Sunday morning in Siem Reap

As we drove up to the Khmar Thmey Methodist Church just outside the city of Siem Reap, we were greeted by smiling children playing outside the church. This joyous spirit was present throughout the worship as well. I was particularly inspired by the music, which featured primarily Khmer melodies. The church is blessed by some members who are wonderful musicians, and several played native instruments. One young girl played her recorder especially beautifully. I cannot adequately describe the spirit of joy and hope which seemed to be present in the midst of extremely modest surroundings. Indeed by Western standards, the area is quite poor. After the service, Joseph Chan told us the history of the church. Around 1991, Cambodian citizens who were still in Thai refugee camps were returned to Cambodia. The UN bought pieces of land for resettlement. The church we visited was started on land the Methodist church purchased in 1994 in the middle of this resettlement area, which was the new home for 240 families.