Redeeming Blood

Redeeming Blood – by Lisa Capenigro

On our first full day in Cambodia, our team visited the Tuol Sleng prison (S21) and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields. I have watched the movie and read up on the Khmer Rouge genocide prior to this trip, but nothing can prepare you for the horror of being there in person. At S21, we toured the prison, and saw bloodstains still covering the walls of the torture rooms. At the killing fields, there were human bones and clothing poking out of the ground we were walking on. 

Photo by Connie Rock

Our tour guide, a survivor of the genocide himself, was present at the killing fields when they excavated many of the mass graves. He was there to help work with the forensics officials to classify the remains when they were put in the memorial, and was also there when Kaing Guek Ev (Aka Duch) visited the site in 2008. 

Duch was the head of the Khmer Rouge’s internal security branch, and oversaw the Tuol Sleng prison camp where thousands of people were tortured and killed. He gave his life to Christ in the 90’s, after attending a leadership training given by a Christian pastor in his area. He grew in his faith and started a home church in his own village. His true identity was discovered in 1999, when he decided to come forward to publicly confess his crimes and turn himself into authorities. It was during the trial in 2008 that he was taken to both S21 and the Killing Fields to recount his horrible actions. He was overwhelmed with remorse and asked for forgiveness from all of those affected, although he said he understood that many of them might never be able to offer him forgiveness.

Our tour guide was there to see Duch drop to his knees at the killing fields, crying and praying and seeking forgiveness, and he shared with us how seeing that made him feel. “Duch was saying he was so sorry, but it was too late! Too late! What does sorry do to fix this?” 

So a couple of things struck me about this. First, that is a completely normal reaction! Duch was responsible for the killing of over 12,000 people in a four-year period. Sorry does not fix that. However, we serve a God who can redeem and transform ANYONE. No one is outside of His reach. I think many Christians struggle with the idea that someone that murders one person could be saved and go to Heaven, let alone someone who has murdered 12,000! But if we read the Bible, we know that sin is sin, and none of us are without it. Because of sin, we are all separated from fellowship with God. When I hear Duch’s story, my initial reaction is to be in awe of the scope of the redeeming power of Jesus, that it may cover even sin that deep. Upon thinking this, though, I am immediately convicted and realize that I should be just as amazed that God has redeemed me. There are no levels of sin, of which some are worse than others. We are all like filthy rags without the redeeming blood of Christ poured out to cleanse us from our unrighteousness before God. 

I was also reminded that forgiveness is tough. It doesn’t come natural. And it’s even harder yet if we don’t know Christ. As Christians, we struggle to forgive those who offend us, let alone those who murder our family members. The Cambodian people have suffered so much. Their hurt, and anger, and bitterness is understandable. But the first step toward happiness, healing, and hope is always forgiveness. And that can only come through a relationship with Christ, who forgives us first. That is my prayer for this country. I pray that they may come to know Christ and be able to replace the horrors of the past with hope and healing that only comes through a relationship with HIM.

Lisa & Bou Meng – A survivor from Khmer Rouge Prison S-21