Water of Life
Thursday nights in Cambodia are quickly becoming a favorite of mine. I wish everyone could experience the sweetest worship service that takes place in a church down the street from out house. The building also acts as a boys home, and is called “Water of Life.” There is an orphanage close by and on Thursday nights the older kids lead a worship service for the younger ones.
I love pulling up to the front of the building and immediately hearing the life and joy that is inside. The entry way is always filled with a sea of little shoes and right when anyone comes inside, they are flocked by the owners of those shoes. Watching the kids worship always ministers to my soul in a way I can’t explain. I always feel quieted, humbled, filled and leave overflowing with life. The relationships and friendships that are being made there are such a blessing to me and I am so thankful.
Tonight I was especially captivated by one of the little boys. This little boy lookes like a burn victim or some kind of terrible accident. He has no fingers and his hands literally look like tree branches. I had seen him the two other times I had come but tonight I could not stop watching him. I was amazed by his joy and the way he lit up the room. Watching him worship was absolutely beautiful and you could literally see Christ in him. There was no bitterness in his eyes about his physical condition; which I am sure is a struggle. He stood on the stage of the little room and just sang his heart out. We would make eye contact and he would smile and just keep singing louder and louder. All of the kids there love him and joke with him because his joy is contagious. He has definitely moved and inspired me.
And then there was another little boy who I noticed the first time. When I first saw him he was sitting on the stage, hands clasped together and eyes shut as tight as possible singing to Jesus with everything he had. I have not seen little kids worship like this, and he is an orphan, how convicting! I was drawn to him because he reminded me of my older brother Jonathan when we were little because of the way he looks; which made me love him immediately. Tonight he ran to me and grabbed my hand and then he made sure I had a pillow to sit on during the service. He sat down next to me and then one of the little girls plopped herself in my lap and snuggled up for the rest of the service. These kids have stolen my heart.
The other day I watched a little boy eat food out of garbage. He was on his tip toes trying to get to the scraps. My team and I are exposed to sights like that daily. Every day I see people in what seems like hopeless situations. My heart breaks all of the time because I feel powerless to save them all. But God is teaching me to hand over that burden and respond as He leads because I am not able to carry it on my own. But then I am able to see the light in the darkness by His grace. There is such a cycle of violence in the Cambodian families and I am excited for these children from Water of Life to grow up and make a difference in this country. They are passionate for Jesus and are going out to make him known to their own people. What a beautiful thing to see! God has been and definitely is working in Cambodia. I am looking forward to telling more stories of hope.
