Our adventure started this month with a 6am wake up call to load a bus from Bankok to Phnom Penh, Cambodia-an 18 hour trip! We spent two days at Phnom Penh resting and briefing on the history and culture of Cambodia. This country has only been at peace since 1999. The people have experienced horrific tragedy and unrest over the past few decades with painful marks still impressed upon their hearts. I know many of you are probably familiar with the Killing Fields and torture that took place during the 70’s. I had no idea, and my heart was crushed as my eyes were opened to the horrific events that took place just a few years back.
Tuol Sleng was a high school until the 1970’s, when the Khmer Rouge converted it into a torture prison called S-21. Over 12,000 men, women, and children were imprisoned and tortured in this place. Only seven of the original prisoners survived!
Cheung Eik is part of the Killing Fields where thousands of people were brought from Tuol Sleng S-21 prison to be killed. Clothing, bones, and teeth still lie in the mud of the paths my feet were treading upon. Chemicals like DDT were used to cover the aweful stench of the dead bodies and to kill off any still buried alive. Large pits were dug and massive graves fenced off to bury the thousands of people slaughtered there.
Sunday morning my team and I loaded a bus towards Siem Reap, home of the largest religious structure in the world, Angkor Wat, and the hub of Buddhism in southeast Asia. I could feel the weight in my spirit as we approached the small town. We will stay here through the middle of next month teaching English to the local squatters throughout the community and working with a local church and orphanage.
Cambodia coutryside is beautiful with bright green marsh lands and towering palm trees.
Life is simple. Our mode of transportation this month is bicycles and tuk-tuks. J We are greeted with many giggles and friendly greetings like, “hello teacher” as we ride home from passing street children and students.
The people are so friendly and full of smiles. These are my students in my reading class-five boys: Sotnut, Da, Lida, Dan, and De. They are learning their alphabet, numbers, and colors. I am also teaching a more advanced class with about 30 students. The children are very smart and doing so well.
Cambodia is in a state of rebuilding their communities and lifestyles. The infrastructure is very poor here, the roads are muddy and full of deep potholes, but the people are full of hope. They are hungry and open to hear a message of life and love.
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Prayer points:
-Pray for restoration for the broken families and those living with memories of what happened in their recent past.
-Pray for the healing of the land. Cambodians over 30 years old still have memories of the torture and massacres that took place.
-Pray that Cambodians would overcome the past and be released to move on into their future.
