This past weekend we headed up to a small village of about 25 families in the mountains of Thailand called Suan Pueng. YWAM sponsors children in the village to attend school and also works with the local Christian church in the village. This time we were there to throw the village people a Christmas party. As soon as we arrived the children of the village were all over my team. From all ages they were fascinated in the group of Americans (and 1 Canadian). One little girl in particular grabbed my attention the first morning we were there.
From the moment she came running into my arms as I opened wide I knew she had a special story. For a long time she sat silent in my lap as my team worshipped and opened our day in prayer. She was so small and innocent but her heart was big and full of joy. For a long time she didn’t say a word or smile with her teeth. I asked my host if she knew her and what her story was. Sure enough this little girl has had quite the 4 years of life.
Both of her parents are not present in her life and when they ran off the pastor decided to support her. She sleeps at her grandmothers house in the night and during the day roams around the village with other kids. A couple years ago she almost died due to her severe heart disease. By the grace of God the pastor was able to pay for the treatment she needed at the time to live. She also has a third little thumb that dangles off so cutely. Throughout the day as we were setting up for the celebration that evening she was either in my arms or hanging right next to me. As we were going through clothes donated to the village my teammate Ali found a little green polka dot dress to replace her dirty, old clothes. We switched her into it and for awhile she just spun around and looked at herself with a big grin. That was the first dress she ever had. She loved to be thrown up in the air and spun around (as most of the kids did!) Her body was so small and light especially for a 4 year old. For awhile that day I snuck her into my tent and gave her snacks while we blew each other kisses and made silly faces. Definitely 30 minutes that I will cherish and always remember. I loved loving her because I knew the times that she felt noticed and loved were rare. She gave me such encouragement with her unconditional love and strength. She was different and stole my heart that day.
I kept asking her what her name was but she never answered me. No one I asked knew her name either. In Thailand children are given a long Thai name at birth and then given a nickname by their parents as a youngster. But she never received a name to be called by so no one called her anything. My host suggested we should be the ones to change that. After awhile of thinking, Ali came up with Chosen. She is Chosen. A precious chosen child of God. I pray she can grow up knowing the value and worth she is in the eyes of her Heavenly Father. I can’t think of a better name for her to live by. There is so much power and blessings in His children that this weekend taught me. God softened my heart and Spirit for His children and showed me their value. Through this precious girl I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and a glimpse into how much God loves me.
That evening at the party she laid in my lap with her head rested on my chest. I prayed for her health, the people that influence her life, and her heart as she grows up. It’s like she knew I was praying for her because as soon as I said “Amen” in my head she popped up, gave me a tight hug, and walked back to her grandmother to go home. I did not see her again that evening and then we left early the next morning. Although I desire so badly to bring her home with me I know God is protecting her like he protects me. I hope to see her the next time we visit Suan Pueng. Until then I can continue to grow in what the Lord taught me through her presence. I am chosen, you are chosen, and she is chosen.
