I have a deeper love for the widowed, poor, and orphaned. The list of orphans names who have won my heart could go on and on. Panna is 10. Her quiet, kind-hearted spirit made it difficult to gain her conversation. One day, this beautiful 10 year old protected me with a punch to the little boy that wanted to wrestle me. That is all it took to initiate a friendship with her. Panna is a true friend, as I have seen her do the same to protect those closest to her. We have enjoyed looking at fashion magazines, climbing trees, and art in the dirt together. Panna and her brother were brought to "Teen Challenge Women's Center," with no contact to their parents or other siblings. She misses her sister. It is just her and her brother. Oh I love Panna.
Kloy is funny. At fourteen, his sarcastic humor makes it easy to joke with him. Our own rendition, of the very westernized, "Shame, shame, shame," hand game, built a solid friendship. Just a few months ago his sister, who lived at the women's center, was the only family he had left. I met her son David, at the women's center. After she gave birth to David, she died. David, who is 7 months old is the only family that Kloy knows is alive, and he never even sees David, his nephew. Oh I love Kloy.
Ruen acted shy last time I saw him, but that is far from the adjective I would use for him. At nine years old he knows English better than most of the elders. "Fart," is in his vocabulary, oh he knows English very well. He is a leader at nine, but without much discipline he will never know that. I have hope for Ruen. Oh I love Ruen.
Va, Rawei, Seyha, James, Audrey, Emmanuel, Precious, Gibby, the list could not possibly fit. From Asia, to remembering those is Africa, all of these children have a piece of my heart and my truest prayers for God's best in their lives.
I don't know as much as God knows. I went to Vietnam. That's two Asian countries I can mark off my list. Upon coming to Cambodia my visa only lasted 30 days. I had to extend my stay by getting a business visa so I could stay for four months. Immigration office was not as gracious as we had hoped, so we had to leave the county and then return. So I packed for a one night stay in Ho Chi Mien, 7 hours away. Our stay at the "Hong Han Hotel," was the loveliest ten dollars I have ever spent. On our 7 hour bus ride we met two "heaven sent" ladies from London, who have been traveling the world. These sweet girls knew all the tips, to travel cheap and safe, that "Lonely Planet" and "Pinterest" had to offer. Their suggestions lead us to the "lovely" hotel. After a 14 hour trip there and back, I now have Vietnam visa and stamps to fill my passport, and, of course, a business visa that extends my stay in Cambodia. Lastly, I am now well versed with customs, God knows I want to travel the world.
I appreciate brothers and sisters worldwide. I have found my favorite quaint coffee shop; Joma. Joma's quiet atmosphere makes it easy to get homework done. Aside from the slight distraction from social media and the good eats, I actually do get homework done. As I get homework completed, I also embrace the opportunities to eavesdrops. Coffee shops make that all to simple, interrupting your own thoughts to listen to others. I am encouraged, talks of Jesus fill Joma. Christians annoyed with the westernized Christianity that waters down the simpliest gospel. Missionaries with vision to restore the church in Cambodia. People eager to see a Buddhist nation see Jesus as the True God. Joma is grand and the rarity of my access to wifi is forgotten here. And the rarity of my dream thoughts are what I cling to. Side note, Joma has the best carrot cake in the world.
Friday was a good day. Koy and Reny took Ruthie(my roommate from Australia) and I to the village where they hope to plant a school and eventually a church. With no solid responsibilities quite yet, I am still very ambitious to see where my time here will be spent. As Koy shared the vision of "Cambodia Care," with me I knew my curious questions had been answered. Cambodia Care is eager to plant both school and churches in the poorest areas of Cambodia. There heart is to help people that need help the most. God has placed me underneath two incredible pioneers with passion to start a ministry from scratch. I got to see first hand on Friday the launch for Cambodia Care. This ministry will reach many across Phnom Penh and the surrounding provinces. I am excited to be a part of the beginning, the down and dirty, of what will become the most thriving ministry. Friday, I decided I will do anything for my time here is short. I will not let my labor be in vain because, for such a time as this I am in Cambodia working with "Cambodia Care."
Check out Cambodiancare.org
Passing tall half-painted buildings, short open huts, dirt filled markets, fields of rice, and extravagant overbearing temples,I am confident that God is making a way where they is no way. I am certain that His stage is better than mine. I am assured that His love stretches from nation to nation. I am satisfied knowing that no one can stand against Him. And with all that Cambodia's days (and Vietnam's) have welcomed, I without a doubt know that my God is the undefeated, all powerful, sovereign.
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