There are these kids that run around this little village of Cambodia doing some crazy things.
One of the boys chased a cow down the road with a stick and stuck his tongue out at the cow when he got to the fence.
They piled too many kids on one bike and crashed it into the dirt. Then they did it again for fun.
They jump in the pond and pull out the lily pads and play with them.
They swing on hammocks, taze pigs (that’s real), climb fences, climb houses, play on tractors, dig holes, and do all the other crazy things kids at home do.
These kids are so sweet and so full of laughter. They come barreling into the house/barn/school/church we live and interrupt whatever we’re doing. Jenri is usually at lunch and dinner. Sopia waddles in from time to time. Ya pops in randomly. Boy and Charat come strolling up to trouble. They, and all the rest, come looking for love and attention. Some don’t get any at home and some come for an extra dose because mom and dad are busy.
They all come at different times and with different goals but each of them come with a lice infestation.
When they come, I always have a choice. I can let them steal some of my time. I can love on them for a while. I can scoop them up into my arms and hold them.
Or
I can ignore them. Or indulge them for a second and let them go. I can keep them at arms link.
The first option means I will probably get lice. The second option means I might not. But… Getting lice is far better than not loving these kids. I’d rather have an itchy head, go through pain of washing ALL of my things, and have to pay for lice shampoo than turn these kids away.
Getting lice isn’t worth because the kids are cute or because of how love deprived some of these kids are. Getting lice is worth it because the small act of holding a child or playing with one is a simple seed to plant in their heart. A seed that tells them, “they are loved, they are worth it, and they are enough.” It’s a seed that points them toward Jesus.
Getting Lice isn’t bad in comparison to the gift they’re receiving from God. Getting Lice is worth it.
