As I stood there in that circle, overwhelmed for the 10th night in a row at the depth of worship and prayers on the lips of these precious kids, I was struck by the thought that these children are blessed. As soon as the thought hit me, I realized how ridiculous that sounded, from the worlds perspective. How ridiculous that would have sounded to me 6 months ago, but I knew that the thought was true.
No, the 34 kids, ranging from 5-17 years, are not materially blessed. They have perhaps 2 play outfits and a school uniform, but they are blessed. Richly blessed. They have a beat up volleyball, soccer ball, and football between them all, but they are blessed.
Why?
Because they have a relationship with our Abba Father that is so much more fulfilling than the newest toy or gadget or ball. They see that being here, at Bavel Orphanage, is a gift from their Papa. As a result of this blessing, they get to go to school. They get three meals a day, and a loving earthly dad in Mr. Vanny, the now 35 year old man who in the year 2000 chose to open this orphanage here in the village where he grew up so He could be a part of bringing the Kingdom to Cambodia. They get to learn about the Living God, the God that most children here in Cambodia do not grow up hearing about, because being Khmer means that you are a Buddhist, though the rituals they practice are by no means exclusively Buddhist, but a mixture of animism, brahminism and spirit worship. They get to meet and know personally our God who is alive and well in their hearts, because they see His hand in their lives, whether it is for money that is donated for their food that week, the backstory that brought them here, money that is donated to pay their school fees, electricians who donate their services free of charge, a doctor who gives them medical care at a reduced cost, donations to build new bathroom facilities, or teams like ours who are able to come and help them in various ways. They get to learn through doing, as they plant, nurture and harvest dragonfruit, as they raise chickens and ducks, and as they have a hand in some of the building on the property. They get to be a part of the body– building up others through the leading of worship every night, and through running the service every Sunday morning. They get to give to others through giving into the offering time every Sunday. They may not have much, but they still are taught to give and bless their community. They get poured into by the older children and by the two generations of family who live here at the orphanage, so they get to see what it looks like to live a Christian life by watching their elders.
And I find myself wondering… how did our perspective on blessing and riches get so skewed in the US? How do I not live in a mindset of complete blessing because I have Him while living in the US? What’s that look like… to live in that mindset while being surrounded by so much “stuff” that gets in the way? I don’t know the answers yet, but here in Cambodia I have seen that nearness to our Papa brings healing.
“A great number of people had come to hear Him [Jesus] and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from Him and healing them all.” ~Luke 6:17-19
No, we cant head to the Middle East, find Him in human form, and get healing through physical connection with Him. Instead, we have it even better I can spend time talking to Him. Praising Him. Listening to Him. Sitting in His presence. And through those times I am with Him, He will (and does) bring healing.
So have you experienced a nearness to Him that brings healing?
Do you have an ache, a weight, a pain, a thought that you want to be rid of?
Well, I encourage you to simply start talking to Him about it, and listening to His voice. Because when you get into His presence and choose to remain there, life looks completely different. Petty things that may once have bothered you no longer does. You see people differently. You see yourself differently. Its like youre wearing His glasses, and as a result your world changes. Your habits change. You wake up with a word of praise. You pray through the day, and you see the fruits of your efforts through the answers to prayer He provides. He gives you a mouth that cant keep quiet about what you are learning about Him. He gives you an ache to know more, and to spend more time in His presence. To spend more time in His Word.
I hope that you will see the riches you have in Him alone. I hope you will experience the healing you can find in Him alone.
“Prayers are prophecies. They are the best predictors of our spiritual future. Who you become is determined by how you pray. “
-Mark Batterson’s The Circle Maker
”… the love of God manifested through you is what people really need. So you first must see His face. You must become so close to His very heartbeat that you can feel what others feel.”
-Heidi Baker
