From day one at Camb
odia Hope Orphanage I feel in love. I feel in
love with an 7 year old named Socehat (pronounced Jit). As soon as I got out of the tuk-tuk
this little boy latched on to me. He loved on me and made me feel as if
no one in the world mattered but me in that moment. He wanted to be
the one that showed me around the orphanage. As soon as the tour was
over he grabbed what resembled a soccer ball (really was sticks woven
together to create a ball) and wanted to play soccer. Immediately my
heart was again beating for this child. Socehat had the best first touch
of any kid I have ever seen, perfect form. We played soccer all over
the orphanage and he never left my side the first day we were there.
When it came time to leave that night all the children gathered to hug
us and send us off with love. As a team we all gathered in the tuk-tuk
and all the children were right there waving and yelling good bye. But
Jip was different… as soon as we started pulling away he chased the
tuk-tuk down the street waving at us. Again my heart beat was felt
from deep within my being of a distinct love for this kid.
odia Hope Orphanage I feel in love. I feel inlove with an 7 year old named Socehat (pronounced Jit). As soon as I got out of the tuk-tuk
this little boy latched on to me. He loved on me and made me feel as if
no one in the world mattered but me in that moment. He wanted to be
the one that showed me around the orphanage. As soon as the tour was
over he grabbed what resembled a soccer ball (really was sticks woven
together to create a ball) and wanted to play soccer. Immediately my
heart was again beating for this child. Socehat had the best first touch
of any kid I have ever seen, perfect form. We played soccer all over
the orphanage and he never left my side the first day we were there.
When it came time to leave that night all the children gathered to hug
us and send us off with love. As a team we all gathered in the tuk-tuk
and all the children were right there waving and yelling good bye. But
Jip was different… as soon as we started pulling away he chased the
tuk-tuk down the street waving at us. Again my heart beat was felt
from deep within my being of a distinct love for this kid.
Thought of him ran through my head that night and I could not wait
to see him again. Socehat is probably the most dirty kid in the orphanage
and wears the same orange stretched out khmer alphabet t-shirt and blue
shorts. But even tough he is covered in filth his character reigns
deeper then anything seen on the surface.
to see him again. Socehat is probably the most dirty kid in the orphanage
and wears the same orange stretched out khmer alphabet t-shirt and blue
shorts. But even tough he is covered in filth his character reigns
deeper then anything seen on the surface.
Over the next couple of days we kept going back to the orphanage
and played with the kids. We had the weekend off so I didnt get to
see Socehat at all. I missed him a lot. Sunday night I had a dream about
him. A dream of him running up to me. But instead of him running up
to me in his rags with dirt all over his body it was him completely
clean with a bright white shirt on and blue shorts. The love, joy, and
hope that this child has on the inside was perfectly seen on the
outside. Restoration was all over him in my dream…
The reality when I got to the orphanage on Monday was a different
story. I didn’t see Socehat at first when I got there, which a lot of the
kids were taking a nap so I didn’t think to much of it. But then when
I did see him, his face was sullen and he was dirtier then ever. He
was wearing the same clothes as last week from the first day I saw
him. He came up to me and said, “Jamie, I missed you” he used my name
and he missed me? Wow… yet again my heart beat. Immediately I saw he
was sick. Respiratory problems, a cough, and sores all over his skin.
He is constantly itching his body. He is weak and tired. Immediately,
thoughts of the worst ran through my head, of him having HIV/AIDS. All
I wanted to do was love on him as much as possible, make him feel how
he made me feel the first day I saw him. The orphanage was having a
worship session so I carried him over there. While everyone was full
of joy dancing around he layed in my lap. I told him “You are strong
Jip and Jesus Loves you.” He nodded in agreement. I started singing to
him the worship song and he then joining in with me. Worship empowered
him and brought joy to his face. Although his body was weak his spirit
was strong.
story. I didn’t see Socehat at first when I got there, which a lot of the
kids were taking a nap so I didn’t think to much of it. But then when
I did see him, his face was sullen and he was dirtier then ever. He
was wearing the same clothes as last week from the first day I saw
him. He came up to me and said, “Jamie, I missed you” he used my name
and he missed me? Wow… yet again my heart beat. Immediately I saw he
was sick. Respiratory problems, a cough, and sores all over his skin.
He is constantly itching his body. He is weak and tired. Immediately,
thoughts of the worst ran through my head, of him having HIV/AIDS. All
I wanted to do was love on him as much as possible, make him feel how
he made me feel the first day I saw him. The orphanage was having a
worship session so I carried him over there. While everyone was full
of joy dancing around he layed in my lap. I told him “You are strong
Jip and Jesus Loves you.” He nodded in agreement. I started singing to
him the worship song and he then joining in with me. Worship empowered
him and brought joy to his face. Although his body was weak his spirit
was strong.
Rithey decided to take him to the hospital as soon as the worship
service was over to get tested for HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria. I wanted
nothing more then to go with him and be by his side but I knew I could
not. I had to allow Christ to take control of the situation and know
he is faithful. Do I know what the results are yet… negative on TB and Malaria… HIV/AIDS inconclusive. Will I ever know the outcome of Socehat?… Probably not. Do I have
faith in restoration for Socehat as in my dream?… absolutely!
service was over to get tested for HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria. I wanted
nothing more then to go with him and be by his side but I knew I could
not. I had to allow Christ to take control of the situation and know
he is faithful. Do I know what the results are yet… negative on TB and Malaria… HIV/AIDS inconclusive. Will I ever know the outcome of Socehat?… Probably not. Do I have
faith in restoration for Socehat as in my dream?… absolutely!
So please please please pray for this young boy who makes my heart beat loudly.
