Hmmm how do I wrap up the best 30 days of my entire life? I don't think I can, because I don't think I am suppose to.
Cambodia has captured my heart. Not just one cute child or one amazing ministry, but the entire country, I have fallen in love with. When we first arrived I was able to learn all about the mass genocide that took place here in the late 70's. The after effects are still evident as you look down the streets. Thousands of people living in poverty, homelessness, brothels on nearly every street corner, child slavery, and nearly 80% of the country uneducated, the list of brokenness goes on and on. I have never seen anything like this before. It just shows me how badly this world needs Jesus. Nothing good comes from our own flesh it's only through His blood. Somedays as we drive down the streets in our tuk tuk and I look out and see all of the people passing by, my heart feels like it is going to break. I never new I could love like this.
As I told you earlier, this month our team had a different kind of mission. Our goal was to find "Unsung Heroes". People who are furthering the Kingdom of God and could use a future World Race team to come help them. We began our journey in the capitol city Phnom Phen and with no where to stay we were truly relying on the Lord to provide. That night we received an email from a couple named Mark and Rhonda Benz. They had heard about our team and asked if we would like to live with them. They didn't just provide us with lodging, they provided us a home. The Benz have adopted 7 Cambodian children and are also running a shelter for orphans which houses nearly 20 children. They are providing them with food, an amazing education, care takers for the children with handicaps, and most importantly a loving family. I just love seeing how two people walking in obediance to God have changed the lives of so many children. There futures are bright and they will be the future leaders of Cambodia.
To learn more about the Benz family go to: http://www.bykotahouse.or
We then met with organizations like Daughters of Cambodia, The Rapha house, Precious Woman Ministry, and Remember Nhu who are all working with the woman in Cambodia. Removing girls from the brothels, providing them shelter and giving them an education or skill. They also speak life into the girls, telling them how valuable they are, that they have worth and they have the right to say no. Many of these girls range from age 5-18. Hearing their individual stories can be incredibly hard. But to hear them say that God has saved them and they now have hope makes all of the difference. To learn more about these organizations go to:
http://daughtersofcambodia.org/
http://www.raphahouse.org/
http://preciouswomenministry.org/
http://www.remembernhu.org/
We then traveled to Siem Reap and met Mark and Marion Barham who are originally from Australlia. Just over a year ago they heard God calling them to further the Kingdom in Cambodia. All I can say is the fruits off of this families obedience is incredible. Their church currently has 100 young adult members and is one of the fastest growing churches in Siem Reap. But to Mark it's not about the numbers, it's about saving one person at a time. God has given them a vision of raising up the next generation in Cambodia as followers of Christ. They pour into the young adults because someday Mark and Marion plan to leave. They told us "In five years I believe this church will have 1,000 members. There will be leaders out of this group who will rise up and they won't need our help anymore." To keep updated on this ministry go to http://www.c3r.org.au/connect/missions.html
The last ministry I want to share with you is called S.N.A.C.K- supplemental nutrition aiding Cambodian kids. It's ran by Dennis and Sharon Welch. They became Christians in their late fifties and ever since that day their lives have never been the same. They now run an organization that feeds 2,200 children throughout the villages. While distributing food they also share the gospel as well as basic health care. To help support these two go to http://missioncambodia.wordpress.com
God is taking this broken dark country and turning it into something beautiful each and every day. And he's using ordinary people just like you and I. They don't have it all together, they are all needing help but they continue to be faithful and follow the call. I am so inspired how one person's obedience to the Lord can effect hundreds of people. I can't wait to see how God restores this country. So, as I sit in the airport awaiting my flight to Africa, there is no need to say goodbye, just a see ya later.
