THE COUNTRY: A land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and a large freshwater lake, Cambodia has a tropical climate that varies from the rainy, monsoon season (May to November) to the dry season (December to April) with little temperature variation. Its natural resources include oil and gas, timber and gemstones, and its agricultural products include rice, cashews and silk.
Cambodia became a part of French Indochina in 1887, obtaining its independence in 1953. Less than 25 years later, Pol Pot ushered in a period of execution and devastation, and the country spiraled downward until the 1990s. Since 2004, garments, construction, agriculture, and tourism have driven Cambodia’s growth, with child-sex tourism part of the unfortunate exploitation present in this country. Cambodia needs Jesus!
THE PEOPLE GROUP: The Cambodian Pnong people live primarily in Mondolkiri Province, a remote and beautiful home to many rare and nearly extinct jungle animals that used to flourish in Southeast Asia. Although Buddhism is the dominant religion and Khmer the official language of the nation of Cambodia, the animistic Pnong have their own language and believe that the entire natural environment is populated by a vast array of spiritual forces, and that spirits of ancestors have the power to protect or wreak havoc in their world.
Living in simple bamboo homes, collecting firewood for cooking, and using stream water for drinking, their lives center around ensuring that they have enough rice to survive. Nevertheless, this hill tribe longs to learn to read and write. The AFM Pnong Project has turned its focus to education, recently opening a new Adventist elementary school.
THE NEED: We are looking for another family or single missionary to join two missionary families already working among the Pnong. A background in education, development, mechanics, or medicine would be helpful. Help plant a church among this people who have begun to learn of the Creator God.
Answer the call
www.afmonline.org • service@afmonline.org • 1-800-937-4236
