THE FIRST EVER MARRIAGE AND PARENTING SEMINAR in Phnom Penh, Cambodia was hosted by FEBCambodia on November 10-11, 2004. The seminar included guest speakers Dr. and Mrs. Harold Sala of Guidelines International Ministries. More than 450 Khmer people attended this life-changing ministry.
A few days before the seminar, FEBCambodia received a message from a missionary serving in Cambodia who heard the promotion for the marriage seminar on Family FM. Her comments revealed the importance and impact this seminar could have on participants, many of whom are listeners to FEBCambodia broadcasts. She had this to say:
"I've been working in Cambodia since 1991. One of my keen interests is to help families become better grounded in the word of God so they can have stronger marriages and families. This is why I am excited about the seminar you are offering. It is the first time I can remember something of this sort being available to Cambodians. For a few of the people attending, it may be the first time they have seen running water and western bathrooms. It will certainly be the first time any of them have seen power point! Most of the women are illiterate.
“Cambodia is a fractured society, and certainly marriage has taken a big hit in this fracturing. As an example of this, manners are often missing in social interactions and people fail to thank others for simple acts of kindness. Perhaps some of this is due to the influence of Buddhism. People might feel they are stripping people of merit if they dole out praise. Even if this is true, it still bothers people not to be acknowledged. In my own work, I often help patients for free, and only a few of them ever think to thank me for my efforts. When we thank people or tell them we’re sorry, it shows we are thinking of them and how our behavior affects them. "
At the close of the seminar, several participants shared their thoughts about the 2-day event: -
"It was so good. It helped us understand how to forgive, love and discipline."
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"Very great teaching that we had never before heard."
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"I learned about loving and taking care of our beloved one; forgiving the people who make us angry, forgiving them and saying "sorry, forgive me."
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"Thank you so much for the encouraging Christian/Biblical teaching on a very important topic. Wonderful hospitality!"
An FEBCambodia staff member had this to say about the marriage seminar: “We thank the Lord for the rare opportunity to reach out to Khmer families through such practical and much-needed teaching resources.”
All seminar expenses were paid for by various groups and churches from the international Christian community. Participants were grateful for the insight they received during the 2-day program, which included topics such as Resolving Conflict, Balancing Ministry and Family Life, Conveying Values to Children, and The Place of Discipline in a Christian Home.
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