The hour boat ride north on the Mekong River in Stueng Treng province had been both thrilling and beautiful. Cambodian life filled our view — sometimes bringing us into their past, as their ancient culture continues today. Thoughts of what lay ahead flew through my mind as over a year ago Maureen and I arrived in Preah Rhum Qual for the first time seeking an opportunity for World Challenge Missions to reach the ‘unreached’ of the rural North.

Preah Rhum Qual is a small village near the border of Laos, reachable only by boat. Its 5,000 people are made up of seven other smaller villages in the nearby jungle and islands. Met by only one or two villagers, immediately we realized that foreigners were rarely in this location. Now the center of attraction and the number of villagers growing, the reason for our visit was requested. We placed our hands together as if praying, bringing them to eye level, and with a slight bow we meagerly spoke a formal greeting of “Chum rip sua” as our translator stated we were considering the possibility of beginning a community project and presenting the good news of Jesus Christ.

In such simple authenticity, a woman asked, "Who is he and when is he coming?” With a quick question or two, we were informed that they had never heard the name of Jesus — not even once!

February 2009 - Cambodia - A member of the medical team takes a patient's blood pressure during the medical clinic held in Preah Rhum Qual.
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So now a year later, our boats have just arrived at Rhum Qual’s shores with two U.S. doctors and a nurse. Also in our group are Christian Cambodian doctors and nurses, along with Cambodian community development workers. The importance of this visit was such that even the Cambodian Assemblies of God national president and his wife came along! So our team then joined a Filipino couple who are now the first Christians living in Rhum Qual and whom World Challenge is assisting in their ministry.

With time so limited, we set up our 'mobile’ clinic in the very building the Khmer Rouge had used to indoctrinate and control the villagers in the mid 1970’s. A place of death and oppression was now transformed into a place of life and hope! About 240 people of all ages came for health reasons and were ministered to in body and Spirit. What a joy and privilege to serve the Lord by serving Preah Rhum Qual! A new outreach is now possible because this service has been seen as ‘good faith’ by the village leader and the villagers who have never had this before. They have accepted the practical presentation of the Gospel, with one lady declaring, "…now I want to read what is in the Bible!"

World Challenge will continue to reach Preah Rhum Qual and other 'unreached’ peoples in Cambodia and abroad as the Lord gives us the opportunity. What a beautiful day it was, with the sights of Jesus changing lives through such simple means and vessels!