CAMBODIA

The country of Cambodia is about one-third of the size of France. Bordered by Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and the Gulf of Thailand, the land is full of vast landscapes, rivers, and trade routes. Cambodia is a largely rural country, but its capital, Phnom Penh is one of the few urban centers in the country. In the 1970s, Cambodia greatly suffered under the rule of communist leader Khmer Rouge. At least 1.5 million Cambodians lost their lives, and the country is still reeling from the damage. Since so many of the older generation was eliminated during Khmer’s reign, anyone over the age of 40 is considered a rarity.

While Buddhism is predominantly the religion of choice, Christianity is on the rise. The Bible is being taught in about 488 public schools, and students are learning English by reading the Bible. Students are allowed to pray out loud and use the name of Jesus in public school in certain areas. Over 100K students are hearing and learning about the Gospel daily.