4/1/15
I’m standing in the middle of the busiest street in Siem Reap, Cambodia as I look down to see my hands exactly as they feel – covered in ash and dirt. Its 12:00am on Thursday, August 2nd, 2015.
To my right are two popular bars across the street from each other, each blaring their own music in hopes of drawing in the most money. Dancing is breaking out in between in the street with expectant, yet oblivious, observers from side to side. The street filled with drunken tourists, who have probably spent more money on drinks tonight than my weekly food allowance.
Directly in front of me is a little girl in a red dress completely by herself. She is squatting in front of three bags full of the leftover “trash” sorting through what will soon be consumed as her dinner. Behind her sit two boys assumed to be homeless as well.
I sit watching as person after person completely walks by this girl without even noticing she is even present. Carrying their beer to walk to the next bar that might now have better dancing or music.
A few days ago, a squadmate suggested to our squad that if anyone would like to donate money that she wanted to purchase food to pass out to the homeless people in the city. We have seen them digging through trash late at night, and this was set on her heart.
Tonight, was that night. We purchased over 100 individual servings of fried rice and split up into groups of 4-5, unaware of how truly wrecking this night would be.
My group ended up near a river first. We first met a boy who covered his serving of rice with a hat, as if he had to hide it from anyone who might want to take it.
Another boy, Sa Pun, came up barefoot and hungry. He looked unsure at first. But, it only took an inviting hand to hold and a smile before he soon became our new friend. He was full of joy and the sweet laughter of a 10 year old boy. He came along, hand in hand, as we found the people he lives by the river with to share this food.
With only the moonlight to guide our sight, and now with a gentle squeeze in my left hand, we crossed a bridge over a river.
We were taken to a few trees with two hammocks, a mat, and 5-6 people. This, was his home. This, was their home.
Sa Pun and I continued to giggle at each other, and play an unofficial game of squeezing each others hand back and forth. I helped him to button his shirt when he tried to wrap himself up in it. Then he let go of my hand and reached for a hug, embracing me tightly. As I leaned down to hug him more, he gave me kiss after kiss on the cheek.
I was completely taken aback. I had not expected this love to be poured out from him. The amount of joy that was flowing through him was unexplainable.
The next twenty minutes went by quickly, with us getting to know our new friends. With another tight hug paired with his sweet kisses on the cheek, we had to say our goodbyes. We turned, and began walking in the direction toward Pub Street- the busiest street in town.
A few minutes went by, before I began hearing a faint pitter patter, growing louder and louder into the recognizable barefoot running of my sweet 10 year old friend. I turned around, and saw him running to me. With arms open wide, he ran into my arms.
We let him walk with us for a few blocks before turning around to take him back to the river. We said our goodbyes, once more. But it wouldn’t be forever. My friend from my squad, Craig, and I were able to find them again last night to spend time with them.
After taking him back to where he lives, a sudden realization hit me -hard. He is a 10 year old boy. Without anyone to stop him from chasing complete strangers down the street. Not only does this boy not have a mom or dad (which we found out last night), but he doesn’t have anyone to look after him. He doesn’t have a home, he doesn’t have parents, he doesn’t have anything but a jacket and shorts.
This night was both the worst and best night of The World Race, yet. We went out with expectancy.
Expectant to find homeless and provide them with the taste of a physical meal.
Expectant to find homeless and provide them with the taste of the Father’s love.
Expectant to find homeless and provide them with a taste of The Holy Spirit.
Expectant to find homeless and for our own hearts to break.
What I didn’t expect was to find a 10 year old boy who I would completely fall in love with in less than 10 minutes. But I did. We expected, and He provided, and He provided more than we expected.
We prayed for and are praying for them. If you would like to partner in prayer, please pray that my squadmate Craig will be able to continue visiting them through the rest of the month (as his team is staying in Siem Reap for the month), that all of them would encounter the Holy Spirit, and for opportunity. That they would all find a way to get off the streets.
My financial deadline is here. Please consider donating to help me be fully funded, I’m nearly $1,400 away from the total. Any amount will help! Thank you to everyone who has supported me through this.
