“God, I pray in your name if I’mthe one that you choose for your glory, please help me to pass the interview.”
This was the prayer of a youngCambodian man named Veha Morng, moments before his interview for a scholarshipwith SEAPC eight years ago. Pastor Mark Geppert and SEAPC had partnered with aparticular high school in Rongkor village, a blip on the map in the province ofBanteay Meanchey, Cambodia. SEAPC was offering ten fully paid universityscholarships to Rongkor high school graduates. Veha, one of those selected ten,is now 26 years old, married to his beautiful wife Saury who was also one ofthe scholarship recipients, and is now fully leading the team in the BanteayMeanchey Arise initiative that is rocking the nation.
At the time that prayer crossedhis lips, Veha had already been given the opportunity to learn about Jesus, butwas not yet fully committed. That sincere prayer in a moment of need and panichas set the course for his life. Veha left his small village to attenduniversity in the capital city Phnom Penh, teeming with over 2 million people. Hefully committed to being a follower of Jesus and spent the next four yearsstudying computer science, web design and English, graduating with honors atthe top of his class. Veha was elected by his teammates to be the house leader,or the equivalent of a resident assistant, to help bring order and support todaily life. This small leadership role carried over after graduation and theirreturn to Banteay Meanchey, where the team had committed to work with SEAPC forthe following four years. Veha began to act as liaison, helper, andadministrator as the team and the ministry grew.
By February of 2019, Veha wasfully set in position as the leader of Banteay Meanchey Arise. He is not onlydriven and talented, but a deep thinker, a responsible steward, and a man ofprayer. I asked him how he feels he has changed in the past year. “Most of thelessons I’ve learned are from my mistakes,” he laughs. This is nearly animpossible lesson to learn in Asian culture, where “saving face” is highlyvalued and mistakes are regarded as embarrassments and weaknesses. The growingpains in this first year of full leadership have been very real, sometimessending Veha spiraling into frustration and despair. But Veha has learnedprayer is the root of everything.
“When we worship, we are liftedabove the earthly perspective, and all our focus is on the one in heaven on thethrone,” he teaches the team during our weekly Friday prayer meetings. He leadsthe team in prayer, worship, and intercession for the province, and the sweetpresence of God is palpable in the room as the team members raise their handsin worship. The initiative of Banteay Meanchey Arise should be impossible byall worldly standards. Taking ten young people from their village and raisingthem up to be leaders across nine districts and a population of 700,000scattered across agriculture lands and rice fields should be considered crazy.But, it’s not.
Currently Banteay Meanchey Ariseconsists of the Water Drop program, which is teaching English and biblicalprinciples to 300 students and teachers across 8 rural locations. It alsoincludes fulfilling the dream of a technical center in each of the ninedistricts. Five buildings have already been built and number six will open thiscoming March. Computer classes are in full swing for students and teachers inPreah Netr Preah district, and nursing and manufacturing classes begin thisweek. Music classes are being established in different locations, and theproduction of lemongrass oil is within reach this year as the needed materialscome in.
Our team has grown from 10 to22. Some work as English teachers, others work as translators or officehelpers. All participate in English and discipleship classes, and are beingtrained as Christ-centered leaders for the nation.
“What’s next?” I ask Veha. Hetaps his pen against his notebook. “Find ways to be self-sustainable,” heresponds. He has dreams of using media and YouTube channels to generate revenueto keep the ministry going, as well as the lemongrass manufacturing. “To haveour first tech center completely up and running, and open the next one by theend of the year,” he adds. “And for you, personally?” I ask. He grins. “I wantto go back to school,” he responds. Veha is hoping to enroll in a master’sprogram on the weekends to earn his MBA while still leading the BanteayMeanchey team. It is his dream to continue his education and eventually openhis own private school back in his hometown. “I want to see Banteay MeancheyArise,” he tells me, and I believe him.
Please keep Veha in yourprayers, as well as the rest of the team and the initiatives taking place herein Cambodia. The impossible is happening every day, and we are thankful forVeha’s heart and passion at the forefront of it all. Together, we will see thevision from over 20 years ago come to pass: that “out of the killing fields andmine fields a generation will arise that is Christ-centered, bible-based,holy-spirit filled, and academically excellent who are witnesses to theresurrection power of Jesus Christ in the village, the province, the nation,and all of ASEAN.”