Our Stories
Life in the Bowl - Serving in Cambodia
Our lives were turned upside down when we accepted the call to move to Cambodia. In so many ways, it is so different from Australia. Instead of our nice quiet house, we found ourselves on a loud and busy street, with no curtains. Just like living in a ‘fishbowl’, from the street was a view straight into our bedroom. As newly arrived white skins, we became a curious attraction, with many people openly pausing to stare at us through our front door. We look, speak, and behave differently, which makes them curious... No wonder we had culture shock!
The Khmer think and do almost everything differently from the West, including transportation, meals, socialising, and personal hygiene. The way they think, and act is reflected in how they use their language. Historically known as ‘The Rice Bowl’ the Khmer still greet one other with ‘Have you eaten rice yet’? Religion plays a much bigger part in the Cambodian life, regardless of how strongly one believes. This can be evident by the spirit houses outside most homes / restaurants, red strings for good luck, and monks in orange robes.
The Khmer capture the hearts of most visitors, but their ready smiles conceal darkness, pain, and poverty. The effects of the world’s largest genocide, against its own people, is still evident here. Considered a Western religion, Christian’s are the minority, comprising of less than 1% and falling. Everything is done with a group mindset, and leadership is more dictatorial than democratic, so it can be difficult to break away and do one’s own thing. Many of their holidays involve being with extended family and friends, honouring the spirits and ancestors.
Recently, we had the rare privilege of joining a Khmer family to celebrate Khmer New Year. On the surface this holiday is heaps of fun and spent with family. Everything is cleaned and brightly decorated, and there are many water fights on the streets. Behind this frivolity, however, is a belief in the spirits. They make offerings to the gods, as they annually rotate responsibility for the protection of earth. Water is celebrated, but swimming is rare for fear the spirits may pull them underwater.
Only Jesus can offer Cambodia the true Living Water (John 7:37-39). Therefore, learning the language and culture is important, to share Jesus in a meaningful and culturally appropriate way. New believers can experience culture shock living as Christians, just as we did when we moved here. Praise God for people who walked alongside us, showing the way. By working with locals, we aim to show the people of Cambodia the way to eternal life through Jesus. By teaching His Word, and depending on His Spirit, we fellowship together in freedom and eternal life.
We will never be Khmer. We will always be ‘different.’ But in reflecting Jesus, we pray it will be a ‘good different.’ Because it is our differences that provide us the unique opportunities to share the Good News.
The Khmer think and do almost everything differently from the West, including transportation, meals, socialising, and personal hygiene. The way they think, and act is reflected in how they use their language. Historically known as ‘The Rice Bowl’ the Khmer still greet one other with ‘Have you eaten rice yet’? Religion plays a much bigger part in the Cambodian life, regardless of how strongly one believes. This can be evident by the spirit houses outside most homes / restaurants, red strings for good luck, and monks in orange robes.
The Khmer capture the hearts of most visitors, but their ready smiles conceal darkness, pain, and poverty. The effects of the world’s largest genocide, against its own people, is still evident here. Considered a Western religion, Christian’s are the minority, comprising of less than 1% and falling. Everything is done with a group mindset, and leadership is more dictatorial than democratic, so it can be difficult to break away and do one’s own thing. Many of their holidays involve being with extended family and friends, honouring the spirits and ancestors.
Recently, we had the rare privilege of joining a Khmer family to celebrate Khmer New Year. On the surface this holiday is heaps of fun and spent with family. Everything is cleaned and brightly decorated, and there are many water fights on the streets. Behind this frivolity, however, is a belief in the spirits. They make offerings to the gods, as they annually rotate responsibility for the protection of earth. Water is celebrated, but swimming is rare for fear the spirits may pull them underwater.
Only Jesus can offer Cambodia the true Living Water (John 7:37-39). Therefore, learning the language and culture is important, to share Jesus in a meaningful and culturally appropriate way. New believers can experience culture shock living as Christians, just as we did when we moved here. Praise God for people who walked alongside us, showing the way. By working with locals, we aim to show the people of Cambodia the way to eternal life through Jesus. By teaching His Word, and depending on His Spirit, we fellowship together in freedom and eternal life.
We will never be Khmer. We will always be ‘different.’ But in reflecting Jesus, we pray it will be a ‘good different.’ Because it is our differences that provide us the unique opportunities to share the Good News.