Molly Hagen's home from Cambodia for a short visit, and we had the privilege of hearing from her this morning at church. Mols could be a ccda keynoter. Her love and passion for God and Cambodia and the witness of what God is up to in Cambodia....wow! Another example for me today of how God is on the mighty move at the margins.
I jotted down some notes today from Molly's talk:
A bit about Cambodia:
- Approx. 14 million people living in Cambodia. Half the population was born after 1987.
-From '75-'78, Khmer Rouge killed 2 million Cambodians.... 1 of 7 people were killed.
- 1/3 of the nation lives on less than $1 a day.
- Only 37% adult population can read.
- There's only 1 inpatient mental hospital in the country and 20 psychiatrists.
- There are 16 doctors for every 100,000 people.
- There are at least 100,000 commercial sex workers in Cambodia.
- There are now 47 colleges in Cambodia/8,000 graduates a year.
- 95% Cambodians are not Christian.
A bit about Molly:
- At age 19, Molly went to a Youth With a Mission (YWAM) Discipleship Training School (DTS). Her DTS took her to Somoa for outreach. During this time with YWAM, Molly fell in love with God and made God the Lord of her life. She received God's call to go to Cambodia and has been there since 2002.
- Molly works on YWAM base in Battambang, Cambodia, where God is currently multiplying their staff and raising up indigenous leaders like crazy. I believe Molly said that there were 10 YWAM staff in 2006...2 being Cambodian. There are now like 45 on staff, and I counted 28 of them as indigenous leaders. Outrageous! Molly talked about the Kmai staff. Many have little education or have gone through elementary school only. Yet, God is faithfully equipping those he's calling, and there were many fantastic stories this morning of God at work as these young staff members share the Gospel and teach the Bible, start youth centers, plant churches, start coffee shops, open a home for HIV/AIDS babies, reach out to neighbors, teach farmers planting techniques, and instruct villages in basic health care.
- Molly is actively teaching health care clinics throughout the region. She showed slides this morning of clinics where she and other YWAM staff teach about sanitation, hygiene, wound care, nutrition, and as they work to help people purify their water to control water borne disease.
-Molly has caught a fire for Jesus, and she had good words for us about our calling from God. First, she quoted Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China who said, "The Great Commission isn't something to consider, it's something to obey." Go and preach the Gospel and make disciples is not an option, it's a command. Molly exhorted her listeners to let Christ lead and to passionately go where he calls us. Second, Molly talked about how God doesn't choose those who are already qualified in their own strength, but he qualifies and equips those whom He calls. She spoke about many of her Kmai staff and how God is providing and growing and using them.
I was so inspired today by Molly. She talked about how they "see a need, meet a need" in Cambodia, and as they meet people's felt needs, they share with people about the hope and life found in Christ. Pray for Molly and YWAM as they make Christ known in Cambodia so that Cambodia may know Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment