"Not yet, but soon."
Thursday, July 1, 2010 at 7:36PM "Though my mother and father forsake me, the Lord will take me in." -- Psalm 27:10
"The helpless put their trust in you. You are the defender of orphans." -- Psalms 10:14
Thanks to God's generosity and the faithfulness of His people, Asia's Hope has now opened its sixth orphan home in Battambang, Cambodia's second largest city.
Joined by a group from Western Reserve Grace Church, Battambang 6's sponsor, my family and I visited the kids at their new home earlier this week. My heart aches for these kids: they're scared and confused. All of this is very new for them.
Within the past week, they've gotten a new home, new siblings and new parents. Most of them have never had new clothes, and haven't had a proper shower or nutritious meal for months, if not years.
All of them have suffered the traumatic loss of one or both parents to injury, disease, murder or abandonment. Most of them have been mistreated or neglected by the extended family who subsequently took them in.
Their suffering has been intense. Unfortunately, it has not been exceptional. Each of the hundreds of children in our care have a similar story. And each of those kids came in weary and wary.
It's amazing, though. It doesn't take long for the kids to perk up, to crack a smile. Sure, it will take lots of love, lots of grace and lots of love to heal the deep emotional wounds that afflict these little ones, but the change starts almost immediately.
It starts when a child realizes that the meals aren't going to run out, and when it's clear that even if they mess up they're not going to be beaten or abandoned. It starts when a ten year old little girl realizes that she no longer has to be her 5 year old brother's primary caregiver.
It starts when a little boy gets his first good night's sleep, wakes up in the morning and realizes that it hasn't all been a dream.
It grows every time a child is shown love -- a bike to ride, a toy to keep, a glimpse of dad locking the gate at night and mom pressing the back of her hand against a forehead to see if the fever has broken.
Soon, the photos from BB6 will look like the photos from all of our other orphan homes. The kids will be laughing, playing and singing.
Not yet, but soon.
Pray for these kids, pray for their parents, and pray that Asia's Hope will be able to provide loving homes and bright futures for more and more children in Southeast Asia.
Reader Comments (8)
What awesome work your doing John. Thank God for the seed He put in your heart to use you and help these kids. Look forward to the smiles.
Somehow God has placed these pictures in my heart to remind me everytime I "want" a new "whatever" to evaluate and decide...."do I really need this ? Or could we send a bit more to help these kids...I am truly pround, in a good sense, of what you are doing John....God is blessing!
Yes, what a contrast to the pictures of the orphanages where the children have already established themselves, built up trust and are finding joy and peace in their lives, compared to these pictures of children that will eventually be smiling and laughing too. It is always amazing, but truly hopeful what God can do not only to change their circumstances but to change their hearts and their trust toward their Creator who will not leave them or forsake them. Keep up His good work, John, Kori, family and the others there.
God is moving. I think in just a few short months these kids will be playiong and having smiles not afraid that they will not get fed or able to sleep safely. asias hope is moving along with God leading all of this. i hope that you have a good weekend.
I remember when our kids looked like this, when they looked haunted in the photos you sent back.
Prek Eng 2 doesn't ever look haunted now. They look explosive and eager and raring to go and at peace. I can't wait for your visit next year, to see the pictures then. Thank you, Western Reserve Grace Bretheren. Y'all are awesome, and I love that you've joined with Jesus in this effort.
Praying for you brother!
Miss all of you.
God Bless,
Steve
James 1:27
Proverbs 3:5-6
Just home today from spending time with those beautiful kids, and missing them lke crazy! Can I just wiggle my nose and be back there immediately? As my team saw these past two weeks, the smiles are already starting to surface, the trust is beginning to creep in, and the walls are beginning to crumble. We fell in love with them immediately. Not only did we have a tearful goodbye with BB5, but we also had one with BB6 on Wednesday evening. Keep following God's promptings, John. He has a big and wonderful plan for you and Asia's Hope! I hope your family is still doing well :)
Thank you for making BB6 a reality right before our eyes. Our team came to Cambodia with our hearts full of love to unload on BB5 Haven of Hope, but we had the chance then to see the kids at BB6 within hours of their rescue. We had more than enough love to spread around. Their transformation starts immediately, once they know they're finally safe. God bless your ministry, John. Keep your energy up for great plans and ideas still ahead. Safe travels in Thailand!!