I look at the people on the streets, missing hands and arms.
I see broken hearts pushing down the cruelest of memories.
The view of a seven headed snake statue stares everywhere I turn.
I go to Instagram and see happy faces and beautiful opportunities. It seems meaningless.
Lives have been stolen, God’s people have been broken. Our brothers and sisters have been exposed to trauma that I could never ever comprehend. Yet, I am privileged enough to be concerned about what my next blog is and what my next Insta picture will be posted.
Cambodia is an interesting dynamic. Millions of the 2nd and 3rd generations of Cambodia were killed off by Pol Pot’s ruthless Khmer Rouge. I have read story after story and met person after person who was exposed to this unthinkable genocide of 1974-1979.
The people are scattered yet, in a unique circumstance. With so many young people without traditional influences, there is an opportunity to rebuild this country like no one has ever seen. People can rise to change the country, they can reclaim what was lost – democracy.
As I prayer walked through Siem Reap, I saw the wretched snake god and realized the depths of the evil invited in this land. I visited Angkor Wat (a 12-century temple) last week, which is actually surrounded by so many temples it take at least 7 days to see all of them. A spectacular work of art and a Wonder of the World, it holds much influence in the Cambodian people. Hinduism was the primary religion, Buddhism was later invited in. These were the glory days. These were the days of the rise, but those days and memories have disappeared with the generations before. All photos have been buried and burned.
As I pondered this, I thought of how many of these are Hindu temples that are still practicing and invited many evil spirits into the land. The 7-headed snake stares at me, yet the once glorious Angkor dynasty has fallen. God spoke and reminded me that He created this land before any evil prevailed on it. This land belongs to Him, He called first dibs. The enemy is fighting to take it, but it has always been God’s. We must continue to pray for the Lord to take back this land. For revival and revolution. This country is in such a unique position, that now is the time for true healing and true blessings. God wants us to weep for those who were not allowed, to heal those who were not cared for, to shine light in a world that only saw the sight of pure black clothing for 5 years.
As I look out over the seemingly empty fields and jungles, I am reminded of the waterfall we visited just yesterday. In a place people hid the Khmer Rouge and ran for their lives, there is an abundant flowing river screaming the living water of Jesus Christ. Please pray for God to recapture this land that was His and to bring restoration and healing once and for all, that our feet would carve a path of light. Amen.
