"...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor." - Isaiah 61: 3
If there was one word I would use to describe today, it would be "HOPE."
Yesterday was a tough day, where our team was confronted with the reality of darkness and brokenness that was so intense some of us had a hard time processing how there could be such evil in the world. For me, it brought up the age old question of how God could allow things like genocide to happen. However, throughout the day, I felt like God was really reminding me about how he has not abandoned the people of Cambodia, and how he has been working here all along, even in the midst of the darkness and brokenness.
We started the day at an NGO (non-government organization) called Action Pour Les Enfants. This is a secular organization that works to bring justice and healing to children victims of abuse and exploitation. Though they had many heartbreaking stories, they also told us about their part in breaking cycles of abuse and bringing perpetrators to justice.
We then had a delicious lunch at Daughters of Cambodia's Sugar and Spice Cafe. Daughters is a Christian NGO that reaches out to girls and ladyboys (boys who dress like women and sell themselves/are sold to men) who have been sexually trafficked or exploited. Rather than housing women in shelters, Daughters provides a way out for women and men who wish to leave the sex trade, while still allowing them to live in their communities. Daughters trains these women and men in skills such as sewing, screen printing, design, woodworking, and food service, and then provides employment for many of them at fair trade wages. They also provide free childcare for children up to 5 years of age, free basic medical services, free counseling, and education.
Currently, Daughters runs a couple cafes, a boutique where they sell items made by their clients, a spa, and they will soon be opening a guest house. All of these businesses employ women from their programs. They also talked to us about how their Sons program, a relatively new program that reaches out to ladyboys, has been growing. Though, participation in religious services is not mandatory for being part of Daughters (in fact, they so far have not turned anyone away), they do share the gospel with those who come through their doors and offer them the opportunity to learn more about Jesus through church services and prayer. For Victor and Sherry, who were part of the first GRX Fremont Cambodia team, they were amazed at how far Daughters of Cambodia has come, since their first trip. It was a clear picture of how God is working to redeem, heal, and empower the women, men, and children who have been victims of sexual exploitation.
Finally, we visited Precious Women, a Christian ministry run by a Cambodian woman whose heart was broken for victims of sexual trafficking/exploitation, and who felt God calling her to do something about it. In response, she started Precious Women, a ministry that trains and employs women in skills that will equip them to live and work in an environment free of sexual and economic exploitation. Several things struck us about this ministry: 1) This was the first organization we went to that was started by a Cambodian rather than a foreigner, 2) It is a very grassroots ministry, started by one person who felt called by God to make a difference, and 3) It is still young, but growing. It was awesome to see that from one person, God could do such amazing things.
For me, the time at Precious Women was also a time where God reaffirmed in my heart the theme of hope and restoration. This morning, during my quiet time, as I reflected on the experiences of Day 1, God reminded me of the Steven Curtis Chapman song, Beauty Will Rise. In the song, there is the line, "Out of these ashes beauty will rise." During our time at Precious Women, a volunteer mentioned that she had shared Isaiah 61:3 (the verse that inspired that line) with the women (see verse at the top). It was one of those moments where I really felt God was showing me, "I am here bringing beauty out of the ashes in Cambodia! There is hope, even in the midst of darkness."
Thanks again for all your support and prayers! Please look for more updates in the days to come!
<3 Candace
If there was one word I would use to describe today, it would be "HOPE."
Yesterday was a tough day, where our team was confronted with the reality of darkness and brokenness that was so intense some of us had a hard time processing how there could be such evil in the world. For me, it brought up the age old question of how God could allow things like genocide to happen. However, throughout the day, I felt like God was really reminding me about how he has not abandoned the people of Cambodia, and how he has been working here all along, even in the midst of the darkness and brokenness.
We started the day at an NGO (non-government organization) called Action Pour Les Enfants. This is a secular organization that works to bring justice and healing to children victims of abuse and exploitation. Though they had many heartbreaking stories, they also told us about their part in breaking cycles of abuse and bringing perpetrators to justice.
We then had a delicious lunch at Daughters of Cambodia's Sugar and Spice Cafe. Daughters is a Christian NGO that reaches out to girls and ladyboys (boys who dress like women and sell themselves/are sold to men) who have been sexually trafficked or exploited. Rather than housing women in shelters, Daughters provides a way out for women and men who wish to leave the sex trade, while still allowing them to live in their communities. Daughters trains these women and men in skills such as sewing, screen printing, design, woodworking, and food service, and then provides employment for many of them at fair trade wages. They also provide free childcare for children up to 5 years of age, free basic medical services, free counseling, and education.
Currently, Daughters runs a couple cafes, a boutique where they sell items made by their clients, a spa, and they will soon be opening a guest house. All of these businesses employ women from their programs. They also talked to us about how their Sons program, a relatively new program that reaches out to ladyboys, has been growing. Though, participation in religious services is not mandatory for being part of Daughters (in fact, they so far have not turned anyone away), they do share the gospel with those who come through their doors and offer them the opportunity to learn more about Jesus through church services and prayer. For Victor and Sherry, who were part of the first GRX Fremont Cambodia team, they were amazed at how far Daughters of Cambodia has come, since their first trip. It was a clear picture of how God is working to redeem, heal, and empower the women, men, and children who have been victims of sexual exploitation.
Finally, we visited Precious Women, a Christian ministry run by a Cambodian woman whose heart was broken for victims of sexual trafficking/exploitation, and who felt God calling her to do something about it. In response, she started Precious Women, a ministry that trains and employs women in skills that will equip them to live and work in an environment free of sexual and economic exploitation. Several things struck us about this ministry: 1) This was the first organization we went to that was started by a Cambodian rather than a foreigner, 2) It is a very grassroots ministry, started by one person who felt called by God to make a difference, and 3) It is still young, but growing. It was awesome to see that from one person, God could do such amazing things.
For me, the time at Precious Women was also a time where God reaffirmed in my heart the theme of hope and restoration. This morning, during my quiet time, as I reflected on the experiences of Day 1, God reminded me of the Steven Curtis Chapman song, Beauty Will Rise. In the song, there is the line, "Out of these ashes beauty will rise." During our time at Precious Women, a volunteer mentioned that she had shared Isaiah 61:3 (the verse that inspired that line) with the women (see verse at the top). It was one of those moments where I really felt God was showing me, "I am here bringing beauty out of the ashes in Cambodia! There is hope, even in the midst of darkness."
Thanks again for all your support and prayers! Please look for more updates in the days to come!
<3 Candace
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