I will be going to Cambodia from 20th of this month (May) for about 3 weeks as part of my Cross-Cultural Internship, and also to see how we can reach out to this hurting nation, and be of help to ministries on the ground there.
Why Cambodia?
Cambodia is a country with a terrible past; A deeply scarred nation; A nation that is in need of help; A crying nation; A nation with a sordid past.
In April 1975, after a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh (Cambodia capital) and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil war.
Although many years have passed but the scar is still there. This is one nation that needs the help of the Christian church. Although there is serious poverty in the land but this nation needs more than money. It needs healing—both spiritual and emotional healing. It needs the mercy of God, for innocent blood cries, and the cry is for judgment. But more than anything else, it needs the gospel of peace.
Most Cambodians are Theravada Buddhists but the country also has a substantial number of Muslim, as well as ethnic Chinese, Vietnamese and small animist hill tribes.
But the good news today is that the door of this nation is wide opened to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Though the number of Christians in this country is still minute, just about 60,000 in a country of over 14 million, far below 1%, there is a hope. For as long as the door is still opened, we can do a lot. Jesus can capture the nation for His glory.
Please pray that the Lord will prosper my mission in Cambodia, and open the door of acceptance to my ministry.
Shalom
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