Witnessing Kingdom growth in unreached areas has been one of the most heartening and inspiriting experiences I have had while on the race.
In Cambodia, we were working with a man named Vuthy in order to assist in continuing the expansion of his vision in Toch Village.
Vuthy’s story is one of redemption and one that wildly inspires me.
Vuthy was born in Toch Village but left at a young age to live with his grandparents. He is from generations upon generations of Buddhists and prior to driving a YWAM team, had never heard the name, “Jesus.”
Vuthy began working as a tuk-tuk driver and became a regular contact for driving missionaries in Phnom Penh.
In telling his story, Vuthy recalls “wondering why these people would come to a place like this in Cambodia and freely give their time to kids on the street, the poverty-stricken, and those in severe need that his own people had come to disregard..”
Finally, he asked some of the missionaries why they were giving away their precious time doing these things, and they responded, “because we serve a mighty God who sent his son, Jesus, to save and serve us. We want the world to know.”
After this, Vuthy had to know more, and shortly became the first Christian in his family and the first Christian from Toch Village.
He studied the bible and learned English at a YWAM and ten years ago, he heard the voice of the Lord telling him to return home, to Toch Village- to the place he was considered an outcast already.
Ten years ago, Vuthy returned to his village a changed man, one who knew the freedom and redemption that the Gospel offers.
He has since lived in the village, started a family, been laughed at, started a whole assortment of ministry projects (a church, a school, a soccer ministry, routine home visits, a company producing coconut oil to employ elderly community members in need of jobs, and more.)
He has seen about 50 members of his community come to know the Lord over the past ten years.
He has watched transformation infuse his family as his own parents and some siblings have come to know Christ.
He is still fighting for freedom for the people of his home village daily.
In the words of my teammate Paige,
“It hit me this morning. Vuthy stood alone on the stage with his guitar singing the song “I have decided”.
‘Though none go with me, still I will follow
Though none go with me, still I will follow
No turning back, no turning back’
Vuthy’s life is inspiring to say the least. He saw that following Jesus was worth losing every comfort he had ever known in this world. He was bold enough to share his faith with his family, knowing they would most likely think he was crazy. He stepped back into this village, knowing it would be lonely, but knowing that sharing the gospel was worth any worldly hardship. Though none came with him to begin, he came. He followed with obedience. He left every worldly comfort. No turning back.”
These are the stories that I am in awe of having the privilege to tell. Vuthy is the kind of person I feel honored to be able to now call a friend.
This is the simple lesson that I can always remind myself of- the world is full of people who have no idea how loved, pursued, and cherished they are by a perfect Father. My time and words are worth far more than I realize, and they are as powerful as I will allow them to be.
Xoxo
Abigail
Ps, here is the link to the website my teammate Morgan made for the ministry during our time there!
https://www.villageofhopekampot.org/
Pps, another World Race team was serving with Vuthy in February and one of the girls from that team made this video that gives a small glimpse of what is happening in Toch Village. If you want to see more of what it was like to serve there, what needs the ministry currently has, or Vuthy telling more of his vision, check it out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynmMIJeBRhk
