In the past 40 years or so, Cambodians have been suffering. Through Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge, Cambodians have suffered greatly—many to the point of death. The ones who survived were left in a country that was devastated: physically, economically and emotionally.
Any Cambodian aged 37 or older now was alive during this time period. When we go to cell groups to have Bible study with believers, many of them are of an older generation. All I can do is look at them, and think about all they have experienced in their life. Their eyes have seen so much tragedy, but when you look into them, all I see is hope. A belief in the one true God has changed their life around to be a life of hope and faith instead of one of despair and suffering.
But as Jesus said when he was on earth—being a follower of him wouldn’t be easy. (Matthew 10:22a, ‘All men will hate you because of me…’) And believers in Cambodia are experiencing that first hand. Cambodia supports freedom of religion. 97% of the population is Buddhist, but not even really knowing what that means, but rather just keeping the family religion intact. Around 0.5% of the population is Christian. The Christians I have met in Cambodia are some of the most faith-filled people I have met since traveling the world. For the most part the Buddhists are tolerant of the Christians. But that is not always the case.
Christians here are persecuted. (John 15:20, ’If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”) Maybe not persecuted in a way of killings and martyrdom, but persecuted in a way to try to bring them down. When we hear testimonies of believers, persecution is usually a part of it. Instead of running in fear and holding on to the family religion of Buddhism, these Christians are strong and hold their ground and their belief in God. (1 Corinthians 4:12, “When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted we endure it.”) Many people we meet are the only Christian in their family. Many people we meet are put on the outs of their community because of their belief in Jesus Christ. Everyone we meet stands strong in the faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:22, “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”)
There is one older man that stuck out to me. His name is Fou. Every Thursday we go to his house for Children’s club. Every Thursday around 100 kids come to his house to hear Bible stories, play games and sing songs. Once a month there is a basics health clinic where the kids learn to brush their teeth and get their hair washed with lice shampoo. Fou has opened his house for this and is constantly refilling our buckets as we dump water on numerous childrens’ heads. He always has a big smile on his face that represents the joy of the Lord. Last time we were there we prayed before we left his house. This is when we learned that because of these Thursday gatherings, Fou is persecuted. Fou is put on the outs of his community because of his faith. Fou is looked down upon because he associates with these American Christians. But does that stop him? Of course not. Fou’s continuance to serve and open his house shows how evident God is in his life. Random fact I learned about Fou, he is a ex-Khmer Rouge solider. I am sure that adds to the persecution as well. But for us, it also shows how much God has worked in Fou’s heart. Fou knows the world may not like him, but it doesn’t matter because he is taking up his cross daily and following the Lord. (Luke 9:23-24, “Then Jesus said to them all: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever want to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”)
I don’t think I have been as encouraged by Christian believers in a country than I have been here in Cambodia. With Christianity being a minority, I was unsure what to expect, but the believers here are so strong in their faith. The believers here know without a doubt that Jesus is the one who saves. Jesus is the one who heals. And God is the one true God that they need to pray to. The other day during a prayer time at a bible study, I was praying for an older woman and, but right after the prayer began she moved my hand up to her head where she really wanted to focus the prayer. I think at that moment her faith was stronger than mine.(James 5:15, “And the prayer offered up in faith will make the sick person well.”)
Cambodians have suffered immensely. More than I will ever know or understand. Cambodians are still suffering today—through persecution. And through all this their faith stands strong. Their faith is unwavering as they rely on the Lord for their strength. They trust God with their lives and desire to know and love Him more every day. (Matthew 10:22b ‘…but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”)
**I used so many Bible verses in this blog to show how these brothers and sisters in Cambodia are living out a Biblical lifestyle every day.**
