Synod Ministry in Cambodia
In Phnom Penh:
1. Toul Kork Dormitory: Toul Kork is a district in Phnom Penh where the Synod has established a dormitory. This facility primarily accommodates university students, especially those from rural areas. The dormitory is open to students of all faiths, providing them with a place to stay while they pursue higher education. It aims to support students who face financial difficulties or who wish to continue their studies in a conducive environment.
The dormitory has been in operation since 13 July 2013, and the first residents, a mother with two children, moved in on 10 September 2013. Currently, it houses nine children, with one Christian among them, while the rest are non-believers. The dormitory has successfully helped many students become Christians.
A female missionary resides in the dormitory to supervise and provide guidance. The pastor visits twice a week, in the evening and during the day, to teach music, English, and Bible lessons. On Saturdays and Sundays, the missionary conducts additional Bible lessons and other activities. The students are responsible for their own meals, but the Synod covers other expenses.
Since 16 February 2014, the dormitory has also hosted church services for its members and non-believers alike. The church is registered with the government, and every three years, the church registration is renewed at a cost of $2,380, which is shared with the Cham Chao church.
Synod Expenses:
Rent: $580 per month (an additional $50 is required every three years for renewing the house contract).
Dormitory Maintenance: $70 per month.
Total: $650 per month.
If God wills, we hope to establish a dormitory for boys as well. With a boys’ dormitory, we will have an even stronger foundation to nurture the church and its future leaders.
2. Chaom Chao House: The Synod has rented a house in Chaom Chao, a district in Phnom Penh, to accommodate workers coming from rural areas to work in factories and industries. This house also serves as a house church, and it is registered with the government. The local pastor and his family of 16 live here. The rooms are divided into smaller sections. Every Sunday, we hold fellowship meetings with the residents, nurturing them in faith. Twice a month, we organize evangelism nights, gathering people in one place to share the Word of God. Since 2014, we have seen 13 new believers, making it a fruitful ministry.
Expenses:
Rent: $620 per month (plus an additional $10 yearly increase)
Pastor’s Stipend: $150 per month
Total: $770 per month
3. Student Sponsorship: Since 2017, we have established an NGO under Cambodian government regulations to support 10 orphaned children. By 2024, our sponsorship program will also include sharing the Word of God with these children at our meeting place. We now regularly reach 50-70 people, including the children’s relatives, who attend our services. We have been greatly blessed in this endeavor. Currently, we are supporting 23 children, including three girls who are learning musical instruments and leading worship songs.
Expenses:
Child Sponsorship: $120 per month (for 23 children)
Food for Gatherings: $70 per month
Total: $190 per month
In Siem Reap:
Siem Reap is approximately 330 km from Phnom Penh and is a significant site for church planting. We have five native workers and one missionary overseeing the ministry, with regular visits from the pastor who holds committee meetings. Our initiatives include children’s evangelism and music lessons for the youth.
We aim to build a well-structured church, and by 2023, we have formalized Sunday school classes, including regular Sunday gatherings. Afternoon and evening schools operate where native workers teach underprivileged children, integrating Bible teachings. Monthly, we conduct missions to Chrei Kang Strow, a village in the rural area, to spread the gospel. Weekly evangelism activities are also organized, where we visit different homes to share God’s word.
Expenses:
Rent: $290 per month
Salaries for 5 native workers: $1000 per month ($200 each)
Miscellaneous expenses: $400 per month
Total: $1690 per month.
Challenges and Requests:
Prevalence of Evangelism:
Evangelism is widespread in Cambodia, and we can freely share the Good News without opposition. However, operating with U.S. dollars, while necessary, presents difficulties due to the non-convertibility of Indian currency. Our budget primarily covers rent, native workers’ salaries, and NGO expenses. Due to budget constraints, we cannot produce Bible tracts or hire language teachers, limiting our evangelism efforts. We often rely on local resources for outreach.
Financial Regulations:
The Indian government’s income tax regulations cap the annual foreign remittance at Rs. 20 lakh per financial year. Exceeding this limit incurs a 20% penalty, significantly hindering our ability to fund overseas missions. This constraint makes it challenging to secure adequate funding from India. If we can find donors from other countries, we should channel funds through the NGO’s account (Synod Mission for Cambodia Organization), ensuring proper auditing and transparency.
Tent Makers:
Many young Mizos are interested in serving as tent makers in Cambodia. If we could support their travel and employment, we would significantly strengthen our ministry. Tent makers currently play a crucial role in our mission.
(REV. BENJAMIN LALRINMAWIA)
i/c Cambodia Pastor Bial. 23.11.2024.