Is it ok

Is it ok
Is it OK if I am vulnerable and honest? I am writing from Battambang, Cambodia. It is where our girls homes are located. The last few days have been important for sure! We spent several days in Malaysia participating in the regional leaders meetings for the global leadership network. Both learning and planning for the future. We have hosted sites for the past ten years for GLN. Both in schools and with churches. Vital meetings. This trip has had a lot of meetings with government officials, partners as well as churches. 
 
To be honest as much as I appreciate and recognize importance of meetings like these, they are draining to me. As I had mentioned in an earlier journal about the long drive in the mountainous areas. Landing in Phnom Penh we waited at the airport for a couple of hours for Hannah and her husband Shane to arrive from Ho Chi Minh City. And then we took off on a drive to Battambang. 
   It was roughly a six-hour ride on bumpy and unfinished roads. In a van that might’ve seen better days, for sure the seats had lol. We arrived at our hotel after 8 PM. The beds were hard but at least we had a bed! And I woke up this morning tired and sore. In my quiet time I began asking myself and God is it time for me to resign? This is so draining. I could’ve been home fishing lol. 
 
And then we went to our girls home, Marlene’s and Vera’s. Seeing the girls and their undeniable love began to soften my heart. I think it was the second girl who greeted me as I’m getting out of the van giving me a big hug and said are you going to cry. I had my sunglasses on, so I don’t know how she knew the tears were already forming! Each one of the girls lined up and jockeyed for their position to give me loving hugs from daughters. Each one of them saying father I miss you. What’s a guy to do with that?
 
Seeing them go around the room and talk about their dreams and the successes and their life of attending high school or being in university. Each naming their dream and goals in life. All in English! That old grumpy Robert continued to melt. I looked around the room and recognized it is not time to resign it is time to push forward! 
 
I reached out to a very influential friend of mine in Peru. God has used him in my life a number of times including pushing me out of the boat to start GIBTK. Asking him why does it have to be so hard and told him about my long van rides. He laughed and said ahh yes, those long van rides. He told all the easy places have already been done. He’s the same one that many years ago said what part of go don’t you understand! Yes, it’s a struggle and often pushes me out of my comfort zone. But is it worth it? YOU BET!
 
And the girls performed a number of dances. One which might have been learned on YouTube but watching them to this reenactment is well worth your time to click on the link of them performing. Here is the link:
 
To see girls teared up asking for a few minutes to share a few words. Sharing about where they’re from and there was never any hope. But today thanks to Gibtk they have hope and opportunity! How lucky are you I to be part of this thing they called Gibtk!
 
Today was Father’s Day here. I was feeling a little sorry that I’m not home to enjoy the time with my two gifts from God, Tommy and Kristina! But these amazing girls sure made up for it. They came out with a cake with a photo of me holding a child. A candle on it. Each one coming up to me with a flower and a handmade card, each saying in their own way happy Father’s Day, FATHER we love you!
 
So the roads are rough, uncomfortable and tough at times. Meetings can be draining, but well worth the time and the discomfort. To get see the miracle of gibtk happening in Southeast Asia. I hope and pray that you begin considering coming and seeing for yourself!
 
Before I close I’d like to mention that we have what’s called a friendship program. It requires a commitment to write about every quarter with one of the girls. The commitment is not to abandon them after a short period. There’s no cost to it. One of my not so strong strengths is talking about money. But I’m trying to learn, many of our friends have said please tell us when you have a need. 
There’s several girls that do not have sponsors. Here again we do ask for a commitment and quarterly letters. As well as sponsoring some monthly costs. If you’re interested in either one please reach out and you’ll get more information and connect it up if you so choose.
So think about coming and seeing. I promise there will be some tears, much laughter and yes stories!
 
Robert Kalatschan
Giving it Back to Kids
www.gibtk.org

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