This past week in Cambodia I have been so blessed by being able to spend some time working with team Kiatera and Gracers at an orphanage for children with HIV/AIDS. We have been running a vacation Bible school (VBS) for about 90 children ranging in ages 3-11. Our time there starts with rounding all the kids up and playing a silly game, or singing songs. Then we pass out their little name tags and split them into 3 groups. We have a Bible lesson room, a snack/craft room, and then games outside. The three afternoons I spent there I was a part of the outside games. It has been incredible to run around and play with the kids, and be able to share the love of Jesus with them.
I cant explain it, but something changes inside of me when I walk into that place. I feel so comfortable and at peace there. I love working with these children because you are able to form instant bonds. The language barrier is no problem when we have ‘rock, paper, scissors’. Its incredible to me how within seconds you can love someone and be loved back so purely and genuinely. One of the children there who I instantly fell in love with is a 3 year old girl named Kong. The first time I saw her she was sitting on the floor by herself, completely unresponsive. I sat down next to her and started rubbing her back. She slowly crawled her way into my lap and wrapped my hands around her tiny body. When we had to split the children up into groups she became attached to my hip. Since she is one of the more unresponsive children because of her disease, one of the girls told me I could take her with me to my group. So it was me and Kong, all afternoon. We played games with the other children and I led games of ‘red light green light’, and my beautiful child never left my side. The following 2 days of returning to the orphanage, she again has been my constant companion. She is absolutely beautiful, and has the most incredible smile. She is a precious child of our Heavenly Father and I feel so blessed to have been able to spend some time with her. This coming week I will hopefully get to visit her a lot and I have a feeling it is going to be hard to leave.
Some of my boys. My friend in the middle always immitates my facial expressions and hand movements. He is hilarious.
My girl Kong and my favorite little boy from our 3 year old group.
My beautiful Girl
Playing Outside
BOYS!
