Questions have been haunting me this week as I continue to read my way through The Road of Lost Innocence by Somaly Mam…
Why am I going to Cambodia? What can I do to right any of the millions of wrongs that are being commited every second? Corruption…beatings…rape…blood shed…women being treated like objects, bought and sold…
Because they have no hope, but I know of One who offers it aboundingly to anyone who asks.
Because they are hurting, but I know of One who heals all wounds.
Because they are precious, and I know of One who wants to open their eyes to their own beauty.
And how did it get to be so bad? Why is it ok to sell your own child into prostitution? To basically tell her "You are not valued as an individual. You are only an economic resource for our family."
Greed. Blindness to pain. Naivety. A mentality of 'to each his own' and 'fend for yourself.' A history of genocide and communism and destruction and fear. But these are all things of this world, things that God did not intend for His children to live through.
Because there are "laws in Cambodia,but everyone ignores them. The law of money prevails. With money you can buy a judge, a policeman–whatever you want" (The Road of Lost Innocence, page 173)
But…The Law of God WILL prevail.
How would I answer a 12-year old girl if she asked me whether there was a God and why he would let her suffer and die of AIDS with no family to even care that she were gone?
"…There is a God," I would say. "And He does not just let these things happen to you. No, He loves you. He loves you soooo much. He didn't want any of these things to happen to you. He thinks you are beautiful and perfect and clean. He has fogiven you and redeemed you. He sent me to you so that you would know these things."
Then I would hug her, and she might cry, but I would cry with her because what else could I do?
The Holy Spirit would be in and among us and there would be no need for my words. Not at that time. He would handle it all. "For it is not I who will be speaking–it will be the Spirit of the Father speaking through me" Matthew 10:20
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
(Psalm 103:2-6 ESV)
There will be an end to all of this wrong. Skills training and education and money and brothel raids… these things will help.
But the ultimate solution will come from He who loves and guides and perfects all things.
