Kiri Nguon -- a former player on Cambodia's national soccer team -- is returning this summer to the land of his birth as a Christian missionary. His stature as a recognized athlete forced him to flee his native country when the Khmer Rouge came to power in the 1970s. But his salvation through Jesus Christ now compels him to return to share the gospel of his Savior with those who live in one of the poorest nations in the world.

Kiri Nguon's primary calling in life used to be delivering the ball past the outstretched arms of the defending goalie, into the net. Now he is ready to return to his native Cambodia to deliver a different message that has far greater implications: eternal salvation through Jesus Christ.

A survivor from the brutal Khmer Rouge reign of terror, Kiri returns this summer to the land of his birth as a Christian missionary. When Kiri was 17 years old, a high honor was bestowed upon him when he was selected to be a member of his country's national soccer team. The team competed internationally and represented the nation of Cambodia throughout Asia. (See earlier article).

But in the Spring of 1975, things changed radically for the budding soccer star as the Khmer Rouge came into power and a dark cloud descended over the small country of seven-million people. While previously the regimes of both Cambodia and neighboring Vietnam had communist governments, the Khmer Rouge was known for its brutal tactics and abuse. Their leader, Pol Pot, and his cronies garnered control over the country by intimidating and eliminating all "opponents" of their regime -- many of whom were more imaginary than real. Government officials would often accuse people of political crimes when no such crimes existed.

The regime forced thousands to flee the capital city of Phnom Penh to perform agricultural work. During the purge, hundreds of thousands were tortured and killed. Cambodians with any social prestige or stature prior to the Khmer Rouge's ascent to power were viewed suspiciously -- and that included Kiri Nguon.

Kiri's position as a nationally recognized soccer player forced him to leave Cambodia and flee to Vietnam in June 1975, where he became a fisherman. His athletic talent was soon recognized and he began to play soccer professionally. But in 1979, the communist government of Vietnam declared war on the Khmer Rouge. That declaration put the young soccer player in a bind because his nation of origin had now become Vietnam's enemy. With his life in danger once again, he had to escape.

Kiri decided to escape to Thailand -- through Cambodia. He knew it would be a perilous journey. Traveling by foot, bicycle, and automobile, Kiri moved past war-torn towns and provinces controlled by the Khmer Rouge and the communist army of Vietnam. The experience was not only terrifying for Kiri, but opened his eyes to the extreme cruelty of humans against their own countrymen.