Our 2nd Week in Cambodia

Our second week in Cambodia, to me, went by much more quickly than our first week! Maybe because we were more adjusted to the time zone & all of our new surroundings. Although it felt fast, it was also filled with incredible opportunities for learning & memorable experiences that have shaped our hearts. 

This past week we traveled back to Phnom Penh & then on to another province. We experienced for the first time in Cambodia some truly rough roads during our drives - some dirt & partially finished cement with large pot holes. It was an adventure & we were blessed with safety in all of our comings & goings.  While in an Eastern province we were able to visit Destiny Rescue - an organization rescuing children from human trafficking & other kinds of sexual abuse. We spent the afternoon with one of their staff members - a highly intelligent & passionate young woman dedicated to the healing & well being of the girls this organization rescues. They provide emergency & long term shelter, schooling, vocational training, counseling & introduce the girls to the ultimate Healer, Jesus Christ. As we toured their facilities, we discussed at length the prevalent issues in Cambodia contributing to trafficking. Although it may be a dismal topic to some, I find the conversation inspiring & compelling. I was inspired to see how this global issue is being addressed on the field & how this ministry is being specifically effective! At our last  site visit - one of Destiny Rescue's safe houses - we got to play a game with twelve beautiful & very young survivors! They were playing a game after they had finished their studies & we asked to join - they loved it! So did we. The especially sweet part for me was watching my husband so gently & kindly play with the girls. Male interaction could be very difficult for many of them, which makes positive interactions all the more formative & vital to the girls healing process. Those moments with the girls are a memory I believe we will all hold dear for many years to come! Also during our time in this province, we had a very meaningful team devotional time of prayer & reflection as Andrea led us with beauty & authenticity. 

When we returned to Phnom Penh we got to attend an International church service & visited another organization that seeks to rescue women from human trafficking as well as extend more options to women trying to leave prostitution. It was another inspiring afternoon as we had lunch with a staff member from Daughters of Cambodia (daughtersofcambodia.org) - this organization has 7 small businesses including a jewelry production, two cafes, a boutique & a guest house. All of these businesses provide new jobs & skill training for the women while they join a stabilizing program that Daughters offers. 

We are now on our way back to the States with wider eyes & full hearts! We debriefed for an afternoon over the weekend & are each continuing in our own ways to debrief our experiences! We appreciate your prayers & would ask that you continue to pray for us as we ask  God to reveal all that He wants us to draw out from our experiences in Cambodia! See you soon!