The Groth Report

April 2008

From the Word

You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breath. Everyday was recorded in your book. Psalm 139:16

Happy New Year!! No, we are not overcome with the heat. Cambodia is one of the places in the world that you can celebrate the New Year three times. You can celebrate the New Year in the Western way on January 1. You can celebrate Chinese New Year!! Now April 13-15 we are celebrating Khmer New Year. We are told that Buddhists here believe that the angel of the old year leaves, and the angel of the New Year arrives. Families put together gifts and go to the pagoda in the belief that they can gain the favor of the New Year angel and have good luck for the year.

How different is our destiny. It is not determined by the whim of a new angel. We do not have to try to gain favor to have “good luck.” Our gracious God gives us a new slate everyday. Everyday we are forgiven not because of the offerings we bring but because of the offering of Himself that our Savior Jesus Christ made. Our God know us from all eternity. He has made His gracious plan of salvation for us and given us a new life for all eternity. So Happy New Year!! Happy New Day!! Happy New life in Him!!!

Current Events

The verse above was copied as I observed in a Christian School called New Life. It was great seeing all these young teachers teach. I was looking for methodology so the principal wisely scheduled me to observe math classes. Since I do know Khmer numbers I could follow the lessons and observe the teaching methods that were used. I spent lunchtime with the principal, and we planned the in-service that would result from my observations. I got a chance to interact with the children at recess. Yes, I can still play “Farmer in the Dell.” I got many hugs and hand pats and a final kiss good-bye. I thank God that this was one of the days He “scheduled” for me.

The middle of March saw Chuck and me in Thailand for a Concordia Welfare and Education Foundation (CWEF) teaching retreat. This is our human care partner, and we now have a branch in Cambodia. Chuck did a devotion. I was involved in the teaching of participatory methodology. It was great to work with partners from Thailand, and China to share better ways to get people involved in the learning process. Thank God for these days that He “scheduled” for us.

Chuck has spent an amazing amount of time keeping our financial reports straight. This is all part of us being here and being accountable to LCMS at large. He has been able to work with some of the Christian leaders in the Sihanoukville area on Sunday texts. Friday’s session brought interesting information that most churches here do not celebrate Easter. Now to us this is the pinnacle Christian Holiday. The resurrection of Jesus is a very important day in our life of faith. What a good time to discuss the importance of this and encourage the leaders to put more emphasis on resurrection theology. Yes, we know how important this day of teaching was in God’s Book.

We are preparing for days of April 21-25^th as teaching days for our leaders as we work together again in Battambang. This time the topic will be Lutheran Worship. We will also be planning activities with Pastor Kosal for the next year. The emphasis is on upgrading the English School, getting our health educators more involved, and encouraging more of Lutheran worship and expanding the women’s ministry that the “Peace Team” from the US introduced. Sounds like busy days, but we know that the Lord will guide the “schedule.”

Finally we were privileged to have a “scheduled vacation.” It was great to travel and see sites in Australia and recognize the awesomeness of our creator God.

We’d love to hear what God has been doing in your days. What New Day blessings has He brought you? What plans has He been unveiling in your life? How has His schedule been in your life?

With thanks to the Ancient of Days,

Chuck and Jeanette Groth

Thanks to God for Prayers Answered

Safe travel

Good News from the family of Kristyn’s fiancée about his mother’s health

Good health for us

Good Rest and Relaxation time

Continue to Pray for:

Blessings on the continued plans for Mark and Kristyn’s wedding in July

Speed in bringing Jason and Cara’s Chinese child home to the US

Safe travels

Guidance as we plan for next year and God’s work here in Cambodia