Crossing

Crossing
The drive from Pattaya to the Cambodian border was filled with such excitement. I could not wait to get back to Poipet and see my kiddos. The situation with Esther is still quite challenging and I hoped  the border kids would be so encouraged to see us. I just wanted to get there and roll up my sleeves to help.
We arrived midday, it is the hot season here now and the long immigration process was in front of us when we saw the first kid.  Little Ly.  Standing pretty much right where we left him.  We called his name and when he recognized him, he came running.  Huge smile big hugs.  It was so good to see him.  One child after the other realizing we were here came running.  They assembled at the immigration entry point into Cambodia.  Wen we finally walked through we all erupted in such joy.  Little Wii came running, tears in her eyes as she saw Kristin.  She stopped in front of her and put her hands up to Kristin's face feeling it as if to say, it's really you and then just jumped in her arms.  The kids all cheered.  It was awesome.  I was so thankful that all our kids were accounted for and I was able to put my eyes on them. Some looked the same but my heart just grieved that some looked really bad.  It was clearly visible in their appearance and their mannerism.  They were filthy, and very aggressive.  They looked drugged.
I noticed that the dozen or so kids had grown into about thirty kids.  Many were new to the border area.  These kids hugged us as if they knew us so we hugged them back in the same manner. We stood for a really long time just hugging and saying hello.  We did our best to learn the names of the new kids and promised to return the next day. I don't think I have ever had such a warm welcome anywhere.  It was the most wonderful thing to see how happy they were  when they realized we came back to see them.  I am not sure how my heart will take leaving them again but I have a few days and there is much work to do.
We all love to be remembered. I think there is something in each one of us that cries out for acknowledgement.  See me.  Remember me.  Today, the kids just blessed my heart.  They remembered me.  And they were so excited that I remembered them.  If they only knew how much I have thought of them over the past few months, how much I have prayed for them.  For now, it is enough that they know they are worth remembering.  As we drove away on our tuk tuk to our hotel, children screaming and running behind, we felt so much like we had come home.  Yes, it was a good day in Cambodia!

Love from the road,

Julie