St. Andrew Parish youth in Nikum had a two-day retreat in Sihanoukville a.k.a. Kompong Som. Fr. Manoj Ekka, SJ, parish priest in Nikum and Bro. Blas Descallar, JVP - a Jesuit volunteer from the Philippines facilitated the retreat. Since it was the first time for the 15 young people to have a retreat, from the very beginning, the word retreat was explained and was made clear that it is a time for silence, prayer, and meditation. In the afternoon of the first day, retreatants were brought to the beach to enjoy and appreciate the nature and the goodness of God. 

It is interesting to note that most if not all the youth saw the beach for the first time since their village is far from the coastal areas in the country. It is evident on their faces how happy they were to see the beach in awe and being grateful of the wonderful creation of God. In the early morning of the following day, the youth were brought to a hill that was overlooking the entire city and the ocean for meditation and morning praise and prayer. As the group went back to Don Bosco Technical School, the place where the group stayed for the retreat, the film on the life of St. Francis Xavier Church of Assisi and St. Clare was shown followed by reflection and sharing of lessons learned and scenes that inspired or touched the retreatants. In the afternoon, the waterfall and the river offered the retreatants more admiration of God’s greatness. 

On the way to Kompong Som on August 28, 2012, the group dropped by in Phnom Penh at Banteay Prieb, a technical-vocational training center for the physically challenged adults administered by the Jesuits. The group were offered lunch by Fr. In Don Oh, SJ, the center director and had given a tour to various training courses such as carving and sculpture, garments and textile, computer, electronics, metal works, and wheelchair production. They had also visited the souvenir shop where all the products are displayed to sell. 

On August 31, the group dropped by again in Phnom Penh as they were heading home. They first went to the Jesuit Residence and the Jesuit Mission Office. They took a light snack prepared by Fr. John Mace, SJ, and then gathered at the chapel for prayer. The next mission area visited was at the Missionary of Charity Brothers, commonly called the Brothers of Mother Teresa. The center is for mentally ill people and victims of HIV-AIDS. After going around the center to observe, a lunch was prepared by Bro. Barnabas Samad, MC, a missionary from India and the superior of the community of four brothers. 

The long one way trip of about 8 hours from Nikum to Phnom Penh and then Sihanoukville and vice versa plus the visiting time at the mission places in Phnom Penh were undoubtedly tiring. However, Bro. Blas and Fr. Manoj, who took turns in the long driving and of course the youth, were happy to have the retreat and the mission exposure trip. Indeed, it was a nourishment to the spirituality and encourages social concern to each of the participants  

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In the early morning on August 20, 2012, I arrived at St. John Church in Siem Reap to visit Fr. Viney Nget and also in the hope of going with him in visiting the Catholic communities. As I admire him for his simplicity, diligence, and dedication in ministering the people, I was once again amazed when I reached the church to see him working as early as 7:00am as he was already attending to many people. In the midst of his hectic schedule, Fr. Viney was still able to spare time to be seated and talked with me. I found out that he was leaving that morning to Phnom Penh, yet, in a short period of time, we were able to talk sincerely about our ministries – challenges and aspirations. 

In the course of our conversation, Fr. Viney informed me that a group of Korean young people will visit Prek Toal community, a floating village. He suggested that I go with them and will continue visiting other communities when he gets back. Sakiko Ishida, the Japanese volunteer in the parish who is in-charge of welcoming the guests introduced me to the group as they came at 8:30. A tourist coach brought us to the ferry station and we embarked immediately to a boat reserved for the group. In about more than an hour, I noticed from afar a structure with a cross on top of it and some hands waving. In a little while, the boat docked in front of St. Joseph Church in Prek Toal. 

The hands that I saw waving from afar became vivid to me as the children welcomed us. They have been waiting for the youth group so as to interact with them. The community of Prek Toal is in Tonlesap Lake in the northeastern tip of Battambang Province. In February 2006, the Catholic community was recognized with its members calling themselves Christmas Group. A simple housewife who was baptized in 1972 in Phnom Penh had initiated in gathering the people. Her simple, pleasant, and faithful life attracted others that inspired them to come together on Christmas days. Thus, their name Christmas Group came to be. 

There were about 130 children in the church with more than 20 adults. The guests did not waste time but started right away with their planned activities. An action song was taught by some of the youth and after few practices everyone was already performing it. After accomplishing the second action song, games were also introduced. At noon, rice soup were shared to everyone, the children formed lines as the bowls were distributed. After a little rest, playing games resumed. The group and I boarded the boat back home at nearly 2:00 o’clock. 

The visit of the Korean youth group was not the first time for the community to welcome guests. Since St. John Church in Siem Reap is blessed in receiving many guests from various countries, guests are also encouraged to visit other communities, particularly in the lake including Prek Toal. There is only one priest for both parishes. Aside from the liturgy and visitation of some guests, other ministries at St. Joseph Parish consist of the learning center which was blessed on November 12, 2006, catechism, feeding program, values education for children, Khmer and English literacy classes for adults and youth, as well as community education on relevant issues. 

I noticed that the visit was a memorable experience for both the Korean youth and the children in the lake. It was just amazing to witness how two different cultures could interrelate harmoniously. What is more moving is that the interaction was done in good faith. 

By: Blas Descallar, JVP 
Jesuit Volunteers Philippines  

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