Hoeun Lao was enslaved in one of the labor camps that would later be known as the Killing Fields. Here, Khmer Rouge guards savagely murdered thousands of prisoners, ordered to dig their own graves.
| One of the most lethal regimes of the 20th century, the Khmer Rouge intended to establish a classless agrarian society. The urban class was forced into slave labor camps. From 1975 to 1979, between 2 million and 3 million people were exterminated. |
Born in a destitute family in 1950, Hoeun was raised in a small village. In 1972 he moved to Phnom Penh to enroll in high school. One of Hoeun’s classmates shared the gospel with him and introduced him to his pastor, San Son. He listened to Pastor San’s teaching, but it was not until San invited Hoeun to live with him and his family that he trusted Christ as Savior.
Never had Hoeun seen such respect and kindness between a husband and wife. Finally, the pastor’s words about a new life made sense to him. San discipled Hoeun until 1973, when he enrolled in a Bible school and began to preach in Phnom Penh.
But as he shared Christ, he was shocked by the large number of refugees fleeing from the war raging throughout the countryside. He never dreamed of the horror that was to follow. Within days he was thrust into the middle of the nightmare, when Khmer Rouge guards forced him into a slave labor camp.
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Many skulls are kept as a reminder of the thousands of people slain during the reign of terror by the Khmer Rouge. |
One day the chief guard announced a "better plan" for the educated. Those who qualified were instructed to attend an afternoon meeting.
Hoeun was hopeful. He, along with other students and professionals, arrived at the meeting.
The killing lasted until 10 p.m.
Only Hoeun and a small group of others were miraculously spared.
On another day the guards in Hoeun’s camp sent three parties of 30 people into the woods. Hoeun was in the last group. Everyone walked in silence, but many were visibly trembling. He watched as the people in the first two groups were ordered to dig holes in the ground. When they were finished, the Khmer Rouge soldiers mercilessly axed their victims, until everyone in the first two groups lay in pools of blood.
Hoeun could only pray that God would spare his life. And He did. For reasons unknown, the third group was marched back to the camp.