What is the nature of your ministry with children? Please describe how your role as a global worker in this location was needed. 

When I'm not busy as a full-time mother, I'm the administrator of the ChildCARE Plus program in Cambodia that has been in operation for eight years now.  Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world and the poorest in South East Asia. With the genocide that happened in 1975, leaving nearly 2 million killed, Cambodia has been brought to ruins with all facets of society abolished, including education. That is why ChildCARE Plus plays such an important part of the country. The generations that are coming up now have the opportunity to change the landscape of Cambodia by ending the cycle of poverty for their families through education, medical care and supplemented nutrition. But the greatest gift that CCP offers to Cambodia is the transforming power of the gospel. That is the plus in ChildCARE Plus. Through the local church, children and their families are forever changed by the gospel, no longer serving God's of stone.

Are children there responsive the Gospel? If so, why? 

We find that through relationship with the local church and our site managers, not only the children, but their families as well, are very responsive to the gospel.  While Cambodia is 98% Buddhist, Buddhism did nothing to help them in the genocide.  As a result, we find that the Cambodian people are generally open to what Christ has to offer them.

What difference are you seeing in the lives of children as a result of your ministry? Please share a testimony

While social justice in and of itself is fantastic and needed, social justice coupled with the gospel is transforming. We are seeing many children who started with CCP 8 years ago like SreyPov, are growing up in a vastly difference atmosphere than their older siblings. Since being sponsored through ChildCARE Plus, her mother has come to Christ. As a result, her family structure is more holistic, and her mother no longer will force her to work in the factories like her older siblings. Through the relationship with our site managers, SreyPov's parents now see the value of completing an education. SreyPov will not face the temptations of alcohol or drugs since she has decided to give her life to Christ. Her family is found engaged in church on a weekly basis. She is a leader in her church in the areas of worship and kids ministry. She is looking forward to graduating in a couple of years and living a life faithful to God. Sponsorship had a direct part to play in her life, and her story is one of many in our program.

What can the Canadian church do to help partner with you?

First, our dream is for ChildCARE Plus to reach all throughout the country of Cambodia. The program has grown to over 360 children with 9 sites throughout the country. We want it to be a tool that our church planters can use to reach the impoverished in their communities. We are asking that churches both promote ChildCARE Plus to their congregations and also for their various church ministries to sponsor children. 

Secondly, each year we offer 2 special ministries that invest directly into the lives of our CCP kids. Each summer we hold a CCP Kids Camp where for 3 days we challenge them to grow in their walk with God through worship, teaching, games, crafts and tons of big and healthy meals. The cost of this ministry is approximately $3,500.00 USD. Each Christmas we hold a special Christmas Program put off by the CCP children in which we directly present the gospel in a way that's fun and inviting. Each child receives a Cambodian "Christmas Feast" and a special gift.  The cost of this ministry is approximately $15 USD per child.

What are the greatest challenges/obstacles in reaching children?

One of our greatest challenges in reaching our children would be working to build that relationship with their family so that trust is formed. Once that trust is formed, the family as a whole are more receptive to the gospel.  

While we work hard to engage both sponsored and unsponsored children in the communities, sponsorship allows us to have a direct connection with that family.  The more sponsorships, the more families we are directly way.  

How can we pray for you and your ministry?

Pray that children will be sponsored, that the local church will continue to engage their communities effectively, that children will have a firm foundation in Christ and that our site managers will have favor with the families as we build relationships.