yesterday was awesome, meeting the children at the orphanage for my first time. they were so grateful that we came to them. i tried my best to swallow the huge lump in my throat, the sight of them is beyond emotional. they are beautiful. after i saw them tearing up i couldn't hold it in, it was a really sweet time. they have already given to us more than we could ever give to them. i'll tell you about today since i'm sure alex covered most of yesterday ;)
our team is trying to keep morning devotional as a priority before we leave this place every morning. after that, in the van we went! the ride to the orphanage is something new everyday. it's a thrill just driving with all the traffic here, NO stops signs, lights, OR rules... i love it. i will also not be complaining the next time someone fails to use their turn signal on 285 ;) as we pulled into the orphanage the kids come running out, smiling. we started the day with some games, then some crafts, a story about jonah, then it was time for lunch. this time before lunch moved me to tears... again. i have never seen more patient, well behaved, grateful children. they stood in line in a special order and after removing their shoes (which they rarely wear) they step up onto their eating area. it goes girl, boy, girl, boy... rice and a vegetable go into their bowl, water in their tin cup and then they take their usual seat, in silence. they wait until everyone has their food and then they fold their hands and sing a sincere prayer thanking God for their food. i was humbled.
after lunch we spent some more time painting, listening to music, playing ball, swinging. i cannot remember the last time i played this hard. every moment of this trip has been spent laughing, crying, consoling, praying, singing, and lets not forget experiencing new smells ;) my favorite part of today was when i saw one of the boys sitting with his Bible opened and wile every other kid played around him, he sat and read out loud to himself for at least 30 minutes. no one asked him to do this, he was craving God's word and took care of it right there in the middle of the chaos. i will try to upload this photo with some others as long as the internet service here will allow me.
thanks for taking the time to read this, i see a monsoon in my future... should be refreshing.
"He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.5"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."
matthew 18:2-5
It is wonderful to experience this through your eyes. You guys are really the hands and feet of Jesus. Keep the blogs coming! Praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experiences so far! Such an awesome way to serve and experience His love for these children and for each of you. Hi to Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear from all of you and to know that God is honoring your love for the children. Also interesting to hear Alex's account of The Killing Fields. The Vietnam War was a significant event in my (Bob) life (waged during my high school and college years) and visualizing the area through Alex's words provided at least some sense of hope that the ravage of that war might be slowly healing. And the mere fact that you as Americans are openly traveling to see the children in a Cambodian orphanage reinforces how God can heal wounds between people and countries.
ReplyDeleteYou remain in our prayers.
Anne, Bob and Joe O.
Those kids are beautiful and amazing! And you really will carry them in your heart long after you leave. From someone who understands the Cambodian heat in July - hang in there! Lots of prayers and excitement are following you from home.
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