Going into last month, we were told that pretty much anyone over the age of 15 has lived through some terrible things. Early on, UE (our contact from Cambodia) talked with us a little bit about Cambodia’s history. He talked about the killing fields and everything the prisoners went through. Later in the month, I talked with UE’s father (through a translator). Here are my notes from that conversation:
Friday January 22nd, 2010
UE’s father, Krong
has lived through three regimes, french colonization, Pol Pot, and Prime Minister Hun Sen (current).
He is maybe 55 years old, and when asked how many of those years have been lived in peace, he said, “maybe 10”
During Pol Pot people were forced to work very hard, and the government controlled how much food they would get (less than a handful of rice). They were often tortured, handcuffed behind the back and beaten, or killed. There was an abundance of food at this time, because Pol Pot was forcing people to work so hard, but they were not allowed to reap the harvest. People would sometimes sneak a potatoe or a chicken and eat it, but if they got caught they would be killed. The Khmer Rouge was hell bent on killing off all the intellectuals, and starting the country from scratch.
I asked him how his life has changed since knowing Chri/st. He said, “It’s changed a lot. Before I was very mean. I had unfor/giveness in my heart. With Chri/st, I have for/giveness and I have for/given others. Now, if someone does something against me or something that bothers me, it is ok. I for/give them.” He said his entire lifestyle has changed, which tends to happen when you start following Chri/st.
Krong was a farmer. He also did some medical work, although he was never licensed. When he was young he dreamt of becoming educated, but that opportunity vanished when Pol Pot came to power. Today he does a little bit of farming, and also carpentry work around the house and chu/rch. He is battling some health problems, so please pr/ay for complete hea/ling.
It is very difficult to imagine all the suffering Krong has lived through. I can not imagine living 80% of my life under suffering and oppression.
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