Cambodia has awakened more senses than I expected. One week before coming here we found out that we would be working at a children’s home. If you know me at all, my heart leaped for joy. I was excited but nervous. I had no idea how quickly reality would set in once we arrived. As we came down the roads we see women walking the streets, we see brothels, we see children being sent out to make money, and we see brokenness throughout the city. We find out that Cambodia is the number 1 children sex trafficking industry in the world. We hear of stories about family and friends. We find out that several children in the home were getting ready to be sold when rescued. We find out that many of the children we will be working with have come from all types of abusive homes. Reality sets in. There is no escape, there is no turning back, God sent us here for a reason.
Human trafficking has always been on my heart. Although I don’t know much about the legal process, I do know about the brokenness that comes from it. The women and children have always been on my heart but in Cambodia I have begun to see the brokenness in the men as well. The devil is ramped and he is looking to kill, steal, and destroy anything in his path. He searches for the broken, the hurting, the hungry, and the lost. He seeks joy in destroying hope for the weak and innocent. He is manipulative and corrupt. He is controlling and possessive. He is busy in Cambodia and I am done watching it. I will not back down. Just a fraction of my God's pinky is stronger than the devil. My God is love and he is here. He is working in every one of those streets and he is loving every one of those people. He is yelling and screaming to bring them home. He is the safe haven we long for. He is here and his arms are open and ready. My God will never leave or forsake us. My God is powerful and he is blessing me daily. My God is allowing me to see his beautiful creation. My God is asking me to represent him here in Cambodia. What a beautiful blessing.
The first day here we had a kindergarden graduation. It was the first time that I met most of the kids and I was both excited and nervous. As the smiling faces quickly covered the room I felt a peace and safety from above. I realized this foundation wasn’t just walls and a roof but a home; a safe home. The kids sang a song “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there is nothing my God cannot do, for you”. And as simple as that sounds, I realized how weak I am but how great He is. I cannot fix the problems here, I cannot rescue all the girls on the street, I cannot make people see the evil of this world. I cannot do anything but rely on Him, and that, my friends, is very humbling. My God is big. My God is strong. My God is mighty. And my God can do anything, ANYTHING, he wants. He doesn’t need me but yet he is allowing me to be apart of his kingdom. With great honor it is to represent him. When those kids come in each day, I get to hug them, I get to pray with them, I get to sing with them, I get to laugh with them, and I get to love them.
These four walls that hold up the foundation cannot contain the joy. The joy doesn’t just seep out onto the streets but it abundantly flows out. No, everyday isn't perfect. Most days are filled with lots of crying. But God has something so much greater in store. As I walk down the streets, as I look over the city, and as I go to bed each night my heart cries out to heal the brokenness. I pray for the women and children who are being abused. I pray for the men and women who are selling and buying. I pray for the pimps and all the people they drag along with them. I pray for the families who are being affected by this daily. I pray for the authorities that they carefully work and stop the evil ways. I pray for Cambodia and the hunger for love, and that they no longer search for it in people but in my God. I pray for those who are getting trafficked as I type this blog and I pray for those who will be trafficked after writing this blog. I pray for my heart and knowing that I cannot stop it but I know who can. I pray that every part of my day is spent representing his great love. That through me my God will be glorified. Reality isn’t always so pretty. Brokenness isn’t always so fun. But my GOD is so big, so strong and so mighty, there is NOTHING my GOD cannot do for CAMBODIA.
To learn more about Cambodia please go to the link below:
http://www.humantrafficking.org/countries/cambodia
To learn more about the US please go to the link below:
http://www.humantrafficking.org/countries/united_states_of_america
