Hello Everyone!

We want to begin this newsletter by thanking all who were so gracious to host Rhonda in their home or church, all the transporting from one place to another, and all the love and kindness you poured over her.  It was such a blessing and we appreciate everyone taking time out of your lives to help her.  Her time there in the States was very short, but yet we are confident that the Lord used each and every day to the fullest. Things have been hoppin' around here ever since Rhonda's return from her trip to the United States.  We have so much to share.  In fact, we have so many "new announcements" to make that this is one newsletter you may have to read more than once to take it all in. Mark and Rhonda Benz

New Web Log Online

Our first announcement is to let you all know of HIGH TOWER MINISTRY'S new Blog.  You can check in to see more on our daily life and happenings over here in Southeast Asia.  You can subscribe to the Blog and be notified of any new postings as they occur or you can simply add it to your favorites or bookmarks and check it as you have free time.  The address for the new Blog is http://hightowerministries.wordpress.com be sure to check it out!

Presently Bykota House has 15 children that bless us daily.  We are very excited and happy to announce that the adoption of Sarah is now complete and final.  Hallelujah!  We will be blessed to continue to see her from time to time but we know that she is planted where God would have her.

Child Sponsorship Now Available

We are finally ready to begin our sponsorship program with BYKOTA HOUSE.  Those families or individuals wanting to sponsor a specific child may do so on our web site, www.hightowerministries.net  Child sponsorship will make it possible for emails, photos, and specific updates to be shared.  We are very thankful for all those that give to underwrite the financial needs of Bykota House as a children's home, but families or organizations seeking to give in a more specific or personal way, now have the program by which to do so.

New Staff for Bykota House

We have had some recent staff changes to share with you.  Bong Mark, who had worked with us from the beginning, has gone on to be promoted to a producer at a local Christian TV station so has had to resign his duties.  Just shortly after that news, we were saddened to hear that Sopheup was leaving us to go on to university.  Losing two of our staff at the same time was difficult but we are blessed that the Lord has provided in an exciting way.

With eight children on the waiting list and the need to separate adolescent boys and girls, if the Lord has laid on your heart to sponsor a year's expenses of an additional facility please contact us at mark@hightowerministries.net. Estimated rent and utilities for one additional "Long House" $5,000.

High Tower Ministries Opens Private School

We are also happy to announce the commencement of School of the Nations!  This week (July 9th) is our first week of school.  We are sure that we will have lots of kinks to work out and glitches to overcome, but we have begun.  The children are very excited.  They all arrived early on the first day of school and that is saying a lot here in this relaxed culture.  We earnestly seek your prayers to cover us all as we adjust and continue on with the task of education.

CAMBODIA ORPHAN AID is continuing to watch over those at the provincial orphanages.  A visit last month was enjoyed by all as we visited out at AOA and delivered soy milks.  We were happy to find that some of the children were no longer there but had been processed through some Italian and French adoptions. 

CAMBODIA ORPHAN AID funds were previously administrated by the National Heritage Foundation but due to recent changes in federal laws, we can no longer continue there.  Our sending church, Bykota Ministries, has agreed to receive those funds and administrate them on our behalf.  We so appreciate this.  Any funds given for COA need to simply specify on the check memo line that it is for CAMBODIA ORPHAN AID and that designation will make sure that it is used as intended.  Auto debit is available, but checks can be mailed to PO Box 535, Carthage, MO  64836.

SHEPHERD'S CROOK continues on as the Lord directs needs across our path.  We have recently begun medical assistance of a young child who is terminally ill with Leukemia.  Our prayers for this child are that of total healing for without the Lord's intervention, there is no hope.  SHEPHERD'S CROOK is providing for the child's travel expenses and medical care to make him as comfortable as possible.

SHEPHERD'S CROOK is also providing a place to live for Reaksmey when he was recently dislocated from his home.  He is, in turn, helping us fill the need of a night security guard.  We recently had an intruder in our courtyard in the middle of the night that Snap, our trusty guard dog alerted us to.  We thank you all for your prayers over us and for our family to work and sleep in safety.

We are presently praying the Lord will guide us to the right person/family in order to start a taxi business.  The Lord has blessed SHEPHERD'S CROOK with a small second-hand Tuk-Tuk taxi.  With a little work and the right person, this could provide a living for a family.

"Tuk-Tuk"A three wheeled Taxi

Speaking of Tuk-Tuk's, BYKOTA HOUSE is pleased to show everyone our new Tuk-Tuk!  We are so blessed and thankful because we outgrew the HIGH TOWER MINISTRY van a long time ago.  Yea God!!!

Plans are underway for the next Bykota Ministry mission trip to Cambodia for February 2008.  Please contact the church for more information if you feel led to join this year's team. www.bykotaministries.org

Speech Therapist Needed

High Tower Ministries and Bykota House would like to share a very specific need of a speech therapist.  If you have training in the area of speech therapy and would like to be used to meet a pressing need in this way, please contact us for more details.

Thank you so much for taking your time to read our update. We hope you enjoy receiving our newsletters and ask that you farward it on for others to enjoy also.

Sincerely,

Mark and Rhonda Benz

and all our kids too!

High Tower Ministries is on the web at: www.hightowerministries.net

View thousands of photos at one of our two photo galleries!

Visit www.gallery.hightowerministries.net and www.gallery.bykotahouse.org

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