America the Beautiful - That we would be a blessing

“…The Christian gospel is a two way road. On the one hand it seeks to change the souls of men, and thereby unite them with God; on the other hand it seeks to change the environmental conditions so that the soul will have a chance after it is changed.”  Dr. King

Yesterday I visited the Dump Site ministry with Pastor Sihok. There are around 80 families that live at the dump where Sihok has been ministering to for the past year. He first heard of the families by word of mouth; then he visited the village and saw the desperate conditions they were living under. There is no school for the children, no healthcare, no church or civil infrastructure. These are a forgotten people who sift through the landfill. The children have parasites and lice. They have no access to education, no hope for a future. 

Bro. Sihok has been hosting quarterly medical clinics when possible for the families. His vision is to build a church school in the center of their village that can also serve as a centralized medical clinic for the people. I asked him about the cost for building the school and his response, “$1,600 US dollars”. 

On this Fourth of July, I woke up and looked over the city of Phnom Penh and played a rendition by Ray Charles of “America the Beautiful”. I thought about the legacy of our nation, and the grace that God has shed on us as a people. “America! America! God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.” As I read this in print, I see it as a proclamation and a charge, “America! God showered you with His Grace and placed a crown on your head! A crown of brotherhood to all nations! That you would be a blessing to them!” 

What grace is found in such a small amount to us having the ability to make such a great impact to these people here? What an opportunity to exercise our brotherhood and sisterhood as a people, as a church. I’m writing this post for Sihok’s vision and for the small village of people in Cambodia who live among the discards, that they would have a hope and a future. I’m wondering if I can find 16 people who could donate $100? I already have one, so really 15 now. Pastor Bill Overstreet from Bluegrass Baptist Church in Hendersonville, TN has committed $100, so really 14 people. What could this village become if people like you and me invest in their future?

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