While it may feel like our world has turned completely upside down with COVID-19, racial tensions, political unrest, joblessness, and many other things, there are foundational truths that have not – and will never – change. Jesus is Lord over all. God is the author and creator of all things. God is in control. The enemy will never win. These are the things we must hold on to as we walk through current events day to day.
As we’ve been going and continue to go through the effects of COVID-19 and everything else, it has brought us challenges that we have never faced, as well as exaggerated the existing challenges. These challenges have brought us to the place that we always desired and worked toward: the place of developing sustainability within nations, especially in Cambodia.
For Cambodia, we feel that the time is now.
We have tried things in the past. It’s not that we haven’t. There have been chicken farms, regular farms, plans written for businesses, trainings from small business educators—but nothing had really stuck. In other words, the timing was not quite right. Some small individual endeavors at various homes have worked to provide for a special meal or smaller need, but nothing large scale has succeeded to give a foundation in sustainability.
Now, after years of raising, educating, and discipling, there are more young people within Cambodia than ever who are able to develop and sustain some sort of business in Cambodia that will provide for ministry needs. They come from both NHO and Banteay Meanchey Arise. They have attended our schools and lived in our homes. They know first-hand how the ministries they are a part of change lives, and what needs to happen so that more young people like them can have opportunities for better lives. They have the education for high level skills and the knowledge of culture and limitations to be able to creatively work through difficulties.
Overall, we have been abundantly blessed to see that the effect of joblessness and financial downturn has not been too much on child sponsorship and providing for the needs of the children. There have been some losses and temporary adjustments, but the vast majority of our sponsors have stayed firm. Not only have they stayed firm, but quite a few have given extra to help with the increased costs of necessities in Cambodia due to COVID-19. In addition, we have added some new sponsors. We have actually been sending more to Cambodia in 2020 for providing for the needs of the homes than we have been in previous years. However, one area that has always struggled is staff salaries for both NHO and BC Arise. As the ministries grow, the number of staff must increase with them. In addition, salaries for current staff need to increase to meet the increased cost of living in Cambodia. It has been difficult to meet those needs.
In talking with our friends, we are of the same heart and mind. Over the past couple of months, we have gathered via the internet with leaders in NHO and BC Arise. Ideas have been presented and initial business plans developed. The young leaders are excited about this opportunity to bring the ministries to a new level of operating and serving within Cambodia and abroad. They are taking their knowledge, skills, and experience and putting them together for the common goal of developing a business (or businesses) that will be making enough profit by July 2021 to provide fully for competitive salaries for all staff within BC Arise and NHO, provide a percentage toward all future construction for both ministries, and to be able to bless ministries in other nations.
That is just the starting point from which to grow. The ultimate goal is for the ministries to be so sustainable that nothing that happens can place the ministries at risk. In a world that seems to be becoming increasingly unstable, to have businesses within the nation that are providing for the ministries in the nation is a very wise action.
Right now, the team is looking into hydroponics and a print shop to start. The team is so excited that they quickly put together a small experiment in hydroponics to check it out. They have spent hours taking their knowledge from their various university degrees and researching on the internet to make decisions on many different things. To put it mildly, “they are pumped!” Other potential business ideas include technology repair, data management, and electricity. Variation in business is best for long-term goals.
On the SEAPC side, the team has been talking with various business leaders from around the world. A team is coming together to walk alongside the team to help start and grow the businesses. This brings together their excitement, youth, and knowledge together with experience and further knowledge to create the best situation possible.
We are excited and encouraged by this sustainability venture. Although the world may say that it is not the right time to start businesses, God’s kingdom says that the right time is when He says so. We feel that He is leading us into this time.
Please pray for the leadership team in Cambodia – Pastor Sinai, Oudom, Veha, and Sokhom—as they lead this venture, which will ultimately affect thousands of lives.
