The Generations That Have Gone Before...

It is estimated that about 75% of the population in Cambodia is under the age of 30. Something a little difficult to wrap my mind around sometimes. This is a very "young" nation. A good portion of the reason for this is the travesties that took place in the late 1970s with the Khmer Rouge and then the aftereffects that went well into the 80s and 90s. So it is not uncommon to see mass amounts of youth hanging around.

Because of this, the older generation seems to stand out to me. I have always loved listening to stories of those that are older than me and walked through life during a completely different time. Some experiences are so similar and span across all generations and others, well, life just looked different. Last weekend, when we were in the province, I met one of the most precious little old ladies ever.

We were walking around the village, talking to people at their homes and we visited this older couple and found that they have believed in God for years and years. I unfortunately don't know her name because they all just referred to her as "Yay," which means grandma, as a sign of respect and never actually learned what her name was. She shared a little of their story, which I unfortunately missed a good portion of due to the language barrier, but what I didn't miss was her heart. She was...and still is...so full of faith despite all the difficulties that she has endured in her life. She was a Christian before the Khmer Rouge and has never walked away from her passion for God. I sat down to talk to her for a few minutes through a translator and shared with her a word of encouragement that was laid on my heart...that God is so blessed by her and the response of her heart despite circumstances that might make others fall. I felt like she has a heart similar to Job in the Bible, declaring that no matter what happens, even to the point of death, she will praise God and speak of His goodness.

She said that when the Vietnamese were coming through the country after the Khmer Rouge had been defeated, everyone was worried about what was going to happen now. Her response to those around her that were panicking: "Do you see the Vietnamese? No? So don't worry and trust God." I can not imagine what it must have really been like for those living during those years of tragedy and uncertainty and despair. But my heart was so blessed to see and hear and know that there were those like her who held on to hope and never let the light of God fade in their hearts despite the darkness around them.