Mines, UXO and Orphans in Cambodia

About 1/3 of the orphans in western Cambodia lost at least one of their parents to a land mine. Most of these children come from the rural areas that border with Thailand. Due to the constant warfare for over 27 years, only ending in 1998, several million mines and pieces of unexploded ordinance litter the countryside. Generally the cities are considered safe, but during the construction of the new Ou Ambel Church/Orphan home in the city of Bantemeanchy, Cambodia that assumption was proven false.

Bantemeanchy was once considered one of the most prosperous and progressive cities in Cambodia. Located at the crossroads of the major highway from Thailand, roads to Siem reap and Phnom Penh, Bantemeanchy became a major commercial center. The area is also at the center of the most fertile rice production in the country. Bantemeanchy, which literally means, "Army Camps Victory" still appears on most maps as Sisaphone but was renamed after the last battle for the control of the area was fought in 1998. The province which is also now called Bantemeanchy is now graced with 9 church orphan homes which reflects the dangerous territory. Not only do children face the constant threat of mines but malaria, dengue fever and child birth complications are common killers as well. Bantemeancy is now reduced to a dirty crossroad city almost totally lacking any of the progressive infrastructure of years past.

When the workers were excavating for the foundation of the new Ou Ambel church, this April, they soon unearthed two unexploded artillery shells (officially designated UXO's for unexploded ordinance). Having seen many of their co-workers blown to pieces by devices like these they were extremely careful. They gently excavated around the shells and slipped slings under the body. The bombs were then removed to the base of a tree and a warning sign put in place. The local de-mining office of CMAC (Cambodian Mines Action Committee) was called and two technicians were soon on the scene. They commended the workers for their caution as they confirmed that the shells were very much 'alive' and called in special equipment to remove the explosive devices to a special area where they could be safely detonated.

The funny thing about this is that though this story excites most foreigners, the locals just yawn. Mines and unexploded ordinance (UXO) are found every day. Unfortunately when they are hit with a plow or the unlucky strike of a hoe, orphans are the result. "The anti-personnel mines are meant to disable, but if you hit a anti-tank mine or a bomb you die", explains Pastor Daniel, District Supervisor of over 50 churches in the area and Pastor of the new Ou Ambel church/orphan home.

The new church will not only serve a congregation of 100+ adults but will be home to 50 orphan children and serve as a regional training center for hundreds of pastors and orphan care personnel. Pastor Daniel is on his third new church/orphanage facility in less than three years. He comes in and evangelizes an area with the local Christians and establishes a church. When leadership is trained he turns over the church and moves to a new location. Then as the church discovers their obligation to care for homeless children and widows, the vision for the church/home begins to form. Widows are among the most destitute in this land where there is no social safety net. If you have no family and your husband dies, you are reduced to begging in the streets, right along side the homeless kids. Orphan homes are staffed at a ratio of one staff per five orphans. Most of these positions are filled with widows.

Pastor Daniel is quick to teach and demonstrate the Biblical model of servant leadership and points out that true religion is caring for the orphan and the widow. "Cambodian people respond to that message of hope", comments missionary Ted Olbrich. "They are so used to hearing that the are just recipients of their "Karma", that when they hear about a God who loves, accepts and forgives them the response is rapid." Olbrich should know that better than anyone as in the 3-1/2 years he and his wife Sou have been working in Cambodia more that 300 churches have been started under their leadership and 42 of those church/homes, soon to be 50, provide full time care to what will be close to 2000 orphans by the end of this year.

"We couldn't do it without valued partners like Mercy Smiles", says Ted. "They are fuel that runs this fire. May God bless each and every one!"