By TERESA WILBORN

MORE THAN 200 people gathered to celebrate the 5th anniversary of COSI (Community Outreach Services Immanuel) in Angsnoul, Cambodia, on May 26, 2007. Instead of dampening the festive spirit, an afternoon rainstorm brought a much-appreciated cool breeze.


The open-air meeting area was cheerfully decorated with colourful balloons and crepe-paper streamers. Special guests included the village chief, local school principal, and a group of youths from Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) in Singapore.


The COSI children provided a two-hour programme of singing, dancing and sharing of testimony. Accompanied by keyboard, guitar, and roneat (the traditional Khmer wooden xylophone), the older girls kicked off the ceremony with the "Blessing Dance". The children were divided into different groups by age, and presented three songs with interpretative dance.


A teenager gave his testimony, sharing that his father left when he was a young child and his mother was unable to care for him. He ran away from home and fell in with a very rough crowd. After suffering much fear and abuse in the streets, he found his way back home. A Methodist pastor heard about his situation, and recommended him to COSI. The youth expressed his deep appreciation to God for saving his life and giving him the opportunity to live at COSI.


COSI officially opened in May 2002 with 64 children who were orphans or in families unable to care for them. Today, there are 121 residents and 20 staff members. A short slide presentation entitled, "COSI is all about children", was created specially for the celebration, showing photos of the children over the past five years.


The Rev Philip Lim, the Methodist Missions Society's Cambodia Country Coordinator, provided a message of inspiration from Jeremiah 17:7-8, comparing the children to fruits on a tree nourished by the stream of God's love.


Later, the older boys and girls presented the "Coconut Dance", a traditional Khmer dance using coconut shells as percussion instruments.


Before coming to COSI, the ACS (I) students collected 10 used computers and held fund-raising projects to purchase a guitar, soccer balls and Frisbees for the residents.


In honour of the occasion, one of the ACS (I) students played a traditional song on a Chinese flute while the residents sang along.


The programme ended with the presentation of birthday cakes topped with five candles. The Rev Lim, COSI Manager Carol Ong, and other staff blew out the candles and cut the cakes. This was followed by a barbeque.


What a happy and heartwarming experience! As our group left for the drive back to Phnom Penh, my heart was filled with joy and gratitude for God's blessings on the children and staff.

Teresa Wilborn is a member of Aldersgate Methodist Church.

The Rev Philip Lim with three of the COSI dancers. - COSI picture.