Stories from JUST 58

In a time when meeting together is challenging, and the realities of injustice are flaring up around the world, I felt great solidarity in attending JUST58 – a film screening and discussion event hosted by Tenth Global. Although I have called Tenth home since 2007, I have to admit that I knew very little about the atrocities that took place in Cambodia – the country we’ve had a strategic partnership with since 2006! I had heard in passing phrases like “Khmer Rouge”, “a country of young people”, and “tourism enabling sexual exploitation” but only got a real sense of the situation (both past and present) this past summer during JUST58.

After one of the screenings, Jeff and I spent time researching and learning more about the history of Cambodia, and it was sobering to learn about the politics and devastation that took place and continues to harm. This was an important time for us to look beyond ourselves and to learn more about the plight of the poor in Cambodia. One aspect of JUST58 that I deeply appreciated was the invitation for Tenth’s Cambodian Liaison, Makara, to share about the experience of his family, what the Cambodian church is doing now and how God is at work. It was a real honour to have him attend from Cambodia, many oceans and time zones away. It was encouraging to be united as a global church and I encourage you to tune into an upcoming film screening.

Global and Local will be hosting more film screenings like JUST 58 in the fall, and you're invited! Find out more about the first one here.

Deb Hawker is the Pastor of Local Community Engagement at Tenth. She works passionately for social justice in our city, through ministries such as Oasis Cafe and Neighbourcare.