For the past few weeks Wednesdays have been a day for me to catch up on life outside of Cambodia, to send emails to friends, to see photos of new babies, to dream about and plan for a trip to China.... It's been a much needed break from the "normal" things of my life here. I'm very aware, on a daily basis, of the insane amount of injustice that takes place here in Phnom Penh. And, most of the time it's injustice that hits on a personal note of some form; a 5-year old who is sold for sex so his family can eat for the next few days, a 13-year old who has been abused and now rapes his 10 year old friends stealing their virginity, a young woman who chooses not to go to school because she has been offered a job making $1/.hour, a 12-year old who has been told to stop going to school so he can stay at home and take care of his mentally unstable mother.....
But wait, it's Wednesday morning here in Cambodia-taking a break, right? Yes. I've just skyped with some friends who are moving here in about 4 months. Then I read and replied to a few emails and commented on a Facebook photo of a beautiful new babl boy... And, I was just getting ready to write an update of my own to send out to many of you...
However, I came across a video that caught my attention. It was entitled "KONY 2012". I clicked play and waited a while as it downloaded. When I started watching I wasn't aware how long it was but I watched the entire 30 minutes. This video reminded me of something I became very passionate about back in 2006. Do you remember the "Invisible Children" campaign? It was a venue to bring awareness about the atrocities happening to children in Uganda. They were (still are) being abducted by a man named Joseph Kony and forced to kill. This man steals from children their families, their safety, their consciences and ultimately their freedom. This has been going on for 26 years now. It is injustice.
So, this morning I thought I was going to take a mini break from the injustice happening right outside my apartment. And, in a way, I did.
But I was reminded that injustice is injustice. It is not a respecter of...anything. By its nature injustice attempts to destroy respect, dignity, freedom, hope, joy....it is the ultimate ploy of our enemy.
Yes, I live in Cambodia and I personally know some people who are suffering horrific injustice, even today as I type. And, there are people in Africa who are also victims of injustice. And in India. And in Mexico. And in America. And....all over the world.
I know that it's not my job to fix any of these things. It's not your job either. It is our privileged responsibility to ask Him, the One who gave His life to bring justice into our lives, what He wants us to do along side Him. I'm very passionate about seeing freedom and justice brought to the ones I love here in Cambodia. I am also passionate about seeing justice brought in the way of capture to Joseph Kony. I am passionate about justice.
But wait, it's Wednesday morning here in Cambodia-taking a break, right? Yes. I've just skyped with some friends who are moving here in about 4 months. Then I read and replied to a few emails and commented on a Facebook photo of a beautiful new babl boy... And, I was just getting ready to write an update of my own to send out to many of you...
However, I came across a video that caught my attention. It was entitled "KONY 2012". I clicked play and waited a while as it downloaded. When I started watching I wasn't aware how long it was but I watched the entire 30 minutes. This video reminded me of something I became very passionate about back in 2006. Do you remember the "Invisible Children" campaign? It was a venue to bring awareness about the atrocities happening to children in Uganda. They were (still are) being abducted by a man named Joseph Kony and forced to kill. This man steals from children their families, their safety, their consciences and ultimately their freedom. This has been going on for 26 years now. It is injustice.
So, this morning I thought I was going to take a mini break from the injustice happening right outside my apartment. And, in a way, I did.
But I was reminded that injustice is injustice. It is not a respecter of...anything. By its nature injustice attempts to destroy respect, dignity, freedom, hope, joy....it is the ultimate ploy of our enemy.
Yes, I live in Cambodia and I personally know some people who are suffering horrific injustice, even today as I type. And, there are people in Africa who are also victims of injustice. And in India. And in Mexico. And in America. And....all over the world.
I know that it's not my job to fix any of these things. It's not your job either. It is our privileged responsibility to ask Him, the One who gave His life to bring justice into our lives, what He wants us to do along side Him. I'm very passionate about seeing freedom and justice brought to the ones I love here in Cambodia. I am also passionate about seeing justice brought in the way of capture to Joseph Kony. I am passionate about justice.
So, I will post videos on behalf of Ugandan children.
I will send finances to missionaries in Nepal.
I will sign petitions on behalf of the oppressed in Guatemala.
I will live in Cambodia with Khmer people.
I will visit Ukrainian orphans.
I will always do whatever Jesus asks of me when He stirs my heart to move towards justice.
Cambodia is not my "cause", ending human trafficking is not my "goal" but bringing justice- be it to the individual standing in front of me or to the masses on the other side of the world-
in whatever way He asks of me is what I will do.
What is He asking of you today? Watch a video and become more informed? Write a check? Spend some time praying? Call a senator? Perform a random act of kindness? Befriend a foreigner? Speak His words of truth and life to someone who is hurting? Ask Him and He'll tell you how you can help.....
"But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!"-Amos 5:24
righteousness like a never-failing stream!"-Amos 5:24
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God." -Micah 6:8
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God." -Micah 6:8
Wow. Yvonne, I miss you so much. I was just about you write you a facebook message (and still will) when I decided to read this. It's so true that I can barely stand it, that I am in a waiting time before I get to 'work' with you again in the future. I say work because the way that I feel sharpened by you is nothing but a great work for the kingdom. I love being friends with you. and I can't wait for the day when I'll get be along side you again, in whatever capacity. You are such a mighty warrior and I'm encouraged again and again. The world needs the love/justice God's put in us. God gives more and more to those who are faithful with the little. Injustice is no match for God in us!
ReplyDeleteI feel the exact same way, friend. I, too, want to do justice and love mercy in every single form God wants me to.
ReplyDeletep.s. I've heard from several people today that the KONY video is a scam. :( That Invisible Children isn't a trustworthy organization and that all that is in the video isn't still going on today. I don't know what the truth is, but I hate the thought of people trying to profit from children in this way. I'll keep looking into it.
Scratch my last comment. I researched it further (and actually watched the KONY video) and it sounds like people are upset that they put so much $ toward their documentaries instead of directly to children. But, HELLO, it takes everyone working together!! How else are people going to KNOW??
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