From the Heart

Mark & I recently visited with the kids at the orphanage and commented on how long and pretty some of the girls’ hair was. I was chatting with them about three girls at our boys' school in the States who cut their hair and donated it to make wigs for women and children who are ill with cancer. It was a brief conversation and then we went off to eat.  When we returned a couple hours later, two of the girls had cut their hair and asked me to send it to a child in need. We were shocked to say the least!  I would like to share the girls’ personal stories with you.  From a worldly perspective, these two young ladies have very little, yet unconditionally gave what they had of value to someone they viewed as more needy than themselves. Amazing is the love of Christ when we allow Him to reign in our hearts.  Please continue to pray for the kids at the orphanage!

Kimleang is 14 years old and entering 7th grade. Her parents were married in 1994. Her mother gave birth to Kimleang later that year and 2 years later gave birth to her brother. Sometime later Kimleang's mother left her father due to infidelity.  Kimleang's father refused to allow her mother to take the children with her so they remained with their father and grandmother. When Kimleang was about 4 yrs old, her father died of AIDS.  A couple years later Kimleang's mother lost her job when she became too weak to work.  She had known for quite some time that she was also HIV+ but wanted to protect her young children from the diagnosis. Kimleang's mother requested her children come to live at the orphanage.  Kimleang is very healthy but her younger brother is HIV+. He takes anti-retroviral medications and is doing well.

Khourch is 18 yrs old and entering 12th grade. Her father left her mother when Khourch was 3 yrs old and just before her brother was born. He never returned. Khourch's mother earned a living as a prostitute and lived in the brothel.  After her son was born, she sold vegetables to help earn a living and continued to work at the brothel. She became ill and was diagnosed HIV+.  The family continued to live near the brothel since they had no family and no place to go.  When Khourch was 7 yrs old she was brought to the orphanage with her brother by a local Pastor and some women in the church who told her mother about Christ. Khourch's mother died about 1 month later.  She wanted her children in a Christian place so they would be cared for and have a better life than herself. Khourch had never attended school prior to living at the orphanage. We will never forget their first meal at the orphanage.  At the end of the meal, both kids stuffed their pockets full of food because they were not used to having enough to eat.