Brother Andrew Phiri arrived Cambodia on the 5th Jan, 2015. It was his first visit. He was told to show proof of funds to enable him to stay in Cambodia. Although this wasn’t necessary since he was coming to live with us. He counted the $500 in front of the immigration officer who was demanding to see it. But still he was not allowed in and the immigration had to call for me. The immigration officers can be very strict to visitors from Africa especially if it is their first visit.
However, we made it home. Sister Debora had prepared some food for us. I took Brother Phiri to the VGR office where he could access the internet and use the computer. The first meeting we had was at Kampong Chhang Province. It is about 70KM from Phnom Penh. We took the bus in the morning and a few a few hours later we arrived. Pastor Sok Chomreourn, hosting us took us to the guest house. Brother Andrew Phiri preached in his church.
He preached on the two trees in the Garden of Eden. We had a translation problem. The interpreter was still learning how to read, write and speak English properly. We also visited three other cell groups in other villages close to the town. Many times when ministers come, the villagers believe that they have a lot of money to throw around. Offerings are always requested. What I did was to give them the “Bank of Heaven Cheque” to make their request to God and pray in faith. I see the people are learning to look on God more. Just coming out from Buddhism we can expect their faith to be weak.
After returning home from this province, we had a couple of days of non-activity and then traveled to Ranatakiri Province. It is about 500 KM from Phnom Penh, the capital city where we live. This means it was a long drive to get there. Here we met by Pastor Lurk Bunthorn who speaks fluent English. He took us around to visit a few groups in the villages around Banloung town where we lodged, and we did some evangelism.
On Sunday brother Phiri continued with his Message on Original sin in Pastor Lurk Bunthorn’s church. He seemed to enjoy this place more but the seed has to be spread to other places during his visit. Anywhere you go to preach the gospel is important. There will be someone there even without an interpreter who will understand and be blessed by the message. The grace of God is beyond measure.
I drove Brother Phiri to the Airport on the 24th Jan, 2011 to travel back after his Cambodia visit. His visit was very helpful for the believers to learn and to grow. I called the immigration office to inform him of his departure from the Country. I went with him inside the Airport building where he presented his documents for departure and was given a boarding pass, and I also returned home. Brother Andrew Phiri is from Zambia.
