Meanwhile, in France (1985)

The New Translation Committee in 1985, upon the suggestion of the French Bible Society, chose to begin a new work apart from the work begun in 1973 by the UBS  because only the first four chapters of Matthew survived the Khmer Rouge Holocaust.  Fr. Ponchaud, who had helped with the New Translation as an exegete, took the remaining chapters of Matthew to France and produced a Roman Catholic Translation which the UBS rejected because it contained much too much Buddhist terminology.  After meetings in France in January and April of ‘85, a new committee of four was proposed by Rev. Norman Ens (CMA),  and formed.  That committee was made up  of Rev. Arun Sok Nhep, Father Francois Ponchaud, Mr. Prom Chan and Mr. Sokhom Chhoung.  Many other nationals and expatriates were included in the revision work.  Here were a group of people who saw the opportunity to make a better translation for the believer and unbeliever alike.  They now had the resources: Better manuscripts, modern translation methods, straight from the original languages, Khmer stylists, Khmer revisionists,  all well educated and mature in the faith.  One can only appreciate their hard work and initiative.

Meanwhile, Around the World (1986-87)

Anyone who was interested in Cambodia on this globe was sensing that the door would soon come creaking open. In response to such a unified feeling, people began to prepare mentally and physically.  Both Cambodians and Christians from other nations met together and created CCS or Cambodia Christian Services.  Once the door opened, CCS would open an office and help facilitate Christian Mission groups or Relief and Development organizations get in touch with the needs and proper people on the inside. It was an umbrella organization made of believers from the US , Europe , Australia , New Zealand and Asia as well.  Just some of the members were World Vision, YWAM, SAO, AOC, S.U., World Concern, World Relief, FEBC , C & MA, AOG,  CMC, ZOA Refugee, MAF, just to name a few. 

CCS had individual members from the Southern Baptists (CSI), and other denominations which felt they could not join as denomination on a whole.  CCS had many organizations on the outside unified in their goal to bring the good news into Cambodia when the door opened.

The underground church movement was picking up momentum as well. House churches were meeting in secret and many Christians, although a little later, had been part of the New Apostolic Church Cult. They knew the church was a cult but it was not so bizarre that it was able to prevent them from worshipping the true God. Most chucked the New Apostolic Church once Christianity was made legal in 1989, due largely to the efforts of Takmau church, Molly Yos , her family and the pastor of Takmau church, Seing Ang.

1989, The Door Swings Open a Crack

The front door swung open to let the 10,000 or more Vietnam Soldiers who had been occupying Cambodia for 10 years head home and leave Cambodia's fate to a well indoctrinated Hun Sen, who had fled the Khmer Rouge to Vietnam in late '77 early '78.  And well, the back door swung open a little, too. And when it did, Christianity was made legal and so were visits by Cambodian Christians who were interested in spying out the land for the Kingdom of God .

The first Cambodian Expatriate Christians through that door were Radha Manickum and Chhon Phan Kong from the USA , both representing Cambodian ministries for Christ. Chhon also came in the name of CCS. CMC is Cambodian Ministries for Christ which is a group of Cambodian Church leaders who are not under the Umbrella of CEC (Cambodia Evangelical Church-CMA).  There association covers Cambodia Churches all over the US and Canada .  Their story was written up in Christianity Today with photos as well.  Other Expatriate Khmer Christians began to make expeditions into Cambodia that year in spite of the war that was still raging in the country-side.

1990

This was my first visit to the Land between the Tiger and Crocodile with Rev. Kong Chhon and the Rev. Sithan Lee. There were about 9 house churches existing in and around PP at that time.  Church leaders I met were Yorng Soth (CMA), Sar Paulerk (Toul Tompong), Eang Chhun (Tonle Basaac), Im Chhrorn (Psa Tmei 1), Khieu Vanlorn (CCC), Taing Nary (CCC), Lav Hourn, Muth Bunthy (Santho Mok). Some other Church leaders I met were Bin David, Ngin Sacrovar, Pen Chin (Kompong Chhnang) and Ung Sophal.

Chhon and Sithan Lee organized a meeting in one of the performing arts centers with about 700 people in attendance near Psa Dam Kor. A gospel message was preached and maybe 30 people came forward. During this trip I taught the youth (ages 16-30 single) while Chhon and Sithan taught pastors and elders.  We met up with Bruce Carlton of CSI, Alice Compain of OMF, Steve Westergren of C& MA and a staff of World Relief who were just getting their work off the ground in 1990.  Westerners and relief worker were followed and thought to be spies.

1991- Paris Peace Accords

The UN perm 5 had brought the 4 fighting factions together to talk about peace which set up the framework for the 1993 elections.

United Bible Society is still working on their new translation.

Church is beginning to grow a little larger. Global Network is growing fast.

Rev. Sithan Lee with Daniel Lamb found the Phnom Penh Bible College with help of Cambodian Ministries for Christ.

1991-92

Enter YWAM, World Concern, SAO, FEBC , AOG, ZOA, SERVANTS and the influx of Christian Mission & Relief and Development organizations begins.  Churches continue to grow and Khmer Christian grow deeper from their exposure to NGO training and discipleship.

In '91 CCS opens an office under Radha Manickum, then Chhon Kong takes the mantel in early '93.  CCS organizes Cambodia 's first March for JESUS.

FEBC 's programs are being made in Cambodia , broadcast from the Philippines back into Cambodia .

1992-93 – The Arrival of United Nations Transitional Authority Cambodia – UNTAC.

·       *Refugees from the camps are forced to return to vote in the election.  Enter Barnabas Mam, Nara Runnath, Meas Thavey, Chai Lee, Ke Tha, Min Sor, Uon Seila, Brom Sambo, Ray Sano, etc.

·       *The UN arrive en- mass bringing AIDS, pornography, and western culture with a vengeance.

·       *A false economy is produced and then inflation followed by recession.

·        *UNTAC is a major cow being milked by all.

·       *Election see a %90 turnout. FUNCIPEC WINS, SOC loses. 2.2 Billion USD is spent on the elections.

·       *SOC cries foul, won't leave the throne. A coalition government is formed between the two parties.

·        *Some Royalist politicians try to secede from Cambodia .  Nice Try.

·       *UNTAC goes home but leaves thousands of unwanted mixed race babies in full orphanages of whom most Cambodians are not interested in adopting.

·       *Enter Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons.

·       *There are about 150 churches and 10,000 believers countrywide.  

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