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Cambodia
Country Facts
Population: 14,494,293 (2009)
Median Age: 22.1 yrs.
GDP per capita: $1900 USD (2009 est.)
Major Religion: Buddhist 96.4%, Muslim 2.1%
People Groups: 42 Unreached: 30
Largest Unreached People Group: Central Khmer
Government Type: Multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Official Languages: Khmer
Geography
Located in Southeastern Asia, Cambodia borders the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. Cambodia is mostly low, flat plains with mountains in the southwest and the north.
People
Ninety percent of Cambodia's population is ethnically Cambodian. Other
ethnic groups include Chinese, Vietnamese, hill tribes, Cham, and Lao.
History
The Khmer Empire, the roots of the Cambodia nation, emerged in the period
802–1431. The Khmer Empire was not a nation in the modern sense and
varied in size from king to king, and at times,
ruled large parts of what is now Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Over a period of 300 years, between 900 and 1200 AD, the Khmer Kingdom
of Angkor produced some of the world's most magnificent architectural
masterpieces, reflective of its Hindu origin until 1200, when the building of a new capital coincided with a change from Hinduism to Buddhism.
The 19th century saw significant change for Cambodia, beginning with near dissolution in 1863, when it became a French protectorate. The French governed through WWII, then Cambodia became independent in 1953. in the 1960's opposition grew within the middle class and among leftists, including
Paris-educated leaders including Saloth Sar, later known as Pol Pot, who led an insurgency under the clandestine
Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK). On October 9, 1970, the Cambodian monarchy was abolished, and the country was renamed the Khmer Republic.
From 1970-1975, the Khmer forces fought against the Viet Cong, finally the Khmer government surrendered to the communists in the spring of 1975. Expected peace was quickly overshadowed by the horror of Pol Pot's military regime, emptying cities into the countrysides and executing anyone in opposition. Hundreds of thousands more died from forced labor, starvation, and
disease--both under the Khmer Rouge and during the Vietnamese invasion
in 1978. Estimates of the dead range from 1.7 million to 3 million, out
of a 1975 population estimated at 7.3 million. In the decade of occupation nearly all Cambodian life and culture was threatened. In 1997, most of the remaining Khmer Rouge fighters accepted a
government amnesty and laid down their arms, putting an end to nearly
three decades of war.
Fianally, in 1993, a new constitution established a constitutional monarchy devoted to
the principles of liberal democracy. This institution of kingship is an
important national symbol, especially in rural areas, where devotion to
the king never died out during the socialist period.
Culture
The most important cultural symbol is the ancient Khmer temple Angkor
Wat, along with the ancient Khmer Empire and its monumental antiquities.
Cambodian artisans are known for silk and cotton weaving, silver work,
silve r and gold jewelry, and basketry.
Since 1979, there has been a governmental effort to restore aspects of
traditional culture destroyed during the DK period. There is a long tradition of the use of writing, with important religious
texts, royal chronicles, and epic poetry, but modern literature is
undeveloped. Virtually no literature was produced during the DK period, and many
writers were killed or fled. Literature in the 1980s had a socialist
orientation.
Spiritual Climate
Theravada Buddhism spread in the later years of the Khmer Empire and is
traditionally considered the religion of ethnic Khmer. Animist practices
and Brahmanistic practices, such as traditional medicine, magic, amulets, and spirit mediums, are also part of the culture
and are deeply intermingled with the everyday practice of Buddhism.
During the reign of Pol Pot, all religious traditions were weakened by the banning of religious
observances. Christian converts returned from refugee camps and foreign
countries, and Christianity has established a strong foothold among ethnic
Khmers.
Recent history of this predominantly Buddhist country includes guerilla
warfare, war, and the 1970s Khmer Rouge reign of terror, resulting in
physical and emotional scars. Corruption, trafficking, and a
countryside populated with landmines are major concerns.
NMSI Involvement
NMSI first began work in Cambodia in 2006, beginning with short-term trips which have turned into full-time ministry. Current ministries in Cambodia include:
• Leadership development
• Church planting and discipleship
• Church-based community development in agriculture and nutrition
• Teaching English to open doors for the Gospel
• Ministry to girls removed from the sex trade
Prayer Points
• For spiritual awakening and an openness to the Gospel in Cambodia
• Prayer against the spiritual forces of wickedness that keep the country and culture bound by the enemy
• For the equipping of Cambodian pastors and lay leaders; unity in the Body of Christ
• Healing for the children who are brought out of the sex trade and off the streets
• For Christ's healing in all areas of the Khmer people's lives
• For the Holy Spirit to strengthen and multiply the believers in Cambodia
Ministry Opportunities
Short-term: Create your own short-term project.
Long-term: If you feel called to work or are currently working in a country in this region, please contact our People and Organizational Development Team (POS) to explore how NMSI might partner with you.
Cambodia Photo Gallery
Sources: Joshua Project, Every Culture—Cambodia, Campus Crusade for Christ—Cambodia, CIA World Factbook, US Department of State, Wikipedia
NMSI missionaries serving in Cambodia:
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