I started writing this blog on October 29. It has taken over a week to be able to coherently communicate what I felt that day. As such, some of it was written on that day; some of it today. Forgive me if it isn’t fluid.
WARNING: I don’t go into much detail but I do talk about genocide in this blog. Read with caution.
Today I visited The Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (The Killing Fields) and The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison). These are the two main sites set up as memorial and education sites for the Khmer Rouge genocide.
I witnessed mass graves, blood stains that couldn’t be scrubbed from the floors of torture chambers, and prison cells that had doors so small my shoulders brushed both sides as I walked through. I heard first hand accounts of death, horror, and terrified obedience. I looked at thousands of photos of prisoners. I read stories of forced marriage. I listened to heart-breaking musical responses to the genocide. I felt so many emotions.
I don’t have the ability to effectively communicate the horror of those 4 years when Pol Pot ruled a regime built on fear, lies, and destruction. If you want more information about what actually happened look up www.dccam.org. This is an organization working to preserve the memory of what happened and bring what justice is available to the victims and their families.
There were many heavy moments today. There were also 3 truths that echoed all day long.
1. As Christians we have the ability, power, and calling to change the world.
2. Heartbreak is a natural reaction to great evil. Christians are called to act out that heartbreak by fighting the forces of evil.
3. It is my job to tell the story: the story of Jesus.
I took only 3 pictures all day. They each are a representation of a truth from that day.
This is my teammate walking along the top of a dike that is meant to keep the flood plain from destroying the site of numerous mass graves. There are over 100 mass graves at the Killing Fields. The historians chose to leave many of them undisturbed. This wall helps it this process and creates a still pond where many people sit and pray.
This same teammate started our day in prayer. During her prayer she quoted Joshua 1:3 and asked God to remain true to His promise there.
I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. — Joshua 1:3 NIV
She wanted to reclaim this place of such evil and destruction as a place of God. I agreed with her and all day that prayer & verse echoed through my heart. Lord, let this footstep be a sign of You and Your redemption.
This is a fence surrounding a mass grave. It is a mass grave with the remains of hundreds of Khmer Rouge soldiers. They were beheaded and their bodies buried separate from their heads. Some of these soldiers had realized what they had become a part of and wanted out. Others simply failed to exhibit the swiftness or enthusiasm required of them. All of these decisions led to a brutal death.
I was trying to figure out how to describe the practice pictured above. Around the mass graves that are marked for a particular group are fences. The fence posts are full of bracelets of all colors, shapes, sizes, and origins.
No one knows exactly what the practice of leaving bracelets means. For some it is to show respect and honor for those who have died. For some it is a prayer for the victims and their families. For others it makes a commitment to prevent it from happening again.
I left behind the one on the top right. For me it was a reminder that I will give all I am to stand in the gap between the world and evil. I choose to actively fight against the lies, destruction, and theft of the devil. I also choose to offer peace and healing through Jesus.
I’ve been praying restoration through Christ over the whole country of Cambodia. I’ve been praying the Healer will provide hope and comfort to a country in many ways locked in a past they can’t escape.
Acts 22:15 (VOICE) — You will tell the story of what you have seen and heard to the whole world.
So here I am telling the story of genocide but also telling the story of Jesus. I will tell of His love, grace, and mercy here and everywhere. I will tell all who will listen that Jesus is the only way to have wholeness.
