A great day! Today we stayed near Battambang city. Our morning was spent at Raphas house. Our first experience with ministries involved in human trafficking. We toured the facility and spent some time with several girls who were rescued and are now in recovery and healing. They have local counselors and staff supported by several western directors.
Here is the website: http://www.raphahouse.org/
For safety reasons we were not allowed to take any pictures there. I suggest you look at their website for info. They said they post pictures that are approved there or will send some to our team leader. In group time tonight and my own personal reflection I am still unsure about how to respond to the problem of human trafficking. I am sure more understanding of my place in this mission will surface. I was moved by the looks in these girls eyes, confusion, attachment, and something I can't quite put into words. Their looks were different than the looks of poverty, more a look of longing. Many were filled with hopeful smiles, especially the ones that have been there for a long time, but
even they still looked starved for hope. In the staff room where we left our backpacks there was flannel graph on the walls near the ceiling all the way around the room telling the Story, the greatest Story of all, our story - God's Story. From creation to Jesus - the fabric figures told the Story. I was reminded once again that no matter what we try to
do for these girls and for the issue of human trafficking, the Gospel is of utmost importance. That is why today, I will share not only my Psalm - later on - but also John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."
After Raphas house today we went to HBI, Hope Bible Institute. Here we had food out of this kitchen pictured above. This is where Christian Church ministers and Pastors are trained in both English, computer skills, and Theology. The two house churches we visited already are supported by this preaching school. Pastor Sam, our translator works here and we will be worshiping there tomorrow for church!
Lunch was delicious. I love rice and could live on it alone. They did bring out some crazy things for us to try on request of our fearless leader Pastor Troy. We ate small frogs whole (everything was thoroughly deepfried, crickets, and some of the team ate cockroaches and termites. All of us enjoyed the french fries too.
Our travels also took us to tour a temple and Khemer Rouge memorial. This location is still used for religious purposes but also as a place to remember the atrocities that ocurred there many years ago. Lots of stairs. We spent time at the top over looking the countryside and also in a seculed space praying for Cambodia, praying against idolatry, and praying for HBI. Good exercise, great views, and good team bonding. God keeps on blessing!
Before I began blogging tonight I was reading this Psalm. If you have time go and read the whole Psalm aloud to yourself, it is powerful. These words struck me in regards to my day and I hope they bless yours too:
Psalm 37:1-9,34-40 NIV
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; [2] for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. [3] Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. [4] Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. [5] Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: [6] He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. [7] Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. [8] Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret---it leads only to evil. [9] For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. [34] Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it. [35] I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree, [36] but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. [37] Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace. [38] But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked. [39] The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. [40] The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
May The Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face shine upon you and give you peace!
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