We are three weeks into my time here in Siem Reap, Cambodia and we have been helping to teach English and play with kids here. I see these kids here at New Hope Orphanage, and I get saddened at the thought that they don’t have someone to hold them when they cry or that the older girls look out for the younger ones but they themselves don’t have a parent looking after them. That they don’t run home to a mom or dad that asks them how their day was and how school went. My heart hurts because they don’t have anyone to sit with them as they cry because they miss their family (many of the kids have living parents but they have sent them here because they can’t provide for them and here they are able to get an education) or because they hurt their foot, or because another child said something mean. And here I am sent from the US to love on these kids and teach them English, and yes my team and I have done that. I have also received so much love from them as well. I have continued to learn what love looks like. I see what love looks like when we come back from going into town for the day and the kids run out to greet us. When every day I can expect kids jumping on my back, running up to hug me from behind, holding my hands, or braiding my hair, I see love. I see children full of joy when they pray and praise the Lord. I see their faith. I see how they are physically poor yet spiritually rich. I see how the girls eagerly try to speak English with me to get to know me and tell me their stories or the younger girls that love to swing on the swings with me or have me push them. This reminds me of the indescribably beautiful love of a Father for us as His children. A love we don’t deserve and cannot earn.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1
