I’ve found a new favorite place in Cambodia and that, my friends, is in the rice fields. It’s so adventurous and infinite, and I found myself there today with a couple of my teammates and some boys who really like fishing and flying kites made out of sticks and plastic bags. I am sure you know where I am going with this…
I had been to the rice field once before with the children and we absolutely loved it. It was nice to get out of the walls of the orphanage and have some freedom running around chasing each other up and down a dirt road. Today, it was on my mind, “let’s go again”, so we did! The message was relayed to me, “Let’s wait on Sopee to finish making his kite” I thought, “Oh cool, he’s making his own kite!” Little did I know when we made it to the rice field several children from the village had made their own kites too, out of two sticks and a plastic bag!
I was impressed, these kites flew over our heads in the blue sky as the boys ran up and down this dirt road in between two rice fields and there my heart burst with joy. The kites would get stuck in trees and sometimes in the ponds of water. Next thing I know, the boys are jumping in saving their kites and sticking around to catch the fish. They were all pros with so many tricks up their sleeves and a snack bag of bait, later to be turned into their bag full of the fish they caught. On our way back from catching dozens of wittle fishies and even a not so little crab, Sopee asked me, “Do you want?” Before I could say anything he jumps into the pond and picks the two prettiest rice flowers for me! It was so sweet, I thought he was going to hand me the giant crab he was holding in his hand not to mention which was also holding flailing fish in it’s claws…boy things…
Here embraced by the love of God’s children I am reminded to love wholeheartedly. To love and give without expecting anything in return. To simply let God take something that was meant for ordinary life and turn it into something extraordinary. It’s time to pick up two sticks and a plastic bag and make a kite my friends! When it feels like things are crumbling, when you can’t shake the heat of the day or get past the pain, little bird you were made to fly!
… but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
-Isaiah 40:31
These children, though so young, have experienced heart break and pain, but they choose life, they choose joy, and they choose to love wholeheartedly. The only explanation for this is their trust and hope in God. They live and love because they were loved first. His love is everlasting, his love is unshakeable, and his love is enduring, and they know this.
“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” -C.S. Lewis
So much of the time the children remind me of this simple quote, and I love them for that. They’ve written so many memories on my heart, I can’t think about leaving them in a few short days. I encourage you to look for the extraordinary in the ordinary, for the hope in heartbreak, and for love beyond our understanding and capabilities and run with it as if you were made for that moment and even more!
The kids are so creative we never know what our tuk tuk is going to roll in on next! We paint, we draw, we laugh, we cry, we sing, we dance, we hold hold hands, we eat wild berries, we play, and most importantly we love, all the while they steal our hearts. I never want these moments to end!
I have a new team here in Cambodia, and it has been wonderful getting to know 5 new sisters who love God, love His children, and who walk through this crazy life with me. He’s given us a full ministry schedule which I am so thankful for because I admit I asked for that, but sometimes I think I have energy that’s impenetrable. However, I also admit that playing with 40+ children every day in Cambodian heat is exhausting and I wind up without energy, the sun and sweat getting to me all too soon and my strength failing, but God’s love, energy, and strength in us is so impenetrable I’ll find myself ceaselessly dancing with joy because there’s a kite to fly!
Prayers are not specific this week, just for anything God is laying on your heart! To all of my supporters, I have not forgotten about you, you mean the world to me. These blogs and stories are for you. I hope they encourage you and send you sweet reminders of the love God is spreading around the world through you!
…for the curious souls
Our team name is Zion for God has chosen us and he dwells in us!
“The sky turns black, sun and moon go dark, stars burn out. God roars from Zion, shouts from Jerusalem. Earth and sky quake in terror. But God is a safe hiding place, a granite safe house for the children of Israel. Then you’ll know for sure that I’m your God, Living in Zion, my sacred mountain.” -Joel 3:15-17
I share a small hotel room with six girls! Love. Community!
A tuk tuk equals our transportation to the orphanage everyday! Love it!
We teach English at a Private school on the side! Does the ‘I can be your pizza man’ song count as a lesson?
Some of us got lice and we got rid of lice! Hello to wrapping our heads in buffs, bandanas, and headbands all month!
I’ve been sick! Puking all day is not fun!
God is good because I’ve been able to fit peanut butter and ice cream in my food budget!
My first love is rotee, but close second is rambutan! Street food and markets were made for me!
I’m forever singing “Don’t go chasing waterfalls” 🙂
& HAPPY THANKSGIVING! This thanksgiving I am so thankful for sticks, plastic bags, and children who teach me how to use the two properly!
Much Love,
Britt
