Not sure why I like this country so much after being here less than a week, maybe because it reminds me of the Philippines a little and I loved that place, maybe because I was ready to get out of Malaysia so anywhere would be good, or maybe because my heart goes out for the people knowing more of their devastating past.
Only 30 years ago, in the early 70’s, 2-3 million (out of 8 million) educated and religious people were killed under Pol Pots communistic rule. You can read more about it here http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/genocide/pol-pot.htm
There is an eerie feeling here as we are right in the area where most of the killings took place. You can tell that time sort of stopped for a bit and is now rebuilding, but they were under oppression for 2 decades! The people here are sweet and it’s already been a great start of the month in our new ministry!
I am staying at a YWAM base and it's really nice! We traveled to a small community that is very poor and loved on the kids. We held them, played soccer, let them take pictures and gave them all baths! We then fed them and said goodbye. We’ll be back there next week. Our ministry contact is trying to teach them personal hygiene and other lessons, rather than just give handouts.
We then get to teach English, guitar or piano lessons, and computer skills to University students. It is fun to build relationships with them!! The language is a small barrier, but we are able to connect each day! We have classes Monday through Friday from 3-7pm and in the mornings we go and hang with kids in the area! I will be visiting some other teams to see how they are doing next week!
Yesterday was Woman’s Rights day so we didn’t have classes and took off to explore the town of Kampong Chem. We saw some huge Buddhas and temples. We went to one of the killing fields from Pol Pots reign and it was tough. There is a huge temple there to try and redeem that place. There were monkeys everywhere!
I can’t believe how much I am learning and how big the world is. The one common denominator is that we are all God’s children. This is His world and His people! Surroundings and languages may be so different, but we are united by our souls, created in God’s image. He loves us all the same! Pray for Cambodia. Pray that the heaviness here can be lifted. That the reign of dead gods will be ditched so that the LIVING God can restore this land and His people!
