During the middle of April, the capital city of Phnom Penh begins to look like a ghost town as most of the city’s residents return to their province in which their family resides to celebrate the 3 day Cambodian (Khmer) New Year holiday. This is one of the most important holidays of the Cambodian calendar. It’s a time of honoring family, one’s heritage, and culture. 

The water blessing is a special ceremony that represents a washing away of the bad events, memories, and evil speech over one’s life during the past year. Families will go together to honor the older generation and symbolically wash away unclean spirits. It’s a beautiful time of prayer and blessing amongst the generations. 

At our church homes throughout the nation, home directors and caretakers prepared games and activities for the kids and at the National Training Center it was no different. The home celebrated the holiday with a dance party, games, a water gun fight, plus good food and fellowship as a family. 

This New Year took on a new meaning for many of us. It’s time to let go of the past and to look with expectation towards the future. We are grateful for a God that turns our sorrow into joy.