Sitting in the back of an old pick up truck, the wind blew in my face with such force that it caused me to blink repeatedly, so much so that it seemed that I was watching the Cambodian rice patties along the side of the road being projected onto a movie screen with an antiquated projector that needed a tune-up. But even viewed in this skewed manner, the landscape was brilliant and crisp. I was surrounded by greenness not witnessed in America. It continued like this during the whole 3-hour drive until we reached our destination.
We were headed to the Kompong Thom province with the Children at Risk program run by New Life Fellowship. During the week, staff members drive out to one of the 60 church plants established throughout various provinces in the countryside. While there, they run children’s programs and check in with the children enrolled in their sponsorship program. We came along with them to run the children’s program for the day and to encourage the local churches there. We taught them about God’s strength and presence through the story of David & Goliath and Joshua & Jericho. We sang fun songs with them and acted silly. We played impromptu games in an open field. All of it was born out of love for these precious children. Not surprisingly, they stole my heart.
