Wednesday, July 17, 2013 - Phnom Penh, Cambodia
"If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish." Matthew 18:12-14
Today was devoted to the ministries of perhaps the most giving family I have ever met. Our translator's father is a pastor on a nearby island with a bleak history. The island is referred to as "Women's Island" because nearly five thousand women and children were taken to this island to be massacred during the Khmer Rouge in the 1970's. The island has since been transformed into a peaceful village. We visited the church, took a tour of the island, and learned about the various outreach programs that the church leads for the community.
Next, we visited the Freedom Salon. The same family owns this salon which employs teenage girls, teaches them basic nail and hair skills, and allows them to earn an income. This is a valuable program when it comes to preventing trafficking. The income they earn helps support their families and provides a source of income outside of prostitution.
Then, we had the privilege of experiencing my favorite of this family's ministries, Kid's Club. Kids Club began when a few neighbor kids sat on the fence that surrounds the family's home and asked to learn a song. This opened up the door for the family to teach a song about God. From there, it grew into a full blown ministry where hundreds of neighbor kids of all ages come to learn about God, sing worship songs to Him, pray, and get a free meal afterward. The coolest part is- most of the kids who come to Kid's Club are from either Buddhist or Muslim families! This family is so welcoming that kids of all backgrounds come to learn about our Lord and Savior.
While this list of the family's ministries is by no means exhaustive, it paints the picture of the sacrificially giving life that this family lives. It amazes me how much this family has given up to build Christ's Kingdom!
Now, I consider myself a Christian- a "Christ-follower," rather. However, when I look at the portion of time and resources in my life that I have held onto (and am still holding onto) for myself, it makes me want to look in a mirror and laugh in my own face: "YOU? A follower?! Yeah, only when it doesn't inconvenience you too badly."
The tough-to-swallow truth? I would consider 200 children coming to my home once an inconvenience, let alone have it occur on a regular basis. I would consider it even more of an inconvenience if I had to figure out a way to feed all of them once, let alone multiple times a week. In this light, I can see very clearly that I am not using my God-given resources effectively. I have begun to view loving others as a burden!
Now, I do realize that not every ministry involves reaching hundreds of people. Sometimes, God prefers to work with smaller numbers. But the beautiful thing about engaging in a smaller ministry is that the number one is such a large number when it comes to God's Kingdom.
One.
If a single soul is saved through my ministry, then the time and resources were worth it. If out of the thousands of people that I sing worship before each year, one life is moved toward God through me, the effort was worth it. One thousandth might sound like an awful success rate to the world, but to God, it means one of His children has found the way home- the prodigal son has returned! Thousands may sound impressive, but one is reason enough to rejoice!
Here's what I am sure of: I may not ever start a ministry that grows to have the numbers or reputation of Kid's Club. However, you can bet your sweet behind that I am going to start trying to change my perspective and look at people through the eyes of Our Father. I don't want to feel inconvenienced by a brother or sister in need. Instead, I want to have vision to see the number one that is written on their identity. I want to remember the importance of that one. Most of all, I want that one to be joined with the word more.
One more... believer.
One more... saved.
One more... follower.
One more... baptized.
One more... to experience Paradise with!!
[The following are pictures of Women's Island, the Freedom Salon, and Kid's Club.]
Next, we visited the Freedom Salon. The same family owns this salon which employs teenage girls, teaches them basic nail and hair skills, and allows them to earn an income. This is a valuable program when it comes to preventing trafficking. The income they earn helps support their families and provides a source of income outside of prostitution.
Then, we had the privilege of experiencing my favorite of this family's ministries, Kid's Club. Kids Club began when a few neighbor kids sat on the fence that surrounds the family's home and asked to learn a song. This opened up the door for the family to teach a song about God. From there, it grew into a full blown ministry where hundreds of neighbor kids of all ages come to learn about God, sing worship songs to Him, pray, and get a free meal afterward. The coolest part is- most of the kids who come to Kid's Club are from either Buddhist or Muslim families! This family is so welcoming that kids of all backgrounds come to learn about our Lord and Savior.
While this list of the family's ministries is by no means exhaustive, it paints the picture of the sacrificially giving life that this family lives. It amazes me how much this family has given up to build Christ's Kingdom!
Now, I consider myself a Christian- a "Christ-follower," rather. However, when I look at the portion of time and resources in my life that I have held onto (and am still holding onto) for myself, it makes me want to look in a mirror and laugh in my own face: "YOU? A follower?! Yeah, only when it doesn't inconvenience you too badly."
The tough-to-swallow truth? I would consider 200 children coming to my home once an inconvenience, let alone have it occur on a regular basis. I would consider it even more of an inconvenience if I had to figure out a way to feed all of them once, let alone multiple times a week. In this light, I can see very clearly that I am not using my God-given resources effectively. I have begun to view loving others as a burden!
Now, I do realize that not every ministry involves reaching hundreds of people. Sometimes, God prefers to work with smaller numbers. But the beautiful thing about engaging in a smaller ministry is that the number one is such a large number when it comes to God's Kingdom.
One.
If a single soul is saved through my ministry, then the time and resources were worth it. If out of the thousands of people that I sing worship before each year, one life is moved toward God through me, the effort was worth it. One thousandth might sound like an awful success rate to the world, but to God, it means one of His children has found the way home- the prodigal son has returned! Thousands may sound impressive, but one is reason enough to rejoice!
Here's what I am sure of: I may not ever start a ministry that grows to have the numbers or reputation of Kid's Club. However, you can bet your sweet behind that I am going to start trying to change my perspective and look at people through the eyes of Our Father. I don't want to feel inconvenienced by a brother or sister in need. Instead, I want to have vision to see the number one that is written on their identity. I want to remember the importance of that one. Most of all, I want that one to be joined with the word more.
One more... believer.
One more... saved.
One more... follower.
One more... baptized.
One more... to experience Paradise with!!
“I never look at the masses as my responsibility. I look at the
individual. I can love only one person at a time. I can feed only one
person at a time. Just one, one, one." - Mother Teresa
[The following are pictures of Women's Island, the Freedom Salon, and Kid's Club.]
 |
| Women's Island from a distance |
 |
| Approaching the church on Women's Island by boat |
 |
| On the wall inside the church :) |
 |
| A kiddo playing on the church property on Women's Island |
 |
| A typical house on Women's Island |
 |
| Fun fact: the yellow fluid in the glass bottles is gasoline for motos |
 |
| Kid's playing on the church property on Women's Island |
 |
| Getting a pedicure at the Freedom Salon |
 |
| Freedom Salon! |
 |
| Kid's Club |
 |
| The most beautiful sight ever |
 |
| Teaching the devotion at Kid's Club |
No comments:
Post a Comment