and support of all of you who faithfully donate to this work. God has truly blessed the faithful Christians who are working to save souls.
There were 400 uniforms given to children so they could attend school. Without a uniform these children would not have been able to attend school in 2007. Many of you were directly involved in this work. Some of these villages were in Svay Reing, Prey Veng, Battambang, Kampong Channang, Kampang Cham and Takeo.
 Churches have been established in each of these villages and Chen makes periodic trips to visit these areas, taking medicine, food and Bibles when he goes. He developed the curriculum for the school and translated 6 books from the Sunset School of Preaching to use in the teaching program. Several computers were purchased and the school is equipped to provide the technology for the students to learn the programs at a faster pace. Students also had opportunities to learn vocational skills that interested them. Many students took advantage of the Cosmetology course offered to them by Chen’s wife, Leang, who operates a school to learn how to cut hair. The first group of students has gone to Prey Veng once a month to help teach about 75 people who were from the Baptist Churches but didn’t have anyone to teach them. They have been very responsive and some of those men decided to attend the preaching school. Several people have been baptized.
Another effective program started in 2007 was started by Mum, Chen’s sister, in her home to teach the children. The numbers grew to 50 children. That is about the capacity of her home but she is thrilled to be able to teach God’s word and sing songs with the children.
Also in 2007, a van was purchased which has enabled the students to be more mobile, traveling around the city, and going to the villages. It was a tremendous help to the work. Probably one of the biggest accomplishments was the acquiring of the Government NGO within 2 months after applying for it. Sometimes it takes a group months or even years to obtain it from the government. Now they can go throughout Cambodia without fear of being arrested while assembled. Then in December, Chen had to move the school because the rent doubled and the accommodations were too crowded. They found a much larger facility for $700.00 a month which provides room for living accommodations and the school.
 Looking ahead at 2008, we now have the foundation for the school established. It is amazing, yet only by the grace of God, Chen has managed to accomplish so much on such a small budget. We are confident God is guiding his work daily because of the contacts and the wonderful things that continually happen. This year the 1st year students will begin to assist Chen with some of the teaching. The lessons are on Power Point and are very well organized. English courses will be added to the curriculum.
 They will continue to pass out school uniforms, medicine and food when they go to the villages. This is also when the students practice preaching and teaching what they have learned. More materials need to be translated since some classes are being added to the curriculum. So far, the curriculum is excellent with most of the materials on power point.
We are so thankful that everything is progressing well. The school is growing, souls are being saved, and many of you have participated in this wonderful mission of taking the Gospel to a country that is so receptive to Jesus. Thank you for your help and God Bless all who do His will.
In His Service,
Rick and Sylvia White
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