Initially, I was excited to teach Buddhist college students
English, but now that we are working with girls who were previously a part of
the sex-traffic industry in Siem Reap, I feel blessed not just for this
experience, but for the relationships being built.
Through teaching English, making art projects, dancing, bike
rides, and games-I find myself surprised by how innocent and beautiful these
young girls are, despite their horrific backgrounds. This was thoroughly
evident on our first meeting with them last week.
There are seventeen girls and they all live in a safe house
along with a house mother, cook, and translator. As we approached their house,
I gazed at a few of their curious but guarded faces gazing down at us from the
second story. They were initially guarded as they looked into our eyes and
examined our wardrobes. I prayed for the right words to come and the needed
love to flow as I slipped off my sandals and entered the house. Within ten
minutes, we were on this very balcony, sitting in a circle with the girls and
the translator.
It was as though a transformation occurred before my eyes:
within the safety of their house, these girls were now open to share about
their lives, from their names to their families to their favorite foods and
colors. With laughter and smiles, the walls that were once up were now down.
Getting to know these girls within the safety of their safe
house, away from men who have abused and used them, opened my eyes to a
question: who or what makes you safe?
With these girls, our openness spurred on their openness, just as their
curiosity spurred on our curiosity. With our open hearts and minds, we were
able to demonstrate a small bit of Christ’s love to them and as we form bonds
of trust and friendship with these girls, I am assured that although our month
in Cambodia
is short, it is infinitely valuable.
