So today we left Thailand to visit Cambodia for a few days. We got up early and headed to the beach to do devotions for an about an hour. Gai’s mom, who graciously let us use her car for the past week was also with us. After that, he headed out to eat breakfast, and then boarded a taxi headed to the border of Thailand/Cambodia.
So the ride was about 3.5 hours and it cost 2000 baht, or $70 for the 4 of us. And the taxi had satellite TV where we watched some Muay Thai kickboxing. Can you imagine how much it would cost to take a taxi anywhere in the US for 3 hours?
We arrived at the border and I got my first taste of Cambodia. A seemingly nice man, who spoke English, asked where we were going. He walked us over to where he said was immigration. He said we had to fill out an arrival card, and that we would help us. My first thought was wow…they are really helpful here in Cambodia. Then I took a closer look at his ID card, and it said something Travel Agency. I look back down and he is done filling out my card and says, 50 baht please…I pay the 50 baht, and he warns me to not let children come close to me or they will try to pickpocket me, and to just walk straight to the border patrol. Nobody warned me about him though…haha.
We crossed the border with no other problems and were met by Saru-dee and Patty from Mercy Ministries. Mercy Ministries has established an orphanage and a preschool here in Poi Pet, Cambodia. Patty drove us to pick up some snacks, as there aren’t any 7-11s close by like they are in Thailand. We checked into our hotel and headed to Mercy Ministries.
Most of the kids were at school, but about 10 younger kids were there. We got to play with them while Patty talked about the ministry there. They have 40 children there ranging from 4-17. Kids go to school for 6 days a week, but only for a few hours a day. Mercy ministries supplements that by sending the children to a private school for the other half of the day. The cost for the private school: $7 per child.
The thing I noticed about this children’s home was how it reminded me of Khaodee. The kids all had chores to do. The older children took care of the younger ones. The kids led worship. And the presence of God. Praise God for this small light in this very dark place. Patty told us stories of the kids and where they had come from. One girl’s mother had gone insane. Another took care of her mother until she passed away. And when she passed away the father tried to take custody of her so he could sell her into prostitution to feed his drug and gambling addiction. Other children’s parents died of HIV. I could go on and on…but Jesus is healing and changing their lives.
After we had dinner with the kids, they had movie night. After we stayed for about ¼ of the movie Patty took the guys back to the hotel. So another thing that struck me was the stark contrast inside and outside of MM. Inside MM things looked really nice. Nice building, lush grass fields, basketball court…outside was really run down. Small shacks, garbage everywhere, and barely a paved road. The amount of poverty here is overwhelming. I can understand how children have very few options.
Before we got to the hotel, Patty took us down Poi Pet’s red light district, which is about 1 block long. It looked completely different from Pattaya. Pattaya was filled with music and lights and bars. Poi Pet looked really dark and hidden. In each house, there was a red light shining out. You would have to go in behind the door to pick a girl. Also there are rooms next to these brothels that show porn movies. And after the movies, the men go next store to pick a girl.
Honestly, I don’t really feel comfortable and safe here in Cambodia. There is an uncomfortable feeling as we drive or walk around. Not so much for my safety, but the amount of darkness here in Poi Pet. Not that Thailand does not have darkness, but it’s different here in Cambodia. Maybe the need is greater here…Pray that God reveals purpose here to us…
So the ride was about 3.5 hours and it cost 2000 baht, or $70 for the 4 of us. And the taxi had satellite TV where we watched some Muay Thai kickboxing. Can you imagine how much it would cost to take a taxi anywhere in the US for 3 hours?
We arrived at the border and I got my first taste of Cambodia. A seemingly nice man, who spoke English, asked where we were going. He walked us over to where he said was immigration. He said we had to fill out an arrival card, and that we would help us. My first thought was wow…they are really helpful here in Cambodia. Then I took a closer look at his ID card, and it said something Travel Agency. I look back down and he is done filling out my card and says, 50 baht please…I pay the 50 baht, and he warns me to not let children come close to me or they will try to pickpocket me, and to just walk straight to the border patrol. Nobody warned me about him though…haha.
We crossed the border with no other problems and were met by Saru-dee and Patty from Mercy Ministries. Mercy Ministries has established an orphanage and a preschool here in Poi Pet, Cambodia. Patty drove us to pick up some snacks, as there aren’t any 7-11s close by like they are in Thailand. We checked into our hotel and headed to Mercy Ministries.
Most of the kids were at school, but about 10 younger kids were there. We got to play with them while Patty talked about the ministry there. They have 40 children there ranging from 4-17. Kids go to school for 6 days a week, but only for a few hours a day. Mercy ministries supplements that by sending the children to a private school for the other half of the day. The cost for the private school: $7 per child.
The thing I noticed about this children’s home was how it reminded me of Khaodee. The kids all had chores to do. The older children took care of the younger ones. The kids led worship. And the presence of God. Praise God for this small light in this very dark place. Patty told us stories of the kids and where they had come from. One girl’s mother had gone insane. Another took care of her mother until she passed away. And when she passed away the father tried to take custody of her so he could sell her into prostitution to feed his drug and gambling addiction. Other children’s parents died of HIV. I could go on and on…but Jesus is healing and changing their lives.
After we had dinner with the kids, they had movie night. After we stayed for about ¼ of the movie Patty took the guys back to the hotel. So another thing that struck me was the stark contrast inside and outside of MM. Inside MM things looked really nice. Nice building, lush grass fields, basketball court…outside was really run down. Small shacks, garbage everywhere, and barely a paved road. The amount of poverty here is overwhelming. I can understand how children have very few options.
Before we got to the hotel, Patty took us down Poi Pet’s red light district, which is about 1 block long. It looked completely different from Pattaya. Pattaya was filled with music and lights and bars. Poi Pet looked really dark and hidden. In each house, there was a red light shining out. You would have to go in behind the door to pick a girl. Also there are rooms next to these brothels that show porn movies. And after the movies, the men go next store to pick a girl.
Honestly, I don’t really feel comfortable and safe here in Cambodia. There is an uncomfortable feeling as we drive or walk around. Not so much for my safety, but the amount of darkness here in Poi Pet. Not that Thailand does not have darkness, but it’s different here in Cambodia. Maybe the need is greater here…Pray that God reveals purpose here to us…
CJ
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