Sunday Morning and Holy Mountain Methodist Church

Yesterday morning we worshipped with about 50 of our Cambodian brothers and sisters at the Holy Mountain Methodist Chuch, which was started in Phnom Pehn by the Korean Methodist Church. The members warmly greeted us with the traditional folded hands and slight bow, and we removed our shoes just outside the door, as is the custom before entering a holy place or a home. Indeed, it seemed appropriate to remove our shoes before entering the "Holy Mountain!" Truly the Holy Spirit was very present in that service. Singing was a joyous and important component of the worship, and the songs were a mixture of Western praise music, Western hymns, and Khmer music. Different groups sang, and we particularly loved hearing the children and later the youth. A women's group sang "How Great Thou Art," and then our group of five was asked to sing. We chose "Amazing Grace" which we sang in English and then invited all to join us in Khmer. The sermon text was John 15, and the sermon was translated for us into English. During much of the service, I felt like we were in the midst of a mini-Pentacost, such as when we were all singing familiar songs, praying the Lord's Prayer, or reciting the Apostle's Creed simultaneously in Khmer and in English. But this was particularly true at the close of the service when everyone formed a circle and held hands to pray. They all shouted loudly "Oh, Lord" three times, and then everyone concurrently began to pray their own individual prayer in loud, fervent voices. I cannot adequately describe my amazement, and indeed astonishment, at being encircled by what initially seemed like chaos and then bacame for me a powerful testimony of faith, as I added my own prayers in English to the sea of prayers uttered in Khmer. After what felt like a long time, the prayers started winding down and the pastor closed the service. I had been blessed by those around me. Cambodia is predominantly Buddhist, and the pastor mentioned that less than 5% of Cambodians are Christian. I found myself wondering how someone who is raised Buddhist comes to embrace Christianity. In talking after the service with

one member, I asked her how long she had been a Christian and why she became a Christian. She told me that she became a Christian 5 years ago. Her journey toward Christianity began when a co-worker told that her that God loves each of us as individuals and that God cares for each us. This brought her the hope she needed at a difficult time. She smiled radiantly as she shared her story, and I give thanks for her witness and for the witness of all who opened their hearts to us during our time of worship together.