February 26, 2010

Hi, Friends:

I wanted to catch you up on the rash of visitors lately with us at CBI.  It’s been great.   Here are some of those:

  1. In late December and early January, there was a group of about 12 people from two churches in Georgia (they help support the Phnom Penh congregation), 3 from South Africa and one man from Thailand.  The group lead a seminar here for the church. One of the ladies taught a ladies’ track at CBI.  I made a couple of late night trips to the airport to help pick up this group. Also, the last night they were here, we hosted the group at our house (so they could shower and eat before they left.) The South Africans and Glom, the Thai man, spent the night with us before flying out the next day.
  2. At the end of January, Sophea, one of our graduates who preaches at the TNT church, was in to visit and meet.  I asked him to tell the students about the realities of his work and what he does each day. He is one of their own who is out doing the work. They asked him several questions.
  3. Early in February, a group of six Americans who are teaching in China made their way here.  They were traveling through and looked us up. They went to chapel with us and I had them tell what they were doing in China and what the church is like there. We invited them to spend the night with us.  I think they really appreciated our house after a night with no hot water in the cheap hotel they were in.
  4. In mid-February, Ben and Natalie Walker stopped in on their way home. They stayed with the Welches, went to church with us at the PIP congregation and Ben taught at chapel. Then, I asked him to talk to our students about his work with Sunset and the Sunset schools in other countries, etc.
  5. A few days later, Bill and Marie-Claire McDonough brought over a group of six or so from France (American Missionaires and some of their students). They came in the evening, sang with our students and talked some about their work.
  6. Right now, Loren and Penny Hollingsworth (Ronda’s parents) are with us as Loren teaches at the school. Because they are here, a Thai preacher, named Oudong, has come to visit them.  He got here Wednesday and leaves Saturday.  He has visited with our students as he has been able.
  7. A group from Stockton, CA has also been here with the Welches. They all worked on the Ship of Life, but also came to church and to chapel at CBI. 

Why tell you all this?  When I see the variety of people who have been here and the countries they work in, it is amazing.  As much as possible, we asked them to tell our students about their work and situations.  It has really been a blessing to the students, a reminder that they are not the only ones in the world and a true broadening of their view of the church.  Rejoice with us in this!!!!!

Rich

 

February 21, 2010

Hi Friends:
 
Hope you have a great day with the saints there.  We've had a good day here.  Loren, my father in law, preached at the Phnom Penh church. Try, one of our students taught the class. 
 
After church, we met at CBI for 5 baptisms.  Here are the new brothers/sisters in Christ. Please help them by praying for them.
 
1. Boray - a student at CBI.  He's been here about a month.
2. Noc - a new cook at CBI, having worked there about 2 months.
3. Rexmay - the nephew of Tawn and James.  We stayed at his house last April.  
   He is here in Phnom Penh    going to college.
4. ???? - the wife of Sophy.  Sophy teaches at a school that teaches English and bible to
   younger kids.  Sophy has just started taking classes at CBI part time.
5. Sok-leap - Sophy's sister. She is about 27 years old.
 
These are new Christians who have been strongly influenced by our students and staff at CBI. Thus, you have a big part in helping them hear about Jesus Christ and believing in Him.
 
Rich
 
P.S. Two weeks ago, Channy was asked to go to PreyTaChai to teach some of the people there who the church had been studying with and 5 teenagers were baptized there.

 

January 13

Hi Friends:,
 
Hope you are doing well and enjoyed the holidays. We are moving along at CBI. Here is some information on the school and things we would love for you to help us pray about.
 
1. Cheav, one of our really good students, graduated in December.  He wants to work with a church we started out by the airport.  We need wisdom and prayers for the work there and the details of how it will happen.

2. Neoun, the former Budhist monk, left the school. He was attracted to our former cook and they were inappropriate in their actions.  He is back in his home town. We hope to keep ties with him. He really is a good man with a lot of talent.
 
3. We've picked up two part-time students. They work 1/2 day each with Doris in a school that teaches English to Khmer children and then attend CBI 1/2 day.  (Wanak comes in the morning and Sophy in the afternoon.)
 
4. We added a girl from Siem Reap.  Her parents allegedly beat her and forbid her to attend the church there. The men at the school in Siem Reap begged us to take her on.
 
5. The house Partners in Progress works out of is being sold.  The church that meets there will have to find another place to meet.  We are considering all options at this time.
 
6. The Ministry of Cults and Religions is not allowing any religious schools to register at this time.  They suggested we register as a church and then we can teach whatever we want there.  We have started the process, but there are many steps to make this happen.
 
7. Brothers from a church in Singapore are coming next week to talk about other ways they can help the church here.
 
8.  The Phnom Penh church is moving to a new location.  A church in America is helping to finance a larger building for the church.  Please pray that God will be glorified.
 
Rich

October 19, 2009

Hi, Friends:

I wanted to catch you up on our new school year and other things happening here.

First, we returned 10 students and added 7 new students.  Here is a little info on our current student body:

 1. Chheav - great student with a good h eart, graduates in Dec.
 2. Sovann - good student, been here one year.
 3. Try ("Tree") - good student, graduates in June of 2010.
 4. Pisey (Pe-say) - girl student, been here one year
 5. Neoun - great student, former Budhist monk, about 30 years old, been here one year
 6. Sokna - girl student, Try's sister, started in April
 7. Nika - girl student, started in January, just married Chanty, a recent graduate
 8. SereyVuth or Vuth - great student, been here almost a year. 
     We started a church in his home village.  It is really doing well.
 9. Soklee or Lee - good student, most improved
10. Sokgoon - new student, former keyboardist in a denominational church
11. Penh - started in April, seems to be doing okay
12. Peap - new student, not a Christian yet
13. Dawlahn - new girl student
14. SereyWaht or Waht - new student, Vuth's brother, not a Christian yet
15. Phen Soan or Soan - just started last week, not a Christian yet
16. Pahla - new student
17. Waynat (second "a" is long) - new student
18. Sopak – started in October

** We also have 3 part time students – they usually can come only in the mornings. 

Next, after several months of trying circumstances, including 3 months without working electricity on the second floor, we moved out of our former school location to another place.  The new location is bigger, better and, of course, costs more.  But, with the added number of students, it was the right thing to do. We moved on August 29th.

As for the classes:
1. Tawn taught Historical Christian Evidences from the books that were translated into Khmer.  It has been much easier for the students to have a study guide in their own language.
2. Dennis taught “The Teachings of Jesus” from Matthew. (The students had to memorize the entire Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7.) 
3. Greg Fleming (from Midland, Tx) taught Philippians for two weeks and 1st, 2nd & 3rd John for two weeks.
4. In the mornings, Dale Lundy taught “The Life of Christ” from Mark. 

It is really nice to have mature Christian men to teach and have an influence on our students.  You may have noticed also, that I've not been teaching so far this fall.  I needed to be ready in case some of the teachers could not come, but mainly I have been preparing for upcoming classes and studying Khmer.  I hope to teach John in the Khmer language in February!

Last week, we had another Evangelism Week.  The students and Tawn went to one village on Monday, to Sothea’s village on Tuesday, to Vuth’s village on Wednesday and to another village on Thursday.  Plans for Friday fell through, so they enjoyed the time off.

Now, Dale will be teaching “The Cross of Christ” in the morning and afternoons for nine days.  

Of our graduates, Sothea is still working with the church in the new location.  Khim is working with Partners in Progress’ (PIP) Nutrition Program and helping lead at the church that meets at the PIP  House.  Vesna is continuing his vocational training and is helping lead at the church at the PIP House.  Chanty is doing vocational training.  Sophea is preaching for the church at TNT.
 
Rich

September 27, 2009

"The church here has had at least two baptisms in the past two weeks also.  These come from students who improve their English by studying the bible.  Ronda's sister, Julie Broyles, is directing this work at the Partners in Progress house.  If any of you might be interested in coming to teach English using the Bible, please let us know or contact her at juliebroyles1@gmail.com. Typically, teachers come to teach a month at a time.  Julie is always needing more teachers."

Thanks,
Rich 

August 31, 2009

We moved everything over to the new school location today. We spent several hours cleaning up and the students are going back this evening to make sure everything is good in the old location. 
 
Now, we have the job of finding out the best way to use our new facility.  It is such a blessing to have more room. 

The landlord was working and had several others working, to put up rails on the stairs, finish doors, etc...
 
I am attaching a picture of the students and some of the staff on the outside stairs at the school. We are all hot and sweaty from the morning's work.

Rich
 
P.S. We and the Welches bought pizza for this special occasion. I think it was the first time most of our students had ever had pizza.

 

August 8, 2009

Hi, friends:
 
Just a quick note to catch you up on some things happening here. 
 
You may remember that Chanty, Veasna and Sophea graduated in June.  Veasna has been doing vocational training and continues to help out at the PIP church. Chanty has been working teaching on the Ship of Life.  He is due to start vocational training soon. He and Nika (one of our girl students), just married last Saturday.  I was able to teach about marriage at their wedding.  Sophea is currently preaching for and working with the church at TNT.
 
We have the translated copies of the Historical Christian Evidences book. Tawn will use that to teach out of in a class starting next week. 750 other copies of that book are in the bookstores now. In addition, I gave 17 copies to Phanat, our brother at the preacher training school in Siem Reap (the one connected with Bear Valley).  He was grateful to have them to use in teaching. 
 
Classes start back Monday.  We have two new students who have arrived at the school. We may have as many as 4 other new students.  We have turned away some who wanted to come because they did not fit what we can do; too young, to many girls, etc...
 
Dennis and Sharon are back in town!! Dennis and Tawn will be teaching the classes that start Monday.  In addition, this fall, Greg Fleming and Dale Lundy will be teaching classes here.
 
I was due to teach a seminar in Thailand next week.  Due to the swine flu, they have decided to cancel that. However, we cannot change or refund our tickets, so we may go anyway. Our oldest son is here with us now. 
 
Prayer requests:
1. Graduates and their futures
2. Chanty and Nika's marriage
3. New school year and our new students
4. Tawn has had some teeth problems and now has been sick with a dizziness.  He is so vital to the work here.
5. The new churches started.
6. Greg & Sheila Hamlin were with the Bear Valley school in Siem Reap. They have moved back to the states now.  Please remember them as they move on to another work.
7. Our situation with our current landlord. It has been difficult.


July 13, 2009

Hi, from us. Know that we miss you.  Time is flying here and I'm sure it is for you as well.
 
We've had Luke and Evan, here for about 2 1/2  weeks. They leave today. We took them to the beach and then last weekend to Siem Reap.  They both were selected to be the groom in different wedding ceremonies at the cultural village.  They really liked that. The Siem Reap school now has guest bedrooms in the house that Phanat lives in.  We stayed with them one night. 
 
Last week was an Evangelism Week here.  The students and Tawn went to Vudt's village on Monday, Sothea's village on Tuesday, KSP on Weds and then TNT on Thursday.  Rebekah and the boys went out with them on Tuesday.  I went to TNT on Thursday.  There was a really good turnout at TNT; probably 140 people all together.  Of course, most of those were kids, but there was a good group of teens and one group of adults. I also had a good visit with Sophea. He really wants to work there.  Like I told him to do, he has put together a good plan of how he would work that and what he would do to build up the church.  We also met the young man who plans to start a denominational congregation there.  We've heard he may be trying to get the church members to come with him. (He is one of the guys who worked some with Kimsom.)
 
I took the final chapters of Christian Evidences back to the publisher.  We cleared up the final details and the book should be off to the printer now.
 
Kevin Carson started the Sermon Prep and Delivery class yesterday.  He seems to be doing a really good job.  Yesterday, he mostly taught about how the person teaching has to be a man of God and has his heart right with God. We need that so much here. And, at chapel,we just sang songs. I think it seemed awkward to the students to break the 2 songs, a prayer and lesson mode. I told them that because they would be giving a couple of sermons each this next 2 weeks, we would do something different for chapel.
 
Got to go.
 
Rich
 
P.S. Just an FYI, I will be going to Thailand to teach at a weekend seminar August 14-16.

 

 

 

CBI 2008-2009 Overview:

1.  Graduation - June 12, 2009– Veasna, Sophea, Chanty & Saleem (Pakistani man)
2.  Student Timeline:
     - August added  Sovann, Soklee, Rohn,  Pisey, Rinna
     - Sept – Rinna told to come home by her parents.  Pisey and Rohn both baptized into Christ
     - Oct/Nov added SereyVudt & Neun.   Lee baptized into Christ.  
     - Nov-Dec – Neon baptized into Christ in Nov, Vudt was baptized in December
     - January – First Graduation.  Sothea and Khim
     - January added Nikah
     - March – Rohn left school.  He wants to come back in July.
     - April – Added Sokna and Penh
     - Ended the year with 13 students.
3.  Churches started:
     - Takeo
     - Vudt’s village
     - Krang Dong –Rohn’s home village
     - Kram Krop – this is a denominational group who asked us to come out and teach them.
4.  Evangelism Weeks: August, September, November, December, February, April. 
     - We have one planned for early July and for September and October.
5.  First Graduates:
     - Sothea is working with the church at KSP and the new church at Krang Dong
     - Khim started vocational training, stopped to work with the Nutrition truck sponsored by
       Partners in Progress (PIP).  He currently works with the church at PIP.
6.  June Graduates plans:
     - Veasna is enrolled in vocational training
     - Sophea hopes to work with a church and raise pigs to support help himself
     - Chanty is working on the Ship of Life for two months, teaching and evangelizing, then will enroll
       in vocational training.
7. Ship of Life – Chanty and Try are working on the Ship to evangelize
8. Publisher – met Monday to receive the last chapters of the book to read over and approve.  Hope to have the Historical Christian Evidences study guide in bookstores by the end of June.
9. VisitingTeachers:
     - August –December – Lanny Partain, Mark Hooper (from Mission Resource Network), Loren
Hollingsworth (former missionary to Thailand for 35 years).  George was due to come but had to cancel due to health issues. 
     In addition, I taught 3 classes and Dennis taught one week.
     -January-June – Scott Keele                 (from Broken Arrow) and Dave Brockway (from Broken Arrow).  We
      had 4 teachers who had to cancel for various reasons, including Herman Alexander, Ken Fox,
      Paul Shero and Bo Shero.

      I taught 2 short classes and 2 regular classes.  Dennis and Tawn both taught 2 regular classes. 
      (A short class is all day for a week or two.  A regular class is 3 hours for about 4 weeks)
10.  Miscellaneous:
     - We are still dealing the fallout from the TNT orphanage work.  We are trying to help
      the church and people there.
     - Many good things continue to happen at the church that meets at the Partners in Progress
       house.
     - Ron Downey, who replaced George Carman, is visiting here for a week. He got to be part of
      the recent graduation.

Hi, friends:
 
I hope things are going well for you.  Here is some info from us and prayer requests:
 
1. Please remember our upcoming graduates, Veasna, Sophea and Chanty who will finish in June. We (the graduates and the rest of us) need wisdom in figuring out the best way for them to work in the Kingdom.
 
2. We added two new students this week, Phen and Sokna. They, like all the new students, are feeling a little overwhelmed right now. Apparently, we will be a somewhat fluid school for awhile.
 
3. The translation of Historical Christian Evidences is due out in June.   It looks like they may also be put into "general" bookstores and not just the religious oriented stores. May God be glorified in that.
 
4. Dennis and I recently met with Saleem, our Pakistani student who has been on the run.  Through some extra work and his studies on-line with Nations University, he will be able to graduate.  He needs prayers that he will able to find the most effective way to serve in the Kingdom.
 
5. Rohn, one of our former students who dropped out, has been caught up in some of the border trouble with Thailand. He is currently in jail. We are working to help his release and hope he might come back to school.
 
6. An area congregation, where there is an orphanage and several other works, has been rocked by a very recent scandal.  It has caused a lot of hurt and damage to the name of our Savior.  Please pray for the Christians there and for the spread of the Word.
 
7. Upcoming guests: 
-  Our son Reuben gets here in early May for about 3 weeks.  His girlfriend will also come for about a week.
-  Our daughter Rebekah comes in mid-June until late July.  Her boyfriend, Evan, and another friend, Luke, will come for about 2 weeks at the end of June.  They are from Broken Arrow and we have been friends with their families for years.
- Dave Brockway from Broken Arrow will come in late May to mid-June to teach a few short courses at the school.  His family helps support the work here.
- Ron Downey, the new dean of all the Sunset Asia schools, plans to visit in June for graduation.
- Our son Jason, will come in late July or early August for about a month.
- It looks like our son Randall will not be able to come this summer.  He has an internship and a few classes to take in order to graduate.  Then, he will start a Master's in the fall.
 
Thank you for keeping us in your minds and prayers. You help give us the courage to go on.
 
Rich and Ronda Dolan

March 16, 2009

Hi Friends:
 
We're having another round of good things happening.
 
Yesterday, there were two baptisms in Takeo, a location where we are starting a church.
 
Also, Khim, a recent graduate, is starting a bible study group on Saturdays at the PIP church.  His hope is to help mature the Christians, especially the new ones who are brought in through the program that teaches English there.
 
And, Tawn went to investigate the village where a denominational church leader wants us to come and teach.  It sounds like it may work out and we may convert their entire congregation.  At least, we will have a chance to teach there.
 
This weekend we purchased a car battery for Sothea to use in teaching.  How, you ask?  He powers lights off the battery so that he can teach adults the bible at night time.  How about that? 
 
On a sad note, Rohn who is one of our newer students, has not been back to school in about a week and a half.  His family did not know where he was either.  This weekend, he called them and said he was in Vietnam.  We don't know why or what he is doing.  Please keep him in your prayers.
 
Rich