Last night my team and I went out to one of the red light districts of Cambodia with a group called MST. MST uses a survey to gain statistics on the sex trade here in Cambodia and to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and bring the love of Christ to the men surveyed through conversation. This was my first time out on the street with the team because last time I stayed at the Chab Dai headquarters praying. We had some really neat coversations and spoke with some really genuine, interesting men who were very willing to take the survey and share their take on the sex trade. It was really neat to gain their perspective and learn more about what’s truly taking place in the heart of Cambodia’s sex industry. What a blessing to have this opportunity considering the type of ministry we feel called to.
Though we were there for a noble cause, the Lord opened my eyes to another problem, kids without shoes. Interestingly, the night before we went out I had a dream that I was in Cambodia downtown somewhere and saw a Payless Shoe Store on a pretty busy street corner. Every night before they closed, they would apparently give away shoes that were overstocked, out of style, or had minor defects. People knew where to come for free shoes and were so happy to have something to cover their feet. I thought this dream was really random and it didn’t make sense to me until last night.
As we were out last night, I noticed kids walking the streets without shoes. Almost all the kids I saw either had no shoes at all, they were broken, or only had one flip flop on one foot. I so badly wanted to provide a pair of sandals for each of them. Then I saw a boy who was recycling bottles and cans. This was clearly what he does for a living and was very poor. He came and sat next to me and we began to talk. He was only eight years old and was clearly intoxicated. I believe he was drunk but I wasn’t sure because later he pulled a home made pipe out of his pocket and he gestured as if he were smoking it. We began to play and my heart broke for him as he began to laugh and be a child in that moment. I was able to tell him the name Jesus in the little K’mai I know. While he sat by my side, I noticed his bare feet. They were filthy and cut up.
There was a piece of tape on the table I was sitting at and he took it and used it to bandage up his scabs. I gave him my sandals and he used them to crush the cans in his bag. As quickly as he befriended me, he walked away and left the sandals. I wanted for him so badly to have something to cover his precious little feet.
I am praying through what exactly that means but I feel led to go out and give these kids sandals.I am praying through what exactly that means but I feel led to go out and give these kids sandals and share the love of Christ with them. I am burdened for the street kids here because there is such a great need and there’s only so much that can be done. Please pray the Lord’s direction as I seek answers on what I can do, even if it’s only to provide sandals for a few.
“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” Matthew 25:35-36
