I Will Never Forget You Cambodia
Everyone at some point on the race finds that month that changes them forever. I’m going to be honest, when I was traveling to Cambodia I thought that it would be one of my least favorite countries. I knew absolutely nothing about it. Don’t get me wrong, I was excited about working in a orphanage but I thought that was all I was going to enjoy. It was freakin hot, there were bugs galore, bucket showers where we did our business, and dirt. I was feeling pretty selfish and ungrateful. I hate to admit that I am wrong, but let’s be real… I was so so wrong about Cambodia.
The Lord knew exactly what He was doing when He brought me there. The night that we arrived, the kids were anxiously waiting to meet us. When they saw us pulling up, they ran from the orphanage to the missions house. There was so much laughter, greetings, hugs, and excitement. I felt overwhelmed. I ended up sitting on a porch swing to be alone. The Lord knew that I didn’t need to be alone so he sent two boys to come and talk to me. Dara, a eighteen year old, and Dammwrong a fourteen year old. Dara was only there for a second and the quickly left. Dammwrong decided to make himself at home next to me. He speaks the best English out of all of the kids at the orphanage. We had a little conversation and next thing I knew, he was holding my hand. For those of you who know me, I was very uncomfortable with that because I’m not too big into physical touch. I decided to get over myself and let him hold it. Soon after that we had dinner and went to bed.
The next morning we started hanging out and teaching the kids at the orphanage. All the older kids were gone at school so we had all the little kids. I remember sitting down and this four year old boy, La, ran up and sat in my lap to snuggle. Again I felt so uncomfortable but decided to pretend that I enjoyed it. After La left I kept thinking, “How am I going to get through this month with all these kids who need so much physical touch?” Right then the Lord convicted me. He told me that I needed to be open to showing them the love that they needed. I of course argued with Him. He then reminded me of how much I wanted all of that when I was little. I decided to listen to Him. After lunch that day, La came back for round two of snuggles. Right then something changed in me. I actually enjoyed it. After that I was seeking kids out to give them hugs and snuggle with them. My love for them started overflowing and I couldn’t even help it.
I don’t exactly remember how it happened, but I started becoming friends with the oldest boys, Kim Long, Sokthan, Rithy, and Dara, in the orphanage. They are all between the ages of 16-18. Im going to tell you a little bit about each one of them. Kim Long: He is 16. Very quiet. The most quiet out of the four. He defiantly is a observer. It took him a little longer than most to warm up and trust me. He enjoys playing sports. Didn’t really come out of his room unless I was there or to skateboard. He has a adorable smile. Sokthan: He is 16 years old. This kid though. He reminded me a lot of myself. He loves to play sports and skateboard. He is the awkward one of the group. But not a weird awkward. Whenever music came on he would break out in a dance or go crazy. He made the best faces! He loved showing me how to dance like a Cambodian. Rithy: He was the kid who was the ring leader of the group. He was cute (not saying the others weren’t because they were) and knew he was. He tried using his looks to charm the ladies. He was also really good at soccer. He was more hesitant about doing things because he thought he was too cool for school. He made fun of me a lot and I was able to return it. He did know how to love people well. Dara: He is 18 years old. He is such a sweetheart. He had a addicting smile and laugh. He was such a gentleman. He was the type of kid who was always laughing. He loves to draw and he played soccer every day. He had so much joy. Every time I was around him I felt completely happy. I immediately fell in love with each and every one of them! Somehow a poking battle started and they started seeking me out to be around. We went from poking each other to shaking each other’s hands. Then we started hanging out every day in between classes and after classes. We would sit down and try to have conversations together, played games and sports, take pictures, look at Facebook together, and many other things. I can’t even describe the love I have for them. These boys have been in the orphanage for most of their lives. It made me sad to think that they have been motherless and fatherless for so many years.
There was something different about all the kids at the orphanage. They all know the Lord. They had joy like no other. I don’t even think I’ve had that much joy. I felt like I was at home there. The way Vandy runs the orphanage is exactly the way I would. I have such a passion for orphans and I think it’s because of me being adopted. I can honestly say that this past month was the happiest I’ve been on the race. Not only was I able to pour into the kids, but they also poured into me. Like I’ve said, my love for each one of them is overflowing. Since I’ve parted ways with them, I have cried so much. I miss them all like crazy. I wish I could tell you about each one of the kids, but this blog is already long so I’ll hold off on that. I have no regrets coming to Cambodia anymore. I can’t wait to see how the Lord is going to use them for His glory!
