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

Two months in Cambodia!

When I checked last, my “Sophear’s Christmas” blog had 586 views! My goodness, people!! I better keep writing! I thought it would be fun to write a post about what we’ve been doing or what’s been keeping us busy and what life looks like in Cambodia. Although since no one has asked that question (HA!) so I’ll start with two FAQs:

How are the kids?

Kids are great! Sophear has been a champ trying new foods. She never complains about the heat. She’s initially shy, but loves her “uncles” and every kid that’s smaller than her is immediately her new friend! She’s quite a bit bigger than Cambodian kids her age (which raises people’s expectations of her!); however, even when they think she’s five, they all find her vocabulary to be most impressive! She loves going out, having company, crafting of any sort, playing, and watching. A few weeks ago, we bought her a little desk for her room and she’s LOVING being able to close the door and color or “study” in the cool, quiet.

Bible shopping with Sophear!  (Girl loves shopping!) 

Sophear with Tino (building staff) learning how to ride a scooter! (Girl loves Tino!)  She has been asking for a rainbow bike with a bell for Christmas.

Chamnab has grown 5 teeth (4 molars and 1 incisor) since we arrived just two short months ago. On the days that he wasn’t super cranky from teething (and super cranky from refusing to eat because he’s teething), he has also been great! His personality is really blossoming. He’s just 16-months-old, but he works really hard to “keep up” with Sophear and her friends. He loves books, cars, books, finger puppets, going out, books, cars, and peek-a-boo! Also, before we left Indiana, he had graduated to just one nap/day. Between the heat and the new normal wake-up time of 5:30-5:45am, he’s back to two naps/day!

Chamnab is not quite as outgoing as Sophear, but he's getting braver!  He enjoyed "going to school" on Araykhsat Island this week.  He was just playing with the colored pencils and crayons until a child left their picture behind and went to play, then he claimed the paper as his own and began "scribble scrabbling" as Sophear says.

This picture was on one of our rougher and needier days.  Also, he definitely has more than enough clothes in Cambodia considering he only wears them when we leave the house!

Are you settled?

We moved into our apartment on October 21 and we’ve been attending Phnom Penh Church since October 22. We both have working phones, WiFi at home, and all the necessary furniture and tableware. I am comfortable walking alone two blocks to the nearest supermarket and buying the essentials. I have a general idea of what is nearby - including coffee shops, restaurants, and stores - but have zero confidence in getting myself there safely without Titus’ help. Actually, with the one exception of buying groceries at the nearby Super Duper, I have zero capability (or confidence anyways) in doing anything without a significant amount of my husband’s generous assistance. As I push myself, I know the capability and confidence will come, but I’m comfortable “following” for now. The hardest challenge continues to be cooking at home. (There really aren’t enough variations of stir-fried vegetables and meat).

Now, onto what we’ve been doing and what life looks like in Cambodia.

Chamnab and Jewel with new friends and a visiting team eating a delicious lunch prepared by Pastor Chanla and Sister Toni's brother on Araykhsat Island.  It gets pretty warm, but I'm so thankful for a baby carrier which allows me to be mobile and do ministry while allowing Chamnab to sleep safely in my arms!

Much of what we’ve been doing looks like people sitting around a table, around a mat on the floor, or on the side of the street. And when it’s not people gathered together, it’s sitting at a computer - writing sermons, writing children’s lessons, making lists, getting inspiration from Pinterest - or playing on the floor with our kids.

Hosting our friends Pastor Vandy, Tess, and David for lunch before taking the kids to the mall play place.  To receive "it's good!" from Vandy was a very high compliment for my cooking!

We’ve enjoyed reunions with friends with whom we have kept in touch, as well as with friends that even Titus hadn’t seen in many years. And we have made new friends! We have enjoyed meeting the three families of three Cambodian friends from America! I was SO excited to learn that there is a Christian couple from NJ in our building AND they have the cutest little boy only two months older than Chamnab (I’ll admit, I didn’t expect God would grant this request of mine!) and I am so excited to have a play date!!

At a breakfast meeting with our friend, Bunnath, who co-directs an NGO (Fountain of Hope).  In January, I (Jewel) am going to explore the opportunity to volunteer with his organization.

After talking with other missionaries and NGO leaders, I’ve been working on a missions audit to identify the “ministry scene” in Cambodia - what others are doing, what needs are unmet, what are potential partnership opportunities. As a result of some of these conversations and others, we have been asked to do/help with a lot. Please pray that God will give us discernment and we would have confidence in the way He is directing us, that we may know where He wants us to expend our time, energy, and resources!

Titus and Pastor Kimsan enjoy a snack at Brown Coffee after Bible shopping.  Pastor Kimsan is one of the leaders of the Wesleyan Church in Cambodia.  It has been great to reunite with his family!

A few days ago, our apartment lost power (again) at lunch time, which forced us into the street. (No electricity means we can’t cook, have no air, and shouldn’t open the fridge.) Although I was relieved I didn’t have to cook (especially since I had just discovered our chicken had spoiled (again)), I really just wanted to stay home. We descended 10 flights of stairs and into the street, then walked 400m to Barn Barn Restaurant. Long story short, we’ll be joining the owners for a children's Christmas program on Christmas Eve! I’m never happy when the power shuts off, but I’m grateful that God worked this out for good!

Here we are eating pizza for lunch after church with our university students.  At $2.99 per personal pan pizza AND buy 3 get 1 free, it was a great way for us to treat them!

We have some exciting Christmas services coming up and we’ll post a blog after our last one (December 30). Preparing for these services/outreaches/celebrations has been keeping us busy. Thanks to one generous sponsor and two giving churches, we have the funds to pass out some Bibles, hymnals and children’s Bibles this Christmas. The Cambodian Bible Society store is a one-hour drive one-way. Titus attempted to go on Monday and discovered they were closed. Here’s a sampling of what we have after three trips. I love looking through them! I just wish I could read them!! haha

So what fun and inspiring things have you guys been doing to celebrate baby Jesus?

I’ll have another fun post coming on or before December 26! Until then!

To see Christ glorified in Cambodia,

Titus, Jewel, Sophear, & Chamnab

Sophear's Christmas

I paid $.70 for that candy cane!

When we left Gas City, we left a huge community of people loving on and investing in my babies!  We left an incredible team of children’s ministry workers at Brookhaven Wesleyan Church.  God called Titus and I to Cambodia to reached the unreached, and we brought our babies.  After six weeks of sitting at the back of the church playing Barbies, filling a notebook with crayon drawings, and eating countless crackers and cookies, I realized that there’s ministry to be done at home.

Lord, help me to always be intentional!

Lord, help me to find time every day! 

Lord, inspire me with ways to creatively teach my creative girl!

Sophear spent three hours spread across two days making that mixed media Christmas tree!

Although it doesn’t look or feel like it, Christmas is quickly approaching.  Without the pressure of materializing Christmas, no Christmas cookies, holiday parties, or beautiful decorations, I find myself rightly and solely focused on the true reason for Christmas: celebrating the newborn king!  And while I miss those things, I am grateful for the experience.  I am grateful for the experience to teach Sophear that Christmas is about the baby who is Savior and King.  I have enjoyed the experience of imagining with her what it was like to be a shepherd, startled in the night by a chorus of angels!  And forever I hope to cherish the memory of Sophear looking at the moon, talking about the bright shining star which led the wisemen to Jesus!

Multiple times each day, Chamnab scatters the pieces from Sophear's nativity.  She always returns them to the same arrangement - everyone looking at the sweet baby Jesus!

During Chamnab’s last nap in November, Sophear and I cut these strips to make a paper chain.  On each strip, I wrote a Bible verse that will sequentially tell the Christmas story from Luke 1-2 and elsewhere.  She enjoys cutting one off each day, reading it and all the previous day’s verses, and taping them in the window next to the remaining hanging chain.

Your typical Cambodian Christmas tree is fashioned with colorful lights (sometimes flashing) and many strands of  metallic garland.  Ours is almost typical, but is short on garland with only two strands for our 4' tree.

After scouring YouTube, I found a video of the nativity story as told by The Beginner’s Bible.  While the angel Gabriel was talking to Mary, Sophear said “I know this story!!!” and ran to retrieve her Bible and follow along for the duration of the 25-minute movie.  And some nights, after Chamnab goes to sleep, I tell her the story again while she acts it out using the pieces from her nativity scene.

To see Christ glorified in Cambodia,

Titus, Jewel, Sophear, & Chamnab

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

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