While my last few days in Cambodia are taking place, I’ve been spending lots of time rejoicing in all of the relationships The Lord has blessed me with this past month. As I’ve mentioned in a previous blog, one relationship that has completely captivated my heart is my dear friend Sophon (pronounced Soap-juan).
Sophon is one of the orphans my team and I have spent a tonnn of time with this month. He got in trouble at school a little while ago, so he is no longer able to go. He works for Vandy, who is our host at the orphanage, doing different maintenance needs and tasks at the family shop. He brings us clean water every morning and just enjoys spending time with us.
Yesterday afternoon, my teammate Serena and I went over to the orphanage to hang out with some of the kids. Most of them were at school, but Sophon was sitting by himself on the porch. We went over to talk to him, and quickly realized his normally joyful self was definitely off. He explained to us that he was sad because the previous day was another kid’s birthday, and he has never had a birthday of his own. Sophon’s parents were killed when he was younger, and he never found out when his birthday was before coming to the orphanage. He told us that every year when the other kids celebrate their birthdays, he goes outside because it makes him sad. He also told us that his siblings don’t talk to him and probably forgot about him, so he felt like he has no family. I have been praying for God to break my heart for what breaks His, and He definitely did just that. His broken spirit gave Serena and I an idea.
We went back to our host’s house and made him birthday cards with two other teammates, Brooke and Ellen. We also bought him a “coca” (which is what the Cambodians call Coke) and his favorite snacks. We went back to the orphanage, gave him his cards and treats, and sang him happy birthday. The joy in his face was like nothing I’ve ever seen. He was so excited to finally have a birthday of his own. It was so amazing to see how much a birthday can mean to someone when you’ve never experienced it. He always calls me his best friend, so I hugged him and said “Happy birthday best friend!”, but his response this time was “not best friends… family”. I am so honored to be Sophon’s family, for the love he gives is like no other.
