Sons and Daughters of the King
We can go much further in attaining our dreams and goals when we have at least one person take a chance on us by believing that we have gifts and talents that we did not even know we had before. Yesterday our team visited Daughter's Training Centre. This project that Ratanak International has funded for the last 8 years has empowered woman who are involved in the sex trade to find other ways to earn income. This social enterprise gives woman the opportunity to explore hidden gifts and talents in making clothes, jewelry, cards and many other items. A woman who wants to get out of her situation as a sex worker will approach Daughter's about options on getting back on her feet without having to sell her body to strangers. Once they go through an assessment process, the girls are then trained in sewing and jewelry making. The training is much different than in a normal Cambodian factory where many of the workers will work on one piece of an assembly line where they work seven days a week for $50 or $60 a month. At Daughters, the woman work 5 days a week, are given competitive wages and given the opportunity for their salaries to increase as they spend time with the company. These woman also are given the opportunity to learn how to make a garment from start to finish. If a woman wants to work on her own projects at home, she is given the opportunity to purchase her own sewing machines through a micro credit loan. Those woman who would like to work on their English skills are given the opportunity to apply at the Sugar and Spice Café that is also run by daughters. It is here that woman learn the art of hospitality and hosting other people for dinner. It will be in the not so distant future where this Café will be open in the evenings with double the capacity along with a play area for children who come to dine as well. There are many other facets about this social enterprise that are brining empowerment to the Khmer people such as their Sons of Cambodia program, their day care program, and their clinic, but I will let you the reader do that on the Daughter's of Cambodia Website.
Love is the Universal Language
To become a strong child it is important to have a strong supportive community behind you. Our team visited Hagar, an organization that gives some of the toughest home situations in Cambodia a chance for redemption. After hearing an explanation about Hagar's work in Cambodia, we were invited to have a buffet dinner with woman from one of the transitional group homes that Ratanak International funds. We met at a local restaurant to meet and to hear some of the stories of redemption of girls who were once caught up in the sex industry who are now on the verge of going to University. Despite a cultural and language barrier between us, it was poignant for me to be able to see how our awkward and shy meeting turned into great laughter and joy. We experienced some struggle to explain to the girls why we were in Cambodia, and us learning and re-learning how to pronounce their names. We fumbled around to try to find scraps of paper where we could attempt to communicate to the girls stories from back home using our own on the spot version of Pictionary. One of the girls finally brought out a 100 Riel bill (the equivalent of about 5 cents USD) that was shaped in the form of origami heart. This girl motioned to one our team members that she wanted to teach him how to make this heart. Many of the other girls either pulled out some Riel or anything else they could find to show us how to make these hearts. Even though not much was verbally communicated, our actions to learn from these fantastic teachers spoke louder than words. We fumbled our way to mimicking the actions of the girls with much laughter and much anticipation. Watching the delicately folded edges transform before our eyes into an amazing heart shaped figure, we were able to hold up our creations to each other with great pride and sense of accomplishment. Finally, we wrote our names on the back of our hearts and exchanged them with each other as a memory of an encounter of blessing and honoring of each other. As we said our goodbyes after a delicious meal, we treasured these simple gifts as a reminder of how God's work through a supportive community (whether international or local) gives life to lives that would normally be abused or passed over. Love is the universal language that binds our lives together, and that was experienced through the simple, sporadic gift of meeting these uniquely created people we had the privilege of meeting yesterday afternoon.
Signing a New Song in Cambodia
We are obliged to consider the special moments of our lives as precious gifts especially with those that touch our hearts. Yesterday our team went to the New Song centre for rehabilitation of girls whose lives have been damaged by trauma and exploitation. My first steps through I was greeted with warm smiles and curious eyes as our team walked through for a tour. I felt a sense of peace, like I could exhale all of the frustration and anxieties I had for the moment as I saw some of the young girls come to greet us with their joyous smiles and ecstatic hellos. My heart became soft seeing the lively as well as shy personalities come to visit us including one girl who came up to some in our team and drew butterflies on our hands. My heart also sank knowing that these girls have experienced more trauma than I probably ever will in a lifetime. God's work of redemption is found at New Song as God's love continues to redeem these girls imagination from the fear and control placed upon them at very young ages. The environment does not feel like an institution or does it feel like it is dolling out prescriptive answers to complex problems. This is a place of redemption.
Our team had the privilege of visiting a kids club and a local factory that also provide safe places for children to explore creative ways of using their individual gifts and talents. Going to the kids club I was greeted by an enthusiastic young boy who wanted to show me a fish that he had colored with the volunteers present while giving me a hand numbing high five to express his confidence in his project. Walking up the stairs of this building slated to be a brothel but transformed into a school, a clinic, a kids club and a church I was once again overcome with the realization that God's love pursues our lives even in the deepest of darkest places. The lovely greetings of the neighborhood children was a reminder that the DNA of this particular Cambodian neighborhood is slowly changing from one of mistrust to gratitude and acceptance of the people and activities that now characterize this building. Knowing that this neighborhood is still characterized by sex trafficking and confinement of children for the purposes of selfish pleasure means that there is still lots of redemptive work to be done; however, this building that houses the kids club is being used to redeem the imaginations of these children during the day while at night many of their lives are being ravaged by torture and shame.
Our team had the privilege of visiting a kids club and a local factory that also provide safe places for children to explore creative ways of using their individual gifts and talents. Going to the kids club I was greeted by an enthusiastic young boy who wanted to show me a fish that he had colored with the volunteers present while giving me a hand numbing high five to express his confidence in his project. Walking up the stairs of this building slated to be a brothel but transformed into a school, a clinic, a kids club and a church I was once again overcome with the realization that God's love pursues our lives even in the deepest of darkest places. The lovely greetings of the neighborhood children was a reminder that the DNA of this particular Cambodian neighborhood is slowly changing from one of mistrust to gratitude and acceptance of the people and activities that now characterize this building. Knowing that this neighborhood is still characterized by sex trafficking and confinement of children for the purposes of selfish pleasure means that there is still lots of redemptive work to be done; however, this building that houses the kids club is being used to redeem the imaginations of these children during the day while at night many of their lives are being ravaged by torture and shame.
Elders, Church, and the Hope to Move Forward.
The life of a Khmer can be difficult and challenging, yet the life for many elderly woman in Cambodia, the challenges remain but so do their joy, gratitude and perseverance. For many of the Khmer elders, they have survived much turmoil. Many of them have been widowed through the senseless killings of the Pol Pot Khmer Rouge regime. Many have had to endure much humiliation and disgrace by having to witness the killings of their entire family while living on to work in tiring jobs such as in local rice farms. For these elders who have grown up with abuse, and continue in abuse where many of their families expect them to go out and do something useful with their lives, any sense of hope for an identity of respect and honor is a mere dream. Yet, for the Ratanak International funded elder shelter program, Khmer elders are given the dignity and respect that they deserve. With food, a safe place to sleep, and through joint communal activities, and Bible study, these woman's hearts that have endured much bereavement have a safe place to be recognized as valued members of society. One of the activities our team was able to participate in with these woman as to sing together. To see the joy and the laughter on these woman's faces as they sang this is the day reminded me of the resilience of the human spirit that God gives to each and every one of us. This resilience has been passed onto the next generation in other ways as our team witnessed today through the prayers and worship of a church congregation. The Khmer people can often come across as very shy, reserved, and emotionally subdued people. Yet when you unleash them in a church setting, where they are given the freedom to express their griefs, their joys, and their dreams without judgement and without pretense, their demeanor quickly changes to dancing, chanting, and heartfelt praise. Some of the people in this congregation have been recovering from a life of devastating pasts where their dignity and sense of worth have been taken from them at a young age. The safe and gracious environment of the church gives them new hope and a new identity as a redeemed and loved people. I have heard it asked many times "where is God while these children are being raped and tortured? To which I can confidently say: he is right beside them, mourning with them, being repulsed with them at the shameful acts that are done while at times also leading them to the calm and quiet waters of kids club, church, and school to help refresh and renew their souls.
Cambodian Adventure Continued
After getting back from Siem Riep our team decided to get lost on a Tuk Tuk on route to meet a friend of Ratanak International and the orphanage that she runs. On top of getting lost, our Tuk Tuk had a flat tire as well. Seemingly planned (without anyone knowing it at the time) there as a service station mere minutes ahead of us where we were able to get our tire fixed so that we could continue on our way. This experience truly brought me closer to the realization that God is in control of our situations even when the unexpected occurs. Thinking about our team's epic adventure again I am reminded about how rarely we intend to get sidetracked and lost on our journey in life. Often we have a plan or action, or a good idea of where we are going and then because of lack of planning, or circumstances that are out of our control, we find ourselves in a situation we never would have dreamed of being a part of. At the same time seeing how God takes us through those unexpected situations to a new understanding of his grace and mercy. A few years ago I never thought I would travel to Cambodia yet found myself laughing, playing and interacting with the Khmer people these past few days. Finding myself in a Cambodian prison today interacting with the inmates and Prison Fellowship was a reminder to me of the greater love I am called to outside of my own backyard. Seeing how prisoners can be transformed to become regular and even respected citizens of a neighborhood through loving teaching, discipleship, prayer and community support gave me a new outlook on God's power to transform and redeem lives deemed unfit for the rest of society. Seeing that transformation come to life today, I continue to gain a deep respect for the work of Ratanak International and their willingness to be a part of projects that Prison Fellowship is a part of. I was able to witness children are being cared for, prisoners being discipled, prisoners learning new skills (such as motor bike mechanics, electronic composition, and sewing) as well as prisoners being changed from once violent people to very humble and forgiving members of society. God is alive and well in Cambodia and continues to amaze me at just how much He can do through even the smallest acts of humility and service towards Him. That is why, when you find yourself getting sidetracked in life, make sure to look for how God is working, for he just may take you on an unexpected journey that brings you closer to yourself and closer to Him.
Day 3 of Cambodian Adventure
Approaching the massive stone structure of Angkor Wat, even a casual glance would see that this is ancient wonder of the world is a sense of pride and joy. Looking back through history to see that the Angkorian Empire was something to be proud of in the Khemer culture. Looking further to Angkor Thom and several other temples surrounding this ancient meeting place has reminded me of the importance of place and past in giving meaning to our present and future. Visiting the War Museum in Siem Riep today showed me that even the Khmer Rouge, who despised religion, saw the importance of these sacred structures by incorporating them in the design of their flag as a unifying symbol for the Khmer people. Yet place is more than an architectural marvel, place has to do with security, a sense of peace and safety. Safe places are being established all over Cambodia through many anti sex trafficking initiatives. Our group had the privilege to hear from an Agape International Missions coordinator today about how setting up places of refuge for girls caught up in sex trafficking has brought peace to many young womans lives over the years. Listening to this representatives presentation made me realize there are simple ways that individuals and groups can provide a safe place for girls who are caught up in a reality they desperately want out of. One of the ways is to support the girls in alternative work outside of using their bodies for selfish pleasure but instead offering their lives in creative and empowering ways. A simple yet powerful way to encourage positive means of work is by purchasing 3 stranded bracelets. These bracelets are being sold all around the world by girls who were once caught up in the brothel district yet are now using their talents and gifts to support an artisan fashion industry. By purchasing one of these bracelets through the three strands website individuals have a chance to buy a piece of creative art that is empowering young woman to stay out of the brothel districts of Cambodia. Even something as simple as being mindful about how our actions are helping or hindering other people in our choice of entertainment can ensure that the demand for sex slavery is reduced and the solution to sex slavery can be achieved. For when we recognize that our present and our future are being shaped in partnership with a God of love and grace even small mindful actions (such as choosing to support entrepreneurial endeavors) can turn into the transformation of some girls lifestyle as well as her destiny.
Day 2 of Cambodian Adventure
Today our team of 8 experienced more of a personal face of Cambodia. The people we met in the country side were grateful for the dam that had been built in the last year to help prevent flooding from occurring. It was touching to see the smiles and laughter of the children who were running around, on their bicycles, and playing in the middle of the street we found ourselves in. Seeing the playfulness of the children was a breath of fresh air compared to the memorial of grief experienced yesterday at Toul Sleng and Choeung Ek left yesterday. This just one of the signs of the great redemption God continues to accomplish in Cambodia through is people here. Hearing the moving story of Sokreaksa Himm and his story of brokenness at the hands of the Khmer Rouge and then his journey to forgiveness reminded me that God's hand of love is stronger than any forces of hate. Finally, seeing the tales of the Cambodian people displayed through traditional dance and music showed me the creative and unique side of the Khmer people. This day reminded me that Cambodian culture is alive and well through the stories, colors, music and movement that it offers.