This month my new team and I were living and working in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Although we have been traveling to many third world countries we all experienced major culture shock. There is so much poverty and harshness here. The streets are covered in filth and filled with starving people. The people here have been through more than I will ever understand but are fighters.
We were blessed to have worked with such a wonderful organization and incredible warriors!
My incredible contact, Chandra
Craft time!
Little Photographers
We got our hair done by the talented girls.
God reached down from heaven when He placed us at the safe home for girls who have been sexually abused. This month was emotionally hard but was extremely special. The girls are truly amazing. Their strength, faith and love are admirable. Each and every girl made this a month that will be cherished in my heart forever! Please keep them all in your prayers.
On our off day we visited the Killing field and museum from the Genocide that took place just 40 years ago in Cambodia. It is one thing to hear or read about these kind of things and another one to see it. Our tour guide lost her father and brother to the ruthless tortures and murders endured by the Cambodian people. We were able to pray with her but the heaviness over her heart is strong.
This is Bou Meng, he is one of the seven survivors from the Khmer Rouge Prison S-21 (this used to be a school but was turned into one of the largest prisons where thousands of lives were tortured to death in Phnom Penh). His wife was murdered by having her head severed off but his life was spared due to his artistic abilities. He was forced to paint pictures of Pol Pot. Although he has experienced intense pain and great loss he was a very kind man. He wrote a book in order to bring awareness and justice to the future.
This tree was where many babies and children were beat and often killed. Although it is covered in pretty bracelets and colors it was one of the darkest and emotionally challenging spots in all the field.
Bone, teeth, and clothe fragments can be found in many burial sites. This opened my eyes a bit wider on how real this is.
This was a memorial for thousands of women killed during the genocide.
Before our final Leadership Development Weekend we got to visit Angkor Wat, one of the seven man-made wonders of the world.
Leaving at 4:00 am was worth it!
The best part of Angkor Wat was the temple covered in Gods beautiful creation!
Cambodia was one of the hardest yet special times in my life. I have gained so much respect for this country, culture, and most of all their people.
