Cambodian Christian Arts Ministry | Phnom Penh | Evangelizing & Training Cambodians for Christ

1994

Gioia Michelotti and Noren Vann Kim took a survey trip to Cambodia;
Taught arts ministry training workshops at Phnom Penh Bible School and at an interdenominational gathering of church leaders;
Met with local Christians to discuss opportunities for future service;
Returned to the U.S. to raise awareness and financial support for their vision;
ACI International, directed by Ken and Carol Meeks, agreed to become their mission service organization to process donations.

1995

Martha Crabbe volunteered to serve as Gioia's stateside financial coordinator, and Kathy Amstutz volunteered to serve as Noren's;
Opened CCAM School in Phnom Penh at a little 3-room wooden house on stilts, owned by Kreg and Jenny Mallow (6 month's rent free, then $100 per month);
Began teaching Bible and other arts and academic subjects to 4 full-time students (one of them Reaksmey Long, and another Srey Sraws Long), plus 12 part-time students (dancers from the School of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh);
Sophun Ty, a performer and dance teacher, taught Khmer traditional dance part-time at CCAMS in exchange for free meals and classes;
Noren took the students to Kandal province, singing, dancing, and giving testimony in Prek Takong Village, and also to Prey Veng province, teaching Bible in Prasat Village (where Reaksmey and Sraws come from) – many people received Jesus as their Savior, especially those in their family;
Collaborated with Russey Keo Baptist Church to produce a contextualized video entitled "The Birth of Jesus," renting costumes from the School of Fine Arts;
Newly formed CCAMS Performing Team choreographed new Christian dances, especially "The Dedication Dance" by Noren and Gioia; then, dressed in sparkling costumes created by local volunteer seamstress Sokom Ly, they completed the first season of performances at Phnom Penh churches and at Way of Salvation Church Tmareap in Kompong Chhnang province.

1996

Shared cultural exchange with WINDOWS Dance Team (YWAM);
Noren and Gioia taught Bible (as well as Christian worship dance in Khmer and Western styles) at Phnom Penh churches and out in the provinces;
Moved to a two-story stone house ($500 per month rent) to accommodate 26 full-time students and expand educational programs;
Created new Christian dances and dramas, completing another season of performances in Phnom Penh, especially at Chenla Theatre, presenting an original niyay drama "He Is Risen!" created and directed by Gioia, performing for National Day of Prayer at AOG Bible School sponsored by World Vision, and also performing Christian dances in traditional style at Stung Meanchay and at the interdenominational outreach at Chatomok Theatre, plus another outreach in Kompong Chhnang province.

1997

Sophun Ty became a Christian and joined CCAMS full-time as a student, as well as a dance teacher;
Local volunteer Erly Betia taught voice at CCAMS;
CCAMS survived a military coup in July;
While exiled inside the CCAMS house, students choreographed 13 new dances;
Performed for a Christmas Outreach at Chatomok Theatre sponsored by Open Gate Church, at International Christian Fellowship, at Chom Chao AIDS Hospital, and at Olympic Stadium (presenting the newly created "Christmas Candle Dance" to a standing ovation), plus performances in Kompong Cham province (3 days outreach at a sports field to several thousand people each day, sponsored by Harvest International), and other performances in Kompong Som, Kompong Chhnang, and Kandal provinces.

1998

CCAMS survived another political upheaval involving violent government oppression of political demonstrations;
Began to teach weekly classes of Khmer Christian dance at Methodist School;
Recorded album of original contemporary Christian songs by CCAMS student Sovannavy Lim, entitled "Jesus, the Morning Star";
Created more dances and dramas and completed another season of performances in Phnom Penh: premiere performances of "Which Way to Heaven?" (original yigay drama) at the Khmer Baptist Convention held at New Life in Christ Church, and "The Resurrection Dance" at the Easter celebration of Open Gate Church; as well as an appearance at World Vision and the yearly Christmas Outreach, again held at Chatomok Theatre; plus performances in Kompong Cham province at an open air outreach in Kongmeas, and another one at a Leper Colony in Troeung Village (both sponsored by Harvest Intenational), and other appearances in Stung Meanchay, Kompong Som, and Kompong Chhnang.

1999

Moved to a three-story stone house ($1,000 per month rent) to accommodate 32 full-time students and further expand educational programs;
Tikhia Pel, Phnom Penh Bible School graduate, joined CCAMS as a volunteer full-time live-in elementary school teacher;
Hosted mission team from Grace Brethren Church, Long Beach, California, led by Bob Covolo;
Recorded a second album of original contemporary Christian songs by CCAMS student Sodanie Kim, "The Promise of God," featuring CCAMS singers Kunthia Peekdow and Sovannavy Lim;
Collaborated with Singapore Arts Mission Team (Eileen O'Conner) to hold a Christian performing arts workshop at New Life in Christ Church in Phnom Penh;
At Chatomok Theatre in Phnom Penh, CCAMS won first place at the Christian Performing Arts Festival for their original chayam drama entitled "The Creation," starring Srey Sraws Long as the Storyteller; and CCAMS student Sovannavy Lim won first place in the contemporary Christian song category;
CCAMS students provided Khmer voices for the video "The Hiding Place";
Because of flooding, moved to a four-story stone house ($1,000 per month rent) to accommodate 45 full-time students and gain more space for performing arts;
Created a stage with velvet curtains and professional lighting;
Rottana Nhep (a local high school teacher) joined CCAMS as a volunteer part-time academic teacher;
Purchased first plot of land in Kompong Chhnang province;
Volunteer Steve Gourley recorded a third album of original contemporary Christian songs entitled "His Blood Rescued Me," the lyrics, music, and vocal performance by Rin Yame, Gioia's music student;
Created new Christian dances and dramas, especially "The Offering Dance," presented for the first time at Open Gate Church in Phnom Penh, and "The Creation" chayam at Russey Keo Baptist; also performing at the dedication of the Methodist School, for the Christmas Outreach at Chenla Theatre, at Khmer Army Theatre (sponsored by New Jerusalem Church), and at Olympic Stadium, performing an original niyay drama "The Christmas Story," plus performances in Kompot and Kompong Chhnang provinces.

2000

Singapore Christians donated tambourines and taught tambourine dancing;
Borany Nhem (a local university professor) joined CCAMS as a volunteer part-time academic teacher;
Sophun was promoted to directors' assistant;
Collaborated with Susan Smith (Innerchange) to produce guide book for celebrating a contextualized Passover Service, later published by Fount of Wisdom;
CBN filmed Noren's testimony drama, characters played by CCAMS students;
Local volunteer Bunthan Say taught computer classes at CCAMS;
Bob Covolo brought a second mission team to CCAMS;
CCAMS became a member of Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia (EFC);
Created more Christian dances and dramas and completed another season of performances in Phnom Penh, especially the premiere performance at Russey Keo Baptist Church of "The Birth of Jesus" (an original bassac drama created by Noren), and an outreach at New Life in Christ Church, sponsored by the Mennonites, performances at Russian Cultural Centre and at Chenla Theatre, plus outreaches in Takeo and at Tuol Ksach in Kompong Chhnang with FEBC;
Women of Global Action coordinator, Lorry Lutz, invited CCAMS dancers to perform, and Gioia and Noren to speak, at a global women's conference to be held in 2001 at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas;

2001

Local volunteer seamstress Chantha Chan began to create new costumes and props for the upcoming U.S. performance tour.
Tim and Kathy Amstutz moved to Cambodia with World Relief, so Ellen Lindsey volunteered to replace Kathy as Noren's stateside financial coordinator;
Performed for Musicianaries' rice distribution at Anloong Kngan refugee camp;
CCAMS' first yearly performance at EFC Conference in Phnom Penh;
Volunteer Carolyn Nicholson taught the CCAMS choir;
Taught an arts ministry training workshop at Methodist Bible School;
Volunteer Lavina Friesen taught English and worship dance at CCAMS;
CCAMS invited paid musicians from the School of Fine Arts to provide music for the soundtrack of a new original mohouri drama, "In the King's Garden," so that volunteer Steve Gourley could record their performance;
Veasna Ros, guest singer from the School of Fine Arts, was deeply touched by the lyrics of that drama as she sang, and later she decided to believe in Jesus for herself, subsequently coming to volunteer teach at CCAMS;
CCAM School received official authorization from the Cambodian Government through the Religion Department;
Dr. Kendrick Kahler (CSI) arranged for CCAMS student Bora Chin to receive growth hormone treatments through U.S. endocrinologist Dr. Keith McDonald;
Accomplished a three-month-long CCAM Performance Tour to the U.S., sponsored by WGA and U.S. churches, especially performing "Praise the Lord with Timbrel and Dancing" (Psalm 150) at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas;
Performed at the annual Christmas Outreach at Chenla Theatre.

2002

With assistance of board members Martha Crabbe, Harry Heflin, and Joe Ginder, founded non-profit CCAM Corporation in U.S. to support ministry in Cambodia;
Began receiving grants from Christian Community Foundation (CCF), later known as WaterStone;
Volunteer webmaster Joe Ginder created first CCAM website;
Added 2-story stone house next door (total of 2 houses for $1,800 per month rent to accommodate 55 full-time students);
Purchased Khmer musical instruments and began training traditional orchestra, taught by paid music teachers from the School of Fine Arts;
Constructed state-of-the-arts recording studio with help of volunteer building consultant David Huntley and volunteer technician-trainer Steve Gourley;
Set up medical clinic with assistance of volunteer nurse, Glenna Bowers;
Set up library with assistance of interns Melissa Kelsey and Miriam Hershberger;
Dr. Keith McDonald visited CCAMS and subsequently published a novel, "A Time to Mourn, a Time to Dance" (published by OakTara) which was based on the life experiences of CCAMS students, and which he dedicated to CCAM;
Dr. Kendrick Kahler (CSI) successfully diagnosed the strange life-threatening disease of CCAMS student Rotha Vann and prescribed the correct medicine for his healing;
Created more Christian dances and dramas and completed another season of performances in Phnom Penh, at Chenla Theatre and Olympic Stadium, plus performances in the provinces – Takeo, Kandal, Prey Veng, Kompong Chhnang, Kompong Som, Kompong Speu (WVI), Siem Riep, and a medical mission outreach to Kompong Cham, sponsored by Eastminster Presbyterian Church.

2003

Eastminster Presbyterian Mission Team returned to do TB testing at CCAMS;
Singapore Arts Mission Team (Kimberley Creasman) presented performing arts workshops at CCAMS;
University of Nations organized and taught the CCAMS preschool program;
Purchased second plot of land in Kompong Chhnang province;
EMI team of volunteer architects and engineers drew up plans for building a ministry center on CCAM land in Kompong Chhnang province;
Taught a series of arts ministry training workshops at Compassion of Christ Church in Kompong Chhnang province;
Sophun and Reaksmey's engagement ceremony in Prasat Village, Prey Veng province, and in Phnom Penh, including CCAMS performances of dance, live Khmer orchestra, and contemporary band with singers;
Kathy Amstutz became our official volunteer photographer;
Lisa Powell began the first of many mission trips to CCAMS, to teach and to bring Christmas gifts;
Created original Christian dances and dramas and completed another season of performances in Phnom Penh, especially at Chenla Theatre, Apsara TV, Pochentong Factory, Russey Keo Baptist Church, and Faculty of Dentistry (where CCAMS performed Khmer Christian singing and dancing accompanied by live Khmer orchestra), and in Kandal province at Hallelujah Medical Clinic in Prek Eng, and at MSI Garment Factory and Takmao Church (OMF), and in Kompot with WVI, and in Kompong Cham with Eastminster Mission, plus Prey Veng.

2004

St. Peter's Presbyterian Church made first mission trip to CCAMS, including Dr. Sandra Yee's dental clinic, which subsequently came independently every year;
Hosted mission team (art and music) from Xenos Fellowship Church, U.S.A.
Hosted Orality Drama Workshop in partnership with Tom Newhouse;
Sophun and Reaksmey's wedding ceremony, including CCAMS performances of dance, live Khmer orchestra, and contemporary band with singers;
Pilot program to produce the CCAM evangelistic version of the musical "Annie" in English, assisted by Gordon interns;
Mission team from Long Beach Friends Church in California provided computer upgrade and repair, plus leadership training by Pastor Joe Ginder;
Created Christian dances and dramas and completed another performance season in Phnom Penh, especially for the National Day of Prayer at Chenla Theatre sponsored by FEBC, presenting live singing and dancing with traditional orchestral accompaniment, and also at the Indonesian Embassy, at the International Christian Fellowship, and in the provinces of Prey Veng, Kompot, Kompong Cham, Kompong Speu, Kompong Thom, Kompong Chhnang and Kandal, especially Takmao.

2005

Battled infestation of termites in our smaller house in Phnom Penh;
Presented first season of the CCAM evangelistic version of the musical "Annie" in English at the Chenla Theatre in Phnom Penh (directed by OMF volunteer Angeline Lai);
Volunteer Marjie Benadum (World Team) taught screen printing to CCAMS students, who then produced designs for "Annie" programs and T-shirts;
Purchased third plot of land in Kompong Chhnang province;
One pencil drawing of Gioia's art student Rin Yame was chosen for a showing at the Khmer Artists Exhibition in Paris, France;
Intern Suzanne Webster (SAO) taught keyboard at CCAMS;
Volunteer Samuel Hersusianto taught guitar;
St. Peter's Presbyterian Church made a second mission trip to Cambodia, bringing donations to purchase two vans for CCAMS, and Dr. Bill Kennedy brought meds for the clinic, especially TB meds to treat CCAMS students and staff diagnosed with the disease;
Created new dances and dramas and completed another season of performances in Phnom Penh, especially at Chenla Theatre, with Mercy Teams in Chba Ampeou, and also in the provinces, particularly in Kompong Som, including an open air outreach to Khmer Kampuchea Krom in Kaws-Kyong (CSI), and another open air outreach in Kratie (Pioneers), where CCAMS performed Khmer Christian songs, dances, and dramas, accompanied by live Khmer orchestra; plus additional outreaches in Kandal and Kompot.

2006

Purchased fourth plot of land in Kompong Chhnang province;
Presented second season (with new cast) of the CCAM evangelistic version of the musical "Annie" in English at the Chenla Theatre in Phnom Penh (directed by Gioia and sponsored by WIG);
Dr. Andres and Dorothea Guglielmetti (OMF) volunteered to staff CCAMS medical clinic;
Presented first CCAMS Graduation Ceremony, including a graduate art show (judged by artist Anita Dean – first place awarded to Reaksmey Long Ty, Gioia's art student), publication of graduate essays and stories, plus performances showcasing songs, dances, and dramas created by graduates, other students, and staff, for example:
- "Called to Be a Priest," original creative dance choreographed by graduate Sophun Ty to his own original music and lyrics;
- "Garlands Instead of Ashes" (Isaiah 61), song lyrics by Noren, and classical-style dance choreographed by CCAMS students and staff to a traditional poetry tune;
- Contemporary song "Until the End," music by Rin Yame, and lyrics and modern dance choreography by Gioia;
- "In the King's Garden," original mohouri-style drama created by CCAMS students and staff as an allegory of salvation, with graduates playing the parts;
Two orthodontist scholarships were awarded to CCAMS students Doungchan Loeung and Huey Ting through ICC and the Faculty of Dentistry;
Accomplished a two-month-long CCAM Performance Tour to Europe (UK and France), led by Gioia and Sophun and sponsored by SAO and WEC;
CCAMS continued with another season of performances in Phnom Penh, especially for World Vision, for Kosomak Hospital and the FEBC Anniversary at Chenla Theatre (live singing, dancing, and orchestra), and also in the provinces, particularly at Life School in Kompong Som (celebrating the Doulos Ship docked at Sihanoukville), plus other performances in Prey Veng and Kompot;
Upon returning to Cambodia, CCAMS European Performing Team was invited to appear at ICF for a welcome home performance, and later joined the rest of the CCAMS dancers at Chenla Theatre for the annual Christmas outreach.

2007

Hosted CCAMS keyboard recital, featuring students of Gioia and guest teacher Julie Sandoval (MCC);
Purchased a piano for the CCAM music program;
Volunteer Niels Payne (OMF) taught English at CCAMS and painted the swing;
CCAMS doctor, Andres Guglielmetti, performed successful surgery on the deformed hand of CCAM student Srey Nuon Hone, and nurse Dorothea provided weeks of physical therapy;
Completed the perimeter wall around the 3-acre CCAM property in Kompong Chhnang province, with Harry Blagden (OMF) as volunteer building supervisor;
Fount of Wisdom published the first Khmer Christian children's book, "Miknia's Doll," written and illustrated by CCAMS graduate intern, Lina Pao, who was apprenticed by Gioia;
Gioia taught a "Writing Children's Books" workshop sponsored by Fount of Wisdom, and as a result of that, Fount of Wisdom published a book entitled "Who Is My Friend?" by Yoeun Channy, one of Gioia's workshop students;
After CCAMS student Buntheep Chun was diagnosed with a brain tumor by Dr. Andres, Gioia accompanied her to the United States for eight months of multiple surgeries, radiation, and biotherapy, contacts coordinated by Nix Daniel, and expenses paid by Baptist Medical Center and Ronald McDonald House in Jacksonville, Florida, by First Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida, and by many other donors;
Annette Kitagawa came alongside Gioia to assist her taking care of Buntheep;
Noren and Sophun continued with another season of performances in Phnom Penh, especially at Chenla Theatre, Phnom Penh Bible School, and International Christian Fellowship, plus the Cultural Exchange at Olympic Stadium sponsored by Korean Christians (where CCAMS performers received a standing ovation), and also out in the provinces, particularly in Kompot and Kandal.

2008

In Cambodia, Noren and Sophun battled termites in the larger house;
Alex Darr taught English at CCAMS, while also writing poetry about his Cambodian experience;
Pastor Jim Dycus brought a youth mission team from Calvary Church in Orlando, Florida, to show how to share the gospel through games;
Gioia continued to supervise Buntheep's medical treatments in the U.S., and Pastor Joe Ginder assisted Gioia to keep partners and friends updated by email;
While Buntheep was recovering from surgery, Dreams Come True cheered her with a shopping spree, transporting her around in a limo and a wheelchair;
Linda and Vince Ferrigno came alongside Gioia to assist her taking care of Buntheep, and surprised both of them with a trip to Disney World;
Max and Martha Crabbe transported Gioia and Buntheep to visit relatives;
Dale Cockley taught guitar to Buntheep while she was recovering at RMH;
Gail Powers helped Gioia and Buntheep in Jacksonville, and even came to visit CCAMS in Cambodia when they returned home;
Gioia and Buntheep returned to Cambodia in July, bringing the rest of the donated biotherapy drug for two years of additional daily injections;
Roz Darr helped care for Buntheep on the trip and for three months in Cambodia;
In the CCAMS recording studio, Sophun recorded CCAM's traditional Khmer orchestra, performing with guest singers from the School of Fine Arts;
Chasda Isaac Ty, the first CCAM baby, was born on September 10 to Sophun and Reaksmey Long Ty, CCAMS graduate staff;
Local volunteer seamstress Bunnan Kann began to make costumes for CCAMS;
Continued with another season of performances in Phnom Penh, especially the Cultural Exchange at the Indonesian Embassy, Bible League "Vision for Unity Conference," the anniversary of FEBC-Family FM at Imperial Garden Hotel, the dedication of the Russey Keo Baptist Church building, and the annual Christmas outreach at Chatomok Theatre, plus performances at Stung Meanchay and in the provinces, especially the EFC Women's Conference in Kompong Som, and outreaches in Kratie, Kompot, Kompong Chhnang, and Kandal.

2009

After being evicted from side-by-side houses at the end of 2008, CCAM moved three times to escape flooding, the new houses often separated from each other, with combined rents of $5,500 per month!
CCAMS graduate, Srey Sraws Long, volunteered to help teach at CCAMS and to help pack, unpack, and organize during multiple moves from house to house;
At Baby Isaac's dedication ceremony, spiritual grandmothers Gioia and Noren created a special dedication song for the occasion;
When Dr. Andres and nurse Dorothea left Cambodia, Dr. Dale Knutson and nurse Christiana Thomas (both with MTW) volunteered to staff the medical clinic;
Srey Roth Ly, a Khmer medical student, volunteered to teach nursing at CCAMS;
Intern Katie Ernst taught educational games to CCAMS elementary students;
Continued another season of performances, especially for New Life School at CCAMS, and an interdenominational outreach to government officials at the Institute of Education in Phnom Penh, the annual Christmas outreach at Chenla Theatre, plus a performance in Stung Meanchay and an outreach in Kompong Chhnang, sponsored by an interdenominational pastors' association.

2010

Partnered with Voices from the Nations to create a CD-DVD promotional album about CCAMS entitled "Garlands for Ashes";
Presented piano recital featuring Gioia's students;
Moved again due to flooding, finally ending up with two side-by-side houses, combined rents $2,500 per month;
Redesigned the CCAM website with volunteer designer Justin DeLucia, while also partnering with volunteer photographer Kathy Amstutz to take new pictures;
Group of Khmer teacher interns volunteered to teach chemistry, physics, and advanced math to prepare CCAMS students for taking government exams;
Sodany Phin volunteered to teach sewing and to serve as CCAMS seamstress;
Hosted Dr. Sandra Yee's medical clinic at CCAMS for the sixth year;
Held traditional Khmer style Thanksgiving celebration at CCAMS;
CCAMS led traditional Khmer Christian worship, and Gioia and Noren preached, at funeral of Sophun's father, who became a Christian through Sophun's witness;
Continued with another season of performances, especially at TWR Anniversary Celebration, Prasat in Prey Veng province (VFTN), EFC Conference at AOG, National Day of Prayer at Chenla Theatre, Phnom Penh Bible School graduation, YWAM Center in Tonle Baty, and the Christmas outreach at Chenla Theatre.
PRAISE THE LORD!

1 Corinthians 3:6-15