“Children are the greatest social problem of Cambodia,” explains Lindie-Ann, a missionary from Tobago, a Caribbean country. Even more than prostitution and street walkers, more than human trafficking, more than landmines and poverty, children have been identified as the greatest social problem in Cambodia. It was for these children that Son started her ministry here in Kampong Yov, a home for abused, abandoned, neglected, or sold children. Yes, you read that correctly, children are actually being sold, both to locals and foreigners. Because of the fast growing industry of selling Cambodian infants, the Cambodian government has closed all adoptions out of Cambodia until regulations can be placed on the adoptions to minimize the potential for child trafficking. Maybe in the future adoptions will reopen, but in the meantime we can only pray and invest in Cambodia’s children at risk.
In the past, Cambodia’s children would frequently drown while swimming in the flooded rivers, accidents with motos threatened children playing in the dirt roads, so Son developed and created this community home equipped with tree swings, cement volleyball court, play sand, English teaching, after-school tutoring, morning kindergarten, and loving adults. Every afternoon, the playground and courtyard fills with children and youth from the village, socializing, playing, and learning. Every evening, Son has to encourage them to go home and come again tomorrow.
Five children always stay behind. These adopted children have left abusive, neglectful, and abandoned homes and are cherished, loved, educated, and free to be children. Unlike most families who adopt their family members’ children and expect them to work for their keep, Son has no expectations, just a big heart. As the first Christian in her village, Son was persecuted and ostracized for her faith, but as the community has seen her faith in action. Today, they have come to respect and even admire her. As God has transformed her life, she is transforming the community around her, demonstrating with love in action that there is an alternative way.
Not all of the children living here are relatives of Son’s. 4-year-old Lita was sold by her parents who could not provide for their baby girl with AIDS. Son saw the injustice in this situation, fought for this child when she couldn’t fight for herself and gave her opportunities her parents weren’t prepared to give. For only $250, Son bought Lita and brought her into her home. Since Lita was known in the community to have AIDS, parents in the community warned their children against playing with her. Son persistently prayed for God to heal her little girl and release her from the stigma of having AIDS. Her prayers were answered a couple years ago and today Lita is the center of the community social life.
2-year-old Sokhar and her mother came to live with Son after their only relative, her grandmother passed away. Their home was torn down to build a coffin for her grandmother, rendering their family homeless. Although the community came around them and built them a shanty, this home collapsed when the winds blew violently a couple months ago. Since then, they have been sheltered, fed, and clothed by the generosity of Son. She has not only provided them with basic necessities, but she has given them dignity in employing Sokhar’s mother at the center, helping with the kindergarten, cleaning, and empowering women sewing program.
Tola is 5 years old, but he can only say “ma” and “ba.” He cannot dress himself and his peers shove him off their bicycles. With the stature of a 3-year-old and the countenance of a 1-year-old, Tola and his parents have been misled by doctors to believe he only has heart and lung problems. But his extended forehead, flattened back of the head, and big eyes, tell a different story of Downs Syndrome.
When I kneeled down to take a photo with him, I took his tiny had into mine and grasped tightly as if to say, “I don’t want to let you go.” We remain hand in hand as our team prays over him and tears start welling up in my eyes as I realize how lost, worried, and helpless his parents must have felt these past 5 years not knowing or understanding how to help their little boy. Still the delight over him, echoing my explanation that Downs children are generally very happy, “Yes, he never cries no matter how high his fever. He never cries.” He is very trusting, “Yes he is comfortable with everyone and wants to play and be friends with everyone.” He loves music as evidenced by his mesmerized gaze upon Sam as he played the guitar while we sang “No sweeter name than the name of Jesus.”
He let go of my hand and squatted Asian style between Brittany and I as tears flowed down my face while we continued to sing over him. A holy moment. Bibi starts singing Khmer translations of our English songs, sometimes making up the translation as he goes. How precious is this child to God. As much as my heart breaks for him, it is only a fraction of the immensity of God’s love for him. Imagine that… the love that we have and the tears we cry for these children of Cambodia cannot even begin to compare to the depth of the well of love God has for us. We cannot fathom how much God loves us. Even though I may see this little boy’s condition as hopeless and feel overwhelmed by the helplessness of the situation. God does not see him the same way. In fact, where I see disability, God sees the possibilties. Where I see estrangement and isolation, God sees belonging, community, and family. Where I see struggle and pain, God sees joy and laughter. I cry tears of sorrow when I think of all the things missing or lost because of Downs. I cry with tears of hope and joy when I see Tola as God sees him.
If you have been touched by the stories of Cambodia’s children at risk and are moved to action, please check out Cambodia’s children at risk program through New Life Community Church at www.nlcc.org.sg or e-mail [email protected]. For only $30/month, you can provide rice and food, school uniforms and supplies, school fees, housing, medical costs, and help train a child’s family owned micro-business. Please prayerfully consider your role for Cambodia’s children.
