More Than a Gift
It is month four on the World Race and I’m currently living in an orphanage in Cambodia. The moment we pulled up and got out of the big van, we were welcomed with hugs and hellos in a new language from 42 beautiful children. I can honestly say that I have never fallen in love with a place and its people so quickly.
Day 1 looked a little like this:
Give and receive hugs.
Introduce ourselves to all the children and house mothers that welcomed us.
Go to new rooms. Get situated.
Eat dinner.
Rest after a long day of crossing the border from Thailand and traveling 7 hours by van.
Over the next couple of days we spent time getting to know the children and meeting with our host to see what ministry would look like. He told us that he hoped we would teach English each day, share Bible stories, and do art with the children. The ladies on my team and I started to brainstorm how to split up the children based on what they already knew and how well they spoke English. After doing some individual testing I ended up with a class of 7! 🙂
After a few days of teaching, one of the young ladies in my class brought me something; something that I don’t believe she understood would have as great an impact on me as it did. With a shy smile and a half hug she placed a handmade paper box in my hand. I swear I could feel the excitement radiating off of her. When opening it I realized she had gathered numerous little trinkets, wrote out a sweet note and drew a drawing and placed it inside.
The selflessness and kindness of this gift blew me away and at the same time left me torn, debating on whether or not I should have accepted the gift. I ended up thanking her and giving her a big hug and smile before bringing it to my room.
How could this girl who has so little, give me so much? I debated on if I should accept the gift or not because I knew she does not have a lot and I have more than enough.
Sayika reminded me what it looks like to give selflessly and out of love. She reminded me of the love that Jesus showed when He was here on earth and that He still shows to me each day (even if I’m not always able to see it). If you read through any of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) you see that Jesus was always giving; whether it was sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, freedom from those who were stuck in bondage, hope, and truth. He brought light to the darkness and paid the ultimate sacrifice for all because He loves the Father and us so much! He took up our sins on the cross and by doing this He made a way for us to get into Heaven.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17
Personally, some days I forget the immense amount that Jesus did not just for me but for all of us. I am extremely thankful that God uses moments like the one with Sayika to speak to me and remind me of His character, His steadfast love, and of the greatest gift of all; our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thanks for reading. 🙂
