Sophear and Chamnab: One year later!

October 2017

We arrived in Cambodia near midnight on October 14, 2017.  We came with ideas and expectations and a calling to a specific ministry, and life doesn't look like we thought it would, but we are thriving, most days are healthy and encouraging, and God has brought us into ministries and relationships where we are being used to speak Jesus' name, share God's love, and disciple young Christians.

October 2018

We praise God for how He has taken care of us - He has taken care of us with protection and health, encouragement and thriving spirits, and with new and old friendships.  He has also put us in places and positions where we have had opportunities to share His love, speak His name, and walk beside new Christians, mature Christians, and non-Christians.  Thank you, Cambodia, for accepting and loving our family! Thank you, America, for supporting and loving our family!

 

The kids have changed a lot since we left, so I'll start with an introduction to 4.5-year-old Sophear and 2-year-old Chamnab.  And tomorrow I'll post a blog of highlights from October 2017 - October 2018!

Sophear is musical, artistic, and creative.  She refuses to wear anything that isn't a dress or skirt and can only be convinced to wear shorts when we're going to the playground.  She's still never had a haircut, but loves going to the salon to have her nails painted for $2.  She does chores for 100riel (2.5 cents), which she generously tithes and shares with company, but occasionally saves for candy or toys.  She spends a lot of time drawing and coloring and in creative or imaginary play.  She's learned how to ride a bike here and loves feeding leaves to the bunnies downstairs.  Although she's learned a lot of Khmer language in one year, including three songs, she's still shy around others who do not speak English with her.  Despite this, her sweet, Princess composure has won the hearts of many around her.  She often says, "When I'm in Cambodia, I miss Gas City.  But when we go to Gas City, I will miss Cambodia."

Chamnab - I look at the top picture taken when we had just arrived and I can hardly believe that we brought a chunky, toddling baby who is now a growing and talkative jumping bean with a big, funny personality.  Chamnab is finally sleeping really, really well!  He loves playing with blocks and cars as well as Barbies, Shopkins, etc., but really he spends most of his time jumping and climbing and riding his little toy car and bike (which he calls "moto") around the house.  He loves playing the drum set at church and he often helps himself to chopsticks from our silverware drawer at home, drumming on anything he pleases.  A month ago, he swallowed a coin and had emergency surgery and an overnight hospital stay to remove the Albanian coin stuck in his esophagus.  He was only saying a few words when he moved to Cambodia at 13-months old, but he's a very talkative (and polite!) little boy now!

Sophear and Chamnab are wonderful playmates who greet each other lovingly and enthusiastically every morning, but they are also rivals at times!  Both children love riding on the moto (motorcycle) and playing in the dirt when we're able to leave the concrete jungle of Phnom Penh.

Praise God!
- For protecting Chamnab when he swallowed the coin and had emergency surgery.
- For protecting Sophear when she was hit by a moto while crossing the street (in June).
- For continued health!  Neither of our children have faced much illness since we arrived in Cambodia!
- For the friendships that our children have made with others and with each other, and for the friendships that we have made because our children are friendly!

Chamnab wants to read "Go Dog, Go!" at least 3 times each day!

How you can pray for our children:
- Pray for safety and protection over Sophear and Chamnab!
- Pray that they continue to pick up the Khmer language!
- Pray that the Lord will continue to give us wisdom and grace as we raise, teach, and disciple our children to be people of love, kindness, generosity, and Christlikeness!

We are also praying that, before 2018 ends, Sophear will ask Jesus into her heart.  She often approaches us with really good questions while or after reading a book, hearing a conversation, etc., so we know she's thinking and processing, and we feel she's almost ready!
- Pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to prepare her heart!
- Pray that God would help us to teach her and answer her questions!
- Pray that He would help Sophear to understand and convince her of the Truth!

Families that slide together, stay together!

Thank you for loving our family and loving our children!  Every night before bed, I pray with each child individually - "Thank you for all the people that Sophear loves, and for all the people that love her, and especially for the people that remember to pray for her!"

Taking turns feeding Baby Panun

To see Christ glorified in Cambodia,

Titus, Jewel, Sophear, & Chamnab

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

Sophear's Heart - Praise God!

When Sophear was dedicated at 12-days-old, we chose the following verse for her.  I'm amazed at how appropriate it has already become in her short two years of life!

But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart;
consider what great things he has done for you.

(1 Samuel 12:24)

7am; ready for surgery

Thank you to the many of you who prayed for our little family last week! We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the support and concern that we have been shown. I asked my friends on Facebook where they are praying from - the forty-something who responded represent fifteen states and twelve countries including: Bolivia, Canada, Haiti, Cambodia, Kenya, Mozambique, Hungary, Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, Australia, Albania, and Japan!  When I couldn't find the words to pray, I was comforted to know how many people were praying for the three of us, as well as Dr. Kumar, the anesthesiologist, nurses, and hospital staff.

Sophear, Mommy, and Dr. Bunny Rabbit preparing for anesthesia

We tried to prepare her for the surgery, separation, and hospitalization.  On Tuesday night, we took her to Build-A-Bear workshop.  We paid a little extra to give her Dr. Bunny a heartbeat and explained to her that just like she put a new heart in her bunny, the doctor was going to put a new heart in her while she was sleeping (okay, that isn't quite what happened, but it's the best I could come up with!) and she would feel better (or "better better better!" as Sophear likes to say).
 
The surgery on March 16th went well. The hole was larger than anticipated and the doctor affirmed that we made the right decision to move ahead with surgery and not delay.  The doctor inserted a "metal mesh" and he said it will take six months to build up a strong enough blood clot in the hole to prevent the mesh from sliding out.  He took before and after pictures, but technology failed so he wasn't able to show us.

Sophear watching Mickey Mouse Club House in recovery
(Olaf was a gift from her post-op nurse)

The surgery lasted about three hours and I was able to see Sophear in post-op (recovery) within 30 minutes.  The space was very small - with post-op patients (kids) on either side of Sophear's bed - but the staff finally permitted Titus to join us about 30 minutes later.

The next four hours were emotionally exhausting.

Sophear was uncomfortable and anxious.  She hated the IV.  She wanted to be held, but we were instructed to not let her move her legs for three hours.  Her face was pale and swollen.  Her voice was hoarse.  Apple juice, goldfish crackers, the Disney Channel, her dolls and toys helped, but three hours passed very slowly.

The nursing staff was incredible.  I do not know how to effectively or sufficiently thank them for their every effort to make all three of us more comfortable.

Sophear was excited to have a blue bed!
We were excited that she drank four sippy cups in five hours and they could stop her IV fluids! 

With the exception of blood pressure tests and changing the dressing on her wound, Sophear was an incredible patient! Even at midnight and 3am, she actively engaged in "helping" take her temperature and holding the stethoscope (a word Sophear and Daddy are both still practicing).  She called everyone in uniform "doctor" including: nurses, lab techs, transporters, etc.  She loved sitting in the bed with Mommy and going on rides through the hospital, waving and saying "Hi doctor!" at everyone we passed!  She won the hearts of many at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital - a blessing for our own hurting hearts.

Five days later, we are very thankful to be so far "on the other side" of healing.  Sophear's x-rays and echo cardiogram show evidence that the hole is already closing.  Dr. Kumer wants to do follow-up in two months.  She will take a daily children's Aspirin for six months, but should be back to herself very soon!

On Sunday night, Sophear helped Mommy make a blue cake to announce that she's going to have a baby brother!

We are very grateful for God's favor on Sophear and her recovery.  We praise Him for how He is taking care of us while we take care of Sophear.  I cannot imagine the heart ache of going through something like this without promises like:
He is Healer (Psalm 30:2)
He is Father (Isaiah 64:8)
He is sufficient (Isaiah 40:29-31; 41:10)
He is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10)
He has plans to prosper and not to harm (Jeremiah 29:11)

In our family, St. Patrick's Day will always be a day to celebrate life, healing, and prayer!

Palm Sunday

With thankful hearts,
Titus, Jewel, & Sophear

Sophear's Heart

Like many other babies, our girl was born with a hole in her heart called a PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus). Unlike most of those other babies, Sophear's hole has never closed.  At ten-months-old, on Christmas Eve 2014, Sophear had her first visit to a children's hospital and to a pediatric cardiologist.  We were scared.  We are still scared.

The heart is an important organ.  And Sophear is a little girl.

The ductus arteriosus is an artery connecting the main body artery (aorta) and the main lung artery (pulmonary artery). The ductus allows blood to detour away from the lungs before birth.  After birth, the opening is no longer needed and it usually closes within the first few days of life outside the womb.  Sophear's ductus never closed.

The human heart has four chambers: two upper chambers (the atria) and two lower ones (the ventricles). The right atrium and right ventricle together make up the "right heart," and the left atrium and left ventricle make up the "left heart."

The heart circulates blood through two pathways: the pulmonary circuit and the systemic circuit. In the pulmonary circuit, deoxygenated blood leaves the right ventricle of the heart via the pulmonary artery and travels to the lungs, then returns as oxygenated blood to the left atrium of the heart via the pulmonary vein.

In a child with PDA, extra blood gets pumped from the body artery (aorta) into the lung (pulmonary) arteries. If the PDA is large, the extra blood being pumped into the lung arteries makes the heart and lungs work harder.  As a result, the walls of Sophear's heart are growing thicker, with the risk that they will not thin out again without intervention.

The heart is an important organ.  And Sophear is a little girl.

On Wednesday, March 16, Sophear is scheduled for surgery at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital.  We check-in at 7am, with surgery expected to begin by 9am, and lasting between two and four hours or longer.  I can't think about it too much without feeling paralyzed and broken.  It's not a complicated surgery. The risks aren't threatening.  We have full confidence in the Great Physician.

But the heart is an important organ.  And Sophear is my little girl.

Would you join us in praying?

• Yesterday, Sophear had some flu-like symptoms.  Pray that she is healthy and strong for surgery.
• Pray for Dr. Anil Kumar, the anesthesiologist, and the other medical staff during surgery.
• Pray for Sophear's recovery in the hours and days following the surgery.
• Pray for our nurses during the recovery and hospital stay.
• Pray for peace for our hearts, especially during the days and hours leading up to surgery and as we sit in the waiting room.
• Pray for our fundraising efforts - the surgery, etc. is very expensive and we're just not sure how we will tackle the medical bills.  We're also not sure how we're going to fundraise for the medical bills, because honestly, it's all just too much right now.

If you would like to receive updates during her recovery, or you would like to write or record a greeting or well wish for Sophear, click HERE.

Thank you, friends, for your prayers and support!

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

With thankful hearts,
Titus, Jewel, & Sophear

Getting the Word Out

Our first support letter has been mailed.  It was an enormous amount of work for us, but a great experience.  Having to contact family, friends, acquaintances, friends of friends, [and anyone who will listen] and ask for  money, for prayers, for invitations... doesn't really sound like a fun (or even semi-appealing) task, but we consider it a privilege.

We are grateful for the opportunity that we have been given to raise our own support, to build our team, and to connect personally with our supporters! We look forward to getting to know YOU better by not only sharing with you our story, but pausing to hear yours.  We look forward to learning how God can use us in your family's life, already recognizing that you are a huge blessing in ours!

And we have faith that God is going to use us to call more workers into the harvest field!  We see this as an opportunity to advance the cause of the Great Commission throughout North American homes and churches during our time of traveling, speaking, and support-raising.  We are excited about sharing what God has done and challenging others to find their own ministry and purpose!

Huge praises:

• Praise God for the generosity of a supporter who used her own resources to print our many letters.  (Saving us almost $400!)
• Praise God for extra hands to help us fold, stuff, address, and stamp the letters.
• Praise God that our letters weighed under the limitations for a 49 cent stamp!
• Praise God for the kindness of the staff in the Indiana Wesleyan University Post Office for giving their time to run our letters through their sealing machine.

Thanks, Mom!

How you can pray over our letters:

• Pray that God will call other families, individuals, and congregations to support us.  
• Pray that those families, individuals, and congregations will be obedient to God's call to support us.
• Every envelope contained two letters and two prayer cards.  Pray that the recipients will be faithful to share the extras with someone who might take an interest in our story or ministry.

Thank you.

To see Christ glorified in Cambodia,
Titus, Jewel, & Sophear

Sophear Jane: The 6th Love Language

In his popular book The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman identifies the following five ways to express or communicate love: words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts, quality time, and physical touch.  According to Chapman (and we agree), each person has a primary love language that we must learn to speak if we want that person to feel loved.  From Chapman's list, my primary and secondary love languages are quality time and words of affirmation; however, I want to suggest a sixth love language - loving my child.

My love tank is filled as I watch our family, friends, and church community pour love into Sophear.  By investing in and loving Sophear, you are edifying our whole family!

Sophear is a special girl.  She's full of joy, full of laughter, full of life, full of energy, and full of love.  She's the sweetest thing and so hilarious!  On Thursday, she turned two-years-old.

Sophear Jane's name means "Beautiful Gift from God" - and she is!  She has only been a tremendous blessing in our lives and I'm certain the Lord is going to use her spirit and determination to bless others.  The Lord has called us to His ministry and He has given us Sophear; we're confident that He has also called her into His ministry in Cambodia, even if only for the time that she is in our home.

Will you join us in praying for Sophear as she journeys with us?

Like many other babies, our girl was born with a hole in her heart called a PDA.  Unlike most of those other babies, Sophear's hole has never closed.  At nine-months-old, her pediatrician told us, "If this hole was going to close on it's own, it would have by now."  We were sent to a pediatric cardiologist (Dr. Kumar) at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital in Indianapolis.  He explained that since Sophear was not having any complications, he wanted to wait until she's 3+-years-old to do surgery.  Last month, a year after her first appointment, Dr. Kumar discovered that Sophear's heart is enlarged (due to increased blood flow) and he wants to do surgery now.

Will you join us in praying for Sophear's heart?  For Dr. Kumar?  For wisdom as we make decisions regarding her surgery?

Thank you family and friends for loving our girl, for loving us, for investing in our family and in our ministry.

To see Christ glorified in Cambodia,
Titus, Jewel, & Sophear

We've been trained! Our journey has begun!

Our journey has begun!!!  Last Sunday evening, we packed our bags and moved into a small, but more than suitable, guest room at World Gospel Mission Headquarters.  On Monday morning, Titus and I began an intense week-long training on communicating our ministry, developing presentations, creating fundraising strategies, the transformative nature of homeland ministry assignment, etc., etc., etc..  It was a great time to connect with other new missionaries who are beginning this same journey, as well as being encouraged and inspired by veteran missionaries and WGM staff.

I never fully grasped the incredible opportunity that we have to advance the cause of the Great Commission throughout North American churches during our time of traveling, speaking, and support-raising.  We have been very anxious about the months ahead.  Neither one of us are comfortable or excited about asking people for money.  But do you know what both of us are comfortable and excited about?  Sharing what God has done and challenging others to find their own ministry and purpose!  We are grateful for the opportunity that we have been given to raise our own support, to build our team, and to connect personally with our supporters!  We are excited to build our schedule and see what God has in store for us.


We left headquarters on Thursday feeling inspired, equipped... and well, very sick.

Titus began to feel very sick on Wednesday and I fell ill on Thursday.  I am thankful that the Lord helped me muster the strength to finish the training on Thursday and that He allowed us to have four quiet, restful days at home.  I can't remember ever in my life feeling as sick and miserable as I did the past few days.  Praise God we're past the worst!!  Now we just have to get all the germs out of our house!

Will you keep praying for us?
-Praise God for the Kingdom-focused hearts of WGM staff!
-Pray that we are good stewards of the training that we received last week.
-Praise God for helping us through the flu and miserable sickness.
-Pray that God will give us wisdom and we seek treatment for Sophear's heart (update soon)
-Praise God for Jewel's pregnancy!
-Pray for Baby #2's growth and development.

We’re looking for partners. Partners in the ministry of declaring His glory among the nations, partners in the ministry of proclaiming freedom for the captives, partners in planting the Seed of Truth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Partners to pray that the Message of Christ be accepted in the hearts of the unbelievers. Partners to give monthly. We appeal you to ask God how you can become involved in His ministry in Cambodia and around the world.

To see Christ glorified in Cambodia,
Titus, Jewel, Sophear & Baby