january 25, 2012 11:16am
Tears from Heaven
When I was a kid, I remember being told a time or two that when it rained, it was the tears of God falling to the earth. Obviously that is not true. But a funny thing happened the last evening we were in Cambodia getting ready to head to the airport to fly back to America. It started raining!
You see, it is the middle of the 'dry season' in Cambodia, and it isn't supposed to rain. In fact, I've been told that the people there count on it not raining because they leave stuff out that they would normally protect if rain was expected. A very odd thing for it to have rained in Cambodia the day we left.
So it got me to thinking...I wonder if God does 'shed tears' over Cambodia because so few people there know Him. Could the raindrops that fell on Cambodia that night represent His tears from Heaven?
We accomplished a lot during our 8 days in Cambodia, but there is so much that we didn't have time to do. While I was ready to return to my family, it saddened me to leave the Cambodian people. I must trust that God will continue to work through His children there as they work to do His will. I must also trust that God will use the efforts of Center for Global Impact, our supporters and those we work and partner with here in the U.S., to continue to make an impact for His Kingdom both here and half a world away.
I think of the students at our Culinary Training Center who are working hard each day to learn the cooking and serving skills it will take to open up our Green Mango Cafe restaurant (phase 3 of our Culinary Training Center).
We were their practice customers while we were in Battambang, Cambodia, and they cooked us a wonderful lunch one day and a breakfast the next. Chef Ryana DeArmond has them well on their way to opening the restaurant phase of the program in early March! On top of that, we will have 12 new students who will join the program in July and begin being trained and learning valuable cooking skills! We are excited about the success and growth that God has blessed us with in this vocational training program.
I think of the byTavi sewing team who gathers together each weekday and creates the beautiful handmade items of the byTavi program.
These women all have their unique stories and I wish we would have had more time to sit and talk with them and get to know each one of them better. But one thing I do know, the women of the byTavi team are all able to make a good living wage and are thus able to protect and feed their children, provide their children an education, and simply maintain a daily dignity and hope that most of us take for granted. It was great to worship with many of the byTavi team members at church and see them participating in the worship by singing a special worship song and one of them was even helping to lead the church in the worship music. These women have come a long way from their Buddhist background. It was beautiful to witness firsthand the difference Jesus has made in their lives!
I think of the Daughters in the Daughters Project who work daily to learn valuable sewing skills. I was reminded that they are just kids and many of them have a dark past.
It was great to worship with them at church on Sunday as well. For having such a difficult past, a smile is never far away from their faces. We spent a great amount of time simply laughing, joking and having fun with them. However, we also realized that they have a great need for continued social and spiritual nurturing. We will work over the next year to make sure the Daughters have access to the counseling and spiritual formation that they need.
The participants in all our projects represent hope...and Jesus is the ultimate answer and the hope that they all need in their lives. I pray that He will continue to make Himself known to them and that they will come to know Him more and make Him known to their fellow Cambodians. I believe that God does shed tears over the people of Cambodia. I know I have over the past couple of weeks.
I thank God for all of you who have made it possible for me to serve God by answering His call on my life here at CGI. I look forward to continuing to serve Him and advance His Kingdom throughout 2012!
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." (John 3:16-17)
Grace & Peace,
Nathan Cecil
Posted By: cgiblog
january 23, 2012 05:47pm
A Month after the Super Bowl. . .A Grand Opening
While Indianapolis ramps up for the February 5th Super Bowl featuring the Giants and Patriots, a month later CGI has a milestone headline. The Green Mango Cafe and Bakery officially opens Monday, March 5 in Battambang, Cambodia.
The third phase in the Culinary Training Center, this cafe debuts with a menu featuring the freshest, locally sourced ingredients along with imported specialty items highlighted in Khmer and American regional favorites.
Baked fresh daily, yeast breads, classic cakes and pastries, cookies, and brownies complement the Green Mango’s menu. Its contemporary coffee bar features roasted beans from Viet Nam and Laos and a variety of coffee specialties.
Certified Executive Pastry Chef and Culinary Educator, Paul Vida works as CGI’s consultant. Resident chef Ryanna DeArmond oversees a highly qualified Cambodian staff to ensure the best in service, food, and atmosphere.
Posted By: cgiblog
january 11, 2012 07:26am
A Challenge from Cambodia
While traveling these past few days in Cambodia, I was reminded of the impact this country and its people can have on you. There is such great need everywhere you look. The needs can be overwhelming. However, I have to constantly remind myself that while we can't help everyone, we can help some. So we do.
There's a story told of a boy who is walking along a beach where thousands of starfish have washed up and are dying. The boy is picking up starfish and throwing them back in the ocean to save their lives. Someone comes to the boy and questions why he is even trying because he can't come close to making a difference and saving all the starfish. The boy picks up a starfish and says, "I'm making a huge difference for this one." Then he throws the starfish back in the ocean.
That story is most often told to show the impact of making a difference for just one life. But I think a better application for that story may be to ask - why are more people not out on that beach helping the boy throw the starfish back in the ocean?
I've been wrestling with God a bit on this trip. He has been asking me what I am clinging to that is preventing me from fully giving myself to Him. What am I clinging to that is preventing me from being on that beach and fully devoting myself to throwing back those starfish?
Philippians 2:6 says that Jesus did not cling to His equality with God but rather emptied himself and became a servant of all. I'm confident that the things I'm clinging to (pride, comfort, fear, etc.) pale in comparison to equality with God. Yet why do I seem cling so tightly?!?
I know I need to be on that beach fully engaged in 'throwing back those starfish' that God has called me to serve. How about you?
Grace & Peace from the Kingdom of Cambodia - Nathan Cecil
Posted By: cgiblog
51 comments | Commentpermalink
january 06, 2012 08:12am
Prayers for the Cambodian People
Yesterday Nathan Cecil, CGI's chief operating officer, asked for prayer for the Cambodian people as the CGI team visits and offers help.
"The Cambodian people are such a wonderful people. Their country is uniquely beautiful. Yet there is a darkness that looms here from the horrific tragedies that took place a few decades ago. Everywhere are idols and Buddha being worshipped. It breaks my heart yet reminds me of the hope that is found in our living God. . .This is a country where very few people know Jesus and we are working to build relationships, empower the poor and ultimately tell people the Good News of Jesus."
Please join him in that prayer!
Posted By: cgiblog
january 06, 2012 08:11am
Prayers for the Cambodian People
Yesterday Nathan Cecil, CGI's chief operating officer, asked for prayer for the Cambodian people as the CGI team visits and offers help.
"The Cambodian people are such a wonderful people. Their country is uniquely beautiful. Yet there is a darkness that looms here from the horrific tragedies that took place a few decades ago. Everywhere are idols and Buddha being worshipped. It breaks my heart yet reminds me of the hope that is found in our living God. . .This is a country where very few people know Jesus and we are working to build relationships, empower the poor and ultimately tell people the Good News of Jesus."
Please join him in that prayer!
Posted By: cgiblog
