|
|||
CambodiaFor nearly six centuries the Khmer Empire ruled large portions of Southeast Asia. During that time a mammoth complex of temples dedicated to various Hindu and Buddhist gods was built in the capital city of Angkor. Today, Angkor Wat, the largest of the structures, stands as a monument to the craftsmanship and power of that Empire. Cambodia came under the shadow of its neighbors in the 1400s, and in1887 it became a part of French Indochina, under whose protection it remained until its independence in 1953. Following America's pullout from Vietnam, the Marxist Khmer Rouge gained power and ruled for four bloody years. An attempt was made to eradicate from society all former government officials, upper and middle class persons, those with education, and religious adherents. Between one-and-a-half and two million Cambodians lost their lives during those few, violent years. Since the UN brokered free elections in 1993, the country has generally been at peace and has been working towards rebuilding. Phnom Penh, the capital, is located in the south central plains where the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers converge. About a tenth of the nation's more than thirteen million people live in the capital, and a full eighty-five percent of the population live in rural areas. About seventy percent of the citizens are literate. In spite of rich natural resources, Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The main occupation is farming - primarily of rice, corn, and rubber. Recent changes in trade agreements threaten to damage Cambodia's garment-manufacturing industry. The Khmer are the dominant ethnic group in Cambodia, and their tongue is spoken as the national language. In the northeastern hill country are several smaller tribes that have their own languages, most of which have not been reduced to writing. These peoples live at peace with the Khmer and are even allowed to cross into neighboring countries where their fellow tribesmen live. The tribal people are basically animist, though many have been coming to Christ in recent years. Buddhism is the national religion, and temples and shrines abound. To gain merit for their parents, many Khmer young men enter the priesthood for a few months, living in a monastery with other monks to learn their religion. Fewer than one percent of the population adheres to any form of Christianity – Roman Catholic or Protestant. Since the mid-1980s, various Christian groups have carried out relief work in Cambodia and have spread the Gospel while giving physical and material help to the people. In 1994 J.D. Crowley received one of the first visas given to a foreigner for entering the country with the express purpose of evangelism. Since then, he has been able to assist other fundamental missionaries in securing similar visas. The opportunities for evangelism and church planting are wide open. The need for missionaries committed to indigenous church-planting throughout Cambodia is staggering. More linguists are also needed to work with Scripture translations among the tribal people. Medical missions is another important opportunity in Cambodia. |
Children in Ban Lung, Ratanakiri 
Cambodian fishermen 
Angkor Wat at night 
Krung musician |
                 |
|
J.D. & Kim CrowleyJ.D. was raised as an MK in Japan and Hawaii. Kim grew up on the campus of Bob Jones University where her parents were teachers. Both trusted Christ as Savior at an early age. It was at Bob Jones Academy that they first met. After graduating from BJU they were married in 1980 and then moved to Hawaii, where J.D. pastored the Kea'au Bible Church for twelve years. But their hearts were always drawn toward tribal work and Bible translation. In 1992 the Crowleys' church sent them out as missionaries to pursue this long-dreamt-of goal. Following a year of training with New Tribes Missions, J.D. and Kim contacted EMU to pursue the prospects of service under this organization. Although the mission had expanded into Chile, it had no tribal missions experience. After months of prayer and a meeting with the Board of Directors, the Crowleys were accepted as missionaries with EMU. Among the Crowleys' early goals in Cambodia was reducing Tampuan (a minority language) to writing in preparation for a Bible translation. They accomplished this task – slowed by many linguistic and bureaucratic hurdles – during their first two terms on the field. During that time, in addition to doing linguistic work, J.D. helped establish the Ratanakiri Bible School for training national church leaders. This school, now directed by the nationals, teaches men and women in several minority groups. J.D. continues to teach at the school and give guidance to the leaders. The Crowleys have also worked to produce doctrinally-sound Christian literature in the Cambodian and Tampuan languages. J.D. and Kim have six children: Charis, Ethan, Anna, Jenna, Taylor, and Nathaniel. |
(back) Charis, Ethan, Anna 
J.D. and a colleague doing linguistic work |
||
Brian & Lydia KaneBrian Kane was born and raised on the campus of Bob Jones University where his parents are on staff. He earned an undergraduate degree in Bible, followed by a Master of Divinity degree. Lydia grew up in the Philippines where her parents are missionaries. She attended BJU, where she met Brian, and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology and a Master's degree in Counseling. Brian and Lydia were married in 2001. In the summer of 2002 Brian, along with two college friends, visited the Crowley family in Ban Lung, Cambodia. Though the Kanes had long had a burden for missionary service, this survey trip turned their hearts to the people of Cambodia. The following year, the Kanes were accepted into EMU as missionaries to Cambodia. After a year of language learning in Phnom Penh, the Kanes plan to join J.D. and Kim Crowley in Ban Lung in 2008. Their primary focus of ministry will be to help train national church leaders. Brian and Lydia's personal ministry website is here. The Kanes have two daughters, Mia and Sophia, and a son, Hugh.
|
Hugh, Lydia, Mia, Sophia, & Brian Kane |
||