Dreams in Cambodia

I am a cross-cultural worker in Cambodia. I took a ministry to Muslims class in 2007 and discovered how often Muslims have visions and dreams about Jesus. Ever since, I have been praying for Buddhists to have dreams about Jesus—before I even knew that dreams are extremely important in Cambodian culture.   

I brought a visiting team from the US to meet my neighbors in the mid-sized Cambodian town where I lived. The little grandpa that lived across the street was excited to see them and told us that the previous night he dreamt that these very people came to his house.

“All of you were smiling and looked so kind. I knew that you felt sorry for me and wanted to help my family and me. Then in my dream, you,” he pointed to one of the team members, “invited me to come upstairs. I didn't know if I should go, but before I could go upstairs I woke up.”

I explained to Grandpa that the team members were people who loved Jesus, and that they did want to help him and his family, not because he was poor, but because they wanted him and his family to know how much Jesus loved them. He just smiled and nodded. 

About a year later Grandpa came to tell me he had dreamt about me the previous night. He saw me riding a motorcycle and remembered the license plate number. When he woke up he played the license number in the lottery… and won! These dreams have not yet led Grandpa to Jesus, but he, like most Cambodians, see dreams as very significant. I believe dreams can and will play a powerful role in bringing Cambodians to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.