Happy New Year! It feels like 2009 went by in a quick minute and for good reason. Many exciting things happened in the Morris Family last year:
· Purchased our first home in April – what an exciting experience!
· Complete remodel (almost all ourselves) from April 16-June 1st
· June 1st – moved into our new house (3rd move in three years and was on Ali’s 29th B-day!)
· June 8-15 – took a wonderful trip to Boulder, CO, to see some of our best friends; stayed a few nights in Estes Park for a relaxing getaway; ended up in Cheyenne, WY, to visit Barrett & Lindsay (Ali’s brother) where he is stationed in the U.S. Air Force
· June 21 – We began a new role as the Edmond Campus pastors at Church of the Harvest (we were previously at the Oklahoma City campus)
· June 19-20 – monster garage sale for Cambodia and unpacking (never ending)
· June 30-July 3 – Ali helped lead Royal Family Kids Camp (foster kids camp)
· July 29-Aug 12 - We took our 3rd trip to Cambodia
· August 19 – Ali began graduate school to obtain a master’s in Guidance Counseling
· August 19 – Andy began teaching (his 4th year) at the University of Central Oklahoma (in addition to being the campus pastor for the Edmond Campus)
We feel right in our element and thank God daily for His incredible blessings in our life. In recent months we’ve seen more than ever what wonderful and supportive family, friends and church family we have. We couldn’t ask for more!
Although we clearly had a lot happen in 2009, the highlight of the year was returning to Cambodia for our 3rd trip. Now that we have such deep friendships with the people there, we’re able to do more than ever. At our Hope Center (orphanage) in Kampong Cham we were able to build additional bathrooms (25 kids and 5 adults were previously sharing only one), buy all of the children much needed clothing/shoes/educational supplies as well as provide a large offering to further their education and medical care throughout the year. Best of all, we got to spend 2 ½ days painting and working on the Hope Center and being with the children. In Phnom Pehn (in partnership with New Life Church), we purchased shoes, personal hygiene supplies and food to distribute to children in two different “slum” areas. Additionally, we got to buy clean water to bathe the children. The slums are the worst poverty you can ever imagine and there are small children, babies, women and men living there. Thank God for New Life church who goes there every week to reach these hurting people. They regularly take supplies in addition to teaching the kids about a God that loves them. In your prayers, pray for the children in the slums – it’s deplorable. Many of the kids from the slums have begun attending New Life on Sunday’s. God is doing a great work there.
The end of the trip took us to Kampong Thom where we visited another one of our Hope Centers. There we lead games, shared the message of David and Goliath and provided a hot meal (prepared by the locals) for more than 100 children. It’s amazing what Pastor Sokhan is able to do in this province. He feeds over 500 kids every month. Additionally, he runs the Hope Center and local church out of the building Church of the Harvest built in 2007.
Going back each year and seeing how much growth is happening is so encouraging. Your contributions to us in our efforts to reach Cambodia have multiplied more than we can describe to you. We get to see it first hand and it’s absolutely incredible how God uses your gift to literally put food in starving kid’s mouths, clothe orphans and give many a home that is a “mansion” to them. By meeting the practical needs, we’re able to truly reach people for Jesus (Cambodia is 98% Buddhist). We can’t thank you enough for your financial support and prayers!
Another highlight of the trip was meeting Channa’s family. Channa is a 60-year-old native Cambodian who came to work in Edmond eight years ago in order to pay for her children’s education. To put it in perspective, she can make $1,000/month here whereas in Cambodia the most she could make would be $30/month. We randomly met her while buying donuts where she works. This was a 1 ½ years ago and ever since then she has been teaching Andy the Cambodian language of Khmer. They meet every Monday at 11 a.m. and it’s the highlight of Channa’s week. We were able to meet Channa’s entire family in Cambodia (7 kids!) and see their home. We took our whole team and they treated us like royalty. They were so honored to have American’s in their home. We were able to encourage them with our words and by showing them video Andy took of Channa sending a message to her family. Andy is “Bong proh” or “Big Brother.” We most definitely have formed a lifelong relationship with Channa and her family. She was able to attend a Christmas service with us, which was really special.
2010 is going to be a year full of promise, blessings and great opportunities! We have so much to be thankful for and want to start this year off by telling you, our family and friends, that we appreciate you, love you and are so grateful for your place in our lives. Although we may live miles a part of just a few doors down, we may talk often or just a few times a year, regardless what the circumstance – we love you and wish you a Happy New Year!
