Austin Update | Report from the Field: Cambodia
By Kevin Austin, Director of the Set Free Movement
There are an estimated 257,000 slaves in Cambodia.
About a week ago, on the day I arrived in Phnom Penh, International Justice Mission reported that they had recently helped rescue a Cambodian woman from bride traffickers in China. The crushing poverty creates a vulnerability.
 On that first day, I spotted this young boy (pictured at left) working on the construction of a new building. This young girl (below) is helping her mother clean the streets.
Why aren't these children in school?
What is their future?
What is our responsibility in helping create new futures for such as these?
I've been traveling to Cambodia for 18 years now. And I can testify that there is hope! The children I met almost two decades ago are now adults with children and thriving ministry.
Our partner, International Child Care Ministries is doing incredible work to protect these children. ICCM works in villages where traffickers operate and is the first line of defense against these criminals by providing vulnerable children with holistic care in the form of housing, education, leisure activities, and more.
The love that ICCM has for these kids is what makes them such a powerful response that squelches human trafficking and exploitation. When I asked one of the ICCM kids about what they thought of their teacher Mark, this child said: "He is a good teacher and a good friend."
Yes! ICCM care givers love the children. They are creating community. Praise God!
Look for more freedom activities from our brothers and sisters in Cambodia. Please pray it forward.
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