Warriors of Cambodia

This month’s ministry here in Cambodia has flown by. It seems like yesterday we walked into the slums filed with shock and sorrow. Now three weeks later those emotions are still there but now the overwhelming feeling is thankfulness. I am humbled and thankful that the Lord brought me here. I knew these places existed but I did not let the depth of it affect me. I would change the channel before I had to see another starving child. I would support Compassion but not know the child. Now I see their faces. I hold their hands. I pray for healing. I see Jesus enter their hearts and change them. I want more of that for this nation. Since being here I have been challenged, encouraged, and

 

Pastor Sarith has been a joy to work with. He is another one of those warrior men of God that I have talked about before. He speaks to his people with passion and fire for the Lord. He does not hesitate to call on the Lord’s name for anything. He is anointed. He is bringing Christ’s healing powers to the slums. He is open, excited, and ready to learn. Sarith has a heart for the Lord that is contagious. I know one main reason we have fallen in love with our ministry this month is because of the passion Sarith has for the slums. He is one man of God I wish you all could meet because you would not be the same afterwards. Sarith is a warrior for Cambodia.

One afternoon we went to meet and play with the children at the orphanage that Sarith runs and we were blown away even before we made it in the door. The children came running up to us to telling us they loved us and showering us with hugs and affection. We sang songs, played games, and just loved on them. But more so they loved on us. They have hearts bigger than any other children I know. When we left they chased after our tuk-tuk screaming goodbye and I love you, we knew we had to see them again. So one Saturday night we went to hang out with them at church as they practiced singing, praying, and ate together. The children sang with more passion and desire than I have ever seen before. They cried out to God on behalf of Thailand and Cambodia fighting. When I say cried out to the Lord, I mean it. They get it. They know the Lord personally and know the power behind prayer. I wish every child could see God through their eyes. It broke me to see this, It was one of the most beautiful testimonies to the Lord I have ever seen. The children showed Christ’s love to me in a bold and powerful way. These children are warriors for Cambodia.

Sandy is a nurse practitioner from Australia who runs a clinic in the slums. She has been here for 3 years and has a true heart for the people. She has shown the people that they can trust her and now they love her. Her clinic is full every Saturday with people waiting to be treated. She goes above and beyond what you would expect from her. She takes the people to the eye doctor when needed. She serves them without a second’s thought. Her heart broke for a lady who had sewage water as the floor in her house. Sandy offered to find her somewhere else to live, but fear controls this lady so she declined the offer. So Sandy bought her a real bed…probably the first she has ever had. Sandy’s heart is connected to Christ so therefore connected to the people. She pulled an HIV baby out of the slums that would have probably been dead by now if she had not. She cared for and loved this child as her own for 7 months. Now she is trying to adopt this baby and take her home to Australia in a few months. Sandy’s faith and spirit of compassion and mercy has inspired me. I thank the Lord for this woman who is teaching the Cambodians how to trust others and trust the Lord. Sandy is a warrior for Cambodia.