Group 78

This is an article from a friend of mine and a missionary living in Cambodia.

The Dark Side of Development

by Chris Baker Evens 07-24-2009

Development is a word full of hope. It brings to mind water pumps and rice banks, bridges and education, smiling children and sky-scraping financial institutions. Yet there is a dark side to development.

On Friday, July 17th, at 4 a.m., this dark side showed its face when

[D]ozens of armed police took up positions around Group 78, Phnom Penh, in order to enforce a municipal order that they dismantle their homes or be forcibly removed.

This followed 53 families yesterday “agreeing” to the authorities’ demand that they accept an offer of $8,000 compensation or their homes would be forcibly destroyed. Negotiations this morning with the remaining 7 families who had not “agreed” led to a final offer to them of up to $20,000 in compensation which they all accepted, except for one family whose home was destroyed against their will. (Joint media statement by civil society in Cambodia, July 17, 2009)

This community had to make way for development. Their homes were ramshackle and had to give way to pristine apartments. Their homes stand over black water and had to give way to paved sidewalks. Their families rode bicycles or walked to work. They had to give way to the shiny black SUVs of the wealthy. Their children barely make it through the fourth grade. They had to give way to the well-reasoned premise that the city needs this place – to make way for development.

Development Partners recognize that land issues are an ongoing challenge to development in Cambodia and urge the Government to adopt fair and transparent systems for land titling, including in urban areas, which recognize and protect the equal rights of all citizens. (Joint statement by Cambodia development partners — WB, ADB, UN, EC, Sida, Danida, USA, UK, Germany, Bulgaria, Australia — July 16, 2009 )

It is hard not to see the face of the governor of Phnom Penh and think of it as the evil this community succumbed to. People make terrible choices and do terrible things often with the soundest of reasoning. Yet they lose something of their own humanity — the ability to wonder what it would be like to lose their own house, own job, own capacity to build a future for their family. We lament their lost humanity as well as the loss of Group 78.

Just last week Nate Bacon had a chance meeting with the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, whose ‘conscience was pricked’ by images of Bonhoeffer and his own words:

The purpose of the church is not to be socially agreeable; it is to speak robustly to the state on behalf of those who cannot speak effectively for themselves.

As one of the churches living here in Cambodia, I say to the state of Australia, as well as to the municipality of Phnom Penh, that we grieve over the choices and actions that led to the forced eviction of Group 78 that day. Acts and choices of omission and commission. We grieve over the loss of the community’s hopes and homes, and we grieve over the diminished humanity the Phnom Penh authorities experience by using threats and intimidation, ignoring legal process and, most heinously, denying the community their God-given right to compensation based on (free) market rates.

I say this last word tongue in cheek (if you hadn’t guessed), for this is all about development not about God. The ones who lost the most were denied access to any benefit of this development, yet the finished product will be hailed as progess, a sign that Cambodia is on its way up.

Cambodia is a wonderful country. Its history is deep. Its culture rich. Its people kind, gentle, and friendly. I enjoy calling Cambodia home and working alongside many talented and inspirational people. But I weep over the violence done in the name of development.

Chris Baker Evens has lived and worked in Cambodia with his family for the last five years. He is studying for a master’s in peace and conflict studies and moderates the Peace and Justice: Cambodia Web site that raises awareness of land-based conflict in Cambodia, and promotes nonviolent solutions.

JUNE 2009 - Newsletter

PREHAB: We have been blessed in the last week to see two more of our friends enter into a drug and alcohol rehab program. The relationships we have built over time allow them to feel safe and secure in coming to us for help in getting into a program. Sharing our hearts with them and our love of Jesus so openly intrigues them and they long for that same intimacy. We have also been blessed by having another friend join us at the house in pre‐hab. Prehab is a term we came up with recognizing the fact that many people on the street reach that point of brokenness and want help but the doors to either de‐tox or a recovery center are not available. So we invite our friends to live with us during this time as they de‐tox and we try to help facilitate them in getting into a recovery program. This can take anywhere from a day to several weeks. More than 30 of our friends have got into recovery through this pre‐hab process.

COMMUNITY GARDEN:Our community garden thanks to the hard work of Ruth, Alana and our Vancouver team leader Nay Greenfield is not only flourishing in greenery but in relationships with our community. The hard work is not only done by our team members but many members of our local community who can have anywhere from one plant they come and water religiously or a whole plot like the Latin community has in the garden. Everyone who comes by the garden seems to have a story about working on the farm or with there Grandmother planting bulbs etc. etc. This is a great opportunity where the lines of communication are open and the women in our community are taking full advantage of making new friends in our vibrant community here in the downtown eastside. Way to go ladies!!!!. As you can see by the photo I did sneak in for a photo op but the real work has been done by our friends in the community and the women listed above.

HOLLY ‐ FILM AND ANTI‐TRAFFICKING EVENT
One thing that has been taking up a lot of my time this month is our showing of the movie “Holly”. It is an award winning movie about a 12 year old Vietnamese girl trafficked into prostitution in Cambodia. We recently screened it at the Vancouver International Film Centre and received a tremendous response. We have aligned ourselves with Tenth Avenue Church to show it again because of their commitment to Cambodia as their main mission field for the next 10 to 12 years. This event will be a fundraiser for Big Brothers & Sisters Cambodia which matches Christian youth with an orphan from the slums .The love shared between these youths as they have Bible studies and spend time together is heart‐warming .I was able to witness this firsthand as we spent a day with about 50 of them on my last trip to Cambodia. Be sure not to miss this great event on Friday July 10th at 7 p.m at Tenth Avenue Alliance Church.

PREPARATION FOR CAMBODIA:
Part of the process in my preparation to move to Cambodia to live amongst the urban poor calls for my return to Cambodia in September. This month long trip will encompass me meeting up with teammates that were away during my last trip and to finalize the plans for my return to Cambodia for the long term early in the new year. I have enclosed more details in the following pages about how you can become more involved through prayer and financial support team. I would just like to take this time to thank everyone who has supported me in so many ways. The words of encouragement ,your prayers and your financial support all culminate in bringing the Gospel to the beautiful people of Cambodia.

For my Justice group

love your enemies

As most of you know if you have been reading the previous blogs the eviction of Dey Krahom has been heavy on my heart.I have spent time out at the relocation site and it isn't pretty .The people there have been without water and food and being 20 kilometers outside the city they have no way of making a living.The people I met were of the market community that was a vibrant part of Dey Krahom .Although some of the people have documentation saying that they have been residents in some cases 10 years or more the developer won't recognize their claim.They are now being told they will be evicted from the resettlement site by the 28th of february.The developer and government were happy to relocate them outside the city where there isn't as many eyes on them.Now that they are there they are abusing their rights even more.

I had a lot of anger against the developer ,the government and especially the police .To see the police in riot gear abusing the citizens they should be protecting was in my mind a double slap in the face of justice. I have spent the past couple of weeks in and out of court with one of the community leaders who was charged with some trumped up charges to try to silence him.It was great to see the faith community rally around Dey Krahom and the abuses of Justice.There is so much healing to be done with the anger and hatred for everyone involved.

This definitely includes me.

So how is God going to do that???It is easy enough to read the Word it says "but Love your enemies" .Easier (said and read) than done.How does that manifest itself????In my head I know God wants me to and I know I want to do what God wants me to.But how????

The reason I have such a heart for Cambodia seems to be the youth that keep teaching me everyday in my walk.Whether it is an eight year old teaching me Khmer,a 10 year old taking care of her little brother or sister, youth in BBSC or the youth worshipping the Lord at New Life Fellowship with abandon,it seems they are teaching me.

Valentines Day !!!!I know a day of artificial love tokens made up by the marketers of consumerism.Sorry ladies I am actually a romantic and don't need a day set aside by someone else,everyday is a day to share your love.




So what did I do on Valentine's Day????I went into the enemies camp and showered them with love.A Christian youth group from EFC Cambodia decided to rent a couple of Tuk Tuks and drive around the city looking for policeman.We would then stop run out and give them gifts and little heart decorations and then gather around them and tell them that we loved them.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!

If you would have told me as I watched the police at Dey Krahom and the violence that I would be giving gifts and telling the policeman they were loved I would have told you you were crazy.The youth understand that the police everyday abuse the citizens extort money for fines etc.etc. but they knew that darkness cannot exist in the light of love.They knew that the police even if only for moments,maybe the whole day maybe longer would treat others as they had been treated, with love.The unsuspecting police were changed by this action of love,the students were changed and encouraged and thank God I have been changed by this moment.
Thank-you to all the students pictured here that were actually the teachers today......they taught me how to love.
God bless kevin

Tarp city

I was sleeping last night when the sound of rain hitting the metal roof woke me from my sleep.At first you have to get aware of your surroundings to realize where you are in the dark of night.Once my bearings were set I just listened to the rain grateful for a roof that didn't leak on me.My first thought went to me next door neighbor who's house isnt nearly as structurally sound as mine.He runs a recycling business out of his house where a lot of the neighborhood kids come with there plastic bottles and cans.

I knew as the rain proceeded to pound harder and harder on the roof I was imagining what it must be like in the monsoon season when it rains for weeks on end.Surely his roof leaks everywhere and with a large family where can they go in a small environment to get away from the rain.Even if they could find a spot what about there few possessions getting soaked in the rain.This time of year it was only a small shower where clothes could be dried in the sun of the new day what about the rainy season.




Then my thoughts turned to another community that I had visited during the day.It is one of the re-location sites that the government moves the people to when they are evicted from the city.If you enlarge the pictures(I think you just click on them)you can see that they are nothing more than some tarps and scrap metal and lumber people were able to salvage from someplace.Now it just wasn't my neighbor on my heart but a whole community who would think that my neighbor had it easy and was living quite comfortably.I wish it ended there.My thoughts turned to the communities that are all around me ,around the city and around the country that I pass by everyday ,not knowing what troubles even a little rain can produce especially when the slums are generally in low lying areas.Will the wood be to wet to light for the morning rice????

As the sound of the rain pounded harder on the roof I was left with the thought that I was grateful for the roof over my head but even more grateful that I was kept awake not by the noise of the rain but from God opening up my heart from a deep sleep to think about others less fortunate .

I cry sometimes when I think of the selfishness of my own life .The time that I wasted away ,the money I threw away the life that was thrown away.I am forever thankful that God doesn't waste anything.All our life experiences good and bad will be used to glorify Him when we let Him.In my case He has a lot to work with to turn around for good but as He reveals more about myself to me and I let Him take that and transform it and share those experiences with others it is a process that is so rewarding.When we become more like Him and less like us is there anything of worth in this world that even comes close to that???I think not!!!!!

I share my weaknesses whenever I can to let others know it is okay to be vulnerable that like in 2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you,for my power is made perfect in weakness" therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,so that Christ's power may rest on me.

In our ability to not only share weaknesses but boast of our weaknesses to allow Him to enter into our brokenness and transform us will determine our true strength.

God bless

Unexpected

I was walking by the market yesterday and saw something I wasn"t expecting.

There was a foreigner a Brit I think who was talking to another foreigner and my discerning Spirit was flagged about the situation.I knew something was up but what was it????

As I approached closer I could hear the one person explaining the situation he was in(i.e.He just had his wallet stolen in the market and his need for money.

Then it sunk-in the reason my radar was up was that this is a seen that is so familiar to me living in the downtown eastside of Vancouver.This man hadn't had his wallet stolen he was a drug addict trying to find money for his next fix.I watched the action transpire knowing full well what was going on.I felt I should say something not to the person giving the money but to the drug-addict I proceeded to follow him but after receiving the money he was in (scoring mode) in other words he couldn't walk any faster without running .So I couldnt keep up...What would I have said????What could I do???That is where God's testimony through me comes in.

I wasn't able to talk too him today but the opportunity might arise again .Obviously it is a story he has told more than once that he will use on unsuspecting foreigners like the gentlemen he talked to.The market place is one where all the foreigners flock which is good pickings for him I am sure. I have a feeling our paths will cross again.

On a bright note ..........I did some self-care for myself the last couple of days .....very unlike me...I have taken some time to reflect and refill .......It is something that is a weakness of mine,I generally keep myself very busy and anyone that knows ministry knows that it never stops.

My nickname from one of my friends is "church bell"If anyone wants to find me they just have to ring a church bell.So I doubled up on church yesterday..I went to the local church in my community and then to another service at night .The second service was exactly what I needed...it was like comfort food for me.....food for the soul......I walked in and noticed that there were a lot of young people ....the third service just like back home seems to be a majority of youth.

It was worship central as all the congregation was singing and dancing to a great worship band and it happened to be mostly hillsong tunes that I knew so I was singing in english as they were singing in Khmer.

Before the service a woman sat down 2 chairs away and started talking with me .She was so open about her faith and her love for Jesus.She shared with me her own struggles and I shared with her.The funny thing is that her name is nite as is my last name knight.So obviously I wont forget her .She is now a teacher in the Christian school they have started she teaches grade 3.She was sharing that her pay is less than the school before(which isnt much)but she feels fulfilled that this is what God wants her to do.She has been at the church for ten years and has watched it grow tremendously.Sharing her struggles so openly was refreshing most people in the west try to hide their problems.

She asked me as we were leaving if there was anything she could pray about for me and I told her for an ear and tongue for her language.I asked her if there was something I could pray for her about ..........she said"I want to be more obedient to God sometimes I don't listen right away ...I still listen but I want to be obedient right away.....I asked prayer for something to make ministry in Cambodia easier for me..........She asked for prayer" to be more obedient to the Father"I know which one I would answer first Blessings on you T.C. Nite

greed

I don't even know where to start today........I was awoken by my phone going off with a text message saying pray for Dey Krahom the people have encircled the slum and are ready to come in.This is a slum that 120 families have title to the land they are on .The government and a development company named 7NG are in collaboration and the people with title were offered one of two choices take another piece of land and they would move you out there or 20,000 dollars.The land they are on is worth 44 million dollars.One hundred and twenty families times 20000 is only 2.4 million just a little over 5 % of the worth of the land.The poeple can not get anything in the city for 20K and if they were to take the property offered outside the city they would have no way of making a living ,their children wouldnt have schooling and electricity is by generator.Most families depend on a small micro-business to survive such as a small vegetable stand or food cart.

I was involved during the week with the negotiators for the community who were only asking for 50k from the developers and city they were given the runaround until today.
Watching people who had shared their struggles and conflicts with the government with me and whom I was helping in regards to making justice signs etc. was just heart wrenching.To see all there negotiations and hopes and dreams shattered by a bulldozer and a huge police presence was brutal to say the least.To watch little girls walking around who were now homeless and crying trying to sift through the rubble of their homes to salvage something of value before the dozers took another run was trying.








I was able to slip through the police presence ,God was leading the way and able to get a lot of pictures and video which I hope to share.I dont know how videographers do it ,I had to put down the camera and really pray about what was appropriate .I realize that people need to know but there was something about not jsut beoing a witness with the camera but being a witness with my heart that was more important.

I was disappointed in man watching people's lives being destroyed for the almighty dollar.

I was with my small group and got into a somewhat heaed argument about real estate speculation and investment in Cambodia....you just need to see this once to understand the devestation to families and individuals by greed.I hope that as westerners invest in developing countries they really know the full effect of their investment.You might actually think you are helping a country but the money doesnt reach the poor it just makes them poorer.

The rich get richer............well maybe on earth

The police werent too happy about my camera or me being there period .I was there for a few hours but as I was leaving I noticed the police were coming towards me with intention .So I turned and started going in the other direction.Obviously I knew they would be wanting my camera so I deftly removed the memory card so when they grabbed me and took my camera the evidence wasnt there.They were none to friendly especially after finding no memory card in the camera after awhile they released me and let me go on my way.....It has been tough processing today but it is so true that" where you stand determines what you see" I am glad I was there to be a witness and I pray that I will step up quicker and always when I see injustice around the world or at home

Isaiah 61:8 "I the Lord love justice"

I want to love what He loves what about you?????????

God bless
Pray for the families that lost their homes today and pray for the people that have to live with what they have done .I am glad I am not the one who judges I dont know if I have that much Grace in me.

Home

So I have been a week and a half at my host house and love every minute of it.Well maybe not every minute the mosquitos are not my favourite pet to have around.Even though they love me very much.I thought I would show a couple of pictures of my place and I also forgot to show a picture of my 8 year language teacher.

We all have such a great time trying to understand each other .I bought a Khmer to English dictionary that they use and an english to khmer that I use so we both have been teaching each other.I read an article called language as ministry and I have to agree.There is a bonding that happens when people realize that you value their language and culture and want to learn and not just teach them ours.

God really took me out of my comfort zone today as I have just finished preaching this morning.

It was my first attempt at preaching with a translator and the Lord blessed me with not just a great translator but a humble and gracious congregation.Those that know me might say that I have a slight leaning towards speaking(LOL).Having to pause to be translated made it very difficult for me as I normally speak extemporaneously.I also just let go and let the Holy Spirit guide me sometimes I dont even know where that scripture came from.This time although Holy Spirit inspired was a bit discomforting at first with the pace.It will just propel me further in my language lessons so I can relate to the beautiful people of Cambodia with their own language.

God bless

kevin

You can pray for me to continue to seek the Kingdom ............when we turn our eyes on to searching for the Kingdom it is amazing how many times you see it.

children are the future

As in any country the future is our children.Nowhere have I seen that more evident than in Cambodia.A huge percentage of the population is below thirty with a large percentage below 20(sorry for no exact stats) but it is easily recognizable.The school system is broken into morning or afternoon not both like the west.This is because of the lack of teachers and schools to accomodate the number of students.The other reason is that some students must help with the family business to provide for there needs and the price of school.Generally the family understands the need for education but the needs of the day sometimes takes priority.

The lack of full schooling for some leads to alot of free time and like most teenagers without proper guidance can lead to numerous bad choices (i.e.drugs alcohol sex).Yesterday I spent time with a teenage drug rehabiltation project run by TASK an organization that runs numerous health and welfare programs for the Phnohm Penh area.This organization provided recreation schooling in anger management etc engkish lessons but more importantly a community that cares for them.It was a blessing to send the day with them and I pray that I will be able to help them in some way in the near future.(Something to pray about for me).

Another organization that is doing amazing things is BBBS(Big brothers big sisters)a program that is similar to the west but brings Christian big brothers and sisters together with little brothers and sisters in a mentoring program that includes bible studies that they do together.There is accountability in that they do the lessons together and also spend funtime with each other .Recently I attended a fun day with some BBBS with my church group(photo above)it was a joy to see the love between not just the pairings but with all the people involved.My lack of vocabulary wasn't a problem this day as the joy of the Lord was on everyones face and everyones heart.I had to shed tears when it was time to pray and all the little heads bowed in prayer......at that moment although I knew of some of their circumstances and living conditions I also knew the Lord's hand and heart was upon them I knew they were blessed.

"Blessed are those........"

They lack nothing that is of worth the Holy Spirit lives within them.

God bless

Eviction

The last couple of days I have been supporting a community in Phnohm Penh that is in the process of being evicted.The government has offered them $20,000 and a place to relocate which is 22 km outside the city.Most families rely on living in the city to survive most have small micro-businesses such as selling food etc.By being in the city there children have access to school and healthcare.Outside the city there options are bleak to say the least no running water possibly hydro by generator and no schooling or very little available to the children.
Most people that have been evicted in other communities end- up back in the city in another slum but without any ownership rights.

The money being offered is less than 5% of the worth of the land.The people have put in a counter offer of $50,000 that is falling on deaf ears.There was a ray of hope two days ago as they extended the eviction for 3 days but that deadline is today and with the government offices closed on the weekend the people believe they will be evicted this evening.

I am joining other westerners to be a presence in the community as a voice of the world is watching.I will be staying in the community tonight and will be a witness to what is happening and to pray for a non-violent resolution to this conflict.

Please join me in prayer for those in need

My teacher

There is something humbling about the fact that an 8 year old girl is my language teacher.When your teacher is rolling on the floor laughing at your awful attempts at speaking Khmer you can't help but join in.I feel so blessed I didn't learn the language before I came.In my case it is allowing me to be relational with my host family and allow them to see how helpless I am without there guidance and help.They laugh at my pronunciation and then help me endlessly until I get it right.The 8 year olds name is Joreah and she listens to me then reads it in Khmer then the contagious laughter but then helps me pronounce it right with a big thumbs up and a smile when I get it.She then asks me how to say it in English,unlike myself she gets it right almost instantly.We are both learning but more importantly we are both helping each other ,developing a relationship that cannot be forgotten ,me every time I speak Khmer will think of my teacher and her when she thinks of me will forever remember her joyous laughter .

Finally

Its my last night with the short-term missions group with my church and tomorrow the life that Christ has laid out before me begins.

It has been a long time coming and now it is here.To be able to live amongst the people God has broken my heart for lets me appreciate our living loving God all the more.

God has told me from day 1 that this is what He made me for.To have such a simplistic attitude towards my lifes calling is freedom.God says go I go!!!!Isn't life easy when someone else who loves you, you are able to let take charge of your life.

I don't know why He picked me or what He picked me for but I will just follow His guidance and understand that as in :

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,declares the Lord plans to prosper you and not to harm you,plans to give you a hope and a future.

The people that walked these corridors and lived in this prison couldn't see a hope or a future but by bringing God's Word to there children and there children's children these corridors will be cleansed of evil.