Though the sites and sounds of Cambodia were different from the Phillipines, the reality of human and sex trafficking was just as real. IJM has the same strategy of investigations leading to arrests, to convictions, and to after care. The use of police investigators, lawyers, and social workers were used to perform the task of rescue and leading to prevention. The problem of these abuses are often generational in Cambodia. What grandma had to do for the family, mom had to do, and so now the kids just embraced this indescent role to provide for their families. In sitting with these young kids in after care, I realized that even though these kids have been forced to do adult things they are still kids. They smiled, laughed, jumped, ran, and played again in this new environment. These girls are given a new life–hope! The hope of IJM is they can prevent this from happening to future kids. IJM desires to change the reputation of Cambodia from being an international sexual tourism. They are working hard with one conviction at a time.
The story of Cambodia has been tainted from the regime of Kymer Rouge. Communist leader Pol Pot exercised genoside upon his people in 1975-1979. In his paranoia as a leader, he killed off the professional class of Cambodians. Now you have a nation of people who have all been touched by these acts. Also the nation is void of an educated generation of people who would have naturally led the country at this hour.
I shared a few more pictures of Phnom Penh because I took so many street pictures of kids we simply walked up to. These are not IJM clients. The most moving picture for me is the girl wearing the shirt “I could be your daughter”. That statement sums up my trip in working with these young girls. Being a father of three, the inappropriate acts with kids helps me understand the weight of evil. Before I got too high and mighty against these abusers sins, one from my team prayed that we are all capable of extreme evil. Our only difference is the life and work of Jesus in us.
Jesus, I am so grateful for what you did in my heart at age 14, and what you are continuing to do in me. I need your Jesus! All people need you, Jesus!
“For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendents will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.” Isaiah 61:8-9
Thanks for sharing this. It’s too easy in my comfy life to forget the hardship and poverty that much of the world still lives in. I want to be reminded–and to do something to change it.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and pictures! It’s hard to believe you were just half way around the world! How awesome to share Jesus with those who need the hope that can only be found in Him! Thanks for pointing out that we shouldn’t act high and mighty when we look at the abuser’s sins. Though the crimes are heinous, we are all capable of extreme evil without Jesus. When we compare ourselves to others, we often feel like we are better than they are. We see our own sin only when we compare ourselves to a Holy God.
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9)