Preaching in a small Cambodian Church

We got off the Tuk Tuk's and headed through this passage way into the backside of the city - it was poor, destitute, a mix of shacks all cluttered together. The view from the streets often creates a facade to the grim reality behind it - kind of the reflection of many that only care about what is seen. So there tuck behind the views from the streets was a church that reached out to the poor part of town. A military doctor who came to Christ in 2003 with the partnership of others started with a clinic in this area and soon a church was born. It was cool to worship with them in their Khmer style - loud keyboard music, clapping, dancing, and hearts wanting God.

I hesitate when preaching in another culture in fear of being the arrogant missionary coming in and teaching from the word of God considering the huge cultural differences. Thankfully God can do a lot of the talking. I shared from Galatians 5:1, challenging them to be Christians who smell like freedom. I shared the observation that as our group travels around the country we see people relaxed enjoying each other and think that they have freedom. But then Cambodian children will come up to us and ask us if America is like heaven. Everyone seems to pursue freedom but never gets it, therefore looking in other places - almost like we are not a part of this world.

I think that our efforts for freedom are like a facade covering the greater reality of bondage inside. Our efforts can be very convincing but then when you get beyond the surface, you start to really see. It is encouraging to see that God's church is beyond the streets into the backside of the city, in a place where the grim reality of life can not be ignored. I pray that God's freedom might reign.