Here I am out in the middle of no where Cambodia. The closest internet connection is two hours away in the capital. No malls, no tvs, few cars, just my team and the countryside. This is my kind of simple living!
The village in which we are staying is the largest one around this area. Banana,
bamboo, coconut, and passionfruit trees…I feel like I am in a secret garden. As I walk the dirt roads, the beauty of this dust filled place is unexplainable. Garden after garden, child after child-simply BREATHTAKING. This is God’s place.
bamboo, coconut, and passionfruit trees…I feel like I am in a secret garden. As I walk the dirt roads, the beauty of this dust filled place is unexplainable. Garden after garden, child after child-simply BREATHTAKING. This is God’s place.
Off the beaten path lies the home of our contact’s family. The heart of the community. Down a windy path from the contact’s home is the church. The church is our treehouse surrounded by all sorts of fruit trees. God’s secret place hidden away just for us. There are three brothers and their parents. The mother is our wonderfully, joyful cook. Simply beautiful in all her splendor. The father has a gentle spirit and a smile that will blow one’s mind. Uee who is 30, is a member of YWAM staff. He is a pastor and does woodworking. Then there is Umong who is 26. He works part time for YWAM and serves as a worship leader. The last brother is Utri who is 21. He is currently in medical school and did a year at DTS (Discipleship Training School).
Uee, the oldest brother
These men are the face of this community. They know no stranger. The children aspire to be like them. When one boy was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up he said, “I want to be like Uee.” The older people look up to them. This got me, thinking why is this? Why are people of all ages drawn to these 3 young men? Because they simply reek of Jesus. It seems like everything they do is to further the KINGDOM. Whenever these brothers are around, kids swarm.
Utri, the youngest brother
It reminds me of Jesus. Wherever He would go, people would swarm. They just wanted to be in His presence, old and young. He smelt ever so delightful. Parents would bring their children to Jesus because they knew His aroma.
“Jesus said, Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these” Matthew 19:4.
Just like the kids here in this village, these three brothers get it…”The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” Their hearts are bursting forth with love for the people of Cambodia.
Being around them causes me to wonder how my aroma is doing. Are people drawn to me, not because of my flesh, but because they smell an ever delightful scent? In the midst of all my stubborness, pride, and selfishness is the aroma coming through? The first week and a half here, I felt so ugly inside. Oddly enough, Jesus was still shinning through ME. ME. How can this be? In the midst of all my struggles, He still chooses to use me. He always seems to be doing that. Look at David for instance. He smelt wonderful throughout different parts of his life. People were drawn to him. Many times he messed up, but God still used him. He still shown through. Much like David, God brought me to my knees in one big tear fest of repentence and crying out. Dying to my self is an hourly, daily process. This sweet aroma then becomes less about me and more about Him.
What has been your scent lately? Is it a delightfully sweet smell or has the aroma lost some of its sweetness? My prayer is that much like this band of brothers here that we will continue to walk in an ever so delightful aroma. May others be drawn to your heavenly scent.
Thank you for all your support! I hope you had an AMAZING Christmas! Please pray for these brothers and the country of Cambodia as the Kingdom continues to be furthered. Much love!
Team Undignifiied with Utri, Uee, Citi (cousin), and Sorm
the mother of the brothers
Umong…another brother
