2/16/18
Right after I finished my morning run I walked the sidewalk right across from ministry (stretching and catching my breath).A lady approached me while holding two black bags and one small plastic paint bucket. The black bags contained bowls, cups, and containers, and the little plastic paint bucket contained a few cans of beer, one apple, and a few plastic bags. She first asked me, “Like Beer?” and continued to say “Chinese is Nihao, and mama in Chinese is, uhhh sorry um” immediately I assumed she was a tad bit intoxicated from last night. If you don’t know already, Chinese New Years started on the 14th of February and lasts three days. Same Same but Different from the American New Years.
I listened to her as she kept repeating the same dialogue “Chinese is Nihao, and mama in Chinese is, uhhh sorry um” I realized then, there may be a little something else wrong. The locals gave us looks of disgust. As one lady walked right by us mouthing out “She’s crazy” and moving her and in front of her neck motioning to stop talking to her. I saw her as a friend I sat down with her and asked her questions, “What’s your name?” “How are you?” She replied with her name and proceeded to tell me, “I’m good, Chinese is Nihao, and mama in Chinese is, uhhh sorry um” Well, at least she answered my question. Surprisingly her English was very good! I asked, “Where did you learn English?”
Guess what she said…
I was so surprised…
“Chinese is Nihao, and mama in Chinese is, uhhh sorry um”
The conversation wasn’t getting far so I decided I would introduce myself and talk a little bit about my purpose.
Hello, my name is Cole I am 19 and I love Jesus Christ. I asked her if she knew Jesus Christ, a blank face was the answer so I shared the Good News with her and she smiled.
The power of the Gospel changes lives, for it changed mine and I know without a doubt it’ll change her’s. I asked her if I could help her with anything, buy her food, a drink, or carry her bags to her desired location. She said “Ice-Cream”, I told her you probably want something a little more nutritious at 6:25 am. She then said, “Apple is good”… Deal! I’m going to pray for you before we go to the market. She agreed and so on we went! I picked up her bags and plastic paint bucket full of beer and headed down the street to the Kampong Thom market. (I get my B-fast and dinner from the market, under a dollar for quality grub can put the biggest smile on your face) The bags she was carrying we’re pretty heavy, as I found myself switching the bags between both hands. She was the happiest 4’7 lady I’ve ever seen, she walked into that market definitely feeling on top of the world! People would stare as the bolong (foreigner) and the local interesting lady walked into the market together almost like they’ve been friends for years. A large apple at a stand costs 1500 Riel which is equivalent to 37.5 cents. There is one lady I go to every few days to get a kilo for 6000 Riel which is usually 6 apples, it’s a good time! Anyways, after that market, we started walking back to the sidewalk where we first started. I asked where she was going to go now and she replied, “I am going back home”. I offered to carry her bags 2 blocks from The Good Seed School (Ministry). When we got to the end of the second block, I prayed for her health, family, life, home, mental health, dependence on the Lord, but most importantly the seed that was planted today will be watered and harvested!
Each day I strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Jesus didn’t flee when the man with leprosy asked to be “cleaned”, neither should we flee from the people of this world. God has commanded us to meet the needs of others and love them as he has loved us. (John 15:12) The act of loving others brings GLORY to God!
- Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act
- Philippians 2:4 Not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of others
- Matthew 5:42: Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who want’s to borrow from you
- Matthew 25:35-40
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
To the World racers, SQL’s or safety personnel at AIM…
The buddy rule was not broken.
Thanks to Luke and the Wonderful Raf Robles.
Candid photo creds and iPhone editing skills to Mr. Raffito
