This November I am headed to Cambodia on a mission trip! I am going to Phnom Penh, Cambodia to work with a ministry run by Agape International Missions. I made my first trip there in November 2013, and I'm very excited to return and see old friends, site improvements and celebrate the great things God is doing in Cambodia! Our team is traveling there to support the ministry established by Agape International Missions (AIM) which is focused on ending the evils of child sex slavery in Cambodia. The main focus of AIM is rescuing girls from brothels, and restoring and renewing their minds, bodies and souls.
Beside rescuing and restoring girls, AIM is making great strides in transforming the community! Here are just a few ways:
► Kids Club - a daily afternoon program where children learn and play. Our team has created a lesson plan and program for Kids Club each day, during our time there.
► Community Church - held every Sunday in the community.
► Medical Clinic - provides medical attention to 300 - 400 people each month.
► Brick Factories - these are communities that are built on the site of the brick factories where bricks are formed in wooden molds and carried in and out of the kilns - all by hand! AIM transports the children of these workers to Kids Club and outreach of food and medical services are also provided to these communities.
► Aim Employment Center - offers rescued women employment and a opportunity for a new career. Besides being well paid they receive counseling, education, and healthcare.
Something that truly inspired me on my previous trip was the devotion of the missionaries to their work. When asked how long they plan to stay - the most common response was a joyful "as long as God wants me here!". And beyond living in less than first world conditions and dealing with some pretty gritty issues, they have to raise their own financial support so they can continue to do the good works they do! In addition to these admirable people, local teenage volunteers - called disciples, some who risk scorn or banishment from their own families, work tirelessly with Kids Camp and other community programs. And when not working... they are busy learning and/or teaching others about God! The faith and dedication of these disciples was so impressive that I felt so humbled. When I imagine Jesus's twelve disciples I envision they must have been something like that!
Following my return a couple of years ago, I felt so energized to do something, anything! Initially we looked at buying shirts cut & sewn at AIMs recovery centers. We thought this would be logical fit for our promotions and screen printing shop here in the U.S. However we latched upon an idea to sell hand-sewn pairs of pants similar to ones I had purchased at the local market during my visit. Thus EOTE was born and a website was created to help further promote and share AIM's story to others and provide financial support for their recovery centers. To date we have purchased nearly 500 pairs of pants and shorts! Thanks for your continued support!