A year and a half ago, I left a part of my heart in Cambodia. Her name was Em Art. The rest of my team had met her the day before, but I had stayed behind with a parasite. My friend, Kerri, told me some of her story, and my heart longed for her before I had even met her. Because sometimes when I hear about pain like that, there is nothing I want more in the world than to make sure that girl knows she is loved.
The next day, I saw her and loved her. I witnessed her bruises for myself, which made me love her more. We danced. I held her close to me, unable to communicate any verbal utterances due to the language barrier. But we communicated in a much more beautiful way. And as we moved around the room, this little girl's smile spoke volumes. I could hardly say goodbye, feeling so powerless as I left Em to go home to her abusive grandfather. I wondered if I would ever know anything about her life after this.
(Sweet Em and I dancing.)
Upon arriving back to the states a couple of weeks later, Kerri felt it upon her heart to sponsor this sweet child each month. Though we all knew Em would now be receiving an education and meals more often, we still had an ache in our hearts about her situation at home. In fact, my heart has ached for her for a year and a half now, unable to be settled, though I want to trust the Lord to take care of His children. But the unsettled heart is not unsettled forever. Peace rushed through my innermost being about a week ago.
My friend, Garrick, had the opportunity to return to Cambodia for the summer, serving there in many ways. He got to go back and see our precious Em. He recounted the following to me: "I asked her if she remembered the two girls who danced with her. She said, 'Yes.' And her grandpa is no longer mean to her!"
To hear that simple report, those few short words, a rush of emotion flowed through me, and I praised our sweet Jesus. He truly does take care of His children. It may not always be in the exact timing we hope for. But He does not leave us, and He does not forsake us. And I can't help but fully understand now that this is why I believe in mission work, whether it be short- or long-term. For we may never actually see the seed that was planted. But what matters is that it was planted.
What matters is that a seed planted cannot help but to grow.
