Hope For The Nations

About a month ago I noticed one of the staff looking tired. Her name is Honey and she's the masseuse at Redemption Spa and a mother of 3 kids.

Each passing day she looked more and more ill until another staff member told me how sick she was. I know I shouldn't be throwing money at problems that arise but felt like I wanted to help this woman. Someone explained to me that seeing the doctors would cost between $15-20 per visit and that didn't include medicine. To give you an idea of how much that is worth to her; her monthly salary is $100. What kind of Christian would I be if turn a blind eye when another person is in deperate need of a doctor.

I ended up giving her $24 dollars. $20 for the doctor and medicine and the rest for food. I told her she can go home early since its Friday afternoon and take Saturday off. Sunday is her usual day off, giving her about 2 days to rest.

I left for Phnom Penh that weekend. Upon my return a week later I was happy to see she is well. She felt so touched that she invited over to her simple home for dinner. Check out the video and your will know what I mean.

Hi everyone,

This week was the first of training at Redemption Spa for women working at the karaoke bars. It was good to see them comitted to being there with energy and entusiasm after a long night of working. As you can see they are happy and eager to be here to learn a new trade to better their lives and the lives of their families. Please pray for them

For those who aren't clear as what we are doing at Hope and why we are doing it, below is a simple org chart to explain

CHO(Cambodia Hope Organisation)

• operate multiple ministries throughout Poipet
• Safe Haven and Hope Transformation Center are 2 examples

Hope Tranformation Center(HTC) consist of:

• Safe House for women
• Business for mission- it aims to profit so it can fund CHO's ministries
• Redemption Spa and Destiny Cafe are 2 examples of business operating under HTC
• Provide women in the sex trade a place to stay, counselling and new job training
• A class of women are currently being trained out of Redemption Spa

Any patrons purchasing drinks and foodn at HTC are funding for many much needed ministries that CHO overlook in Poipet. A big shout out to Brenda Janzen who has committed her talents and experience in the Spa industry to teach and train these women.

One of the main projects CHO is involved is Safe Have which I had a chance to tour yesterday along with a short-term from the UK serving at Safe Haven.

What really impressed me other than the fact there are 11 girls to 2 boys, are their positive attitudes towards manual work and serving. There high spirits and good nature were very infectious and hilarious at times.

Safe Haven aims to rescue children at risk of being trafficked. They are provided a place to live and given a chance to go to school which is located on the land purchased a while ago. In addition to providing a shelfer there is also a playground and cafetaria. There is also some vocational/skills training  provided at computer center, wood working shop and a sewing center.

Since CHO's goal is make their projects self sufficient as possible, located at the back of the property are food ponds, chicken farm, duck farm and fruit farm.

As I was making my way back from the farms I observed how the team was manually shovelling and removing dirt as you will see below. A few of them taught english while a couple worked in the libraries organzing books.

What really struck was how many women with huge hearts are willing to go abroad to serve in this way. Where are the men? There seems to be a 3:1 ratio of women to men for this type of work. That is unacceptable. For Christian men looking for a quality Christian women there isn't a better place to meet them. Caring, servant hearted, God fearing and doesn't mind doing dirty work. Enough said! 

Good job TearFundUK!

Hi everyone, 

I've arrived in Poipet Cambodia last night at 6:30pm and currently staying at the hotel next door. Its a 1 minute commute for me everyday. How many can say that?

The staff here has been really welcoming especially Rosa, a 20 yr old who I will be working closely for the next 6 months to help set up the businesses at Hope. As I tour the facility I can't but get excited by the possibilities here to help transform lives and families. 

There are some real opportunities for indviduals who would like a unique chance to not only to give their time and talents but to be able to plant seedsnow and in time watch it take a life of its own. Knowing you efforts will continue blossom and grow after your inital investment is amazing. We have need in the areas of:

• baker(in Cambodia)
• photographer(in Cambodia)
• graphic designer(remote)

I feel so incredibly blessed by those how have supported me during my fund raising. Opening their wallets, giving their time and most important, words of encouragement that sustained me during times of self doubt.

Here are some photos of Destiny Cafe.