We’re missionaries. In Cambodia. We’ve been here over six months. Sometimes the weight of my personal missionary expectations and the perceived expectations of others in the States is heavy. No one turned to Christ this week. We didn’t disciple any Khmer people this week. Oh wait, we didn’t even share the Gospel in Khmer this week. Ummmm, because we can’t share the Gospel in Khmer yet. We can’t even have deep conversations with people in Khmer, because we don’t have that skill yet. What did we do this week: studied Khmer and tried to practice Khmer.

We’re in the midst of language learning, and sometimes it feels like what we’re doing is all for us – it doesn’t feel like ministry.  Lots of time in learning and studying. Language learning doesn’t exactly feel like Gospel-furthering work. It also doesn’t make for interesting updates to send to our supporters back in the States. Dear Supporters, this month we learned ### new vocabulary words and studied more information about Khmer grammar. We tried to talk with our neighbors but can’t seem to find much to talk about (we’ve had the same conversations several times already). Please pray for us. Oh, the children are doing great. ~The Jensens

There are lots of English ministry opportunities available. We could spend all of our time here doing ministry in English, but then we’d never learn Khmer. So what do we do? We serve where we can: once a month I teach the children in our church; Josh preached in December (in English!); he has had opportunities for discipleship; and he helps with tear-down after church. But while we serve in little ways, we put our major focus on studying Khmer so we can someday minister to the people of Cambodia in their own language. For now, language-learning is our Gospel-furthering work. It might not feel like it. But this is the work God has called us to do now. Please pray for us as we strive to not grow weary in our well doing. Pray that we will run this race with endurance.

This week I had the opportunity to watch some other MK’s while their parents went to appointments in Phnom Penh. It was a blessing for me to do this. For now, I’m thankful for the opportunities God gives us to serve in the language-learning phase.

I didn’t watch the youngest, but took his picture anyway.

One of our prayers this past year has been for our children’s smooth transition to Cambodia. We have seen the Lord answer this in so many way – our children are thriving here. But once in a while Becca gets a little emotional about everything she left behind in TX. One thing she is especially sad about was leaving her tree in Texas. It was a large oak tree that had a split trunk she would play house in.

Well, where we live now, our street has a small courtyard area with a tree. And Becca has found that she enjoys climbing it. Last week Becca told me that she wasn’t sad about missing her tree in Texas anymore because God gave her a new tree that she could climb. God cares about the little things.

A few weeks before Christmas I asked Becca if she was excited about celebrating Christmas. “Oh yes – and what I’m really excited about is my new red Christmas dress!” I tried to keep a straight face, but inside I was thinking, “WHAT! A red Christmas dress? I had no idea! Oh No!” We prayed. We weren’t sure what we would find with the time we had. Later that week we went to the Russian Market — the most famous Khmer market in the city (at least among foreigners) — and within minutes found a lovely red Christmas dress.

It’s an encouragement to see God bless our children with the little things as they grow up in Cambodia.

One unexpected blessing we’re experienced since moving here is meeting people form all over the world who are here in Cambodia to further the Gospel. Last week we had two Dutch couples over from our international church. Though we’ll only get to know them for a short while, we’ve enjoyed their friendship, and we’ve also enjoyed learning more about the Dutch.

Recently I was visiting with a neighbor who was hosting some elderly Buddhist-monk-like ladies. One of the older ladies wanted to hold Anna, and Anna, who doesn’t always like strangers, was agreeable with that. While I was talking with the lady I realized her mouth was bleeding…her teeth and gums looked awful. Then I noticed her hands were stained red. I was thinking, “Ah – you’re holding my baby and you’re mouth is bleeding. What terrible disease are you exposing our baby to?” (I had just talked with a friend who had visited a village where her 9-month son was passed around, and she later found out that some of the woman had TB.) Fortunately Anna wanted to come back to me, and I found that to be a good time to say goodbye and head home. Later I told my tutor about the incident and she laughed. The older monk-lady was was simply chewing on betel leaf, which makes your saliva red. (I laughed too!)

Last Sunday we celebrated Anna’s 9-month birthday. For some time I’ve thought Anna was growing up faster than our other children. I recently checked some old blog posts to confirm my suspicions. At 9 months, Isaiah was just starting to scoot across the floor. He could not sit up by himself or keep his balance once we sat him up. Anna, on the other hand, is a speedy scooter, sits up great on her own, and is now pulling up on everything to a standing position. It’s so cute to find her standing up in her bed. Slow down baby girl! And look out world!

I don’t have an accurate weight on Anna, but she appears to on the petite end of things. She’s still wearing 3-month onesies. (It’s amazing how dirty her clothes get here. Though the floors are swept and mopped everyday, the front of her onesie is gray by the end of the day.

Anna decided to celebrate her 9-month birthday by climbing our steps. Under close, hovering supervision she made it up all 22 steps by herself.

 
We continue to thank God for the good health He’s given Anna. She has such a sweet and happy spirit. She loves to laugh, loves to dance, loves to be swung through the air. What a precious gift Anna Grace is to our family.

Amy (April 1983) and Anna (Jan 2015) at 9 months

This week after a wonderful 2.5-week holiday break, Josh’s language school started back. We really enjoyed having the extra time with Josh. Even though he kept busy with self-study and other projects, it was really nice to have him around. Last year Josh completed levels 3 & 4 at his school. By the end of this June, he plans to finish all 8 regular levels offered by the school.

For those of you wondering if we can get good hamburgers in Cambodia…the weekend between Christmas and New Year’s, Josh and I went clothes shopping at a market. After our shopping we ate at Brooklyn Pizza & Bistro. Josh said it was one of the best burgers he’s ever had (eating out). My lasagna was delicious.

During Christmas break our kids really enjoyed playing with our American neighbors. During the school year we rarely see them because they are so busy with school. During break the kids played at both our homes several times and we had the whole family over for dinner New Year’s Eve. Addie taught Becca how to make rubber band bracelets. Lauren babysat the kids while we went out. The kids are always excited when Miss Lauren comes over.

This week I started back with my language study routine. I took 1.5 weeks off from language study for holiday fun. We’re now back into the swing of things. No more fun…just study, study, study…not that we’ll be able to keep from having fun!

Here are some photos from our first Christmas in Cambodia. We had a wonderful day together, filled with lots of activities. Becca asked, “Mommy, can we have Christmas in Cambodia again?”

In December we started our Christmas Countdown Calendar. Everyday our kids got to open a little window and do something special to celebrate the season. We also used Marty Machowski’s Prepare Him Room: Celebrating the Birth of Jesus. It was a great way to celebrate Advent. Becca also made me a Christmas Calendar.

A few days before Christmas we spent lots of time baking four different kids of cookies to deliver to some neighbors and businesses we frequent.

Christmas Eve, after church, we made homemade hot cocoa, ate Christmas cookies, and stayed up late to watch The Muppets’ Christmas Carol.

Christmas morning we enjoyed breakfast — after mopping the floors and spraying down the courtyard! Becca and Isaiah put on a play of the Christmas story for us. We loved her shocked face when Gabriel told her of the coming of Christ.

After opening a few gifts, we packaged up the cookies and went out to sing and deliver the cookies. People seemed pretty pleased with our visits.

Later in the afternoon, Becca put on another Christmas play for us. She used our Fisher Price Little People and recited most of the story from Luke. We invited our American missionary neighbors over to watch.

The main Christmas gift for Becca and Isaiah was to buy each other gifts. Becca gave Isaiah a tool set and Isaiah gave Becca a panda bear. Both kids were delighted with their gifts.

Thank you to many of you for your generosity to our family this Christmas. We used Christmas gift money from our supporters to buy special foods we would not normally buy – cheese, butter, beef for a roast, cocoa powder, whipped cream etc. We used money for gifts (a big hit was a ream of white printer paper for each kid). We appreciate your loving generosity to us as a family. We had a wonderful Christmas of starting new traditions and enjoying old ones.  We are looking forward to celebrating next year…after I recover from all the festivities.