High Gear!

     Things are really hoppin' over here in Cambodia at your Bykota House!  The countdown until Mark and Rhonda's departure to the States continues to tick away towards the March 22^nd date.  While the entire family is excited about this chance to visit with those we love and to do the stateside work of the ministry, we are also very sad at the thought of leaving those we love on this side of the ocean.   We are putting our sad hearts in God's hands while we are putting the day-to-day responsibilities into the capable hands of Aaron and Yesica Hassenboehler.  They are busy learning the ropes and how to handle everything in our absence.

     We'd like to send out a quick little update for you to be blessed as we are in all that is happening!

• All the Bykota Kids/Benz kids are doing well in school.  Our newest children who have arrived are enjoying classes as well.  New arrival Sok Chea, who suffers from CP, is participating more than expected and becoming quite the ham of the family! Please pray for Visoth as he  struggles with the academics more than the others. 

• AFTERNOON TYPING AND MS WORD CLASSES have begun for Mekerah, Chatreah, Hosanna, Peroom, Volet, Rattana, Chantee, and Peter. These kids have studied typing for about three months now and have taken on learning MS Word program.  

• SOCCER is once again underway with 9 Bykota Boys and Srey Heng participating.  As they were proudly sporting their new league jerseys we were once again so thankful for the partnerships which make this activity possible. 

• BIG NEWS:   Visoth is now enrolled in a nearby barber school each day after classes at School of the Nations.  Exciting times are ahead as the children begin to mature and step into their destinies.  We know that Visoth is just the first of many more children to step out.

• MORE BIG NEWS:  Mekerah has been accepted to summer Bible school in Singapore.  With the Bykota Kids getting older, all of us that God has put into their lives are excited about the opportunities to help them launch into their future.    Read more details about the changes on Mekerah's horizon and also about our newest additions to the family at  www.rhondabenz.wordpress.com  (Please note this is a change of address for the blog!)  Mekerah (Benz) has recently joined Facebook.  Add her as a friend!

• KeSey Hendricks, an intern from Missouri, has become indispensable in helping Rhonda prepare for furlough.  We have recently added to her duties for an early phonics class for 10 Bykota Kids. After only two days our own Madeline is singing N    "I'll ne ne ne never, nibble my nails again, said ni ni ni Nicky the nervous Nightingale!"

• Volunteers like Elise Haro, the Hassenboehler family, and Heather Abernathy, who give of their lives and raise their own support to be here with us are invaluable.  Is God calling you to give a year of your time?  The need is great, the time is NOW!

• Furlough 2011 - During our time in the U.S. we will travel through at least ten states to share with churches, fellowships and small groups. We also wish to meet personally one-on-one with each of our partners in the ministry. Be expecting our call and forward your contact info if it has changed. A simple reply to this email will do.

     With our departure to do the stateside work of the ministry but still keeping things operating here, now more than ever, your faithful partnership and prayers are needed.  We are very thankful that February saw us able to meet payroll, pay rent and utilities, and purchase rice and needed supplies.  Soon we will have expenses on both sides of the ocean. With slow economies and a soft job market, we want to acknowledge all the more your faithfulness to the Bykota children and to our own family which enables us to carry out the work.  Please remember to pray for our needs as we pray for yours.

See you soon,

Mark and Rhonda Benz and family

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