Monday, August 11, 2014

All Good Things Come To An End

   September 11, 2011. In many ways, it seems like a lifetime ago. That is because we feel that we have grown a lifetime, since then.
   
   That was the day Debbie, Reggie, and I boarded a Korean Air flight from Los Angeles to Siem Reap, Cambodia. It was a long flight. The distance from L.A., the 19th largest economy in the world, to Cambodia, a third-world country situated in the middle of Southeast Asia, is 8,142 miles. Oh, but those miles do not really measure the true distance. In some instances, it would seem we traveled decades. In many instances, it felt more like centuries.
   
   Cambodia is a kingdom ravaged by civil war, cross-border conflicts, corruption, idolatry, and animism. This means it is a country in need of education, medical care, and salvation. Inwardly, we thought we were coming to help the poor, teach the uneducated, heal the sick, and save the lost. There was a big surprise waiting for us!

   We were touched by the poverty. It is in evidence everywhere. Even in the capitol city of Phnom Penh, the nicest, gated communities have shanty-towns surrounding them. People live on the streets, roadsides, and riverbanks. For many, the housing consists of a thatch lean-to or a tarp stretched across a pole. At best, food comes at a basic subsistence level. Education is something one dreams of for her children. Jobs may produce one dollar a day. We had left our sterile, privileged world behind.

   Healthcare is supposedly available for all. The low cost care is more than many can afford. The “free” care often has a cost attached. Even is medical care is attained, dental care is a dream. Some days, I feel that the dental care is more important than the medical care we can provide.

My Bible Belt upbringing did not prepare me for work in what is quite literally a Godless society. At worst, we had dealt with the “unchurched” who were, in fact, churched (just not lately). Now we were face-to-face with people who had no understanding or knowledge of Jehovah God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit.  Age-old Bible references, that we find so 
common in our everyday language, were completely foreign. These people need to meet a loving, sacrificial Savior.

   Now, so far, this may sound like we made a mistake in coming to Cambodia. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

   These people with tremendous needs also have a heart of thankfulness. They are so thankful for all that we do. Placing a tract in their hand, saying a kind word in their language, directing them to the medical doctor – all of these actions are met with broad smiles, bowing, and words of thanks.

   Just like anywhere, some of the people have no interest in the Gospel. But, there are people longing for a value-added life. They have tried it their way and found no satisfactory answers. The love of God is what they need. Once they find out about it, they will not let go.

   If we can help them with chronic headaches, insomnia, stomach disorders, that is just great. But, we want to share the love of God and give them a “cup of cool water” for the sake of Jesus. And that is what has made the last three years a wonderful experience. God has actually allowed us to be His hands and feet. We have had the privilege to carry the story of our God, and His desire to save us, to a lost and dying world. We have studied with people and seen them light up as they truly meet God. We have seen them as they realize that Jesus is waiting for them, and provides his Spirit to care for them. We have gotten wet baptizing them and seeing new children of God being born.

   It has been three years, now. We are winding down our work. It may sound trite or overly dramatic, but this the most bittersweet experience of my life. We have missed our children. We want to be back for the birth of our first grandchild. We have missed siblings and parents. We want to see our dear friends. But, all of that means leaving Cambodia, the Kingdom of Wonder.

   As of this writing, I cannot quite comprehend our new life in the U.S. It will be great, on so many levels. We have missed Costco, Wal-Mart, CVS, Home Depot, Diet Dr. Pepper, Dunkin’ Donuts (don’t judge us!). To have all of those things at our fingertips will be amazing. But, I am not sure how we will fill the hole in our heart. The Khmer people have certainly carved out a place. We hold them dear.  And, we will miss them.


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