Those on the Front Lines

While the present reality of Southeast Asia is pretty grim,
there is hope for the thousands being trafficked. There is no place on this
planet the presence of the Lord cannot touch; no place where He is not already
there. He sees their struggles, hears their cries, knows their hearts–and is
moving His people to respond.

While in Cambodia, Connie and I visited/spoke with
representatives from many different NGO’s (non-governmental organizations)
whose sole purpose is helping those caught in this terrible practice. The focus is
different for each one, but that’s the cool thing about a mosaic-each separate
piece, together, makes a beautiful picture. Below is information about these
ministries, NGO’s, and ways that you can help.

      2. The Hard
Places Community: This is a group of people dedicated to serving the Lord
in the hard places of the world. The team living in Cambodia actively focuses on
sharing the hope of Christ and ministering directly to those caught in
trafficking.

For more information about the ministries of
the HPC, you can go to: http://www.traffickjam2011.com/.
On this site you will not only find descriptions of HPC’s involvement in
Cambodia, but you will also learn how YOU can be a part from here in America
through the fundraiser “Traffick Jam 2011”.

      3. Daughters
of Cambodia: All four of the AIM girls work directly with this NGO, whose
founder is Ruth Elliot. They couldn’t say enough about how life changing and
powerful their work with this organization is. Their
website says, “Daughters’ vision is to empower clients with the internal capacity
and the external resources to change their own lives…. The long-term aim is to achieve sustainable outcomes in
making a real and lasting difference in girls’ lives. Long-term success is
defined as a client remaining out of the sex industry for the rest of her life,
supporting herself through dignified, rewarding work, and raising her own
family to have a better future.”

Daughters teaches girls skills they
can use for the rest of their lives as a means of financial support. There are
also creative classes. But most of all, Daughters provides counseling, care,
and support for the girls’ journey to restoration, as well as on-site church for spiritual growth.

 

While Connie and I were there, we
got to go not only to the visitor’s center, which has a gift shop and a café,
but to the Daughters’ main site. We were asked to refrain from taking
pictures
of the clients, but here are some pics of the gift shop and café.

Website: http://www.daughtersofcambodia.org.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Daughters-of-Cambodia#!/pages/Daughters-of-Cambodia/100951179961175

4. Precious
Women: Another NGO we visited was Precious Women, whose founder, Seng
Solida, is Khmer. PW is a local
Christian organization which reaches out to disadvantaged and vulnerable women
who are working at BBBK (Brothels, Beer gardens, Bar and Karaoke) in order to
promote value and dignity through providing counseling, job opportunities and
life skills. Two Fridays of every month, they go into Khmer bars and minister
directly to the girls there- a place westerners cannot go. This past Tuesday
was International Women’s Day. Precious Women collected over two hundred gifts
of lotions for the girls, as well as letters from people from all over the
world praying for the girls’ responses. When we left, they were gearing up for
the big event. I’m excited to see how it went!

During our visit, Lida, their founder, asked Connie and I to take
pictures of their staff underneath their new logo. Here are some of the
pictures from that, as well as a picture of all the lotions collected and
waiting to be handed out!

If you would like to learn more about Precious Women, please go to: http://www.facebook.com/preciouswomenministry

Website:
http://www.bloomcreations.org/

6.    
Friends:

 

This
non-religious NGO reaches out to over 50,000 marginalized young people
–
particularly street children and youth – each year. They offer a range of
comprehensive services as part of their holistic approach to assisting children
and their families to improve their lives”. Connie and I were able to see their
training program in action in the restaurant, as well as the gift shop and spa.

 

They can be found at: http://www.friends-international.org/