Cambodia Trip Report
A WCF team traveled to Cambodia on a ministry trip to work with a church network to explore establishing a Life Center. The trip combined medical outreach, education, children/youth ministry, and business training alongside our church partners.
It had been years since I took a team to Cambodia, but I remember the deep contradictions of the country. The deadly Pol Pot Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979 was one of the most brutal Communist dictatorships of the 20th century. They transformed the country into a Communist agrarian society, abolishing money, religion, education and private property. Millions were forced into rural labor camps under harsh conditions. Intellectuals, professionals, religious leaders, and ethnic minorities were executed or died from starvation, disease, and exhaustion. An estimated 2 million people—about a quarter of Cambodia’s population—perished during this genocide. The devastation left the nation shattered socially, economically, and culturally.
On my first visit 20 years ago, which was less than a few decades after the genocide, one could never guess at this dark history. The people are the nicest and warmest people. It's hard to imagine how a small group of the leaders could transform the nation into a Killing Field. But sin is sin and it doesn't matter the ethnicity, country or majority religion - sin can lead to ultimate evil perpetrated against people.
Medical
Our Medical team ministered at multiple locations throughout the Phnom Penh area where we served 207 patients. Most of the patients had never seen a doctor before and many came with undiagnosed dangerously high blood pressures and other serious chronic illnesses. We spend a lot of time with each patient taking care to not just prescribe medication, but to educate and help people for the long term. Our partner mentioned that he had hosted a team from another country and saw a big difference. With the other team, they saw more patients, but they spent very little time per patient, whereas here we took our time and gave a lot of attention to each patient which he thought was a great blessing.
Medical Team
We always minister holistically to both the physical and the spiritual needs. We took the time to pray with each patient.
Spiritual Clinic
Children’s and Youth Ministry: We conducted Children’s lessons on love and forgiveness at the House of Love (one of 3 children's ministries of our friends). Most of the children that are part of this ministry are amongst the poorest of the poor and receive free after school tutoring. We ministered to youth and young adults at different church settings.
Children’s Program
Education Outreach: Teams taught English and Computer classes at both the House of Love and a Christian school (KIS), engaging high school students through creative projects such as having the students come up with their own non-profits that could help their society. We taught collectively 70 computer students and 85 English students for the week. We met with University students to provide a Character/Leadership class on Discipline.
Computer Class
Business Training: We provided a Business Training to equip community leaders with practical skills in business planning, Christian based business ethics, and entrepreneurship to help families achieve self-sustainability in this challenging economic environment. Some of the businesses that they wanted to start or had started already and needed help included fish farming, coffee shop, bunk bed manufacturing, children's camp, small restaurant, construction and more.
Overall, the week was fruitful and it was encouraging to minister to so many different groups of youth and adults through the week.
We welcome your support and prayers as we consider where/how to start a Life Center with our new partners here in Southeast Asia.
PJP
