Tuesday, February 05, 2008


A CAMBODIAN JOURNEY

CAMBODIA & BOLIVIA
I had the chance to preach and do the Eucharist at the Anglican Church in Cambodia recently. Actually it was the last Sunday of 2007. The third world ambience of Cambodia reminded me of Bolivia! Open and packed neighbourhoods, dust, busy traffic, half finished buildings and the heat brought back memories of Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

BEAUTY AND THE HORROR
The Khmer language is fascinating but difficult to learn. The Sanskrit influence over the language is also visible in the sharp ended twirls in and around Khmer architecture. It was great to meet with some of the national Khmer leadership and the local missionaries who atttend the Anglican church.

I visited a former prison where the Khmer Rouge tortured and killed Cambodians in the early '70s. It was ghastly to see the instruments of torture and the skulls. The atmosphere of the prison, now a tourist centre, is sobre and very disturbing. The stories of human suffering and brutality left me numb and horrified.

JESUS: HOPE OF THE NATIONS!
God Save Us From Ourselves!!

I left Cambodia on a high note. I got to know some fun loving missionaries and saw a testimony of Christ encouraging His flock and reaching out to heal a nation!

Praise The Lord!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

"fun loving missionaries" - they are an endangered species!! Glad you found some.

Bolivian Beat said...

yeah la nothing like just enjoying yourself