Sorry it's been so long of an update. But, with being sick, no power now and then, no internet access, staying in a Hotel, putting together 10,000 ministry packets, teaching classes and just life in general, I haven't had too much time. Please forgive me.
Anyways, if I could describe my last week and half in a few words it'd be: hectic, real, busy, eye-opening.
Hectic and busy because I haven't had much of a set schedule, so it's still taking some time to adjust to life here in Cambodia. With Christian gone, it is culturally inappropriate for me to sleep in the same house as Alison and the boys. So, when we cannot find anyone else to stay the night at the house, I've been walking down to a hotel and the ministry has put me up for the night. Bad because its really throwing my schedule off, great because I get AC haha! Also its been busy and hectic because this past week, Alison and I put together packets that go out to 10,000 Cambodian children. What I'm realizing more and more each day is that the ministry I'm working with is more of a behind the scenes kind of deal. They work primarily in training up Cambodian locals to do the ministry. Which is awesome because they're here lifelong and can commit full time. So, my ministry has been different than expected and instead of being on the frontlines, I've found myself playing a different role, such as putting together packets that minister to 10,000 Cambodian children. All in all, the ministry I'm working here with ministers to about 40,000 Cambodian people a month, 10,000 of which are children. All 40,000 of these people are hearing the gospel on a weekly basis. Its awesome. What's also been awesome to see and learn is what makes a ministry tick. Normally, there are 4 people here training, preparing, and working with the local Cambodian ministers. But, with three of them in the states, it all falls on Alison. That's right...one person running (and doing awesome at it by the way) the ministry. She certainly has her help, but it's been amazing to see what makes people on the field tick, what drives them, and to see the body of Christ working together for the Kingdom.
Finally the past couple of weeks have been 'real' and 'eye-opening' because I've learned and been challenged a lot. Educationally, ministerially, spiritually, emotionally, physically and so on. For instance, I live w/ Cheese (real name: Sochettra), and he's like a walking encyclopedia. I've learned more about Cambodian history than I could have ever possibly imagined knowing. It's been exciting yet heart breaking. The history of this country is thick and they have made it through a lot. It has evoked a sense of pride in their people that Americans, at least from my experience, lack to be honest. The Khmer Rouge, a period of death, destruction, genocide and pain swept this nation. They are still a 3rd world country rebuilding from the hurt that was cause because of the Khmer Rouge. Its estimated that over 3 million men, women, and children were tortured, thrown from their homes, and relentlessly murdered. I've had the opportunity twice now to visit a killing field and a killing cave. Both of which are places where the Khmer Rouge took innocent people and just slaughtered them. Its quite sad because you, Americans, never really learn or hear about such genocide (take Rwanda for example also, I don't remember learning anything about it!). But the Cambodian people haven't let this keep them down. Many, like Sochettra, have a sense of pride for their country and a hope that one day, it will be restored to the place of hope and joy it once was.
Lastly, its been mostly 'eye-opening' and 'real' on a spiritual level. This place, Cambodia in general, but especially Battambang, is taken ahold by Satan. For example, the very origination of the city was founded upon it being dedicated to the Hindu Goddes Shiva (Goddess of death, destruction, etc...you get the point). Even today, as the people sign contracts (ex: rental agreements) the evoke the name of Lucifer. Another example, hotels in the city have to clarify (not have to, but chose to) that they do or do not participate in the trafficking of drugs and sex workers. I've heard stories of some hotels in town having a menu of what kind of drugs and sex worker there are available (boys, girls, drugs, etc). Satan has a stronghold on this town and its really quite sad ya know. But, I'm hopeful because I've also met tons of missionaries who realize the same thing. They have taken it as their personal vendetta against Satan to break his grasp on this city, country. The ministry I work with alone ministers to 40,000 people, and still there are other ministries who work with just as many people in the villages, towns, city. Its amazing, while Satan may have a hold on this place, I can tell that the Holy Spirit is at work in some mighty ways, breaking Satan's grasp finger by finger on this city.
The most 'eye-opening' and 'real' experience yet though came from this past Thursday's trip out to one of the villages. Let me warn you, I am only sharing what happened to me and what I experienced. Some of you may have your doubts and differing opinions, but know that Satan works in big ways and in different ways all over the world. And I just happened to encounter something out of the ordinary American view on Satan. Anyways, I was out in the villages with Somnang and while we were preparing to meet with a couple of families and their children, he informed me to prepare myself because the next place we were going was to visit a woman who was possessed by the spirit of Satan. With as much courtesy as I could muster, I tried not dropping my jaw and blinking in disbelief. For some reason, a streak of fear made its way through my body, all the way to my bones. I was doubtful, scared and confused. I've never experienced anything like this before, so how was I to prepare for something like that? I began to seek the Lord for guidance. Quickly, he assured me that with Christ in my heart, there is no need to fear Satan because he has no authority to hurt, scare, or do anything to me.
Anyways, we finished up at this house and went on to meet the demon-possessed woman. Up until today, all my experiences with such supernatural things have been through Hollywood. You know what I'm talking about, green vomit, body contorting and convulsing, weird languages, violence, etc. Well that's kind of what I was expecting as we pulled up to the woman's house. When we finally met the woman, I said to myself "Hm, nothing out of the ordinary here." Well, the longer we sat there, the weirder the vibe got and the more I felt a dark vibe descend around us. The woman wasn't vomiting green stuff, contorting or anything else like that. She just had this look into her eyes. When you looked into them, it was like looking straight into an abyss of darkness. And, every time we made eye contact I began to get nauseated and came close to throwing up. Even still, I had my doubts as to whether this woman was "possessed." Maybe I was just freaking myself out, right? Wrong. As we began to read and pray over her, anytime we mentioned the name Jesus Christ and him in the act of saving, redeeming, or anything like that, she broke out into ear-piercing, high-shrill laughter. It was by far the creepiest thing I've ever experienced. So we prayed over her and talked with the mother of the woman for a little bit then went on our way.
This encounter was neither Hollywood cinematic nor a bore. Instead, it left me with lots of questions and confusion. So much so, that I decided to cancel my Khmer (cuh-my) language lesson and go to the coffee shop to process everything that went on. After long, hard thinking and praying I realize now that something was definitely spiritually dark about the woman. The dark vibe, the abysmal look in her eyes, the wanting to be sick, and the high-shrill laughter at the mention of the name of Jesus Christ...all too many coincidences to just be nothing. Whether she was possessed or whether the Devil was just there at that moment, trying to prevent us sharing the gospel, I don't know. What I do know is that I encountered the Enemy that day and it has been an eye-opener as to how many times we, on a daily basis, encounter the Enemy. In America, Satan may not come at us with possession, but what about materialism, addiction, drugs, abuse? Every day we encounter the Enemy, and every day, we're promised that with Christ in our hearts and on our side, the Enemy has no authority to hurt, harm, or tempt us. The only authority he has, is the power we give him. When we give into the fears of possession, the temptations of addiction, the hurt of abuse, the desires of materialism.
It is this realization, that we encounter the Enemy on a daily basis that I find myself challenged by a couple of verses. They've become my theme verses for my trip here. I've been going through the book of John while I'm here in my personal devo time. Its been awesome seeing the Gospel that I'm reading about on a daily basis at work each and every day. That's a whole other blog, what the Gospel is, what I'm learning about it, how we are called to be active in it, etc, so get ready for that one coming down the barrel haha. But anyways, back to John. In chapter 9:4-5 it reads "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
We are all called to share in the ministry and call of Jesus Christ...to do the work of Him who sent Christ. We must, as long as it is day, and by the way, its always day somewhere in the world, do His work. May we carpe diem for the Kingdom and its work!
Thanks again for all of your prayers and support. I'm sorry this entry was so long. Next time, I'll try to make it shorter by blogging more frequently. May God bless you tenfold of how each of you have blessed me so far in this experience!
love in Him,
Josh Lj
