Cambodia:  Compassionate Nazarenes; that’s who John Watton, Asia-Pacific Region Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Coordinator, is looking for.

John has a vision to help local Nazarene members realize their capacity to show love to their communities.  New to Asia and the Pacific, John took an inital tour of the Southeast Asia Field the first week of November.

In Phnom Penh, John found a newly opened dorm for young ladies coming from the province to go to college. This dorm safely houses them while they study. While staying at the dorm, these ladies will also receive tutoring in computers and English, and are an active part of the Phnom Penh church plant.

NCM Team visiting the Girls’ dormitory

The need to provide safe housing for young people coming to the city for college was a desire and concern expressed by Cambodia District leadership. This desire and concern came together with the passion of Ko, Seong-Chul and his wife, Kim, Yoon-Jong, team members from Korea who are working to find creative ways to help young people in Cambodia. The dorm is modeled after similar dorms in Phnom Penh and in a creative access area.

Through this Nazarene Compassionate Ministries project, young ladies are being given a place of safety and training.  In turn, they are taking the hope and peace that comes through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior to the streets, sharing stories from the Bible with the children of the neighborhood and leading a high school neighbor to Christ!   That neighbor now attends the church plant in Phnom Penh!

You see, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries is much more than just doing projects of compassion; it’s opening doors and making way for Kingdom Impact!

— Submitted: David Phillips, Southeast Asia FSC