On the first day of our trip, one of our team leaders lead us in a devotion. We listened to a song by Stephen Curtis Chapman. It is called “Dive“. This verse says it all:

I have never felt His presence as keenly as I did in Cambodia. From Pastor’s words on orientation day to our tearful goodbyes, His spirit could be felt working through us, through the counselors and through the children. How strange to be in one of the darkest corners of the world, witnessing grim circumstances the likes of which I have never experienced, and yet, feeling armed and safe by an invisible shield of faith.

There is some amazing work being done at the safe house and at the restoration center for the rescued girls. As I mentioned in an earlier post, our team became a link in an unbroken chain of service, of love, and of hope.

Last year, one of the members of our team served in Siem Reap for an organization called the Trade and helped teach rescued girls to work in and operate beauty salons developed by AIM (Agape International Ministries). The purpose of these salons is to cater to girls who work in brothels.  It’s in that environment that they can hear that there are other options that provide a much better life.

We visited one of the salons and had an emotionally-charged reunion with the girls. The shop is beautiful and the girls are doing well.

Yes, this trip has changed me.

I am stronger.

I am less afraid.

I see how much we can do when we work together.

And I thank God!