Ok so the title IS to get your attention, but it is not untrue. I did just deliver a beautiful baby boy, puppy. The mother’s name is Ellie and she was struggling in her labor. I went to assist. With a little extra help from me, things went smoothly. The whole experience reminded me of the beauty of God’s creation.
We are spending this month in Sihanoukville (I know – sounds like a Dr Seuss town). It is a destination for backpackers and tourists. They come to enjoy the beaches and the ocean. They visit the offshore islands and charter fishing boats. They sit under umbrellas drinking cheap drinks while the locals massage them, manicure their nails, and hawk cheap tourist trinkets to them. They come for the beauty that God has so graciously and lavishly bestowed on this otherwise sleepy little town. Beautiful sunsets, beautiful views – and yet so many of them miss the true beauty.
You can see the joy in their eyes when they arrive for English class every evening. Sure they can be a bit rambunctious, but they have hearts that are hungry to learn. They want to know more English and they get to know more Jesus. They come from poor families who live hand-to-mouth existences and yet the smiles never leave their little faces. They are always happy to see you and always have hugs and high fives aplenty. They are my students, at least for this month, and they remind me of what is important in this life.
When I heard I would be teaching English as a part of my ministry this month, I was a bit let down. I have never really understood the connection between teaching English and sharing the gospel. Then again I have never really sat down and given it much thought. God reminded me that it isn’t a month of teaching English to little Khmer (Cambodian) children, but a month to love these children the way that He would. A month to remind them that someone in this world loves them exactly as they are, no strings attached. There is a big problem with pedophilia in this country and the reality is that some children will not be loved in a right and righteous way. These children need the love of Jesus in their lives and I am one of the ones He has sent to share that love.
They are the beauty that God has truly put in this place. They have beautiful heart and beautiful smiles. They have the Joy that only a child can display. Joy from swinging in a tree before class. Joy from getting some much needed and deserved attention from an adult (I think I qualify as one of those by now). Joy from finally conquering the “th” sound in English. If you are like me and tend to focus on the natural beauty that God has so richly blessed us with, pause the next time you are focused on a beautiful tree, stream, or snow covered field (we’re a little short on the snow here) and think of all the other beauty that God has put in your life, beauty that you might otherwise overlook.
