donrock - Cambodia convicted me.

Happy? Yes, yes I am. I've got a great life. I'm living my
dream with people I love. My life however, like yours, is not always easy or
fun or even what I thought it would be like. I'm ok with that. What I'm not ok
with is...

not doing more...praying more...or supporting more.

My recent trip to Cambodia convicted me of this.

So, why did I go to Cambodia?

A friend/co-worker and I went to Cambodia to support Alli and
her team in Phnom Penh, to learn as much about the anti-trafficking movement in
Southeast Asia, as well as pouring into the two year AIM team in place there.
I'll share more of those things in later blogs.

Picture taken by | Kristen

Pictured above | Alli in the center and Kristen.

Alli Mellon, our friend, is the Executive Director of the
Hard Places Community. Alli and Don worked together during our first couple of
years here. Alli went to Cambodia for 3 months, and two years later is still
there-with her two adopted daughters, Bella and Anna Claire. (5 months apart) We love this
family...respect this woman.

I could go on and on, but...

for now, I just want to tell you a little bit about
Cambodia and share one of many stories.

Located in Southeast Asia, the primary language spoken in
the capital is Khmer. The small portion of this Buddhist country that we saw is
so beautiful.

But it's greatest treasure is in its people- their stories, their
dreams, and their potential. Because the history of a country is so important
to understanding what's happening today, in a future post I'll share
about the Khmer Rouge Regime. In short, in the late 1970's there was a horrific
massacre throughout the country as anyone with education/power was killed-
their wives and children too. Over 2 million people were murdered in all. When
the regime was overthrown, Cambodia had to start all over -full of grief, weak,
and without any educated citizens.

The country still struggles
to this day. It will take generations to rebuild cultural infrastructure where
the economy and the people can stand on their own. Without education... all the
advances that improve a government, commerce, medical care, etc. are
impossible.

If Cambodia's history isn't heartbreaking enough, its
present is even more horrifying because it deals specifically with the
children. Little girls and little boys are being sold for sex by their
families. They are sold on street corners, parks, markets, from home from parents. They work
in brothels. They work in bars. They are trafficked to other countries. Through the rising rates of
AIDS and STDs, abortion, untreated pregnancies, violence, abuse their future
is death.

With knowledge comes responsibility, what should I do?

Walking the streets of Phnom Penh, seeing the dirty faces
and scarred, bare feet of those seeking comfort in the light of day... I want
to do something. So I'm telling you their stories, the ones I learned
firsthand.

This
is the reality of Cambodia.

Below is just one of thousands of stories. Here is one from our time
there, as told by Kristen.

"For the
over two years, Alli and several members of her team have lived in Cambodia,
ministering to the children, teens, and women caught in this heartbreaking
practice. They've seen the stories. They remember their faces. They know their
names. While at a local temple last week, a girl walked up to Alli wearing only
a purple hoodie- no pants or underwear. She'd been up all night working. The
pain and weariness on her face spoke beyond our language barrier. Alli knew her
and spoke with her in Khmer. The girl followed us to the tuk tuk, then turned
and walked away... probably back to work. This girl's story is still ongoing.
Right now she doesn't understand that there's another way to live. She doesn't
know just how deeply and completely she is loved. But we can pray that she
will- and for the thousands like her crying out for help."