Reality and Annie

It's been a busy few days since the last post and the team has been exposed to the reality of the situations which many people face here in Cambodia. We have witnessed some of the most horrific situations possible but yet at the same time witnessed Jesus at work in ways we couldn't even have dreamt of. It's late at night at the mo, and I'm just back from praying in the bars with the team and absolutely buzzing so just wanted to give a quick update for prayer and thanks and to encourage those of you who are journeying with us in prayer that God is hearing and answering and moving here in amazing ways.

History

We had a great day out on Sunday past with Pete Kernaghan and his Exodus team as we went to church in Svay Pak. For those of you following along with my twitter feed you will have seen the pictures of the "big orange bus" which brought us on our journeys. We headed to Svay Pak to church, an amazing place where God's grace is lived out as victims, traffickers and pimps all worship together. It was a great morning. After this we went to bring both teams to learn something of the history of Cambodia and the reason why it is in so much turmoil. We headed to see Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields and this was a draining experience for everyone. For more info on this read some of my posts from the last trip. Afterwards we got the chance to go to the prayer room in Phnom Penh and worship and pray over the city. It was an incredible experience and great to be able to seek God's blessing for the city and rest in his presence after all that the team had experienced.

Some of the team at the prayer room

Ethical Issues

On Friday we got the chance to spend time in Svay Pak for lunch and the Assistant Pastor (Ratanak) showed us around some of the area. We got to learn about some of the background which many of the children who attend the kids club which we run each day come from. Many of these children come from families which live in local brick factories. In these areas their wages are dependent upon how many bricks they are able to produce. At this the rainy season, many people are unable to make bricks and as a result cannot afford to buy food for their family. As a result they are forced to borrow money from the owner of the factory, a loan which brings with it a high percentage of interest being added on. Many families now find themselves enslaved to the factories and this way of life. Below is a picture of the factory and the conditions many face.

In the midst of this however we were faced with a massive reality check to many of us on how we live our lives in the west. The brick factories require a furnace to be constantly used to bake the bricks and make them fit for use. Beside the furnace was a massive pile of scraps (see picture below) taken from the local area and from other factories which some family members work in. These scraps were burnt to provide the energy and heat needed. As we looked on as children played on the scrap heap, Steph noticed a label within the pile. On closer inspection it was a label for the high street shop "H&M" and one of the products they make here within Cambodia. These products were obviously being made by some of these family members and the scrap labels had been taken home to use within the brick making factory. This in itself could take another full blog to write about but I just hope it can be an awakening to some of the things which we spend some of our money on. I know that many people at home are trying to champion the cause for ethical clothing and surely this is a topic which the church needs to stand up and take leadership in. 

The Bars and Annie

Some of the most incredible encounters we have experienced have been in the evening times as we have gone to the bars down by the riverside and prayed with some of the women and men that work there. In the area there seems to be something being done about the issue with signs up trying to confront tourists. Scattered at varying intervals along the other side of the road however could be seen green lights like those below. These let people know that children were for sale in those bars and in that area. This was a hard thing to see, particularly for many of the parents on the team who have kids at home.

Over the last few nights the team have had some amazing Holy Spirit encounters and conversations within the bars however with men and women searching for hope, love and acceptance. As we have chatted we have seen brokenness in those being sold and those doing the buying and the need for God's love to break into their lives. Many of the girls have said they desire to leave the bars and work elsewhere, but just don't know how or what to do. The team have been amazing but to finish the blog I wanted to share the story of one girl in particular called Annie. 

Last week Al and Pauline headed off into a bar and got the chance to pray with some of the workers. Al got the chance to talk with one girl in particular called Annie who really gripped his heart particularly with Annie being the name of his and Rachel's daughter. He got the chance to bond with her and pray over her. He promised to give her number to people working in some projects and seek help for her as best we could. Annie has remained part of his heart. Tonight after saying goodbye to some of the team who headed home, the remaining team members headed out for our last night of prayer in the bars on the trip. The last couple of nights I have spent prayer walking without going into the bars but tonight I headed in a group with Steph, Tash, Nick and Sarah to head to one of the bars. We walked around the area for a while and headed down one side street where there seemed to be a wide choice of bars on offer. We headed into one in particular and I was drawn to one table in particular where there was a older western man sitting talking to a Cambodian bar worker. As I began to chat to them both the girl spoke up and asked where I was from. After telling her I was from Ireland she told me that someone else from Ireland had been in and spoken with her a few days ago. I asked her what her name was and she told me she was called Annie. I was blown away that God had brought us to the very bar and the very table of the same girl Al had spoke to a few days before. Through conversation I was able to find out that I could pay $7 to take her out of the bar. After paying I was able to take her with Steph to get a coffee and pray. She shared her life with us both and had said that the night before she had been praying that God would send her someone else to come and pray with her and to talk with her. She had attended church as a child and been baptised at the age of 8. She said that she has always felt Jesus with her but recently been feeling him moving in a big way. It was beautiful to be able to pray with her and share the love of Jesus again and help her to realise God's hand upon her life. We were able to take her and introduce her to some friends who work in the area and she is now going to attend church with them this Sunday. Please pray for her and her 2 children and that God will birth and develop something amazing within her life. She shared that she desires to leave the job and to share the same hope with other people. Pray that this becomes her reality.

How incredible to see God working. How amazing is the Holy Spirit that he leads and guides in this way. God is so good and he is at work seeing to bring beauty out of ashes. Pray for Cambodia and pray for more "Annie encounters" to become a regular occurrence within the lives of many of the men and women in this area. Pray for the team as well as energy begins to fall that we will finish strongly and also for safe journeys for those who have left tonight.

Love to all.

Dave