SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS ABOUT CAMBODIA

As superintendent of today's Sabbath School, I decided to show the video about WAT PREAH YESU in place of the Mission Story. Before showing the video, I shared a little about the history & present condition of Cambodia. After the video, I shared these five imperative spiritual thoughts that I pondered upon while I was in Cambodia. I, along with some people at the audience, weren’t able to contain our tears. After sharing these, two of the missionaries came & asked for more information & contact details of WAT PREAH YESU. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one whose heart God has touched & blessed.

1. Playing “god” will lead to destruction. The most prosperous & mightiest Kingdom in Southeast Asia about 900 years ago, built temples for Buddha & their Hindu gods. Some narcissistic kings built temples to honor themselves. Today, it’s a fact that NOTHING is left of that great empire. From splendor to poverty. It’s a reminder that no kingdom on earth will last. Only one King deserves honor & praise. Only one Kingdom will reign eternally.

Tourists from all over the world visit Cambodia

2. I was amazed & flabbergasted with the magnificent temples in Cambodia. The ancient temples built through the 11^th & 14^th Centuries are marvels of human engineering. What are tangible & visible now are just relics & remnants of their glorious, rich & powerful past, and yet, many are mesmerized & awestricken. I’m certain that our Heavenly Kingdom is a million times more that what is in Cambodia. I can’t wait to live in that promised wondrous Heavenly Kingdom.

The World Famous Angkor Wat Sunrise

3. Even in that Buddhist country, I felt God’s love reaching out to those in pain & suffering. The Gospel is spreading fast & touching many hearts in that country. This world is full of sickness & affliction but we who know Christ are fortunate to be comforted of the hope of eternal life. What pains my heart is knowing that there are millions of captives of pain & misery & they don’t know Jesus. What can we do for them? How can we reach them? How can we share the hope of salvation? 

4. The children orphaned by the tumultuous war, genocide & HIV have almost nothing but are easily pleased with simple things such as a heartfelt smile, a tight hug, and a simple conversation. They are contented & happy. We sometimes blame God for being in a terrible situation. We sometimes want more material & luxurious things when there are millions who could surely benefit with the money that are spent insignificantly. Despite poverty, they are happy & contented. Shouldn't we be always grateful to our loving Father?

5. God provides! Being aware of Tim & Wendy Maddocks' story of giving up everything for the Lord made me realize my selfishness. The couple left their own country & bought a land by faith about 20 years way back & did what the Lord called them to do. Starting with a piece of land & by faith, WAT PREAH YESU has flourished really fast. Maintaining & running that faith-based institution requires a large amount of money. God has sustained it through unknown donors.  When we give our ALL, He will sustain us. He will never fail us.