As part of a series of blog posts about child sponsors from around the world, today's guest author is Laurel, a sponsor and dedicated medical missions volunteer. She and her husband live in the Pittsburgh area.After traveling several times to Cambodia—and seeing the impact SEAPC is making there—we wanted to sponsor a child. Because of the sponsorship program, the kids we visited were well fed, healthy, educated, and Spirit-filled. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? But for some reason, we didn’t feel called to a Cambodian child. So we waited to see where God would lead us.The minute I heard about SEAPC’s work in Myanmar, I knew. That heart-pounding, shiver-down-the-back, gentle nudge that always tells me to move, told me this had to be the place our child awaited us. We wanted a young child, so we would have more time to develop a lasting relationship with her. And a girl, because, well, I do dresses and baby dolls better than t-shirts and soccer balls. Again we waited.

The day we received a picture and information on Thein, we had an instant reaction. This 6-year-old girl would be our new granddaughter. And we had to meet her in person. God blessed us with the opportunity to go on a medical mission to Myanmar, which included a trip to her children’s home. There, we met our girl. She liked the baby doll and the dress…and the coloring book in Burmese.What can I say? Grandparents do these silly things. But honestly, I think she liked our hugs the best. With no shared words between us, we managed to have a “conversation.” Her smile settled into our hearts, where it took up permanent lodging. The only downside? We had to say goodbye and come home. Cue the tears.

Our family talks about Thein as part of us, not as a stranger half-way across the world. We hope to see her again this fall. But regardless, our prayers, monthly donation, and occasional gifts go to Myanmar—and her notes and drawings come back to decorate our refrigerator. We never expected to fall in love again. But my-oh-my, did we ever!SEAPC is dedicated to changing lives through prayer. If your heart is moved and you would like to partner with us, you can donate here. To learn more about becoming an SEAPC Raising Kids child sponsor, please click here. If you're already a child sponsor and would like to share your own story, please send them to us at info@seapc.org.

Khut Khun is a Sophomore at Mean Chey University. When Khut Khun was 17-years-old, her mother abandoned their family including her two younger brothers. In an effort to numb the pain, she turned all of her attention to excelling in school. Khut Khun knew she was too poor to attend college, but her focused attention towards her studies proved an excellent distraction from her home life. Khut Khun worked on the family farm upon graduation as she had no hope or means of receiving higher education. She continued her farming not knowing she had won a four-year university scholarship. Her family didn’t own a phone, so the university had no way to contact Khut Khun with this incredible news. Eventually, the university was able to get in contact with one of her former teachers. The teacher called Khut Khun's aunt who then relayed the information to the family. When Khut Khun heard the news, she was “shocked and excited” for this bright and unexpected future awaiting her.

Khut Khun quickly acclimated to university life and made new friends easily. While newly at university Khut Khun's father shared shocking news. He told of her mother’s relationship with another man, and the family she had started with him. This information illuminated the reasons for Khut Khun's mother leaving their family. Her mother left to provide care for her other family. These details allowed Khut Khun some closure and offered a means to process her residual emotions in steps towards healing.With a bright future ahead of her and things finally looking up, Khut Khun suddenly encountered strange health issues. She began losing all strength and would completely lose consciousness without any logical explanation. Within the span of a year, she went to the hospital more times than she could count, but always without any further clarity on what might be causing these episodes.In the summer of 2016, she experienced one of her many fainting spells while at the university. A local pastor was visiting at the time and came to visit her at the hospital. He shared with Khut Khun the story of Jesus. As a Buddhist, this was the first time that Khut Khun ever heard the name of Jesus. She decided to follow Him that day.

A few weeks after her experience with the pastor, Khut Khun had one of the worst fainting spells to date. The head director of the university personally drove her to a better hospital to ensure that she would get appropriate care. Khut Khun was unconscious at the time, but remembers hearing everything happening around her this day. She heard her entire family weeping.The doctor told her family there was nothing else he could do to help. She remembers losing all hope and feeling that the end of her life was near. In this moment, Khut Khun remembers losing her hearing and being surrounded by darkness with only a small light directly in front of her. She didn’t understand the source of light, but she began to walk towards it. With every step, she felt hope return to her soul and knew that she would live again. When Khut Khun woke up, the doctor was completely baffled. He was certain that she had passed away.Shortly after Khut Khun's miraculous recovery she began experiencing difficulties at home. Her father was deeply troubled by her choice to follow Jesus and vied for her to renounce Christ. However, Khut Khun could not bring herself to denounce her Savior. Khut Khun's father took very severe measures to prove his deep concern by attempting to take his own life. Soon after and in the hopes of bringing peace, Hubert Tutwiler went to Khut Khun's village to meet her father. Khut Khun's father apologized, as his hearing the Gospel message overwhelmed him to seek forgiveness with his daughter. It was after this apology and reconciliation that Khut Khun and her father reunited.

To this day, Khut Khun still has some unexplainable health issues. Though life might be difficult for her she readily shares how much happier she is knowing Jesus. Khut Khun believes life with Jesus allows her newness and refreshment. Please pray for Khut and her entire family. Pray that the seeds that were planted will flourish and grow.

Our Guest Author today is Mike Lamb, from Wessel & Company. SEAPC is independently audited on a yearly basis. In the Not-for-Profit and Public Sector industries, there are two buzzwords that you often hear in conversation: accountability and transparency. With the advances in technology over the last ten to fifteen years, the public has greater access to information of all types, but specifically financial information (i.e. guidestar.org). This access has given greater traction to the transparency of an organization’s financial position, governance structure, organizational policies and programmatic accomplishments. Since the window of transparency has been opened, it has led to greater accountability to an organization’s business partners and more importantly to its donors.From the very beginning of our relationship with SEAPC in 2012, the leadership team embraced transparency and accountability. SEAPC was experiencing considerable growth both financially and programmatically. With worldwide growth comes the challenge of managing resources and establishing centralized policies and procedures to establish a standard that can be applied to all employees and programs to faithfully execute the mission.

Our firm was tasked with conducting an annual financial audit to ensure SEAPC had appropriate financial reporting processes in place. As a byproduct of an audit, our firm also considers an organization’s internal controls over financial reporting. Internal controls are the mechanisms put in place by management to hold both the organization and individuals accountable for financial transactions. In the five years that our firm has conducted the audit, management has always demonstrated an eager willingness make improvements to their financial processes, implement best-practice recommendations and maintain a high standard for financial accountability and transparency.In 2016, SEAPC further elevated their standard for financial accountability and transparency by achieving accreditation through the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (Click here to see SEAPC's ECFA profile). ECFA has established a program “Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship” with a primary focus is financial accountability, however, the program expands its review to other key operational components.Finally, SEAPC’s proactive commitment to transparent financial reporting is further illustrated in its annual report. Their annual report is second to none. After reading this report, you know exactly who SEAPC is, its mission, the impact of its programs, who is supporting SEAPC and how funds are spent by SEAPC.To SEAPC, transparency and accountability are not buzzwords that are used in conversation, but are principles that are strictly adhered to and applied on a daily basis for the benefit of the organization and its stakeholders.

Twelve new children have arrived at Charity Children’s Home in Yangon, Myanmar – nine girls and three boys. There are two sets of two siblings in the group. Their backgrounds vary from struggling families who cannot provide to those being abused by step-fathers to those who have been cared for by grandparents for years until their grandfather died. To each of these children all things are new. They have started a new phase in their lives.

Each of them have come to a new home; a place where there are lots of other kids, beds to sleep in, hot food to eat every day, a playground to play on, a school to go to, and new people who care about them. Most of them are also hearing about Jesus for the first time.The team of caregivers and house parents, Chung Nung and Dim, do a great job helping the children to acclimate and start along their new path of success. One would think that with approximately 200 children at this campus, house parents and caregivers would not know all of them, but that is not true. They care about the children so much that they know each of them by name and many personal details about each one. It always amazes me how well they know the children. I’m sure that the daily devotion time for the staff is one of the firm foundations of their level of care.

Another thing that will be new for these 12 children is interaction with people from other countries. Most foreign people stick to regular “tourist” areas and do not get to the villages where most needy children come from. Myanmar is a country that is fairly new to being open to foreigners. These children will now have the opportunity to learn English and to learn about other cultures from people who come to visit them.Visiting Myanmar is not a hard thing to do. We encourage you to visit the children’s homes there. The children can always use the English practice and cross-cultural experience. Villages are ready and waiting for medical outreaches. People are yearning to hear the Gospel. We are sending a team to Myanmar in November to do medical outreaches in communities and to work with the children. If you are interested in potentially joining us, contact Carly Davis at carlyd@seapc.org or 412-826-9063.

To learn more about Myanmar, click here.

In 2007, SEAPC brought preschool into the Cambodian public school system and now employs thirty three full-time preschool teachers. Over the course of 10 years, these preschool classrooms have won several awards. Without the faithful daily service shown to the little ones through our amazing teachers these awards and recognition would not have been possible. Here are a few of their inspiring stories.

Meet Tann Ratna, one of the 33 full-time preschool teachers employed by SEAPC. She has been teaching for over a decade, and enjoys sharing her love of writing and math with her students. For Tann, the most rewarding aspect of teaching takes place in seeing her students learn how to write their basic letters. She greatly desires to see her former students continually further their education, even past the high school level. Tann also eagerly hopes for a growing number of preschools in the Banteay Meanchey province. Working in a rural area, Tann is aware that her job proves unusual. She shared with us that people don’t usually view preschool as necessary to a child. However, she gives thanks to SEAPC for the opportunity and is thankful for their investment in preschools throughout Banteay Meanchey. Tann is a woman of tremendous faith and it remains our joy to employ her. We believe her service to the little ones of Cambodia will offer a vehicle for change in the country.

Thou Khann has worked with SEAPC as a preschool teacher for five years. Previously, Thou was a cook for a Swiss school in the village. Her job as cook ignited a desire for teaching. Whenever she wasn’t stirring a pot of rice or cutting up vegetables, Thou helped instruct the kids alongside their studies. She cherished the opportunity at the Swiss school as it helped enforce her new trajectory as a desirous school teacher. Now Thou instructs 40students daily. It brings her joy to teach her students art and allow creative ways of learning through fun activity. Thou desires her students to grow educationally but ultimately hopes they enjoy learning. She expects to see her students flourish academically and become the change needed to influence the Cambodian generations to come.

In 2017, the first class of preschoolers will enter their final year of high school. What thanks can we render to God for His continual provision and blessing over these beautiful children! We can only hope and dream for their tremendous futures, and pray for the young children entering into their first years of preschool. Please join us in prayer for these wonderful preschool teachers as they submit themselves to the faithful work of raising up this nation’s upcoming leaders. For more information on what is happening in Cambodia, please click here.

The apostle Paul wrote these words in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”Do we ever really think that God has ordained good works for us to do? Last week a youth mission team from New Life Christian Ministries in Saxonburg, PA sent a team of 45 youth to work at an inner-city mission and soup kitchen in Arnold, PA called The Lighthouse. The Lighthouse ministers to the poor, needy and spiritually lost. The youth team cleaned and painted the main eating area and the organized the basement of the mission. The team served the Lord through good works, and the youth learned to help others that could never pay them. They did works that the Lord had ordained before they were created. He knew that someday a team would be needed to paint a soup kitchen.

How do we walk every day? Do we look for opportunities to do what God has ordained us to do, or do we look for every opportunity to avoid doing things for others? We all remember the story of the Good Samaritan and how he was the only person that stopped and helped, even after others had walked past. Let us always consider what God has ordained us to do as we go throughout our day!

As you might imagine, since starting my job at SEAPC about six months ago I’ve heard a lot of talk about Cambodia! If I’m being totally honest, my first thought was, “where’s Cambodia?” Over time, my eyes have been opened to the wonderful work and mission of SEAPC in that amazing country.In the office, I heard Matt going on about his admiration for Pastor Sinai. I heard Tina on the phone with various sponsors wanting to know how to send birthday and Christmas gifts to their kids. As a financial assistant, I saw with my own eyes, the donations pouring in for this nation. Finally, when I was assigned the task of sending out “The Journey” emails, by the man who started it all, Pastor Mark Geppert, I got the full download. This included a brief history of the civil war, an understanding of how SEAPC got involved, and the current status of what God was doing there through this organization.During the two months of email blasts, I learned the names and faces of the national missionaries and I saw Ellie’s curriculum unraveling into their hands. I saw a roomful of 500 teachers gather for training and a video of every one of them accepting Christ. I saw the near completion of the first technical center and the land where the next one would be built. I saw the open field that would soon be a new children’s home and adorable kids at another home wearing jeans that I packed. I saw the production and distribution of My Precious Book. You have no idea what it feels like to send an email out at 2:00 pm asking for the funds to print these books and receiving a call at 4:00 pm with an outrageous commitment to do just that. God is awesome! So needless to say, by the time my first trip to Cambodia rolled around, I thought I had a firm grasp on what was going on there.

Upon arriving, after a solid 24 hours of travel, I found that Cambodia was what I expected; ample amounts of greenery, brown water, muggy hot air, shacks, temples, stray dogs, and mosquitoes. Thoughts and comparisons to Haiti and Mexico flooded my head in Hubert Tutwiler’s car on the ride from the airport. Again my mind said, “I was ready for this and knew exactly what I was getting into”. That evening, we ate our first rice-filled meal and met up with Greta Schulz and the nine national missionaries. That was my first of many “these people are real” revelations. We prepared for the week, we laughed, we worshiped, and we had no clue what tomorrow would bring.Calling it “hot” would be an understatement for what we were experiencing, and “improvise” took on a brand new meaning. None of us had any teaching experience, and we were thrown to the wolves. But by the grace of God and his hand over that place, we persevered and we prevailed. Each day got easier and I was blessed by the sweetest, most respectful and fun loving children I’d ever met. Each day I saw everyone’s confidence boosted, new challenges overcome, and fears conquered. It was incredible! But most importantly, by His power, we can all be held responsible for expanding the Kingdom of Heaven. Praying with those kids through the prayer of salvation and seeing hands raised was priceless.

One morning, however, we were feeling the oppression of evil spirits at the school where we were about to teach. We were exhausted and having a Western moment of not being in the mood. Sure enough, local police showed up to check us out and some of the teachers were not ok with us praying in their classrooms. Amongst the adversity, we prayed through it because we knew God was on our side. Earlier in the week, Matt gave a devotional on Ephesians 6, so we had those words still fresh in our minds.“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”The most joyful children, and one of my most enjoyable moments, sprang forth out of that dark day. The children were so receptive to us being there. I may never see the harvest out of that in my lifetime, but relationships were formed and seeds were planted. He will do the rest.Lessons learned: Our God will always triumph. He is in control. He has a plan. We are His. Those faces are His. Cambodia belongs to Him.

Overall, my Cambodia trip was a remarkable experience. I got to see firsthand the power of God working through an anxious, determined, and excited team. Servants of the Lord gave up their creature comforts, laid it all on the line, and relied on Him. Cultures merged, hearts were moved, souls were saved, and as SEAPC’s motto so boldly states, lives really were changed through prayer!

Last week, I shared inspirational stories from a few of the national missionaries living in Cambodia. I am happy to share a few more of their powerful testimonies.

Sngon Saory studied Accounting at the university. When she was a child she had no apparent plans for her future. While she was still in grade school, her mother passed away and she went to live with her father, grandmother, and siblings. After three months of living in this new situation, her father remarried. Saory, still in grief from the loss of her mother, was deeply hurt by her father’s marital decision. She felt her father was leaving her to be with another woman. The amount of grief Saory was experiencing through the loss of her mother, and essentially her father, produced a desire to stop her studies.One day, Saory was crying and saw a picture of a road with light in front of it. This light produced hope enough to finish her studies. With no money, she never considered the possibility of furthering her education until she heard about the SEAPC scholarship. When she was accepted to the university she was thrilled to accept her admittance. Her family sometimes went without food, and to imagine someone in their family going to university was nothing short of miraculous. Amid a life of deep pain, Saory met Jesus while studying and began reading the Bible to bring her peace. When she read that Jesus would never leave or forsake her she felt much of her pain being wiped away. Saory finds great joy in being appointed as a missionary. The salary that SEAPC provides the national missionaries gives her the flexibility to help support her sister. Above all, she wants to be a good sister and have a sustainable job. She freely shares what she has and exudes happiness. In her own words, “everything I have came to me through God.”

Han Sien studied Business Management and is extremely grateful for his education. Sien is an orphan and grew up in a New Hope for Orphans home. He didn’t know God his entire life, but he is able to see God’s hand at work throughout and despite his lack of relationship with Him. Sien desires for young people to know Jesus. He looks forward to serving BC Arise and wants to encourage the youth to study hard and graduate. It is his prayer to see school buildings arise throughout the countryside and easier ways for children to get to school. Sien believes that “He (God) doesn’t care who you are, He will choose you for His family.”[bctt tweet="“He (God) doesn’t care who you are, He will choose you for His family.”- Han Sien (National Missionary in Cambodia) " username="SEAPC"]

Mong Veha studied Web Design and IT. Unlike many Cambodian youth, Veha grew up knowing about God. In 2006, he was determined to learn English. He found his opportunity at a local church. While Veha had no money to pay for these classes, he learned they were free but came with a small price. Before each class, Veha was required to attend worship. He studied for 10 months and then stopped attending. While Veha knew about God, he didn’t believe in Him until 2010. Veha accepted Jesus as His Lord and Savior, but found it difficult to follow Him. He decided to walk away from the faith for a season, but the Father never left him. While Veha was in school he began struggling with his grades. He tried to pass his final exams, but he continuously fell short and began to loose hope of continuing his education. It was during these trials that his father mentioned the SEAPC scholarship. Veha prayed before interviewing for the scholarship. His basic understanding of prayer through his short worship experience at the local church inspired a deep desire to seek God in his interview. To his surprise he was granted the scholarship to continue his studies.As a student coming from the countryside, Veha initially had trouble at the university. It was hard for him to keep up with the requirements of a city education. After a year, however, his grades picked up and he was known by everyone at the school as an outstanding student. People took notice of him and his personal life. Some of the students inquired as to why he believed in Christ. As a short answer, Veha began inviting his friends to church. Veha believes that he is a good example for the Cambodian youth because he knows about the wonderful love and mercy of God. He looks forward to sharing this with children. It is his desire to see BC changed for good. Veha also has a heart to see students in Cambodia be current with technological advances happening in the world.These national missionaries are completely on fire for the Lord. We are proud of who they are and who they are becoming. It is exciting to imagine them inspiring a movement within Cambodian youth to follow Jesus. We believe this movement of God will change the entire nation.

SEAPC provides full support for nine national missionaries. These amazing young people graduated from our high schools, received a full scholarship from SEAPC, were discipled at a Fellowship Word of Life Church, and graduated from a university in Phnom Penh. They are now the hands and feet of Banteay Meanchey Arise, which serves 488 public schools and over 130,000 students in the Banteay Meanchey province. Here are a few of their inspiring stories.

Lach Sambo studied Banking and Finance at the university. When she finished high school, she desired to continue her education, but knew that it wasn’t a possibility due to her family’s financial situation. She heard about the SEAPC scholarship and applied. In the interim, she was almost sent to Thailand to work to help her provide for her family. However, God’s provision manifested in her acceptance to the local university for continued studies. As a measure of safety and protection, her family put a red thread around her wrist before she left for school, hoping she would be watched over through this tiny symbol. Lach didn’t know Jesus until she went to the university. Now, it is her desire to see all of the Buddhist pagodas turn into churches. Lach hopes to see people in her hometown produce wealth so the coming generations can further their education.

Like Sambo, Ri Cheata also studied Banking and Finance. She didn’t grow up knowing God, but she encountered Him for the first time when she was chosen for the university scholarship from SEAPC. Ri didn't believe in Jesus, but eventually she began praying whenever she had a problem. As she learned to pray, Ri envisioned a black covering on herself and saw God pick her up out of this darkness. Ri prayed continually, and was amazed by God’s transforming and healing power. It is no surprise Ri is delighted to be a missionary to the people of Cambodia. It is her desire to share the love and peace of God with children.

Heng Savary studied Economic Agriculture and Rural Development. She is a little bit on the shy side, but her face lit up when she shared about the scholarship and how she met God while studying. In her own words, “He is the one and only Savior for me.” Savry loves that God has enough love and mercy to share with everyone and it is her desire to share this love with the youth.

Thy Sreyda grew up in a poor family and her family commuted to Thailand for work. In Cambodia, many families are separated in order to make ends meet financially. Parents or siblings travel to Thailand to find work to provide for their families. Children are left with relatives to attend school for a period, but they often work after school or are eventually sent to Thailand themselves. Thy studied Economic Agriculture and Rural Development. While at school, she began to read the Bible and pray. With tears in her eyes, she shared with me of God’s teachings about love. Whenever she was sad, she heard him say, “You're still with me, I love you child." Sreyda loves the Lord. A true evangelist, she desires to see all the people in Cambodia come to know God through her story and life. She also desires to see resources flow freely. The scholarship offered by SEAPC drastically altered the course of her life. In her own words, "I thank God that He has me and that He provides all of the living, loving, and joy. Allowing me to study at the university was amazing. I was unsaved but he saved me. I was so happy to know about God, because a lot of people don't know Him and are far from Him, but I get to be happy because I know Him." Sreyda’s continued service within Banteay Meanchey will be one of excitement and joy.Read Part 2 here...

November 10, 2012 was my first time in Myanmar with our friends at Charity Children’s Home in Yangon. We pulled off the main road and onto a short, dusty, bumpy road with a large metal gate at the end. The gate opened up to the Charity Children’s home campus that includes Pastor James’ house, separate boys and girls dormitories, a nurses station, a covered pavilion for tutoring and athletic activities, a cafeteria, a tea hut, a bible college, a church, and a dormitory for bible school students. The entire campus has around 300 people living on it, including orphaned and abandoned children and bible school students.There was a commotion outside of our car as we pulled up to the boys’ dormitory, around seven people standing in a circle looking very distraught. We got out of the car and Pastor Mark asked Pastor James what was going on. Pastor James replied that they haven’t had water from their well for two weeks and have been drilling in multiple locations around the campus to find water but had yet to find it. The water from the well provides all of their drinking water and water for bathing as well as watering their small vegetable farm. Pastor James had to purchase water daily to meet all of the needs of the home, which was becoming very expensive.Pastor Mark, always one to move in boldness as the Lord leads, stepped up and asked that we come together and pray at the spot where they were digging, believing that water would flow. You could hear the mumblings from the workers, knowing that they had drilled and nothing came from their labor. We prayed and believed for the miracle, then left for a prayer meeting with the staff. After the meeting concluded, we stepped outside and there was a buzz. There was water coming out of the same spot that had been dry just a few hours before.In 2016, just four short years since that day, they constructed a small building to house a company that bottles the water from that well. Today, the water from the well is rated the best in the whole township and is being sold to hotels and restaurants. This company employs young men and women who have graduated from high school and who lived in the children’s home. This well also provides an abundance of water to the home.As 2017 kicks off, my prayer is that I never forget the miracles that the Lord has done. I thank God every day for the opportunity I have to walk in faith and see how the Lord works.