Oops - challenge faced and met!

One thing we learned over our many years of service in France is: if something can go wrong, it probably will – and you have to adapt to it.

One responsibility Bill had in coming to Phnom Penh was to provide a monthly training session for the Khmer staff of the Anglican Church of Cambodia, doing his teaching in English and being translated into Khmer. That training took place yesterday and today. The staff members arrived in the city from provinces scattered around the country. But, the interpreter didn’t come. This presented quite a challenge! Bill handed out a simplified version of his notes so that those who know some English could follow along. The pastor who speaks the most English did what he could to translate what Bill said into Khmer. However, he had a hard time putting back into English the participants’ reactions and contributions, which means there was very limited feedback for Bill to go on.

Everyone did what they could to make this work, and the training continued. The subject was on Barnabas as an encourager and motivator in ministry, and conflict resolution, using the problem that arose between Barnabas and Paul concerning John Mark. We pray for understanding, and trust that these sessions were somehow helpful to people who are working hard to serve the Lord in this country.