Cambodia....a Nation in Waiting

As I reflect on my past two months in Cambodia, I'm struck by one mental image....WAITING. Everywhere you go, people are waiting. 


-Tuk Tuk and moto drivers are waiting for the next Western tourist to step off the bus.

-Cambodians wait patiently for buses that are often late and expensive.

-Small corner shop owners sit outside waiting in hopes of a customer.

But I see the children (the future of Cambodia) waiting for much, much more.


-Young children are waiting for basic health care... A chance to grow up healthy and strong.  Many village children have NO health care available.  Simple wounds can become dangerous infections. Untreated diarrhea (usually due to unclean water) can lead to serious dehydration or even death. The death rate of children under 5 is one of the highest in the world.

Are you a health care worker?  Dental, medical, health education, nurse's aid, PA? Short term medical teams can truly save lives and make a real difference here.








-Cambodians are waiting for economic opportunities, and freedom from oppression of poverty. The demographics of this nation are staggering.  Over 80% of the population is under the age of 30, and 50% is under the age of 18.  Can this developing economy support this influx of millions of young workers?

Are you a businessperson?  Do you have IT skills? Looking for a place to invest?  Are you a Cambodian living outside of Cambodia?  Come back to Cambodia with your experience, skills, and English. Help build the "New Cambodia," and be highly successful in the process.












-Cambodian children are waiting for a solid education. The government schools pay only $50.00 per month which is NOT a livable wage in Cambodia. Many of the teachers have a limited education themselves.  Education is the ONLY chance for a better future for the 7 million children.

Are you an educator?  You can be of great help as Cambodia searches for models of education that are effective.  Do you speak English?  The country is NUTS about learning English.  If you can speak it, you can be useful.  Good English skills provide many opportunities for better jobs as the tourist industry continues to grow.  Come for three weeks, three months, three years!  Cambodia needs you.







-Young girls are waiting for a chance at a better future.  Women face many obstacles in obtaining an education here.  If they are fortunate enough to have the money, they are still limited by housing restrictions.  In order to leave their province and study in a larger city, they must have a safe and supervised housing situation.  Several NGO's are establishing dorms for girls, providing a safe and nurturing enviroment while they further their education.




Have a heart for women?  Facing empty nest syndrome?  Ready to retire?  You can be the answer to a young woman's prayer by setting up a girls dormitory.


Cambodia is a nation struggling to recover from 30 years of war and genocide.  The Khmer Rouge tried to destroy every system of society; commerce, religion, education, medical, family, etc. However, they did not succeed, and the resilient and patient Khmer people are rebuilding their lives and nation. 


The needs are endless, as are the opportunities to serve.  Make a difference with your life.


Consider Cambodia!  Cambodia is waiting.......for you!

Reality Sets In

I knew the moment we entered the restaurant that our decision to eat breakfast at our guesthouse was a good one.  As we approached the roadside café, 12 shiny silver pots filled with largely unidentifiable objects awaited our selection.  I enjoy Cambodian food, but can't handle traditional meals first thing in the morning.

After the breakfast stop, we continued on our way to Buffalo Village, so named for the hundreds of water buffalo that roam the area.  This part of Cambodia brought a welcome change in topography, with hills and valleys adorned in green from the recent rains.  We turned left off the main road about 25 miles northeast of Sihanouk Ville, and continued for about a mile on a narrow paved highway. This quickly turned into the typical Cambodian one lane red dirt road, which we followed for the rest of the journey into Buffalo Village.

We were going to the village to participate in an informal prayer of dedication for the new school building, which is 90% complete.

We joined in with the voices of a hundred children singing Deep Down in My Heart.  Their little faces showed moments of joy and laughter.  Alger shared a short message, and I led a prayer of dedication and thanksgiving for the building. 

At 11:00, as the first school shift ended, Pastor Jonah opened the medical clinic.  Children and some parents lined up to receive basic medical care and OTC medications.  One after another, they sat on the short blue stools in front of the medicine table, and answered some basic questions of triage.  Age?  Symptoms?  How long?  The most common complaints were cough, fever, skin problems, aches and pains, and headaches.  These precious, innocent ones would then receive their medicine…a dose of Robitussin for cough, antibiotic ointment for infections, aspirin for fever…their big dark brown eyes looking up at Pastor Jonah to provide some relief from pain and suffering. 

For over an hour we watched this unfold, and were deeply saddened by the reality in front of us.  It's relatively easy to state statistics…. they're impersonal and general.  They don't have names and faces attached.  But here in front of us were precious children, with a name, and beautiful face, and piercing brown eyes. 

What is the answer?  In a nation with 50% of the population under 18 years old, the numbers are staggering.  There are many great NGO's and ministries, like Pastor Jonah and Samaritan Love Mission working tirelessly and sacrificially to meet the needs.  But it still only scratches the surface. 

Pray for God's wisdom and creativity as NGO's, churches, and others seek solutions.  

Pray for more workers to dedicate their lives toward building a new Cambodia. 

Pray for us as we continue to discern what our role is in affecting positive change for Cambodia's future, both physically and spiritually.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. "

We set out on our first major mission in Cambodia...to find a good cup of coffee!  Our mission was quickly accomplished, as we stumbled upon B and C Cafe, which served up a  respectable Americana and Mocha.  Sitting outside in the early morning, watching Cambodia drive, cycle, moto, and walk past us, I reflected on the "waiting time". For 16 years I (Joyce) had yearned to return to Cambodia, a land and people I first fell in love with in 1990.  Several planned trips had been cancelled.  It seemed I would never get back here.  But here I am...with my husband Alger...who also has a love and vision for Cambodia.  God is faithful to complete what he has started!  My joy at being in this country again was (and still is) indescribable.  It's like coming home again, and a sense of "rightness".  


With our initial mission completed, we ventured out into the streets of Phnom Penh.  Busy, hectic, confusing, and chaotic are all adjectives that fit this place.  We walked down the street for a block or two, and noticed the Olympic Stadium to our right. As we wandered though the gate, the  nearby guard seemed unconcerned with our presence.  I could just imagine the stadium packed with thousands of young people...all worshipping God with great joy. Alger and I stopped and prayed for this vision in my mind to become reality.

I then suggested that we walk around the top of the stadium and pray over the city.  As we reached the top, two young Cambodian teens boldly approached us. 


"Where are you from?" they asked
"America," we replied.  
"We are Christian,"they added.  "Are you?" 
"Yes," we replied excitedly. 


 I coudn't believe it!  In our first venture into the city, Cambodians were reaching out to us.  We talked for some time with Richard and Tiri.  Richard, who is now 17 and speaks terrific English, shared his story.  He had begun attending Free English Classes five years earlier, sponsored by New Life Fellowship in Phnom Penh.  After a year in English Bible Classes, he began teaching younger children in an orphange.  He rides his bike everyday to work with these needy children.  "I knew a little about God then, so I taught what I knew.  Now, I know more, and I teach more, " he explained. 

Alger and I were so blessed to hear his story.   


These are the type of young people that we feel called to train, mentor, and encourage in their Christian walk.  The 18-30 year olds that want to grow in their faith and reach out to their fellow Cambodians.  The church is very young in Cambodia, and in need for teaching and  discipleship. We were very encouraged with this encounter on our first morning in Cambodia, and saw it as a confirmation that we are on the right track. 


God is on the move in Cambodia.  Please join with us in praying for the future leaders of the church...like Richard.