When I look back at Cambodia, I will think of Chet, Chen, Pi, Rhat, Paul, Doit, Chia, Nang, Lah, Wood, Pie, Lyn, and so many more. All of those kids whose life are built around Rice Fields, collecting wood, and basking making. Some of the kids do not even know how to write in Khmer their own langue. They all loved to learn and wanted more and more. Some of them might never get to go to school, and some won’t make it to a high school. They are bright kid’s, they are hard workers, and full of so much joy. You can’t help but love them and want so much for them.
I joked multiply times about wanting to adopt them and bring them back to America getting them at a place to go to High School, and give them a chance of going to college. But as much as I have fallen in love with the kids and want them to have every opportunity I was given. You want them to have a childhood full of learning, playing with their friends, and just fun. Not having to work in the fields, not having to make baskets, or haul wood on their bikes.
But is that a selfish American point of view?
Is it wrong to want to pull them away for everything they know?
Is it wrong to want to take away part of Cambodia’s future? Which it truly needs.
I still don’t know. Sometimes it is hard to realize how I have been blessed by God, by my family, by living in America. But am I blessed more than they are? I’d have to say no. They might have a different life style then I did, and do. But there is beauty to be found in its simple life style. Sure I want them to grow up and go to college I want them to grow up and become leaders of Cambodia, I want them to be leaders in their village, I want them to be the ones who change education for all the kids. But most importantly I want them to know and love Jesus, I want them to follow what God has for them and I have to trust that God’s plan is perfect.
Does God only use those who make good money? Who have a degree? Who are “smart”? Who live in America? No, it reminds me of some of the disciples they were just fishermen. I might never go back to Cambodia, and if I did I can only have so much effect on people without knowing Khmer, as an American I can’t always relate to them.
But those kid’s! They can relate, they can speak Khmer, and sure they might only ever be a rice farmer, or a tuk, tuk driver, or someone who works in the markets. They may never know how to write in their own langue. But I believe God wants to use them! He wants them to make a difference in Cambodia; in that village that does have Buddhism. But it also has this little church that has straw walls, that has a loving family that pour into those kid’s, who teach them about the bible. He has big plans for the Kid’s, they’re most likely not mine and I am okay with that.
Also as I have mentioned in my last few blogs, that it is getting closer and closer to coming back home next month!! That’s how close! The world race gets me as closes as NYC and the airplane tickets home from there is on me. So if any of you would like to donate you can through paypal Get Amanda Back to Kansas, or if any of you don’t feel comfortable doing it through paypal. You can email me at [email protected] and I can give you an alternative way to donate. Thank you all again for all you have already supported me through the race!
Also, side note: I will be getting back to Kansas around Christmas time with no Job, so if you know of anyone looking for a holiday break babysitter, feel free to drop my name. 🙂
