Cambodia Trip Day 8

Thursday | Ocotober 1
Today we spent the whole day in Svay Pak. Svay Pak is like a suburb of Phnom Penh. As said before, it is known for its prostitution. Things have changed drastically in this suburb. Since IJM raided the area in 2003, the area still has some brothels, and many pimps, but now they are not running the area. They are still dangerous, but the people are not as afraid anymore.

Rahab's House and The Lord's Gym was started by AGAPE Ministries. This ministry went into this area, bought 2 buildings, and are now changing the area, and its people. The Lord's Gym is just that. A place where men can come to lift weights. The goal is to slowly get to know some of the men, and pimps of the area through hanging out in the gym. It is small, and not a whole lot of machines to work on, but then again, this is a small community. While we were there, a few pimps were in there working out. The goal of AGAPE is to not only help the children, but also reach out to the men who are misguided.

Also, while we were there, Rahab's House was in full swing. One hour it was a classroom for about 12 kids, then it transformed into the communities health center. The room was full of sick people. All needing free assistance. Later in the day, it became a kids club. Where the youth ministers taught lessons, and sang songs. It was cool to see the kids' parents watching from the doorway.

In a conversation with the co-founder, she told me that 80% of the 30 kids there had been assaulted. Their ages were from 5 to late teens. She said at times, a mother will come in and take them out during a lesson to go perform a trick or two on a customer. And as she was telling me that, a mom came and did just that. She carried her daughter off. Now I do not know for sure if that was her purpose, but could have been. I pray not though.

During our time there, we went and visited 3 women that have HIV. These women got infected from their husbands. Their husbands got infected from prostitutes. Two of the husbands have died. Many of the prostitutes have died from HIV as well. It was sad to see these women barely getting by, and crying as they asked us to pray for them. Their house was in a small area where all the houses are over water. Their floor was made out of lumber. You could see through the cracks on the floor to the water. I cannot imagine living like they do.

I shot lots of interviews with people, and the Rahab's House founder to help them make some promotional videos.



So after a full day, we jumped on a plane and headed for Siem Reap. A 40 minute flight to another famous city for child trafficking. For the next two days we will meet local officials, and tour areas of the city that need support.

In case I have not been clear...our church is commited to helping an injustice in our world. We have nailed down Cambodia as our target. We know we want to partner with IJM (International Justice Mission). And we also want to find another opportunity to help and/or support.