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> > HERITAGE HOUSE (THE VISION)
In the past 100 years, Ca mbodia has only known 25 years of peace. Due to 75 years of civil war, the most recent ending in 1998 with the surrender of the Khmer Rouge, the country is covered with land mines. Because of the wars and the recent spread of HIV, the number of orphans is currently estimated at 60,000. The Bible teaches us that true and undefiled religion is to take care of orphans and widows (James 1:27 ); therefore, we are doing all that we can to bring the gospel of healing and provision to an orphaned generation.
After working with a Cambodian orphanage for two years, the Burkes were challenged to open a home for orphans on their own. The Holy Spirit challenged them to train a Khmer staff, take in children who had been abandoned and or orphaned, and to help establish a Christian heritage in the nation (Psalm 127:3). The goal was not just to house the orphans until they were adults, but to train them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). The goal of Heritage House is to provide a loving, stable, Christian home for children and to prepare them for life once they leave the orphanage. A home where they can be given the opportunity to become a vital part of changing the kingdom of Cambodia with the gospel of Jesus Christ by one day being Godly husbands and wives and fathers and mothers.
Our heart is for the children to keep their Khmer lifestyle while adopting the Kingdom of God culture. We have been blessed to work with a Khmer staff who have also taken on our vision. The children have chores at the house and are able to earn their own spending money by raising quail, gardening, and other home projects. The staff has daily devotions with the children. The children are taught the principles of money management, tithe and offerings, savings, and how to purchase things at the market. They are involved in outreaches to local street children. We are training them to be the future leaders of the Church and community in the nation.
Heritage House is located in Sihanoukville, Kampong Som, Cambodia , but receives children from various provinces. The Khmer staff are all devoted Christians who have been trained to work with children. The children all attend a Christian school, receive medical attention, food, clothing, and attend a local Khmer church, where they are involved in the children's ministry. The cost of supporting the children is about $100 a child per month. This cost pays the Khmer staff, for the children to go to a Christian school, rent on the building, electric and water bills, and provides three meals per day. It is our goal to see these children provided for until they reach the age of 18, and then to release them into the community with the basic skills needed to provide them with a job to acquire an adequate standard of living in Cambodian culture.
Currently Heritage House Home for Children has 20 children (11 boys, 9 girls). The children range in age from 2 to 14. In our current house, we can reach a total of 20 children. It is our desire to one day be in a housing situation where we can reach 30 children. We feel that 30 children is the maximum number that we could reach and keep the family atmosphere.
Lighthouse Ministries is proud to be a part of the Kingdom of God in the Kingdom of Cambodia and to be a tool for Christ to reveal His glory to this desperate nation. Thank you for helping us help them!
