As I mentioned in my last post, we were blessed last week with the friendship of Roger and Maree Hesketh of Launceston, Tazmania, Australia. We first met them at the Christian Fellowship on the evening of November 8. From the moment we met them we were impressed by their kind and laid back demeanor and their friendly approach to us.
Because of my scheduled trip to Pailin, we hastened to invite them to dinner on Monday night, and, after a bit of Cambodian style sluething, we were able to acquire their local cell number and deliver the invite. Roger was a bit out of sorts from too much of the local cuisine, so instead of supper they joined us for tea and coffee later in the evening.
We rejoiced to learn of their experience of coming to Christ and of how He has worked in and through them. We talked of shared experiences including home education and living in a foreign land (they once lived for a number of years in Papua New Guinea).
Roger and Maree have been enjoying a fairly lengthy holiday excursion through the countries of the former French Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia). To learn more about them and their journey, visit their blog at http://rhesketh.wordpress.com.
After our time together Monday evening, we knew that we wanted to continue our acquaintance with the Heskeths, but were sure that they would be leaving before I was able to return from Pailin. What a blessing it was that they decided to extend their visit in Siem Reap, and even gifted us with an anniversary present of a dinner out alone while they watched (Emily has informed me that she is much too big to be babysat) the kids.
By this time we were already calling Roger and Maree our “adopted
grandparents” because of the way that they were interacting with the children. On Friday evening, Rachel and I were completely at peace with leaving our children for the first time since Grandma and Cappaw’s visit in August. When we drove out of the yard, Roger was already crawling on the ground with Jeremiah making a pegboard out of a scrap piece of wood.
The evening was so successful that when we arrived home several hours later, the kids were sound asleep and didn’t appear to have missed us a bit.
Sunday morning, we had scheduled services at Sokhom’s house in the Angkor historic area and were pleased to have the Hesketh’s join in our worship. We cannot properly express our thanks to God for sending Roger and Maree into our lives for one week, nor can we explain the encouragement that their presence has brought to us in a time of despondency.
Please join us in praying that God will continue his richest blessings in their lives and ministry and that God will bless their family, congregation, and friends.
We never cease to be surprised by the goodness of our Lord in bringing wonderful people into our lives. It was a privilege to share the Way for a short while with a very special family who are faithfully serving in very challenging situations. We will continue to hold onto the promise of 2 Thessalonians 3:3 for you.
In His love, Roger and Maree