This morning we went and visited people in the homes near where we live. First stop? A woman named Ni who has a huge infection on her foot that has kept her from walking for three years. Second stop? An old man named Treeahn who has been blind for twenty years now. Third stop? A sweet old man who was deaf, but continued to tell us that even though he couldn’t hear anything we were saying, he was happy to look at our faces. All three had smiles abundant. The lame. The blind. The deaf. Even in month ten, I still find myself blown away by the way God has set me up to live out His Gospel this year.
We visisted a few other homes as well, and each visit went about the same. We walked by, said hello, and hoped for an okay to come and sit. We’d then gather around under their house (here in Cambodia all the houses are on stilts and people hang out underneath during the day to escape the heat) and strike up a conversation. Most of the conversations started with small talk about how they were doing, our travels, what we thought of Cambodia, their families, etc. I love this part, because I get to find out more about them, ask them questions, and just be a smiling face that cares. It’s not about just praying and ticking them off of our list so that we can get on to the next house. No way – they aren’t a list! They are people worthy of our time, and treating them as such is the best way I know to show God's love sometimes.
Loving on this little one at one of the houses we visited!
After a bit of talking, we eventually get to share with them about Jesus and/or invite them to church. So far most of the people we’ve visited here in Cambodia have been open to hearing, even if they still aren’t too sure about making a personal decision to follow Christ, so that has been encouraging. And of course, before we leave we always take the time to pray for the people and their families. With Ni and Treeahn and the deaf man among those we visited, today was a day of big prayers. And I believe that God will bring His healing, whether I get the blessing of seeing it with my own eyes or not. Our God is a healer, a healer of hearts first and foremost, but He is big enough to heal our bodies, too. He created us, after all.
More than anything, I think that people here are just desperate for attention. Heck, change that to people EVERYWHERE are just desperate for attention. My squadmate Ben gave Treeahn a hug before we left, and that embrace smelled so sweetly of Jesus to me. Later, it was on Ben’s heart to go and buy a sugar can juice for Treeahn, so we made our way back to his house, with no translator this time, just to hand him the drink, shake his hands, and tell him again that he was loved. We didn’t speak each other’s language, and he couldn’t even see us, but love transcends all boundaries.
Visiting with Treeahn for the first time.
As we made our way back, we passed by Ni’s house again, and as we waved she beckoned for us to come and sit. So of course we went back over, and as soon as we sat down she started talking a mile a minute, showing us her foot again, and concocting up her own medicine remedy out of a tree branch. We had no idea what she was saying, not much of a clue what she was doing, and yet she just kept smiling, and in her eyes I could see joy. Another person just eager for someone to sit down beside them for a little while. We prayed for her ankle again, and headed back to the church because we both had English to teach.
I decided that in the next three weeks, I’m going to have to make some extra visits to Ni and Treeahn. When I’m lucky, I’ll take a translator along to help out the conversations. But it’s not really necessary. They reminded me how simple it is to love. All it takes is a bit of time, a couple of smiles, and a person to sit beside you.
Some of my precious students – twins named Moy and Mei.
My original intention with this blog was just to let all of my supporters know what I’m up to this month. It’s month ten (WHAT?! Already?!) and we are in a random village in the province of Kampot in the country of Cambodia. Although we are back to “roughing” it a bit with bugs galore, no stores, and little access to internet, we are also blessed to be in a beautiful place with coconut trees all over, four different mango trees always ready to give us a snack, and wonderful people. It’s apparently the hottest month of the year here, but we’re not going to let that stop us! Our first few days here we spent playing games with the local kids since it was the Kumai New Year celebration. Since then, we are starting to get the ball rolling with free English classes throughout the day here at the church, as well as occasional house visits. As always, our number one intention is just to form relationships and love on the people that God has crossed our paths with for this moment in time.
Thanks for all of the continued prayers and support, and I hope that you, too, are taking the time to love the people that God has put in front of you this day. All it takes is a bit of your time and some smiles. 🙂
"Recess" with some of my Children's English students!
