Coaching at RashidatO.com | Social Activism at Whereveryougolove.com
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Last week, on October 29th, I said goodbye to Cambodia.
The night before we spent our last “Family Time” with Lighthouse Battambang. In the same way that the churches of the Books of Acts loved on Paul and sent him out with blessings, Lighthouse Battambang honored us as their guests and, more importantly, as their family as we set out on the next leg of our journey. We played games, dressed up in costumes, listened to music, ate snacks, and were merry.
Lucky for us old, sleepy people, there is a house curfew of 10 pm. Disciplined in all that they do, the students shut down the party, cleaned up the area, and retreated to the dorm.
We started to pack our bags and prepare for the journey ahead of us. I packed my bags in the women’s lounge so that I could use the table. The girls took this as an opportunity to keep me company and serve me by helping me pack. They are so full of love and blessings.
As we finished up, Kumpeah asked if we could all sleep together. It was a heart warming invitation! So in sleepover fashion, Kat, Kayla, and I positioned ourselves on the balcony floor with the 3 young ladies who wanted to keep our company for a little bit longer.
It was the best night and sleep I had in Cambodia!
Regardless of the monsoon rain throughout the night, the bugs that ate me alive, the geckos that squeaked all night, and Buddhist funeral song that woke us the next morning… It was the best night and sleep I have ever had in Cambodia because it was with them.
I organized our departure the next morning. I made sure that there was time to spend with them, time to say our goodbyes, and time to get on the road without being rushed.
Some of the students left before us that morning. They went home to see their families or to spend time with their friends out in the countryside. I did well to smile as I hugged my new loved ones goodbye. They sweetly tried to make light of the situation smiling and saying “don’t cry”. They knew what to expect because I had already cried some when they signed my denim jacket a few days before. But as requested, I smiled, I told them I loved them, and I didn’t cry.
Somaly, the ministry host’s wife, Rambo, our man of peace, and our taxis soon arrived in the courtyard. We carried our bags down and got them loaded into the trunks of the vehicles.
I began to cry.
When I left the US I was not afforded the luxury of crying. I was not given the chance to express the emotions in my heart. I was not allowed to show my love for my friends and family though the tears I shed.
But in Cambodia, I freely cried.
I felt the sadness and the separation that was physically starting to happen, but I also felt the love, joy, compassion, hope, and friendship that we developed as brothers and sisters in Christ. I am so blessed to have been an active and physical part of this family for a month. I am so blessed to love and be loved by them. I am so blessed by this experience.
I cried, the team cried, the students cried as we hugged each other goodbye. I was given the honor to pray a blessing over them before we got in the car. I wish I could tell you what I said. Conner told me it was beautiful…
I got in the car and the taxi started to pull away. I looked at each one of their crying faces and pushed my cheeks from a frown into a smile and they chuckled as they understood what I was saying…
Smile
If you have been touched by the stories you have read about Cambodia and the ministry of Lighthouse Battambang, I ask you to prayerfully consider supporting this ministry directly. Please check out their Facebook, their webpage, or email them. I am happy to help you connect!!
