Monday, March 7, was International Women’s’ Day. It’s a very serious day in Cambodia. The women and girls here want their lives to be taken seriously. Amnesty International released a report on International Women’s Day stating “Cambodia’s social and justice institutions are woefully equipped to deal with the sexual violence.” At a meeting at the US Embassy the previous week international representatives of the SOS Hospital reported they have no means of keeping and filing forensic evidence when rape and trafficked slaves are examined. A Cambodian proverb states “men are gold, women are cloth.” Meaning, men are more valuable than women but also women are permanently stained by sexual violence or indiscretion, leaving the girls fearful of their violators, afraid of ever finding someone to ever love them.
He sends his word and heals me and recues me from the pit and destruction Ps 107:20. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds Ps 147:3. Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:8. But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds declares the Lord. Jeremiah 30:17.
That’s what happens at Agape Restoration Center. Little girls and older girls come in thinking they are dirty good for nothing rags. It is only through Christ, your prayers and sacrificial giving they now know firsthand what is taught in Romans 8. They are God’s children, they are His heirs, and if they are His heirs, what does that make them? Right, a PRINCESS. In Christ Jesus made brand new with hope and great plans for their futures.
On International Women’s’ Day those princesses were swimming, shaking mango and some other small fruit trees, eating pizza, ice cream, drinking Coca-cola, singing karaoke, (loudly) dancing, doing manicures -pedicures, all kinds of fun girly things, and I do believe a scary movie was thrown in; they LOVE a good fright night movie. I know their laughter and shouting was a joyful noise for all to hear, especially our Lord. It was a great day around ARC.
Thank you all for your faithful prayers and giving so these girls can know they are more valuable than gold, silver or jewels in God’s eyes and ours. They truly appreciate you and marvel that someone that doesn’t know them and that they don’t know wants them to have good food, clean clothes and schooling. Something their family didn’t care about providing for them, but you do. God bless you richly.