“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7
On the last day of our time with our hosts in Cambodia, we had the most unbelievable going away. I arrived to only candlelight and dozens of the children and some of the church members all around in a circle waiting for us. Thyvenn, Dom, and Eunice–our hosts and good friends–spoke about their thankfulness for us coming to help Cambodia. They sang worship songs as all of us walked/danced around the circle. Thyvenn had prepared a short message about how God says how beautiful are the feet of those who bring the gospel. This scripture is even more meaningful because in Cambodia, the feet are regarded as undesired. It’s considered disrespectful to show the bottom of your feet in the presence of elders (as in when sitting on the floor). It meant so much to know that the FEET are beautiful because we bring good news. Then out comes buckets of water and they wash our feet and a line of people (children and young people) come to pray for each of us individually. At this point, every one of us on my team were crying. Each of us got to share some parting words in front of everyone. Then a huge pig was brought out and we all feasted. I know sacrifices were made for us to be shown this level of loving hospitality.
It seemed like maybe a tradition, but the everyone started playing with powder and so we got to have fun with that too.Then as we arrived home, we invited our tuk tuk driver Mach inside (he drove us around pretty much every day). We prayed for him and hung out late.
The next morning my team had to leave the house by 8:00 to catch our bus to Siem Reap–we took a picture in our room, and then prayed for our friends Eunice, Dom, and Thyvenn.
I will never forget this special night we had, and I will forever be marked by the people of Cambodia. I have been saying since we arrived that I WILL be adopting a Cambodian child one day, but.. I really do believe I will be back. <3
^^Headed to Siem Reap for #AwakeningCambodia2017 ! ^^
