Cambodia

Cambodia - the scene of carnage still lingers. There was torture and senseless killings of many innocent people. Most parts of the city are still in ruins because of past war and internal conflicts that resulted in the 'Tuol Seng' - Former Rouge S-21 Prison. That was where thousands lost their lives. Lives that were related to the 170 pastors, church leaders and helpers who came for sessions on 'Personal Holiness'.

They came and by God's grace were able to release forgiveness and love toward all those who have brutally destroyed their lives, their families and their country. Bitterness was uprooted, giving way to God's love. Praise be to God! They are now determined to reach out to uncountable numbers of orphans, widows, prostitutes and all that were in one way or another affected by the war.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – 9-10 May were two momentous days for a group of 80 from more than 20 denominations in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. No more than 5 per group were represented. They came and they were challenged. Many prayed for forgiveness but most went away with commitment to God to live a holy life. More than 70 attended the second day training to teach Personal Holiness to their own people. Some of those who were trained were as young as 21 and some as old as 60. One particular lady in her mid-30s, a mother of two, confessed that she was having an adulterous relationship with another man. A group prayed for her as she committed herself to sever that relationship and be reconciled with her family. It would be an uphill task but she was committed and a group of ladies and those from her church would be supporting her. Do keep her in your prayers.
There would have been more who should have come but many of them were held back as they could not make it on time from outskirt provinces. Some of the participants traveled as long as one whole day by bus before they could reach the city.
As I left the group, a small committee of 7 pastors and church leaders had decided to form a pro-tem committee to look into coordinating WorldTeach ministry in Cambodia. They told me that the Church in Cambodia is a very young one, no more than 20 years old. And they would need much help to get their members growing in the faith. Other seminars and courses are available but none had been so appropriate and practical as Personal Holiness. Even though this was just the second time WorldTeach courses were taught in this country, as far as these leaders were concerned, WorldTeach was already launched in Cambodia. (An official launch is planned for 2003.)
The group also looked into fine-tuning the translation of the materials and preparing for them to be printed en masse so that those trained may take them to other parts of the country. They were excited about the potential of changed lives.