One Short Life

My grandmom, Jane, began writing One Short Life many years ago and finished only days before the Lord took her home in September 2013.  The stories and testimonies included in the book have been formative, as early as elementary school, in fueling my passion for becoming a missionary.

One Short Life is the story of my aunt, Jewel, who went to a remote area of Africa at 7-months-old with her missionary parents (Harvey & Jane) in 1954. They began to learn the Yalunka language and culture while adapting to life under a grass roof. It was a time that later helped birth Jewel’s own call to the mission field – a call, however, like that of her parents' missionary service, that was tragically cut short. But it is most of all a story of how faith in the providence of a loving God, hope for an eternity with loved ones, and love for God and others can overcome disappointment, loss and grief.

One Short Life is selling on Amazon for only $8.98!  Grandmom wanted all proceeds from her book sales to support world missions. However, our family felt that the book should be sold as close to cost as the publisher allows, thus allowing it to be accessible to more people. Our hope is that each reader will be inspired to financially support and pray for world missions.  Read more here.

I would love to give away one or two copies to readers who will, upon completion of the book, promote it!  If you are interested and willing to do this, please e-mail me.

To peak your interest, I've attached some pictures from the stories included in the book.  See more at oneshortlifebook.com.
Picture 1: Aunt Jewel on The Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (the boat they took from New York to London)
Picture 2: Aunt Jewel reading books to beloved pet monkey, Sammy
Picture 3: Granddad and Grandmom's mud and thatch roof home in Ganya, Sierra Leone
Picture 4: The view from the front porch
Picture 5: Granddad leading a Christmas service in town
Picture 6: Daily life: five Africans at work
Picture 7: Mom and Bokari in 1956
Picture 8: Mom and Bokari reunited in 1983

Granddad, Grandmom, Aunt Jewel, Mom (Joy), and Uncle Andy

I am endlessly grateful for the rich Christian heritage evidenced in this book and so thankful for Grandmom's dedication to write this story.  Thank you also to Uncle Andy, Aunt Nancy, and Kevin for the many hours they have spent in fulfilling our promise to Grandmom to publish her story.

I hope you'll read it and be inspired!

To see Christ glorified in Cambodia,

Titus, Jewel, Sophear, & Little Man

Khmer New Year with Cambodians in Ohio!

Two weeks ago, we learned that there is a large Cambodian population in Columbus, Ohio - less than three hours from us!  While I wish we had known this four years ago (if you knew and didn't tell us, shame on you! haha), we're grateful that God has finally brought these people into our lives this month and we're anxious to see how these relationships develop.

Pastors Chenda and Phal preaching

We spent the last two Sundays worshiping, sharing, and fellowshiping with two Cambodian congregations in Columbus, Ohio.  Titus has this testimony to share about the experience:

               What a blessing for the past two Sundays to attend the worship services with my fellow Cambodian Christians in Columbus, Ohio. The tears of joy and emotions of happiness were overflowed inside my heart when I saw my own people worshiping and serving the Lord God Almighty wholeheartedly in this foreign country. I got to share my heart for our ministries in Cambodia.
             My heart was filled with emotion because of their lives during the Khmer Rouge and in the refugee camps and in United States. Each one of them had lost most of their family members and relatives during the civil war in Cambodia.
But they also confessed that God has a bigger plan for Cambodia. I thought I have been through a lot of things (good and bad) for the past 4.5 years in the soil of America but after hearing their stories, I was humbled! Not just humbled, very humbled!

On April 10 and 17, we attended services at both congregations and enjoyed meals and fellowship with the pastors, their families, and other church members.  We were asked to share about our story (how we met and how Titus came to the States) and our ministry in Cambodia.  We were asked to pray over the sick.  We were prayed over.

Titus praying for healing

As we shared in our last post, Khmer New Year (Cambodia's biggest holiday) was April 14-16.  On April 17, Cambodian American Christian Fellowship (where we attend the morning service) had a Khmer New Year picnic following the service.

The picnic was a great opportunity to have fellowship with the church congregation and many others who attended.  There was a large buffet of Cambodian food as well as hamburgers and hot dogs.  Children and adults played traditional Khmer New Year games, including: tug of war, sack races, various relay races, and a watermelon eating contest.

Sophear was among the youngest to participate in an Easter egg hunt.  She found 17 eggs and while everyone else had quit, she was determined to cover every inch of the neighboring field to ensure no eggs were left behind!

Some of the traditional Cambodian food, including homemade donuts

The Egg Hunt and The Most Determined Hunter

The Children's Sack Race

Men vs. Women in Tug of War

Following the first service and Khmer New Year's picnic at Cambodian American Christian Fellowship, we visited Cambodian United Methodist Mission Fellowship only a few minutes away.  After the 3:00 service there, we had a time of fellowship and more Cambodian food at Pastor Phal's home with his family.

• Thank you for praying for Pastor Chenda and Pastor Phal and the congregations at Cambodian American Christian Fellowship and Cambodian United Methodist Mission Fellowship.
• Pray that both churches can develop a culture that is welcoming and desirable to all generations.
• Pray that God will bless the ministry of Pastors Chenda and Phal and that more Cambodian-Americans in Ohio will discover the Good News that is the life and message of Jesus Christ!

To see Christ glorified in Cambodia (and Ohio!),

Titus, Jewel, Sophear, & Little Man

Khmer New Year and DOUBLED GIFTS!!

In recognition of a very special Cambodian holiday, a donor has promised to match all new financial gifts that we receive from April 14-30.  Would you consider giving to support our ministry in Cambodia?  Click on the give button below or visit wgm.org/romdenh to make a monthly commitment or give a one-time gift.  Every dollar up to $2,500 will be matched!!!!

Khmer New Year or "Choul chnam thmey" in the Khmer language (literally "Enter New Year") is the name of the Cambodian holiday that celebrates the new year. The holiday lasts for three days and usually begins on April 13th or 14th, which is the end of the harvesting season, when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labor before the rainy season begins.

Traditional Khmer dancers performing for the monks

Khmer New Year is a special family holiday and everyone typically travels to their home town to celebrate with family.  Schools and business are closed.  Khmer New Year is also a celebration of Buddha's birthday and many people, even those who are not devout Buddhists, visit the pagodas (Buddhist temples or "wats").  At the pagodas, people present food offerings to the monks, who in turn give a blessing (luck and fortune for the coming year) to the people.  People participate in sharing food with each other and playing cultural games.  In anticipation of the holiday, people always thoroughly clean their homes and wear their nicest clothes.  Children give money to their parents and grandparents.  Even though it is a Buddhist holiday, Christians still travel home to spend the extended holiday with family.


Traditional Cambodian games on Khmer New Year

Khmer New Year is a significant holiday for many Cambodians, not only because of it's strong traditional, cultural, and religious ties, but for the same reason that most Americans appreciate our New Year.  Khmer New Year is the start of a new year!  "Some people have believed that for a period of one year the people always face the problems like diseases or serious obstacles to make them unhappy," one blogger writes.  "Choul chnam thmey" in the Khmer language (literally "Enter New Year") comes with new an exciting opportunities for a better year, for a better life, and for a better self.

Would you consider supporting our ministry to bring Hope, Life, and Good News to the Cambodian people?  Every new dollar (up to $2,500) that we receive from April 14-30 will be matched by a generous supporter!

Pledging is a commitment that a supporter makes to give a certain amount of money to our ministry on a regular basis. Some of you are already giving -- thank you for being obedient to the call God has laid on your hearts to be a part of our ministry!!  If you are interested in becoming a financial partner, here are the easiest ways to join our team:

1. Go to wgm.org/romdenh and fill out the form for a recurring donation. 
2. Request a prayer card from us, fill out the detachable post card, and mail it back to World Gospel Mission.

You can start your donations today, or you can indicate when you would like to begin your contributions. Since our goal is to be back in Cambodia by March 2017, you could pledge today to begin your regular support at the beginning of the New Year.  Regardless of when you can begin your financial support, or how large or small your pledge is, the pledge is a blessing! We cannot return to Cambodia until 100% of our monthly support is pledged.

If you have any questions, call us, text us, Facebook us, or e-mail us at titus.romdenh@wgm.org. 

To see Christ glorified in Cambodia,

Titus, Jewel, Sophear, & Little Man