cambodia mission trip

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Anti Human Trafficking Mission Trip

ISL A COM ND EV ANG MU E N 633 ITY C LICAL HUR Kin g CH: Qua ’s R rry TEL Bay oad , HK EPH 852 -286 ONE 4 93 FAC 60 852 SIMIL E -252 8 91 90

CAMBODIA

July 2013

ahtcambdoai2013.weebly.com

Turning Ashes Into Beauty In A Place Of Darkness JULY 20 TO 27, 2013

This is the second year Island ECC sent a mission team to Cambodia with a focus on anti human trafficking. During the 8 days of their trip, the team of 32 men and women went to visit different ministries and non profit organizations in Phnom Penh and Siam Reap. Their hearts were broken as they learned about the dire reality of material and spiritual poverty in Cambodia. Yet they also saw hope in the midst of suffering. Each participant was asked to share their reflection, the story of how God spoke to them and the lessons they have learned before and after the trip. Each story is different, reminding us of how different people from different backgrounds can experience God in difference ways. However, they all point to the same God. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:13

“The LORD delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.” Psalm 147:11

“They will be called OAKS of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”

CAMBODIA MISSION TRIP!

BY ANGEL CHIM

Joining a mission trip itself was a brandnew experience to me since I am not yet a Christian and I do not have the habit of going to church. I heard terms like ‘devotion’ and ‘church service’ for the first time. However, the trip is memorable to me not just for the devotions and church services we had as a group, but the devotions with the girls and children in White Dove. Despite the language barriers, I always felt warmed when we sang the same song in different languages or when we were touched by one another’s testimony. These are the moments when I feel the strong bonds between us, and also that we are embraced by the love of God. Certainly, our relationship with the girls were not only built on our daily devotions but also through our interactions with them. Since I was in the baking workshop with Yae Na, Wendy and Yvonne, it allowed us to have more time to interact with the same group of girls for two afternoons. It was very impressive to see them improving a lot within such a short period of time, from knowing little about food hygiene and baking to being able to cooperate and succeed in baking a tray of muffins. After

the second baking session, I even got the opportunity to play with two little girls in the backyard. Through working and playing, we became much closer. Therefore, I could not stop crying when we have to leave though I am usually not an emotional person. I will never forget the time that we have been through together. It is probable that we may not meet them again, but I still wish them a bright future as they make use of the new skills they learned, and I believe we will all continue to pray for them.

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Despite the language barriers, I always felt warmed when we sang the same song in different languages or when we were touched by one another’s testimony... I feel the strong bonds between us (the girls and children in White Dove), and also that we are embraced by the love of God.

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Power of Prayers BY ANITA KWOK

Showers in the early evening cleansed the dusty air and refreshed the heat of the day, leaving lots of water puddles on the ground that made our journey a little more bumpy and winding. The six of us, that is, our Outreach Team leader, two members of the White Dove Center and three volunteers from Hong Kong squeezed ourselves in a small tuk tuk, and made our way to the restaurants at the red light district around the corner of the library.   This was the first time the three of us from Hong Kong had joined an outreach program that led us to the red light district.   The light in the “Red light district” was not red; instead, the whole area was lit up by yellow fluorescent tubes. Instead of pubs and bars, restaurants and karaokes were everywhere in the district, and there are always two bench seats in front of these restaurants. After we got off our tuk tuk, my leader and two ladies from White Dove carefully approached the girls sitting on the bench seats. Perhaps the night was still young, because only few customers walked into the dining area, so  the 16 girls on the bench seats continued to do nothing but chat to one another.  Though faces of the girls masked under a thick make-up, it could not hide their tiredness and suspicions of us, a group of strangers.   Our team leader acted particularly carefully and was sensitive to their reactions, and following her, we handed out leaflets as an invitation to the White Dove Centre Party. We tried our best to smile and speak the one and only one Khmer sentence we knew to greet the girls, but you could tell that not all of them were interested in the party.  

While our leaders went up to invite the girls, we could not do much but pray for the outreach. We prayed that God’s light will shine through this place and we asked God to empower my leader, who was also new to her position. Not many girls accepted the invitation in our first outreach, so more prayers were poured into this during the debriefing session, the devotional the next morning and again, before setting off to the red night district on the next night. Our hearts were heavy when the manager of the restaurant turned us away on the second evening, but we would not give in so both of us tried harder to talk to the girls at the second restaurant, and my heart prayed even harder for the team all the way. At the last restaurants on our stop, we successfully invited more than five girls, some of whom even said they will invite their sisters to come. Some would call it luck, but I would rather called it power of prayers, because a similar incident happened on the day of the even when we rode the tuk tuk to pick up the girls.  Girls at the first location all refused to come, saying they were busy or tired. My leader and I were worried and disappointed, and sitting on the tuk tuk, we prayed again for God’s providence and blessings to bring more girls on our way at the second pick-up point. I was overwhelmed when we arrived as there were already two girls standing there waiting for us and more were coming. We picked up a total of 10 girls from this

“We could not do much but pray for the outreach... Our hearts were heavy when the manager of the restaurant turned us away on the second evening, but we would not give in... my heart prayed even harder...”

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“Ask, and you’ll receive. Search, and you’ll find. Knock, and the door will be opened.” - MATTHEW 7:7 location alone. God knew our prayers and he answered at once.    “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8) It was a humbling experience because as strangers who cannot speak a proper sentence of Khmer, and without knowledge of the local culture, it was a privilege that White Dove and God allowed us to be part of the team, reaching out to the girls.

It was also a awesome experience to witness his work, and to see how he orchestrated his people and circumstance to achieve his good purpose. The door has been opened the door to our Heavenly father and to other work opportunities have been opened to the girls, and more prayers are required for the girls.  I believed that God is well pleased with this ministry.       The sole objective of my presence in this mission trip, however, is not to claim any credit for the work, but to witness and testify His glory, and to   spread the words to the end of the

world while my faith is built amidst of all these.   I was very encouraged by God’s faithfulness, His presence was so strong in my heart and I was amazed by how quick he answered the prayers.  What he has given is beyond our imagination and expectation.   The White Dove experience is a strong encouragement to me to pursue God’s will while trusting that He who began this will finish his good works.  Let’s not stop praying for all of God’s servants in Cambodia and that more souls will be saved.  

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BY CARMEN MAN

This mission trip has been a life changing experience for me. My eyes and heart have been opened up to acknowledge what has been happening in Cambodia. I knew sex slavery was happening in Cambodia after watching “Nefarious” right after the Cambodia info section. But after being in Cambodia and seeing it with my eyes, it was different. This isn't a trip to make us feel guilty of how fortunate we are in Hong Kong. But I see the abundant love and hope in Cambodia from God. Through the children's smiles  I see God's great love for them. I see completeness when they have known God. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling within the team throughout the trip. I see my life as incomplete. I have God in my life but sometimes I still find myself feeling empty because of my human desires. But after seeing those children in Cambodia, it reminded me of the lavish love from God. I'm so thankful and blessed. One thing really struck me was how God turned the brothels into a church; He turned ashes into beauty and I saw this with

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my own eyes. It's miraculous. I see God's fingerprints all over the country. He uses His people to carry out His plans. I see God’s never failing, always loving character though Nathan and Priscilla, the lovely couple who works for the local ministry in Cambodia. I see great hope and love in Cambodia, and I see how God has been doing amazing work there. I'm so blessed to be on this mission trip. My heart has been transformed permanently.

I have God in my life but sometimes I still find myself feeling empty because of my human desires. But after seeing those children in Cambodia, it reminded me of the lavish love form God. I’m so thankful and blessed.

CAMBODIA MISSION TRIP!

BY CHRISTINA SOU

It was my fourth time to Cambodia on a mission trip and may be the twelve times going back. So I did not expect that I would discover new things about the situation there. And it was, to a certain extent, true. But what I did not expect was how God can reveal Himself again and again to me, when I least expect it. This time, it happened well before we were on the ground. Being someone who is used to making lots of decisions at work, I have molded myself to be quite Type-A and result-focused. So as one of the co-leaders, I had certain expectation of the trip and of what my team member could get out of it. And my bar was high. During the preparation of the trip, there were different opinions from the co-leaders about how things should be done. There were one or two difficult decisions to make, and I believed that my view represented what would be best for the team. Because there were two very different views among the leaders, we were in a stalemate situation for two weeks. During those two weeks, my emotion was seriously affected. I was struggling - on one hand, I was sure that my decision was right

and persisted hard but on the other hand, I was forcing myself to “act” like a Christian, and be loving and patient. I was really torn inside. So I talked to a sister in Christ who has had lots of experience in leading mission trips. She asked me to just keep praying and to let go. I had been praying, but just not willing to let go. Deep inside, I doubted if God would answer the prayers, or His power. That was why I tried harder to fight with my own strength, but it was getting nowhere. A few hours before the co-leaders gathered together to make the final decision, I was walking on Queen’s Road Central, and all of a sudden I felt compelled to pray to God and surrender to Him. My eyes were suddenly open, like the moment Saul experienced God in Damascus. I saw that even though my other leaders would not know the future, neither would I. Only God does. So I prayed to God that I would go with whatever decision was made that night, all I asked was that it would be a decision that please Him. That night, my preferred decision was overturned, but I was not upset at all. Instead I felt this great sense of peace, a peace that I had not felt for a long time.

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It was my forth time to Cambodia on a mission trip and may be the twelve times going back. So I did not expect that I would discover new things about the situation there...

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Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King. LYRICS FROM “SHOUT TO THE LORD” The decision turned out to be the best decision we have made for the trip. In the following weeks, I saw with my eyes more of God’s miracles. We asked people to sign up for either the Siem Reap team or Phnom Penh team but were worried about not having the right balance of people on either group. God gave us equal number of people signing up for each. The skill set, maturity level, personality, gender split was perfectly balanced; the co-leaders did not have to make any adjustments at all. I was worried that my hectic schedule would not allow me to serve as a coleader fully. God delayed a major project I was working on, and I could spend a good portion of my (working) day tending to matters of the mission trip. I was worried that the heart of the team members would not be

changed by the trip. God already put us together these days to discuss two fund raising activities for ministries we visited. I was sometimes doubtful if all that Christian ministries do in Cambodia really matter – the problem is so huge, the effort so small. But when I stood on the stage of Agape Church (which used to be a brothel before the raid in 2003), singing “Shout to the Lord” in English and Khmer together with the brothers and sisters in Cambodia, I felt the stronghold of Satan shaken, and God’s touch beyond all borders. God our Father, you are the Living God, a God who knows the pain in our heart and the struggle we go through. Help us to trust in you with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding. Help us to rely on

you and not our own strength. Help us to acknowledge you every step of our way. I pray that we know how to work hard for you, but when to really surrender and find rest at your feet. I pray that there will be more of you and less of me. Equip us with faith and love, so that we can be your soldiers in the battlefield and witness for your Kingdom. I pray that how we feel about Cambodia and antihuman trafficking are not a short lived passion, but one that lasts through eternity. Amen.

CAMBODIA MISSION TRIP!

BY DAVE TANG DECIDED TO GO TO CAMBODIA

On Sunday 12 May, my friend read about the Cambodia mission trip from IECC bulletin and asked me if i am interested. I thought about it briefly and answered "Sure!", but actually I didn't really know what was it all about, I only treated it as a leisure trip with church people. To find out more, I gone through IECC website and got a slightly better idea about this mission trip. At this stage, however, I thought mission trip should be for those well-experienced christians and I was certainly not yet one of them. Anyway in the evening I sent an email to ask for more info. 1ST OBSTACLE - QUERY NOT RESPONDED

One week later (19 May), I received no response to my enquiry at all. I and my friend had the idea that "may be God thinks we are not ready, that's why we got no reply." Then we decided not to go. RECONSIDERATION

Monday 20 May, I finally got the reply from Christina and Joyce with the fact sheet and information about the meeting in Pacific Coffee on the following Sunday (26 May). I thought we might be wrong to have thought we are not ready, so we decided to go to that meeting to find out more.

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2ND OBSTACLE - MISSED THE MEETING

Unfortunately for whatever reason, we missed that meeting, then we further thought that we are really not ready for we missed that meeting. ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

About 3 June as a sister from my care group heard about how did I make such a decision to opt out this trip, she told me I was wrong. She said I am rather perfectly ready. Its not about experience, but my willingness. She encouraged me to go for it. 3RD OBSTACLE - DEADLINE OVER

So I followed her instruction, however when I tried to apply, I realized that the application deadline (31 May) was over. At this moment, my negative thoughts came again. I started to give myself all sort of excuses. I thought its not a bad idea to opt out, not only to save some money, but to spend more time on job seeking and other stuffs. As a result, I didn't bother to ask for late application. FURTHER ENCOURAGEMENT

7 June, my CG sister asked me how was my application. I shamefully responded: "The application deadline was over, may be next time!" Then she said: "No way! What are you talking about? There is no deadline when it comes to God, just go and ask, you never know what God would

I received no response to my enquiry at all. I and my friend had the idea that “may be God thinks we are not ready, that’s why we got no reply.” Then we decided not to go.

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For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works... ... WHICH GOD PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR US TO DO. - EPHESIANS 2:10 lead you to this. If God want you to go, no matter how late you apply, you will still go." APPLICATION SUCCESSFUL

As encouraged by her again, I sent an email to the trip leaders telling my story and requested for late application. Fortunately on 9 June, I got the acceptance email from the Leaders. I am finally going to Cambodia. As I look back now, there were so much obstacles preventing me from going to this mission trip. Thanks God for guiding me to overcome all these obstacles; and teaching me NOT to assume how God think. DURING THE TRIP

Throughout the whole trip, I was so worried about my heart, as I really

didn’t feel much compassion for the people I meet there. I even questioned myself if I was sort of cold blooded, why didn't I feel anything at all. I also doubted if it was a wise decision to have gone to this mission trip. Despite of learning more about human trafficking, working hard for White Doves, got to know more Christian friends, and so called been to Cambodia and Ankor Wat, I thought that was really all that I've accomplished. When I look back to the previous days on the last night of the trip, I noticed something strange actually happened to me physically. During the two days of intensive work in White Doves, I managed to do all those physical work without even 1 minute of rest, no seat, nothing,

except spent time on a can of coke. Normally at least my feet would feel sour, but no, I was perfectly Ok, super energized and painless throughout and after the work. I really can't explain why, except that it was God who laid his hands on me. After the two days working in White Doves, everybody were calling me the "handyman", coz I have been climbing up and down doing those drilling, wirings, painting and signage installation. To me all these works are really not that much of a big deal as I used to do it all the time. However after this trip I realized that I was probably the only one who is familiar with all of these works. Its probably also one of the reasons why God wanted me to go to this mission trip.   AFTER THE TRIP

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Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. - James 4:8 On the Sunday right after the trip, I cried during worship in IECC. It was my first time that I couldn't hold my tears. I had no idea why did I cry so badly. I know its God, but why? Why was it only that morning? The question was answered very clearly during the 2nd debrief on 17 August, when Ricki revealed what have I actually written in my mission trip application. Under the question "Why do you want to go on this particular mission trip?",  I wrote: "To see and experience the work of God. To grow spiritually and strengthen my faith". Yes this objective has been fulfilled. God really made what I intended to come true. I saw how God has laid his gracious hands in Cambodia,  and I do feel much closer to God after that morning.

Before the trip, I used to have doubts against the existence of God during my down times and whenever I face difficulties, however these doubts have now been diminished to an extremely low level or even zero. I am now praying more often, spending longer time with god everyday. I finally understood why did God bring me to Cambodia.

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CAMBODIA MISSION TRIP! BY EDWARD SUKENDAR

I was blessed to be able to witness the genuine love and caring from each of the Christian ministries throughout my time in Phnom Penh. A couple of weeks before the mission trip, I was fed up with the concern of the darkness that I was about to see. That had gradually changed after seeing the like of Priscilla, Nathan, Ginny and Tim who unselfishly giving all they have to help Cambodia. The unconditional love and restless efforts from each of the ministries have somehow brought light into Cambodia, and I truly feel relieved. Many of us have been touched differently from their moments with one or more Christian ministries. I have experienced my special moments when I was with the World Relief Cambodia. While listening to Nathan’s presentation and visiting a couple of slums, I had many thoughts reflecting back to my and most of the people’s life I know back in Hong Kong. We are so blessed with all the things we already have, but most of the time, we want even more. We pray for more and got frustrated if we couldn’t be able to get them. Put things in perspective, most of the Cambodians couldn’t even afford the basic necessities. I suddenly felt selfish and ungrateful. The worship session in World Relief Cambodia had opened my heart and eyes even more. Similar with most of the Christian ministries in Cambodia, the

staffs in World Relief were whole-heartedly pray and worship God with such passion and power that I rarely see back in Hong Kong. They are full of hope and love. Even more, at the end of the worship, our team members were asked to stand in the middle while the staffs surrounded and pray for us. Pray for our safety and health. I, who previously felt more fortunate than them because of my background and position at that time, suddenly felt equal with the rest of the Cambodians. The people there, who couldn’t be able to afford things like I do, were able to give me something that is very precious. That something is the unlimited love and care. I suddenly realized that love and care is something that rich or poor able to give equally. I realized that if we strip all the materials that are clouding us, we probably able to give and show the same amount of love and care that most Cambodians are showing. I have learned a lot about myself and God throughout this mission trip. One week seems short, but the amount of new perspectives that I’ve received was incredible. This mission trip will be forever in my heart, and I will keep pray for Cambodia and the Christian ministries combating the human-trafficking.

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At the end of the worship, our team members were asked to stand in the middle while the staffs surrounded and pray for us... I suddenly realized that love and care is something that rich and poor able to give equally.

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BY JOYCE CHEUNG

My Conversation with God (pre/during/post trip) Sometime in May 2013 God: “Joyce.”

provisioned for 20, logistically it’s impossible to accommodate 34! You know how hard it is to book extra air tickets?” God: “Yes. Accept all the applications. I have chosen each and every team member for this trip. I have plans for each of them.”

Joyce: (stopped in her tracks) “Yes, God?” God: “Be my servant and lead the July Anti Human Trafficking trip. I have sent Kai to ask you.” Joyce: (jaw drops open) “Are you kidding me, God? I barely have any experience with mission trips, I can’t lead one! I am still young in my faith, and every single day I fail you in so many ways. Please find someone else, it can’t be me.” God: “Joyce, you have been trying to feel ‘better’ because you wanted to appear as a ‘good’ Christian. It is your heart that I want to change, it is your heart that I want to galvanize; with this trip, it is your heart that I want to capture.” Joyce: (head down, reluctantly) “Ok God, I will try…” The date of application deadline Joyce: (hair standing up in frustration) “God, have you seen how many applications we’ve received? We have only

Joyce: (still skeptical) “OK, whatever, I get it. That’s great but let’s see how you can battle the travel agent into to magically appear 14 extra air tickets and hotel rooms.” Next day Travel Agent/Hotel: “34 people? Not a problem!” Joyce (speechless) but inside her head: “Great way to make a point, God.” During trip preparation Joyce: (tearing hair out in frustration) “NOW we need to split the team. How can we possibly divide the resources and talent between the Phnom Penh and Siam Reap teams? There’s just too much to manage in too little time!” God: My child, don’t worry, I have determined who would go to Phnom Penh and Siam Reap a long time ago. Believe in

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God said, “I want you to stop planning and put your heart in my trust. Let me show you how to love like I have loved you. Allow me to break your heart for what breaks mine... I am able to do unimaginable things for you, if you will only allow me”

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...” PROVERBS 3:5 my plan and my knowledge in each one of my children.

Joyce: “I’m trying to imagine Your heart breaking, God.”

Joyce: (in her own head): “Wanna share that plan with me? But alright fine, again, only because it’s You, God. If You say so…”

God: “Joyce, I am NOT a detached and cold hearted God. I am right here next to you. Each and every time my heart broke, and it breaks still. My child, I am the God who suffered and died for you. I am the God on the cross.”

At S21, encountering the scariest side of humanity Joyce: “God, why did You allow the genocide and suffering to occur in Cambodia?” God: “The reason why genocide and suffering occur is because people choose to indulge their own selfish and brutal urges to dominate the weak.” Joyce: “I don’t know if I can bear the sadness of knowing.” God: “My child, each of the victims was individually knit within their mother’s womb by me, and no one loved them more than I did. Each time a life was brutally taken away by another human being, my heart broke. Every time people shrugged off my touch to walk their own sinful path, my heart broke. Now you can see how fallen and scary human beings can be without me. This is why I sent my son to you, why I allowed my son to enter into your world of flesh and blood, tears and death. This is why I allowed my son to suffer and be killed, so that each and every one of you can be saved.”

Feeling paralyzed under the weight of oppression and slavery Joyce: “But what difference do I make? What impact can one person make against these dark evils? Our efforts aren’t even a drop of water in this vast ocean of issues, why don't You do something, God, just do something NOW!” God: “My Child, do you truly believe I am the God that hates oppression and slavery? Do you truly believe I am the God of love and justice? Do you truly believe I am the perfect Father? Learn to have more faith in me, my child. Have faith in me that I have my own rescue plan which is much bigger than you can possibly imagine. My love and mercy and justice reach around in an embrace that is as yet incomprehensible to you, my child.”

Joyce: “Alright God, I will try...But tell me what I can DO, God? You must tell me what actions I can take.” God: “I want you to stop planning and put your heart in my trust. Let me show you how to love like I have loved you. Allow me to break your heart for what breaks mine. Surrender yourself to me and let me lead you to the role that I have uniquely designed for you in my rescue plan. I am able to do unimaginable things for you, if you will only allow me.” Joyce: “I have to be honest with You God, I hope it’s a class act rescue plan.” God: “Did you see me in Cambodia?” Joyce: “Yes. Of course I did!” God: “Give me an example.”

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Joyce: “Well. I saw You when I saw the faithfulness of your servants in Cambodia. At Agape, I saw Your glorious victory in the battle against evil! You were there with the kids when they were singing worship songs, their eyes sparkled with hope.” God: “When else?” Joyce: “Then there was Jumpah I saw how You provide for the outcasts. I saw Your mercy and love when a mother dying of HIV-AIDS is looked after with dignity, with someone holding her hand and assuring her that her child will be taken care of. That was Your hand, I know that.”

Joyce: “Alright, another way to prove a point. So, what’s next for me, after I go back to my normal life in Hong Kong?” God: “Keep opening your heart so that you can continue to listen to my voice. Don’t forget what you have seen and what you have heard in Cambodia that has burdened you. Keep that burden in your heart and I will guide you in the right direction. Remember. I am everywhere and beside you, all the time, 24/7. Believe in me, trust in me and let me walk beside you.” Joyce: “That’s it, God? Just like that?” God: “My child, yes, that’s it.”

God: “When else?” Joyce: “At World Relief, I saw how hope and love is being spread over Cambodia like water filling in the cracks of dry earth. I also saw You in the team... I saw how Your love transforms each person on the team in the most unexpected ways… I saw You all the time and everywhere. You were really working 24/7 in Cambodia!” God: “Joyce. I have always worked 24/7 everywhere. I have always been Father, and will always be Father.”

Joyce (in her head): “I know He’s smiling right now. He’s smiling, right?”

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God said, “Keep opening your heart so that you can continue to listen to my voice. Don’t forget what you have seen and what you have heard in Cambodia that has burdened you. Keep that burden in your heart and I will guide you in the right direction.”

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“Everyone Who has been Given Much, Much will be Demanded.” BY JOHN CHOONG

It has now been several weeks since I returned from the Cambodia AHT trip, but a number of experiences remain fresh in my mind. On the trip, one of the things which I became much more aware of was how dark human trafficking really can be in Cambodia – both for adults, teens and especially, the kids. Yet, I was also tremendously blessed by the good work that is being done in Cambodia by the many self-sacrificing missionaries we met, and the many Cambodians who are working so closely with them. And I was also reminded of the importance of prayer and of how Jesus is the ultimate true source of redemption and salvation from the evil in this world. As we heard in one of the services we attended, it is finally the blood of Jesus which redeems, and not anything which we can humanly do. The second thing I was reminded of was how I have become desensitized to what I see in my everyday life – even here in Hong Kong. Of how I can turn a blind eye to poverty and suffering around me, and how easily I can become so self-absorbed in my own desires, and to forget those around me. What I saw in Cambodia was a good reminder of how we – who have been

blessed so much by God – have a clear responsibility to use what God has given us to bless others. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48b (NIV). The third thing I was reminded of was how our life truly does not depend on the possessions we have. Again, and again, I was struck by the joy of those I met – especially the kids! Many of them might appear “poor” by our earthly standards, but yet they are tremendously rich – and in many ways, much happier than us, who possess so much. This made me think again about the importance of properly prioritizing my own values, and to realize that they should not revolve around material possessions or personal comfort, but on the things which are truly eternal.

What I saw in Cambodia was a good reminder of how we - who have been blessed so much by God have a clear responsibility to use what God has given us to bless others.

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Helping people in Cambodia doesn’t mean I am put in a better position than them. WE ARE ALL EQUAL AND THEY TOO, INSPIRED ME . BY JANET SO

The Cambodia Anti-Human Trafficking trip was an eye-opening one, mingled with sadness, anger, joy and hope. I felt depressed when I heard an entire generation was almost wiped out during the genocide. The crime of perpetrators and lenient Cambodia law made me feel angry. Yet at the same time, I was inspired and encouraged by the work and efforts of the local ministries in the different stages of anti-human trafficking. There was hope when survivors managed to acquire new skills and lead a new happy life. It was stunning to see how the survivors’ lives have been transformed under God’s love. I could feel love and hope when tasting

the delicious food in cafés, gazing at the exquisite bracelets made, talking to them during outreach and hearing the women’s laughter while learning English action songs. I was lucky to be part of the team to meet devoted staff in ministries, to witness the changes of survivors and to help. This all made it a rewarding and unforgettable experience for me. Helping people in Cambodia does not mean I am put in a better position than them. We are all equal and they too, inspired me. It may be a cliché to say “money cannot buy happiness” but it was so true after feeling the radiating children’s smiles. Happiness can be priceless and simple. It can simply come from playing with friends and meeting new people, but not on materialism alone.

It is time for me to reflect upon myself. Am I too focused on materialistic satisfaction instead of enjoying time with my family and friends? Do I always complain and forget to appreciate? After this trip, I will share my experience and reflections with my family and friends. I hope more people will get to know human trafficking issues in Cambodia and pray for people there.

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Outreach to the doors of the enemy: Hallelujah! One lost sheep found! KTV BARS AND MASSAGE PARLOURS OUTREACH AT SIEM REAP. BY KAI LIOW

One of the highlights of the trip would have to be the outreach to the KTV bars and massage parlors in the red light areas of Siem Reap. Background For 2 nights we did outreach in a way we have never done before. There were 5 teams each, made up of about three White Dove girls and three ECC mission team members. Each night each team was assigned to visit specific KTV bars or "dirty" massage parlors. The teams were given pamphlets to invite the girls to an Outreach Lunch on Friday. Only the girls went out, the guys stayed back at the centre to pray. Many of the girls were nervous on the first night! The outreach was really well planned by our local partner. They specifically hired christian tuk tuk drivers to take each group. This was very helpful because they knew how to approach the places, how to be ready to move on, and sometimes they even went down to inquire if the parlour was "clean" or "dirty"! It was in fact the presence of us "foreigners" that actually allowed the teams to talk to the girls. In the two nights of outreach, we spoke to about 110 girls, and many gave us their mobile numbers so we could contact them to confirm their attendance at the party in order to prepare the right amount of food and gifts.

Party Time On the day of the outreach lunch, at 10am when it was due to start, only about 15 girls arrived. After much desperate praying on the spot, a total of 45 girls turned up, including two managers of massage parlors! Praise God. The lunch program was a fun time of talentine, skits, songs, games, Gangnam dancing and testimonies by Kristy, Yvonne and other White Dove girls. Follow Up We were so excited to hear the report that after the lunch, many of the girls expressed interest in returning to WD and to enroll in the programs and leave their jobs. Subsequently, Dary arranged for interviews for these girls and eight girls showed up for their interviews. How awesome is that! That means these eight girls want to leave voluntarily. At the moment, WD is trying to see how they can fit in these girls into the current program or if they have the resources and staff to start a new one. Please pray for this. They have, however, accepted one girl immediately into the woman's centre because she was in an abusive situation and needed to be rescued immediately. Praise God for that! At the same time, they are also working with Bloom in Siem Reap to see if some of the girls can be accepted into their program.

Thanksgiving Martin & Dary wanted to specifically thank everyone for their prayers, support and wholehearted involvement with the outreach party. All glory to God that at least one girl has been rescued at her time of need, and pray that others will join her soon."

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He will wipe every tear from their eyes. - Revelations 21:4 BY KRISTY HUNG LOOKING BACK – 2012

The 2012 AHT trip to me personally wound up on a very sad note. I could still vividly remember running around, tickling, and all the while giggling hysterically with this 7-year-old at Sak Saum, only later to find my heart sank hearing that she too, was sexually exploited at the age of four. What about the latest fad in the village which Ginny shared – abducting children to slice them open for organs to sell? We saw darkness in ways beyond we can fathom and in the midst of all these, I was trying hard to find God. I remember having Hillsong’s “You Hold Me Now” on repeat, some of the lyrics go like: On the day when I see, all that You have for me When I see You face to face, there surrounded by Your grace.. In this life I would stand, through my joy and my pain Knowing there’s a greater day, there's a hope that never fades… Where the wars and violence cease,

all creation lives in peace Let the songs of heaven rise to You alone No weeping, no hurt or pain, no suffering You hold me now, You hold me now No darkness, no sick or lame, no hiding You hold me now, You hold me now

One cannot help but cry out for justice. One cannot wait but long for Jesus to come back to make all things new as He promised, to “wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelations 21:4-5). I trust that God’s heart grieved more than ours did when each of these children and women suffered. I trust that God is still up to something great to redeem all these for good. But there was this part of me that’s fraught with questions, that found no hope. Imagine there’re 27 million like her out

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Now faith, hope, and love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is Love. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:12-13 there, all precious sons and daughters in God’s eyes, yet trafficked and beaten like commodities – the sheer magnitude of the problem made me feel incredibly small, as if there’s indeed nothing I could do about it. ONE YEAR FORWARD - 2013

Ever had the impression that going on a mission trip is to have your sleeves rolled up and start “doing things” - whether it’s digging wells, building toilets or painting mural, and that if you don’t go back to your guesthouse with a face full of mud or your shirt soaked in sweat then you are missing the point? Well that’s how I always portrayed missions, until this year when I was taught to pursue something very different. Something called “relationships”. As part of the Siem Reap team, we got to spend 4 days with White Doves, which provides shelter, counseling and vocational training to women and children who had been or are at risk of being trafficked. Yae Na, one of our team members, being a kindergarten teacher, went into great lengths to get to know and remember everyone’s name. We are speaking about 25 girls and 10 kids – not a colossal task, but not an easy one either for my failing memory! Thus we spent the following days together doing devotions, conducting workshops and whilst we had breaks from all the sewing and baking, we paused and got to hear their stories, know their kids (many of them single

mothers) and all the while having lots of fun blurting out each other’s name (and getting it wrong). We felt welcomed by their sincerity and later, touched by their love. On the day we left, one of the girls, Sita gifted us with bracelets and necklaces she made whilst the 11year-old Mara, as I kissed her goodbye, took my hand and placed on it some of her toys (which we’ve been playing together with that day) for me take home – understanding that they gave sacrificially not out of abundance made me felt so loved and humbled. Looking around, the girls from White Doves and from our team were all in tears, bidding each other goodbye. We had the thought of going there to give, but we received so much more love in return. The words from the song we sang at the welcome party called “In Jesus Christ we are one family” finally sank in. Coming home, imprinted on our hearts are their faces, each with its own name and story; doses of love received; and the determination to go back to see them again – not to do something grand, but we will hang out, enjoy our time together, keep each other encouraged and cheer them on in their journeys to find healing, find their passions and find God. Never again will I see mission as having all our righteousness to go in and do “good deeds”, but instead, loving people through the love God

has for us. Love does triumph over all – it might be a little late but I finally got it. Nowadays I am able to replace the “whys” with “hows” in my prayers, instead of asking God “why suffering?”, I ask how can we respond to that. I still don’t have full understanding why human trafficking exists, but I’ve decided to commit to Him the mystery of His master plan and meanwhile be thrilled to see lives changed for the better, one at a time, as He has showed us through the work of Martin and Dary at White Doves. We need not wait until Jesus’ second coming, as I initially thought, to restore all things new. But as we partner with Him with the littlest offerings we could give to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly, that we too, can find a little glimpse of His heaven here on earth, seen in the transformed lives of the survivors, just as we pray the Lord’s prayer – “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13: 12-13)

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BY KENNETH MAK

I expected that I might experience something new and tough when first I applied for the trip. Looking back, I found it really educational and meaningful. Firstly, as a Christian, I was deeply impressed by the young girls in Agape. These girls were previously engaged in the sex industry and had almost no hope in their futures. But when they received help and care from Agape and in the love of Christ, their lives were transformed into devoted Christians, and began to lead new lives. By the time our team joined the Sunday service held in their church, many of the girls worshipped God in different ways: such as dancing, performing a skit showing that God rescued us from our sins, and singing hymns out from their hearts. Though we spoke different languages and we did not understand fully the content of those songs, I was touched by their willingness to serve in the church, which displayed transformation in their lives. I also reflected on myself. I always use many excuses such as, “I’m too busy in my studies, and I just don’t have enough time to take up any responsibility in my church.” When I receive God’s love, I should not stop as a recipient, but should also give love to others around me. Secondly, I was very glad that I could also contribute to helping the local ministries. During the mission trip, I, along with other university students, were responsible for painting and decorating the “White Dove” sewing center. Even though what we do during this trip may not be very

significant, I believe that our work adds up to make a change in the bigger missions of the local ministries. I was also glad that I could witness the work of God during the trip. For instance, due to the establishment of churches and other organizations, some missionaries told us that the number of brothels in reported areas have been decreasing, which is good news for all of us. Thirdly, we had a lot of chances to meet the missionaries who have worked full time in Cambodia. They shared their experience with us. Some of them even moved to Cambodia with their whole family. For me, it is hard to believe that they could sacrifice their bright careers back at home to work in Cambodia. The only explanation I can give is that with God’s love, they are very determined to serve God’s people when they see how these people suffer from the serious human trafficking in this country. We all know the human trafficking issues in Cambodia cannot be easily solved, it requires our effort and continuous support. Although not every one of us may become missionaries in the future, I believe we can contribute our time and money to support them, including donations and regular prayers for those workers and survivors. The missionaries in Cambodia face huge challenges, such as difficulties in communication with local people, lack of funding, and also spiritual attacks. So by praying we can support them spiritually. Also, we should put effort in raising awareness about this issue in our own community.

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Even though what we did during this trip may not be very significant, I believe that our work adds up to make a change in the bigger missions of the local ministries.

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At the end of the day, it is not about ME. BY LORETTA CHAN CHOONG

When I was asked about my expectations for this trip, I struggled to find an answer. As a “seasoned” participant of mission trips (if I may say so!) I knew that I could not change Cambodia in seven days. I just wanted to learn more about anti-human trafficking (something that I have always wanted to explore), and to see how God would use this experience to mould me, and to guide me in serving Him in the future. Looking back, this trip certainly met my “expectations” (pardon me for my consumerism language!). We spent hours and hours in meeting rooms learning about Anti-Human Trafficking 101 (which led to 101.1, 101.2…). I learnt a lot of striking facts: how Khmer Rouge killed a whole generation of people, how people grew up without parents or role models, how parents think it as perfectly fine to sell their daughters to brothels, and how they sell their daughters not because of desperate poverty but just for some extra cash. These were all beyond my imagination. Having said that, I do see hope in Cambodia. We met with various mission partners who are doing great work there providing shelters, counseling and employment for the trafficking victims; educating people about basic life survival facts. But most importantly, bringing Christ to the Cambodian people. One of the mission partners mentioned the story of Moses with his staff and the burning bush (Exodus 3-4). I often identify with him, in that I feel I am inadequate, and there are many more capable and appropriate people out there whom God could use. I wish I am a doctor, a nurse, or

maybe a human rights lawyer, so that my professional skills could readily be put to use. During the trip, God has once again reminded me that it is not about what skills I have. If God is going to use me, He will equip and provide. All I need to do is to respond to His calls. At the end of the day, it is not about *me*. This is perhaps not a new lesson for me, though it was certainly refreshing to be reminded of this. One evening we went for a prayer walk around the red light district. During the briefing, we were told to pray not only for the prostitutes but also for the customers. My immediate thought was, “Seriously??!! These evil people don’t deserve my precious (and limited) prayer time!” Later in the evening during devotion, I felt convicted of my pride and judgmental attitude. After all, we are all sinners – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Who am I to judge other people? I continue to pray for the prostitutes, the pimps, the customers, that they will see and know God one day, and that they will turn away from this business to find ultimate fulfillment in God. So, now that I have seen and learnt so much, what’s next? I am praying that God will reveal to my husband and I how we could use what we have seen and learnt, to serve Him. It may not be Cambodia. Human rights and justice issues or problems are everywhere. I look forward to seeing how God will guide us!

I felt convicted of my pride and judgmental attitude. After all, we are all sinners - “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Who am I to judge other people?

CAMBODIA MISSION TRIP! BY LOUIS POON SHINING  FACES

The highlight of this trip as a returnee is the gospel outreach lunch party arranged by White Doves for the girls who works in the sex industry. It's a blessing to hear life transforming witnesses from girls in White Doves and to see happy faces who were once being abused. Their faces shined on me and affirmed me that our God is gracious and everything is in His time.   During this trip, I was reminded that Our God is King of the universe and He has already won the battle.  To face injustice, we must have patience and endurance to serve Him with faith. Shine Jesus shine!

SHEPHERD DOG

My personal reflection is summarized as being a shepherd dog. To serve Him through serving people, I associate myself as a shepherd dog in this trip. As a shepherd dog, I tried my best to assist and to protect.

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Hope is found not in circumstances, but in the hearts of people. BY MARYELLEN KO

It began with disconnection. Perhaps removed by location and culture, class, wealth, religion, amongst many other things, I found it hard to feel touched. I understood the harsh reality that exists in this Fallen world. I knew I was part of this world, but over the years, I have been trained to remain aloof, detached from issues that did not affect my immediate livelihood. For me, these problems were out of my reach, beyond my control. Yes, issues such as humantrafficking were heartbreaking, but I comforted myself with a "blind" trust that God's justice would surely be delivered. “In His own miraculous ways, as always.” Though deep down I know this resembled more of an excuse for myself not to be overly distressed by things that I could not change by my actions alone. I unknowingly brought this desensitization with me to Cambodia. I tried to dismiss its effect on me during the first two days after we arrived. And the leaders tried to change it too. They planned a visit to the Killing Fields museum, where victims of the Khmer Rouge were executed and tortured, they brought us to Agape, an ex-brothel turned church located in the infamous district for child prostitution, hoping our numbed heartstrings would be tugged with compassion. Here I was, trying to be moved by the things I saw. But I couldn't, and it bothered me.

But to my surprise, almost as soon as I tried to rebuke myself for my emotional paralysis, I started to realize this “blind” faith I had in God became a huge blessing in disguise. When I listened to a few brothers and sisters share about feeling overwhelmed by the darkness they witnessed everywhere in Cambodia, I felt an immense sense of calmness and security. Though not in myself, but in God, even when I could not explain why. I believed that to focus on the atrocious past would not change its history, and treading down the slippery slope of bitterness and anger may dangerously end up in hopelessness. What I grasped in the early days of this Mission trip, was certainty. I had to wrap my mind around the fact that all this suffering was part of God's gracious plan of salvation for the people of Cambodia. Could I explain it? Definitely not, but I wasn't even going to try. Instead, I learned acceptance, of God's hope that is much greater than anything I can hope to achieve myself.   I believe hope is found not in circumstances, but in the hearts of people. What I witnessed from the joy poured out from each and every Cambodian we met (which by the way, they are not afraid to show to anyone willing to listen) despite their poverty, their pasts, their bleak futures – can only be attributed to God’s love, which gives hope. Growing up, it was always easy for me to set up our guards from years of

disappointment, heartache, betrayal I experienced. The fear to be exposed to hurt, shame, has often given me a protective shield against empathy, fearing despair and letdown. But the vulnerability of the orphans I met in the slum areas of Phnom Penh and the survivors rescued from sex trafficking broke down the forts I hold so closely to my heart; they, the vulnerable, taught me to trust in God's plan. They taught me that he can rebuild and renew the brokenness and emptiness that is within each and every one of our hearts that are so precious to Him. Looking back, I am grateful for the initial ignorance I had coming into the trip. Because spending these few weeks reflecting, and sharing with others has reminded me God gives us “a spirit not of fear but of power and love and confidence” (2 Tim 1:7). Before I dismantled the wall that once guarded my heart from compassion, I was unable to see God’s hope that enables us to hold onto eternity and onto His unchanging love to light up the dark of night.

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And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory... AS OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN FROM THE FATHER, FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH. BY SHARON LIU

This forever changed my understanding of Psalm 23.  God struck me in my face, in my head, in my heart, declaring loudly: “I AM THE ALMIGHTY GOD. My deliverance reaches out to every single human being even in the darkest corner of the earth.” Rahab’s House church is located in Svay Pak, a place where even Wikipedia described as “internationally infamous for collection of shanties, brothels and karaoke bars that exploit young Vietnamese and Cambodian women, and children as young as few years old”. God sent the CHURCH to come in, just as Jesus taught us, to be light shining in darkness. We worshiped alongside boys and girls with a past that was too painful to mention, and a life too broken to be

restored. But BEHOLD! We were overwhelmed by their worship filled with joy and excitement. The 300 odd voices in the room were shouting out to their one true God. The Holy Spirit was moving so powerfully that I felt almost breathless by the scene before me, something I could not comprehend. Then my soul rejoiced and danced together with the Svay Pak people, moving freely just as God healed the paralyses and told us to get up and go, for Him, to glorify his name, to cry out loud his marvelous deeds! The Pastor read Psalm 23 in Cambodian. I could not understand with ears, but I saw exactly the illustration of Psalm 23 right in front of me. For His name’s sake, God guided these Svay Pak people to the right paths. They have walked through the darkest valley, they

struggled with fear, but God comfort them. A table of feast is laid before them: the amazing grace that is bought by a high price yet being offered freely, the protection and love from faithful workers in Agape ministries. Even though the church was surrounded by brothels, with the presence of their enemies parading on the streets every day, God nonetheless anointed their heads with oil, abundant in His blessings, so they are free to rejoice and dance and be glad in the house of the Lord, forever. We serve a God who conquered death to deliver us from sin and bondage; a God who gives us overflowing mercy and love. Do we live a life that reflects such a mystery?

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BY ZEE WAY

When I signed up for the trip, I did not expect to return from Cambodia feeling haunted. My roommates and a few others from the team knew that during the second half of the trip, I experienced an illogical and almost overwhelming fear when I returned to my room alone one night. As an introvert, I felt very fatigued at the end of each day and could not sit through the entire evening sharing session. So I often returned to my room early without my roommates. One night, after entering my room, I poured a cup of water, took a sip, and then stood frozen in fear because I suddenly felt a lot of spirits hammering at the walls behind me. I quickly turned on all the lights of the room and started singing worship songs. However, I was so afraid that I forgot the lyrics even to my favorite songs! So I grabbed my team booklet and started reading the bible passages out loud, over and over again, while I stood with my back to the pillar by the door. I stood in that uncomfortable and undignified position for about 30 minutes waiting for my

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roommates to return so that we could pray together. My roommates later said that they would have run if they were in my position, and that I should have returned to the leader’s room where evening devotion took place. I told them that I was so frightened that I would have screamed had I tried to run, but what I didn’t tell them was that I was also too proud to run. Many people prayed for me during the trip, and I am so thankful for their kindness and grace, and for not laughing at me because thinking back, even I would laugh at myself. Now, after my return to Hong Kong, I can sleep alone without the lights on. But I still feel haunted. I am not always sure what hovers behind my shoulder; if I could pin it down, perhaps I would be my own ghostbuster. Sometimes, I am haunted by the faces of the little boys on whose faces I painted Spiderman’s mask. Did the boys know that Spidey is also my all-time favorite superhero? Why didn’t I say something?

Without hope I will not be able to see the work that God does, is doing and will continue to do in Cambodia. And without hope, I will not be able to see how God wants to use me too.

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But as for me, I will always have hope; I WILL PRAISE YOU MORE AND MORE - PSALM 71:14 (NIV)

Sometimes, I am haunted by the faces of the men and women in the NGO workshops. I am haunted by the faces of the two women who said “Hey!” as I walked out. I am haunted by how they pointed at the head of a stuffed toy animal that they were sewing, and I am haunted by how they laughed when I laughed and said, “Oh, so cute!” when I am too old to laugh over a stuffed, toy animal.

Sometimes, I am haunted by the faces of the women who welcomed us into their homes. I am haunted by their smiles, and by how house-proud they were even if the foundations of their homes were dirt, mud, sewage pipes, cesspools, and garbage. I am haunted by the sight of the bundles of garments they took home as piecemeal work from a Chinese or South Korean or European factory. How much are those worth?

Sometimes, I am haunted by the faces of the little girls who were so eager to please the World Relief workers teaching them a song about the dangers of becoming migrant workers. Who else are they eager to please?

I am haunted by how much the women love their children and how they wanted us to pray for them. I am haunted by how badly the women wanted to bless us because we probably reminded them of their children; or, of what their children could have been if only they were not born Cambodian.

But God has not been silent in the midst of all these hauntings. God was there in the room with me that night in Cambodia, and He hasn’t left either me nor the people who haunt me. During the trip, He gave me a word that often disappears in my personality-induced aphasia: hope. Without hope, I will not be able to see the work that God does, is doing and will continue to do in Cambodia. And without hope, I will not be able to see how God wants to use me too. (Now, that’s a truly scary thought!)

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BY SOYEUN LIM

When I returned from the Cambodia mission trip, I didn’t want to forget what I saw, what I felt, and what I thought – so I actually sat down in a Starbucks next to our church and wrote a long reflection summarizing the 8 day trip in Phnom Penh, which I was going to send to my friends. As I re-read that letter, I was struck at how that strong “feeling” has somewhat disappeared since then. However, what I have learnt from the trip has also taken a life of its own over the course of last two weeks, and I have also been developing my thoughts on how we should live as Christians, the need for gospel, how to combat some of the injustice in Hong Kong and what I should do with my life. Despite the limited progress in combating human trafficking in Cambodia, I am still able to remain hopeful because the concept of “grace” in the Christian gospel was so apparent in the works of these NGO staffs. These Christian workers are able to continue working day by day through their trust in God’s sovereign control, even though the statistics of victims continue to increase at a phenomenal pace. Rather than focusing on their own efforts, and falling into despair, I could see that they were really living by faith to combat an issue which has spiritually roots, and that therefore, needs a spiritual solution through God’s works even while we play a part in His plan. During our visits to the church in Svay Pak or in the prayer meeting at IJM, I

could feel the presence of Holy Spirit very strongly, which is an unusual experience for me. Consequently, I was again reminded about how important prayer is in combating the issues we face in the world, and that it is a spiritual battle. However, another potential reaction to what we saw is indifference, especially for those who live in comfortable cities like Hong Kong; it is very easy for me to focus on myself rather than other people. One message which really struck me during the trip was a message shared by one of the staffs in Cambodia that “all humans are made in the image of God”. If we remember this, then we cannot become indifferent about these women and men in Cambodian brothels who are not being treated with respect or dignity they deserve, or to those around us. It also reminded me again that I myself am valued and loved by God.   Overall, it was a trip which gave me some understanding of what God is doing in Cambodia through His people. And in the end, I want all those men and women in Cambodia to know Jesus Christ as their “Saviour” and “Lord" and focus on the promise of the future because: “according to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

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One message which really struck me during the trip ... “all humans are made in the image of God”... we cannot become indifferent about these women and men in Cambodia brothels who are not being treated with respect and dignity they deserve.

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BY THEOPHILUS YEUNG

More than I expected in this trip, God gave me a vision, His Will, and an understanding, His Wisdom. This Mission Trip was no less of God’s push in my life towards His Work and Kingdom to come. All along I was blind towards so many things especially God’s Words and His Great Commission, but after seeing the conditions, hearing the things spoken from the missionaries and interacting with local Cambodians and fellow teammates, I finally caught a good glimpse at what my life was made for in God’s image and for Christ’s great love for humanity. I needed answers for this trip and I am so excited to share that I got so much more than for the questions that has bugged me for years of my Christian life and faith. As many may have not heard from me, I am actually raised a loving Christian family in Singapore. Being blessed with physical and spiritual nourishment in a first world country, I grew up to be very complacent, unconsciously taking everything for granted to the extent even for my parents love for me. Seeing the current state of Cambodians and their country has given me so much internal reflection on my own upbringing,

with what mindset have I adopted to live the life I have for the past 20 something years and what kind of person I should become from now on. For the past 7 days in Cambodia, I have come to understand that the pace of life has been reduced to just 30 kilometers per hour. This is in fact the speed of automobiles traveling on the unkempt roads in capital Phnom Penh. This was a huge switch of lifestyle for the team as we come from places where people can even get impatient for just waiting for the traffic lights to turn green. Understanding and adapting towards their pace of life therefore is critical for us to begin to even explore their culture and perspective towards different issues in life. Though with all that set, our AHT team was quite hectic at times between rushing from place to place due to a packed and fulfilling schedule planned by our leaders. Thus, begins the journey of a team with a special composition of different people of different origins, backgrounds, job nature and character. It was also sort of a reunion for some people like me who were able to meet some old church mates from Singapore who happened to embark on this Mission trip together out of God’s miracles.

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I finally caught a good glimpse at what my life was made for in God’s image and for Christ’s great love for humanity. I needed answer and I got so much more than the questions that has bugged me for years of my Christian life and faith.

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Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 CORINTHIANS 12:27 It was definitely reassuring to see my ex-church mates, Perry and Yvonne, as I did not know anyone from the team then. God is a provident God as He had set out to put many Singaporeans too within the team to help me find a sense of belonging among my brothers and sisters in Christ. With all honesty, I was never really excited about fellowship, I didn’t have much confidence in spending a great time worshiping together with other Christians who are mainly acquaintances but God changed all that for me, and I find myself enjoying the essence of fellowship and sharing with fellow Christians about the common belief we had in Christ. World Relief had the most impact on me as observing local Cambodians working in the slums and seeing how all this positive work is providing so much joy for them is inspiring for the

workers on the field. The prayer meetings in the World Relief Office is amazing as I could feel so much of the presence of the Holy Spirit working among this people in Cambodia. The compassion and lives transformed among these workers of God even prayed for us. It was such a blessing indeed! The prayer walk at night made me reflect a lot as we see the young prostitutes straggling in front of the clubs and bars. Their inability to escape such a circumstance frustrates me. It was as though I was bound by chains of humanities sin as I was unable to step up to grab and help them get out of this dirty and sinful work that has tied them down so unfairly. It was only as hopeful as the prayer we had in our hearts that knowing our God of Justice will be there to save them one day and that He knows and His will is for each and everyone’s salvation.

In this very first Mission trip, not only did I get more than I expected, God’s presence was with us all along, especially in our devotions and worship at night. Most of all, each and every time we prayed, it felt like our prayers were already answered on the field and His will is so big, it covers all our worries and dreams for the people of Cambodia. At the end of this trip, I find taking action the most difficult and hard process but here I am being reminded daily by God of their suffering and their spiritual and physical needs. I am sure I will be back as soon as possible as I feel His calling for me to do so much more for this people God love so much that He had sent His one and only son to die for them. Bless the Lord, Oh my soul!

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They think they are worthless and deserved to be treated the way they did. THEY LOST THEIR IDENTITY AS A GOD’S CHILD. BY YAE NA LEE

Cambodia is a country that God planted in my heart about three years ago. I did not have any relevance to it. I did not comprehend how I can make a difference there. I was not obedient until this year.  When Pete informed me of this trip, I felt burden in my heart so I decided to apply for the mission trip. As I prepared for the trip, I felt horrid to get to know what is happening to the children and girls in Cambodia. Having worked as a pre-school teacher, children are very dear to my heart, therefore, I felt rage and hatred toward perpetrators committing violence and sex trade. I wondered why God is letting this happen. What I saw from video clips started haunting me day and night. There was so much running through my mind that i went into sensory overload and felt that I needed some time to process my thoughts and emotions. Suffice it to say, every girl has faced themselves adversity often including rape and physical violence and emotional abuse in addition to human trafficking.  The trip was divided into two parts during a week; 4 days in PP (Phnom Pen) hand 3 days in SR (Siem Reap). When the team was staying in PP visiting a wide range of NGOs, I felt so saddened and helpless to witness what is taking place in Cambodia.

When we visited once the sites of a genocidal prison, now a memorial and museum, I was speechless at how far humanity can go without God. You never know what human beings are capable of doing to other human beings. A secondary school was meant to be a place where all the students are supposed to be inspired to learn and grow, turned into a prison where about 2 million people were tortured and killed. Once I entered the compound I could feel the chill of terror and death, still present in the walls, even after all those years.  On Sunday, we headed down to Agape International Missions, the exbrothel in Svay Pak, which is infamously known as an international destination for foreign pedophiles. Despite lots of initial angry threats from the locals, the health clinics, food relief efforts and education programs brought real hope to the community since 2006. As we walked into the church hall, all team members started weeping joyfully. We all shared later on that we felt the power of Holy Spirit was hovering amongst us. I was so touched by how people from all walks of life came together in the worship of God. The local people were singing praises to the Lord and worshiping from the inside out. We saw healing taking place through the love of Jesus.  

When the team visited the cafe of Daughters of Cambodia, I was ecstatic to experience a chilling ambiance at the cafe. The food was excellent; the quality of the goods in the store was finely made, and the entire atmosphere was extremely optimistic. When we visited the sewing center where all the goods were being made, it was thrilling to witness lots of people who placed their hearts in people in Cambodia to make a small difference every day. On the last day in PP, we visited the Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE) which is an organization dedicated to combating child sexual abuse and exploitation in Cambodia. When we saw real photos of pedophiles, we all gasped and shook our head, however, in the mist of suffering, pain and deep darkness, I was praying that I will see the light of the world and hope through Jesus who conquered the suffering and death. As the mission trip unfolded, I recognized the spiritual slavery of people that have been molesting and abusing. They are in a great need of unity with Jesus. They lost their identity as a God's child. They think they are worthless and deserved to be treated the way they did. They lost the light in their eyes. They need spiritual healing and restoration. They need to feel the loving touch of Jesus and need to hear that Jesus loves them. I have learned to cease striving

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to hand desires of my life to God who is ultimately in control and to find rest in Him.  Before we set off to Siem Reap our team recharged ourselves with best-looking sugary delight of cupcakes at Bloom. They tasted as good as, even better than they look. If you are paying a visit to PP, this place is a must-visit. The atmosphere is cozy and stylish and cupcakes are just indescribably amazing.  In Siem Reap, we worked with white doves alongside. The White Doves is fairly new NGO which provides shelter and economic sustainability to the people. There are two centers for girls and boys. I was assigned to help out at the culinary workshops. We had three workshops (baking muffins and a marble cake and cooking omelets). Before we started, we went through basic hygiene, essential cooking utensils and basic cooking skills. I was thrilled to see radiance in the eyes and face once we took the cakes out of the oven. Every girl was amazed at the outcome. To keep the momentum of this, I am going back to white doves this Sunday (8th of September) for five days. This time, I am in charge of baking

workshops. I am not a baker myself. One of team leaders asked me to join the baking team. With God's grace, I have a wonderful baker (Pete's mum) in the UK. I had a few opportunities to equip myself with skills over the summer when we visited them. We will make a regular trip for about a year until they open up the cafeteria in central Siem Reap. Thanks to Godly people, we have a full suitcase of utensils donations. I am praying for unpacking my ego and packing with courage and wisdom from God.  It was a privilege to join such as a wonderful team of caring people and to have the opportunity to partner with white doves. Each member was faithful in their allocated role no matter how small a task it was with the common goal of serving Christ our head and glorifying Him with the work of our hands. This showed me how we offer God our five loaves and two fishes. He will use it and transforms it into something you can never imagine. Each of us has a journey that continues as we unpack our experiences and access God's plans for us.

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They need to feel the loving touch of Jesus and need to hear that Jesus loves them. I have learned to cease striving to hand desires of my life to God who is ultimately in control and to find rest in Him.

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Praying for them also brought healing to my own soul as God lifted the burden... ... OF HAVING TO BE A “SUPERMAN TO SAVE THE WORLD”. Whether you are a Christian or not, I am simply asking for prayer support. Please pray for the people of Cambodia, for healing from deep wounds that the wars and genocide have caused, for progress in the economy.  Pray for sensitivity of the team to the holy spirit, pray for His guidance & our obedience, pray for His power (not ours) to be shown through this project, His name alone to be glorified. For each of the girls' gifts and interests to be revealed and aligned with the right assignment, whether it's baking, cooking, sewing or greeting (English), pray for His mercy and grace to be shown through the

restoration and empowerment in their lives, pray that all the implementation and execution are done out of love for God. For unity of our team with the White Doves team, ongoing communication & progress in the program. For travel mercy & strength for those who are traveling for white doves in the coming months (bakers, designers & others), connections with local suppliers (raw materials for sewing & jewelry, importers for baking ingredients - without which the recipes are very much constrained)  Although we are limited, God is not. Then, why God has called me to go to Cambodia? It is simply because He wants my companion and partnership. He is willing to work

through me. We are all called to care for the poor, the victimized, the abused, and the orphaned. Praying for them also brought healing to my own soul as God lifted the burden of having to be a 'superman to save the world'.  If you want to make a donation, you can address the cheque to "Kairos Fellowship Limited".  You can post it to PO BOX 7431 General Post Office in Hong Kong.  Thank you so much for your prayers and support (and reading extensive writing). 

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BY YVONNE SHI

This is my first mission trip. And my first trip to Cambodia. I did not expect much from the mission trip in the beginning, but God has touched me in a very special way. I am so glad that I had joined. I resigned from my job as a lawyer in June and initially, I thought the mission trip was something that I should do when I am free and it is a meaningful way to spend my vacation time. My personal goal was to learn about the real anti-human trafficking issues (which I had come across when I was studying human rights related courses in law school) and to grow spiritually. Both goals are achieved. My belief and heart in God is strengthened – a week of continuous devotion, prayer and worship would do the same for most people. But what I thought is wonderful is that I have enjoyed them very much and have ever since been spending more time in devotion and prayer. I was baptized when I was 16 years old and this is my first proper occasion that I had the opportunity to reflect on my belief and to pray for others in such a diligent manner. I would like myself to continue to grow in this direction.

The schedule for the trip was perfect – in particular, for the Siam Reap team. We were given a couple of days to “warm up” and then, to do actual work. It feels like a perfect combination for me. There are 2 things that I would like to highlight as I have shared these with my family and friends as the main part of my answer to “how’s the trip” after I returned to Hong Kong and Singapore (both of which I am now based). One – the worship service in Agape on Sunday. This is the most emotional and touching service I have ever been in. Although the service was conducted mainly in Khmer, I was able to understand God’s love and power through the manner the locals worshipped at Agape. There were a few moments that I could not stop my tears. When our team was singing “Shout to the Lord” on stage, the audience was singing even louder than us in Khmer! What a wonderful scene. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ! I could really feel the presence of God and Holy Spirit. It is unfortunate that most church services that we have whether in Hong Kong or Singapore are so “spiritless”. I even “challenged” a couple of my church friends

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I was baptized when I was 16 years old and this is my first proper occasion that I had the opportunity to reflect on my belief and to pray for others in such a diligent manner.

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We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. - PROVERBS 16:9 to attend the service if they were in Phnom Penh to “see and feel for themselves. I could not possibly find the right words to describe my feeling at that time - I really like the service at Agape and for me, it has set the right “mood” and “pace” for the rest of the mission trip. Two – the baking sessions with the girls from White Doves. It was funny or even awkward at first. I was not able to figure out what I should do. The kitchen was packed and I could not help feeling that I might be standing in someone’s way. Then, I started praying for everything – the oven, ingredients, Wendy, Yae Na and Angel, Moni our translator and our lovely students!

It was soon after my prayer that I “found out” what I could help most – babysitting! Some of the girls from White Doves brought their babies to the baking sessions and it would be great if someone could take care of them while they were learning. I have not carried a baby in my life (a 30second encounter with my cousin’s first born was the only exception) and this was not going to be an easy task. Thank God for giving me extra patience, calmness and strength (more physical than emotional this time round)! Through taking care of their babies, I have made the connection with some of the girls. It was wonderful to be with them – I have learnt a lot about myself and God through them. I thank God for these wonderful girls and I have promised myself to see them once

again this coming year. It is a big shame that I could not attend the forthcoming trip in September with Kristy and Yae Na. I have continued my prayers to ask for God’s direction and his guidance. I would like to do more but I am not sure if I am ready. I have reached my 30 this year and I want something to change. No more day in day out lawyer job - but what best should I do? Am I willing to spare some or most of my time and money on a long term basis to the cause and to God? Yes but I have reservations. I am not sure what and how is it going to change. God has planted the seed in me. And I am eagerly seeking for his directions – my prayers continue.

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They are supposed to be protected by the society. BY ZAKARIYAH LAM

I have never been to Cambodia, nor have I been on a mission trip before. I used to think that victims of human trafficking involved mostly kidnapping. Only in few cases did their families sell them in dire poverty for money. You can imagine how shocked I was when I heard from the mission partners that many parents actually sell their young kids not only because of dire poverty, but also for materialism. This sounds absolutely ridiculous to us, people who live in the city, as we tend to believe that parents would rather die for their kids than witness their children suffer. Those parents, even knowing kids sold will be participating in the sex industry, are nonchalant. This is largely due to the culture of Cambodia: Cambodians treat sex industry as a kind of job. Having sex with customers is indifferent to selling food or clothes in the eyes of Cambodians. Education plays a crucial role in changing the minds of the Cambodians, yet it takes time to re-shape the culture. For now, what can be done is to persuade the sex workers to quit their ‘jobs’ and engage in other fields, and this is exactly what White Dove does. White Dove is a Christian-based organization which aims at using God’s love to help save the sex workers. The girls saved will be assigned to different jobs such as design, handicrafts, baking etc. The White Dove staff will conduct regular outreach activities to locate the girls and preach to them. I participated in the outreach

activities for two consecutive nights during the mission trip. I was very surprised to see that most of the girls working in the sex industries were very young, among them some were only 12 or 13 years old. Unlike those sex workers working in Hong Kong, they were very glad to see us coming and willing to listen to our preaching. They were even very eager to sign up for the activities held by White Dove. I can never forget the innocent smiley faces worn by most of the girls we met in the outreach activities. Girls of the same age in other developed countries are attending school and enjoying their childhood or adolescence. They are supposed to be protected by the society, not exposed to the evilness of the society. However, those teenage girls we met have been a part of the sex industry since young. Thanks to the culture, they do not find it wrong to do so. At best, you can say that this is a comfort to them. At worst, you can say that they are indeed, very pathetic. It is my hope that more and more girls will quit their sex jobs with the help of the mission partners. Let’s pray together for God’s guidance!

It is my hope that more and more girls will quit their sex jobs with the help of the mission partners. Let’s pray together for God’s guidance!

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Cambodia AHT 2013

Phnom Penh Team: Carmen, Christina, Edward, Jennifer, John, Joyce, Karen, Loretta, Maryellen Ko, Norman, Sharon, Soyeun, Zee Way and Theo Siam Reap Team: Angel, Anita, Barbara, Dave, Felix, Hidy, Icy, Janet, Kai, Kenneth, Kristy, Louis, LuLu, Perry, Wendy, Yae Na, Yvonne and Zaka

THANK YO U FOR YOUR PR AY E R S !