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Could it be so simple? This thought has been going through my mind for some time but this trip it has gotten "louder", if I may use the term this way. Can a hug, a smile or an act of caring go further then say a box of relief?
I know last trip I wrote about "what's love go to do with it?" And this trip I see it more clearly. Simple acts of love, caring go so much further then traditional humanitarian work or dare I say traditional ministry (I know I've gone to far now...) It must be the heat of Cambodia, the nearly 4 hour flight delay that has me writing words like this.
As I watched the ladies, hug and love on the kids in our homes, the GIBTK team and the house moms I saw in their faces something that went beyond normal charity work.
It was almost thick enough to feel, but for sure I could see it in the eyes of those they met with. I looked over photos GIBTK team took of giving hugs and saw love, acceptance, and value from those getting the hugs
Dare I share how I feel typing this on my flight back to Hanoi? The flood of tears building in my eyes, the emotion building almost to point of choking.
Naw I dare not!
I think I wrote about a young man named Taps. Taps came to our home to visit Bruce and Camilla Binkley a couple months back. The Binkley's first met him in an orphanage in Zimbabwe.
I overheard Taps sharing with them something that caught my attention. I stopped what I was doing and asked him to please repeat himself. What he said floored me.
Taps said that when Mr. Bruce and others would come to visit the orphanage they would bring boxes of stuff. He went on to say " I do not remember what was in the boxes. I only remember the hugs. I wanted to be touched and held. I was one of the bold kids who went to Mr. Bruce immediately, I was a bit shy. But I would certainly and strategically position myself that Mr. Bruce would see me and I was sure to get my hug! I needed to be held and touched."
How many of our kids are the same? How many of you reading this are the same? Even if we look at New Testament it is about discipleship, which means spending time with another.
I believe more and more that lack of value is one of the main core issues we encounter. Yes there is medical needs and of course basic staples but I think (maybe its the heat?) that if someone has value it can help us endure the illness and even be a little hungry. For Taps it meant everything.
I could not say this for fact. But I wonder if Taps would have gotten to the US, completed music school and now have a job as worship leader in Southern Calif.
I know I got to preaching huh? Well this is the first letter I have written and honestly I miss doing so. I missed hearing from you without having to pass on the praise to the ladies team (I know poor, poor Robot!)
I know what I heard time and time again from the kids, house moms and GIBTK staff if how much it meant to them to hear the ladies share their personal stories, to come all this way and love on them. Endure grueling heat in Cambodia. A sweep of illness only to be ready to love on all unconditionally.
Marina Vario long time close friend of our and supporter often felt it would be best to stay home and use the funds.
This trip the lovely Marina came up to me and shared "I get it! I see why you have always said how it is more important to come then just to send goods. "
I am not sure why I have mentioned about joining us on a trip. But once again I am inviting you to come. I will be making a trip in May and there will be trips during the summer for both teens and families. We even have ways for teens to raise funds for their trips.
If interested in being part of transforming not only lives in S.E. Asia but impacting your own contact me.
Lets talk!
><((((º> BBlessed
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