Beautiful ideas are often times very tantalizing. Arriving
in Cambodia, my expectations of this country began to be met-thoughts that I
have formed over a couple years of researching this place and dreaming of
visiting, mostly yearning to fight against the sex trade here.
in Cambodia, my expectations of this country began to be met-thoughts that I
have formed over a couple years of researching this place and dreaming of
visiting, mostly yearning to fight against the sex trade here.
My mind had concocted these great visions of ox carts, rice
fields, dirt paths, children in dirty clothes, brothels, starvation, poorly
built homes, beautiful temples, monks, people waiting to hear about Jesus-his
forgiveness, love, and grace- and right there in the middle, me ready to take
it all on and “fix” things. That’s as far as I ever thought. Never game planned
or thought about the reality of service.
fields, dirt paths, children in dirty clothes, brothels, starvation, poorly
built homes, beautiful temples, monks, people waiting to hear about Jesus-his
forgiveness, love, and grace- and right there in the middle, me ready to take
it all on and “fix” things. That’s as far as I ever thought. Never game planned
or thought about the reality of service.
The first few days we stayed as a squad to tour Phnom Penh
and learn the history of this land. Our group went to an old high school that
was turned into a torture chamber during the Khmer Rouge’s reign that was
nothing more than genocide. We toured the killing fields where we saw thousands
of skulls and the reality of death and torture hit us. I was broken and
terrified that people who walked this earth during my lifetime could be so evil
and inflict so much pain and misery on others. Then I was amazed at the message
that the Cambodian people are a people of strength, determination to persevere,
and that the ability to overcome is so thick inside them.
and learn the history of this land. Our group went to an old high school that
was turned into a torture chamber during the Khmer Rouge’s reign that was
nothing more than genocide. We toured the killing fields where we saw thousands
of skulls and the reality of death and torture hit us. I was broken and
terrified that people who walked this earth during my lifetime could be so evil
and inflict so much pain and misery on others. Then I was amazed at the message
that the Cambodian people are a people of strength, determination to persevere,
and that the ability to overcome is so thick inside them.
Buddhist temples were on the agenda, where we got lots of
great pictures and I marveled over why in the world people who fight to feed
themselves leave money on a statue. What in the world is a statue going to do
with cash money? And with there being so many figures to pick from, how do you
choose which one to pray to? Thankfully, that put in perspective the fact that
God is always the same, always loving, always forgiving, and always eager to
meet us where we are-no cash or rice offerings needed.
great pictures and I marveled over why in the world people who fight to feed
themselves leave money on a statue. What in the world is a statue going to do
with cash money? And with there being so many figures to pick from, how do you
choose which one to pray to? Thankfully, that put in perspective the fact that
God is always the same, always loving, always forgiving, and always eager to
meet us where we are-no cash or rice offerings needed.
These things fit right along with my beautiful ideas of
Cambodia.
Cambodia.
Our arrival to Baray easily went into that mold as well.
Lush green rice fields, palm trees as far as you can see, ox carts, water
buffalo pulling trailers piled high with rice and men in straw hats steering.
Children splashing in dirty water surrounded by vibrant flowers. Poverty is a
common thread and there I was, standing on a dirt path in a moment of a
realized dream. This is my reality. Cambodia. All that I have thought it was…waiting
to humble me…
Lush green rice fields, palm trees as far as you can see, ox carts, water
buffalo pulling trailers piled high with rice and men in straw hats steering.
Children splashing in dirty water surrounded by vibrant flowers. Poverty is a
common thread and there I was, standing on a dirt path in a moment of a
realized dream. This is my reality. Cambodia. All that I have thought it was…waiting
to humble me…
How long can these romantic ideas really last?? WELL. My
very next blog will tell you just that. (hint: day 2)
very next blog will tell you just that. (hint: day 2)
**internet here won’t really let me upload pictures…they will be on my facebook soon!**
