Because of this place and these people, I completely changed the course of my life. Coming here to Cambodia last December opened my eyes to a whole new world that I could not get enough of. I do not think I had ever seen people more on fire for Jesus Christ until I came here. I was a little nervous coming back for a second time, but once again, the Khmer people did not disappoint.
My first trip here was this past December with a group from Brazos Pointe Fellowship in Lake Jackson, Texas, my hometown. Brazos Pointe completely supports 36 orphans and a church that is lead by Pastor Chea Sokhom. Sokhom is one of those people that just “gets it.” He followed his calling and now travels to the province where the orphanage is at least twice a week to lead the church, teach the orphans, and oversee the daily needs of the children. I admire him for his selflessness, his compassion for the orphans, but most of all, the way he follows the Lord. Seeing Sokhom and his family this time, I was flooded with the same overwhelming emotions of awe once again. He LOVES those orphans like his own children.
Sokhom is one man apart of this revolution here in Cambodia. New Life Church in Phnom Penh is an INTEGRAL part of building the Kingdom here as well. I had originally thought there was just pockets of Christians in Cambodia, but I was proven wrong over the course of this past month. My team and I had the opportunity to work with New Life Fellowship in Phnom Penh. Underneath their umbrella, there are over 62 churches in the provinces of Cambodia.
The work their doing in Cambodia was very eye opening and humbling. They have their hands in every part of this community. From helping to feed children and families in the villages to teaching English to even supporting medical teams working with the sick and the poor. I was fortunate enough to assist with the “Children at Risk” program. For $30 a month, children and their families are given rice, fish oil, sugar and other food items. The program also helps to teach the family a trade or skill to make a living. The families participating are being taught dress making, wood carving, and even farming. They provide food and assistance long enough to get them up on their feet so that they are able to support themselves. This is just ONE example of how Christians here in Cambodia are helping the poor, the sick, and the unloved.
I can’t put my finger on it, but there is just SOMETHING about this place. Coming here completely changed my life and the second time
around…..it happened again.
