Making a Difference in Cambodia

Although we've been home from Cambodia for a few weeks, Cambodia has never left us! Here is an overview of Bayside's 2010 Cambodia Mission trip:

Agape International Mission, (AIM) headquartered in Phnom Penh Cambodia has two arms of ministry: 1) planting churches—led by Moses, a Cambodia Pastor who has birthed and oversees 800 churches, and 2) the rescue and restoration of young girls sold into sex slavery.
About six years ago, AIM led by Don and Bridget Brewster, a northern Californian couple, opened Agape Restoration Center (ARC), a home where about 60 girls who’ve been sold for sex now find safety, healing and Jesus. Then three years ago AIM began ministry in Svay Pak, a community 11km outside Phnom Penh. Svay Pak is known around the world as one of the hubs for the sex slavery of young children, starting as young as 5—who are sold by their parents for sex right out of their homes. Svay Pak is a violent, poor, oppressive place where children who are abused, abandoned and neglected live in constant fear.
But in the three years since AIM moved in, the hope, joy and love of Christ has begun to transform Svay Pak from the inside out.
AIM took a 5 story building destined to be one of the many brothels in town and turned it into a haven of safety and love, called Rahab’s House. A place once planned for harm has now become home to a free school for over 100 children, a church (that’s grown to 300-400 people), a free medical clinic that sees hundreds of people a week, an after-school kid’s club reaching 200 children a day, a community center offering computer classes for all ages, and a Lord’s gym that reaches the men of the community—some of whom are pimps, sexual perpetrators, gangsters and drug addicts.
For 2 weeks our Bayside team of 14 had the privilege of coming alongside AIM in Svay Pak in their various ministries: we helped in the gym; the medical clinic; the kid’s club; we taught computer classes to local teenagers; and conducted trauma education training for the 28 young people called Disciples who’ve recently come to know Jesus and now volunteer 40 hours a week at Rahab’s House. In addition we brought needed supplies as well as first aid and personal hygiene training to over 500 adults and children who work as slave laborers at 5 local brick factories, making barely enough to buy food to feed themselves.
When I went on my first mission trip, I wondered what kind of impact could we make in just two weeks? A great deal, I discovered.
• In addition to God impacting every one of our lives, were able to encourage and support the people of AIM who work tirelessly everyday—we were able to bring joy, love and laughter to the children who are trafficked every night, as well as love on their pimps, and comfort the sick and oppressed.
• We provided toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, first aid kids, masks, sandals, and rice for over 500 people at the brick factories
• We helped supply the clinic with over $2000 in medical supplies and medicines
• We blessed the girls at ARC with a freedom party celebrating their freedom from slavery and their new freedom in Christ—on the 4th of July
• And like the woman’s jar of oil that never ran dry in the bible---after supplying the needs of the people for the two weeks and all our expenses, we were still able to leave AIM $6200 for their on-going expenses.
But the impact goes beyond the financial and physical. I discovered after talking with those 28 Disciples that many of them came to know Jesus because they were so moved by the fact that foreigners would come all the way to Cambodia to help them, and if this Jesus loved them so much that He would compel people to do that then they wanted to know Him.
One young woman told me with tears streaming down her face that before she came to Rahab’s house, before she came to know Jesus, she had no hope, no reason to live, and no purpose. But now because of Jesus she has joy, hope and purpose, and for the first time in her life, she now a reason to live.
What a privilege to be a part of God’s miracle work in Cambodia, and an answer to someone’s prayer.

The Pimps are finding Jesus

Something is different at kid's club this year...the pimps are coming. Yes you're reading this right. Right alongside the little children are their pimps. And not only are they coming to kid's club but they're coming to church too. And as they are hearing about Jesus they're changing. In the last few weeks, 3 pimps have stopped trafficking. The Pastor at Rahab's house found one of these young men a construction job that pays him $50 a month, a great reduction in pay for what he made transporting young girls.

Another set of twin boy pimps (young teens) used to be very bad boys, but recently they've begun to change...they're no longer selling drugs to the children, or running the girls.

Its amazing, first to see these teen boys singing, listening, coloring and enjoying kid's club alongside the little girls. But then to hear what God is beginning to change in them, how they're beginning to recognize that what they're doing is wrong and wanting to do what's right. That's what the love of Jesus does...loves the evil right out of us!

Every day is like that here...amazing stories of what God is doing. So grateful to be here and witness the miracles!

Barb

Miracles happening in Cambodia

It's day 5 here in Cambodia for our team, and the end of the third day working out at Svay Pak. But it seems as if we've been here so much longer. Our team is amazing, and working so well together. And God has been faithful to bless us and use us already in small and great ways.

As a bigger team, we've been able to split up our efforts and accomplish so much more. The previous post has details on the various tasks of our team. And as the leader, I have so much more responsibility and details to take care of, and that takes up a lot of my free time, which is why I haven't blogged yet this time.

But the most amazing thing is seeing what God has been doing in just one year since I've been here. Rahab's house in Svay Pak has not only grown,but moved. Just a few doors down from last year's location, this new building is 5 stories high. It will house an apartment for the director's on the top, school rooms, a large church, computer lab, and a large area for a medical clinic downstairs, which is also the Pastor's family quarters.

Last year we had 50 kids coming to kid's club, this year they're getting 200-300 kids every day. In addition to kids club, they come for school, computer training, church and medicine. Rahab's house is now the central hub of Svay Pak bringing Jesus, love, hope, joy and peace to a place that was once only full of evil, pain and violence.

There is still sex-trafficking, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, neglect and poverty...but Jesus is changing Svay Pak from the inside out, starting with the children, then the adults, and last but not least, the pimps.

Been up for over 36 hours!

Well we made it, and its been a long, tiring, exciting day. Its so amazing for me to be back in Cambodia. I really love it here! We arrived to rain...which was awesome! The rain cools things down immensely. After unpacking, we had an orientation session with Don Brewster as he talked to us about what we'll be doing.

He's very excited to have us here to build relationships, show the love of Jesus, and offer people basic kindnesses and needs. He shared a story of a young girl who was being raped every day by her pimp brother. In addition, she was being sold at night for sex. The girl came into Rahab's house for a couple of aspirin for a headache. Because the people there showed her love and kindness she came back the next day. Then she came to church. Then she came to know Jesus. And then, in time she shared with the Pastor here what was happening to her, and now she's living at AIM's restoration center. And as Don said, "It started with 2 aspirin." That's how amazing God is!

And that is just one story of countless others describing the miracles God is performing here every day. One is that last year we had approximately 40-50 kids every day. Now 160-200 come! Last year, the church had approximately 160 in attendance, today that number is over 500.

But there is darkness and evil too. Don estimates that there are more pre-pubescent girls being held in brothels than before, and although several attempts have been made, none of these girls have been rescued. Corrupt police succeed in hiding the girls before IJM can get in the house to recover them. In addition, the girls who do want to go free, often go back to their pimps because he's all they have in this world. Also disapointing is that although last year we had free reign to travel into the alleyways and homes in Svay Pak, this year, the sex maffia stop Rahab's staff from going into these places.

Even more disturbing is the picture of two young boys, both of whom had come to kid's club last year...one may have been 10 the other 8. These boys at this young age raped a 9 year old girl in Svay Pak just 2 weeks ago. From one generation to the next, impacting with unspeakable evil younger and younger children.

But the most amazing news is that God is working! And His work continues to multiply and grow and expand and make a difference in the lives of so many...in the life of a whole community and soon to change a country.

Its just so wonderful to be invited to partner with God in this great work of rescue and redemption. "For if the Son sets us free, we are free indeed..." God is setting children free, parents free, a whole community free...and it all started with one Roseville, Ca couple being willing to say, "here we are Lord, Use us." I dare you to pray that prayer...your life will never be the same!

til tomorrow...got more stories to tell:)! Goodnight...I'm falling asleep at the keyboard!


Barb

Heading Back to Cambodia

It's been exactly a year since I was in Cambodia, yet Cambodia has never once been out of my mind. Many mornings as I get up to begin my day, my heart, thoughts and prayers turn to the young girls in Svay Pak. While I'm beginning my day, they're ending theirs and should be heading to bed...instead they're beginning their work...their sex work.

Most of the young girls (5 and up) who live in Svay Pak are sold by their parents at night for sex. They have no choice, they know no other life. And yet, Agape International Mission,(aim4asia.org) is a ministry committed to helping rescue and restore these helpless, victimized children, and they are making a difference. In addition to the home that houses 60 girls who've been rescued and are being loved and restored to wholeness, AIM is also right in the middle of Svay Pak, reaching out to the young girls who've yet to be rescued.

This year our team of fourteen, (5 guys and 9 gals) will be assisting AIM in a variety of the ministries they've begun in Svay Pak. In the mornings I'll be teaching newer staff about the impact of trauma and how to help love and support the young children currently in the middle of their trauma. In the afternoons, I'll be assisting our computer team in teaching local people the basics of computers.

Another part of our team will be working with the children of Svay Pak (many of whom are trafficked at night), in the mornings and afternoons putting on a kid's club. This is what we did last year...and so we get to be with those children again. Except, last year we had 50-60 kids, this year there's 200!

One of our guys will be working in the Lord's Gym that AIM runs to reach out to the pimps and men of Svay Pak. To work in the gym they have to attend the bible study, and so many are hearing about Jesus and turning their lives to Him.

Our medical couple will be running a medical clinic in the mornings and afternoons in Svay Pak. And then on their lunch break, they'll be going to 5 local brick factories that house and work adults and children. They'll be putting on health clinics for them, teaching them personal and dental hygiene and first aid.

We are so excited about all that God has for us in Cambodia. I'll blogging again and so I encourage you to send the link to all your friends so that we can make as many people aware of what's going on in Cambodia. God is doing amazing work here and around the world to fight against the injustice and evil of human trafficking and sex trafficking. It's such an awesome privilege and honor to be here and see what God is doing, and in a small way be a part of the miracles He's doing here!

Thank you for your prayers. Please pray that God will strengthen and prepare us spiritually, emotionally and physically for the work He's provided for us to do.

Blessings, Barb

Thank you for sharing!

I want to thank those of you who've left comments on my blog. I'm so excited to hear what God is doing in people's lives in healing them from their pasts! I praise God for His love and grace and freedom that He pours out on us! I would love it if you'd feel led to go to amazon and copy your comment here as a book review for Invisible Bond. What God has done in your life will encourage others to trust Him with their past as well.
May God continue to bless you as you pass on what He's done for you to others!
Blessings,
Barb

Day Four at the United Nations--the Best Day There!

Thursday March 11th was my last day in New York at the United Nations. I really didn't have any plans for today. My team had a meeting that morning along with other NGO's (non-governmental organizations) to meet the United States Mission--the advisory board to the US Delegates. The Delegates are the ones who write the policy for our country, and other countries around the world in regards to women's issues, like abortion, women's rights, etc. Our team was only allowed to bring 15 women to the meeting and the names had to be submitted 24 hours in advance. I was not on that list.

The meeting was to be at 11:30am, and knowing I was excluded from the meeting, I headed on to the UN to go to a Delegates meeting in the conference room on violence against women. Here's where some interesting events took place! I ran into the woman who heads up the NGO our team came with. Her name is Babette Francis, a wonderful woman from Australia. I mentioned to her that the rest of the team was in the special NGO meeting and she told me that she was in that meeting too, but in fact they had the time wrong. Instead of 11:30am, the meeting was at 1:30pm.

Babette told me that she wouldn't be able to go to the meeting now as she was heading to the airport, and she gave me her spot in the meeting! So I headed up the street across from the UN to go to the meeting. When I arrived upstairs at security, my name wasn't on the list. I shouldn't have been allowed in. But when I explained that our team had gotten the time wrong, and now there was a spot open, she remembered Babette, and put my name down on the list.

So here I was, sitting in a meeting that I wasn't supposed to be at. Isn't God amazing!! I shouldn't have been surprised, because He opened many doors this week that I wouldn't have imagined. But this one was very impressive.

As several other women gathered, it was evident that our group outnumbered others by volume, and we were the only pro-life group present it appeared. Then in walked the Ambassador to the US Delegates, along with some of the Delegates. They opened the floor for NGO women to share the concerns on their hearts.

Two of our women shared important information on maternal mortality rates, and how it relates to legalized abortion. For interest, the highest rate of maternal mortality in the United States is homicide--women being killed because they refuse to get an abortion. Yet in countries where abortion is not legal, the maternal mortality rate is much lower. Even though I didn't get a chance to speak, I had prepared a very bright green sheet with information on sexual bonding and the impact on relationships, women and marriage. I was able to hand this to the assistant to the Ambassador with the promise that it would get into the hands of the Delegates making the policy.

But then something amazing happened. I didn't know it, but our team had arranged a private meeting with the Ambassador after the organized meeting. She had the fifteen of us put our chairs in a circle and go around and give our names, etc. This was the meeting God had me come to speak in. Again I handed her one of my green sheets, and speaking from the perspective of sexual health education, I discussed the need to inform our young women how sex bonds and attaches us in relationships, leading to destructive choices, unwanted pregnancy, abortion, and multiple relationship failures, including divorce. And she listened!! It was so amazing...and so powerful.

I left there on a high, knowing that God had orchestrated this divine appointment for such a time as this, with someone who had influence, and who also seemed to care for women. I'm praying that my little green sheet will find its way to people who can make a difference for our youth, and for women in general.

And then I had to run to find a cab to get me back to the hotel to catch my shuttle to the airport...with such seconds to spare I made it.

It was an amazing week...I felt your prayers. Thank you so much!

Barb

Day Four at the United Nations

Day Three At The United Nations

Today I met a woman, her name is Helene Oord at the coffee shop. When I asked her where she was from, she said The Kingdom of God. So we started talking. She was a little hard to understand but I found out that she worked for Trinity Broadcast Network, a national Christian broadcasting company. She was also involved in several groups around New York area, and was having dinner with the Governor of New York that evening. Then she invited me to a prayer meeting with UN staff members and Diplomats that they had every Wednesday at noon. After giving her my books and telling her what God has been doing, she wanted me to come and share with her prayer group.
Just before noon, I had two amazing experiences. First I talked with the Minister of Health from Zambia, a Christian woman. I shared with her my message and books, and she was so grateful. We exchanged business cards, and she asked if I would be willing to come to Zambia to speak to the people there.
Then, we had an invitation to meet with the Delegates from Iraq. They were two Christian men who spoke with us about the issue of abortion in Iraq. But it was amazing to hear them talk about God, and also how much they appreciate the American people for coming to rescue their country from the tyranny of the oppressive government. One of them was a translator for the American military and he shared how he wore the American uniform, and loved the American men and women soldiers. They allowed us to video tape some of our discussion, but when he talked about this, he asked that we turn off the videotape.
I left that meeting early to run over to the prayer meeting. I didn’t have much time with them, but although the group started out small it grew to about 30 people. I had the opportunity to share what God was doing, and give the vice-president of the group my books. But the amazing thing was that as we were praying, about 15 Christian college students came in from the University of Georgia. They were in New York on a mission. So they got to hear what I shared as well.
But the highlight of my day was going to the taping of Sarah Palin’s brand new show called Real American Stories. And this was the debut show...we were the very first audience. While we waited to enter the studio, I brought two of my books...one I signed to Bristol, Sarah’s daughter, and the other one to Sarah. Her assistant said she would take them right in to her as she getting ready to film. But she also told us that Sarah would not have time to speak with us after as she was heading right to the airport. But afterwards, she hung around and after she had talked to many people and the studio crew were shooing us out, I ran up by her, and she saw me, put out her hand to shake mine. I then said, ‘I’m the one who gave you the two books, one I signed for Bristol.” She seemed to know what I was talking about and said, “Thank you for what you’re doing.” Then we exchanged some, “God bless yous.” It was amazing. I really felt like we had made a connection.
So it was an amazing day of God opening doors beyond my wildest imagination. I had the opportunity to talk to many people, hand out my books, and share my story. I found that everyone connected with the reality of sexual bonding and healing.
Now tomorrow, our team has an invitation to speak with the US Delegation. But only 15 people are allowed in, and since I’m new here, and no one really knows me, I was not chosen to be one of the fifteen. I told Molly, the Director of Women for Life that I’d love to go if it was possible. So I’m praying if its one of God’s divine appointments that I’m able to attend. If not, then He has someone else for me to connect with.
Thanks again for all of those praying for me. I really feel your prayers. And God is moving and doing a great work here. More tomorrow!
Barb

Day One and Two at the United Nations

Our first day at the United Nations Status of Women Conference started very early. We arrived at the entrance to the United Nations just before the 8am opening. Once in line we began the registration process to receive picture passes to the building. The servers were down and so it was two hours later before we had the photo passes and were able to enter the conference hall where the delegates roamed.
My first day was a learning curve, watching, listening, and following the lead of my team members who’ve been here before. We talked to many women passing out flyers regarding our workshops on the impact of abortion on women, emotionally, and psychologically as well as the growing evidence of the link between abortion and breast cancer.


I had the opportunity to meet a Member of Parliament for Namibia in South Africa. I was able to discuss my work with women and healing from their sexual past and give them my books. I also attended a meeting in the main conference room that has all the seats for the countries and the listening devices for translations.
One disappointment here is that the workshop Pam Stenzel and I were supposed to do was bumped by another group on our team and so we will not be speaking. But I am trusting that God has other reasons for me being here. A praise is that I have been given the opportunity to attend a studio taping of the Huckabee show with Sarah Palin hosting. I’d love to be able to give her one of my books, and am praying that God will give me an opportunity to do that.

Day Two
Today was an amazing day of opportunities. I attended a workshop put on by a group from Nigeria on the violence against women there. Afterwards I talked with several women from different countries in Africa and they were devouring all my materials, books, CDs, and brochures. The women of Africa are particularly anxious to have resources to help their women and are very open to our message.
I also spoke in length to a woman who works with the Family Research Council, a pro-life, pro-family political lobby group in Washington. They have amazing influence on legislature in support of marriage, life and family. She was eager to take my books as well and spread the word through her contacts and blogs.
But the highlight of my day was being able to share some of my testimony today in one of our workshops. We had some people who were somewhat hostile to our message but when we started sharing our testimonies you could see a softening from them. I praise God for giving me the words to share.
In only two days God has given me many divine appointments and opportunities to share with others. One of the greatest blessings is my team members. I’m here with doctors, lawyers, other speakers, leaders of international ministries, etc., and I can see God giving me contacts and open doors to spread His message of healing and truth.
Thank you so much for praying. Getting time to blog has been much harder than I imagined. We literally are gone from early morning until evening, and then meet as a team every evening from 9pm until 11 or midnight.
I’ll write again tomorrow and tell you all about the show! We’re also meeting the delegates from Israel tomorrow, and we have appointments to meet with the delegates from the US on Thursday.
Blessings, Barb

Speaking at the United Nations!

Sometime in November I got a call from my friend, Pam Stenzel. She'd been invited to speak at the United Nations Status of Women Conference in New York City in March 2010. She was asked to speak on the impact of the free sex, free love culture on women. Now, Pam is big...I mean she speaks to over half a million people a year all over the world. But for some reason she has blessed me with her endorsements of the message God has given me to share about the healing we can have from our sexual pasts.

She's calling to invite me to speak with her at the conference. You can imagine how excited, scared and honored I was! Well here it is...the time has come. I leave March 6th to spend the week in New York City where I'll be speaking with a team of women called Women for Life International from all over the world. We'll have the opportunity to speak to delegates from countries all over the world, as well as the possibility of meeting with some of the most influential policy makers with regards to women's issues in the world.

I have no idea what to expect...so I'm just going with an open mind, available to meet and speak to whomever God brings my way. It will be long days talking and meeting with people. I'm asking people to pray for us while we're there that God will make us bold, will give us divine appointments and put the words in our mouths.

I'll be blogging throughout the week so you can experience this with me. As well, if you'd like to receive on the spot, up to the minute prayer requests, email me at info@barbarawilson.org and request to become part of my prayer team. I'll be texting my prayer requests to someone who will be sending them out to you. Also, look for my posts on facebook and twitter.

Thank you...can't wait to tell you all about it!