Patricia King heads up XP and in addition to
many other ministries, started both Operation Extreme Love in Pattaya and
Operation Justice in Poipet.
The people of Cambodia are special treasures, beautiful people, and the
miracle of God. This is an appointed time for the nation; a love call from the
heart of a God Who has witnessed everything she has suffered. Cambodia is a
nation that has endured. In the four years of their rule (1975 – 1979), the Khmer Rouge wiped out
the educated, leaders, teachers, priests, people of influence. The people were
terrorised into subservience, and millions were murdered or starved to death in
the tragedy that has become known as ‘The Killing Fields’. These events brought
enormous destruction to Cambodia.The call is to love Cambodia back to life. God is a God of Justice. He
heard and saw when the people of Cambodia cried for help. This is a response
from His heart. It includes raising up people to go, people to invest, people
to help. There is a call for justice for Cambodia, and out of this comes a vision of ‘Justice Tourism’ – teams like ours coming in on a holiday, and using to time as a contribution to establishing justice where there has not been justice in the past...
Some years ago now, God began to speak to Patricia, and He told her that
His eye was on Asia. So she put her eye on Asia too. XP’s work in Asia started
in Thailand in 2007. Sex tourism was blatant, in the open, overwhelming, heartbreaking.
It burdened the heart. When she went to the Rock, He began to give ideas of how
to help. Out of this came Operation Extreme Love, a school and outreach that
focuses on touching people, one by one, personally and directly with the truth
that God loves them, In the years since Operation Extreme Love began, there
have been changes. Many people have been touched by God’s love, some bars have closed
down, and women have been led out of prostitution and into relationship with
God.
Meanwhile, Malina Zlatkova had felt a call to Thailand. Even though she was just a
new Christian, she knew she had to go. After the Extreme Love outreach/school
she was released to remain in Thailand. Her special interest rapidly became
child trafficking in Thailand. Over a period of time she became aware of the
exploitation of Cambodian children. Cambodians are seen as inferior by many
Thais, and Cambodian children are often treated like trash, without value.
There is no legal protection for Cambodians who do not have to correct permits
allowing them to be in Thailand. In addition, Thailand has limited resources
available with which to address so great a problem. So if Cambodian children
are trafficked across the border into Thailand, it has been difficult to get
help for them. This is also true of children trafficked from Laos, Vietnam,
Burma and China. Malina tried to set up a shelter for trafficked children rescued in
Thailand. However, it proved difficult to gain access to the children – the
government was willing to give XP Thai orphans to care for, but illegal aliens
could not remain in the country and were sent back across the border – and
tragically, often back into the hands of the traffickers who had originally
brought them into Thailand in the first place... thus the cycle was repeated.
The situation is dark and perverted. But it is not too dark for the love of God
to permeate.
Malina’s heart was for Cambodian children. There are already many
ministries working with Thai children, but there was nothing for Cambodians.
Over a period of time it was decided to move the children’s work to Poipet, Cambodia,
to the border town through which the traffickers bring them. The Lord laid it on
their hearts for a work to be begun here, in association with local charities; partnering
financially, in prayer, and in specific projects.
In January 2011 the first Operation Justice school and outreach took
place. The spiritual darkness was heavy and the problems were overwhelming.
When there is so much need, where DO you begin? Poverty was everywhere,
corruption was rife, and so many children were at risk. God spoke to Patricia and said: ‘You have to take this one day at a
time, and one life at a time’. And as she spent time with Him, He began to give
her ideas of how to help. And He enabled her... and now us... to be part of a
company of people that is transforming the area.
In partnership with CHO, many micro-business initiatives are being explored; initiatives that with time will hopefully be established and that will begin to
generate income for the ministries, and ultimately play their part in improving
the economic situation here in Poipet - examples are laundry services, a cafe, motorcycle taxi services, jewelery making, textile printing and sewing, manicure, massage, and other beauty therapies; and hairdressing. This kind of intervention is important,
because it breaks the cycle of poverty, passivity and despondency by restoring
dignity and hope.
This is how we disciple the nations – not just preaching the Gospel, but
also addressing the specific socio-economic needs of the people. There are many needs here in Cambodia. Because the nation lost most of
her innovative leaders, intellectuals, teachers and creative thinkers during the years of Khmer Rouge rule, there is
a lot of passivity, despondency, and illiteracy. Even where there are schools, the
quality of the education offered is often poor. There are not many resources. Teachers
are badly trained, and often don’t turn up for work.
In addition, school is not free. And few families can afford the school
fees, uniforms and supplies required. The goal is to help in the task of rebuilding and restoring the nation.
A key tool lies in rebuilding the education system. The government is open and
willing to receive help from other nations. Also, there is an openness to help
from Christians. There is a desperate need for teachers to be well trained and
equipped for their task.
NGO's have started various initiatives to begin to address these issues. Mat schools run a few times a week in different villages, teaching basic literacy and mathematics, self
respect, and safety awareness. Safe Houses are being built, where ‘at risk’ children live as part of the community with
a host family. The family also becomes a guardian for the children of the
village as a whole, educating parents about the risk of child trafficking and
making sure they don’t believe lies told by traffickers about their children
getting a really nice job in Thailand.
This nation was traumatised and the structure of family was destroyed. Most people over 40 witnessed the Khmer Rouge and lost family members, in many cases all their family members. They saw them tortured and killed. They experienced starvation and suffering that we cannot even begin to imagine. They have tried to rebuild the shattered structured upon which society is based. But how can they know what a family is when they did not get to experience it? One objective of XP is to work with church planting teams to minister to the needs of the
family, and to work towards building good ideas of family – what it is, what it
is for, and how it functions, together coming against the spirit that takes life. Lives that were not properly valued are now valued. Family values are being built. Eighteen months later there is a difference in Poipet. There is a different spirit. Righteous work and employment is being developed and offered. People are receiving back their dignity.
Every little thing you do to reach out makes a difference. A prayer, a smile, a hug, sharing, meeting material and physical needs. Out of these small beginnings, amazing things happen. Out of this small beginning one small boy named Johnnie was rescued and is now protected from harm.
Because the Body of Christ worldwide cares.
Why are you here? The purpose for you may be a life calling, or a direction change. You have sacrificed much to be here, and it is not in vain. The people
need you. They need you love, your smile, your touch, your prayers, your
worship, your joy, your light. Remember, light always dispels darkness. You will be amazed at what God will do in and through you. Jesus is
walking with you. You will also find that you receive more than you give. You can’t
out-give God. God is love. Baptise this nation in love.
We have only one message at the end of the day: Cambodia, Jesus loves you.
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