First week, first impressions

It has been one week since our team landed in Phnom Penh Cambodia.  I spent ten days here back in July with a team from Steps of Justice, and I can say it is great to be back.  Although Thailand and Cambodia are neighboring countries with somewhat similar cultures, this time it really hit me how drastic the differences are between the two and how the Khmer Rouge was a massive set back for the country on all avenues. On our third day in Cambodia, I had the opportunity to revisit S21, aka. Tuol Sleng Prison and the Killing fields. Two places that mark the tragic past of what the nation has had to overcome.  It was only thirty years ago that they suffered a massive genocide, instigated by the infamous Khmer Rouge and its leader Pol Pot. A nation stricken by poverty, they are still trying to move forward and keep up with the modern age.  S21 used to be a high school, a place of education, inspiration, and hope.  In 1979 it was turned into the Tuol Sleng Prison, where the brutality was so at large that out of the fourteen thousand prisoners who went through S21 only seven survived.
You walk room to room, hearing stories of those who lost their lives, and few from those who escaped. The atmosphere is heavy as you walk through the 3x7 foot cells, see the black and white pictures of victims, face after face. It' s hard stuff, it isn't easy, but it is an event in history that should never be forgotten.

Growing up in the United States, I never heard anything about the Khmer Rouge, and the only genocide I learned about was in Rwanda. So how could something so serious slip by?  I think it is vital as a world population that we do not turn a blind eye to what is happening, whether it be in our own backyard or a whole ocean away.  We need to start looking at the human race as a whole, and educate ourselves about our pasts so that we do not repeat what should have never happened in the first place.  Going to these places gave me a greater understanding of Cambodia as a whole and an even greater love for the people. Every person I see over sixty, amazes me and I long to hear the stories of their lives during that time and now.  It is incredible to see a people who have absolutely no reason to be joyful, hospitable, or open being the most earnest, friendly, servant hearted people I have ever met. They are beautiful each one of them, and they all have their very own story, whether they are survivors of the Khmer Rouge or if they are part of the new generation, each one is valuable and each has a voice that they can use to bring change to this world.

I really wonder how many times do we have to learn before we take action before it is to late, use our voices to take a stand and to speak out against what is wrong?  We are called to uphold the law, to do justice, yet if we let whole nations be under attack, how much more are we letting slip by in our own backyards?  Are we letting things slide because we fear what *may* happen if we speak the truth?.
Being in Cambodia and visiting the museums reminded me that in this day in age there is no room for apathy.  God did not call us to preach the good news, defend the orphan, or plead the case of the widow when we feel like it.  He did not say "If it is convenient" set the captives free.  No, He said "Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8) and there are 2,000 more scriptures that say the same.  We as the body of Christ must pursue Justice.  No ifs, ands, or buts.  Just like the Great Commission is not the great suggestion,  justice is something we are signing up for when we ask Jesus to be Lord of our lives.  Ken Wystma says in his book "Pursuing Justice": We are never closer to God than when we are pursuing justice by serving others.  
We may ask where was the world when 1.7 million Cambodians lost their lives?  But I also want to pose the question, where was the Church?  God has given us a voice and a choice to use it for good or for evil.  We were not called to sit back and watch our planet unravel, but we need to be actively asking God, what can we do?  What is our part?  How can we see an end to human trafficking?  How can we set up a successful integration plan for the refugees into our country?  How can I serve my community or local homeless shelter? In a way I feel like I went on a tangent, but then again these are the thoughts that came up when I learn about Cambodia's history.  So  let's challenge each other and ask the hard questions, what are we doing or not doing that is making an impact on this world?

We are about to start our second week here and I can't wait for God to grow my heart for this nation even more, learn more of the language (It is SO difficult), and get to know more of these beautiful Khmer people.