Brother James Veremu visited us from the 11th to the 29th of October, 2016. It was always a joy to have him around. This was his third visit to Cambodia, and he had no issues with immigration—his old passport clearly showed he was a regular visitor.
When we arrived home, my wife and I were surprised to see the bag of maize flour he had brought all the way from Zimbabwe. Considering the challenges of traveling with such a heavy load, it was a remarkable gesture. My wife used the maize flour to prepare a delicious meal of corn fufu the next day, which soon became a regular part of our meals. But Bro James had not come to fill our stomachs with corn fufu; he came to give us a feast of the Word.
Our first stop was Kampong Speu Province, with Bro Kim Eang serving as translator. This was the village where I had begun the work upon arriving in Cambodia. Over the years, the work has grown, and there are now many places to visit. We focus on helping the few believers remain steadfast, even though many have drifted away. Brother James was here to encourage both the leader and the small church. During our visit, we observed feet washing and partook of the Lord’s Supper.
Next, we traveled to Takeo Province, where transportation to some villages is challenging. We hired a vehicle to reach Pastor Chanty Por’s church in Samrong Kangket village. The meeting was intended for leaders, but many members also attended. Visits from pastors are rare in this area, and the locals did not want to miss the opportunity.
It was wonderful to witness the people gather in fellowship around the Word. By the end of the sermon, everyone was deeply touched. The pastors smiled and shared with one another the spiritual blessings they had received from the message. Most of the attending leaders and pastors were from independent churches.
We held a service in Phnom Penh on 22nd October, 2016, with about twenty-five attendees, mostly university students. One student took a picture with Brother James and later posted it on Facebook, sharing how inspired he was by the preaching of the man of God.
Pastor Sok Chomreourn welcomed us with great joy in Kampong Chhan Province on 24th October, 2016. He leads many cell groups and had informed their leaders about a scheduled meeting. Despite a morning drizzle, the leaders and several elders traveled from different districts—some from far away—to attend. The journey was well worth it. Pastor Sok Chomreourn has long expressed his desire for his leaders to mature in the faith. The message delivered by Brother James nurtured these seeds, and it is hoped that the husbandman will one day reap the harvest.
Our fellowship with the believers was truly wonderful, and we wished we could have stayed a few more days.
The day came for Brother James to depart from Cambodia. My wife and I accompanied him to the airport to see him off. He had fasted and prayed for us during his stay, and we deeply appreciated his company. We were grateful for the encouragement he brought, and the believers here admired his spirit, hoping he could return to Cambodia again as soon as possible.
