Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Jan 6

I cannot believe i've blogged almost all of our SE Asia trip!

This will be my last post in Cambodia, and then I have a few posts for Vietnam {which I cannot WAIT for you to see!}

Phnom Penh truly surprised me.

As the capital of Cambodia, with a violent history, I suppose I was expecting something a bit more undeveloped like Kathmandu (where we had been living). But instead, we found a bubbling, vibrant city, friendly city with wide boulevards and regal monuments (a product of being a French colony). The town center was built upon the Mekong river, and it has a really fun river walk,

with the gorgeous colorful palace dotting its shores.

We arrived in Phnom Pehn one afternoon, and checked into our hotel. We stayed at the White Linen Botique Hotel, which we chose very carefully and consciously. Because Cambodia has a huge problem with sex-trafficking, especially among little girls, we chose the White Linen because it supports an organization called The Daughters of Cambodia. The DOC works with women who have been trafficked, helping them heal from their trauma as well as teaching them job skills. Therefore, the workers of our hotel were young rescued women training for a future in hospitality. This hotel was incredibly gorgeous, and I'd totally recommend staying there!

We spent a day touring the city, and immersing ourselves into the history. Cambodia was colonized by the French, and when given independence in the mid 20th century, fell into the hands of a cruel dictator named Pol Pot. In a few year span, Pol Pot had exterminated 1/3 of his population (2 million people!). We visited the prison where they tortured prisoners (innocent people), and then the notorious Killing Fields, where the Khmer Rouge killed thousands of people. The day was a sober reality to the evil in the world, and Kevin and I spent the afternoon processing and resting.

While it was absolutely worth seeing, it was hard, and my heart hurt for this beautiful country.

Despite the horrendous evil inflicted upon the county, I found the people incredible kind and generous.

They were warm and smiled constantly, and oh, so kind. (did I already mention that? haha).

One of the best parts of the trip was meeting up with a good friend of mine from College named Isaac. Issac works for an INCREDIBLE organization called Agape International Missions (AIM). AIM works in an area right outside of Phnom Penh that has historically been a huge area for foreign men "buying" young girls. AIM started a youth center there a few years ago, and now has a church, 2 youth centers, a gym, and a garment and bracelet business employing girls and giving them an opportunity out of prostitution. I literally had chills the ENTIRE time Isaac shared about the ministry,

as God is rescuing, redeeming and giving these girls a future!!

Phnom Penh was an experience we won't forget.

Enjoy the pictures…sorry there are so many, haha!

Happy Monday friend,

Love Katie

{as usual in Cambodia, the markets were chock full of exotic foods!

Kev and I got a little adventurous!}

{bugs, anyone?}

{I only put a few pictures of the prison and fields below, but do not want this to minimize the awful tragedy. To learn more about the Cambodian genocide, see here}

{the S-21 prison below}