親愛的主內弟兄姊妹們，平安：
我們在加拿大向您們問候！春天終於來了，可以享受比較溫暖的天氣。
4月14日至16日是柬埔寨的新年假期。這三天柬埔寨特別熱鬧，是很隆重的傳統節日。
柬埔寨新年的第一天稱為「宋干節」，是守歲之日，意謂結束舊年。他們會在神像和佛像前擺放香燭及貢品，跪拜神靈。當天早上要洗臉、中午洗身、晚上洗腳，這樣做就可以在新的一年有好的運氣。新年的第二天稱為「辭歲」，他們會將食物和衣物送給家人和恩人，或是施捨給窮人、傭人，並到寺廟拜祭祖先。第三天稱為「新歲」，僧人們在這一天舉行隆重的浴佛儀式，並給佛像灑上象徵幸福的香水，祈求國泰民安。
柬埔寨的新年與基督教復活節的日子很接近。但願聖靈在柬埔寨人心中動工，使他們知道耶穌是通向神的唯一道路。耶穌是完全的神和人，祂沒有罪，因此祂可以成為我們的代罪羔羊！
求基督耶穌施恩給活石堂眾信徒有復活的盼望，可以在他們未信的親友中成為福音使者，讓親友們能認識耶穌並接受祂為救主。
非常感謝您們支持活石堂和新光幼兒園的事工。請繼續讚美神並為我們的需要禱告：
感恩事項：
- 大兒子思義已找到工作。兒婦小鳳在下個月轉換工作時間為下午2點至11點。
- 波拿傳道的兒子約瑟左腿踝骨好了很多，可以駕駛電單車。
- 活石堂在復活節主日舉行愛筵，有多人參加。祈禱他們繼續返教會敬拜神。
代禱事項：
- 請為活石堂的會友祈禱，叫他們能在柬埔寨新年期間堅強地面對屬靈的黑暗勢力。
- 祈求高姊妹有智慧和洞察力，帶領活石堂和新光幼稚園。
- 為我們的精神和身體健康祈禱，讓我們可以繼續在加拿大和活石堂的同工一起服侍神。
多謝您們的代禱！
主內
約瑟，月甜上
Dear family, brothers and sisters in Christ,
Greetings from Canada! Spring has finally arrived. We are enjoying the warmer weather.
Khmer new year falls on April 14-16 this year. This is the most joyous festival for Cambodians. On the first day the people offer gifts and incense before their gods or Buddha. They wash their face in the morning, at noon they take a bath and wash their feet at night in order to gain good luck. On the second day they give gifts of food and clothing to their family members, as well as to the needy. They also go to the temples to worship their ancestors. On the third day the monks clean the Buddha statue and sprinkle perfume over them before praying for prosperity and safety of the nation.
The Khmer new year almost coincides with our Christian Easter celebration. May the Holy Spirit work in the people’s hearts to know Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus is fully God and Man who has no sin so that He can be the sacrifice for our transgressions!
Let’s have hope in our resurrected Christ who will never leave us nor forsake us once we accept Him as our Savior!
Thank you so much for supporting our ministry in Living Stone Church and Sonlight Kindergarten. Please continue to praise God and pray for our needs.
Praise items:
- There was a love feast for the Living Stone Church on Sunday before the new year holiday. Many people attended. May they continue to come to worship God and fellowship with other believers.
- The ankle of Joseph, the elder son of our staff, Phalla and Savy has healed nicely. He has been able to ride his motorbike for 2 weeks.
- Our elder son started work on April 4th after 2 years staying at home to look after the 4 children. His wife is a part time nurse that she can change to a shift from 2-11 pm.
Prayer requests:
- Please pray for the members of Living Stone Church that they can stand strong after the spiritual dark forces during the Khmer new year.
- Pray for Angel Gao to have wisdom and discernment in leading the church and kindergarten in Phnom Penh.
- Pray for our spiritual and physical wellness so that we can continue to serve our God here in Canada and with the staff of Living Stone Church.
Thank you for praying. Keep in touch and share your prayer requests so that we can bring your needs to God.
In His name,
Joseph and Liza Ng