Arriving in Cambodia this week has been a breath of fresh air. A new country with new culture to learn, new souls to love, new adventures, and so much more newness on the way. Although, as soon as we walked across the border I felt like I was in a whole new world. Cambodia is full of poverty and brokenness. It was hard to find the joy walking past beggar after beggar at the border. It was hardest to walk past the children who are trained to run up to you and beg for money. I was slightly taken back and nervous about this new adventure I was embarking on. Through my nervousness and fear, I felt God telling me that this place would become home and that Cambodia needs me just as much as I need it. Looking around, seeing street kids chasing each other, the bustling streets, wedding parties celebrating in the roads…. I knew I needed trust God. That’s when I started to fall in love with this crazy place.
Our weekend spent in Phenom Phen was filled with much more newness. We learned about the Khmer Rouge genocide that happened in Cambodia only 35 years ago. 25% of the whole country was killed off by the ruler, Pol Pot, and his armies. The country is now left with over 50% of the population under the age of 15. Going and visiting the actual camp site for torture and killing fields were gruesome. The bloodstains still on floors and finger nail etchings in the walls were things I wish I never had to see but also something that made my dedication to this month in Cambodia so much more real. We also got to meet one of the seven survivors of that camp which somehow made me see God’s miracles through it all.
Bracelets left to honor those killed and buried in this mass gave
(Thankfully, after this emotional day we found an all you can eat sushi and ice cream buffett!)
Anyways, this month, we get to work at an orphanage through New Hope foundation in Takeo, Cambodia! The orphanage is small and very remote. All of the villagers were shocked to see a van full of foreigners coming down the dirt road into the bush. Pulling up to such a poor orphanage was nerve racking but I know God has us here for a special purpose. We get to teach them English and they attempt to teach us Khmer. We play games together and love on the brand new litter of puppies here at the orphanage. We worship in different languages together. We find ourselves in the strangest places but having the time of our lives together. Did you know you can make a jump rope out of a vine with some sandals weighing it down in the middle? And oh the games these kids come up with, with just some rope and rocks. We swim in swampy rivers together and run through rice fields holding hands. I love them so much already! It breaks my hearts to know they have never been loved or been held by a mother and father like I have. I often find myself wondering why I got so lucky. But boy, is God sure making me thankful for what I have.
One of the sets of twins at the orphanage who have already stolen my heart, John and Peter.
To sum up all my feelings… I find myself sitting here, on a wobbly, wooden balcony, sweating like crazy, exhausted from a long day, and listening to 15 little gifts from God play below me. I couldn’t be happier. I came to Cambodia homesick and counting down the days until I get to be back with my family. And somewhere along the way I met 10 little boys and 5 little girls that I can’t even imagine leaving quite yet. So thank you God for helping me fall in love with life all over again. My heart explodes every morning that I get to come and play with these beautiful souls.
Please pray that my team and I can show these kids the love they deserve and give them memories that will last a lifetime!
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
