Suasdai! Greetings from Cambodia! I was a little overwhelmed with what to write on my first “real blog” after being in Cambodia because I have so much to share and wish I could express it all through writing. However, because of a lack of time, and a lack of most of my audiences attention span, I decided to keep it simple. Everything here has been great so far and I’ll post a few blogs as I go about the culture, but for now, I just want to share a bit of the joy I experienced today.
Today we had language school as is the usual schedule Monday-Friday. After language school, we went and visited a place called rubbish mountain where one of my team mates (Stephanie Tyrna) fell in love with two boys last year while on the World Race. She wanted to go back and find them and it was an incredible experience! Steph found her boys and after a few minutes it felt like all the village kids came out to greet us with smiles and hugs.
Though there was a language barrier, the common denominator was love. I felt an overwhelming sense of love and acceptance as I tried communicating in Khmai with a few girls. They began to sing songs about Jesus, “This is the Day” and “In Jesus Christ We Are All Family.” After singing, the girls formed a circle around me. As I asked them their names and ages, these beautiful dark haired, dark eyed girls would smile at me and tell me “I love you!” And they would as me in return, “do you love me?” How could I not love them? By the time we had to leave, they accepted me as one of their sisters and were excited to hear that I would visit again.
On the way home driving in our Tuk Tuk, one of my team mates (Mere) pointed out how each girl desired to be loved and to be known. There truly is something powerful about being loved and loving in return. I felt a love so strong today in that village, among those girls that wasn’t bound by cultural barriers. I walked away today enriched and extremely blessed. It absolutely blows my mind that people with so “little” truly are some of the “richest” people I know. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Amarja, this is what it’s all about. I love your heart to embrace and your beautiful description of caring on the garbage dump!
We all desire some type of love. As you minister love to these beautiful people God will show you his love, through good & bad time. I’m so proud of you sis. Stay blessed
I’m sooo glad all of you fell in love with this village as well! I cant wait to go back. Love you Mari! =D
I am always so humbled as well when I go to the villages and see all the love and contentment. keep loving well!