Proclaiming life at the Killing Fields

Sure God has a great sense of humor. What the Communist Khmer Rouges killers tried hard to stop is now taking place right on the ground where many lives were brutally terminated; some for their faith.

It was a joy to share Christ with these two Cambodian gentlemen at the Killing Fields of Phnom Penh.

Sitting right beside the monument built in the memory of the lost, they came in to share the shade with us. “Have you heard about Christ?” I asked. And so we share the simple gospel with them. They were so willing to hear about it. But for my language difficulty, I called on my host and interpreter to help out. Due to time constraint, they had to leave in a hurry.

My host promised to follow them up. They willingly offered their addresses and took mine. But they were the ones following me up the next day. Glory to God.

From an Orphan to running an Orphanage

That is the story of Yos Bophal, a 35 year old Cambodia lady that runs Center of Peace, an orphanage in Phnom Penh. This is a case of the broken becoming master at mending.

She lost her father when she was one year old and later her mother at the age of 5. She grew up with her uncle. Although the Uncle loved her but with his many children, it was not a home at all for her. She was still a stranger as far as the other children are concerned. There and then she made up her mind that when she grew up, she would give orphans a better life. And that is what she is doing today. The children undergo schooling at the centre in the day time with the help of volunteer teachers. The Government also sends teachers once or twice a week to teach, which is the only support she gets from the government. Her main support for the day to day running of the centre comes from individuals and missionary groups from Europe, America and Australia.

But right now, her centre, one of so many in Cambodia is in dire need of a better accommodation. The present place has become too small for the over 70 children crowded there. To get a better place, she is considering buying a property on the outskirt of Phnom Penh so as so to save cost. But even there, at a cost of US $30 per square meter, it is a long dream for her to get the 100 square meters she so desired. “With that, I can have separate buildings to accommodate the boys and the girls, and then the school and the offices.”

She is believing God for kind-hearted people like you and I to see her dream come through. She can be reached at bophal4u@yahoo.com

Outside are Dogs

That is what the Lord Jesus said but on this particular day in a Cambodian village called Kampong Phnom in the Kandal province, one of them decided to stay in, to hear the word of God. Well, whether he believes with his heart (if there is any), and confess with his mouth, I don’t know.

It was a joy to share the good news of Christ with these villagers who gathered in the small church. About three of them surrendered to the Lordship of Christ while we ministered healing to almost everyone present. Many of them were instantly healed. We give God all the glory.