I arrived in Cambodia with “rock star” like dreams of combating trafficking in some of its worst forms. My supporters, informed as to the issue, had invested in me and it was time for me to conquer the task set before me. Deep down inside, I sought healing as well… healing from some of the tough places I’ve been with God. So there in all of it there was certainly a part of me that arrived hoping to find God here.
Ah yes, the “Rock Star” anti-trafficking persona… Like many who had expressed worry about my going to combat trafficking, perhaps I had seen one too many showings of the movie Taken. I was ready to show up and begin rescuing victims by the dozens. If not that…then clearly God brought me here to work in aftercare since I’m helping to start a non-profit in that area back home in Pennsylvania. Much to my chagrin, however, I found myself working on curriculum and teaching English. Now I would be lying if I told you that the thoughts hadn’t crept into my mind asking questions such as “Why on God’s green earth did I leave teaching and travel half way across the globe to come do more teaching…” I would be lying if I told you that thoughts hadn’t begun to taunt me as I entered into the daily grind of going to “work”. I was asking things such as, did I hear Him right?.. Did those who placed me and my team hear Him right?.. Is this the best utilization of the funds of those who invested in me?.. I mean, what was I to say upon my return to the States?… God, how would I explain this to all those who have supported me?
I’ve often sought, at times recklessly, to know God. I’ve never been quite content with religious things. No, the pomp and show was not what I’ve wanted… I’ve sought authentic interaction with the God of the universe. I figured good or bad, if this God is everything He’s been reported to be, there was little good in pretending to be happy and fluffy if that wasn’t where you were. So much like Jacob, I’ve wrestled and have a bit more than a displaced hip to prove it. Whether my energies were devoted to reading about eastern religions, traveling the world, praying on my face or screaming toward the heavens, I have always said that the thing that I want most is to see God’s face. Right or wrong I have always wanted to set my eyes upon this being… Now I’m not really interested in debating theology and whether my desires are Biblical or not… or whether I could even handle such an encounter. Quite frankly I am where I am…So where was I? Ah yes, doubting my time and placement in Cambodia. So where does the “Rock Star” dream and God’s face collide?
We’ll call her “Cara” for anonymities sake. She walked into the clinic with a few “simple” questions and an 8 month old baby girl in her hands. Perhaps it isn’t appropriate to refer to them as simple, because for her they were some of the hardest questions she was ever to have to ask… The gravity of her queries summarized by her bottom line question…”If I give my baby up for adoption, will I get to see her again when she is 18?” Two of my teammates overheard the conversation… “Cara” was from originally Vietnam, her husband had divorced her and thrown her out shortly after the birth of their child. With no work skills and few options available to her, “Cara” turned to prostitution to support her and her child. The pain of her recent Caesarian section too much to bear, so she couldn’t continue to provide through the selling of her only asset, so she found herself indebted to a landlord. His offer, sell the child to him for $1,000 (which by the way is a common price paid for a trafficked virgin in Cambodia) or be thrown out onto the street with everything she owned confiscated. Returning to Vietnam with the baby was not an option… such a situation would bring shame to the family. Desperation had set in…faced with few options she found herself having to do what few mothers want to do… give her baby up and accept a small amount of aide to return back to Vietnam.
I had mentioned earlier that my teammates had heard the plight of this young lady, and immediately their minds and spirits went into overdrive. They ceased being observers and chose to step in… In a few short hours, this young lady was in contact with an anti-trafficking organization that provides job training, daycare, and other skills. In a few short hours she was beginning to see the heart of Jesus pour forth from the women on my team… In a few short hours what seemed to be a hopeless situation turned into a hope filled encounter. With only a week left in Cambodia, the women on my team of seven found her a small one room apartment and purchased with our team money a few basic necessities for her and the 1st months rent. They spent the last few days loving on her.
In the last few days before we left it was mentioned that there were a few things that this woman still needed. I had promised God that I would use a portion of my personal money based off of the money provided to me through my supporters to impact trafficking in a direct fashion financially. As men on the team we were required to continue teaching while the women served this young lady. So I put the responsibility in the hands of the ladies on my team as to identifying what her immediate needs were. The response 
was that she needed an additional two months of rent covered until her training was complete, she could use a bicycle to move her around from place to place, she was still in debt to the landlord who had all of her clothing. God pressed into me… and I was reminded of the new start that He gives each of us. With little question I moved ahead with the first two requests… when it came to the debt there was some doubt as to whether or not to pay it… Then God hit me “When you came to Me all debts were paid!!” Why do I tell you all of this? Not for any reason other than to say to my supporters… it was you that paid this women’s debt… it was you who put a roof over her head… it was you here provided her with the tools to make a living outside of selling herself… it was you who kept that little girl from becoming an orphan… it was you who introduced her to the love of Jesus. I was simply a vessel to pour out the love you poured into me. And like me, holding down the fort in the English glass as others went to her. You are holding down the fort back home.
I suggested earlier I wanted to see God’s face… well the first time that I met the young women was our last day in Cambodia. I went with the team to drop off the bicycle and make the other financial arrangements mentioned. With her small apartment room full of my teammates and translators, I stood outside at the bottom of the stairwell. I soon worked my way to the doorway of her apartment, and as I peered into the room her 8 month old little girl made eye contact with me… That little girl stared deep into my eyes for what felt like an eternity. In an instant God whispered, “Thank You. What you’ve done for her you have done for me?” I was not looking into the eyes of a little girl. I was looking into the eyes of Jesus… and in no way am I being metaphorical here. I saw the face of God. I was overcome with emotion and walked out of the room to collect myself, and God continued to minister to my heart as I did. Many will discount my encounter with God that day… they will write it off as an emotional experience. Having spent 14 years as a firefighter, I have had my fare share of emotional experiences. I’ve seen His face and His eyes are beautiful. I went to Cambodia to be a “rock star” against trafficking and instead I fought trafficking from a “storage room”, but I was able to see God move in a woman’s life and I was blessed enough to see His face in the process. I wouldn’t trade it for the world….
