NEWS FLASHES

CAMBODIA: ‘I’M GLAD I WAS BORN IN A SLUM’ “I’m glad I was born in a slum.” When Suchada Nantavong speaks the claim, her smile stretches from ear to ear - and those around her are shocked. She continues, “Because of this, God has given me understanding to be able to work in the slums in Phnom Penh.” Most people who are in slums are desperate to get out, and Nanta-vong was one who succeeded in doing just that. However, she chose to go back. This time with Jesus’ Heart, Hands and Love. She pours His love out in the biggest slum in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The story began when Suchada was about 11 years old and her family first heard of Jesus through the evangelism of YWAM Thailand’s Slum Ministries. She was given a scholarship, skills and a way to make a small income through the Mercy Ministries of Project L.I.F.E.’s Child Sponsorship Program and Hope Cards. After being so blessed, she decided it was time to give back. God sparked a burden in her heart for the slums in Phnom Penh. She went to join YWAM Phnom Penh as a full-time volunteer with a one-way ticket and $67 in her pocket. Now she is addressing basic health-care needs and helping to hold church services for between 100-120 people (made up mostly of children) each week. When their vehicle arrives the children run exclaiming, “Jesus is here! Jesus is here!” If a woman, born in a slum, now declares she is grateful that she was born there, if she can see God’s good in what the world dismisses as bad, what continued transformation does God have in store for the lives of many more like her? [Source: Suchada Nantavong, YWAM, Joel News International 813]. PHILIPPINES: FILM LEADS POLICE OFFICERS TO CHRIST “Courageous”, a movie about a police officer who commits his life to Christ and to being a better father, following the sudden death of his daughter, had a large impact on men across the United States. In six weeks’ time the movie ended up being No. 1 in all of North America for box office sales, promoting it to law enforcement communities, and leading to 20 follow-up Bible Studies. In the Philippines the response was even better. “We showed the film to about 4 000 officers and saw nearly 1 000 come forward to receive Christ as Lord and Saviour in response to the film,” reports Rob Carter of Jaron Ministries, a discipleship ministry to Christian law enforcement officers. Local churches are now providing follow-up care to these new believers. There are also plans to take the movie to every law enforcement headquarters and show it to their Department. [Source: Rob Carter, Jaron Ministries, Joel News International 812].