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 Very few people would be qualified to answer an ad like the one at left. But when LHF staff members Rev. James Fandrey and Rev. Ted NaThalang recently traveled to Southeast Asia, they were reminded that when God has a plan, anything is possible.
A miracle in Cambodia
In 2009, Cambodian Lutherans rejoiced as the government granted official recognition to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cambodia (ELCC). This government approval allows the ELCC’s 32 congregations and 17 pastors complete freedom for worship, evangelizing, teaching and social ministry.
But while the people were now free to worship, they didn’t have a liturgy or hymns with which to do so.
“Because Lutheranism is so new to Cambodia, there isn’t a Lutheran liturgy or hymnody in the Khmer language,” explained Rev. Fandrey, LHF executive director. “For the past four or five years, they’ve relied on just a few Reformed hymns for their worship.”
As LHF’s coordinator for translation projects in Southeast Asia, Rev. NaThalang had long recognized the need for a Khmer liturgy, but he knew that finding the right person to translate liturgy and hymns was no easy task.
“Not just anybody can translate hymns,” said Rev. NaThalang. “It’s a difficult task to translate the beautiful language of poetry, keep the meaning of the words, and set it to the music. It’s hard to imagine one person with all these skills.”
As Rev. Fandrey visited with Cambodian church leaders, the men expressed their desire to be united with a common, historical liturgy that could easily be learned by their parishioners.
As the men discussed this problem, “A light bulb went on in my head,” Rev. Fandrey said. “I suggested Divine Service, Setting Four from the Lutheran Service Book – a liturgy that’s consistent with our Lutheran heritage, but also very ‘singable.’”
As he sang parts of the service for the Cambodians, “I witnessed the hand of the Lord at work,” Rev. Fandrey said.
The Lord's hand at work
The men’s eyes lit up as they heard Rev. Fandrey sing. Excitedly, they grabbed their notebooks and pencils and began scribbling the English words to the Gloria.
In the men’s midst was Vichit, a childhood friend of one of the ELCC leaders. Vichit, a talented pianist who speaks fluent English, is also something of a computer guru who knows how to use certain programs to write music.
Quietly, he offered his skills to the group, and they eagerly accepted his help.
The group worked throughout the evening, and the next morning, the men proudly and joyfully sang the “Gloria,” translated into Khmer, set to the LSB tune that played from the computer.
“There was no way that we could have planned this moment to happen,” reflected Rev. NaThalang. “We could have searched and tried to plan it, but we never would have imagined a person like Vichit with all these skills. This was the Lord’s work here.”
The group also wanted to hear some hymns they could translate. “We would let them pick hymns, and Rev. Fandrey and I would sing the hymns for them,” Rev. NaThalang said. “They liked many of them and decided to begin with ‘Thy Strong Word.’ I was glad, because the words are very strong, and it’s a good Lutheran hymn.”
Rev. Fandrey and Rev. NaThalang felt honored and blessed to have witnessed this moment in the history of the ELCC.
“More and more, I see how God is working through these young Cambodian people,” said Rev. NaThalang. “In most cases, this kind of project would probably take many committees and meetings, and a lot of effort and money. But when God’s doing it, it’s just so simple and good!
“I’m really thankful that I’m able to assist the people of Cambodia,” Rev. NaThalang concluded. “To me, this experience will always be a moment to cherish. It was a dream, but now it’s really come true.”
To see other videos of the translators singing the completed pieces of LSB’s Divine Service Setting 4, go to www.YouTube.com, and type LHF + Lutheran in the search window. Or, become a fan of LHF’s Facebook page (www.Facebook.com), where the videos are also posted.
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Agnus Dei
Sanctus
Gospel Acclamation
Prior to 2003: No known Lutheran presence in Cambodia
2004: LHF publishes 1,000 copies of the Khmer Small Catechism
2005: Seminar held for a small group of Christian pastors to introduce them to the catechism
2006: LHF publishes Workbook for Luther's Small Catechism. Two other seminars are conducted for Christian pastors and laypeople: "Why I Am a Lutheran" and "The Way of the Cross." Catechism supply is depleted, requiring reprinting.
2007: LHF publishes The Augsburg Confession, Preaching Law and Gospel and Reading the Bible with Understanding
2008: LHF publishes A Child's Garden of Bible Stories. Seminars are held to teach Sunday school teachers how to use the book with their young students.
2009: A group of Christian pastors, under the leadership of Vanarith Chhim, apply for and receive official government recognition for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cambodia. The ELCC includes 32 congregations and 17 pastors.
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