John and the kids

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After exchanging visions for the children of Cambodia with Reaching Kids International President Rev. Mike Kerychuk and the Director of Child Sponsorship, Claudia Thomason in Prescott, Arizona, John Yoder left Prescott in 2007 to return to Cambodia for a  lifetime of missionary service to the Khmer people.

During that first year, John was led to a Christian orphanage among the bamboo trees in rural Cambodia, about 65 miles north of the capital city. After witnessing the zeal that the children of the orphanage had for Christ, despite persecution from their Buddhist counterparts, the vision for Reaching Kids Cambodia began to take shape. In early 2008,  Pastor Mike joined John and Sotey ( John’s Khmer wife and partner in ministry) in Cambodia where they visited the orphanage, toured other Christian schools for children, and spent time with kids who live in the slums and trash heaps of Phnom Penh.

Children in trash heaps

Combining RKI’s experience providing education for children throughout the Third World, and John’s training with the University of Nations (subsidiary of YWAM), the mission was clear:   Establish training centers throughout Cambodia to provide children’s basic needs in health and education. Additionally, provide Bible training to equip these precious children of God for the task of spreading the good news of Christ in their villages. They will reach their provinces and reach across the Kingdom of Cambodia, and into regions of the world! (Acts 1:8).

Much more is needed to see these centers become a reality. Your monthly contributions or ‘one time’ gifts will make you a partner in this exciting explosion of Christianity happening throughout Cambodia, while putting smiles on the faces of children.

Sotey with children at Orphanage

What a difference we have witnessed in these children.  These same children had only one task prior to our intervention and that was to survive day by day.

Little girl playing with a young python

Sponsor with Two Young Students

“Before I went to school, I had no hope. I could see only darkness in my future. Now that I am in school, I have hope.  My face smiles.  My eyes see light in my future.”-Ibra – Mbale, Uganda

“I prayed every night that God would let me go to school and learn many things. I prayed and cried because I didn’t think I would see school in my life. Then someone said they would pay my school fees. I pray for that person every day. They can’t know how much my life is better now. Only I know. And God knows too.” – Christine, Tororo, Uganda

When we look into the eyes of children in Africa, we see the potential to radically impact an entire nation. Through education we can save a generation from the clutches of the enemy of poverty which will steal their hope, kill their dreams, and ultimately destroy their lives. You can join with us to make the dream of education a reality for a child. There are several ways to sponsor students:

• A one-time donation of any amount is always welcome. No amount is too small.  Smaller one-time donations are combined with other donations and used to provide school fees for children identified by our local contacts as being in desperate need.

• 

  Technical School Cooking Class

  Larger gifts have been used in our College Fund to enable students to attend the teacher’s college or one of the other technical or trade schools that prepare young people to become self-supporting members of society.

• Donating $250 per year will send one child to school for an entire year (January through December) and will  provide school fees,  additional fees for mandatory school uniforms, books, paper, pencils and other supplies. With this amount, we can also purchase shoes and necessary clothing throughout the year.

• Donating $700 a year will enable a high school student to be boarded on the school premises where he/she will receive all meals, room and board, mattress, toiletries and also tutoring in the evenings.  This assures them of  a safe, secure home for the school year, and eliminates the need to walk long distances in the African darkness to and from school.

Outside School Looking In, Hoping for a Chance to be Sponsored and Attend School

One of our students was able to complete college and returned to her village to establish a Community Agriculture Program.  She taught the women of each village in the area to grow one crop – peanuts, or potatoes or rice.  At harvest time, these women were able to share their crops between villages and assure that the children would have food for the coming year.

One student was also able to return to her area and start an Early Childhood Development program, teaching children and parents about nutrition, hygiene and other topics that improve lives in the villages.

One student completed nursing school and is now working in a clinic high in the mountains.  Another student completed accounting school, one completed catering school, and several have completed business school.  A few have completed teachers college.  Some have started their own businesses.  Sponsoring these individuals has changed the future of the area in incredibly positive ways.

Typical Elementary Level Classroom

Marjorie and the Kids

Our missionary in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Marjorie Field reports:  We regularly visit several children’s homes in the area.  Some of these homes are in mountainous areas. These are difficult trips to make but are delightful in the joy they bring to the children.  We provide food, personal supplies, blankets and clothing.  We also personally cover  the monthly rent for the home pictured above  so it remains open to serve the children.

We provide food to a number of shelters housing the homeless and displaced persons in the area.  Whenever possible, we bring gifts, food and clothing.  Children are our emphasis, but entire camps get blessed by these outreaches.

Financial gifts are always appreciated, and even the smallest amount can provide desperately  needed items for the children we meet.

New Mattresses for Children's Home