Filipino missionaries help rebuild Cambodia

Meeting with KYDP Staff

Students staying at KYDC

February 1, 2008,
Iloilo City, Philippines

After decades of civil war and resulting socio-cultural unrest, the nation once nicknamed "The Killing Fields" is slowly but steadily moving on toward recovery. As one of the later additions to the ASEAN, Cambodia shows promising progress in this region of the world. But unbeknownst to many Filipinos, some areas of this country have received significant impact from the sacrificial service of our Filipino missionaries coming from various denominations.

Last October-November, 2007, Ptr. Jose Estrebilla of Full Gospel Center Church, Fajardo St., Jaro, Iloilo City visited Cambodia along with his family. The Estrebillas served as missionaries in the southern province of Takeo from 1994 to 2005. They have seen how the Christian churches they helped start with Ptr. Warren Aragona (also an Ilonggo missionary) in Takeo keep on growing in the Lord and transforming communities to the glory of His Name. Twenty-three village churches now have their multi-purpose buildings that serve as a worship venue for the local body of believers and at the same time cater to the development needs of the community (e.g., livelihood and agriculture training venue, tutorial lessons, preschools, etc.) Thirty-six other villages have been started with groups of believers meeting in homes.

The Khmer Youth Development Center (KYDC) that was launched shortly after the Estrebillas left Cambodia in 2005 is continuing to touch and transform the lives of the more than 40 students staying in it, under the faithful leadership of Zoe and Ghen Guasa (Filipino missionary couple from Bukidnon). Not only is the project resulting into the salvation of the students actually staying in the Center, but even their respective families and their classrooms are beginning to see the goodness of God through the lives and testimonies of these young people. The demonstration farm they have developed in the area has also been a blessing to the farmers in the surrounding communities, as well as generating significant income that has helped cater to their schooling needs and even assist some of the graduates that have gone to college.

The KYDP (Khmer Youth Development Program) English School at the capital of Takeo is desperately crying out to God for a good problem they have: over-crowded classrooms due to the increasing number of students coming in. Lenly Gula, another Filipina missionary from Iloilo who committed to stay and develop this school is currently looking out for partners to build school buildings on the over half-a-hectare lot that KYDP has acquired in 2005. The KYDP Preschool is presently catering to the educational needs of the upper and middle classes in Takeo, and it is hoped to grow as an agent that will help transform this country from the top levels through their children being exposed to biblical principles at an early age.
May God continue to raise up more Filipino missionaries to scatter the message of His love near and far – to the glory of His holy Name!