Cambodia and ABWE Canada

 

The Spiritual Need in Cambodia

Nestled between Thailand and Vietnam on the Gulf of Siam, Cambodia is a southeast Asian country known for its political upheavals. A French colony until 1953, Cambodia has since had a monarchy, a military dictatorship, and a Communist government. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Cambodia shifted to a free-market economy in 1990.

Cambodia is full of tradition and the worship of spirits. It is home to more than 14.5 million Buddhists who believe that karma effectively controls their destiny, and that the ancient ways guide the spiritual powers they encounter on a daily basis. Since the civil wars of the 1970s and 80s, Cambodia has been overrun by various aid organizations and development workers who have only been able to provide physical solutions to deep-seated spiritual problems.

 

ABWE Canada in Cambodia

ABWE Canada strives to reach Cambodians by implementing strategies that allow us to connect with people on a more personal level. For example, we have a great opportunity to reach men, especially young men, through weightlifting gyms and meeting at coffee houses to talk about fitness, and the gospel. These venues, along with soccer fields, food stalls, and markets are all packed with people who need Christ.

ABWE Canada is anxious to reach these groups, but to do so, we need to grow our team of church planters, English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers, children’s workers, and Missionary Kid teachers. Our goal is to initiate church-planting ministries among four people groups in Cambodia.