On Course to Cambodia
Cambodia is a tropical country with hot, humid weather (high 105 degrees!), abundant water and lush foliage. The people trace their history back to the great kings of Angkor who ruled much of Southeast Asian in the ninth to eleventh centuries. What many of us recall is the horrible genocidal killing fields of the communist Khmer Rouge during which one half of the population were killed or fled the country. As a result, almost half the population is under the age of 18.
Cambodia is still in the process of stabilization and rebuilding. Infrastructure within the country is poor resulting in meager industry, limited mobility, and inadequate health care.
The past thirty years of conflict has left Cambodia desperately impoverished. With a per capita income of less than US$300 per year and 40% of people living on less than US$10 per month, it is one of the poorest countries in the world. According to the UN Human Poverty Index, Cambodia ranks 73rd out of 78 developing countries, with one of the lowest Human Development Index rankings (137 out of 174 globally in 1999) including some of the worst human development indicators in South East Asia.
WHO CCS Cambodia 2001
Who is OMF International?
OMF International is an interdenominational ministry founded in 1865 as China Inland Mission by J. Hudson Taylor. It is dedicated to glorifying God in Asia through:
- Reaching the unreached in East Asia with the Gospel
- Working with local Christians to strengthen the church
- Caring for those who lack care to promote healing and wholeness
OMF International Cambodia is made up of over 50 multinationals. Everyone was talented, friendly and committed to the Cambodian people. Most people with OMF are seconded to other agencies within Cambodia for professional service. OMF desires to support current projects, not start new ones where other agencies are already in place. For more information, see the team's website at www.omf-cb.org.
The range of work by OMF includes:
Church planting in several provinces
Bible Teaching at Phnom Penh Bible School
Music Instruction at the School of Fine Arts
Teaching English at Phnom Penh University
Development work - Ministry of Public Works
Outreaches to:
Factory Workers
Prostitutes
Disabled Children
Lepers
What we'll be doing
During the first year our focus will be language study, involvement within the local church, and care for OMF career and short-term missionaries. David will also serve as Medical Advisor for OMF Cambodia. In the future, we hope to hold periodic clinics in more remote provinces and expand our medical responsibilities into areas of need. Lara is thinking of working with orphaned and disabled children. David wants to teach either at the University, medical school or within the Bible School. Our hope is to finish OMF orientation and be heading to Cambodia by October 2002.
Why we're going
- We believe everyone should have a chance to respond to Christ's Gospel
- Cambodia will be a great place for us to grow spiritually as a family
- We want to use our skills as physicians to help the Cambodian people
both directly and through the development of their healthcare
infrastructure
- We want to encourage and develop leadership within the Cambodian
church
- We want a mango tree in our backyard
All we know is what we find will stretch us far beyond ourselves. And that's the exciting part! We're leaving everything up to God's good will knowing that it is His nature to bless us when we put our trust in Him. It's from this position of dependence on Him that we will see Him act and provide us opportunities to meet and serve Him. God has offered us a sure-fire way to grow closer to Him. So we step out in faith confident that "underneath are the everlasting arms."
Prayer Requests
God's timing with our schedule - a healthy pregnancy and smooth delivery (July 5th) - a smooth wrap-up with our current careers - wisdom regarding our house and belongings - mental, physical and spiritual preparation for the changes ahead - flexibility and an expectant attitude through the coming year
Let us know if you want to receive our newsletters through e-mail by sending us your e-mail address.
David, Lara & Benjamin