Buddhism is culturally ingrained in Cambodian society–shrines are everywhere. Every hotel has a shrine where food offerings are set out each morning for the gods (or for ancestors), and incense is burned. Every time I pass this shrine in the courtyard of my hotel (Can you see the little house in the center?) I think of the Apostle Paul as he walked through Athens:
“Now while Paul was waiting…in Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.” Acts 17:16
When a person becomes a believer in Cambodia it is very difficult to separate from the culture. In America we have the same problem although our gods are not as in your face at these Buddhist gods. We have the god of materialism, the god of greed, the god of self and many others. Those same gods are here too.
Let’s be like Paul–May our spirits be provoked by what is around us and may we stand for Christ. Pray for those desiring to believe in Jesus Christ. Pray they will realize that Jesus is exclusive. It is Christ and no other. Only Christ, only Christ.
Pastor Roger's Cambodia Report 