Most teams have bikes as their main source of transportation, but my teams main source is by tuk tuk. When we’re not talking on our rides, we sit in silence looking out and each pair of our eyes picks up on something different in the city. Sometimes we talk about new things we have noticed and sometimes we just meditate on it ourselves.
The land here is very green and alive, but often times we pass by certain buildings or people that don’t seem very alive.
Riding for just a brief time we pass by several KTVs. During the day there aren’t people there, but when it gets dark these karaoke bars are packed. Young girls are being taught that prostitution is their only hope of “living a good life.” The family that we are working with aren’t involved in any type of ministry in these bars. I can imagine that it would be hard to establish a ministry in these places, but I hope that one day when racers come to Cambodia that there would be a ministry involved with these specific places. For now all we can do is pray. Pray that these young girls wouldn’t believe the lies that they are being told about their identity, their body, and their worth. Pray that they would come to believe that Jesus is the only one that can free them from this lifestyle, and they can find safety in Him. Pray that someone can get into these bars and be a light in the midst of darkness, sharing the love of God. That one day these KTVs would no longer exist, but hat a fruitful ministry would be established in their places.
Next to our compound, going out to a main road there are two homeless people that stay under an awning. The lady doesn’t ever talk to us, but the man typically stands up and bows with his hands in prayer. I wonder what they think. We know where our next meal is coming from, but they don’t. We know what we’re going to do throughout the day and we have a purpose, but Im not sure that they do. Im praying that a relationship can be formed. That whenever we leave we can see them come alive, but even if we don’t I’m praying that the someday someone will see the fruit.
We have been encouraged to not give money or food to people that are begging on the sides of the streets. If we feel like we must do something its best to just sit with them and talk, but if we choose to give them food we cannot walk away from them until they have eaten every bit of it. Our host family knows of a young girl. Her dad broke both of her legs and forced her to stop eating. Because of how she looks many people feel compassion toward her and give her handouts and then walk away. But what they don’t see is her dad in the background waiting for the giver to walk away so that he can take away what was just given to her. If we sit with the girl, if we give her food, the dad won’t approach us and the girl will be fed.
God thank you for allowing me to see these things. Open my eyes to whatever you want me to see.
