Thirty-six years ago the country of Cambodia experienced one of the most devastating genocides our history has known and that the people cannot forget. During my stay in Cambodia this past month i had one of the most amazing, joyful experiences i’ve known and that I will never forget.
During the years 1975-79, Cambodia was controlled by a group called the Khmer Rouge under the leadership of a man named Pol Pot. Under Pol Pot’s rule, about 1/4 of the Cambodian population was wiped out in an effort to eliminate anyone who was considered professional or resembled “westerners” including doctors, lawyers, teachers, students, police, those who wore glasses, those from the city, etc., to build a Utopian society made up of peasants/farmers. During our first weekend in Cambodia we visited the S21 Prison and the Killing Fields where most of these atrocities took place. I don’t
think I can really describe to you how it felt walking through these places and learning of the horrors that went on. As I walked through the prison, where victims had been interrogated and tortured, I saw countless haunting photographs of desperate, scared, pleading eyes staring back at me. I read the detailed history and numerous personal testimonies from survivors and those living during that time. We then went to the Killing Fields where they would lead the people from the prisons by the hundreds each day to be slaughtered and then thrown into large trenches that were dug up. Towards the end of the walk through the Killing Fields there were little signs along the path that read, “do not step on bones”. I looked down and saw remnants of bones and clothes that used to belong to someone being slightly unearthed near my feet.
How could we come to this? How could there be so much evil? And as horrible and devastating as this was how could I
not have known more about it? One of the most prevelent emotions I felt was guilt and shame as I toured around these places realizing just how big of an impact America had on this. During the Vietnam War the US dropped almost 3 times as many bombs on Cambodia than it did on Vietnam and after the war the Cambodian people lived in constant fear that the US would bomb them again. Thus our relations with them were crippled, and as their country was in its darkest time under the Khmer Rouge the US was seen as the enemy. And as millions were perishing it seems we simply turned our backs to the problem. I know I had nothing to do with it personally but it hurts that my country contributed to this tragedy. It upsets me that I could be so ignorant about this piece of our history and ignorant about so many other things that are presently happening around the world.
And as the month went on news came to us of the Charleston church killings. Its not
over; such hatred and injustice are still happening, and its right at home.
It can feel like a helpless state to be in knowing these things and wanting to change them. I want to do something, but I get frustrated in not knowing what I can do.
The Sunday after we heard the news about what occurred at home, our Pastor happened to give a beautiful sermon on the peace of Christ. It focused on John 14:26-27 which says
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” The Holy Spirit is the Advocate, He who is the Defender and will always take the stand.
And if that same Holy Spirit is living inside of us, that makes us advocates. We are called to be a voice for the voiceless,
to be the change, to stand up for our brothers and sisters. There are so many problems in the world and it can be overwhelming but God tells us not to worry or be scared because the Spirit will teach us and guide us through everything. God will provide us with opportunities to take a stand when the time comes and the Spirit will lead us. The peace that the world offers is not enough and cannot win, but the peace of Christ triumphs.
We saw examples of this in the way our Cambodian host family treated us this month. Their love is extraordinary. Both the mother and father’s families were greatly affected by the Khmer Rouge with several losses and hard memories. Yet Jesus entered into their lives and hearts and transformed their family, providing for them when they were hurt and extremely poor. They were put down and rejected by others close to them for choosing to believe in a “western religion”. Their patience and faith was tested, but their
trust in God remained and God showed up for them in big ways. They took us in, 7 American girls, treating us as family, loving us with all their hearts, and trusting us to partner with them in their ministry. We stayed in their house with them, slept with all 15 or so of us spread out on the floor, shared meals, sang lots of karaoke, worshipped, celebrated birthdays and Father’s day, taught preschool and English classes with them, and we were always laughing and joking. There were so many special moments that I will always treasure. Each of their stories are an inspiration to me. They really do feel like my family and they made it so easy for me to love them. This was definitely the hardest place to leave and I will miss them so much.
This was the peace of Christ, the Advocate working inside of them. And it did make a difference. And with all that is going on now at home and around the world that is so dark, it makes me question, “well how
can I make a difference?” I want to do something now! What i’ve realized is that one of the greatest weaknesses that can sneak up on us is that of ignorance. When we don’t know there is a problem or don’t try to understand what it is then we can’t have a part in the solution; in fact we are just furthering the problem by simply going along with it. And once we are in the know, we are not to worry or be scared about what we are supposed to do because the Holy Spirit will lead us through everything. We, in return, must be willing to listen and be ready to act when the opportunities come…and they will come because the Advocate will advocate, He cannot keep silent.
