May 28, 2015
As I write these words, I am in Siem Reap, Cambodia teaching at a hotel during the day and sleeping in an apartment at night. This apartment has been rented by Bill and Marie-Claire McDonough of Partners in Progress, and they have graciously allowed our team of four short-term missionaries to live here free of charge.
Outside the apartment, monsoon rains are falling. Lightning is flashing, and thunder is rolling in the clouds. The earth is getting a drink of water. Now, the farmers can plant rice in their paddies outside the city. The survival of the Khmer people in Cambodia depends on these monsoon rains.
Paul said we all depend on God for survival. “In Him, we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Without oxygen, we perish within five minutes. In frigid water, our organs shut down within thirty minutes. In a blizzard, we cannot long survive without shelter, and we live only two to four days without water. Air, heat, food, and water are all gifts from God.
At Lystra, Paul said that God “has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy” (Acts 14:15, 17).
The life-giving rains in Cambodia are a symbol of God’s spiritual blessings in Christ: “In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he has lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:7-8).
Since the world’s spiritual survival depends on God’s eternal blessings, it is urgent that we share the good news about Christ with every man, woman, and child on earth. We must not keep these spiritual blessings to ourselves while billions are dying in sin. Jesus has called us to preach and teach the gospel to the whole creation. He is depending on US to spread the word and draw people to him. He has made no other provision for the world’s salvation.
We praise God for the army of Christians who are marching with us in response to the great commission. We are grateful for your fellowship, your ongoing prayers, encouragement, and support. We love you with all our hearts.
—Dick and Maudine Ady
