Book Review: Killing Fields, Living Fields
by Dustin White

The Killing Fields, Living Fields, by Don Cormack, is a roller-coaster ride through the history of the Cambodian Protestant Church. Beginning with its origins in 1923 in northwest Cambodia among the hard-working rice farmers, the Church suffered through decades of opposition and stagnation. Then came the unimaginable 70s with an unimaginable spiritual harvest.

The genocidal reign of the Khmer Rouge followed this time of spiritual prosperity. Murderous actions claimed the lives of up to one-third of the entire Cambodian population, and ninety percent of the Church. Only recently has Cambodia begun to experience a steady rebuilding of her church.

Now we must ask, “What we can do today?”

The history of the Cambodian church is disturbing, but the visible hand of God at work within its members is redeeming. The author relies on heart-wrenching testimonies of surviving Cambodian Christians, making Killing Fields, Living Fields one of the most compelling books you will ever read.

This book is a must for anyone interested in learning about missions in Cambodia, and for anyone desiring an increased compassion for God's suffering people in the world.

Resources on Cambodia:
Killing Fields, Living Fields by Don Cormack
Children of Cambodia's Killing Fields by Dith Pran
A History of Cambodia by David P. Chandler
Ordeal in Cambodia by Vek Huong Taing,
The Quality of Mercy by William Shawcross,
First They Killed My Father by Loeng Ung

Or see these movies:
The Killing Fields and Samsara by Ellen Bruno