Having completed a year of full-time language study (Phase One), OMFers in Cambodia start ministry on a part-time basis (Phase Two). Here is Tammy's story:
Tammy came to Cambodia in March 2004. In April 2006 she moved to Neak Loeung to work alongside some of our OMF church planters as a community health worker. During her first two years here, she studied Khmer language, and spent part of her time teaching music and the Bible.
Before leaving Phnom Penh, Tammy went to OMF's hostel for factory girls near Takmao to teach music, every Saturday evening. She took over giving guitar lessons there from another OMFer, and then started teaching the recorder as well, so the girls could learn to read music. They sing together, learning and practicing the songs they use for their monthly outreaches and for leading worship in the local churches. Tammy has been blessed with many opportunities to fellowship with the girls and believes God has been answering her prayers as they learn to worship together through music.
She also co-lead a Bible study for Khmer staff at the OMF Team Centre using the Firm Foundations material. This was the greatest challenge for her language, but she learned at least as much as the staff about God through their studies in the book of Genesis. Her special diet provided extra opportunities to spend time with staff as she warmed her food in the kitchen.
Once a month she traveled to a village church in Kampong Cham province, to teach lessons in health. The people there are relatively well-educated, but Tammy found it's always good to review basic health concepts with them. The villagers were also very excited that Tammy was able to teach the pastor's son to play guitar — they told her this was an answer to prayer! In return, they taught her about village life and some of the issues that arise there.