HAGAR: Social rehabilitation; Economic empowerment

Today our team visited Hagar, which is an ''organization committed to the recovery and empowerment of women and children who are victims of human rights abuse; particularly human trafficking, sexual exploitation and domestic violence." We met up with Aimee, who is the Communications Director and were able to tour one of the shelter facilities where women and children who have been raped, sexually abused or are victims of domestic violence live. We were also able to see firsthand one of the counseling rooms where group and individual therapy for these women takes place. We ate lunch at Hagar's training Bistro (where the women are trained before they are actually hired on for their Catering Business, which is one of Hagar's Social Enterprises.) Before we ate, we were able to meet with one of the women, Srey Neang, who was the victim of an acid burning. Her face, hands and neck are severely scarred because of what was done to her, and we were informed that this is a common occurence and oftentimes happens because of jealous rage. Battery acid is purchased easily at any market. She shared with us how she felt suicidal upon entering the shelter, and how being a part of Hagar and going through counseling and their career pathways program helped her believe that she was worthy of living again. Now she works for a tailoring botique named Ëlsewhere and she is one of the best seamstresses there. She was quoted in a newsletter and shared with us today saying: Ï do not want to die anymore, I want to survive. Before I was so weak and always wore a mask when I would go anywhere. But now I am strong and recognize myself. If I do not recognize myself, society also does not recognize me."

She hopes to one day open up her own dress shop.

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken. Isaiah 58: 6-14

For me personally and professionally, visiting Hagar was something I felt very close to my heart. I was very impressed with Hagar's training and holistic approach. They believe in fully investing in the women and children that come into their shelters: spiritually, educationally, emotionally & mentally, even though it is extremely costly. They believe this because they have tried and seen that beyond prayer, it is the only way that works for these people to be reintegrated into society effectively after the horrible atrocities that have been done to them. They truly believe that only with God can the pain and wounds of sexual trafficking, domestic violence and rape be diminished and people be made whole again. They believe that God is hope, and that with His (and the community's) love, care & restoration, people can be changed and healed.

It is very apparent to me in Cambodia how pervasive and real sin and evil is and how it continues to effect generations and nations down the line. There is a definite corruption here -- especially among the government. There is a lust for power and money and generally women and children suffer and end up paying the cost. While discussing how Aimee (who is originally from Canada but moved here almost a year ago with her husband and began working for Hagar shortly after) she shared with us the passage from Matthew 26:11 which reads "The poor you will always have among you, but you will not always have me" And shared how many of her friends back home have used this verse to turn a blind eye -- but how this attitude of complacency really only perpetuates the problem.

We also asked her the question we have been struggling with since the onset of our arrival in Cambodia: We are only here for a short trip, how do you deal with the pain and suffering you see on a daily basis?? She replied with the following message:

Ï can see God moving through and in this country. I have learned that I have to be okay with the mess. I don't like it, and yes, there is a sense of holy rage, but I have to learn how to dive in and learn to release and submit it before God. I have seen people's lives transformed and changed. I am constantly hearing stories of redemption and I focus on those. Living in Cambodia I've learned to believe in redemption like never before."

I feel her telling us this only confirms what we've been studying in the lord's prayer book for devotions every morning. Learn to live in the tension, learn to acknowledge and trust that God is bigger. He is a God of redemption and healing -- and while I have only been here for five (six?!) days, it is very evident that Cambodia is a nation He is restoring.

I'm not sure what all of this looks like personally for my future, but I do sense a strong connection with Hagar's holistic, specifically therapeutic approach to counseling and restoring these women and children.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.

We are so thankful for you!

Much much love,

<3erin

PS HAPPY 27th BIRTHDAY CHRISTINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This link will take you to Hagar Project (focused on reintegrating victims of sex trafficking and abuse/domestic violence)

http://www.hagarproject.org/c_cam.php

This link will take you to Hagar's Social Enterprises -- While I didn't discuss this portion of our day in this blog, I know a lot of you would be interested to hear about the going-on's and this website will help explain more in detail the different enterprises they have set-up. It's extremely interesting so you should check it out!

http://www.hagarinternational.org/hagar-social-entre.php