Transforming love and peace
Our Cambodia team is passionate about sharing the transforming love and peace of Jesus in relevant ways . In this inspiring article , Rachel and KimLean share what this looks like for their ministries .
Rachel is a Speech Pathologist with a heart to support children with disabilities to participate fully in community . She is now based in Australia following six years serving in Cambodia with her husband Luke and their children .
Being able to communicate is something most of us take for granted . It allows us to share our experiences , feelings , ideas and needs . It helps us to build connections with others . It invites others to see beyond outward appearances and abilities - to see who we truly are .
In Cambodia , disability support is under-funded , under-resourced and generally not well understood . Often the lack of understanding can result in a lack of acceptance and isolation for the person with a disability and their family , as well as a lack of access to basic services .
Yet we know that God values every person and has a heart for those who are marginalised or dwell on the outside of society .
In responding to this need and utilising my skills as a Speech Pathologist , we followed God ’ s leading to establish a new ministry . In 2023 , we opened a centre which we named ‘ Language of the Heart ’ or Pheasa Duongchet in Khmer .
Through this ministry our vision is to help children with disabilities and communication impairments develop ways that they can share who they are with others – to communicate from their heart .
Our vision is to work holistically , not only to support cognitive , social , emotional and physical needs but also spiritual needs .
RESONATE ISSUE 42 | PAGE 2