Yesterday my friend Austin and I were on a bro date. We were sitting down at a restaurant and and talking about life. These kids came up to us and tried to sell us bracelets and post cards. Austin needed some post cards so he decided to buy them from the kids, 10 for $1. After that the kids tried to sell us the bracelets. They kept on saying 10 for $1, 10 for $1, 10 for $1 over and over and over like little brainwashed robots. The oldest girl would tell the younger ones what to say.
Instead of talking to them about the bracelets I tried to ask them about their lives but they got shy and ran away and tried to go sell to other customers, but then the kids came back and tried to sell us the bracelets again. At that time it was about 3 pm. I was not interested in the bracelets but I was interested in getting to know these kids so I asked each of the kids their names and ages. They all spoke decent English, some better than others. I asked them how they knew English and they all answered that they had learned in school and that they attend school in the mornings, but go into the streets in the evening to work. After a bit of warming up they finally told me their names and ages. Chai 10, Da 11, Wop 11, Eyung 9, and Ery 14. After telling me their names and ages they proceeded to attempt to sell me bracelets…again. “10 for $1.”
Yet, I was still unwavering to buy them. We talked a little bit more and towards the end of our conversation one of the kids asked if we’d buy them ice cream. I told them that I didn’t have much money, but I might be able to buy them something to share and to come back at 4:30.
So, they left again and started selling to other customers. As I was watching them I saw two little girls, I assumed to be their friends, run up to them with bracelets in hand. As they were talking I saw them looking our way. They kept talking and pointing and shortly the two girls started our way. When they got to us they asked us to buy the bracelets and again I said no and they said that if I did not buy the bracelets that they would not eat. When they had said that half of me knew that was just one of their lines to help them get money, and the other half of wanted to just love on them as Christ would love them. So, that’s what I did. I also knew that their friends had told them we were going to buy them ice cream and that was part of the reason they came up to us, but I didn’t care I just talked with them and asked them about their lives. Their names were Pow (9) and Chhouery (12). After a bit of talking I noticed that me and Pow were both wearing Casio watches and I showed her mine. I asked her about hers and she told me that is was her friends and that she was letting her wear it because she wanted to learn how to read time. I them told her that I would buy them ice cream as well and to be back at 4:30 which was in about an hour.
They eventually left. For the next thirty minutes all seven of the kids would pace up and down the row of restaurants watching Austin and I making sure we weren’t leaving, but they couldn’t wait to they soon ran up to us and huddled around us. I talked to them and asked them all sorts of questions. I found out about their school, how long they have been working, how their moms make the bracelets, how they’re all from the same village, and that four of them are cousins, two of them are siblings, and one of them is just a friend. The more we talked the more they opened up and laughed and smiled and became actual children. It was so cool to see and watch them be able to be themselves and not little brainwashed robots.
The kids couldn’t wait any longer so Austin and I paid and took the kids to get ice cream! The first place we went to was this fancy little gelato place that was $1.50 for a dime sized scoop, but that was too expensive and I knew I could find more for a better price some where else. Then, I remembered that the hangout spot our squad goes to has $1 scoop ice cream on the weekends. We took the kids there and when we walked in you would have thought it was Christmas morning. Their faces lit up and were overjoyed and overwhelmed with all of the different flavors. They were all very polite and helped each other order.
After they had all gotten their ice cream, we took a picture with them and they thanked us and went on their way. Austin and I headed up stairs to the sitting area and I looked out the window to see all the kids standing in the sidewalk sharing their ice cream.
I can’t begin to share how blessed I feel to be able to love on those kids and give them ice cream and just be a small light of Christ to them.
For the longest time God has put it on my heart that I will in some way work with kids. Though ,I have not always accepted that idea I can’t wait to see what that will look like in the future. I, also, when the time comes, can not wait to be a father and on this trip I can see God growing me in working with children. So we’ll see where the Lord takes me but for now I’m loving working with kids all around the world. Though this event he has just showed how child like faith is so beautiful and sweet and innocent and that the Father loves His children and that we are his children.
“Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying,”Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Luke 18:15-17
