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A Cambodian Odyssey

The hot, humid air hit us as we set foot on to Cambodian soil. We were confronted with the dusty and chaotic roads as we made our way to the OMF team centre. It was amusing to watch the interweaving traffic at intersections, paying no heed to the lights. Yet there seemed to be a method to the madness. We remember our feelings clearly that day. It was a mixture of excitement – waiting to see what God had in store for us, and of anxiety – how we would adjust to a new culture. Six months suddenly seemed like a long time!

We were able to settle into our rented apartment within three days. One week later, we started work at a Christian clinic for underprivileged people. I was able to fit right into the clinic as a medical doctor. but it wasn’t as easy for my wife as there had been no optometry service in the clinic before. However through God’s provision one of the other missionaries was an optometrist and was very willing to help with setting up the new service.

Our first couple of months were a ‘honeymoon’ period. There were little hiccups with language issues at work, and overall, everything seemed exciting to us - language learning, exploring the city and meeting new friends, both missionaries and locals. God opened up opportunities for us to help in church, in English classes, healthcare work in prisons, schools and orphanages. It wasn’t until the third month that we started to see the difficulties that people faced. Having a Canadian Khmer missionary neighbour was great blessing in that as she helped us to see both sides of the struggle. We learnt about the problems at our local church; such as gambling, cheating in exams, using green card marriages to go overseas, and the desperate need for godly role models.

Everyday we were confronted with people’s needs – the laborers next door that have no food for their children, beggars lying on the ground with their babies, people asking for medical/eye care almost every time we reveal our occupations, and more. Each time we think we’re clear on where our boundaries lie, we are challenged to reconsider it. We have the physical resources – but when should we say no? If we help, will it encourage people to depend on us rather than on God?

There are also the struggles that long term missionaries face – differences when working with an international team, loneliness and going back for home assignment where home doesn’t feel like home anymore. These are costs that they have to count and embrace for the sake of the gospel.

If this is sounding all negative, well, it isn’t. Amongst the difficulties there was the joy of walking with God and of learning from missionaries who are passionate for Christ. There is also the joy of being able to help the poor both physically and spiritually. It was interesting to see that missionaries are not perfect people and that God is able to use each strength and weakness to build up His church.

Undoubtedly, this has been an enriching time of our lives. We have no regrets. As we reflect at the end of our trip, it’s funny to think that six months is really such a short time We have only just scratched the surface. There is so much more to be done and experienced. So where do we go from here? Well, it’s back to ‘home’ for now. How do we feel? We’re sad to leave, and slightly apprehensive about returning knowing that we’ve changed and our friends would have changed. Our comfort is that God is the same in Cambodia and Australia and this is but another chapter of our adventure with Him.