What’s it gonna look like: Phnom Penh

After a long day on the bus, we made it to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. It’s a huge city and as you can imagine the hub of industry, commerce and trade. It’s very warm (high 80s) and VERY high humidity …surprising since this is their “cool/dry” season. Our sweat glands are active and I personally am enjoying the balmy weather. 

Today we met with our host and they are absolutely fantastic! They’re from the States but have been living here in Cambodia for 10 years and before that they were in the Philippines.  They work with young Cambodians, tomorrow’s leaders to empower them to influence their nation. We love our hosts! They spent time just getting to know us and our hearts this morning, then spoiled us with homemade pineapple upside down cake and fruit followed by a tour of the ministry headquarters here and lunch in the market. It was incredible to be with them today and hear the vision that God gave them for this country and the way the Lord is walking that out in and through them here. 

The ministry we’re working with here has 5 branches of ministries here in Phnom Penh and surrounding villages:

1)      The first is a ministry that empowers young women who have been sexually abused/trafficked and/or domestically abused. They take in the young women and give them Christian counseling focusing on inner healing, provide education on health care, disciple them and teach them about Jesus, give them job skills, give them a healthy and safe living & working environment. And ultimately by doing all of this, this ministry works to prevent human trafficking in Cambodia by giving these young women another way. The job skills they teach them involves making handbags, table runners, pocketbooks, etc. Then these are sold in the US and 100% of the funds go directly to the girls and right back into the ministry. We got to tour their facility today and meet the 7 women that are currently a part of this ministry.  Inside all of the handbags they make they have a sewn in label with “Freedom” on it. Ultimately that’s what they are about…guiding young women on the journey towards freedom and restoration, body, mind, and soul. 

2)      The 2nd branch here is their orphan care program. They don’t have large orphan facilities but instead place orphans with care takers and this ministry provides for all their needs. We were able to travel to one of the villages (about 40 min away) today to visit one of the houses where 4 orphans are taken care of by a widow they’ve equipped to parent these kids. They have Cambodians on staff that visit these houses and villages several times a week to educate the kids. Today they were learning English and we watched as they recited the words “ear and hair” and then learned to write them in both Khmer and English. They were adorable and the whole thing had a very small family feel to it. That’s the heart of this ministry, to operate as a family unit. 

3)      The 3rd branch is the non-governmental organization (NGO).  They have national notoriety and government approval. They’re working through social involvement and Christian Community development, working with the government instead of against it. 

4)      The Church Plant. They have regular church services, a youth ministry, children’s ministry, outreaches…all with a community focus. 

5)      The Foundation Center. This focuses on leadership training and development of young Cambodians, community focused ministry, health care/first aid, life skills training, and English language training. There are some incredible leaders being developed and empowered here and the nation is truly being influenced by these young people. This is key as 80% of the population here in Cambodia is under 30 years old! 

We will be spending a lot of time with the women while we’re here in the city.  They don’t speak any English but their overseer does and will be our translator. We’re really looking forward to building relationships with these girls and watching God continue to bring them freedom and restoration! What a blessing that He would allow us to be even a small part of what He’s doing in them! They would love for us to lead some Bible studies for them a few times a week and also help with the workshop organization. Also, the team I’m with is gifted musically and God has already opened doors for them to teach some of the leaders at The Foundation Center that are wanting some instruction. Saturdays and Sundays and a few evenings a week will be spent in the village of Sa’ang working with the orphans, teaching English, loving on them and building relationships with the staff and care givers out there. We’ll also be doing some outreaches and youth events out in the village from time to time. 

We’re excited to see what God does as He shapes our schedule and guides our steps. We’ve already seen His hand all over what we’re doing as He’s gone before us to prepare the way. It’s fun walking into a place and realizing that without us even having a clue God has already been working out the details. He’s good like that! J

I’m really enjoying my time with Team Increase. There are 7 of them, 2 guys and 5 ladies. It’s encouraging for me to see the life change that God is doing as they embrace abandonment, experience brokenness, and discover how to depend on the Lord. Through the experiences they’re gaining they’re being equipped and empowered to discover their voice in this world and take their place in what God has called them into. They’re daily walking in God’s Kingdom and experiencing Him move in their midst. It’s an honor to be a witness to all of this and be a part of it this month.