Care for Cambodia

BMC Student Teaches to Give Children a Better Life

In the farming villages of Cambodia most children own two ragged pairs of clothing—one to wear and one to hand wash in a bowl. Their need is desperate and in many cases they have no access to running water, education, or the Gospel. For Cambodian children, learning English is their chance to escape poverty because many higher paying jobs in Cambodia require fluency in English.

Senior Mikki Stephenson spent this past summer making a difference for Cambodian kids in Kampong Thom, Cambodia, as their English teacher. She stayed with the family of Pastor Han of Balang Baptist Church. The Han family runs a school named Hope House, which currently houses 16 children with the vision that they will spread the Gospel in their home villages. Mikki taught English to the Hope House kids and in the local villages, incorporating Bible verses into each lesson.

“We not only gave them what they want, which is to learn English, but what they need—the Gospel,” said Mikki.

Mikki became part of the family at Hope House and grew especially close with 7 year old Naomi. As a toddler Naomi swallowed some heart medication, thinking it was candy, which gave her long-term problems with her bladder. Because of her accidents, Naomi was isolated from the other children and constantly washing her soiled clothes. In spite of Naomi’s struggles, Mikki spent many hours with her, washing clothes, drawing pictures and learning each other’s languages.

Mikki chose to do summer missions after attending a mission education night at BMC last year. She learned about the immense number of people groups which are still living in spiritual darkness with no access to the Gospel. She said a greater awareness of the needs of unreached people drove her towards serving in Cambodia, a country where people visit ancient temples and bow to stone idols, but have never heard of the Bible.

Though the BSU funds summer missionaries from BMC, international missionaries must raise part of their own funding—up to $3,000 or more—because of travel expenses. Students might organize fundraisers such as t-shirt or bake sales, or visit local churches to raise awareness of missions as well as financial funding.

When asked what she would say to students considering summer missions for 2018, Mikki said,“I would highly recommend summer missions. God is worthy of being declared among all nations. He is able to do so much even in just a summer, not only for the people you’re going to serve, but also to grow you. It is definitely worth it.”

Are you a BMC student interested in summer missions? Talk with those who have been on mission before, including Grace Durbin, Coty Cook, and Mekayla Sheene. Go to the BSU or contact BSU director Traci Moser at tmoser@bmc.edu for more information.