We are excited to announce the release of the new project recorded in Phnom Penh and the Mekong basin in Cambodia. "Garlands for Ashes" tells the story of a community of children in Phnom Penh, who were rescued from unimaginable situations, nurtured back to life, and given hope and an artistic voice. On this CD and DVD they perform dances and compose songs of life based on the wonderful traditions of their land. 100% of the funds from the sale of this CD and DVD will go back to this community to help build a home, school, and performing arts centre.

We shall also pursue opportunities to talk about CCAM. We're hoping that the telling of the CCAM story will bring in extra donations and that God might blow on this project, causing the "seed" planted to produce much more than the project itself could generate.

Our relationship with CCAM began in 2006 during a trip to connect with musicians in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. In Phnom Penh, we met Gioia Michelotti at Cambodian Christian Arts Ministry (CCAM). We were very encouraged to find people there who were actively restoring the Khmer art forms that had been almost obliterated by the Khmer Rouge regime. Not only that, but we discovered that CCAM was also training Cambodian Christians to express the Christian message through those traditional styles. On the day we visited, the children were just preparing to depart for a performance, so our visit was cut short. However, we asked to be kept up to date with newsletters.

Over the next couple of years, we enjoyed the stories of CCAM through the newsletters. Interestingly, it was a side story that especially grabbed our attention. Reading about Buntheep's illness and subsequent journey to the States to find treatment, we were very moved by Gioia's faithfulness to leave the many to look after the one. As the story progressed over many months, we decided to write to CCAM to see if there was anything that we could do to help.

Gioia's reply seemed to be a divine opening. She wondered if we knew anyone who could help with their dream of recording their music and filming their dances, especially since the landlord was evicting the CCAM family from his rental property, causing them to lose their recording studio. Little did Gioia know that we ran a charity called Voices from the Nations, which seeks to promote and encourage indigenous cultural music, arts, and traditional storytelling, giving a voice to those not yet heard in the West and encouraging them to use their God-given gifts to regenerate their communities.

And so, the reconnection with CCAM was made and another visit was arranged for us to begin working on the "Garlands for Ashes" project. This time we met Gioia's partner Noren Vann Kim and spent extended quality time with the whole CCAM family. We are thankful to God for blessing our partnership which has produced this unique album.

NOTE: The producers of the "Garlands for Ashes" album would like to clear up a misunderstanding. Although selling one's children is unfortunately a common practice among the poor in Cambodia, and even though CCAM has indeed rescued some of their students from such slavery, nevertheless, the Long family featured on this album want to make clear that they never had any intention of selling their children, no matter how poor they became.

Follow this link for more information about us: www.voicesfromthenations.org