Overwhelmed in Svay Pak

My Office is the Community


This afternoon we drove out to the infamous village of Svay Pak, known for providing very young children for sex including for westerners vultures. During the past few months I have read many book and articles about that community- its sadness, and pain inflicted by men, many from my own country.

As we entered into Rehab House which used to be a brothel, we received a bright and warm welcome by the pastor. He was one of those people that you feel immediately comfortable with. He walked us around the facility and showed us the great ministry that was going on- a whole raft of young kids singing to Jesus and learning a Bible story, and adults lined up for medical care. This place was happening.

After a while a small group of us had the opportunity to hear from this young pastor. We learnt that he had never wanted to minister here because he had heard many bad stories about the community. But he said never say no to God as where to you are to minister because of course that is where God will place you. I learnt that the pastor was marred with a young son named David.

Then a young man from the US who works with the pastor said that he was his hero. The young westerner, who has lived here for more than two years, stated that the pastor had made a huge impact in the community despite being there for only four months. The church was growing… Sunday school numbers were increasing… the church had many portals of entry into the community and as a result people would call on him day and night.

The young pastor had started a gym time for the criminals in the community. The pastor would lead a short Bible study and then would work out with these gangsters. Talk about a work out! We then went with the pastor walking through the community to meet the ex-witch doctor who was now a Jesus follower. Along the muddy streets many people greeted him warmly. We learnt that he had visited their homes in time of need and provided food for those who were hungry.

When we got back to the church one person asked if he had an office. The pastor proclaimed with a great smile that, “the community is my office”.

No wonder miracles are happening in Svay Pak

Stephen Lauer
September 3, 2009

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I have few words to express today, lets start much earlier…
Years ago I sat in a tension filled van as we drove in a police convoy towards Svay Pak. In minutes we would be speeding into the community to exercise warrants on several buildings. As we entered the entire community convulsed as prostitutes, pimps child sex slaves and brothel owners scattered into the alleys, out windows, over verandas and across the roofs. - for this was a dangerous and hostile criminal business community. The product - children.
Today I drove into the same community. We pulled up outside one of my old crime scenes to be greeted by the sound of children singing about “Brea Yesu” (Jesus) The loud singing was coming from a group of tiny and beautiful children clearly enjoying themselves. I got out of the vehickle and went to the doorway and stood and watched them sing and do the actions. Many of their faces are known to me. I even know their names but I had never met them. I lasted only about a minute before having to retreat to the street and clear my head. The emotions were, and to a large extent still are, overwhelming and words cannot possibly describe the experience. You see I also know some of their stories and I know this community well. I regained my composure and went back in to visit with the kids. The first child to march up to me was “SN” – some of you know her. We have been praying for her a lot lately her sale having been prevented some weeks ago. She is tiny, beautiful and very engaging. “My name is “SN”. How are you? What is your name? “ She took my hand as I crouched down to speak to her _ was already smitten! I could instantly understand how Lisa, the Ratanak rep from Toronto, had fallen for her some time ago. She was here surrounded by Christians because her grandmother refused to allow her to be sold - a miracle and an answer to much prayer. What an indescribable joy to see her there.
Further inside I came across an instantly recognizable face of a little girl. She is skinny, feisty, pouty, cute, energetic and absolutely in your face seeking attention. We had used her photo on some Ratanak literature time ago. She was every bit as huggable as she had seemed in the photos but hugging was not an option. This child has seen the dark side of adult male “affection”. She jumped up on me for a big hug. I was both instantly thrilled and appalled having no clue if this was normal childlike affection or something far more twisted. The sense of normal social boundaries does not exist for many of these kids. Rather than hug we simply held hands and when this became too boring for her I started to swing her in the air. She was delighted. It was personal, yet safe. Well as you can imagine that started something… my arms are still sore.
At the end of the day we watched a volley ball game outside in the street. There was a carnival atmosphere – much laughter, and playfulness. Not the Svay Pak I knew in the past.
The atmosphere was tempered by some of the other small kids who had returned to get their swings from us. Just like the others they too loved to be swung around. But it was now late afternoon they had gone home and changed and returned all dressed up. Several had lipstick on. We played our childish little games with them to their delight trying not to think of the horrendous adult world into which they would once again be delivered this evening. As I write they are “on shift” and I am speechless.
Brian.
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Thursday 3rd September 2009
And I thought that yesterday was a difficult day to translate thoughts into words…
This morning it was a delight to meet with Helen Sworn and members of her team. These guys run Chab Dai – a coalition of 44 organisations who are involved at every level of this living evil that is human trafficking. Helen is passionate and utterly dedicated to eradicating this horrendous crime from this nation – and for that matter the nations of the world. Working at all levels from the highly strategic to the grass roots - Chab Dai is and its staff are truly inspirational.
Then… after lunch we headed out to Rahab’s House in the heart of Svay Pak. This is for the most part an ethnic minority area of around 3000 inhabitants living in largely squalid conditions. This is also the place where paedophiles come to pray on children who are offered for sale – children often young enough to be still in kindergarten. As we pulled up and clambered out of our somewhat full vehicle the sound of singing permeated through the air – the voices of children singing praises to God. In the midst of this absolute darkness the light is shining.
Touring round Rahabs’ House I stumble upon a small room about 6 feet square painted in a garish pink. This room is a reminder to the dark past of this place – it is what can perhaps best be described as a rape cell. You see Rahab’s House was once a notorious brothel offering children for sale. This cubicle was one of many which are now destroyed. In their place is a centre where the community can seek medical care and where the children can find safety for a small part of their life. On a Sunday over 170 people meet in this place for church. Jesus is alive and very well indeed in the midst of Svay Pak.
At the closing of the singing I accompanied Pastor Chanta (who has lived here only four months) on a tour of the village. First we meet a woman who was one of the largest suppliers of kids to western paedophiles – indeed selling her own children at one stage. Now she is deeply converted and works alongside the church community to remove this blight. If that was not enough, we now go and meet the village fortune teller. Four months ago he suffered a stroke which paralysed him – adding to his already poor health. Pastor Chanta started to visit him and after three months this man – the equivalent of the village witch doctor – accepted Christ as his Lord and Saviour. To add to that he was totally healed. Like I said – Jesus is very much alive and well here.
Now we go to The Lords Gym next door to Rahab’s House where Pastor Chanta leads bible school classes - before a workout – with heroin dealers and pimps alike. Many of these also now attend the church.
We are led to a building 2 doors down which was being constructed to provide the largest and best equipped brothel in Svay Pak. A place where paedophiles could come and stay and fulfil their most lewd and filthy cravings with boys and girls alike. After some changes the owner has not completed the building. The church have first refusal to purchase this building for school where the children of Svay Pak can come to learn. The cost of purchase and completion will be between $70 and $100,000 (approx. £50 - £75,000).
So can this whole experience go any further? Oh yes…! I now find myself in a muddy street outside playing games with some of the children from the service. Children who are now, as I type, for sale… In all honesty I cannot put my thoughts and feelings into words. I am deeply distressed, grieved, saddened and even angry that humanity can stoop this low – to sell your own child to a stranger for sex. And yet I am also honoured and privileged to have spent such a short time in their company and in the presence of a staff so absolutely committed to being the light of Christ in this community. I am heartened and encouraged by testimony after testimony of Gods grace at work.
You know – in our western ‘civilised’ society – we have to ask ourselves some deep searching questions when we know these atrocities happen every day of every week of every year. Helen asked the question – “What is the heart of the church for the vulnerable?” I know what the heart of Christ is for these little ones – I know he weeps tonight over the boys and girls in Svay Pak who are being ritually abused – do we? I ask you this same question…
Steve Norman