October 8, 2009
We just received word from Bill McDonough, Director of Partners in Progress, saying that the PIP Center for English Bible Study in Phnom Penh, Cambodia will be closed this summer.
Bill says, “We too are disappointed that we could not continue to run the WEI program in Phnom Penh, but the costs have gone through the roof. When the landlord told us that he would not renew the lease, we felt it was time to close the office there.
“More than 100 young people have obeyed the gospel, and although many are unfaithful, there is a core group that has done well. Some have gone to preaching schools. Others are gainfully employed because of the English they learned, and are faithful Christians. There are currently several in the preacher training schools.
“When we look back across seven years (that’s how long we have been here), we remember there were two small congregations and one missionary here. Now, we see scores of churches across the country, two full-time schools of preaching and several part-time schools. There are now more than twenty full-time foreign missionaries in the country. It’s time to turn it over to others and look forward.
“Missionaries here (Rich Dolan and Troy Snowbarger) are applauding the decision saying it is time to make the church more independent and more Cambodian.”
We should stress that PIP will continue its work in Cambodia through the Ship of Life and the children’s programs. The Ship of Life will continue to cruise up and down the Mekong River providing free medical and dental care for villagers. The children’s programs will continue to feed 1,400 and educate more than 400 children and young people who are not able to provide for themselves.
We applaud Bill and Marie-Claire McDonough and their fellow-workers for the great work they have done and are doing in Cambodia.
