A Reflection on a short-term trip with PCL

“There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread, but there are many more dying for a little love” – Mother Teresa.  To say I was called to go to Cambodia is an understatement; I know that I clearly heard from God when my Pastor, Chad Smith, approached me about going on this trip with PCL (People for Care and Learning).  You see, our church, The Pointe is a supporter of the “BUY A TREE. CHANGE A LIFE.,” organization.  I’ve had the honor of being the volunteer coordinator for the past three years.  Seeing the pictures of the those smiling children, meeting some of the amazing staff and hearing of all the lives changed, just added to the fire within, creating a desire to experience Cambodia firsthand.

My first major hurdle was myself.  This may not be a big thing for some people, but deciding to go on a trip, half-way around the world, without any of my family and with no one I knew was a major decision.  I almost felt like Peter stepping out of the boat when I decided to say yes.  Fortunately for me, I never sank, but I’m absolutely convinced that God was there the entire time — before, during and after my visit to this third-world country.  I also need to say that even though I didn’t know of any of the other people on this team, we quickly became family.

Our first stop was to meet with government leaders and officials in the capital of Phnom Penh.  It was so incredible that the government recognized PCL’s commitment to Cambodia and even remarked about the changes being made throughout the country.  Not only does PCL strive to make a difference, but they also aim to provide hope.  One thing that impressed me so was their focus to train and equip people within.  PCL didn’t send missionaries to get the job done.  Instead, they chose to impact this community for good and to empower locals to take responsibility to end the cycle of poverty.  Poverty in this country may not ever really end, but at least there has been an astounding attempt to make things better.

When our bus made the trip to Andong Village, I immediately observed the hodge-podge of electrical wiring throughout the city. I noticed the foul smell and flies coming from the market place where meat was laid out in the hot sun.  I witnessed the randomness, or so I thought, of drivers swerving in and out all around us.  There was a lack of clothing; a lack of food; and a huge lack of mismanaged waste system.  However, Andong Village is an area where literally an entire city was built from the ground up.  Roads were created; sewage lines installed; homes for hundreds were provided and even a medical center was built and staffed.  As we walked through the village, kids came out from everywhere.  Many walked with us, just to feel the comfort of holding a loving hand. Mothers completely entrusted us to care for their children as we walked street after street.  Even though I had never seen this level of poverty with my own eyes, I also saw a sparkle, a little glimmer of hope and I was gripped by the smile and touch of each precious person I met.

While in Phnom Penh, we toured Tuol Sleng. I have always prided myself in knowing a good amount of history, but I can honestly say I had never heard about the mass genocide endured in Cambodia the late 70s.  During this time, military leadership pushed this country towards communism.  Cambodians were forced to relocate to labor camps, and they were faced with mass executions, severe malnutrition, physical abuse, starvation and disease.  An estimate of 2-4 million people died during this time.  Tuol Sleng was a school turned into a death camp.  I shed many silent tears as I walked through the rooms, noticing the blood-stained floors, shackles and the mass of pictures of people who were violently murdered.  I wept for the hundreds of sweet children that were used and manipulated and I’ll never forget the image of the hanging post or the pictures documenting hundreds of decomposing bodies.  Out of 20,000 prisoners, there were only 12 survivors of this camp. This event was a horrific and tragic time in Cambodian history.

Next we flew to Siem Reap where we were greeted by children and staff from the Children’s Home.  Instantly, I was drawn to this one little girl in particular.  Her smile penetrated my heart and it took every ounce within me to not pack her up and bring her home with me.  Actually, I wanted to bring them all.  I was completely blown away by the outpouring of love and affection these kids had for us.  They were so excited to have us be a part of their daily life, including eating meals together, attending school with them, and just hanging out. These children were polite, well-mannered and so proud to have us visit.  PCL provides education not only to these children, but to the entire community.  PMI (PCL Management Institute) provides college classes and teaches valuable life skills.  Knowing English and having a skill will instantly improve your status and provide an opportunity to rise above poverty.

I have to give a quick shout-out to the deliciousness of a Mango Cashew Smoothie from the Common Grounds Cafe.  This is a coffee shop, complete with amazing entrees, that not only provides locals with an income, it also supports the children’s home.  Common Grounds serves as a vocational training center that teaches English and valuable life skills.  Both the food and the atmosphere are top notch.

Finally, we visited Takam Church and Community Center. Although I was totally grieved by the desolate homes and living arrangements of the residents, I completely melted when I saw the church building decorated with tiny Christmas trees, yes even in February.  I was overwhelmed with the dedication and respect the community had for their church building.  While we were there, we were part of the dedication of a newly built community library.  Everyone was so excited!  This community also prides itself in the game of soccer.  A few of our team members presented the Takam kids with brand-new soccer cleats.  Those little faces swelled with pride as they slipped on new shoes and quickly challenged us to a game.  Watching them run up and down a make-shift soccer field has one of the highlights of the trip. Not only are physical needs met, but their spiritual needs are taken care of as well. While in Cambodia, five new pastors were ordained and commissioned to tell the “good news,” which is so amazing!  These pastors are eager to teach and share. However, the most impressive part of this community was the integrated working farm.  Here locals were taught how to be innovative and how to use and maintain the resources they have in the best way possible.  Every part of this farm was used and reused in some sort of way.

I can honestly say I saw many incredible things. I experienced new and exciting moments, like riding an elephant at Angkor Wat and traveling the streets on a tuk-tuk.  I felt the thrill of riding an ATV through the countryside, while witnessing even smaller communities with no electricity or running water.  I loved on many children and it was super hard to leave some of the most genuine and affectionate people I had ever met.   I was impressed that even though Cambodians were faced with great poverty and challenges, they also had an overwhelming spirit of resilience.  Part of that resilience comes from the hope that PCL provides to renew and encourage them to persevere and rise above.   I can sincerely say that my life has been permanently changed by this experience, and I can’t wait to visit again.  Cambodia is forever imprinted on my heart and although I went on this trip to spread the love of Jesus, I left with an abundance of love poured out on me by the people of Cambodia.

Angie Franks

While shopping around the markets in Siem Reap, I came across a relatively young shop owner selling paintings of Angkor Wat, monks, and other pictures to display the Khmer life. As I looked around and bought something, she politely asked why I was in Cambodia. I shared that I was teaching English and her face lit up with delight. She quickly explained how much she loves school and how deeply she wants to better know English. Due to her family’s situation, she was working to keep her siblings in school and did not have the time or finances to continue going to school herself. Yet, she spoke of the hope that within the next few years it would be her turn to finish school.
This is the real picture of the Khmer life. I have never seen an entire people so hungry to know. Education is a privilege that many in Cambodia have to fight to obtain. There is a chasm between desire and ability when it comes to education, yet God’s heart is one that does not forget or look away.

“…Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. God saw the people of Israel and God knew.” Exodus 2: 23,25

The PCL Learning Center is bringing hope and building a bridge for all students in Siem Reap. Education is now more available and within reach. English classes are offered all day with multiple levels, but the deeper lesson is one of capability and worth. They are given the language skills to achieve higher positions, better wages, and more opportunities. If you could visit the Learning Center around 5 one evening, you would see over a hundred motos and bicycles parked in rows on the volleyball court. In 7 full classrooms, you would see students with their backpacks tucked neatly behind them, notebooks open, pens writing, and white out markers being passed around as they do education with pride. What you would really be seeing is lives being changed.

What you really see is hope.

By Michala Jenkins

I landed into Cambodia on May 9th, 2019 ready to start my summer internship working with PCL. My team and I got off the plane, breathed in the humid Cambodian air for the first time, and headed for the heart of Siem Reap to eat lunch at Common Grounds. On paper, my responsibilities this summer included teaching English at the learning center, leading devotions, and building relationships with the Khmer. However, I did not truly understand all that I signed up for until I arrived in country. Throughout my time I have gotten the privilege of seeing and participating in of all the different facets of ministry PCL participates in, and I have learned so much about ministry from the workers here.

From my first lunch in May to my last breakfast at the end of July, Common Grounds has been such a breath of fresh air to me. The way that the workers serve customers, prepare food, and offer a space for people to feel comfortable has been a much needed safe place to me throughout the summer. Every time I walk in, I feel confident I am about to eat delicious food, but more importantly I am giving to a restaurant that gives back 100% of their profit to the community. When you walk into the lobby of the restaurant you will see products from ministries and organizations all over Siem Reap that are giving back to those in need. Throughout the summer I have gotten to know the current and former staff of Common Grounds well. The job that they work has given them more than just money in their pocket, but a place to propel them further in their life. For a lot of them, it has opened doors for them to get on their feet financially so they could get their education or begin working for PCL full time.

Common Grounds is one of the oldest cafes of its kind in downtown Siem Reap. Since its opening over a decade ago dozens of coffee shops and restaurants have opened up to compete for the attention from the influx of tourists coming to see Angkor Wat. Despite the increase of competition, Common Grounds has stayed afloat as a steady and consistent cafe that feeds the community physically and spiritually. One of the most amazing aspects to me was that many missionaries from all different organizations in Siem Reap gather there for food and fellowship regularly. When you walk in, you will see missionaries taking a minute to rest and refuel in the comforting space that Common Grounds offers. I fully believe in the ministry of PCL and see so much fruit from every facet that it pours out into the community. Getting to serve this ministry this summer was a privilege in so many ways and I miss it every day. If you are thinking about a ministry to be a part of in any way, I highly recommend this one.

By Sarah Hayes

PCL Mission

I am sitting in a cubicle in an office building in Manhattan as I write this – and what I notice around me are walls. Walls around me with an intention to separate me from my neighbors. Walls around the building to block employees off from passing pedestrians.

It becomes almost surreal to describe the world we were in just last month because it is juxtaposed from where I am now. At PCL we saw a community without walls, an organization without borders, a love without restriction. An organization appropriately named so: People for Care and Learning.

Our team comes from the Bridge Church: located in a suburban neighborhood in Queens, New York. Our church is communal, tight-knit, and cares deeply for one another. But our city is sprawling: population alone is about 9 million people. When Pastor David presented the idea of a Cambodia short term mission trip to our congregation, I can say for myself at least that I was motivated and inspired to see God working in a city and a country that is so different from where we are.

We started our trip departing from New York on a Monday evening and arrived in Cambodia Wednesday evening. Our weary selves after two days of travel were uplifted once we were greeted by a few members of the PCL staff. We were met with the kindest welcome and quickly felt not so strange in a strange land.

The differences in culture and environment were apparent as we started living out each day in Cambodia. For example, being grateful for better than expected weather: balmy low 90s every day without any sudden downpours. Another: learning the Khmer way of greeting by putting our hands together in front of our face instead of shaking hands. Third: us silly Americans trying to stay cool in T-shirts and shorts (which we learned while visiting Angkor Wat it was not proper etiquette to show the knees) while the locals seamlessly wore collared shirts and long pants.

Despite all the differences, there is no greater way to experience how universal God’s love is than to go to such a different environment and feel it for yourself. We call ourselves brothers and sisters but I felt it when we praised with the Khmer staff and students at PMI and sang “I could sing of your love forever.” We sang in two languages, but it felt like one voice. I felt it when we heard testimonies of how the local Khmer villagers found God in their life and PCL built them up to be the warriors they are now. I felt it when the House of Hope kids showered so much friendship and laughter upon us despite any language and cultural barriers. I also felt it when our team brutally lost a game of volleyball to the PCL members and had to run laps around the courtyard.

All joking aside, I am incredibly thankful for the people we have met and the connections we have made. Our team has been blessed with so much love and energy — we did not expect to come back with our souls this full in just one and a half weeks. We were fed literally with some of the tastiest food in all of Cambodia as well as some of the most enriching relationships. Additionally, we learned and saw with our own eyes the unique but parallel projects from the Takam farm to the Andong Village — all ways that PCL have blessed and built up the local community.

To the team of PCL: our team is so thankful to see how you’ve shown God’s love to your community and your neighbors. The way you serve your neighbors in Siem Reap is an example of how our team can serve our neighbors in New York. Continue to be the light in your city and we will bring the same unabashed love you have for God and His children back to ours.

Yes, sitting in my New York cubicle, I am aware of our walls: both physically and figuratively — but you, family of PCL, will be our inspiration to break them. We love you and we hope to see you again soon.

Written by Angela Wu (mission trip coordinator)

PCL Mission

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For centuries education has been seen as one pathway to providing social mobility and a better future. There are many educational migrants seeking to improve their lives and the well-being of their family all over the globe. This tradition of education migration is strong in Asia and Cambodia is no exception. Many young adults leave their homes and their villages in the country and go to urban settings such as Phnom Penh or Siem Reap to further their studies with the hopes of enlarging their future.

This move to the city is usually at great cost to their families and with much sacrifice on the part of the potential student. Many families sell a piece of land or a cow to finance their child’s education. This is always with the anticipation that their son or daughter will eventually find a good paying job and can help support the family.

There are many families that don’t have land to sell or livestock and cannot afford to send their children to school. This is true of many of our students at the PCL Management Institute. I spoke with one girl who recently finished studying at PMI about how she began attending at PMI.

Her parents did not have any money to send her to school, but she really wanted to study. There was an institute near her village but it cost $80 a year, but her parents said, “No. They couldn’t afford it.” She begged her parents to help her find a way to go to school. One of their relatives knew a family member of one of our PMI teachers. The two families met and it was agreed that Savoun would study at PMI. This happened in 2012. Since then Savoun has completed the 2.5 year program at PMI. This past year PMI signed an agreement with another 4 year university, AsiaEuro University, and they agreed to accept our students at a discounted rate and take them on as third year students in their program. Savoun is now enrolled in that program and working on a four year degree.

We, at PCL, are committed to transformational development. This type of development brings social, material, and spiritual change—a change that creates well-being and shapes identity. Savoun also came to know Jesus through our dorm program and our youth program. Her life has changed in so many positive ways. She is a beautiful and intelligent young woman whose future is wide open. I am thankful that PCL has a program like PMI. Each year we take in about 25-30 students and scholarship them through our 2.5 year program. Each year we change many lives—through education, through relationships, and through Jesus. This program is truly changing lives through quality education and through intentional discipleship.

Aristotle once said that educating the mind without educating heart is no education at all. PMI is accomplishing both!

 

For the 5th year in a row, Common Grounds Café has been awarded Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence Award! From the whole family at Common Grounds, we are proud and excited that all of our hard work has paid off. We could not have done this without our customers who took the time to review our food, service, environment, prices, and staff attitudes. By consistently receiving more than 4 out of 5 stars on our reviews we’re honored to receive this award once again for 2015.

 
It’s always gratifying and humbling to receive positive reviews. Here’s a sample of what our customers have said about us over the past year:

“This was a lovely oasis with western and Khmer food available.”
“Common Ground does a good salad and a mean black bean burger. I work nearby, and the staff are so kind and trusting. I once forgot my wallet when trying to buy some cheeky cookies and they told me not to worry, that I could come back the next day to pay.”
“Great place to relax & escape the heat while eating delicious food!”
“The food is always good and the coffee is excellent. Coming from a city that is known for their coffee and coffee shops I feel I have high standards, this place makes me feel at home.”

As we finish celebrating this accomplishment, we shift our eyes to the horizon of the future. Every year gives us a season to reflect, evaluate, dream, and set new plans into motion so that Common Grounds Café can continue to train new employees, teach additional skills to young and old staff, and serve our customers with full hearts.

 
Have you been to Common Grounds before? If so, please share with us about your experience on our Trip Advisor page.
Want to learn more about Common Grounds? Watch our video here.
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Work is working

Work is the action that gives our life meaning.  Work is the output of our hands, mind, and heart in our cities and towns. Work is the invitation from God to participate with Him in His work.    

Over the past three years, I have been convinced that work can empower and grow an ambitious young man or woman better than other opportunities.  When a challenging job is matched with adequate payment and supportive biblical leadership, we have seen Cambodians rise to the difficulties presented in their jobs, and more importantly, put into practice the messages, attitudes, and behaviors Jesus communicates through the Bible.  The message of Jesus is taught, talked about, struggled with, and put into the jobs and lives of PCL’s Cambodian staff who are becoming discipled, refined, and strengthened as believers in Jesus and believers in the power of His message. 

I’ve had a desire to write this out simply because I had no idea of the lasting impact work can have when in a healthy, biblical environment.  I had no idea of the dignity that
would be instilled in the whole Cambodian family and how they are perceived in their community.  Jobs funded by PCL allow for leadership to be developed, discipleship to take root, and, selfless living to grow in Cambodians lives as they continue to work towards Gods Kingdom being restored in their country.  This is the desire of Cambodian Christians, to see healing, forgiveness, and peace brought to every part of their country. 

So, what are our jobs for?  The mis-truth that is just right of truth is that jobs are for making money, growing wealth, and providing for our families.  I believe this answer is too narrow.  Yes, I believe God desires us to provide for our families and to save and invest for the future of our family, but God’s answer continues much further to include the work God has been doing and desires to be done across His whole earth.  God’s invitation to join in His work is meant for all Christians to participate in, and to be an active
part in generating change from brokenness into the restoration of God’s Kingdom on earth. 

Being an active member in God’s healing process in your world brings great depth, joy, and greater purpose to our work.  As a member of PCL, I invite you to join with us in bringing change into your world through your work.  Secondly, I invite you to join in with our work through funding one of PCL’s Cambodian staff salaries.  A monthly gift of any amount not only funds one of PCL’s Cambodian Staff, but also funds the long-term development, discipleship, and lasting change that can continue to take place in Cambodia through the work of PCL’s Staff.

May your work and our work be intertwined and threaded together in the ever expanding tapestry of God’s work in our world.

–Matt Nelson
PCL Staff, Manager of Common Grounds in Siem Reap, Cambodia for the past three years. Matt and Catie are presently on sabbatical in the U.S. awaiting the birth of their first child.

Sometimes you have to take time out to celebrate. Our organization—PCL —revolves around five primary brands: Common Grounds Cafe, Sustainable Farming, Learning Centers, Children’s Homes and Build A City. Each brand experienced huge victories last week. I want to share the results briefly:

 

  1. COMMON GROUNDS

Over six years ago we launched a cafe in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to provide jobs and training for Cambodians. The cafe has become self-sustainable, profitable, and now is led completely by Cambodian staff! This week our American manager, Matt Nelson, turned over the reins to Dalath. Dalath has been with us from the beginning of the cafe and will now be the manager, overseeing 15-20 Cambodian staff members. I don’t have space to tell you all of Dalath’s extraordinary story, but we are so proud of him and his family.

Dalath

  1. SUSTAINABLE FARMING 

We launched a farm in Takam village five years ago to help local Cambodian farmers test new crops, observe best practices, and provide food and income for their families. We have also planted a church, taught several classes, and employed many villagers in micro-business projects. We recently finished construction of a new church building, a children’s church classroom, and started work clearing land for future crops and buildings. This week we began building a fence around the entire property to keep the animals out and initiated construction of a house for our amazing caretakers of the property. The picture below is of some of the progress this week. I am so proud of our farm staff — both American and Cambodian — who work tirelessly to help others.

takam-progress

  1. LEARNING CENTERS

We have a learning center in Phnom Penh called PCL Management Institute (PMI) that provides a free associate’s degree to young adults from provinces, who would otherwise not be able to afford college. This week we finalized a partnership with Asia Euro University that will allow our students to transfer credits to their University after two years with us. Students will now be able to earn an accredited bachelor’s degree. This is a huge development. I am very proud of our team at PMI that works very hard to care for, and educate, these young adults. A picture of the ceremony finalizing the partnership between PMI and AEU is below.

PMI ceremony

  1. CHILDREN’S HOMES

Our kids at our children’s homes continue to thrive—both the home in Phnom Penh and the home in Siem Reap. When our kids graduate high school, we send them to a six-month YWAM experience. After they return from YWAM, we help them either choose a university or vocational training. They are part of our family, so we commit that we will make sure they become successful, thriving young adults. One of our kids is at YWAM now, many are in successful college tracks, some are in vocational training, and within the next few years many more will be leaving our homes to follow their dreams. We are very proud of our kids and the staff who works so hard to develop our children. The first picture below is of our staff in Siem Reap visiting one of our young men in the YWAM program. The second one below is of our kids at Hope Home in Phnom Penh. The third one is of one of our PCL young adults from a village near our children’s home in Siem Reap. She was hired to translate for the US army at the training school for multi-national peacekeeping forces in Cambodia. She is in her sixth year of medical school.

cam staff

HOPE kids pic

Sophal Translates for Military

 

  1. BUILD A CITY

The Build A City project is continuing to develop. We are rapidly building new homes and a community center. These will be complete for our May 4 dedication of Phase 2 of the project. The last few weeks have witnessed the construction of dozens of new homes. We have also partnered with Habitat for Humanity and will be hosting hundreds of young adults next week who will be volunteering at the construction site. We are thrilled with the progress of the project and the process of moving into the neighborhood, building relationships, and building this community for years to come.

BAC UPDATE

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Honesty is a simple word and sometimes even a simple concept, but it is not always easy to live or to teach in a culture that values harmony over truth. Since coming to Cambodia, this has been a constant search for me.  How to teach honesty to a people that I know must learn it in order to change their lives for the better; and how to really trust people, friends, and coworkers when I have been burned multiple times because what I thought was reality turned out to be a very convincing mask.

For me honesty means integrity. It means being consistent in front of God, yourself, and other people. It means that when you give your word you keep it. It is the only way that trust can be formed, and leaders and teams can thrive. Honesty is a necessity for development.

Booker T. Washington was perhaps one of the most successful developers and educators to ever live. He played a key role in helping African Americans transition from lives of slavery and poverty into successful citizens, business men and women, and eventually people that would earn and demand respect and equality in a country that was full of racism. Washington believed that honesty had to be at the very core of any society whose people wanted to change themselves for the better. It was this foundation that empowered his people to show that their race and skin color was not what defined them, but rather that it was their integrity and character that proved they belonged.

So how do we truly teach honesty and integrity in a culture that does not value it?

First it must be modeled. No person can aspire to be something they have not first seen. Thus leaders and developers in Cambodia must set an example that is intentionally clear and at times explained. We must strive to live as shining examples that validate what we teach and when we do make a mistake we have to own up to it and ask for forgiveness, an act that starkly contrasts the practice of saving face. We cannot expect the people we are leading to be honest and to have integrity if we do not live it out first.

Secondly it must be clearly and simply taught. In Cambodian culture analogies and stories are everything when you are teaching. Philosophical ideas do not always translate but stories and experiences can cross boundaries that ideas and logic cannot. While we must start the teaching with our lives we must also explain its importance and value so that we touch and educate the Cambodian mind in a holistic manner.

Thirdly honesty must be caught from true community. The longer I live the more I believe in the value of community and learning and doing life together with other people. Alone a person can make some temporary changes out of sheer determination and self will, but ultimately our strength will fail because God created us to grow and thrive in community. This is something that Cambodians and Asians understand much better than we do in the West. I truly believe that in order to have real and lasting change, it must be battled for and won together in community with our brothers and sisters. Therefore the true education and development of an individual, must be caught from a community that dedicates itself to living out integrity and honesty together, and picks up and carries each other when the individuals in the group fail.

Finally, teaching honesty and integrity takes time. A long time. And we must be committed to the long term change and not be discouraged when we don’t see quick change. Real change takes years and maybe even generations. But it can happen if we are willing to commit for as long as it takes.

I believe that this is one of the biggest things myself and my fellow laborers at PCL are called to do. We must not just be teachers or developers that clock in and out for the days work, but rather we must be good neighbors and friends, brothers and sisters that are committed to slow, hard, but real change. We must foster community that is honest, vulnerable, and loving, committed to the long haul, not easily discouraged, quick to extend grace, but also faithful in holding each other accountable. We must be people that do life together and are ok with both the beauty and weakness that will surely come out at times. We must become change agents through our daily lives.

-Isaac Lutz

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Allow me to introduce you to Bun Lai.  She is a widow who lives in a small but typical Cambodian village.  She is extremely poor.  Even though most Westerners visiting this village would instantly decide that everyone is poor, there are actual varying degrees of poverty that exist even in this village and Bun Lai is on the lowest rung.  She is even shunned by some because of her lack of resources.

In a crowd Bun Lai stands out.  She stands out due to her skeletal like thinness.  She also stands out due to the sadness that has deeply lined her face.  Her face testifies to the weight of her suffering and sorrow.  I learned that Bun Lai has a daughter who was raped by a village man and because she has no protector or resources—this same man moved in their house and treats Bun Lai with contempt.  At times he and the daughter may eat food, but Bun Lai is forced to eat rice with salt and nothing else.  The parents of this man also treat Bun Lai badly, all because she is poor.  A couple of months ago she was so overwhelmed with despair she tried to hang herself.  The villagers saw her in the tree and intervened.

Bun Lai also has TB.  She is coughing up blood and is greatly fatigued.  When we talked about her illness it came up in the conversation that there is a clinic near the village which has the medicine that Bun Lai needs.  The medicine has been donated to the clinic but the man running the clinic will not give the medicine to those in need.  He charges a fee of $25—a fee that Bun Lai cannot afford to pay. So, she has gone without the medicine that she needs.

Her story had me undone until I realized the ending hadn’t yet been written.  There were new chapters to write.  Bun Lai now has her medicine.  She is doing small jobs at our farm; eating at our farm; and is now part of a small community that really cares about her.  She is now one of nine women learning to farm mushrooms to help provide her with a sustainable income.  Skills are being taught.  Relationships are being created.  Food and medicine are being provided.  Hope is being instilled.  Her life is being changed.

This is why we are here in Cambodia.  Thanks for helping us to be here!

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