Youth Journal, Sunday, Feb 14
Today was one of the most amazing experience of our lives. We left the hotel around 8:30am, went to breakfast, and then were on the road again, to make it to our grand destination by 8:30pm. We were going to a church in the countryside that UMC helps which was quite a distance, and many gutted dirt roads away. The building was a small wood room with a tin roof that about 70 people were crowded into.
The people weren't Khmer, but a minority tribe, which tended to be even poorer than the Khmer people. The people were so poor yet had faces so full of hope, and a majority of the congregation was children. The service consisted of lots of singing, and prayers in Khmer, and the vigor and faith in their prayers just touched me in an unimaginable way. Me and a lot of the other grls were moved to tears. During the service some of them would look at us curiously, and I'll smile, and they'd smile back.
After the childrens' group song, such as Father Abraham, in Khmer, we went up and sang “Our God is an Awesome God” and “Yes, Jesus Loves Me.” We then passed out valentines and friendship bracelets to everyone, and when you'd tie one on a child's wrist, they'd look at you with eyes so curious and thankful. When we went to tie them on our own wrists everyone was busy, so I was waiting for someone to have a free hand to tie mine when a woman standing in the back saw and gestured me over so she could tie it for me. It was so touching, she was looking out for me, and was so considerate to others, its a gesture I will probably never forget.
Then service resumed, and through the doorway we could see 3 little boys standing in a clump, sharing their bracelets and valentines, so proud, and it made me appreciate how much a small thing means to these kids.
After the service we got to talk to the kids and take pictures with them. Their faces would light up when you would show them the pictures of themselves on the screen. We used the few Khmer phrases we know to communicate, plus a lot of smiling and waving.
We then walked down the road to see the plot of land the UMC bought for that congregation to build a new church. There was even a little pig there, keeping watch.
Finally we drove a bit more to another church aided by the UMC, but we got there after the service. We talked to the little kids and adults too, though, and got to take pictures and play with them. Some of the babies didn't even have pants, and they were all gathered around meager pots and pans where they were cooking lunch.
After we left, we had a 5 and half hour bus ride to Kratie, and we arrived around 7:30pm We've arrived at the hotel we will be at for the next three days. We all got new roommates and we were able to see a bit of the town when we went for dinner. We're right on the Megkong river, which is gorgeous. We can't wait to explore more, and to begin working on the playground tomorrow.