Pheaktra and Heng's Wedding

Hair-cuts? Foot-washing? Comic song and dance routines? Cambodian marriage ceremonies look nothing like Western weddings. Guests and wedding party walk together in a fruit-carrying parade, traditional music and incantation rituals are performed, and numerous sacrifices are made to idols and temple monks. And yes, there are ceremonial hair-cuts, the washing of feet, and comic skits involved! Traditional Khmer weddings are festive and colorful, but also full of religious symbolism and idolatry. 

This past Sunday we were part of an exciting event: the wedding of Pheaktra (our Foundation Center director and pastor of our new church) and his sweetheart Heng! Pheaktra and Heng felt very strongly about the importance of starting their new life together with a Christian foundation: free of the idol worship, Buddhist practices, and monk-led rituals which are simply normal in Cambodia. But they wanted to honor their parents and wait to be married until everyone involved was in agreement. 

We at In His Steps supported them in their decision and felt that it was a wonderful Biblical example of their trust in God. It took a while for Heng's family to allow her to marry with a Christian ceremony, but after much prayer and patience their hearts were softened and they finally agreed! 

Sunday was a joyful day for all, full of Khmer culture but focused on God's heart for marriage. The wedding was a beautiful celebration of Pheaktra and Heng's love, commitment to each other, and their faith in God. It was such a joy to witness the start of their new life together, and we are excited to see what God has in store for them!

Stay tuned for more updates from Cambodia; we'll be posting a progress update on our safehouse project soon!