It was 7:15, still another twenty minutes until our tuktuk would arrive. We had just stuffed our bellies beyond contentment with chips, salsa, pico, tortillas and cheese. Yes, Mexican food in Cambodia. I was elated and satisfied. Some of my teammates were ready to get back home for toilet’s sake. Others wanted to take advantage of the shopping opportunity the street vendors boasted. We crossed the busy street where our driver had dropped us off and strolled by the river. My senses at full attention, I took in the city life, flashing lights, smells of food, trash, and everyday living. Inevitably, as Westerners, we were targeted by the child salespeople. Children who sell souvenirs, not people selling children, to be clear. It was the usual, “lady, lady, you buy book from me? Give you special price for scarf!” My first reaction was a mix of annoyance and anger. Annoyed to deal with them when I was fully set on enjoying my tourist moment in peace without having to fend off hagglers and angry that someone had forced these poor children to spend their nights on the crowded streets of Phnom Penh in an effort to make a living from anyone who would pity them.
“Just let them be children!” I screamed inside. I knew that buying something from them would only be fueling the industry, but if I didn’t the children would suffer for it later, most likely through physical abuse.
Lord, what do I do for the least of these?
Within seconds, I found myself in camp counselor mode, asking names and ages, performing silly handshakes and high fives. We heard some music from a nearby bar. I, of course, can’t help but dance and the kiddos join in. I teach them everything from the cabbage patch to the fist pump and even throw in some swing dancing just for kicks. Their laughter made my heart flutter. The dancing continues as one of the girls starts singing Justin Bieber. Yeah, Bieber fever has reached Southeast Asia like you would not believe. Baby, baby, baby, ohhh! We all go crazy and I realize that I am having more fun in this moment than I have had in awhile. Another girl clings to me, wanting me to hold her and spin her around. I do and the dancing continues.
Lord, what do I do for the least of these?
Within seconds, I found myself in camp counselor mode, asking names and ages, performing silly handshakes and high fives. We heard some music from a nearby bar. I, of course, can’t help but dance and the kiddos join in. I teach them everything from the cabbage patch to the fist pump and even throw in some swing dancing just for kicks. Their laughter made my heart flutter. The dancing continues as one of the girls starts singing Justin Bieber. Yeah, Bieber fever has reached Southeast Asia like you would not believe. Baby, baby, baby, ohhh! We all go crazy and I realize that I am having more fun in this moment than I have had in awhile. Another girl clings to me, wanting me to hold her and spin her around. I do and the dancing continues.
When it is time to leave the kids go right back into sales mode, making faces that melt my heart. While I didn’t make any purchases that night I’d like to believe I made a difference. I didn’t give them money, which wouldn’t really be theirs anyway, but I did give them attention and affection, things other than money that they lack greatly in their lives. My teammates and I have been discussing how easy it is to simply brush these people off as pests just getting in the way. When, in reality, they are God’s workmanship. They are sons and daughters of the King like you and I. A simple “hello, how are you?” can change everything. We have been called to serve the ‘least of these’, but we don’t have a work card to punch when we are on or off the clock.
Even as Christ was on His way to restore the life of a synagogue ruler’s daughter (Luke 8:40-56), He stopped to ask His disciples who had touched His cloak. The disciples thought this a silly question considering the size of the crowd closing in around Him. It is like walking through Times Square on New Year’s Eve and saying, “hey, somebody touched my jacket!” Really? But Jesus assured them saying that He felt the power go out of Him. Indeed, a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years had touched the edge of Jesus’ cloak, believing that this alone could heal her. Jesus acknowledged this and said that because of her faith she had been healed. He then continued on His way to the home of the synagogue ruler. Christ took note of everything around Him and advantage of every opportunity. While the death of the righteous ruler’s daughter seemed to be the top priority to everyone else, He stopped to heal a woman that had been told her sickness was incurable. Everyone else had given up on her, everyone but Christ.
Ministry opportunities are all around us, not just when we are teaching English or acting out Bible story skits. This is about having open eyes and learning to love like the Father- our hearts breaking just as His does. Until that night, I honestly had not had much of a heart for Cambodia. I was there because it was the next country on the list, my heart still beating for Thailand, fast and strong. But just as a squad mate reminded me, each time we leave a country, a piece of our heart stays there, but the Lord continually fills us up with His love, restoring us, enabling us to give our hearts again. As we pour out, He fills us up. So my heart turns within me and I am ready to love Cambodia.
Ministry opportunities are all around us, not just when we are teaching English or acting out Bible story skits. This is about having open eyes and learning to love like the Father- our hearts breaking just as His does. Until that night, I honestly had not had much of a heart for Cambodia. I was there because it was the next country on the list, my heart still beating for Thailand, fast and strong. But just as a squad mate reminded me, each time we leave a country, a piece of our heart stays there, but the Lord continually fills us up with His love, restoring us, enabling us to give our hearts again. As we pour out, He fills us up. So my heart turns within me and I am ready to love Cambodia.
“There’s nothin like finding gold between the rocks, hard and cold. So surprised to find more, always surprised to find more.” -‘Kick Drum Heart’, Avett Brothers
