A Life Transformed

Below is Tavi's home.. it may not look like much (and yeah - it's not) but there are some very significant things about it. Most importantly, there used to be a spirit house at the entrance to her property. Food and drink offerings were placed in the spirit house daily to keep the bad spirits happy and comfortable so they wouldn't come into the main house. But Tavi no longer has a spirit house because she has put her faith in Jesus Christ! Check out the two crosses on the outside of her home now (one in red - and one above that in white)!

Below is a typical spirit house - with a food and drink offering, and incense - for the spirits. The vast majority of Cambodians practice Buddhism, and these spirit houses are not only outside of most homes; but also outside countless places of business - from restaurants to hotels, etc. In fact, all 3 hotels we stayed in had spirit houses throughout the property.

The business venture of byTavi was named after Tavi (pronounced tuh-VEE). She works very hard to make beautiful products for us here in America - and she puts her money to good use. Tavi is a widow who has already lost her husband and one child to AIDS. Tavi is also HIV positive and she is now able to purchase the medicine needed to prolong her life and keep her children in school.

With her hard-earned money Tavi is also able to make home improvements! (see picture below) Impressive? Maybe not at first glance, but many Cambodians live outside/under their homes during the day. This area was formerly all dirt - which means it was often very muddy during rainy season. Tavi saved her own money, through her sewing job with CGI, and had all of this paved. This kind of home improvement was formerly impossible! Tavi's life has been transformed - materially, yes - physically, yes. But most importantly, she will now be in Heaven for all eternity because of her faith in Jesus Christ.

Just look at the JOY she exudes - an undeniable example of a life transformed!