Cambodia marked month 6 of the World Race. It also was the month known as “manistry month,” where all of the men of our squad were separated from the women. Needless to say Cody and I were placed on separate teams. My husband was serving in Siem Reap (the city where the famous Ankor Wat is located) and I served 7 hours away in Cambodia’s capitol, Phnom Penh.
10 other ladies and I teamed up with BYKOTA House (Be Ye Kind One To Another). BYKOTA House is an orphanage in the heart of Phnom Penh where they house children and teach English. Our team arrived in the middle of tragedy. The founders of BYKOTA had just received word that their son had died and so they rushed to the States with 5 of their 8 adopted Cambodian children. They had to leave behind their 3 youngest children, because they don’t possess the documentation needed to travel.
The couple left in charge, Micah and Kelsi, jumped in to resume school and such. They also have 3 young girls. When I was told that I would be helping teach preschool, especially to a little one with Asperger’s syndrome, I panicked. Flashbacks of Swaziland filled my mind and I was terrified. I left Swaziland drained and defeated, convinced I didn’t want to be a preschool teacher any longer. I prayed that the month would be one of redemption.
I’ll be honest, Cambodia was not an exciting month. I spent my days babysitting and teaching preschool. However, the lack of variety didn’t make it any less exciting for me. My squad mate, LeAnna and I had the opportunity to teach the 4 coolest kids in Cambodia. . . I simply fell in love with them! I literally got to spend the whole day with them as I taught in the mornings and babysat them through the afternoons. Each of these kids are in the process of being adopted by one of the couples who run BYKOTA. They are each unique and special and have an amazing story of how they came to be here. They are smart and funny and loving. I miss them so much!!
Micah and Kelsi were so amazing too. You won’t meet a more servant-hearted couple. They came to Cambodia with the intention of staying only 9 months. A month in, they met Abby and Lilly, 2 of my preschoolers, and fell in love. They have now been there 2 years waiting for their adoption to go through. In the waiting they welcomed their own baby girl and continue to work hard serving the children of BYKOTA House. Micah is one of the most loving and light-hearted men I have ever met. He clearly walks in all of the fruits of the Spirit. His beautiful wife, Kelsi, is a hard-worker and is such an inspiration in the way she stands beside her husband.
This month, the Lord taught me to be content in serving in small ways. Babysitting and teaching preschool to only 4 children doesn’t seem exciting or courageous. But nonetheless, it is honorable and pleasing to God. I found joy in delighting in God’s little ones. These 4 children brought me so much joy and hope. Their love redeemed my past months of working with difficult children. It broke my heart to leave them, especially when one of them clung to my neck and told me I couldn’t go because I was his best friend.
I saw what commitment looks like in watching Micah and Kelsi. Their steadfast attitudes and spirit of perseverance is admirable. Cambodia is not an easy place to serve. It can seem hopeless at times, yet they push forward knowing that the joy of the Lord is their strength.
What about you? In what way can you serve God in the small things? I encourage you to see the honor in doing the dishes to serve your family/friends. See the perseverance in working every day to care for your family. Find the love in folding your roommate’s clothes, just to show them you care.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:17
