Back in Cambodia with my first team we visted a place called, “The Killing Fields.” From 1975-1979 a man named Pol Pot led a regime called the Khmer Rouge (in which the UN recognized as Cambodia’s representation, terrifying). Regardless, Pol Pot decided that he wanted a population of everyone being equal, and decided to kill off men, women, and children who were educated or didn’t fit into his vision of “his desired population.” It was a very dark time in Cambodia and people are still very much affected by the genocide that took place. Below are the pictures of our time at “The Killing Fields,” as we walked through the self-guided audio tour of the grounds. We were literally walking on blood-soaked, tear streaked land. It was so terribly sad and will forever be ingrained in me.
This shrine/temple was built in honor of the victims of the genocide.
Inside of the shrine/temple is hundreds of skulls, bones, and some of the weapons the Khmer Rouge soldiers used against the people of Cambodia from 1975-1979.
Thousands (maybe even millions) of people have left bracelets on poles of some of the displays at the fields to pay homage to those who suffered and were killed.
**DISCLAIMER:**
The next 2 pictures are of the part of the tour that affected me the most. I was horrified, speechless, and filled with such sorrow. Warning, these next 2 images are hard to take in.
This is where children/infants were taken, smashed against the tree, and then thrown into a pit. They may or may not have been alive when thrown into the pit. The pit was designated for women and children.
As I stood, looking up at this tree, I began praying and tearing up. It was one of the hardest images I have ever seen in person.
No one can fully understand the devastation of genocide unless you have lived during one. Please continue to pray for Cambodia (even though I have moved onto Thailand.) There are still lots of people hurting from the genocide and there are still people who are a part of the Khmer Rouge working in the government. Pray for the revival that I sensed while being in Cambodia to happen soon and that the beautiful Khmai people come to know Jesus and just shine His light into the darkest parts of the country! Thanks, love you all and may God continue to bless all of you abundantly!
