Acts 16

As we continue to live and work here, we get a bigger and better picture of the people. On the surface they claim to be Buddhist but underneath this thin covering is a much darker and sometimes sinister world. The average Khmers world is filled with evil spirits and dark forces that must be appeased on a regular basis. Everyone has a spirit house on their property to offer food and burn incense to the spirits that threaten to harm them and their families.
This week our ship has been parked close to the local fortune-teller's house. Every community has their own fortune-teller and some evidently have the gift stronger than others. This man is quite wealthy as many politicians and important people from Phnom Penh come to see him for advice. He not only tells the future but he does rituals for improving ones lot in life in many ways. They can even place curses on others for you. He also seems to have an idol making factory with several men fully employed in this trade.
I am not sure if this man has real power or not. I cannot help but think of Paul and Silas in Philippi in Acts 16 and the young girl fortune-teller. He also was confronted by the idol making Demetrius in Ephesus in Acts 19. This man seems to have both areas covered! What I do know is that the Cambodians like the people in Philippi and Ephesus need to know that Jesus is the answer to being afraid and facing the difficulties of life. Only He can bring peace to the lives of these people whose past is full of only fear and destruction. How wonderful it is to go to sleep at night and not be afraid! Our God…He is alive! rick