Love.
What a weird word.
It has so much intensity.
So much emotions, connections, weight,
all in four letters.
And I have fallen into its siren's song.
So, there's this girl I met on the Race.
She's super cute.
As soon as I saw her… let's just say I went head over heels.
She has brown hair, white smile, adorable laugh.
She has turned my world upside down.
Unfortunately I don't know her name…
So I gave her one!
I call her by the most beautiful name I can think of:
Sha-nay-nay.
Cambodia has been amazing. I honestly thought Malaysia was going to be the best month on my Race. But if there is any competition so far for the top spot in my heart, Cambodia is climbing up the ladder, mowing over every month out of its way. We are partnering with a Filipino missionary named Maricel. She's an inspirational woman of God, living here in Kampong Cham, loving the community and sharing the love of God. We set up medical and hygenic clinics, giving kids baths, tending to their wounds caused by the horrific living conditions, as well as teach English, visit the local prison, and of course, have a blast playing around with the kids!
There are three villages we visit: 42 Village, Bung Snay Village, and Rocka Thom Village. All three are full of kids, running around in their torn, dirty clothes (or naked), uneducated, malnurished, and seeking love. Every village is unique in regards to enviorment, living conditions, population, etc. All are in need of help, and the Lord has sent me to be a blessing!
My team arrived to Bung Snay Village. The dust floats around like early morning dew, filling your lungs with every breath. As soon as you step foot out of the makeshift Cambodian deathrap which is called a vehicle here, kids from all around the village run straight into your arms. We get to sing songs, play games, tickle-fight, play soccer, and bring the kingdom of God through smiles, hugs, and laughs!
Through the sea of lice-infested children came along this particular girl that caught my eye. She walked straight to me, smile as bright as the beating sun above. Her piercing eyes drew mine, and her small, clammy hands reached out to me. I picked her up and brought her towards my heart, and the start of a wonderful love-fest began.
I haven't fallen hard for a little kid since the Philippines. I don't know her name. Usually when we don't know a child's name, we give them a nickname. So since she's my little mini-me, female version, I have the priviledge of giving her a sweet name. And what better name then Sha-nay-nay (pronounced: Sh-a-nay-nay!)
We get to laugh and play together. She loves it when I tickle her, put her on my shoulders, and take photos together. My contact told me that the reason why she came up to me was because we have the same curly, dirty, knotty, messy hair! But now, it's not just our hair that has connected us. It's love. The love that Christ has given me to give to her.
Jesus says that these kids, the little ones, are those who belong to the kingdom of heaven. Jesus says that we must become like kids to enter the kingdom. I find that so incredible! When I was a kid I wanted to grow up fast because I thought that I would be strong enough, tall enough, fast enough. But the more I grow old (because being 22 is extremely old [*sarcastic tone]) the more I realize that I need to see my Father just like that: a Father. Sometimes I see God as a theological concept, a hard idea to hold, a big, unreachable giant. But just as easy as it was for Sha-nay-nay to jump into my arms, so it is for me to God.
As I held my new friend in my arms, so I felt God holding me. And just as much as I was bringing the kingdom of God to her, so she was to me.
"Let the little children come to me… for such belongs the kingdom of heaven."
Photo above: Looking at a Cambodian floating village.
Photo below: To the left, bath time for the kids.
To the right, tending to the wounds of children and giving them new clothes.
Thank you all for your support and prayers. I'm currently only $2,146 away from being fully funded. Please help me raise this money so children like Sha-nay-nay woul feel the love of God through you sending me to them!
To donate online to my trip, simply click here.
