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Cambodian Harvest
A single woman in her sixties travels to Cambodia to set up a dried fruit factory - a project to provide landmine survivors with an income and hope for the future. Overcoming official corruption, cultural prejudice and minimal financial support, her inspirational story will challenge everyone who thinks they are too broken or too old to make an impact for God in this world.
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First published April 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 8, 2014
Three reviews from our CALEB reviewers:
Marion Fromm was a strong minded, inspirational and determined woman whom God chose to show the world that we are never too old to make a difference. Marion has a deep love for the Lord and a passion to help the landmine amputees of Cambodia. When Marion first heard these unfortunate victims were despised and discriminated against by both society and government, she determined to do something about it. They had never heard of nor experienced love in action – their Buddhist faith was such that their misfortunate was punishment for sins committed in a previous life. In most cases they were condemned to a life of begging for survival.
God spoke to Marion and told her to build a factory – the Cambodian Harvest Dried Fruit Factory – where amputees could work and regain their dignity and the respect of their community. Marion was an ordinary Australian woman with little knowledge of business and even less about dried fruit processing. But God knew what He was doing and chose the right woman for His purposes. These days Marion’s factory is a profitable business but even more importantly it is a place of evangelisation with many coming with family and friends to worship Jesus.
Be inspired and read how Marion who now calls Cambodia home overcame difficulties and corruption and survived to fulfil the Lord’s calling and direction. DS
(2)
In 2000 Marion Fromm had a vision from God of setting up a fruit processing factory to help disabled landmine survivors to earn a living wage and perhaps come to know Jesus at the same time. But this vision came when Marion was in her early sixties. It took a lot of work, with a lot of help from friends; finding the land and the building, the equipment and the workers. Not to mention negotiating with the Cambodian Government.
It took all of her growing years to arrive at this point. God was preparing her for the work. She was not expected to live at her birth and she did not have an easy relationship with her parents in her childhood. She gave her life to Jesus when she was about six. She was very ill for a long time and not expected to live, Jesus came and sat on her in the night and healed her. She was always hungry to learn more from God. The family went to many different denominations. Her Marriage wasn’t very happy but she was determined to honour her marriage vows. On a cruise holiday she and John joined a YWAM team in Japan. They took Bibles into Chine and had interesting, difficult and exciting experiences in Japan, which was often difficult.
In 2006 her husband died and it was not long after this that God began to turn her attention to Cambodia. God showed her visions of what He wanted and while it took a lot of work and both disappointments and triumphs eventually the fruit processing factory was up and working and it turned out to be very successful.
One of the delights of the book is the stories of some of the Cambodian workers which are interposed between the chapters; stories of their childhood, how they became disabled and how they prospered working in the fruit factory and coming to know Jesus. LS
(3)
Marion Fromm is a woman with a vision and a heart for the people of Cambodia. A no nonsense pioneer, her personal journey and quest to provide employment for individuals injured by landmines is told in Cambodian Harvest.
Founding the (rather unfortunately named) Reversing the Curse organisation, Marion continues this challenging work in a country where the tenets of Buddhism do not allow room for advancement for those afflicted by landmine injuries. KL
Marion Fromm was a strong minded, inspirational and determined woman whom God chose to show the world that we are never too old to make a difference. Marion has a deep love for the Lord and a passion to help the landmine amputees of Cambodia. When Marion first heard these unfortunate victims were despised and discriminated against by both society and government, she determined to do something about it. They had never heard of nor experienced love in action – their Buddhist faith was such that their misfortunate was punishment for sins committed in a previous life. In most cases they were condemned to a life of begging for survival.
God spoke to Marion and told her to build a factory – the Cambodian Harvest Dried Fruit Factory – where amputees could work and regain their dignity and the respect of their community. Marion was an ordinary Australian woman with little knowledge of business and even less about dried fruit processing. But God knew what He was doing and chose the right woman for His purposes. These days Marion’s factory is a profitable business but even more importantly it is a place of evangelisation with many coming with family and friends to worship Jesus.
Be inspired and read how Marion who now calls Cambodia home overcame difficulties and corruption and survived to fulfil the Lord’s calling and direction. DS
(2)
In 2000 Marion Fromm had a vision from God of setting up a fruit processing factory to help disabled landmine survivors to earn a living wage and perhaps come to know Jesus at the same time. But this vision came when Marion was in her early sixties. It took a lot of work, with a lot of help from friends; finding the land and the building, the equipment and the workers. Not to mention negotiating with the Cambodian Government.
It took all of her growing years to arrive at this point. God was preparing her for the work. She was not expected to live at her birth and she did not have an easy relationship with her parents in her childhood. She gave her life to Jesus when she was about six. She was very ill for a long time and not expected to live, Jesus came and sat on her in the night and healed her. She was always hungry to learn more from God. The family went to many different denominations. Her Marriage wasn’t very happy but she was determined to honour her marriage vows. On a cruise holiday she and John joined a YWAM team in Japan. They took Bibles into Chine and had interesting, difficult and exciting experiences in Japan, which was often difficult.
In 2006 her husband died and it was not long after this that God began to turn her attention to Cambodia. God showed her visions of what He wanted and while it took a lot of work and both disappointments and triumphs eventually the fruit processing factory was up and working and it turned out to be very successful.
One of the delights of the book is the stories of some of the Cambodian workers which are interposed between the chapters; stories of their childhood, how they became disabled and how they prospered working in the fruit factory and coming to know Jesus. LS
(3)
Marion Fromm is a woman with a vision and a heart for the people of Cambodia. A no nonsense pioneer, her personal journey and quest to provide employment for individuals injured by landmines is told in Cambodian Harvest.
Founding the (rather unfortunately named) Reversing the Curse organisation, Marion continues this challenging work in a country where the tenets of Buddhism do not allow room for advancement for those afflicted by landmine injuries. KL
November 17, 2015
Four and a half stars.
The inspirational true story of Marion Fromm, an older woman who, after her divorce, fulfilled the call on her life to head off to Cambodia. There, without any knowledge of business or building, she set up a jam and produce factory which she envisioned would employ only disabled people.
Many land mines still pepper the countryside, years after the Khmer Rouge insurgency. Many victims have lost limbs in tragic circumstances. In this predominately Buddhist culture, amputees are despised and are regarded as paying for the evil they have committed in a past life.
'Cambodian Harvest' is the product name for the jams and fruit items sold by the factory and its outlets. Marion's dream is to create a business where the employees themselves can eventually run it.
The hope her dream has offered to many disabled people ground into poverty is evident in the tiny testimonies called 'Ponlok' - Khmer for slender shoot. The delight of the interviewees is evident as they remark that they are now so respected that their neighbours in their home villagers have tried to hit on them for a loan!
Marion's background, particularly her time as a missionary in Japan, is very interesting. The incident with the fox spirit was particularly revealing.
The inspirational true story of Marion Fromm, an older woman who, after her divorce, fulfilled the call on her life to head off to Cambodia. There, without any knowledge of business or building, she set up a jam and produce factory which she envisioned would employ only disabled people.
Many land mines still pepper the countryside, years after the Khmer Rouge insurgency. Many victims have lost limbs in tragic circumstances. In this predominately Buddhist culture, amputees are despised and are regarded as paying for the evil they have committed in a past life.
'Cambodian Harvest' is the product name for the jams and fruit items sold by the factory and its outlets. Marion's dream is to create a business where the employees themselves can eventually run it.
The hope her dream has offered to many disabled people ground into poverty is evident in the tiny testimonies called 'Ponlok' - Khmer for slender shoot. The delight of the interviewees is evident as they remark that they are now so respected that their neighbours in their home villagers have tried to hit on them for a loan!
Marion's background, particularly her time as a missionary in Japan, is very interesting. The incident with the fox spirit was particularly revealing.
September 12, 2015
I really enjoyed Rhonda Pooley's book 'Cambodian Harvest'. It is the inspiring true story of Marion Fromm who followed God's call to launch a 'fruitful' ministry, pun intended. :) She began a dried fruit factory for survivors of landmines. A courageous lady who obeyed God and the stunning results of that obedience. It's very encouraging to hear of God's activity in the 21st century world in bringing scores of people to Himself and changing communities, all through the obedience of one woman.
September 24, 2014
Marion Fromm was on a short term mission trip to Cambodia when she noticed that many beggars were missing limbs. She was shocked to find out they were all victims of landmines which were planted in the war between the Khmer Rouge and nationalists forces, designed to cripple their victims. Shunned by almost everyone, these people found it impossible to earn a living without relying on charitable gestures, which were not often forthcoming.
What follows is one woman's true story of being the change she wanted to see in the world. At an age when many Australians are thinking of retiring, Marion relocated to Cambodia and set up the Cambodian Harvest Dried Fruit Factory, to employ landmine victims. She learned the finer points of running a business as she went.
It's clear that it wasn't smooth sailing. Marion faced and overcame many setbacks during her life. She's revealed in this book as a lady sensitive to God's prompting, with a 'powerful' personality, which sometimes caused friction but served her well. I like the aspect of how some character traits which may rub others up the wrong way are also strengths. Marion comes across as a person who would make up her mind and not budge an inch, but perhaps she needed that measure of firm-mindedness, as she had such a remarkable calling. For example, she drew up the architectural plans of her factory from a detailed vision God gave her. People who aren't easily swayed are definitely needed in the world.
Between each chapter are true stories and testimonies from several of the employees of how hopeless their lives used to look before joining Marion's staff, compared to how well they are going now. Not everybody gets to see the direct difference their own work is making in several lives, and it's a great tribute from Marion's friend, Rhonda Pooley, who made it her own mission to write this book, to bless and encourage us all to not give up on God given dreams.
What follows is one woman's true story of being the change she wanted to see in the world. At an age when many Australians are thinking of retiring, Marion relocated to Cambodia and set up the Cambodian Harvest Dried Fruit Factory, to employ landmine victims. She learned the finer points of running a business as she went.
It's clear that it wasn't smooth sailing. Marion faced and overcame many setbacks during her life. She's revealed in this book as a lady sensitive to God's prompting, with a 'powerful' personality, which sometimes caused friction but served her well. I like the aspect of how some character traits which may rub others up the wrong way are also strengths. Marion comes across as a person who would make up her mind and not budge an inch, but perhaps she needed that measure of firm-mindedness, as she had such a remarkable calling. For example, she drew up the architectural plans of her factory from a detailed vision God gave her. People who aren't easily swayed are definitely needed in the world.
Between each chapter are true stories and testimonies from several of the employees of how hopeless their lives used to look before joining Marion's staff, compared to how well they are going now. Not everybody gets to see the direct difference their own work is making in several lives, and it's a great tribute from Marion's friend, Rhonda Pooley, who made it her own mission to write this book, to bless and encourage us all to not give up on God given dreams.
January 24, 2015
Rhonda Pooley describes the life of Marion Fromme, the diffulties she faced in life, and the challenges that led her finally to Cambodia. When she saw the plight of land-mine victims she sought a way to help them to gain employment to better their circumstances. This led her to start a dried fruit factory where she has been able to employ many amputees who now have personal testimonies about how this program has helped their families and to discover how much God cares about their circumstances.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews