The Khmer Rouge ruled in Cambodia from 1975-1979. This Communist Party was led by Pol Pot and other leaders whose goal was to create an agrarian-based Communist society. The regime’s attempts at social reform led to a genocide that killed thousands. The regime focused on complete independency and self sufficiency which led to much famine, deaths and torture. There was much forced labor on farms. Children were often seperated from their families so that they could be taught from a young age the principles of the regime. In our first days in Cambodia, we had the opportunity to visit a former high school that was turned into a torture place as well as visiting a killing field. Walking through the high school was a sobering expereince. We could literally walk right into the rooms and cells were people only 35 years ago were being tortured. As I walked though the rooms, God spoke to me in poetry. I would look at pictures of people and wondering what their last thoughts were. “what do I want you to know about me? do I want you to know my fear, my anger, my wish for justice” We drove to the Killing Field which was just…. wow. To walk the land where people were bought to be killed; I don’t even know the words to describe it. May these pictures show you a glimpse into a history that is continuing to impact the present state of Cambodia:
