Know and Celebrate!

by Tom Post ~ February 2012

What Do Our Cambodia CRWRC Workers Want Our Supporting Congregations to Know and Celebrate?

That’s the question I asked at morning devotions with our CRWRC-Cambodia crew last week Monday. In reading their encouraging answers below, I hope you join me in thanking God for their testimonies of his faithfulness. When I heard all of this, I thought, “Wow, what a blessing!”

• Our partnering congregations in Cambodia now are not only working in a spiritual way but also in deeds with their surrounding communities: pastors now see that churches have a special role to play in the communities!
• We hear communities saying, “Before, we thought that the government was responsible for our development: now we see that we ourselves are also responsible!”
• “Women have more participation in decision-making, domestic violence has decreased, and now there are almost no gangs!”
• “All of our partners have savings and lending groups organized in their communities, and they are building solidarity by learning together. One of our partner organizations was recognized by the government as a leader in the province and a leader in giving voice to the poor and building the country!”
• “Three neighboring churches in Takeo learn from each other and visit each other’s villages.”
• “I want the churches in North America to know that I, as a liaison between CRWRC and its partners here, try my best to show responsibility and integrity.”
• “Through the community development process, people in Cambodia are learning good governance and taking their rights back.”
• “I want North Americans to know that we work alongside our partners: we are not their bosses, and we don’t just give them money for working to build up weak organizations into strong ones who strengthen their communities.”
• “As a person who is new to CRWRC, I am amazed at the patience and perseverance of our staff and for the way they accept the strengths and weaknesses of our partners as they are.”
• “CRWRC is pioneering to build competency in health, agriculture, and education here. It’s very challenging!”
• “We try to use the money well and to meet the needs of the community.”
• “We keep our expenses to a minimum and try to focus on the right things at minimum cost. I have learned stewardship from CRWRC!”
• Our auditor told us, “Your system is excellent!”
• “When we administered flood relief not only the party members got help!”
• “Where CRWRC is working, good news is spread, not only by words but by activity. As a result we are seeing hearts transformed and more confidence!”

About Tom Post

Tom is currently the team leader for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee in Asia, focusing on Bangladesh, India, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines and Indonesia.

Tom and his wife, Melva, have 5 children. Melva is originally from the country of Belize, in Central America. Tom grew up in the Trinity Christian Reformed Church of Grandville, MI, and their present home church is the Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, MI.

Tom has worked for the Peace Corps in Belize, in bilingual education with the Grand Rapids Public Schools and for CRWRC in Honduras, Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, and Kenya. He has served as field director for Mexico and Belize, Central America Zone Director, as team leader for East & Southern Africa, and as developer of partnerships for business development in Kenya (Partners for Christian Development). Melva has worked as a nurse, teacher, and mom in various countries.

Tom has his BA in biology and secondary education from Calvin College, his MA in Bilingual Education from Grand Valley State Colleges, his MSc. in Agronomy and Certificates in Latin American Studies and Tropical Agriculture from the University of Florida, and his Ph.D. in Development Studies from the University of East Anglia. Melva has her BSc in nursing from Grand Valley State Univ.

Address:
Tom and Melva Post
c/o CRWRC 2850 Kalamazoo Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49560

Email:  tpost@crwrc.org