We spent some time today with some missionaries that are affiliated with OMF (Overseas Missionary Fellowship). The one man is native to Cambodia and shared his story with us. You could hear a pin drop in the room as he told us about having to leave his home and working in the labor camps. At 10 years old, being forced to work 12-15 hours, 7 days a week. Then, after being reunited with your father to work with him in the fields, watching the soldiers take him away from you knowing that he was going to his death. If this were not painful enough, then later to find out the Khmer Rouge burned him to death and threw his body in a mass grave.
We also took a trip to the Killing Fields of Phnom Penh. It was estimated that between 12-20,000 people were brutally murdered at the one si
te we went to. As we walked, you could see clothes in the dirt beneath our feet. We were told that although many of the mass graves have been excavated, the rainy season moves the mud and dirt alot. As a result, clothes and bones emerge in random places along the walking paths. A few of the guys in the group saw some bones and teeth in the dirt. The clothes were prominent.
The memorial they built for the people who died houses the skulls of the victims. I don't know how tall it was but it had many, many rows of skulls, stacked to the ceiling. This was definitely a sobering experience.
One of our guides told me how his mother was living in Phnom Penh during the regime and was evacuated from the city. She was relocated to Siem Reap. It took our team 5 hours to drive to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh the other day. She, alongside thousands of others, were required to walk the trip (about 200 miles). I was told they walked the trip in about 6 days with only 3 days of food and supplies. Quick math told me they had to walk over 3 miles an hour, 10 hours a day to get there in 6 days. Many people did not survive.
Amidst the dark past, God is doing really awesome things here. The missionaries we met introduced us to some Cambodian men who are being trained for ministry. One was a p
astor and the other two were church leaders. We were able to ask many questions and I was so encouraged to hear these men speak of what Christ is doing in their lives and the lives of those around them. Some of them had family that tolerated their "conversion," others said their families told them they were crazy. It was wonderful to hear these men stand firm in their faith, amidst the struggles. They're making a difference!
A few people have told us that the Cambodian government is trying to suppress education about the Pol Pot regime and the Khmer Rouge. They don't teach about it in their schools and from what I've been told, parents will not always talk about it with their children. As a result, There are generations growing up now that have very little understanding. I do think it's unavoidable that things will fade from the frontlines. Similar to our own country, some historical events seem to lose their focus over time (e.g., civil war, 911, etc). I just hope it's not being suppressed. Even the younger generation seems to express some interest in understanding and our human need to talk about things helps in the process of healing. I think the missionary, Daniel, gave the best summary when he said it was Christ that helped him come to a place where he could even set foot back into this country. Now, through God's help, Daniel and his family can serve the Khmer people and share the message of truth with them.
We also took a trip to the Killing Fields of Phnom Penh. It was estimated that between 12-20,000 people were brutally murdered at the one si
te we went to. As we walked, you could see clothes in the dirt beneath our feet. We were told that although many of the mass graves have been excavated, the rainy season moves the mud and dirt alot. As a result, clothes and bones emerge in random places along the walking paths. A few of the guys in the group saw some bones and teeth in the dirt. The clothes were prominent.
The memorial they built for the people who died houses the skulls of the victims. I don't know how tall it was but it had many, many rows of skulls, stacked to the ceiling. This was definitely a sobering experience.One of our guides told me how his mother was living in Phnom Penh during the regime and was evacuated from the city. She was relocated to Siem Reap. It took our team 5 hours to drive to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh the other day. She, alongside thousands of others, were required to walk the trip (about 200 miles). I was told they walked the trip in about 6 days with only 3 days of food and supplies. Quick math told me they had to walk over 3 miles an hour, 10 hours a day to get there in 6 days. Many people did not survive.
Amidst the dark past, God is doing really awesome things here. The missionaries we met introduced us to some Cambodian men who are being trained for ministry. One was a p
astor and the other two were church leaders. We were able to ask many questions and I was so encouraged to hear these men speak of what Christ is doing in their lives and the lives of those around them. Some of them had family that tolerated their "conversion," others said their families told them they were crazy. It was wonderful to hear these men stand firm in their faith, amidst the struggles. They're making a difference!A few people have told us that the Cambodian government is trying to suppress education about the Pol Pot regime and the Khmer Rouge. They don't teach about it in their schools and from what I've been told, parents will not always talk about it with their children. As a result, There are generations growing up now that have very little understanding. I do think it's unavoidable that things will fade from the frontlines. Similar to our own country, some historical events seem to lose their focus over time (e.g., civil war, 911, etc). I just hope it's not being suppressed. Even the younger generation seems to express some interest in understanding and our human need to talk about things helps in the process of healing. I think the missionary, Daniel, gave the best summary when he said it was Christ that helped him come to a place where he could even set foot back into this country. Now, through God's help, Daniel and his family can serve the Khmer people and share the message of truth with them.
1 comment:
DadO says it is true that things good/bad do fade from the front lines even our contemplation of the Cross.Over n over we must go back to it or we'll let the killing fields of life become the focal point of life and lose all meaning.That it happens at all is scarey,it reflects a Godless world view.Your appreciation of what He did with absolutely no obligation will continue to grow and I'm glad God is giving you this time even at the cost of missing Les&kids I do think rascal will remember you when you get back. we love you.
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