CAMBODIA
Cambodia is a country recovering from recent fighting and oppression. Just twelve years ago, there were so many killings and torturing, it was called “The Killing Fields”. The communists’ guerrillas known as the “Khmer Rouge” were terrorizing the entire country. Hundreds of Thousands were openly killed and tortured. Even at this time there were some who were Christians and continued to witness for Christ. They met in secret at night in their upper hut areas. The physical effects of this “time of torture” are very evident today. The maimed, sick and blind are represented in every family. We must also add that the effects of their prayers and Faith in Jesus Christ are also very evident. Bible believing Churches are scattered across the country and new Christians are being baptized regularly. The steep mountain ridges and low lands cause Cambodia to have extreme flooding that compounds their poverty. The need for food, medicine and training for church leaders is still a major factor. Pray for Cambodia and the Khmer people as they continue growing in Christ. Cambodia - Frequently asked Questions and Answers 1. How are Christians treated now?
They are treated much better now. They can hold conferences, meetings, worship services. Sometimes they are allowed to have a crusade or mass evangelism. (Keep in mind that this is not a free country.) 2. How were they treated the last few years?
They have been threatened and not allowed to have some things in public. Scheduled Worship services were often not allowed. The “Powers” over the local authorities were restrictive in the Christians freedoms.
3. How were they treated under the previous Communist Khmer Rouge?
Under Khmer rouge regime there was torture and no religion allowed at all.
4. Are there Communist or Dictators there now?
We cannot tell, because all of those Communist Leaders are still in position in the high governmental positions. They have different titles and names.
5. How can we help The Christians in Cambodia?
Pray regularly for: Evangelism Efforts, Church Leadership training, Finances to build churches, and the help in providing food and medicine.
6. Are the Christian Churches growing in Size? . . .and in new Church starts?
Yes, it is exciting to see Christian churches growing in size as well as their desire for new church work. There are different denominations sharing Jesus Christ as Lord.
7. What is an average annual wage? . . .how much is needed for a family of 5?
Normal Annual wage for single person is $600 plus or minus. In contrast it is hard to survive in the city with only $50 a month, but easier in the rural areas. In the countryside, a family of 5 can live well with $100/ month.
8. How does the weather affect the people?
The weather is normally warm to hot. The months of March, April and May are very hot and dusty, 100+ degrees. There are also about three or four months of a “Rainy Season” with dangerous Flooding followed by “Disease Season”.
9. What Dangers or Problems do the people face?
Corruption in the government offices and there is no way for the people to improve their life or living conditions. This is especially true for the Widows and Orphans.
10. What are their Hopes (Goals)?
They have no hope only a desire to find food and existence for the day. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ have Hope and Faith. He has given them a broader vision and a love for others.
11. What are the Christians’ hopes and goals for Cambodia?
Hope that the Lord will keep the door open for the gospel longer so that young people will have the opportunity to come to Christ. The present younger generations are those who will be the leaders tomorrow.
12. What can we pray for specifically?
Our prayers are to have as many people as possible to come to Christ
especially those who are serving in the government offices and university
students. Also pray that the Lord will send more Christian organizations and
missionaries to assist the Christians to grow and to be able to personally share Jesus.
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Cambodia is a poor developing country with a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarch. A coalition government was formed between the two major political parties in November 1998, following national elections in July of that year. SAFETY AND SECURITY: The formation of a coalition government in 1998 has eased political tensions considerably. However, sporadic acts of violence have occurred, such as in late November 2000 when an anti-government group based in the U.S. led an early-morning attack against some government buildings in Phnom Penh. Grenade attacks and bombings have been used as a form of retribution to settle business and personal disputes. Therefore, the U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens to avoid political gatherings or demonstrations, and to be extra cautious in the vicinity of political party offices as well as military buildings or compounds in Phnom Penh and in provincial capitals. The U.S. Embassy advises its personnel who travel to the provinces to exercise extreme caution outside the provincial towns during the day and in any place at night. Many rural parts of the country remain without effective policing and are subject to banditry. Land mines and unexploded ordnance can be found in rural areas throughout Cambodia, but especially in Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Siem Reap, and Kampong Thom provinces. At no time should travelers walk in forested areas or in dry rice paddies without a local guide. Areas around small bridges on secondary roads are particularly dangerous. Travelers who observe anything that resembles a mine or unexploded ordnance should not touch it. They should notify the Cambodia Mine Action Center at telephone 023-368-841/981-083 or 084. The town of Siem Reap and the vicinity of the Angkor Wat temple complex remain officially open to tourists, but the U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens to travel only by air and to limit their movements to the city of Siem Reap and the main Angkor Wat temple complexes. The risk of banditry and military activity continues in various parts of Siem Reap Province. Illegal checkpoints, requiring cash payment to pass, have been reported sporadically on the road to the Banteay Srey temple, which is approximately 30 kilometers (about 19 miles) northeast of the town of Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. Americans are advised to consult with local police or tourist authorities before traveling to Banteay Srey. CRIME: Crime and banditry are persistent problems in many areas of the country. The U.S. Embassy advises its personnel to review their personal security practices regularly. The severe poverty in Cambodia has contributed to an increase in armed robberies and assaults, sometimes during daylight hours. A number of Americans have been robbed at gunpoint in Phnom Penh. Most individuals were robbed while riding on motorcycle taxis or cyclos (passenger-carrying bicycles) and generally after dark, but such incidents have occurred in broad daylight as well. U.S. citizens should avoid traveling alone, especially after dark and limit outdoor activity after dark in the capital city area and return home or to their hotel early in the evening. The U.S. Embassy advises its personnel to carry photocopies of their U.S. passport, driver's license or other important documents.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities and services in Cambodia are not up to international standards.
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/diseases.htm Food and waterborne diseases are the number one cause of illness in travelers.
Travelers’ diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout the region and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E. coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis). Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. Malaria is a preventable infection that can be fatal if left untreated. Prevent infection by taking prescription anti-malarial drugs and protecting yourself against mosquito bites. Travelers to some areas in Southeast Asia may be at risk for malaria; there is no risk of malaria in Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain of these countries if you are coming from a country in tropical South America or sub-Saharan Africa. (There is no risk for yellow fever in Southeast Asia.)
Dengue, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, and plague are diseases carried by insects that also occur in this region. Protecting yourself against insect bites. It will help to prevent these diseases. Do not swim in fresh water (except in well-chlorinated swimming pools) in certain areas of Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, and Thailand to avoid infection with schistosomiasis. Avoid swimming except in the Approved hotel pools. Because motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury among travelers, walk and drive defensively. Avoid travel at night if possible and always use seat belts. CDC recommends the following vaccines (as appropriate for age): See your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect. - Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).
- Hepatitis B if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months in the region, or be exposed through medical treatment.
- Japanese encephalitis, only if you plan to visit rural areas for 4 weeks or more, except under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis.
- Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
- Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
- As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles, and a one-time dose of polio for adults.
Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not complete the series as infants.
To stay healthy, do... - Wash hands often with soap and water.
- Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by BOTH filtering through an “absolute 1-micron or less” filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. “Absolute 1-micron filters” are found in camping/outdoor supply stores.
- Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.
- If you visit an area where there is risk for malaria, take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed. (See your doctor for a prescription.)
- Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals), and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
- To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot.
To avoid getting sick... - Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
- Don’t drink beverages with ice.
- Don’t eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized.
- Don’t share needles with anyone.
- Don’t handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague). Don’t swim in fresh water. Salt water is usually safer (Only in approved areas)
What you need to bring with you: - Long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear while outside whenever possible, to prevent illnesses carried by insects (e.g., malaria, dengue, filariasis, and Japanese encephalitis).
- Insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children.
- Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medicine to take if you have diarrhea.
- Iodine tablets and water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available. See Do’s above for more detailed information about water filters.
- Sunblock, sunglasses, hat.
- Prescription medications: make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescription(s).
After you return home: If you have visited a malaria-risk area, continue taking your antimalarial drug for 4 weeks (chloroquine, Lariam®, doxycycline) or seven days (Malarone™) after leaving the risk area. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area and up to1 year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and should tell the physician their travel history. |
