Uncertainty at its finest and God at His throughout it all!

One of the ways that I have been getting prepared for this great opportunity in Cambodia is by reading the book Ordeal in Cambodia – One Family’s Survival – Escape from the Khmer Rouge. This is a story by Vek Huong Taing as told by Sharon Fischer. You can read this book online at the following website: http://www.cambodianewlife.org/ordeal/foreword. I have read through it a couple of times because it is such an amazing story!

As I read the story of Rev. Vek Huong and Samoeum Taing’s journey through Cambodia with their son, Wephousana, I was left in complete awe of their faith. This young family committed to staying in Cambodia during the time that it was occupied by the Khmer Rouge in order to further spread God’s love to those that had not heard of it before. No matter the level of unpredictability, they remained calm and sure that God was in control. They knew he was guiding their path and He NEVER let them down! Although their story took place 30+ years ago, I wanted to share a few stories from the book that continue to stay with me.

To begin, this family was living in Cambodia when the Khmer Rouge first took over Phnom Phen. They were told to leave everything they knew and were not told where to go. Immediately they witnessed traumatic circumstances all around them. Samoeum had given birth just 2 months prior. I truly can’t imagine being told one day that I just had to take what I could and start walking! Fortunately they were able to take their car for the first leg of the trip. What amazed me was that through the two weeks of going to an unknown location, they spent their time praying instead of asking why and worrying. They relied on God to show them when they should stop. He made it clear when they arrived at their first village they stayed at for a little while. It was here that they remained committed to being honest and shared that they were related to someone that had worked for the former government. This usually meant death. They thought about Romans 14:8 (“If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord”)and were ok with the fact that death may be around the corner for them. God had different plans. They lived to continue his work.

During their time at their first village, they were tested, not allowed to share their faith, and pushed close to starvation. God provided the encouragement to keep going as well as extra food so Samoeum and Wephousana could stay well nourished. When they felt it was time to move on, they prayed that God would show them a way to Battambang because that was near the border of Thailand. They felt that if they could move there, they could escape captivity and commited to continue to serve God. Then was a time of waiting. Four months went by before there was any answer to this prayer! I can’t imagine how long that felt when faced with such daily hardships! After 4 months, someone came to tell them that the people from their village were being moved three different cities and one was Battambang. The family felt this was an answer to prayer. They continued to pray that if God wanted them to serve Him freely, that He would lead them out of this to Battambang. On the way a Khmer Rouge soldier told them they shouldn’t go because they weren’t really going to Battambang. The family felt that they were supposed to go and continued. I have to believe that they must been so close to God daily in order to truly decipher what His will for them was at this critical decision making point. Although they said it was a tough decision, they were sure that continuing is God’s will.

They were dropped in the middle of the jungle during the monsoon season on their way to Battambang. Again they were living in very trying circumstances. They didn’t know where they would live or how they would get enough nourishment. God showed up in a BIG way! Vek Huong knew that his family couldn’t survive on the sporadic small amounts of rice. He prayed that God would provide nourishment specifically for his wife and son. For two months, God allowed him to find one fish per day that was 8-10 inches long in the rice patties he was working in. This was unheard of! Fish that size don’t normally live in rice patties. Again…God reminded them that he was in complete control of their every need!

The finaly “wow” moment for me was when they escaped from this jungle village. Someone had come to their home (that they didn’t know) and said the specific words that they prayed to hear, “Do you want to go with me?” They went with him and walked through monsoon rains to a train station. They waited three days before they could get on the train they were relying on because of the monsoons. This was when God’s perfect timing became evident among the uncertainty. They realized the monsoons had kept the soldiers from looking for them. That had kept them alive and safe. When the rain subsided, they met a soldier who asked them if they had permission to board the train. If not, they would die. Samoeum was honest and said they would if that soldier gave it to them. At that very moment, the danger increased because a train full of Khmer Rouge soldiers pulled up. They could have been killed once again! But…God had a different idea. All that waiting for just the right train that God had arranged. The soldier they had met before (that warned them not to go to Battambang) was on that train. He called them sister and brother and allowed them on the train. They were safe!!! Amazing timing!!!!!!!!!!!!

Throughout all of their experiences, they were able to maintain their faith through prayer. Others noticed their peaceful nature as well as their love for others that truly had to come from God. They helped others when no one could imagine doing any other work. They were showing God’s love to people without words. At times, they were able to share the story of Jesus dying for us and how that could change a person’s life. Over the course of their journey, many around became Christians.

Once the first Cambodian towns were freed by the Vietnamese, Vek Huong found out that his name was on a list of people to soon be killed. If the country had not started to be freed at that time, he could have very well been killed. Again…God’s timing taking care of him! Finally this family was able to make their way through the jungle to freedom. It was a very tough last leg of their fight to freedom! They prayed for water, physical strength and safety for the group and were granted it. When they arrived at the refugee camp, the people there were amazed that all 26 of them had made it out alive. This was unheard of at this time!

What I take away most from this book is simply that God provides hope, encouragement and guidance in the face of uncertainty no matter how big! Fortunately I have not been in similar circumstances to this family. It really makes me appreciate my freedom that just seems normal because it has been my life. I know that as we get ready for this trip to Cambodia, there are going to be many instances of uncertainty and times when our plans don’t go how we thought they would. The great part is the promise that is in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” As long as we keep our focus on God, we can be assured that His will and His plans will be done on this trip. It is exciting to know that this group will be able to be the hands, feet, and voices of God’s love during our time in Cambodia. I truly can’t wait to see what He has in store for us!!