If you asked me what I knew about Cambodia a year ago, I wouldn’t have been able to say much of anything (except maybe that Angelina Jolie has an adopted son from here). In fact, I didn’t even know that this country was officially called the “Kingdom of Cambodia.” Now, after spending just over a week here, I have become completely enamored with Cambodia.
Less than one percent of Cambodia is Christian. More than 95% of Cambodians are Buddhist.
A few days ago, half of my squad went to Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. This temple complex has a rich history dating all the way back to the 12th century. It was originally constructed as a Hindu temple and intended mausoleum for a Khmer king but was converted into a Buddhist shrine as Buddhism grew more popular in Cambodia.
Angkor Wat is absolutely breathtaking. We joined an eerie, early morning brigade of people from all over the world and poured into the temple complex around 5 am for the sunrise. Amidst all the people, we found a small group from World Race A Squad and then we did something awesome.
We worshipped.
We worshipped as the early morning darkness turned to light.
We worshipped in the spiritual darkness and invited the presence of Jesus to come down and be light to this place.
In the shadow of the largest religious monument in the world, a Buddhist shrine, we raised our voices in song to the one true God.
It was calm, subtle, and quiet but powerful all the same.
This is Cambodia. Buddhism dominates over the country but even in the darkness, there are a few voices, the less than one percent, who are crying out to Jesus to enter this place.
This is the Kingdom of Cambodia and it is beautiful.
