It was a record cold night in Charlotte, and I drove into the city half-expecting the Christmas Pageant to be cancelled. But as I turned the corner, there were several cars in the parking lot. The show was on!
This was my last week at Belk Store Services, and I anxiously looked forward to my new focus in life. A month earlier I had accepted a new position with the Charlotte District of the United Methodist Church. My mission? Go out into the inner city refugee community of Charlotte and see what can be done to help.
Duncan Church, tucked into a forgotten corner of the city, in the shadows of the downtown skyscrapers, was ground zero for our outreach. A few years earlier, the pastor, Rev. Wade Rogers, and Susan, a church volunteer, had started a children's ministry and choir. Tonight was my first meeting with the children.
Words cannot adequately describe the scene that was unfolding in this little inner-city church. Precious little brown skinned children, with big, round, dark brown eyes and hair, cautiously walking down the aisle. Little Cambodian sheep, cows, angels, and wise-men, with Mary, Joseph, and of course baby Jesus. Skinny arms and legs, sticking out of their ill-fitting clothes. Cute and ridiculous at the same time…especially since the children had probably never heard the Christmas Story before. But there they were…in their adorable cow and sheep costumes grinning from ear to ear!
As the children began reading the Christmas Story, I began to weep. Not just an emotional little tearing up, but full-on gut-wrenching sobs. At that very moment, God put His love for the Cambodian people deep into my heart. It was not just a normal reaction to some cute little kids, but a true supernatural impartation of the Father's love. That love has not faltered, but has grown stronger and stronger over the past 22 years.
Today, those little ones have grown up. They eventually found their way in America, and are now in their 20's and 30's with families of their own. They are now teachers, engineers, bankers, factory workers, IT specialists, and nurses. America is their home….but Cambodia is in their hearts.
Egg Rolls And Chicken Wings
Alger and I recently enjoyed a wonderful evening with the Cambodian and Montagnard churches in Charlotte. After a delicious meal of rice, chicken curry, egg rolls, and many other unidentifiable dishes, we shared some movies of our April-May Journey thru Cambodia. Sounds of delight rippled through the crowd of about 200 as images of home flashed across the screen. Laughter filled the room as they returned to Cambodia in their minds, if only for a few moments.
I don't yet speak Khmer, but I knew they were saying,
"Look at that. That's my hometown."
"Can you believe those moderrn buildings in Phnom Penh! "
"Am I glad I don't have to work in the rice fields anymore!"
However, the strongest responses came when we shared of the amazing ways that God is moving across the land. Stories of baptisms, healing miracles, house churches springing up in rural villages, and of young Cambodian Christians reaching out to their peers brought excited applause.
God has a plan for Cambodia.
We proclaimed the truth of Jeremiah 29:11 over Cambodia, and our friends in Charlotte. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Hope could almost be "seen" rising in the room, as we called forth the destiny of Cambodia, and challenged the group to consider how they could be part of God's plan to bring hope and healing. Several young adults approached us afterward with tears in their eyes, speaking excitingly that they want to go back to Cambodia and help build the church and heal their homeland.
This is when I realized our ministry is not just in Cambodia, but wherever there are Cambodians.
As a result of the disastrous Pol Pot years, hundreds of thousands of Khmer escaped into Thailand during the late 1970's and early 80's. They were resettled largely in the US, Australia, and Canada. They are fluent in English, educated, and have skills and experience gravely needed to help rebuild Cambodia. Many have found a relationship with God. These Cambodian-Americans, Cambodian-Aussies, Cambodian-Canadians, have an opportunity to play a significant role in building the future of Cambodia.
Alger and I have made many new Cambodian friends this summer, and have become reacquainted with many old friends. We look forward to becoming more involved with the Carolina Cambodian Community while we are here and in future visits to the East Coast.
This blog is called Cambodian Connections for a reason. We want to connect people and resources with Cambodia. Anyone, anywhere, who has a heart for Cambodia, a desire to know more, an interest in becoming involved! There is a place for you.
Want to know more? Leave us a note in the COMMENTS section. We'll get back to you and help you determine ways to CONNECT WITH CAMBODIA.
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