Month 11 was filled with many bittersweet moments. Wanting to return to America to American food and, of course, my wonderful (probably made in Asia) American car, yet wanting to be in the presence of people around the world. Being so excited to see my friends and family in Minnesota and yet not wanting to leave my friends and teammates who became my family on the Race. Absolutely loving our ministry and the youth with whom we worked and loved so much but wanting so desperately to begin the road toward the vision God had given me. Now, as I look at pictures, I look into the eyes of the women and children and I know I want nothing more than to be back there.
We arrived to Phnom Penh, Cambodia to find some of the worst poverty and yet some of the most joy I had seen yet. We were partnered with a church through which an American man started an English program, 5 years back. This English program has an emphasis toward youth and young adults, building relationships with them through teaching English and various other activities such as soccer, youth group, etc. Many of these youth and young adults have come to know Jesus through this program and it was our job not only to teach English but to continue building relationships and disciple these youth.
We spent time going with some of the youth to a village to wash hair of the children and youth in the village as well as play and sing with the village kiddos. The majority of the time, however, was filled with teaching English, soccer, dancing, singing, playing guitar, and even celebrating the king’s birthday together with the youth of the English program. These youth were so full of life, love, and joy. We looked forward to every chance we got to spend time with these incredible youth and dreaded the daily good-byes.
You see, Cambodia has had a dreadful past. They have lived under severe oppression, more than we could ever understand; the Killing Fields were evidence to this. Forty years ago, Cambodia experienced a horrific genocide. Read more on it here: http://worldwithoutgenocide.org/genocides-and-conflicts/cambodian-genocide. But God is redeeming this country. You can see it in the eyes of the youth. They are so full of life. They live under daily criticism from their family because they love Jesus. Their new family has become their friends at church. However, many times their family at home does not let them come to church or youth group. They find things for them to do at home. It was heart breaking. I remember years ago, dreading going to church, but my parents made it no option. All these youth want is fellowship and to learn more about Jesus, and their family won’t allow them. What an irony.
The beautiful thing is that these youth are God’s heart. If you notice throughout the New Testament, they were on Jesus’ mind and on His heart. He continually talks of children.
Matthew 18:2-3
He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
The faith of a child is beautiful. It is such an untainted faith. They truly believe that God is a God of the impossible. We as adults so often say ‘Yes, God is a God of the impossible, but…’ and we list a long set of reasons theologically or experientially why that is not entirely true (though we would never dare say that it wasn’t entirely true outloud).
That is exactly why I love working with youth. They inspire me to believe the big things, because they believe the big things. They are not our next generation leaders; they are today’s leaders (if we would let them). They have so much to teach us. My four-year-old niece threw out some incredible theology the other day (I’m back in America, by the way); she said, ‘Jesus laughs when we do funny things.’ She knew this because she experienced that side of Him. How simple Jesus is to children. Jesus constantly pointed us to faith like a child. They are so sensitive to His Spirit and what He is doing. I am constantly lost in thoughts of jobs, licensure, raising support, etc., etc. that I am too busy to hear God laughing with me in the little things.
God is in constant pursuit of His children, of His youth. I have learned, especially through these youth in Cambodia that His heart is for the youth and He is calling us to raise these youth up as leaders, invest into them, pour into them, and to listen to them because they truly hold the Keys to God’s heart.
Here's a video I created about our month in Cambodia, Enjoy!!
