Kelbe Cocking, a sophomore here at Spring Arbor University, is currently overseas in Cambodia for her Cross Cultural Studies. She fortunately has been blogging about her experiences there and is willing to share them with “The Pulse.” You can follow more of her adventures at http://ajournalofadventure.blogspot.com/ .

Well, it’s been about one week since I arrived in Phnom Phen, Cambodia.  There is so much to say about what I have seen and learned and experienced. It’s been busy, and the keyboard is very sticky, so I won’t write much. Here are a few highlights…

On Monday, we went to S-21 and the Killing Fields. S-21 was a torture center for prisoners of the Khmer Rouge. It was powerful and eerie to walk around in the cells where innocent men and women were tortured to the point of insanity before Vietnam invaded.  It was humbling and heartbreaking as our guide told us his own story and broke down into tears at the memory. The Killing Fields was a similar experience. We walked on top of mass graves and could even see bones and teeth sticking out of the ground. I found myself being frustrated at my inability to reconcile the evil that was done in that place.

Tuesday was a refreshing day of visiting House of Joy and House of Peace…it was wonderful to see the joy of these children. I love kiddos, so this was a blast. I love that it is easy to communicate with children, even with a language barrier. There will be another post about these ministries that sponsor children to go to school and what can be

done to improve education.

On Wednesday we were given the opportunity to talk to some women who work in a garment factory. This was so eye opening. We were able to go to the place where they live…I have never seen such poverty. I am going to post more on the problem of garment factories and what can be done. Thursday night, I was able to see an area of Phnom Phen where the sex industry was thick and oppressive. I was devastated and angry and frustrated with God and His claim to be Good.  I struggled to see any bit of hope.

Read Psalm 17. Then read this: Psalm 18:28 “You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” This was my prayer the next morning as I fought to see and understand where God was. I asked God to show up. Sure enough, He did. I was able to experience Rahab House and Agape Ministries. Rahab House used to be one of the worst brothels in Cambodia, selling girls less than 10 years of age, a kind of evil that I cannot reconcile.

International Justice Mission did a raid and rescued many of them and arrested the perpetrators. It is now a church and community center. Walking around that building, where five and six-year-olds were once forced to have sex with men against their will was the most redeeming experience I have ever had. The power of God’s love and goodness was overwhelming. Agape Ministries was just the same; it is a beautiful rehabilitation center for girls formerly caught in the sex trade.

God is working in Cambodia. He is good. I am learning to see that and to understand that justice belongs to him, not to me. What a blessing.