There are so very many reasons we have come to love our dear tuk tuk driver, Mia, but here are just a few of the ma reasons we love him so much and a glimpse into the joy he brought us on a daily basis!
1. He speaks NO English so it is always a fun game of charades when communicating with him. If we are ever in need of something, he doesn't hesitate to use the "phone a friend" option to call his friend who knows approximately 10 words of English and usually doesn't understand what we're saying.
2. Whenever we call him for a ride he always responds "yea yea yea okay okay okay" and promptly arrives.
3. We don't even have to tell him where we're going- he just takes us to the mall (unless otherwise acted out).
4. He takes us on the scenic route home- along the river at sunset without even asking (not that we could ask.. Remember- he doesn't speak English)
5. He looked on like a proud father, through the window of the piercing/tattoo shop and gave me the thumbs up before I got my nose pierced.
6. He has a pink cell phone (real me love pink!) that he sticks between his helmet and his ear to talk on while driving. His talent impresses us every time.
7. He always greets us with a smile, a wave and practically jumps up and down when picking us up.
8. He graciously accepts the cookies, cake pops and other Americanized goodies we bring him after making him wait hours to give us a ride home. Even though he probably wonders what the heck they are, we like to think we're blessing him.
9. He laughs when Micah's flip flop falls out of the tuk tuk, stops and waits as we run back to pick it up.
10. He got someone to write us a letter that said "sorry girls, I go to my province and won't be back until 27th". He's so kind to let us know his schedule.
11. He came back early on the 27th so he could drive us to the bus station!! Such a great surprise!!
WE LOVE MIA!
To end with an encouraging story, and one that we hope and pray will be true for Mia: one of my squadmates told us about his contact for the month who used to be a tuk tuk driver for a YWAM (youth with a mission) team. For years, this guy drove teams of white people to the village to do ministry. One day, he finally asked them why they are coming to Cambodia and what they were doing. The team was able to share Jesus with him and he is now a Christian serving God in his home village!!
Before we left Phnom Penh, I gave Mia a "Jesus pamphlet" in Khmer (the Cambodian language). Even though I'm not a fan of just handing out informational booklets about Jesus, I'm praying that God will at least use that to connect the dots for him. I'm hoping Mia saw the light and joy of Jesus in each of us and he will come to truly know Jesus one day!
