Cambodia (At Last)

I LOVED going to Cambodia!!!

Do I shock you?

Didn't think so.

Why did I love our time in Cambodia?

Perhaps it's because that is where my heart (seems) to be: poor, hurting, (women and) children. 

Selfishly, many of my "dreams" were fulfilled during the trip. I saw a country where the BRIGHT colors I love were used to paint the doors, buildings, and furniture. The sky was blue, the trees were bright green, the sun was yellow, and (hehe) lots of delicious Western food. (Slight paradox that will be discussed later.) Best dream fulfilled (though not in the country I originally hoped): I visited a VILLAGE!!! (I was just praising the Lord and delighting in His gracious gifts.)

I loved hugging the children. Perhaps even more, I loved making them laugh. I loved making the ladies smile, and I LOVED going to the village!!! I so enjoyed the possibility of flexibility and "ease" (yes) within our schedule. I loved playing the games, showing the crafts, helping the teachers teach, acting in our "dramas", interacting with the girls on our team, and interacting with the people of the country in serving the Lord. 

I was able to use my energy to capture the attention of the various crowds we encountered (we varied from groups of 1 child to 80+ children).

On the more somber side, I profited from and was thankful to see real poverty up close. I have read about human trafficking, prayed for people, given money, made plans to go, visited Skid Row, questioned the reality of the poverty numbers people quote -- and now I know it's real.

Poverty is real.

Human trafficking is real.

Abuse and prostitution is real.

Widows and orphans being exploited is real.

But this is the repeated theme of my observations: no amount of money, social work, health care, or education (all by themselves) will change and heal the pains or problems of this nation.

In fact, poverty is not the real enemy. 

Poverty is merely the distraction.

The real enemy lies inside the soul of each human being; it's sin. 

Sin is the enemy and the only way to defeat sin is through the Gospel of Jesus Christ -- through the sharing and spread of His Word that is the mighty and powerful double-edged sword.

So, what are the consequences of such a realization?

(What motivates the UN? What motivates humanitarian aid associations? How do Christian NGOs interact in this shared hope for a "brighter future"?)