lee-hi.

Tonight, the kids at our orphanage threw me a going away ice cream party. I don’t know that I’ve faced anything harder in my life than what I’ve done tonight, and I know it’s only going to get worse. Saying goodbye is tough. But saying goodbye to people who have adopted you as family and who you have adopted likewise is the most difficult experience.

These children below you have seen pictures of before, but they hold a special place in my heart. They are my brothers and sisters. They have brought joy to my life in my days of being here and been a big part of the reason for coming. They are young, but they are being raised in a home that teaches them Christian values. They will be the future missionaries of Cambodia, the light of Christ to the villages and to the darkened religion of Buddhism that so oppresses this country. They prayed over me before I left, and it was choking to hold back the tears. I didn’t want to cry in front of them. I was strong. I got in the car, and tears trickled down my cheeks. I love them with my whole heart and they know it.

“I’m coming back as soon as I can get the money saved up,” I said to the girls. And they made jokes about me being a beggar on the streets of America….a sense of humor in the middle of sadness. The clung to me all night. I don’t think there was a moment that I didn’t have arms wrapped around me. I have been inundated with drawings they’ve given me. Until tonight, it was only the girls, but at the party, two of the boys had drawn me pictures, too. I always wanted a big family. I hated being a family of four, because it’s square and boring, but now I have a family of 30-something just living 20-some hours away from me.

There is a song that we sing, “Cambodia for Christ”, and I know that Jesus really loves Cambodia. One day, this country will be a country completely for Christ, and these children will be the generation that changes it all. lee-hi, kids. knyom sra line nah.

this is my eldest sister.

the kids praying over me before i left.

still praying…talk about keeping yourself together. so hard!

Cheata and Sina. My little sisters.

Just Joy.

they couldn’t stand still for a picture with matt!

and even the babies join along

Taen’s drawing he gave me before I left.

Lassie! She is our wonderful and beautiful dog!

if i could take home anything, it would be those arms.

goodbye hugs. one of one thousand.

~ by Kristen Pace on May 1, 2009.