Griffith Gleanings March 2016
2 Peter 1:5-8 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
GRIFFITH GLEANINGS MARCH 2016
It will soon be a quarter of the way through 2016, so we are fast approaching the end of the year and the prospect that we will be in another country and facing some new challenges living cross-culturally and learning new words so that we can one day be understood by our neighbours. It is a wonderful privilege to be on this journey and sharing our passion to be responding to God’s call to Cambodia. It is encouraging to have so many groups and individuals respond positively and seeking to track with us, pray for us and even contribute financially towards our next steps. Cambodia is a very different place to live than Australia, as we hope you might appreciate a little more in this update.
The following information comparing living in Cambodia to Australia is borrowed from: https://www.ifitweremyhome.com/
Rob:
When our children were younger our family was a home for a variety of pets. One guinea pig in particular taught me a life lesson about living life to the full. The guinea pigs were quite productive and when little guinea pigs were born they received a lot of attention and our children and their friends loved to take them out of the cage to pat them. On one of these occasions one of them escaped into a refuge of long grass and could not be found. I expected the little creature would become a meal for one of the local foxes and didn’t expect to see him again. It turned out that this risky life outside the guinea pig cage was not all bad. When we were reunited weeks later, the surprising part was that he had grown to be much larger than all his siblings and clearly had lived a more abundant life where the grass grew greener.
As I reflect on the risks that Deb and I are taking to leave the relative security of stable employment, a comfortable home where we press a button to control the lighting and temperature, a beautiful leafy suburb with footpaths, a friendly and encouraging church family, it is easy to think we must be crazy! It would indeed be easier at this stage of our life to live peaceful lives and maybe prepare for retirement in 15 or 20 years’ time.
However, Deb and I will be crossing a big cultural divide where we expect to be tested and challenged living in a very different part of the world. I hope that our experience will be similar to the guinea pig that escaped his ‘comfortable’ cage and thrived despite the risks and challenges. I am confident that God is present in the place where we will be and what could be a more abundant life than partnering with Him in His mission activity.
We have continued visiting churches and small groups this month. There are still plenty of dates available for those who haven’t seen or heard from us yet. So drop us a line if you would like to hear what God is up to choosing to use an ordinary couple to do extraordinary things in Cambodia.
Pastor Arthur Tzanakis Millicent Baptist Church, Dorothy Fawcett Missions Representative, Nita Tzanakis Khmer wife of Arthur who prayed in Khmer over the church and Rob Griffith
Small group meets Gumtree Lodge Rest Haven, Bellevue Heights South Australia
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Thank you to those of you who have already committed to supporting us in prayer and in a financial way. Financially we have now reached 17% of the budget that needs to be raised in full before we can book tickets and head to Cambodia for our first 3 year term. As we complete our cross-cultural studies in early November this year we hope to reach the financial target to leave mid-December.
If you would like to know more about financially supporting us or you are ready to make a pledge please drop us a line or visit the Global Interaction web page. The URL link is: www.globalinteraction.org.au/RobDeb
Deb:
Rob & I recently travelled to Millicent, South Australia to visit the church family there. A favourite past time for us all has been camping we recognise opportunities to camp in Cambodia maybe non-existent. Savouring opportunities to farewell our Aussie bushland we grabbed our swags so we could sleep under the stars. The stellar display occasionally covered with a thin blanket of cloud; the wind would move the cloud cover on to reveal the starry formations that are familiar. We saw the Milky Way and Saturn. This reminded me of trusting God in the many changes as he remains the same. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.
The call to cross cultural life and work has turned our lives upside down. There are already many changes taking place: personally, as a family, in our home, at work, through friendships. Suddenly things have a narrowed focus, even though there is so much newness and demand for expanding and flexing. The many people supporting us prayerfully, practically, serving us with encouragements and financially have delighted us greatly. Thank you BIGTIME <3.
Prayer Requests
That the Khmer may know living hope in Jesus.
For Catherine Rogers coordinating needs in Cambodia.
For all 6 families support raising to go to Cambodia with Global Interaction.
Praise Points
Opportunities opening to build relationships with churches, prayer groups etc.
Home maintenance and preparations for leaving progressing.
Financial supporters are partnering with us as a further confirmation of God’s call to his mission in Cambodia.
Gifted lunch by son Jeremy; with friend of family Alana de Hoog