OUR STORY
Pastor Rin Yame & Mercy Village
My name is Rin Yame. I was born in 1980 to a poor, homeless Cambodian family as the youngest of five children. My father left us shortly after I was born, only one year after the end of the Khmer Rouge regime. We never had our own home, so we slept in our relatives’ front yard.
In 1988, at age eight, I lost my mother to depression. She suffered tremendously after losing my older sister and her life was made even more unbearable by the constant mocking and cursing of our relatives. When she died, my three siblings and I were all separated. I lost all hope, and didn’t know what to do or where to go.
My aunt-in-law took me into her home for a while but some of her children disliked me. My whole body showed the marks of their beatings, and I often ran away from home to escape their abuse. I even felt tempted to kill myself several times.
On the street, I lived a life of flagrant sin. If not for Jesus’s protection, I would have died of HIV, starvation, or diseases, or as a consequence of gambling, stealing, cheating, and other sins. I lost all hope, and felt I had no future. But as the song says, God knew my name and my every thought; He saw each tear that fell, and heard me when I called!
How Jesus Found Me
In 1996, Jesus found me at the Olympic Stadium through the influence of an American missionary, who soon brought me to live in a Christian art school in Phnom Penh. On December 18, 1996, I prayed to receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. That's my spiritual birthday, December 18, 1996. I am so thankful to know my true and only Savior is Jesus.
At first, I didn’t understand who God was or who I was, but my life began to change as I attended the Christian art school every night worship and bible study. The Lord showed me so much love and grace. He taught me about His glory and my sin through two leaders who I called my spiritual moms. Without God’s Word and tough love, my life would never have changed. No one could change my life, not even with cruel beatings! Only Jesus’s love and Word had the power to change me from the inside out. Praise and thanks be to God!
I lived and studied in the Christian art school for almost 10 years. The Lord blessed me with so many wonderful talents, gifts, and truths to use for His glory and to pass on to other orphans and street kids. In Christian art school, among other things, I studied the Bible, music, English, art, dance, and drama.
Hearing and Following God’s Call
In 2005, I left school to start a new chapter of my journey. Soon, I faced the temptation to give up on life once again but God knew the plans He had in store for me. In that moment, he whispered to my heart, “Don’t give up son, for I am with you.”
Soon God’s plans began to take shape in my life. After my very first art exhibition, the Lord provided me with a job through Water of Life NGO as an assistant director, pastor, and art and music teacher for an orphanage. I was so blessed to serve there for 12 years (until the Lord called me in 2018 to serve Him full-time at Mercy Village).
During that season, I often echoed the words of Isaiah the prophet: “Here I am, Lord! Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8). I felt so grateful for what God had done in my life, and wanted to be used and sent out by Him. Soon, God answered those humble prayers.
At a Sunday church gathering in April 2017, the Holy Spirit strongly touched my heart. His Word moved me from head to toe, calling me to step out with Him by faith into a new ministry. I had to face my fears. “What would happen if I quit my job? Who will support me?” For a while, I let those fears block me from moving forward. But a few months later, in August, a huge fire ravaged a poor community near where I worked. 18 houses burned down, leaving 22 families homeless. I immediately felt compelled to visit them to help however I could. When I got there, I couldn’t help but weep. Seeing the suffering villagers broke my heart and reminded me of my childhood on the street. From that day on, I started coming regularly to teach God’s Word and help rebuild the villagers’ homes.
God’s Perfect Plan: My Calling to Mercy Village
In the Beginning of 2018, I heard God’s voice ring clearly through His Word again and again. He was calling me to step out in faith and leave everything behind to serve those villagers full-time. I immediately decided to follow Jesus, this time without worrying about losing my salary, finding a place to stay, or gaining financial support. I told my director that I had chosen to quit my job to follow God’s calling. I didn’t care how much I lost, my director even wanted to give me a raise. Now I only cared about God’s call to teach these people about Jesus.
I now live and work in the village among the poor families and children. This is where I came from, and now the Lord has sent me back! I’m truly blessed and grateful to God for placing me here. Yes, I’ve faced so many trials and difficulties, but I have seen so many miracles and changed lives, from the youngest villagers to the oldest! God has poured out His grace and mercy abundantly upon the families of Mercy Village.
God has been so faithful to us, and has always taken good care of His people, His ministry, and me, for which I am so thankful. When I first came here, I asked the Lord if He wanted me to live and stay here among the people. He said, “YES!” and reminded me of Isaiah 61:3, saying, “I will give ‘beauty for ashes!’” To God be the glory!
About Mercy Village
Mercy Village Church is God’s own ministry, and we are His servants. He gave me a dream to care for these families and teach them the Bible. The children come to receive discipleship, learn about the Lord, and enjoy free education in music, art, English, Khmer, dance and more. We also host church meetings, offer feeding programs, and often help provide needs for school, college, and emergencies. But most of all, we labor to see their lives radically changed by the power of God’s love and Word.
I am so blessed to play a very small part in God’s work here. God always cares and provides all our needs through His beloved children who give so generously. Your prayers, love, and support are truly appreciated. Mercy Village is truly walking by faith depending on God’s provisions.
May the Lord richly bless you. As Paul said, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. - Phillippians 4:19)
Rin Yame
Pastor - Mercy Village Church, Cambodia
Rin
