Today started with the sun rising for an early morning van ride at 7:00am for the three hour church service starting at 7:30 am. Even in Khmer, God’s word has no barriers! The young disciples portrayed today’s message in a drama before the Pastor preached. Their message was crystal clear. It did help having a translator so we could follow along with his message and scripture readings as the Pastor spoke. At the end of the service JB spoke to everyone about Hope, with the pastor translating for him. It was amazing to hear the congregation clapping with excitement as he gave a personal testimony. JB frequently is the prayer warrior, whether it be in the van, at Kids Club, or at church. God’s been using JB’s spiritual gift as a testament to His word.
JB giving his testimony as Pastor Chantha translated his message
Then we returned home for some snacks and was on the tourism track to the Killing Fields and to the Toul Sleng Museum. These two places are probably in the top 5 most evil places in the world. From 1975-1979 when Pol Pot was in power, they were used for a place of mass execution, imprisonment, and barbaric torture of anyone they suspected was against the Khmer Rouge regime or even someone educated was a threat and a reason to be arrested. Cambodia’s government during those years created such fear, with a generation of people with post traumatic disorder. With all the repercussions associated with this terror, it explains their complacency. This is Cambodia’s history…maybe that explains how they live today, content to not have the government so controlling. Today, it seems the opposite. Unless it is an election year or election week, the government is not in control or visible. Traffic is crazy, trash is lying everywhere, a stench is floating around the city, and people set up shop anywhere and everywhere along the streets. It is chaotic and corrupt. It is a dark city and the need for Jesus is so evident. Thank goodness for AIM! Must start somewhere, so they are starting to get rid of the evil in Svay Pak first. We pray that it starts to filter into the city and a transformation can happen. May be wishful thinking, but we can’t put God in a box. He can do much more than we could ever imagine.
Memorial at the Killing Fields
Next stop, dinner. After catching a lift in a tuk tuk and maneuvering through the cars, motorcycles, mopeds, and among the parade of political supporters, we finally made it to an Italian restaurant for a yummy spaghetti dinner. On our adventure home, the streets were bustling again with so many vehicles inches away from our tuk tuk. We even spotted a moped with a family of 5 riding together on one seat!
Amanda, Angelica, Baily, Becky and LD in a Tuk Tuk
Back at the hotel, Tracy and Baily have been wrapping special gifts for the staff at Rahab’s House to thank them for their amazing hospitality. We’re all looking forward to showing our appreciation at the end of the week!
Back to storytelling and kids club tomorrow.
We love reading your comments to our daily blogs as they make us feel connected to home and all of you! Thank you for your prayers!