Nicholas and Esther Gitobu, General Board of Global Ministries missionaries to Cambodia, brought a special “surprise” with them on a recent trip to the United States. That surprise was their three charming daughters, Jeanette, 13, Nicole, 10, and Michelle, 7. Although these three precocious girls have the same likes and dislikes of most children (all three said that a visit to Blue Bayou Water Park in Baton Rouge was their “favorite” adventure while in the States), the daily lives they lead are a far cry from that of the average American child. The missionary family works with the poorest of the poor at an enormous dump- site in Phnom Penn, Cambodia. Families live at the site, foraging for items they can sell to make a living. The children of these families live in filthy conditions with little or no hope for anything different in their future. “The United Methodist Church has established a school near the dump where these children can receive an education for just $10 a month. The English classes are so important, and these children are acquir- ing skills that will help them break the poverty barrier,” said Nicholas Gitobu. There are two classrooms located right by the dump. “Skills like dressmaking and haircutting are also taught so that the chil- dren can learn a trade. When they are not working with their families, the children come in for instruction,” said Esther Gitobu. Volunteers in Mission plays a critical role for the growth of The United Methodist Church in Cambodia. “Louisiana Volunteers in Mission has been a very good partner. Spean Chivit UMC, now serving hundreds of people and families, would not have been built without donations and the physical help of visiting teams. Plans for future programs for the church are being formed, and District Superintendents are working with all Cambodian churches as they plan for more programs. With the Christmas holidays approaching, those wishing to give in support of Cambodian ministries can give to a variety of different projects. “In addition to the $10 per month to educate a child, we are appealing for Bibles for churches, which only cost $7 each. The books are printed in Khmer, the native language of the country. In addition to Bibles, Sunday school and other Christian education materials have been developed. Churches have been receiving the items and are very excited to have Christian materials in their native tongue. Donations can help us get these items into the hands of more people,” said Nicholas. Donor gifts also help to build programs like “Faith Engine,” a ministry which helps young people learn engine repair and basic mechanics. Contributions fund programs focusing on leadership development for women, assisting them in silk production, sewing industries, and agricultural projects. “Some of the women have looms, some have sewing machines. Those that are rais- ing pigs, chickens and cows can assist oth- ers by giving baby animals to others in need. For each eight piglets born, three are kept and five are passed on to neighbors,” said Esther, who added that one pregnant pig costs $150 and a cow is $350. “The cows are important because they can be used to plow fields. For some, the cow may be the only asset a family may own,” said Nicholas. Groups involved in silk production usu- ally include 5-10 women. “A contribution of $350, used as seed money, can get a silk weaving group off the ground. After one year of profit, the group will give back the seed money to help another group get start- ed,” she said, adding that members of the group each tithe $5 a month from their pro- ceeds. Men’s trade ministries in Cambodia are expanding, specifically in the area of block making. “These mud blocks are made by the men and used to build stronger, safer homes for their families. Many people live in shelters made of leaves. Seed money of $7,500 buys the machine used to make the blocks,” said Nicholas. Another important program that is tak- ing off in Cambodia is the installation of water filters for local homes. “The lack of clean water is a major health issue for Cambodians. The Cambodia Health and Agriculture Development program pro- vides water filters for only $3 each. Now people can reduce water born diseases,” he added. LAVIM teams are helping Cambodian missionaries as they strive to provide better health care for the poor. “Irene Mparutsa, a GBGM missionary, is overseeing the med- ical arm of the work in Cambodia. She works with visiting teams, connecting them with churches and setting up clinics in the various villages. For many of the these people coming to the clinics, they have never had an opportunity to go to hospital or to see a proper doctor,” said Esther, adding that over 2,000 people were served at these clinics on the last LAVIM medical trip. Nicholas and Esther give sacrificially every day to the ministries they perform in the name of The United Methodist Church. It is no wonder that their daughters have special ministries of their own that help those who suffer in poverty. Jeanette was instrumental in raising $3,000 this year for Operation Smile, a medical ministry to underprivileged coun- tries. “We have a club in middle school club that puts on fundraisers for the project. We also hold a toy drive for the kids at the Russian Hospital, and we get to distribute the toys to the kids. It’s adorable to see how they appreciate it. I gave one mother a toy for her child, and she was crying tears,” said Jeanette. Daughter Nicole speaks of a man the Gitobu family has identified from the dumpsite. “We collect bottles and cans on our own to give him so that he can use them to make money. We also provide him food to eat,” she said. Nicole also participates in a support group for the local orphanage, helping to gather personal items, shampoo, rice, noo- dles and other needed items for the chil- dren. “We bring things to the orphanage three or four times per month. When we go, we get to play with the kids,” she added. Michelle, the happy-go-lucky “baby” of the Gitobu family, talked about going to the Easter and Christmas programs at the orphanage. The children residing their have been taught native Cambodian dancing that they perform in ornate costumes as a source of income. “We enjoy the dances,” said Michelle. As the United Methodist church contin- ues to grow in Cambodia, leadership devel- opment is a continuing critical need. “Prayers and financial support are vital. For $100 per month, we can provide Bible col- lege for a minister. A gift of $30 will pro- vide a scholarship for a lay person or pastor for continuting education training,” said Nicholas. Currently, there are 167 active United Methodist congregations in Cambodia, with 42 active partnerships. “A congrega- tion in the United States can partner with one of these congregations by praying for each other, and by providing financial sup- port for the pastor,” said Esther, adding that pastor support is $200 per month. Covenant support for missionaries like Nicholas and Esther is needed. “We already have 22 churches in Louisiana in active partnership, through Global Ministries. Truly, Louisiana is the engine that is mov- ing our work in Cambodia,” said Esther. Advance numbers for gifts to support Cambodian missions include: # 13077Z (Nicholas), # 13959Z (Esther), # 00230A (projects). Make checks payable to “Louisiana Annual Conference,” place in the offering plate on Sunday, or mail to: Louisiana Annual Conference, 527 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70802. 3 AUGUST 8, 2008 Rev. Jack O’Dell will lead a pro- gramming-leadership LAVIM mis- sion to Cambodia, Dec. 1-12, 2008. Team members will conduct Vacation Bible School at the dump in Phnom Penn and at the area orphanage. The group will also conduct a leadership training for 160 youth. Rev. Ann Sutton will lead a LAVIM medical mission to Cambodia, Feb. 12-26, 2009. The team will staff rural medical clinics, focusing on care of the elderly. For information on both mis- sions, contact the LAVIM office in Baton Rouge at (225) 346-1646.