war is alive and well in cambodia – the khmer rouge may have fled, but the people remain oppressed, in darkness, impoverished, hungry. they are searching for meaning, understanding, healing, hope, peace and abundant life. haley, sarah, cameron and i met the village chief where we were living and he began to tell us about how his heart breaks for his people and their enormous needs – infrastructure, road improvements, affordable and higher quality education for the children, clean, potable water, electricity, greater access to health care, basic hygiene instruction, quality jobs, and improved means of communication. though he spoke softly, his anguish was etched all over his face. he urgently seeks answers that might assist his villagers to flourish, but seemed more confounded than hopeful.
‘but this is a people plundered and looted, all of them trapped in pits or hidden away in prisons. they have become plunder, with no one to rescue them; they have been made loot, with no one to say, ‘send them back’ isaiah 42:22
the real war that rages on, however, is the one for their very souls. yet do they realize that what their hearts are really hungry for, and in pursuit of, is the love and salvation of Jesus Christ? that He alone satisfies? that they truly walk in the blackest of darkness both spiritually and physically? that Jesus is the lover of their souls? that their only hope is in Him?
‘for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms’ ephesians 6:12
these are some of the faces of the cambodian people i met and worked with. please join me in praying for this nation, they are in desperate need of the love of the Savior. the harvest is plentiful, and achingly ripe. as followers of Christ, we are commanded to reach the nations with the good news of the saving gospel – perhaps the Lord is leading you to cambodia? pray without ceasing.
‘arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. see, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn’ isaiah 60:1-3
