A few blogs back I shared how the Lord had impressed it upon my heart to do something about the shoeless children walking the streets of Phnom Penh.
Well, I have news! First, the 8 year old boy I met a few weeks ago that began this quest for helping shoeless children is doing well. My teammates saw him last week when they volunteered with MST again (I stayed home this time because the Lord was dealing with me). They told me that this boy approached them asking about me and they barely recognized him. According to their report, he was cleaned up, sober, brought a friend along and had shoes on his feet! Even better, they asked him if he knew who Jesus was and he said yes! This truly was encouraging to me because though I wanted so badly to help him the night we met, all I knew how to do was simply to love him by being his friend, playing with him and praying for him…the Lord has clearly done the rest. I praise God that somehow this little boy was taken care of. The Lord knew his needs and met them and in His kindness and love decided to bless me by letting me partake in the process. WOW!
But there’s more!
This has been my second week working for at Daughters of Cambodia (I will write a blog soon specifically referring to life at work) but for now let me continue sharing what the Lord has done regarding shoes. My first day working at the day center I noticed there were guys working hard on the second story of a house across the street. After observing a bit longer, I noticed they were making sandals. I wasn’t sure if this was just where the sandals are assembled and eventually sent to different vendors to sell or if they sold them there. I just kind of prayed about it and asked the Lord for direction and clarity. A few days later, I noticed that the entire building is a shoe shop. Upstairs there are young men who manufacture the sandals and once they are done, they’re sold downstairs. It boggles my mind that there is a random shoe shop across the way from my workplace that only makes flip flops. Coincidence? I think not!
One day I decided to ask how much a pair of flip flops cost. “$2” was the original price. I asked how much if I were to buy them in bulk and he said 4,500 riel (a dollar and some change) and would not budge on the price. I decided I would just continue to wait on the Lord, I could probably find some flip flops cheaper at the market and everything would happen in perfect timing. I just finished reading the book of Exodus and learned quite a few lessons from the life of Moses. One lesson that I’ve attempted to apply in my current situation is to wait on the Lord before taking further action. When we try to take things into our own hands though we may mean well, we tend to mess them up because our motives are wrong. The Lord’s timing is always perfect because He does things in ways so that He receives the glory. Notes: (Ex. 2:11-25 “Moses took things into his own hands without receiving instruction from the Lord and failed” Ex.3 & 4 “Moses was instructed and equipped by the Lord to free the Israelites from the slavery to the Egyptians many years later. In his obedience and with the Lord’s help, he was able to carry out what he originally attempted to do on his own.”)
Yesterday again I met a boy begging for money on the street and noticed he was shoeless and his feet were filthy. I wanted so badly to do something about it then but again the Lord reminded me that He would work it out. I’m glad I listened. Everyday after work I get picked up a little after 5pm by my tuk tuk driver who first picks up Elise from the cafe on the other side of town. Today she lost track of time while working so diligently in the kitchen and they ended up being about half an hour late picking me up. I was the last one at the center and who was there to keep me company? None other than two little boys without shoes!
I was able to ask in Khmai what their names were, if they had shoes and if they wanted some. They replied “awt mien, knyom chong (I don’t have, I want)” and the Lord at that moment opened the door for me to provide flip flops for both of them! We walked five steps across the dirt road to the shoe shop and got them both a perfect fitting pair of sandals for just 4,000 riel ($1 US). I was able to share the name Jesus with them and told them their sandals were a Christmas gift. I’m not sure they understood any of it but I’m trusting that they will understand some day. We all sat together as I waited for my tuk tuk to arrive. They appeared as though they weren’t quite sure what to make of what just happened. They kept glancing down and rubbing their flip flops and looking up at me with their big brown eyes and a crooked smile. In that moment I caught a glimpse of God’s heart and a taste of His love. I have truly tasted and seen that the Lord is good! To God be the Glory!
*The following are not pictures of the specific kids I have met but are common images of kids you will see on any given day in Cambodia. According to the Cambodian Center for Children’s Rights website, 20,000 children in Phnom Penh are living and/or working on the streets and 35% of Cambodia’s population lives below the poverty line of (1800 Riel / USD 0.45 per person, per day.) Notice, many of them are barefoot.
Pray for Cambodia!
Amarja, this is so cool!
I’ve been praying for you, that God would find a way to make clear to you what to do with the passion he’s given you for these kids without shoes. You walk around with this passion you’re storing in your heart, looking for a place to release it… and God provides.
Awesome.
Thanks for sharing this with us; it’s always good to see how God moves to let us act in the passions he’s given us.
I love seeing your compassion and sharing in that with you. I also love sharing in the joy of children and kids with you – how much JOY they fill us with. The Lord is so good and I pray that He continues to pour more of His compassion into you, especially for the women. Love ya girl
Love the way you are seeking out specific needs, Amarja. Looks like you’re following the Lord’s lead well. Who knows the impact you had on those 2 boys. they may remember you for the rest of their lives.
Just fabulous! love how God is working in you.