News

June 2018 Newsletter

Greetings from Nan and Bernie! The Dykhouses have recently returned from a productive trip to Cambodia. Below, in their own words, they share exciting news about what the Lord is accomplishing there.

“Hello, everyone! This past February we were able to return to Cambodia. We are never sure what all we will be able to do, even though we do have plans in place. In our December newsletter, we talked about some of our goals, and we’re happy to report that two important ones have been met, thanks to you, our donors!

As you may recall, the playground equipment was in desperate need of repair. It wasn’t safe or fun. The swing seats had all rusted off, many bolts were missing or loose, and the slide had huge rusty holes in it. Bernie got to work “cipherin” and quickly decided how and what he needed. The swings now are swinging, and the slide is smooth and without holes. And the kids from all around are very happy.

We are happy to introduce you to Sokay Oum, our new house mom. She is a mom whose children have been taken to China, where she cannot go. And while we don’t know the details of that, we are trusting that God is giving her some new kids to love on! She has been a Christian for over a year, and moved 90 kilometers to become our new helper.

New house mom, Sokay

Sokay will live onsite, care for the children, and help with cooking and laundry. This will allow Pastor Sopheak to give more time to his duties as pastor. Speaking of those duties, we’re very excited to share the most important news we can share, something that happened after we left. When we first arrived Sopheak was teaching about baptism and, as always, God’s plan of salvation. He was teaching the why of baptism, and both young people and the old were very interested. They, as a congregation, were planning a retreat/baptism event in April. And Sopheak reports that three of our children, along with Sopheak’s daughter Eleaza and many other church members, 26 in all, were baptized! Maly Phanna, Maly Srey, Chorn Luka, and Eleaza – you make our hearts happy!

More good news: The kids are growing a lot! While the boys (ages 11-13) are short for their age, there is a new maturity to Phanna and Luka. Maly Srey is a beautiful young lady. She helps in the kitchen, offers help during worship times, and watches over the baby and younger children. She recently found a notebook among her things that contained both hers and brother Phanna’s birthdays, so now we know she will be 15 this coming November.

We want to extend a special thanks to Sopheak’s brother Nov Phalkun, who went to Cambodia and helped with the baptism, new school uniforms and clothes for the children.

Baptism in Kratie Province with Phalkun
with Bernie and Nan

December 2017 Newsletter

Sopheak cares for the baby, his older daughter and the five children at the Children’s Home while Channa works in the city.

In addition, he oversees at least four home churches, while teaching and leading Sunday services each Sunday at the Home.

Funds provided to the Children’s Home are supplemented by the sale of mushrooms, bananas, and eggs at the local market. Everyone helps with these projects, allowing the children to learn life-long practical skills. The older children attend computer classes, and each one is learning English at some level.

Immediate Needs: In our last newsletter, we reported that Channa’s sister and brother-in-law, were living onsite, managing the accounting and cooking for the children. They have since moved to Phnom Penh, leaving the Home in need of house parents to help care for the children when they are home from school, as well as a bookkeeper who can manage the household account. Nan and Bernie have several Christian women in mind that might serve in a dual role. They plan to interview these potential candidates on their next trip, scheduled for late January or early February.

Future Needs: We would love to provide the funds for new playground equipment for the kids. Our slide is an old metal one with a huge rusted hole. The swings are rusty and old, as well. Additionally, although we know that Khmer children typically eat sitting on the floor, we’d love to build a long table and benches for meals and gatherings. By our next visit, we are sure they will need new mosquito nets, and perhaps new mats and new shoes. There are always maintenance needs as well. On the last day of our last visit, we discovered that the washing machine was broken.

Finally, and most importantly, please pray for these precious orphans. We long for them to see and feel the love that only God can give to them, a mother’s love times 50! Only our Father in Heaven loves that way; He loves unconditionally! Pray that they would know that love! Maly Srey, the oldest child at the Home, is nearly 16 and behind in school. She especially has our hearts, as we dream that she and the rest of the boys will go on to secondary school. Pray that she will have the study time that she needs and the desire to pursue her education. It is her way out of poverty!

Thank you for your continued support, and if you have any questions, please contact us at 828-577-1113.

Bernie and Nan Dykhouse

CCCO is a not-for profit 501(c)(3) organization in accordance with IRS regulations.