In September 2008, I went on a short term mission trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This was my first mission trip to Southeast Asia, and the objective is to observe and learn about lives of the missionaries and to serve as partner with them to provide basic health education to local Cambodians.

It was a blessing to be hosted by the CEM missionary couple, Rev. Joseph & Liza Ng, who have been serving in Phnom Penh for about 10 years. On my first day of arrival, Rev. Ng spoke to me about the historical background of Cambodia, and how the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s lead to the underdevelopment of the country today, with a greater proportions of teenagers that make up the population. Besides, many Cambodians worship idols and believe idols greatly influence their fate and daily lives. This is an obstacle for new Christians to have sustained Christian faith. Thus, the ministries of Rev. & Mrs. Ng focused on 1) Outreaching the community and bring Cambodians to Christ; 2) Building of faith in the younger generations and 2) Nurturing of junior pastor and his wife to become spiritually mature leaders of the church and to the community.

During my 8 days of stay in Cambodia with Rev. & Mrs. Ng, I saw different aspects of their ministries. Most of the days when I was there, Rev & Mrs. Ng started the day with a prayer meeting and sharing with the pastoral staff in the church office. Then, the days will be filled leading fellowships, local visits of neighbors who have struggles in lives, teaching English and Mandarin classes to a group of about 30 children in the neighborhood, as well as taking a 2-hr language class to continue their learning of Cambodians. I was told that Cambodians has 24 vowels and many more alphabets – which is not as 

easy to learn as English!  Towards the end of my stay, we also went to a suburb area 2 hours away from Phnom Penh to visit and pray for the villagers who were sick or had spiritual struggle.

In three different occasions, Liza served as my translator as I spoke to Cambodians on various topics about health, disease prevention and the proper use of drugs – such as balanced diet, management of colds and flu, food poisoning, stomach upset, hypertension, and the proper use of antibiotics. By the end of the workshop, everyone was offered to have their blood pressure measured. Some of them were shocking to realize how hypertension has no signs and symptoms hence its nickname “silent killer”. Due to a large proportion of high-salt preserved food in their diet, Cambodians in Phnom Penh have various degree of hypertension. Although it is not easy to change their eating habit and their perspectives on personal hygiene due to limitations in living standards, Cambodians were eager to improve their qualities of lives and was thankful for my sharing of health topics.

The eight days visit to the CEM Cambodia mission field passed by sooner than I thought. Being a student in the healthcare field in the US whose daily schedule is filled with classes, exams, internships and serving in the church, having the opportunity to serve the poor for God using my health knowledge was a unique experience. It takes a different approach to provide health education to people in a resourceful country vs. country that is still developing. On the other hand, I was very impressed by Rev. and Mrs. Ng’s dedications to this mission field. They have listening ears that are willing to hear everyone’s problem and to pray for them. They seize every opportunity in their daily lives to care for and bring people to Christ. They love children in the neighborhood and always leave their doors open for children together and learn. It is through them that salvation can be delivered to people in Cambodia.

It was a mixed feeling to depart Cambodia after my first mission trip there. On one side, I was looking forward to return home after the experienced living in an underdeveloped country, where chaotic traffic conditions and low living standards had caused much discomfort. On the other hand, I felt sad to left Rev. & Mrs. Ng, who dedicated their lives to serve God in Cambodia. During my stay, we had many chances to discuss about sacrifices and struggle of missionaries, and I felt the strong urge to continue supporting their ministries for God there. It is my hope that I will return to Cambodia and be able to serve with them again.

Until I return, I will remember the need for Cambodia mission field in prayers:

• Spiritual support for Rev. & Mrs. Ng

• The health of Rev. & Mrs. Ng

• Much needed funding to build dormitories / new church, where teenagers can grow together in Christ.

• Children ministries

Cathy Hau

San Francisco, CA, USA

March 2009