After leaving the temple, my heart longed to return. I knew that there was Kingdom work to be done there, and that my monk friends were looking forward to more conversations. The day couldn’t have come and gone quick enough. I saddled the bike once again and made my journey to the temple with the two Bibles and a camera in hand.
I found my friend Wichet waiting at the picnic table where we agreed to meet. I gave he and the other monk their new Bibles. They flipped through them, without ceasing, as we chatted in broken English. I drew on paper, trying to explain the Gospel story, and threw my own testimony of how I was healed in there as well. Each of them seemed hungry, not because monks aren’t allowed to eat dinner, but because they were hungry for the truth.
After talking for an hour, I rose to leave. But before I got on my bike, Wichet said, “I would like to meet your American and Cambodian friends”. My heart jumped at those words, because I knew that that was the next step. You see, I can only do so much for Wichet; I am leaving soon and I don’t speak Khmer, making it really difficult to go as deep as I would like. So hearing that he wanted to meet my Cambodian Christian friend, the word “discipleship” ran through my mind, and I knew that God was giving him favor.
Two days later, my teammates, Kosal (Cambodian friend), and I, made our way to the temple after dinner. When we arrived, the monks of all ages (8 and up) were busy at work, cleaning mats. After a short wait, Wichet joined us at the table. The conversation moved so smoothly. He would ask my friends questions, and they would have some for him in return.
After some small talk, I broke the everyday conversation with a question: “Have you been able to read the Bible I gave you?”. He told me that he had read the first 20 chapters of Genesis. This opened the door to what would be a two and a half hour conversation about Jesus and His love. Each person at the table played an incredible role in the conversation. Kosal spoke some serious truth in a language Wichet could understand. Lauren Erb prayed nonstop for a softened heart and Kosal’s words. Ashley added in beautiful bits of wisdom. And I spoke to Wichet as a friend and was the doorway to which the conversation could take place.
The sun set, the full moon rose, and we continued talking, even though we could no longer see each other’s faces. The lighting bugs came out and flew over the serene pond at our backs. The birds chirped in the trees above. And the Holy Spirit made a tangible appearance. The only thing I could see in the darkness was Wichet’s silhouette, which was the most beautiful thing I had seen in a long time.
It was a good thing that the sun was no longer shining on my face, because I couldn’t help but to cry a few times. The beauty of the night was overwhelming. I was a part of God pursuing His people. His relentless love had found Wichet, a Bugghist monk, by a girl on a bicycle ridding into a temple one day. Our Daddy stops at nothing to find us and give us a chance. And He has stopped at nothing for Wichet.
I will see Wichet one more time before I leave the little village of Kampong Speu. But I know that God isn’t through with him yet… Wichet will change Cambodia. And Wichet has changed me, for I have seen the Father’s relentless love for His people.
In Jesus,
Kaitlyn
