The sharp thwack of knife hitting wood sounds in my ears as the sharp but pleasant aroma of lemongrass fills the air around me. I’m sitting in a field of lemongrass. As far as I can see, just about, waves of green leaves blow in the wind of a temptress storm.
Here I am sitting in Cambodia, learning to harvest lemongrass, and listening to tales of God’s provision to those who are faithful.
As I wield my knife, hopefully correctly, the lady beside me shares some of her story.
Her name is Toni, our contact’s sister and our co-hostess. Today was one of the first times I’ve gotten to really talk with her, and I’m already so blessed by her. Let me share some of her story.
Toni had to leave high school a year early to work and help support her family. When that was not as helpful she quit her job and began working at her family’s farm. After some time working with YWAM Cambodia she came home not really sure where God wanted her. Then she heard from her pastor about a preschool teacher training class in the city. Though unsure why, she took the classes. She returned home and started a preschool in her church.
Though none of this was what she had planned for her life, God knew what He was doing as each puzzle piece fell into place.
When Toni first started her preschool she had only six students. Knowing this was not enough to support herself and wanting reach out to the people of her community she began to pray. She prayed that God would send her more students, all the while she faithfully taught the few He had already given her. Many people questioned why she would dedicate her time to these children instead of taking her training across the river and teaching in the city. She could make more money there. It was because, more than the money she needed for her family, she wanted these children to succeed in their schooling and have a foundation in Jesus.
The next year God, true to fashion, not just answered her prayer, He provided in abundance! Thirty children came to her class! The number is currently at a steady twenty-five or so, and they are learning so much from Toni.
As I listened to her story I could not help but think of the faithful servants in Matthew who, after being faithful in the little they were given, were blessed with more. Here I sat in the Cambodian countryside looking at a very real, live illustration of that story.
God gave Toni just six students whom she faithfully taught and now she has twenty-five regulars, not to mention the other children that hang around the windows and listen as she teaches her class about Jesus and other preschool things.
Truly He has blessed her as she’s faithfully served Him.
Through Christ,
Brooke
Proverbs 31:12
