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What keeps me doing what I do. Trips can be draining. This trip was 3 weeks. Honestly I wasn't too keen to going to Cambodia, but it had been too long. More on that in second story.
At the time I'm writing this I had an amazing experience. One of the things our team works at is following up. As the years go by our numbers keep increasing. On one of the calls was to a now young lady. She received a heart surgery in 2006 She is now 15! The Father heard I was back in Danang for day. And wanted to come and meet with me. Though my day was busy, I was tired I said "you bet!" And I'm so glad I did. He came with his daughter. About 3 hours on motor bike in blistering heat! What happened as they walked in I was totally unprepared for.
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After he stopped weeping in my arms, and yes I had tears too!
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As they came into the hotel and saw me, the father just short of ran towards me. Next thing I know he feel into my arms, literally weeping! Saying thank you, thank you! I guess I sorta understand... What would I do if my child had heart disease and her fate was death. And to find gibtk who funded the surgery. I get it!
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Emotional hug 13 years after successful heart surgery!
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He told me he thought he'd never be able to see me.. Honestly this broke my heart . I hate to think people may think I'm unapproachable. I reassured him he is family and always welcome. He reminded me that shortly after the surgery, a major typhoon hit central Vietnam. His home was severally damaged. GIBTK came and helped his family rebuild. And now he and his family are doing much better. "normal was his words. I doubt I would say that if it was me. Farmer and loads truck in free time.
His daughter loves English, is at the top of her class. At first very shy, but smiles broke through and she had written a thank you note. Thanking me for giving her a chance to live! Just so you know it is ALL of you that are the unsung heroes!
Cambodia:
My God! My God! Those words kept going through my mind as I looked around at the girls at Marlene's and Vera's Homes in Cambodia. The girls I was looking at were barely recognizable to me. But they knew me. They came saying hello dad and giving loving caring hugs.
I began to realize it had been some time since my last visit. Nearly 2 years! Of course there has been gibtk team members have come, several teams from the US and of course Camella Binkley (Marlene home is named after her mom) and her team. But me for one reason or another I was unable to come.
What I was seeing is young ladies. But they did not look as before. Many being with us for 8 years now! Channah in her last year of University studying business and marketing. Already making a decent salary working in a bank!
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Channah at work
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Pizza was delivered just as we arrived at the home. But the girls insisted on doing several dances before we began to eat. One was based on a Christian song, beautiful telling of being lifted up and given life. Even now a day later as I type this tears of emotion are building.
Before beginning to eat. A cute you ng lady came up to me. Tears quickly building in her eyes. Tam walked over and asked if I remember her. Well sorta...
Tam reminded, this is the girl from the village of Poipet. Here grandmother, mayor of village asked you to let her live in our home. Poipet is known as a "funnel" for human trafficking into Thailand. She came to live with us 7-8 years ago
She began by saying, in good English "Thank you for the opportunity you gave me. If not for gibtk I would never had this opportunity. My destiny would have led to Thailand doing what I do not want to do." Now she is a 10thgrader doing very well in school. With plans of attending University! I asked would you ever consider working for gibtk. Eyes opened wide saying "oh if I could!!!"
I asked her to say hello to her grandmother. And if she would mind asking her if there is more girls in Poipet that need help. Once again a flood of tears built to overflowing and she said "there is many girl in same situation as I was, they need help. There is many without parents. Can we help them?" My answer, "of course there is always room for more at a Father's home. So maybe she can already begin as gibtk team member. LOL
Today we had a pool day. Lots of fun, playing tag in the pool. I taught them our kids pool game "Marco Polo" Only problem was I seemed to always be the person that we "it" Lots of laughs. Changed girls for sure. Tam again pointed out another girl. At a very young age this girl was sold to human traffickers. We did something I was told is wrong... maybe? We bought her back for $25! Today she is a vibrant young lady. Still healing a bit with self esteem but a free girl attending 11thgrade. With good English skills!
My good friend Russell who prays and talks by text daily with me. A confident of mine. He texted me this morning. And I quote "Buddy I'll never forget those girls in Cambodia, some of their eyes were dark and looked like they have a long road back." Well I'm here to shout it out! These same girls who a handful years ago had darkness in their eyes and hopelessness now have a light in their eyes that mirrors their hearts and souls. Where there was hopelessness today there is hope.
Truth be told, the words I opened this journal with were more of a cry to God then a OMG type of thing. My God! Look what You have done! He loves the hurting and looking for others much like gibtk founders who said send me... Wonder who else He's trying to get to step out?
><((((º> BBlessed
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