Cambodia

Beautifully Complicated Growth. part 1

There are moments in life when the whisper of God is relentless. It’s often in the midst of chaos and is rarely convenient yet it draws us to be still and listen intently to hear and understand what Father God would teach us. It was in just such a moment with a fussy grandbaby in my arms and a clinging grandchild between my feet, that the Holy Spirit said, “Look. See. Remember.” As the children quieted at this moment, I looked around my home with new eyes.

Our home is filled with a mixture of favorite pieces from family, things we have bought during our marriage and even a few random pieces left by college students who have lived with us in the past. There’s a reading lamp from David’s grandparents – Grandma Beach was a librarian and avid reader. My Dad’s cowboy boots – he loved Texas. Wedding pictures from generations past – a legacy of love. There’s a very spiffy hat from David’s dad – that no one remembers him wearing but it must have been special to him because it was carefully stored in its’ original hat box. A treadle sewing machine that was my great grandma Layman’s – my granddaughter plays on quilts made on that machine. We’ve collected a church pew from Colorado and hat tree made from an Aspen, a hand-carved monk, all from dear friends.

These items represent people who laid a foundation of faith and family that we have passed to our children and grandchildren It is a generational blessing. I cannot imagine not having a grandma who taught me to thread a needle and sew a button. A mom who made special birthday breakfasts each year. A mother-in-law who shared cooking tips. A friend who taught me to find joy in each day’s journey.

Yet, in the nation of Cambodia, the gift of generational entwinement is unfathomable. Adults of my parent’s generation are rare. My generation has little memory of their grandparents and many have a faint feeling of parents. The gift of generations was murdered.

1975.

From April 17 – 1975 until January 7, 1979 , the Communist Part of Kampuchea, known more commonly as the Khmer Rouge, controlled Cambodia. With the help of teenage guerrillas, Pol Phot took control of Cambodia, resulting in the death of nearly 2 million people through starvation and execution. The most ruthless interrogation center processed 20,000 inmates – only seven survived.

In truth, these 4 years have become such a defining moment for the nation of Cambodia, that we overlook the thousands of years that preceded the carnage. There are written references to the country found in 1st century Chinese writings and the remains of coastal cities have been found in Cambodia that date to centuries before Christ’s birth. This is a civilization that has excelled in urban planning and agriculture and the arts.

They are a beautiful, strong and resilient people.

History.

Cambodia sits at the center of the Indochinese Peninsula, surrounded by Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. The ancient culture of Cambodia is traced directed to India and those influences are still found today in their Sanskrit-based language, art forms, and food. Their time as a French protectorate is notable in the architecture. Yet, their history is decidedly their own. At its earliest, Cambodia encompassed the majority of the peninsula. As tribes and other societies declared their autonomy, Cambodia settled into the size it is today.

During the Angkor Civilization, roughly 800-1300 CE, the Khmer nation flourished. Massive construction projects from that time still stand, most famously Angkor Wat. This 400 plus acre site was at once the capital and a temple site. The sandstone Angkor Wat Temple has been the image on every flag for Cambodia throughout its history. Built on lava rock that moves with the shifting soil, the temple and surrounding gates have stood for over a thousand years, its walls covered in beautiful etchings that tell the story of the nation. It is a daunting structure rising from the verdant plain, nestled in a forest that threatens to reclaim it.

It would seem the entire nation has always been in constant threat of being overcome by either the lush landscape or by the nation’s surrounding it. Cambodia’s central location means that the nation has often found itself seated in the middle of conflict as tribes and later, nations fought for power. Rice fields and forests have been the site for unofficial raids, wars and bombings. Even today, the country bears the effects of these conflicts with land mines found on a weekly basis.

Today.

Visiting the capital city of Phnom Penh is a study in contrast. Bright, shiny new construction and modern amenities stand in stark contrast to poverty-ridden communities. Modern malls with brand names easily recognizable compete with ancient markets, with goods crammed into tiny stalls.

China continues to be the largest investor in Cambodia’s economy. While they have supported numerous infrastructure programs, they also hold the majority of Cambodia’s debit, making the Cambodian government more dependent upon this foreign nation. Yet, with 60% of the nation under the age of 25 (2023), the available workforce appeals to many industries that are currently exploring relocation feasibility. Japan, Canada, German and the United Kingdom are also highly invested in the Cambodian economy as well as in the preservation and restoration programs of historical sites.

Faith.

As the nation’s economy grows, the ability for the Gospel to spread is also enlarged. Though a nation who officially practices Theravada Buddhism, it is open to other faiths.

Organizations such as Engineering Ministries International (https://emiworld.org/) were quick to see the opportunity and benefit of basing Southeast Asia projects in Cambodia. Their office in Cambodia, Petram, (https://emiworld.org/kh) has been involved in constructions clinics, rescue homes, and with school projects. Perhaps most interesting is that as a construction ministry, they have become a type of clearing-house and connection touch-point for all the other Christian organizations in Phnom Penh. Eventually, everyone needs a new building or an existing building updated – and eMI is there! When they enter a new ministry’s facility, they bring with them the knowledge of the city, the methods and the regulations as well as knowledge of other resources in the nation.

Neth Kong was the first Cambodian National hired by eMI’s Petram Office. Neth is the Office / Projects Manager and this October will celebrate 7 years with the team. “I am so encouraged to see how God works in and through this office. God has been so faithful to us since the beginning until today. He is the God of providers,” Neth writes. In 2019, Neth was able to accompany Chris Hardrick to the United States and we were honored to have him in our home. He filled our home with questions and music. In Neth you see life and energy and love. A father of two and devoted husband, he also leads worship at his church in Phnom Penh as well as discipling men in his office.

Neth loves his country and his people. Cambodia has been a nation of growth through difficult and horrific times. Yet it is still here. Growing. Neth’s experience is at the heart of Missions:

“I love the work environment where I can express my faith and believe in the work that I am doing. Morning devotions, discipleship groups, and mentoring that are happening around Petram/EMI are uniquely different from what other businesses would do. I would love to see this continue in order to help other young professionals grow in their spiritual and professional lives too,”
~ Neth Kong