What Have We Been Up To?

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Words cannot express all of my experiences here in Cambodia. To say it’s been amazing, stretching, and life changing would be an understatement. In just a short time I feel like my whole world has been flipped upside down and now I can’t even imagine living anywhere else. And how could you? Seeing what we see here: poverty, injustice, pain, abuse, and exploitation… how can you go back to “ life as usual” knowing that you can make a difference just by being here?

I want to share some of the beautiful things that have happened since being here, more than anything I want you to see how God is moving here, and to show you the hoping rising up from the ashes in Cambodia.

Everyday our team goes on either one or two outreaches to slum communities in our area. A “slum” is an illegal community of “squatters” which is essentially a group of people who don’t have anywhere else to go. Most of the people here cannot read or write, many don’t have and cannot afford a birth certificate so they cannot get a job. This results in a group of people who are very at risk. Without a proper job or source of income they have no choice but to choose a very lowly job like collecting garbage and selling it to a recycling company or resort to some type of corruption like prostitution.  This is where a lot of crime, gambling, drinking, and drugs occur and also where traffickers try to take advantage of these families by buying or kidnapping their children. XP Missions feels extremely called to these communities and has a heart to show these people that there is a hope and future found through Jesus Christ. Everything in these slums, from the location to the people who live there, is very different and God has a special plan for each one.

Ward and I have had the opportunity to go on many outreaches and to help in these communities. Every outreach is different, our goals change on each visit. Some outreaches are based on women who are working in prostitution and living in the slums. We will come in, do their hair and paint their fingernails for them, and tell them that they are valuable and loved. It’s all about building long-term relationships with them and sharing the love of God. A lot of outreaches are based around children who are at risk. We come and play games with them, tell them a Bible story, and then have a practical teaching like “good touch bad touch” or even on hygiene. During these times we are also talking to the kids, looking for signs of abuse or exploitation, and building relationships with them.  Kids are very open and it is a wonderful way to find out what is going on in the community and to make sure all of the kids are safe.

On one outreach I was able to go on, we led the children through a few songs, and then taught them the story of Jesus saying “let the children come to me”. We got to tell them about how much Jesus loves children, and that He loves each and every one of them. We also have an opportunity to play games with all the children. They love playing with Ward, they think he is so funny because he is so big and strong. They love to climb all over him and want to swing on his arms. He has a blast with them, and is totally exhausted by the end of outreach!

Little girl Ward was playing with on an outreach.

After games we did a teaching on “good touch bad touch”. This is an important message where the kids learn the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touching, and that they need to tell an adult if they are being touched inappropriately. After this teaching we gave opportunity for the children to share if anyone had been abused in this way. One little girl, about four years old, came forward and shared that she was being inappropriately touched by a boy in the community who was about fourteen or fifteen years old. This may not seem like a big deal, but it was huge that she was willing to step forward and trust us with this information. We were then able to give her some practical tools to tell the boy to stop. In cases like this our team will take notes and a picture of the child, then create a file for them. We will then be able to check in with the child every week at our outreach. By doing this we will compile evidence and in the circumstance where we need to get investigators involved we will be able to show them all of our compiled information. Small victories like this young girls story and essential teachings like our lesson really make a difference, because many people just don’t understand that this is wrong. The young boy in this situation was probably abused in the same way when he was young and is just acting out of his own pain.

Beautiful brave little girl that we ministered to in the slum.

Another amazing project XP Missions has just recently started is Everlasting Love. Everlasting Love is a program that pulls women out of prostitution and gives them a job sewing 100% silk handbags and other products as well. This program has worship and teachings in the mornings and then girls are able to work on the products. By sewing on silk, and making high quality items we are hoping to communicate to them that they are valuable and that we trust them. Currently there are about six women working in the program. It is amazing to see how much they have grown! In addition to coming out of prostitution, some are coming out of drug addiction as well. Through the love of Christ, teaching, counseling, and inner healing we are looking forward to seeing these women completely set free! The Everlasting Love product line will be launched very soon! Be sure you keep checking back for my update so you can buy your very own handbag, clutch wallet, or placemats and coaster set made right here by the wonderful women in our program.

A lot of these women also have children so we have created a day care for them while their mom’s are working in our program.  I have the privilege of working with the children several times a week. All of the children are absolutely beautiful. They greet me with “chombreupsour” when they come in and when they leave. (this is a greeting with a high form of honor accompanied by a bow). They are so filled with joy! I absolutely love playing, singing songs, and laughing with them. There is also a two-month-old baby girl at the center who is absolutely precious (she is actually asleep in my arms as I write this). Her mom shared with our team that she probably would have sold her baby girl into a trafficking ring had it not been for this program. Every time I hold this sweet baby and rock her to sleep I am reminded of the life she might have had and my heart is blessed by the goodness of God that she is safe and in our care everyday.

Our XP Team loving on our precious baby girl in the women's center.

Each day we are reminded of the goodness of God. It’s not until you are surrounded by darkness that you see how bright His light shines. Cambodia is a field ripe for harvest. Everywhere you turn there is an opportunity to share the love of our God with someone who is lost and hurting. Our God is so big, and He deeply cares for the people of Cambodia.

**PRAYER REQUESTS**

There are many other projects in the works and in the heart of XP Missions.

Please be in prayer for us as deadlines approach for many of our projects. We need grace, strength and wisdom to get everything accomplished. Pray for the continued prevention and rescue of children and women in our outreaches. Also please pray for additional long term XP Missions volunteers to help carry out the vision that God has given us, as well as additional Khmer staff to help with projects and translation

Thank you. 

Love Always, 

Hillary Farrior

40 Things You Never Knew About Cambodia

There is so much of Cambodian culture that is new and amusing to us. I am finding that there is a really thin line between being amused/interested in a new culture, and being offensive to people because of our cultural differences. We are in the process of learning about the customs, beliefs, greetings, and manners of Cambodia. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to travel to five different countries in my life, but I have to say that Asian culture by far varies the most from the American culture I'm used to.

From the moment you arrive in Cambodia you are submerged in a culture that's as foreign to you as living on Mars. We know that not everyone will have the opportunity to travel to Cambodia so I wanted to take some time to list the top forty differences that we have experienced since arriving in Phnom Penh.

1. The main mode of transportation is tuk-tuk (motorbike taxi) or a moto (motorbike).

2. When you hop in a tuk-tuk you suddenly become acutely aware of the cloud of dust that covers every inch of earth in Cambodia, about half of the people wear doctors face masks in an attempt to keep from breathing in the dust and pollution.

3. Moto's zoom past with two, three, four, even five people on board.

4. The concept of "driving in the lines" means nothing in Cambodia

5. Upon arriving at a home and also at some small businesses you are expected to remove your shoes and leave them outside the home before entering.

6. Crickets, spiders, and other insects are a delicacy.

7. Brushing teeth, and drinking cannot be done with tap water.

8. Food is based around noodles, rice, and fish.

9. Children, friends, teachers, elders, and monks all require a different greeting.

10. Monks dressed head to toe in bright orange and carrying umbrellas can be seen throughout the streets blessing and praying for homes and businesses.

11. The religion in Cambodia is listed as Bhuddist but in reality is a combination of Bhuddism, Taoism, Hinduism, Ancestor Worship, and Witchcraft.

12. Instead of statues of Jesus, crosses, and the saints you see statues of gods, Bhudda, and the king of Cambodia.

Statue of Buddha being protected by a "naga" or seven headed snake/dragon that gives him revelation. 

13. The weather is always hot. The winter is around 80°F.

14. Grocery store foods are often shrimp or fish flavored. Also dehydrated seafood is readily available.

15. There is always two prices for everything, one for a local and one for a foreigner. Depending on your bargaining skills of course.

16. Drawers don't exist here. Not in kitchen cabinets, not in dressers. There are no drawers!!!

17. Of course an obvious one.. everyone speaks Khmer instead of English.

18. Cats and dogs are not viewed as pets, and should not be "patted" or given attention.

19. Dress is conservative, covering shoulders and at least to the knee. Even in 115°F temperatures.

20. Being pale/white is a coveted goal. Most lotions found in stores contain "whitening agents" and many women even bleach their skin to become more fair. Even in extremely hot temperatures locals often wear long pants, turtle necks, and socks in order to protect their skin from the sun. (Which means I've finally put my "beautiful white skin" to good use here! Everyone loves my "white white" skin.)

Here is an ad for skin whitener. It's actually extremely dangerous but women want to look beautiful. We always want what we can't have don't we.

21. The sound of cat's mating has become our nightly lullabye

22. There are no "noise ordinances" and construction may stop or start at any time of day or not.

23. Ants become your new house pet. Always around, in every nook and cranny, ants are constantly invading counter tops, cabinets, and linens.

24. Raw meat and fish can be left out all day in the heat and locals don't  think twice about buying and eating it.

25. Oven's are not a normal kitchen appliance, meaning they are not found in Khmer homes and are not included in a "fully furnished" home.

26. "Cupping", and "combing" are believed to help cure sickness and illnesses.

27. Nothing is too heavy or too big to be carried by a moto or tuk-tuk. I mean nothing! These mopeds make American trucks look like wimps. .

Yes, this is four or five full size wardrobes. Loads like this is a normal sighting on Cambodian streets. 

28. An average day's wage is around $2 - $5.

29. There is no Wal-mart... this is both a positive and a negative. Buying items is done mostly at the markets.

30. Rice and soup are a normal breakfast item.

It may be easy to look at this list and think of these as negatives, as "less than" our culture, customs, and preferences. I have been on a journey to find the beauty in these differences, to embrace them and appreciate that these differences are what make up the culture of this country. Yes, some of these seem strange, weird, or outdated to us but they are all part of what makes this country beautiful. What is even more important is that there are some differences that are clearly an improvement on American culture. I'll list a few of these below:

31. People are community oriented, often times you see a broken down tuk-tuk or moto and immediately people come around to help out. In fact in every day language there is no use of the words "he" and "she" but instead use words like "brother" and "sister" to refer to people they've never even met. It's amazing to see this expression of family on such a large scale.

32. Cambodian people are hospitable. No matter how poor a person is, they will ALWAYS invite you into their home, they will share their food and whatever you need even if it's all that they have.

33. There are some extremely quality items in Cambodia. From real genuine pearls, handmade 100% silk, to beautifully ornate hand carved wood furniture.

34. Food, especially fruit and vegetables, is extremely fresh and usually brought from the farm to the market on the same day. Fish in the market are still alive. It's nice to know where food comes from and know that it is fresh.

35. Cambodian people are passionate about their country. They pray for and honor their country.

36. It's hot... yes I know I listed that above already but I HATE cold weather so this is a double bonus for me.

37. Khmer people are extremely honoring. Not only to one another but even to foreigners. They would never wish to confront someone, correct someone, or cause conflict.

38. EVERY SINGLE CHILD IN CAMBODIA IS STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL...

39. Because it's always hot, fresh fruit and vegetables are available year around. This means we can get local fruit and veggies anytime we want (including my very favorite, passion fruit).

40. The Christian Cambodian population is passionate to see their country radically transformed for Jesus. They are hungry for heaven to invade earth in Cambodia and to see justice brought about in their country.

We are so excited to be able to experience and learn this new culture. Although it is very different for us in many ways and sometimes uncomfortable we are looking forward to embracing and understanding it better. It challenges our perspective of life to be able to get outside our box and shift what we understand and know to be normal. We are brought up somewhere that everyone thinks the same, and when we come to a new place we expect people to think and act like us. It is a big learning curve for us and is very difficult at times but it is exciting and a great adventure. Thank you for supporting us along the way.

We love you all.

Blessings and Love,
Hillary Farrior