Christmas Child

She is beautiful. Her smile lights up the room as she stands in front of everyone, eager to share what's in her heart. She's about 10 years old.  Her black hair is messily pulled back into a low ponytail with random pieces framing her sun-kissed face. Her almond shaped brown eyes smile as she flattens her navy blue pleated skirt, evidence of her previous whereabouts, resembling the others.  Worn-in stains ad a hint of color to her white button up blouse that she has neatly tucked in to complete her school uniform.  "Aht," she answers ("no"). I continue to try and make out what is being said with the little Khmer that I know.  And then, slowly I stop and just watch her. I get lost in the moment as I watch her share her heart...a language that needs no translation. After she spoke, she found her seat on the floor amongst her girl friends. Then I got the translation. She was asked 'if she had ever received a present before.'

One of the hardest parts about living in a third world country is having the knowledge of and having been exposed to the "more" that's out there, "for with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief," Ecc. 1:18. In Cambodia, for the majority of the culture, around Christmas time, there are no beautiful twinkling lights to admire, no trees to trim, no presents to give and or receive, no holiday performances to attend to, no cookies to bake, and no knowledge of Jesus to thank.

The past week has been a whirlwind of cracking a dent in the 10,000 Christmas shoeboxes that are a part of Operation Christmas Child, sent from Western Australia. We have visited schools and churches in the surrounding villages to bring the "Good News" along with, for many, their first present. It was hard choosing which pictures to share but I hope the emotions are conveyed. It's almost one of those "need to be there" moments. To hear the screams and laughs at the first sight of what's inside. To see them hold their boxes so tightly never wanting to let go. To watch them rig their boxes on their bikes and ride off. To be amazed at how 5 children fit on a moto and a 10 year old drives them home. To smile as they run into the picturesque Cambodian landscape and stop and open their gifts in the distance. To see on the ride home, the red and green boxes adding color to yards. To pray with the children to God in a land that prays to Buddha. I admire them with their eyes closed so tight and so quick to give thanks. "For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14