God is in Cambodia and he wants the Cambodian population to belong to him. This is why Annelise Clausen and her husband have been working as missionaries in Phnom Pehn for four years.
2007-10-24
By Signe Damkjaer
ScandAsia.Denmark
Annelise Clausen in front of her house in Phnom pehn“People have to be given the opportunity to get to know Jesus so they can go to Heaven. This is the main purpose of our presents in Cambodia”, says Annelise Clausen from Danish Lutheran Mission (DLM). Together with her husband Axel Rye Clausen she has been doing missionary work and humanitarian work for DLM in Phnom Pehn for four years. “But we should also have a good life while we are here on earth. That’s why it is important to help people in need.
The first
DLM chose Cambodia because we saw that there was a need for development and also because there are hardly any Christians here”, Annelise explains. Annelise joined DLM in 1977. In addition to her education as a teacher she has a three year education as a missionary.
While her husband since they came to Cambodia has been teaching at a bible school, Annelise has been taking part in several different projects such as working in a hospice for AIDS patients, training of teachers and working in an orphanage. The couple has previously been working 12 years for LM in Tanzania. As the first DLM missionaries in Cambodia, they had to start up everything from the beginning.
“You come with your suitcase and then there is nothing. In Tanzania where we worked before it was decided what we should do and where we should live. Here everything had to be started from scratch”, she says. But for Annelise the process of setting up new projects has been rewarding. “Coming here has been such a positive challenge. It has been very exiting to start new project and to find new ways. And to have the responsibility to make things work”, she says.
Development and Christianity goes hand in hand
In all of DLM’s projects Christianity is in focus as well as helping people in need. “Development and Christianity goes hand in hand”, says Annelise. “As Christians we are not only concerned that people get to know Jesus. We also want them to be helped in their everyday problems. Those two things are inseparable for us. But notably this is irrespectively of peoples own religions”.
This is why the people who are taking part in DLM’s project with young tuc tuc drivers start their day with devotion. The project gives young people who have never gone to school a change to get a basic education and afterwards to make a living by driving a tuc tuc. “We have devotion every morning where we read the bible and pray. Then they learn English, Mathematics and mechanics” says Annelise.
“We believe that human beings will be saved if they are Christians. We want other people to be saved by believing that Jesus died for our sake. It is very important that we not only help in life on earth, but also give them an opportunity to find an eternity afterwards”.
The combination of Christianity and humanitarian work is also evident in DLM’s project, the Sunshine Centre. The Sunshine Centre is a villa with a garden where children come in the morning. Here they get breakfast and after school help with their homework. The children have never gone to school before, either because their parents could not afford it, or because the children had to earn money for the family. “If they had not come here, they would have been begging on the street”, says Annelise. “Once a month the parents can come and pick up rice as compensations for the parents for the “lost” work of the children”. And as part of the project the children are taught Christianity two hours a week. However, Annelise underlines that although Christianity is taught as part of the project, it is an individual choice whether the young people become Christian or not.
“We hope that they take a personal stand point for Jesus. But this is something we believe happen with the Holy Spirit and not something we can make them do. But we can teach them about Christianity and then it is an individual choice if they want to join us, and their religious standpoint has no consequences for the education we give them”, she says, and continues, “But because we think it is essential to be Christian we have to teach people about Christianity. For the sake of Eternity.
A calling
Christianity as well as the need to do humanitarian work has followed Annelise since her student days. “I have always been interested in development work and in helping people in third world countries”, says Annelise. “While I was studying I had an epiphany that I was going to be a missionary. I knew that this was God wanted with me. I surrendered after big inner protests. I felt that my life would be worthless if I didn’t follow it. It was a calling”.
Annelise and her husband have a contract in Cambodia of six years. But they like Cambodia so much that they hope to be able to extend it “We are really crazy about his country. It has been very exiting to get to know the Cambodian population. People work very hard here and they really want to develop the country. This is very encouraging”. Concerning Cambodia and Christianity Annelise is also optimistic.
”When we came here there were only four per mille Christians in the country. But now it must be two or three per cent”, she says. “This is because God is a live and he wants people in this country to believe. People cannot believe by them selves. But God can let god into their life and then he create faith. He wants people in Cambodia to belong to him. That is how we think it is”, she finishes.
2007-10-24
By Signe Damkjaer
ScandAsia.Denmark
Annelise Clausen in front of her house in Phnom pehn“People have to be given the opportunity to get to know Jesus so they can go to Heaven. This is the main purpose of our presents in Cambodia”, says Annelise Clausen from Danish Lutheran Mission (DLM). Together with her husband Axel Rye Clausen she has been doing missionary work and humanitarian work for DLM in Phnom Pehn for four years. “But we should also have a good life while we are here on earth. That’s why it is important to help people in need.
The first
DLM chose Cambodia because we saw that there was a need for development and also because there are hardly any Christians here”, Annelise explains. Annelise joined DLM in 1977. In addition to her education as a teacher she has a three year education as a missionary.
While her husband since they came to Cambodia has been teaching at a bible school, Annelise has been taking part in several different projects such as working in a hospice for AIDS patients, training of teachers and working in an orphanage. The couple has previously been working 12 years for LM in Tanzania. As the first DLM missionaries in Cambodia, they had to start up everything from the beginning.
“You come with your suitcase and then there is nothing. In Tanzania where we worked before it was decided what we should do and where we should live. Here everything had to be started from scratch”, she says. But for Annelise the process of setting up new projects has been rewarding. “Coming here has been such a positive challenge. It has been very exiting to start new project and to find new ways. And to have the responsibility to make things work”, she says.
Development and Christianity goes hand in hand
In all of DLM’s projects Christianity is in focus as well as helping people in need. “Development and Christianity goes hand in hand”, says Annelise. “As Christians we are not only concerned that people get to know Jesus. We also want them to be helped in their everyday problems. Those two things are inseparable for us. But notably this is irrespectively of peoples own religions”.
This is why the people who are taking part in DLM’s project with young tuc tuc drivers start their day with devotion. The project gives young people who have never gone to school a change to get a basic education and afterwards to make a living by driving a tuc tuc. “We have devotion every morning where we read the bible and pray. Then they learn English, Mathematics and mechanics” says Annelise.
“We believe that human beings will be saved if they are Christians. We want other people to be saved by believing that Jesus died for our sake. It is very important that we not only help in life on earth, but also give them an opportunity to find an eternity afterwards”.
The combination of Christianity and humanitarian work is also evident in DLM’s project, the Sunshine Centre. The Sunshine Centre is a villa with a garden where children come in the morning. Here they get breakfast and after school help with their homework. The children have never gone to school before, either because their parents could not afford it, or because the children had to earn money for the family. “If they had not come here, they would have been begging on the street”, says Annelise. “Once a month the parents can come and pick up rice as compensations for the parents for the “lost” work of the children”. And as part of the project the children are taught Christianity two hours a week. However, Annelise underlines that although Christianity is taught as part of the project, it is an individual choice whether the young people become Christian or not.
“We hope that they take a personal stand point for Jesus. But this is something we believe happen with the Holy Spirit and not something we can make them do. But we can teach them about Christianity and then it is an individual choice if they want to join us, and their religious standpoint has no consequences for the education we give them”, she says, and continues, “But because we think it is essential to be Christian we have to teach people about Christianity. For the sake of Eternity.
A calling
Christianity as well as the need to do humanitarian work has followed Annelise since her student days. “I have always been interested in development work and in helping people in third world countries”, says Annelise. “While I was studying I had an epiphany that I was going to be a missionary. I knew that this was God wanted with me. I surrendered after big inner protests. I felt that my life would be worthless if I didn’t follow it. It was a calling”.
Annelise and her husband have a contract in Cambodia of six years. But they like Cambodia so much that they hope to be able to extend it “We are really crazy about his country. It has been very exiting to get to know the Cambodian population. People work very hard here and they really want to develop the country. This is very encouraging”. Concerning Cambodia and Christianity Annelise is also optimistic.
”When we came here there were only four per mille Christians in the country. But now it must be two or three per cent”, she says. “This is because God is a live and he wants people in this country to believe. People cannot believe by them selves. But God can let god into their life and then he create faith. He wants people in Cambodia to belong to him. That is how we think it is”, she finishes.
11 comments:
This is the act of proselytizing, brainwashing Khmer kids and convert this lovely Buddhist country into a barbarian Christian countries like Europe experienced in the 16 century.
Go back your home if you help Cambodia in the intent to convert Cambodian into Christian...Cambodian people are not barbarian state for anybody to convert...Cambodian people have their own unique civilization...not uncivilized people to be converted.
No, people need no opportunity to no Jesus, they just needed opportunity for job, job, job. Get the fuck out of Khmer Holly soil, cunt (Annelise Clausen)!
I agree, Cambodia is a Buddhist country and doesn't need foreign so-called missionaries to preach the western brand of morality.
Saaa touuuk, bro!
I don't agree with you that God is in my Country, Cambodia. God is eveywhere if He really does exist.
Why God was not in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge time, when Cambodian people was experiencing the worst suffering?
I respect your have the right of belief and you right to preach your Religion. But please don't proselityse Camboduian people.
Cambodian people are struggling for their survival not for any God.
For me if God really exists, somewhere, He must be perfect, neutral, has no religion (because he is perfect), has no nationality.....He is the only one, a unique Invisible Personage for all human beings of all races.
Khmers don't be fooled. No God during Pol Pot, neither in Burma, nor in Tibet & Iraq that illegally invaded by China & USA, thousands killed by Tsunames, fires in California, hurricanes... Westerners are using GOD as an excuse to have 25 wives. Don't believe them.
Here is a barang speaking: Christian missionaries get the hell out of Cambodia. You have no business there. Khmer friends, don't let them fool you. What Christians in their so-called belief are capable of we can see very clearly in Iraq.
Why haven't I ever seen a Buddhist missionary?
10:11, If God was not in Cambodia, there is no Cambodia today.
Bullshit! God is just a invisble reference for some people who are trying to cheat other people.
God does't need people like you to convince other to believe in your religion.
Get out of Cambodia and move to muslim Countries! There you will have a better job with muslim peple!
A message from a barang. Dont let these god bible bashers stay in Cambodia they are only trouble for Khmer people.
I am not sure what you mean, 2:04.
The way I see it, Christian religion is weak in the west. They are being decimate slowly by people day after day. I heard now you can't even decorate Xmast ornaments in the shopping mall. And to bring this weak and useless religion to Cambodia is outrageous. What happen when people rejected it later on as they did in the west. How are we going to cope with our poverty and hardship?
The fucking evil infidel must be stooped from poisoning Cambodia with evilsm. You get the picture?
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