Back on October 19, 2020, I sent you a message about the recent flooding in Cambodia and the devastating impact the floods have had on some of the families and neighbors of our students and staff, especially in Battambang. As a result of that message, many supporters generously donated $3,100 in emergency funds to provide relief to the families affected.

Today I want to express how thankful I am to everyone who pitched in on this effort, as well as bring you up to date on where things stand now. First, we decided to split the initial donations between Phnom Penh and Battambang. Our in-country leaders organized the purchase and distribution of food and supplies to help the affected families get through the initial crisis. Please see the accompanying photographs to get a sense of how this initial response played out.

However, after the flood waters receded, the long-term consequences of this disaster became ever more evident. Many families lost their rice crops, their fruit trees, and their cassava plants, a critical loss that threatens their ability to provide food for themselves and their children. Since it will take up to six months to replace the lost crops with the next harvest, these floods were truly devastating, especially coming, as they did, on top of an already fragile economic situation due to Covid.

As a result of the ongoing need in Cambodia, CGI decided to apply for an emergency grant through the International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES), a Christian non-profit organization headquartered in Noblesville, Indiana. IDES funds emergency work throughout the world to respond to natural disasters and other needs. Until this flood emergency, I had not been aware of IDES, but as we’ve gotten to know them over the last several weeks, I’m very impressed with them and the awesome work they are doing for the Lord. I want to encourage you to check them out at their website, ides.org, and learn more about their ministry!

After going through the grant application process, I’m thrilled to let you know that we received news this week that IDES approved a grant of $25,000 to help CGI’s staff and student families and neighbors recover from the flooding!

CGI staff will be responsible for distributing this aid on the ground in Cambodia and insuring that it is used efficiently to meet the needs of these families as they rebuild their farms and their lives in the months to come. We will document this project and share more photos and stories with you as the initiative progresses.

This is a HUGE blessing for these families and I am very thankful to both God and IDES!

I’m also thankful for all the many CGI supporters who have been lifting up our Cambodian brothers and sisters in prayer. Please continue to pray that God will show His favor on these families as they rebuild, and especially that their neighbors in the surrounding community will come to faith in Christ as they experience a tangible witness of the love of Christ’s people for each other and for them!

Please keep praying, and thank you for all you do for CGI!