One of the highlights of our time in Cambodia was spending time with the children and staff from our children's home. The XP children's home consists of children rescued from horrific sex trafficking/abuse situations. The children in this home suffer from disabilities and are outcasts in their society. Our first day with the children, we took a tuk tuk ride to their home in the country and on the way I became very sick. By the time we got there, I used the excuse of being on the floor playing toys with the smallest child, Hanna, because I did not want to get off the floor. I whispered in Destiny's ear that I needed prayer for the pain/nausea I was feeling and she began to pray over me silently - it totally lifted. I was able to continue the afternoon and enjoy the children.
We painted the girls nails, took a tour of the property and looked at chickens with the oldest boy. The House Mama had a son who was Destiny's age and they became fast friends. The oldest girl wanted her nails changed colors and painted over and over. Destiny was super patient and did her toes I don't know how many times. :-) The little girl who's nails I painted, name was Esther. Esther had been neglected, abused, repeatedly sold for sex and cast aside. She was a child that no one wanted, a child with no voice. Esther has Down Syndrome and she touched all our hearts. Her smile was from ear to ear. She would play with her barn and show me how all the stalls opened. The smallest girl, Hanna, just started to walk as she had been so beaten and abused at three years of age she was unable to walk when she arrived at the home. Now she is toddling about, very attached to her caretaker and does not want to be far from her and very strong - holds her own. I would play ball with her and the boy who suffers from mild autism. The day touched our hearts and we were moved by the rescue efforts that have taken place for these children to live in comforts. We also loved our new friend, Brenda who is on staff with XP and hosted us so beautifully while we were in Cambodia. Such a gift to us.
Johnny |
One little sad spot ~ I was holding the youngest and newest addition to the home, Hanna and she would see her caretaker swimming and start to cry for her. I would watch as she would open her mouth wider than any toddler I know, and start to scream but no sound would come out, her body would shake and no sound. Eventually just little quiet sobs. I did not understand - I knew she was having anxiety over not having her caretaker by her side at every moment but why not a loud scream? All at once I realized (and later confirmed with staff) she has been so beaten and abused when she would cry as a baby/toddler that she learned to stifle her cries - she just opens her mouth wide and her body shakes like she is crying with little or no noise. Absolutely heartbreaking. I held her and prayed over her and we had a few moments where she forgot her caretaker and would begin splashing and laughing in my lap in the steps of the pool and later she fell asleep in my arms. Such tender, precious ones. Such horrific situations they come from. So thankful for Andrea (oversees XP Cambodia) and people who are in Cambodia making a difference.
The day ended with tired, super happy kids. The house Mama thanked and thanked us, kissed and us and told us she loved us as she said goodbye for the last time.