Today was one of emotions, history, truth, stories, memories, unbroken spirits, forgiveness, peace, and hope. The day began for some of us with a trip to Prison S-21 and the Killing Fields.

We listened to the stories of toture, misery, and survival. We met 2 of the 7 survivors of S-21. My strong exterior was ripped away. Then, the Killing Fields, where you cannot walk without stepping on bones. The site itself will bring you to tears, and the shrine of bones will humble anyone. Into the emotional void our skilled guide told us that the Khmer people (whom we call Cambodian) have only been able to move forward because of forgiveness of the past wrongs from the Khmer Rouge Regime. He said even if your heart has anger you only show forgiveness so that there can be peace. No place for pride. No place for revenge. Otherwise, where does the circle of revenge and war end? But, if we forgive then our children and country can learn peace. Then we have a circle of peace.

This was fitting for an afternoon at Sunrise Childrens Village 2, where we saw amazing performances from the children in dance and music. Once again I was moved to tears. These children have been beaten, abused, sold into slavery (of many forms), or left for dead. Yet, they laughed, danced, sung, and cheered the afternoon away.

Eighty-five percent of all educated people were eradicated in the times of the Khmer Rouge. How do you move a nation forward that has been through so much trauma? By mending one battered spirit at a time. That is whst Change A Life is helping to do in Cambodia. They are helping to strengthen a country by changing one life at a time.

Circle of Hope: Circle of Peace

Glenn Koster Jr