Month 9 of my Race was spent in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We worked with an American couple, Mark and Rhonda, who are full time missionaries. They started their ministry 12 years ago, but have been in Cambodia for the past 10 years. They run and operate a children’s home called BYKOTA House – which stands for Be Ye Kind One To Another. The children are for the most part the truest sense of orphans – no parents or family anywhere. Although there are some exceptions, these children really come from nothing. That is until they enter the home – where they find the true meaning of family!
My team and I spent the month doing different ministries. Kelsey helped Rhonda home school their 8 adopted children, Lacey and Rene taught pre-school, Emily and our squad leader Amanda helped teach school to the children from the home, and Hailey and I worked with the five special needs children. They were all such a joy to be around.
The youngest in the house is Tedah, who is 5. She is a doll baby, and loves nothing more than to be held and loved on. Although it was a challenge to give her the attention she needed, or rather desired, there was nothing better than her sweet face smiling up at you when you do.
Tina is a sweet 12 year old who spends most of her days laying around on the floor. She is severely physically handicapped, but that doesn’t stop here from laughing and enjoying life. We had the opportunity to see God work in her throughout the month. When we first started working with her she was barely able to straighten one leg and one arm, but by the time we left she was straightening her arm on her own. It was amazing to see God start to heal her. Our prayer is that He continues to do so.
Then there was our sweet Hope. This little one was 11, and spunky as ever. She didn’t walk, but loved to sit up and play games with us. That girl to throw right on target with either arm. Our last week there however she became ill, and spent in the hospital. She is expected to make a full recovery, but prayers for a speedy recovery would be so appreciated. She had the sweetest smile, and a laugh that filled the room with joy, or rather Hope. Hope that God would reign in that place, and fill it with love and laughter. And that is exactly what He was doing.
We also worked with two boys as well. The oldest was Sak Chea who was 18. He was one funny kid. He seemed to take a liking to me, and would follow me with his eyes where ever I went. He would also mock or imitate any word or sounds we said. It was great seeing him come out of his shell a little at a time each week.
And then there was Sammy. Sammy was a sweet 12 year old who seriously stole my heart before I even met him. From the second I walked in the door, to the moment I left he would run up to me, hold on to my waist, and look up to me with his blue-ish gray eyes, and nothing else mattered to him in that moment. God used Sammy to remind me of His goodness. Sammy’s face would light up when a breeze blew on his face, or the sun would shine on him. You could see his happiness all over his face, and in those moments I thanked God – First, for Sammy, and second for God’s goodness.
Before leaving for the Race I would say I was very thankful for a lot of things, even the small things. However, in my time away I have become wrapped up all the chaos of what goes on around me during the day. I began to lose my thankfulness for something we think of as so simpl3 – like a breeze that cools us – but God used Sammy to remind me to never get to busy to thank Him for all He has given us.
After 9 months of good-byes, Sammy was by far one of my hardest. Really, all the children at BYKOTA House were. There is something special God is doing there, and I was beyond blessed to be a part of it, if only for a month. I pray God continues to bless the ministry there, and all who are helping make it possible.
Good-byes are not always easy, but when you have one that’s hard it’s a good reminder of something good that happened. God used me to show the children His love last month, and I am excited to see them all again – even if I have to wait until I get to Heaven.
