language) using tech/computer skills, Erika interviewed children after children
with love and joy, Jessica‘s been snapping amazing photos and creating promotional
pamphlets and videos, and Nicole‘s been creating beautiful crafts and jewelry
for supporters–for the most part, I have been a busy bee preparing visas,
transportation and the squad debrief in Thailand next week.
Because of that, I’ve felt that I was missing out on “ministry.”
Two weeks before, I had just shared how ministry isn’t just our work in an
existing ministry, then going home at the end of the day. Then I went to get a
haircut.
Meet Touch (yes, it’s not pronounced the way we read it. It’s more like tush, but not like “he’s got a cute tush”). He’s a barber who was
thrilled to have an English-speaking customer for the first time when I showed
up. He was grinning ear to ear while cutting my hair using manual clippers and
baby powder in his run-down barbershop, because he got to practice his speaking
with me. I saw it as an opportunity not to convert, but to minister to. I told
him that I’d come see him every day so that he can practice speaking English.
I’m from, and things I like. I asked him to write one back, and I would help
correct for spelling and grammar.
hours to write. His letter is typed word for word at the end of this blog.
After a few days, I felt that he was young, but very
sincere. After 3 days of going to seeing him, he invited me to come over to his
home to meet his family. There, I showed him pictures from the race, and he
shared his family photos. I met his mother, one of his sisters (he has 7
siblings), her children, and various neighbours who peeked to see why there
were tourists in a poor village. (Thanks Jess for coming with me!)
He then asked me if I had anything to share. From our
previous conversation he knew that I was a Christian, and we are here to help
people in need. He even pointed to a church that a friend goes to, but he’s
never gone, since he works every day, including Sunday.
I took a breath, but with genuine love I told him that God
will take care of us, if we follow him. I told him that God wants you to obey
his commands and love him and trust him, because he loves us. God has a plan
for all of us, including Touch. I told him that if he wants to find out more,
he can ask me questions.
I can’t say that this is what will bring him to Christ. But
this is the first time I genuinely wanted to share the Gospel with someone, and
without someone telling me I should, or because sharing the Gospel with the
locals is part of our ministry schedule this month.
Tomorrow is probably the last time I will see him. We
exchanged mailing addresses so that I can write him once I’m home. I asked for
his permission in sharing his picture and letter with my friends. Oh, for a haircut and a full shave including nose-hair trim, he charges $0.75. He only wanted 50 cents from me, but I gave him a dollar.
I ask that you take the time, even for a minute, just to
pray for a seed to be planted, his heart to be moved, and the desire to know
God personally enters his thoughts. Thank you.
Hello,
My name Touch I am 22
years old. I was born at the borderland between Cambodia and Thailand when
Cambodia was wared in 1975 to 1979. Do you know will? My family will goes to
live at THE U.S.A during only once month more by the UnitEDNATION that time
might be in 1992. But when the wared end in 1993 Cambodia government call for all
the Cambodian people in Thailand must be came back to Cambodia. So my parents moved to Phompenh City as yet. I
am very sorry to came a way from the special occation. But it’s only in the
past I think we should to think about the Present. Nowadays my family is very
Poor buy it’s a general story for some of the familys in Cambodia.
In one
day I saw some foreigners walked before my hairdressing, that is your team but
I am afraid to speak to you all. But do you know? I’m very liked the foreigners
when I see them everywhere in Cambodia. And I really wanted to help them all
the thing if I can. One day one great day for me when I am sitting in my
hairdressing I saw you with your friend finded the Tuk Tuk soon after I had
spoken English with you. I feel so very pleased to help you, especially I had
cut your hair and thank you very much for most prices. I just know your thing
when I see your letter but you had told me already but that time I can know a
little bit because you speaked fast. Sorry. And I really like your work. It’s a
good heart of you all that is my favourite to I’m very want to join with you
all but knowledge is weak I study Khmer only seven grades because I’m poor
don’t have much money for study.
I but
nowadays I am trying to study English every evening by myself at home but
before I start I used to study at school may be two years and from that time to
Presenly may be four years. But I think I can’t because I have no much time as
you see that. I am a simple barber that start work from the morning to the
evening non stop for a little money to complete the lack in my family. But I
have one dream also someday in the future I shall be complete my wish I want to
make the normally interpreter in order to help all the foreigners like your
groups.
Oh!
Speaking about the sport I like football like watching and Playing but do you
know there are two sports I like. One is motorcycle and race car but these two
sport I only to watch don’t play. I like to travel too especially to the
Uropean but I don’t know someday. And I like to watch movies like Hollywood or
case history especially cartoon movies. And at the end I hope that you will be
understand my letters and hope you won’t be forget me when you go back home and
when you want to visiting Cambodia again you can call my phone number ### ###
### or address hourse number ###A Trie distric Streng meanchey Phompenh
Cambodia. Please help to correct me
THANK YOU!
From me TOUCH 27/1/10
