The Fight's Not Over

On our last day in Svay Pak, I was walking over to the gym when I saw Justin standing in the middle of street with a strained look on his face. When I asked him what was going on, he pointed to a westerner who was standing next to a Tuk Tuk, just a few buildings down from AIM's Rahab's House, where we have Kid's Club. I had never seen him before, but that doesn't mean much. Maybe he was here to see someone on AIM's staff. I am a police officer and I watch people walking down the street all the time. I'm looking for behavior that is out of the ordinary, or for ordinary behaviour that is missing. Watching him for a moment I did notice that he looked unsure; a bit lost. He walked back to the Tuk Tuk, said something to the driver, then walked back in my direction. Justin wasn't sure if we should approach him. I am a cop. I talk to dirtbags all the time and if this guy was a dirtbag, I wanted to know right away.

I walked up to him and I could see that he was a white male, in his early 40s. "Hi," I said, "You look lost, are you looking for someone?"

"No..." he replied with a German accent.

"So, what brings you here today?" I ask with my friendliest smile.

"Oh, I'm looking to drink a beer or soda. This place his changed so much. I haven't been here for 12 years. The cafe I used to go to is gone." Twelve years ago, this place was a pedophiles dream. There were several brothels with no shortage of children.

Ironically, this conversation was going on in front of the Kids Club building. Kids are running in and out around us. I am talking to a tourist seeking pedophile in front of AIM's Svay Pak Head Quarters and Church.

I told him that there is a cafe just next door, and he walks away. Justin and I quickly found Chad, one of AIM's staff members and told him what had just happened. Just 20 feet from us, the pedophile was sitting in the cafe, directly next door to Rahab's House having a drink. This scenario was right out of AIM's documentary, The Pink Room. I encourage you to see it if you havent already.

NOBODY comes to Svay Pak for a soda, nobody! This is a poor, no-descript area 20 minutes away from the city. On our first day, our driver couldn't even find the turn off from the highway to Svay Pak. The only foreigners that venture here are those who know this is where children can be purchased for sex.

AIM's staff took over from here. They sent a Cambodian staff member to the cafe to strike up a conversation with the bad guy. Typically, a foreginer would go into Svay Pak, or some other area known for trafficking children, and sit in a cafe until a pimp sees him and arranges a child for him to rape. So, probably when the undercover AIM staff member talked to him he was assuming he was a trafficker. The foreigner freely told him that he was in Svay Pak six years ago and bought two young girls, and he was looking for some girls today.

After a while he gave up and got back in his Tuk Tuk and traveled back to his hotel in Phom Pen. This gave AIM enough time to gear up their undercover team; their "SWAT" team. They have an agreement with the goverenment to conduct investigations on suspected pedophiles and under certain circumstances, take them into custody. The SWAT team followed the pedophile back to his hotel and set up surveillance on him. They will follow him from there, and if they can show that he is buying children for sex, they will arrest him. While Justin and I watched this horrible human being sitting in the cafe (see photo below), waiting to buy and rape a child, we prayed against him. We prayed that God would protect the children in Cambodia against him and all like him, and we prayed that he would be outed and arrested. This will be my ongoing prayer.

Child Sex Predator Waits for Pimp

I asked Pastor Chanta (the head pastor of the AIM church) if this happens often. "Sadly, yes." he said. I really feel like God put this situation in front of me to remind me that it's not all fun and games over here. Even as you could hear the children singing from the open windows of the Kid's Club, a child sex predator drank a soda in the cafe next door. The fight is far from over. AIM has done so much for this area, but so much more is needed to be done. The wolf is not at the door, he is INSIDE, running among the sweetest children you would ever meet.

Many of you that are reading this blog have given generously to AIM, me, and the other members of the Newsong team. I would encourage to "Like" AIM's Facebook page and stay up on what is going on over here in Cambodia. Include them in your daily prayers. If you heart leads you, go to their webpage and DONATE.

Amazing End to an Amazing Two Weeks

I am writing this post while still trying to process everything that has happened over the last two weeks. In the boxing gym, we went from complete strangers to brothers.

Our last workout was well attended and I made it a pretty hard one. By the end of two weeks, they had our basic routine down, now it was time to crush it. And, crush it we did! After the workout a couple fighters took naps on the floor of the gym. That's what I like to see.

Our afternoon devotional was lead by Justin. Justin did a great wrap up, discussing the importance of being focused daily on Jesus and using their coach, or each other, as accountability partners. Justin and I finished by giving our heart felt thanks to each member of the gym for their respect and friendship. Then, I wasn't ready for this: They went around and individually told us how much our time there meant to them, and they hoped we would come back soon. I was deeply moved. Coach SomKhan closed in prayer. He prayed for us and our families at home.

The fighters took turns giving us hugs and wanted to take pictures with us. What a great group of young men. I will miss them very much. I do however plan on continuing my support of the gym though producing training videos on Youtube and advising them on the future expansion of the gym. I even see a Skype workout in the future!

 

 

Good bye Cambodia. Hope to see you next year!

- Clay Cranford

 

Don't Small Ball God

Every day, Justin, Eddie (a member from a different missions team), and I have been building relationships with the fighters in the Gym. We have been leading devotionals after their boxing training, talking about our personal journey's to becoming Christians, who Jesus is, and how to have a relationship with him.

On Wednesday, instead of doing the devotional, we asked the fighters who wanted to invite Jesus into their hearts. Earlier that morning we prayed as a team. We asked for God to soften their hearts to his word. We meekly prayed for one, maybe two men to accept Christ.

Sitting in a circle on the floor, we asked who would like to invite Jesus into their heart. Out of the 16 men there, about 12 hands went up. I was blown away. Eddie and I glanced at each other in amazement. With heads bowed and eyes closed, these men asked God to forgive them and to make Jesus the center of their lives. Smiling faces and applause from the men followed.

The following day I gave a short devotional on 1 Cor 9:24-27. Paul compares the Christian life to running a race or training for a boxing match. This was an analogy these men understood very well. We had some fighters in attendance that weren't there for the previous day's invitation. So, again, I asked if anyone wanted to pray to invite Jesus into their hearts. A couple new hands went up. Again, I was amazed by what God was doing in this gym. We prayed holding hands sitting on the floor.

I can see now that when we prayed and asked God for one, maybe two hearts changed, we were low balling God. What I learned from this is not to put God in a box, and not to project my insecurities onto the God of creation. It seems silly now that we every did. He is faithful even when we are small minded.

 

Great Way to End the Week!

Today was trully an amazing day. I am forever changed.

We began at AIM's Church in Svay Pak today for Sunday morning service. I had no expectations. The service started with a twist on the, "Stand up and greet someone sitting near you." Instead, we (the mission team), stood up and walked around the room greeting everyone while they remained seated. In Cambodia, like many Asian countries, it is customary to press your palms together in front of your chest when saying hello or thank you. So that's what we did. As I went around and bent down to the congregants and said "good morning," I was greated by the brightest happiest faces I have ever seen. Many grandmothers reached up and put their hands on the outside of may hands, smiling and saying "God bless you" in Khmer. Children reaching up with their little hands high-five'd me. I was overwhelemed with the love and sweetness of these fellow believers in Christ. Tears welled up in my eyes. There was no stopping it. By the time I got back to my seat, I was a mess. I looked down the aisle and saw my teammates also wiping the tears from their eyes.

Then the worship started. The worship team was made up of about 15 young members of the church that work at AIM. It was the most heart felt worship experience of my 42 years in the church. The joy and love that flowed from the worship team and the congregation pierced my heart. Imagine you had one last opportunity to worship God on this planet. They held nothing back. Many of the songs were sung in Khmer. It didn't mater. I was blown away. Again tears. In that moment I thanked Jesus for allowing me to experience this. Just beyond the walls of the church lies abject poverty, and a culture that sells their own children. A culture decimated by the Khmer Rouge only 35 years ago. That beautiful grandmother who held my hands lived that nightmare. But, here we are, crying out to God, praising his name together.

The singing was followed by a powerful message by Pastor Chanta. We were joined by english speaking disciples that translated his words. It was a message of love and forgiveness. Two things so sorely needed here.

At the end of the service I considered the irony of this situation. I came to bless these people, and I am the one who was blessed!

I recorded one song from the service. When I listen to it. I am still moved. People rejoicing and declaring their love for Jesus in their own tongue.

 

God Bless,

Clay Cranford

Funny Thing Happened at the Gym

Funny thing happened when I was setting up the gym a couple days ago. It was one of those, "You know when you are not in America moments." I was moving some truck tires that the guys use to stand on to reach the pull up bar. As I was moving one of the tires, behind it in the corner was a blue bag. It moved! "Whoa!" I jumped back and looked a little closer. The bag began writhing around. My brain was not comprehending what I was looking at. Then, from a hole in the bag out popped a roosters head. "Whoa!" Again I jumped back and called Cody over. "Hey, Cody come check this out! There is a ROSTER in this BAG! Cody came over and we started laughing at this rooster's head bobbing in and out of the bag.

Sopaek, the assistant coach, came over and said, "Oh, I picked that up for Sumkan (the head coach). Just then, Sumkan showed up on his scooter, snatched up the bag, slung it on his handlebars and road off home to drop it off to his wife before practice. We had a great time retelling that story to the rest of the team.

 

Day Five and Six in the Gym

Over the past two days, the gym has been transformed. We bought them nine new mats (red and yellow squares), which as dramatically improved the workout/sparing area. We are building a great relationship with the coaches and the fighters. The coaches are good Christian men who are encouraging these young men to choose an upright life while sharing Jesus with them. A team from Summit church (Reno, NV) is here too. One of their members is doing a daily devotional after boxing training. Justin and I will be doing three devotionals next week.

Below is a video of different training sessions over the last two days. You will see a workout that we lead in the mornings. I told the fighters that I know Jiu Jutsu, so after every class they ask me to teach them something. You will see me and Som-Mien throwing each other around as well as me sparing with a couple fighters. These guys are young, but they are tough professional Muy Thai kick boxers. They were very gracious and took it easy on me. Then, you will see them being typical boys, competing in some fun games after sparing.

 

The people of this village have been incredibly welcoming to us. We are forging wonderful friendships with them and the AIM staff.

Sometimes you find delicous food in strange places. We get roaving food carts pushed through our neighborhood full of local treats. Frog on a stick anyone? Guess what? It's delicious! It is stuffed with somekind of lemongrass concoction. Bottom line, I didn't get sick. Shoot, I had two!

Yum!

Clay Cranford

 

 

Day Four: DYI in the Gym

Svay Pak

We found that the bar that the suspension trainers and heavy bag were attached to was becoming unstable. The bolts that anchored it to the wall appeared to be coming out. It's not good when you are doing pull ups under a bar that might come crashing down on you.

Lord's Gym, Svay Pak

I was very concerned because this would mean the equipment that we brought over would be unusable. I began brain storming with Justin, one of my team members, and Sophy, the gym ministry director, about what we can do. We came up with an idea for installing a completly new bar in an area that would make the equipment even more accessible. With the help of their maintenance man, Sochiit, we got all the necessary material. This was made possible with the money that many of you donated to this missions trip. We made a huge improvement to the gym.

We are looking forward to a great day tomorrow with the boys in the gym using our new equipment!

 

Day Three: First Day in Svay Pak

Boarding the van to Svay Pak

Today was an amazing day. It was our first day volunteering with Agape International Missions (AIM) in Svay Pak. We had breakfast, read a devotional, prayed, and got on a short van ride to Svay Pak. Today was a real eye-opening learning experience. Svay Pak is the epicenter of child sex trafficking in Cambodia. This particular area is known for providing pre-pubescent girls for sex. Not only that, if it could get any worse, the brothels in this village cater to sex torture fetishes. Poverty is rampet. I expected to see darkness and dispare. What did I see? Joy. I saw hundreds of joyful children coming to AIM's Bible Kid's Club. Many of these children have or possibly are currently being trafficked. The room was packed with children as young as a three, up to young teens. It was awesome seeing these beautiful children singing and playing in a safe place.

Svay Pak. Picture taken from top floor of AIM's Building

The Kid's Club is one of many community out reaches that AIM uses to impact the root causes of child trafficking. AIM works with the local government to identify children in the sex trade and then rescues them. They shelter them in one of their rehab centers, providing therapy, medical aid, and the love they desperately need. AIM helps reintegrate the girls back into their community with vocational training. If the girls can earn money legitamately, they are seen by others as having value and honor and are not likely to be trafficked again. We toured three such facilities where rescued girls are working in a garment factory, T-shirt screening facility, and a braided jewelry facility. These girls are paid considerbly more than their Cambodian counterparts, and they are treated with dignity and respect. Additionally, AIM is providing K - 3rd grade schooling for children for only $1.50 per child per month. That may sound cheap, but many families cannot afford even that. As many as 80% of the students at the school (about 350 students) are on some kind of financial aid scholarship. This is made possible by people donating to AIM.

Today, I got acquainted with the Lord's Gym. This is another one of AIM's community outreaches. It is a kick boxing gym that is a place where young men can come to train, learn to box, and get mentored by Godly men - their coaches. These young men are jobless, and without intervention, they will likely be enticed to traffic or pimp to make money.

I met Somkan, the head coach, and gave him some new equipment for their gym. The equipment was purchased with your generous donations. We provided three suspension trainers and four super bands. When I showed them what you could do with them, they about lost their minds. I, by the way, have a home gym where I've been training people for the past couple of years. In the video below, you will see me demonstrating a one-leg burpee to Somkan. He thought it was amazing.

 

After training the fighters for a couple hours, we had lunch. All the children and staff at the Kid's Club were fed lunch by AIM. We had a delicious meal of white rice and a clear broth soup with vegetables. I sat at a table with a bunch of young Cambodian boys and girls and had a great time talking about where I am from and ping pong, a passion of many of the young boys in the village. I have a ping pong tournament in my near future. I think I'm going to loose.

Tomorrow we are back in Svay Pak. I am going to be training more fighters in the gym and helping out at the Kid's Club.

What an honor and privilage to be here in Cambodia serving The Lord. I can't thank those that help get me here enough. I'd like to especially thank my wife, Gretchen, who has been an amazing source of support and encouragment every step of this journey.

 

First Day: Kinda Crazy

It is a 17 hour flight to Cambodia. Our trip was actually 24 hours, with a 6 hour layover in Ghangzou, China. 6 hours inside of their airport. We were not able to venture out. We did however, meet a missionary couple that were on their way to Indonesia. They sat next to us on the flight to China, and hung out with us during our layover before they flew off to Thailand. They have been missionaries they entire lives, serving predominately in Indonesia. It was great to felowship with them, talk about their lives as full time missionaries and our trip to Cambodia. We prayed for them before they boarded their plane, asking God to bless and keep them safe.
After a 3 hour hop to Phnom Pen, we were greeted by 93 degree humid air. Like a punch in the face. Living abroad in Japan for 2 years, and traveling around in Asia, you learn that every country has it's own smell. Japan, at least Tokyo, smells like fish on hot asphalt. Cambodia, is similar. Maybe a fish on hot asphalt on trash day kinda smell. Again, I love it. The sights and sounds are completely foreign, which makes it so amazing. That brings me to the first "Cambodian" experience: Riding in a Tuk Tuk

The Team riding Tuk Tuks to lunch

Tuk Tuks, I think are Cambodia for: "Extremely unsafe carriage, pulled by an underpowered mo-ped." In fact, nobody is safe on the roads in Cambodia. Cars, motorbikes, scooters, and Tuk Tuks whisk through the streets with reckless abandon. If they have "rules of the road" here, they are treated more like loose guidelines. So, here we are piling into our Tuk Tuks at the airport, just about to take off and a security guard from the airport blocks one of our rides with his mo-ped, pointing and yelling at the driver. The driver, waving his hands in protest, does nothing to lessen the security guard's rage. I have no idea why this guard was so angry with our driver. It appears to be an incident that occured prior to our arrival. Based on the body language, I can see that this is not going to end well for our driver. More guards start heading over. One guard yanks him off his bike, while another starts slapping him. Then I hear the familiar crackling sound of a stun-gun. Yeah, not going to end well for our driver. But, just like that, as soon as the craziness began, it was over. The driver dusted himself off and met us on the otherside of the parking lot and drove his Tuk Tuk to our hotel. Welcome to Cambodia!

The street my hotel is on

We got settled in our hotel, which is right across the street of the Royal Palace. The Palace has self guided walking tours of the gounds. I had a couple hours to kill, so I headed over. It is a major tourist attraction in the capitol. A lot of beautiful gold painted Buddhist structures, but like most things in Cambodia, the closer you get to it the more dilapidated it appears. Cracked and crumbling facades, covered with plaster and gold paint.

Selfie at the Royal Palace

Night time on the streets of Phnom Phen

I went to bed exhausted! Monday (our time) will be our first day working with Agape International Missions and interacting with the people in Svay Pak, 20 km outside of Phnom Phen. I am super excited! I can't wait to see what The Lord has in store for us.

Please continue to pray for us (Me, Tim, Justin, Cody, Marissa, Shawna, Kate, and Mary).