Go Beyond

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

It’s good to be back in Cambodia, this time accompanied by Pastor Alex. We left Houston’s mild winter weather wearing shorts and arrived in Cambodia thirty-two hours later. Steve Hyde, our host and founder of Asia for Jesus, met us at the airport. It’s also winter here in Southeast Asia but you would never know it because of the heat and humidity. But, nevertheless, it is winter and there are even a few signs of the commercial side of Christmas on display in this Buddhist nation. God is at work in Cambodia, sowing life into this beautiful country whose history is steeped in death. I can’t imagine what Cambodia would look like today if Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge had succeeded in dumbing down the country and fulfilling their vision of turning Cambodia into an agrarian utopia.

Although we arrived a bit tired from three consecutive flights and napping in airport lounges, our first order of business was to visit StopStart — an enterprise that employs young women rescued from the commercial sex trade. StopStart exists to help “stop” the trafficking and to help girls “start” a new life. According to their website, StopStart is a World Fair Trade registered organization that is “committed to building sustainable businesses through the education, training and development of local Cambodians.” And, 60% of their workforce “have been rescued from slavery and are being trained and developed in language, design, machining and management.”

Steve introduced us to Hugh Marquis, the Australian businessman who is behind this life-changing enterprise. Hugh first came to Cambodia with a team from his church and never expected how God would use that trip to alter the course of his life. But now, Cambodia is not only in his heart, it is in his blood. Hugh loves the people of Cambodia and wants to make a difference. When Pastor Alex asked Hugh why he was investing so much time and money in Cambodia, Hugh replied, “To help bring change to a nation.” I like that kind of vision. You cannot change a nation apart from investing in its people. The kind of change that Cambodia needs must begin in the hearts of its people. By restoring hope to young girls who once lived in the dark world of the forced commercial sex trade, Hugh and his staff are indeed helping to change a nation, one life at a time.

I’m glad that we took the time to visit the StopStart organization and to meet Hugh and those who work with him. The atmosphere at StopStart was positive because it is a place of hope for those who once lived in the shadows of despair and abuse. I am thankful for Christ-followers like Hugh — people who are making a difference by demonstrating God’s love in practical ways. God is using people like Hugh to help change the nations. He can use you to do the same if you will allow Him to love and to care for those in desperate need through you. Make yourself available to God this Christmas and throughout the year. Ask Him to open your eyes and your heart to those in need of love and encouragement and hope. And then do something to help. Be willing to give yourself and of your resources to make a difference.