REALITIES OF HISTORY IN CAMBODIA - SOBERING

CAMBODIA

OPULENCE AND POVERTY

Challenges and Hopes

War and Genocide

We are here in Cambodia to speak and teach about Trauma, to share information that is focused on working with vulnerable children, crisis families and orphans.  This country has been through so much - from the impact of the Vietnam war era, and then through the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot genocide.  This history of prolonged civil war leaves the younger generation bearing the consequences of post war trauma as well as other social implications.

Across Indo-China, communities share a common perception of children as less important than adults.  In general there has been little focus on respecting the rights of children or understanding children's needs and development.  There is a lack of understanding of the Psycho-Social impact on child development that comes from the buried trauma of families from the last few decades of civil war and violence.

Sadly, the church is also grappling with the same difficulties and lack of understanding.  Too often, there is a sole emphasis on spiritual development, rather than holistic transformation.  There are many groups, and even individual Christians and faith-based NGO's that have been working on child development and child rights, but the local church is still lagging behind.  Church leaders need more exposure, practical know-how and sharing of best practices in addressing the issue.

On the other hand, the region is also undergoing a significant spiritual awakening.  New churches are emerging all over Cambodia.  In the last 10 years they have gone from 10 chuche to over 3,000.

Our time here in Cambodia is structured within a collaborative event where church leaders, ministry practitioners, mission thinkers and theologians from many nations and of varied age groups will seek God together.  We expect that the Holy Spirit will give us creative approaches and solutions to challenges facing children and youth in this generation.  

Sharing best practices from across the globe will enhance learning, raise awareness and help equip the church to cope with the challenge of raising this generation of children and youth.

We are honored to be part of this time of learning, teaching and expanding the challenge of Ephesians 4:12-17! 

His thoughts?

A stupa behind - a Buddhist monument to ensure health and well-being of the
person it is representing.  

Cambodia is largely Buddhist.  Only 2% of the country is Christian.

The friendliness of these men was humbling, reminding us to be very
careful and to watch our possessions - especially the camera which they wanted their
picture taken from.

The Killing Fields - there are over 300 that have been discovered in Cambodia.
The Khmer Rouge - Pol Pot regiem slaughtered over 2 million Cambodians between
the years of 1975 and 1979.  That means that 1 out every 4 persons were murdered
by the Pol Pot reign of genocide.

One mass grave is in this lake.