January 2007

Dear Friends and Partners of CCAM,

As most of you know, a CCAM team of 15 performers, plus Gioia, toured the UK and France in October and November 2006. The original schedules and photos of the tour repertoire are still posted on the CCAM website: www.ccamvision.org . As soon as possible, we will add photos of the actual tour.

During the 31 days of October in the UK, we presented 19 performances, which included 10 formal concerts, 4 school performances, 4 church services, and 1 luncheon performance. For sightseeing, we visited Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, Chatsworth (Duke’s mansion), Rochester (home of Charles Dickens), Plymouth Harbor, plus 3 wildlife parks, and 2 nature parks. We also rode the London Eye, viewed the well-known Blackpool Illuminations, and attended a modern dance performance at Cambridge University Theatre. In Northern Ireland, we visited the famous Giant’s Causeway.

During the first 25 days of November in France, we presented 12 formal concerts, covering most of northern France. For sightseeing, we visited Dunkerque Maritime Museum, docks, and beach, as well as Laon Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Days of rest were few and far between, but before crossing the channel from England to France, we spent a couple of days at Briar’s Court, a comfy bed and breakfast in Gravesend, and in the middle of the French tour, we spent several days at Landersen mountain retreat centre in the French alps.

In addition to the very tight schedule of events, and the fact that most of the performance venues were difficult, there were also many long journeys by van, ferry, train, and airplane to get from place to place. Needless to say, by the time we returned home, we were extremely exhausted!

However, because of this tour, our students have had opportunity to visit foreign lands and learn many things about another part of the world through practical experience. As our team was tested by difficulties along the way, we overcame all obstacles by joining together in the harmony of the Holy Spirit to present our works of art to the King of the Universe, as well as to the audiences that He gathered in every place. As a result, our faith in God and our CCAM family relationships were strengthened. We sensed the anointing of God at every performance, recognizing that a divine miracle had taken place, because such a performance would have been humanly impossible, given the many obstacles. We trust that many people in Europe were touched by God because of our performances and our personal testimonies. Sometimes we met people who shared with us how God had spoken to them through us.

Many thanks to our sponsors, SAO Cambodia in the UK and Tim Paton (WEC – “Bridge of Hope”) in France, for inviting us and for working so hard to make this tour a reality. We rejoice that our sponsors in the UK and France have received a lot of public exposure, including recruitment of new ministry contacts and donors, through their presentation of CCAM performances in their home countries. It is too soon to tell if CCAM has gained any fruitful ministry contacts or donors. However, we rejoice that God has introduced us to some new friends along the way—perhaps divine appointments for His yet unrevealed purposes.

Many New Year Blessings,

Gioia for the CCAM European Team

ccam.arts@online.com.kh