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By Cara Bain, Communications Design Manager

Tuol Sleng ­– a place where I saw tragedy and beauty held together most beautifully. It was previously a school building before the Khmer Rouge regime took it over and turned it into a torture prison during the genocide from 1975-1979. Now a museum, its bare rooms contain the metal frames of beds where so many were tortured and executed horrifically not that long ago. Some of the rooms are packed with tiny wooden holding cells, which held those accused to be affiliated with the CIA (seemingly everyone and anyone). After walking through those rooms and learning about their history, you’d expect anyone visiting Tuol Sleng to leave only with a realization of the ugly, brutal nature of humanity.

In another room is an exhibition of photos. Rows upon rows of portraits of each prisoner, captured beautifully at their most vulnerable moment before their inevitable torture and execution. During my first visit to the museum over a year ago, I felt compelled to stare into each and every face in those photographs. I felt I owed it to them to try to know and remember them in that way. I was overwhelmed by the realization that each was a souled being, created intricately, loved uniquely, and gifted uniquely. It was the only way I could really grasp the meaning of the genocide, the meaning of millions of lives lost. More so, it reminded me of each of the individuals we serve here in Cambodia who are alive today. The people in those portraits, whose features I studied so carefully, were dismissed as unworthy of life. But they were so loved by their Creator, enough that He lost his own life for them in a way that was just as horrific. He has not forgotten them; neither will we.

It can be so easy in our day-to-day lives to skim past faces as beautiful as the ones in those photos. It can be so easy to lump people together under the heading of their race or culture. It can be so easy to be shocked by an issue on an emotional level, but reduce those effects to statistics, or put them all into the most shocking story we’ve heard. However, when confronted by an issue, if we react only with shock and respond only based on emotion, it can be tempting to disengage after those initial feelings wear off. Worse, we can respond in ways that are not thought out, and end up using band-aid solutions to address only what is shocking rather than the underlying causes that often run much deeper.

It is only by looking past the issue to the people behind it, committing to them for an extended period of time and being attentive to them, that we discover their real needs. Only then can we begin to see each Cambodian as God sees them. For he created each person with a beautiful complexity beyond comprehension, and through His redemption we will see each strand woven together into something of immeasurable beauty.
Let us look intently to each of those we serve now, with the eyes of Him who created them, who loves each one uniquely.

April is Volunteer Appreciation month and we wanted to introduce you to some of our amazing volunteers who invest their energy in the work of Ratanak. We asked them a range of questions – from Ratanak to spiritual to food – and we hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as we do!

For our third week of volunteer features, we are pleased to introduce Peter & Sheri Phillips. They are Area Representatives in Cambridge, Ontario and represent Ratanak at various speaking engagements and promotional opportunities in their area and as far as Halifax! They are an incredibly gifted couple and we are so blessed by their heart and commitment for the people of Cambodia and the work of Ratanak.

1 / How long have you volunteered with Ratanak?

It all started when we volunteered to be part of a team, from Forward Church in Cambridge, that travelled to Cambodia to finish painting the Sanctuary(now hosting a kids club and other community-serving activities in a brothel district) in 2010. We fell in love with Cambodia and its people and were honored to become Reps the following year. We are amazed by the dedication of the Ratanak staff and volunteers who we have come to love and cherish – such a great team.

2 / What is your favorite Ratanak Moment?

There are so many, it’s hard to list them all!

Peter: Being in Cambodia, meeting with the partner agencies and feeling overwhelmed in praise and thankfulness at what God has done through Ratanak: aligning with partners to fill gaps and needs, hearing stories of changed lives and helping a broad spectrum of organizations launch ministries.

Sheri: The continual impact of the inspiring story of how God started Ratanak, has and continues to work in Cambodia. There isn’t a person who has heard the story and not been moved at what God has accomplished, even if they aren’t believers. In English class our oldest daughter, Victoria, had to write about someone who inspired them and wrote about Brian and Ratanak. The teacher was quite impacted by the story and keeps talking about it.

3 / What is your most distinct memory in Cambodia?

Peter: It is always the interaction with people that has the greatest impact. Listening to Pastor Chantha’s heart and vision for the people he ministers to. The opportunity to interact with the disciples and children while painting the mural in Rahab I. Included too is the Grannies night shelter – it is always a powerful experience listening to their life stories of hardship and loss be transformed by the offer of love, respect, basic needs, and the introduction of the power of Jesus Christ in their lives. It has facilitated significant physical, emotional, social and spiritual change in the lives of the Grannies that has rippled blessings into the lives of their children, grandchildren and communities.

Sheri: We were headed to Hagar for a second day of painting and when we got there, discovered the paint had been forgotten. I did groan inwardly, but the time available then was such a God-ordained opportunity. We did a prayer walk around the school and then the teachers allowed the older students out of their class to interact with us. We sang to them, played “Duck, Duck, Goose” and prayed over them. Something I will never forget.

4 / Why do you volunteer?

God has not put us here to live for ourselves and we have always had opportunity, both inside and outside our church, to be involved with and minister to people. Although we have had rich and full careers in working with vulnerable people, we wanted to begin to look “towards evening” – the last part of our life journey. Retirement is about 8 years away and we were seeking where God would have us involved after the “day jobs” were finished. Our step of volunteering to paint the Sanctuary was the first step of faith in seeking the Lord’s direction and leading for our lives. We could not have imagined then what we have had the privilege to participate in through Ratanak to date. We are evermore excited to see what the Lord has in store for using us as vessels for His service.

This verse from Isaiah 58:9-12, in The Message, resonates with us as framework for our lives in response to God’s command and promises:

“This is the kind of fast day I’m after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You’ll call out of for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’ A Full Life in the Emptiest of Places “If you get rid of unfair practices, quit blaming victims, quit gossiping about other people’s sins, If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight. I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places – firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You’ll be known as those who can fix anything; restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.”

5 / What is your day job?

We both work for the Social Services Department in the municipal government, the Region of Waterloo. Peter is the supervisor of a team in Ontario Works (Welfare) and Sheri is the manager of Child Care Subsidy.

6 / Who is one person, dead or alive, that you would like to have coffee with?

Peter: There are many but at this point, I would choose Brian – any time I spend with him is inspiring.

Sheri: Ann Voskamp – through her writings and ministry has taught me so much about being thankful.

7 / Who or what is your favorite biblical character, story, or passage?

Sheri: The Apostle Peter – I love Christ’s forgiveness and restoration of Peter after he denied Christ. It is a poignant picture of grace – we know what we should do and we don’t do it, and yet He still loves and forgives and has a purpose for us.

Peter: Abraham – starting from the point being called to follow God through his response to follow even though he didn’t fully understand where he was going or what he would experience. He moved forward in faith, did things that were hard, went to new and difficult places, was willing to sacrifice everything that was dear to him in order to obey his God. He wasn’t perfect but remained faithful until the end of his life. It is the challenge for my life to deny my own self-focus and live fully abandoned to Jesus Christ.

8 / What is your favorite flavor of ice-cream?

Sheri: Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!

Peter: Salted Caramel or coffee

9 / What is one place to visit on your bucket list?

Peter: Food tasting through Tuscany, Italy with Sheri.

Sheri: Paris

10 / What super-power would you like to have?

Peter: Super vision to replace my slowly fading bi-focal eyes.

Sheri: To be able to fly – so I don’t have to take planes.

11 / What is your all-time favorite food?

Peter: This is really hard, I love it all…lamb or a 40-day, dry-aged striploin steak.

Sheri: Fresh baked bread with butter

12 / Cake or pie?

Sheri: apple pie anytime

Peter: both please

April is Volunteer Appreciation month and we wanted to introduce you to some of our amazing volunteers who invest their energy in the work of Ratanak. We asked them a range of questions – from Ratanak to spiritual to food – and we hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as we do!

The second volunteer we are pleased to introduce is Paul Dylla, our Vancouver Area Representative. Paul serves with excellence in many areas: facilitating the Vancouver Core Group, local promotional initiatives, and overseeing the Ride for Refuge – which means that he has a very full plate (not to mention his day job).

1 / How long have you volunteered with Ratanak?

I started helping out at Missions Fest in 2009 and joined the Vancouver group in mid-2010 when Melissa ran it.

2 / What is your favorite Ratanak Moment?

Anytime I share with others how our God is redeeming lives in Cambodia. I also love the day before the Ride for Refuge, when I sit back and watch God’s Spirit engaging people right across our country to make a difference in the lives of the vulnerable, the trafficked and the exploited.

3 / What is your most distinct memory in Cambodia?

Listening to the managers of the two cake shops share stories about the lives of the girls, their struggles and their glorious transformation. It brings tears of joy to my eyes.

The Rahab’s House project, although very much a Fairview Church mission, was aiding the work of Ratanak and AIM. It was a physically, emotionally and spiritually grueling two weeks in Cambodia and a further six months recovery afterward… but a unique opportunity to establish a foothold in Svay Pack for the work God had already begun there years before we showed up. To observe the speed at which God was changing lives in that place of darkness has left many on the team grasping for appropriate adjectives.

4 / Why do you volunteer?

I thought long and hard about this and realized that I don’t volunteer… I serve. I’ve always wanted to be part of God’s kingdom story, to be his serving hands and feet, and serving alongside the Ratanak staff is where I believe God is calling me to serve Him.

5 / Who is one person, dead or alive, that you would like to have coffee with?

My mom. She passed away a couple of weeks after Mother’s Day in 2012, and in her last years was struggling with periods of dementia. We lived 5000km apart, so I didn’t get to see her as much as I needed to. I look forward to having coffee with her in heaven and listening to stories of her life. She was the kindest, gentlest and most loving person I’ve ever known. I am who I am largely because of her influence.

6 / What is one place to visit on your bucket list?

Outer Space

7 / Who or what is your favorite biblical character, story, or passage?

When Jesus calls his first disciples to follow him. It was only when I learned the first century Jewish context for the term “follow me” that I understood why their parents allowed them to drop their nets and walk away from the family business… and about the absolute confidence that God has in us when he engages us be his hands and feet.

8 / What super-power would you like to have?

Super wisdom, closely followed by super strength – as long as that one came with a body like Superman. Being super strong and having love handles just doesn’t cut it.

9 / What is your all-time favorite food?

Cambodian mango smoothies 😉

10 / Name three people who have inspired you…

1. My mother – for giving me a sense of compassion.
2. Debbie and Sandy Magee – for introducing me to Jesus.
3. Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and Reaksa Himm – for showing me what loving your enemies really looks like.

Okay, that’s more than three people… sorry 😉

Paul, thank you for taking the time to share this snapshot of your world! We truly enjoy working alongside you to build His kingdom and are so thankful for your investment in Ratanak. We pray for favor and blessing as you continue to faithfully serve.

April is Volunteer Appreciation month and we wanted to introduce you to some of our amazing volunteers who are investing their energy in the work of Ratanak. We asked them a range of questions – from Ratanak to spiritual to food – and we hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as we do!

First up are Paul Wan & Jessika Mak, the husband-wife dynamic-duo that serve as our Toronto Area Representatives. They oversee the volunteers and initiatives in Toronto, from Pray Big Pray Bold to promotional opportunities and speaking events. Paul & Jessika live in Mississauga with their two beautiful daughters, and it doesn’t take long to see the level of passion and commitment that Paul and Jessika bring to life, faith, and Ratanak…

1 / How long have you volunteered with Ratanak?

Paul: Since September 2009. My wife, Jessika, joined the Toronto core group after she attended a social justice conference hosted by Ratanak and decided to get involved. After many months of listening to her talking, crying and praying over the issue, I decided to be a part of that.

2 / What is your favorite Ratanak Moment?

Paul: Being with Ratanak is like being in a spiritual family.

Jessika: That would be the Lord’s calling me (an utter stutter) to speak in front of a crowd in Hong Kong about Cambodia and Ratanak when my father had recently passed away. I happened to be there was to prepare for the funeral, yet my deep grief and pain didn’t stop the Lord from calling me to speak. I remember vividly when He called me to continue to pray for a little Cambodian girl when I was grieving and preparing for a 2-hour long presentation. In that moment of deep pain and sorrow, my “ah-ha” moment came to accept His call to serve Him by serving and deeply loving the people in Cambodia despite any visible adversaries, even on the brim of losing my father. That just SEALED THE DEAL through and through. Now 5 years later, I still cannot wrap my head around this. If the Lord’s willing, I dare to pray that this ministry is for life. (My hands are shaking as I type this out!)

3 / What is your most distinct memory in Cambodia?

Paul: I had an opportunity to spend time over dinner and interact with the girls from the rehabilitation program. There was a little girl sitting at our table and she was my daughter’s age – that moment really spoke volumes.

Jessika: When I was in Svay Pak in 2011 and surprisingly bumped into the little girl whom I had been praying for more than 2 years for her safety. She was in immense danger of being trafficked by her father. I had a chance to walk up to her and introduced myself and to have her in my arms and we were in full embrace for the longest time like an estranged mother reunited with her daughter. That’s the moment I heard from the Lord saying, “This is the fruit of your prayers, whom I now place in your arms! Don’t stop doing what you are doing! Keep praying!”

4 / Why do you volunteer?

Jessika: It all started in January 2009 when I was invited to attend a social justice conference learning about child sex trafficking in Cambodia. My heart was shattered after listening to Brian, Don Brewster, and Lisa’s deep conviction and commitment to fight injustice. After many months of prayer and reading materials about Cambodia and child sex trafficking, I decided to attend the Toronto core group led by Lisa and got involved in whatever ways I could. Ever since, my life and faith journey have been forever changed.

5 / Who is 1 person, dead or alive, that you would like to have coffee with?

Paul: Paul McCartney

Jessika: C.S. Lewis

6 / What is your biggest pet peeve?

Paul: When someone slides ‪the metal hangers in department stores, or scratches their fork and knife on their plate. It irks me just typing it out!!!

Jessika: Okay, I am turning 40 this year and I still keep dripping water/juice/coffee/tea inside my purse!! The last time I did that was yesterday… some things just never change!!

7 / Who or what is your favorite biblical character, story, or passage?

Paul: My favorite story is the “owner of the house” in Mark 14:12-16 – the preparation of the Passover meal. He had a task and he was prepared and ready when the task was required to be executed.

Jessika: My favorite passage is “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordon?” – Jeremiah 12:5

This passage challenges me with these questions by Eugene Peterson: “Are you going to run home the minute you find that the mass of men and women are more interested in keeping their feet warm than in living at risk to the glory of God? Live cautiously or courageously? Shuffling along with the crowd, or running with the horses?” Retreating from excellence, veering away from risks, withdrawing from faith all sound easy. It is easier to define oneself minimally and live securely within that definition than to be defined maximally and live adventurously in that reality. Easier, but not better! Easier, but not more significant! Easier, but not fulfilling!

8 / What super-power would you like to have?

Paul: Teleportation

Jessika: Ultra-fast reading and writing speed power

9 / What is your all-time favorite food?

Paul: Noodles, any type of noodles.

Jessika: Bread & butter…all time favorite comfort food.

10 / Cake or pie?

Paul: Not cake, not pie, can I pick soy sauce? Sorry I don’t like dessert!

Jessika: Definitely pie!!

Paul and Jessika, thank you for taking the time to share this snapshot of your world! It is a privilege to build His kingdom alongside you through the work of Ratanak and we pray for favor and blessing on your family as you faithfully serve!

People often ask me how I cope with all the tragedy associated with human trafficking in Cambodia. They wonder how it is that after twenty-four years I can still function. They display a look of shock when I tell them I am more enthusiastic and motivated than when I started. So what pushes me to continue persevering in this ministry? I believe there is a huge spiritual dimension to grappling with the stories, the investigations and the trauma suffered by Cambodians. We may all manage to cope with the emotional stress for a little while. However, when the years turn into decades with the issues persisting and there is a need to continue persevering towards a goal that still seems far away, it is vital that we are grounded in the knowledge of someone greater than ourselves. We need to hold to the belief that there will be ultimate justice and freedom one day.

Those of you who have heard me speak will have undoubtedly heard me refer to the “Carpenter King” – one who considers the poor, destitute and hopeless to be of such value that they are “to die for”. It is this hope and knowledge that is central to our ability to press on in the face of overwhelming odds. In Matthew 10:29 (NLT) we read, “What is the price of two sparrows – one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.” What a wonderful thing it is to serve a God of justice who cares! The point is further driven home two verses later, “So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”

The power of this passage, for me, is that it is intimate and personal. So often we comprehend the huge problems of the world, such as human trafficking, through clinical theory or abstract statistical models. God is not like that – it is all very personal for Him. This brings me to another reason why both myself and other Ratanak staff members continue to persevere… it is personal. We have had the privilege of meeting and knowing those transformed from situations of slavery and hopelessness into lives of hope and dignity. Who among us would abandon those we love in times of disaster? We all have the capacity to work relentlessly for those we love, because they are neither theoretical nor statistical; they are known to us. It is no surprise then, as God allows us to get to know and love Cambodians, that we become more committed to their well-being. If we are to fully engage in being a blessing to others around us, we need to allow our relationships to become personal, as God has made his relationship with us personal.

Due to security and privacy considerations it is virtually impossible to have you know the girls personally. This is a constant frustration to me. So often when I’m with them and their laughter fills the room, I think of all of you (seriously I do). I think to myself: if only those who support us could see this, could see these faces – they would know such joy. Alas, this is not possible. However, in an attempt to bridge the gap somewhat, allow me to say a few words about some of our sparrows – those God has given us to serve and to love.  My hope is that you will pray for them and also be encouraged by how far they have come. The girls Ratanak has the privilege of caring for have been brutalized by life. They have undergone very significant trauma and were disadvantaged not only by human trafficking and abuse, but also by circumstances that denied them an education. Yet now, with your support, these girls have experienced love and are growing into beautiful young women with hopes and dreams. Four of them are attending university – an amazing accomplishment for young women who have been through so much. In the following paragraphs you will not find any particular drama, only normal impressions – the sort that may be associated with any young university freshman. But therein lies the joy, for these girls have come from a background that is anything but normal. So normal actually represents great bravery and great victory!

(I have changed all names to follow.)Salette is hoping to become a social worker. I think she will do well in this area as she has a very gentle presence and a warmth that makes people, especially little kids, feel safe. She is hungry for knowledge and recognizes how far she has come. She says she wants to develop from a person who doesn’t know anything to a person who has a lot of skill and is full of knowledge. I trust she will achieve even beyond what she expects! In the future she wants to be a Program Manager in an organization that helps women and children who are victimized and have been trafficked far from their homes. Salette is pragmatic and responsible. She is quieter than many of the girls and less quick to smile – but when she does it lights up the room. While often serious, she also has the capacity to be a complete goof and be very funny when she feels like it.

Recently, Caera also asked for information about working in the field of Counseling and Social Work. However, in conversations with the Ratanak staff she determined that “sitting in an office listening to other people’s problems” was not for her. I guess that means counseling is out!  She would like to be more active and engaged, preferably out in the community. She is currently evaluating whether she would like to pursue teaching or social work. She is interested in working with an organization either in urban or rural Cambodia. She has a warm manner, is very quick to smile, and is a social butterfly who enjoys having people around her.

Serey is studying Information Technology. She is gifted in this area and instructs Ratanak staff when they have questions or difficulties with various computer programs. She has taught them how to set up and navigate the whole social networking world! She wants to get her Bachelors Degree and become a Manager of Information Technology Systems, working in a large international company or organization. Serey’s ability to acquire English has amazed me. She has a great sense of humor and time spent with her always involves much laughter. When I last saw her she presented me with a huge plate of chocolate chip cookies, which she had just learned to make, along with a huge grin. So much for me eating healthy while in Cambodia! After giving me some of her delicious cookies we chatted, and I agreed with her on most things (except what pizza we were to order – we have agreed to disagree on that!)

And that brings me to the final element that keeps me going in this difficult and endless work – success! The healing process can be painful. The trauma of the past is manifested in different ways, but each success contributes to transformation. Particularly in times of difficulty, I only have to think of the girls, now living with dignity, and I am once again propelled along in this journey of hope. I trust that, through these newsletters, you are able to catch a glimpse of the sparrows and the hope.

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