Bittersweet Moments
Life can be all about bitter and sweet moments, and how we learn to respond to them. Our staff in Cambodia encounter these emotions on a daily basis, and there is not always enough time to savor the sweet moments before another bitter moment hits. We can either let such moments discourage us, or we can embrace them in all their fullness, knowing that “There are blessings we can never have unless we are ready to pay the price of pain. There is no way to reach them save through suffering.” – Dr. Miller
V’s hands in a pose as she performs a traditional Cambodian dance
Lisa Cheong, Ratanak’s Cambodia Country Director, and our RAP Program Manager recently met with one of our reintegrated young women, “V”, near her work place. It is always a joy to see young women overcome the challenges of their pasts and live a “normal” life. She is doing so well, and even received an unexpected 25% salary bonus in her second month working because she was so diligent. She also showed our staff the place she is renting. By North American standards, one could consider this a little shack, but by Cambodian standards, it is a huge place for one person. She is relishing this opportunity to live independently and is currently working in order to save money for her future.
A girl walking alongside the waterfront
After this meeting, Lisa caught up with some of her Khmer friends in a village notorious for the deadly abuse of so many young, pre-pubescent girls. She asked about a little friend of hers, “S”, whom she had met a few months ago while out on one of her regular exercise walks near the waterfront in Phnom Penh. On that day, Lisa was overjoyed to see both her and her little sister, and asked a few questions in Khmer to which S promptly and impressively responded in English! She told Lisa she was “visiting” someone in the waterfront. They were both wearing makeup, and Lisa’s heart sank as she realized S was not just “visiting” the waterfront- she was being prepped to be sold along with her sister that very evening. S is now about 12 years old, but her size is that of an 8 year old. Her younger sister is the size of a 6 year old. To her dismay, Lisa’s Khmer friends informed her that S no longer goes to school, nor the kids club that she used to attend frequently. Instead, she dresses up daily and wears lots of make up.
We rejoice and praise God for His redemptive work in V and cherish this sweet moment of seeing her become a responsible young adult. We are also called to embrace the pain of loss as we grieve for S and what is being done to her daily for the sake of money. As we grieve and sow our tears by praying, we are sharing the fellowship of Christ’s suffering. He is sovereign over this young life, He is sovereign over her suffering, and He is sovereign as we wait for her rescue and restoration.
Read the full story on Lisa’s blog at http://ratanakmissions.blogspot.ca/