Cambodia has a history that not many are aware of, and that I myself was not fully aware of until I got here. I will share just a glimpse of it with you, but I encourage you to look into it more. In the 1970’s there was a civil war in this country. Shortly after the war, the Khmer Rouge ruled the country and killed nearly 30% of the population of Cambodia. They killed anyone they thought to be a threat to their rule, which included: doctors, educated people, people wearing glasses, and people with soft hands. Though these were the main people they searched out, they did not discriminate, and killed millions and millions of innocent people. Because of this killing spree, 80% of the population of Cambodia is made up of children under the age of 20. We visited one of the genocide memorials while we were here, and learned more about the history. This time period left the country in a devastating state, but they are continuing to rise above it all.
The religions in the country are: Buddhism (93%), Muslim (4%), Christian (2%), and native Chinese religion (1%). The life expectancy is said to be somewhere around 60 years old. Family is most important in this culture, especially the older generation. We could definitely see this while we were in the country.
Cambodia has captured my heart in many ways this month. I had high hopes for this country, since my best friend came here a year ago and came back in love. It has definitely lived up to her hype.
I fell in love with the people, the culture, the beauty, etc. I basically fell in love with it all. This month we were teaching English and Bible classes to kids 3-20 years old. We taught 4 classes each day for 6 hours per day, 5 days per week. Our team taught in pairs, and each pair would see 50+ kids each day. It was such a joy getting to teach them a new language, and also teach them about the love of the Lord. The kids here are extra cute, and have a huge desire to know the Lord and to make Him known.
Our contact, Vuthy, came to know the Lord through World Race and YWAM groups coming to Cambodia, because he was a tuk-tuk driver and would drive them around. He saw the difference in their personalities and was curious why they were different. He eventually grew to know the Lord, and felt Him calling him back to his home village that he had grown to hate. Through this, relationships within his family began to be restored. He felt the Lord calling him to more, and asked his parents if he could use their property to begin free English classes for kids in the village. His parents, after much arguing, finally agreed, but told him that his dreams were impossible. In 2009, he began free English classes on their property. Despite language barriers, his parents saw Christ in the actions of World Racers and YWAMers, and eventually accepted Him into their own lives. Since then, the Lord has provided funds and means to build two classes and two buildings (one being their church). There are now 200+ kids that come to learn English and how much the Lord loves them each day. It is such a blessing to get to watch it and to be a part of it all. Vuthy is now praying and asking the Lord for provision in building more classrooms, a Christian University, a medical clinic, and a training center where people can come learn trades to earn money. He wants to also house kids who have no family to live with and need people to love and educate them. (If you would like to help make this vision come to fruition, email me!)
