LENA...

I think have told you before about my friend Lena. Her and her brother work at the riverfront selling drinks. They work to support their families who are living in a province outside of the city. There wasn't enough money to be made in their village so they had to move here. They probably make about $80 per month, from which they pay rent, buy food, and send money home. I visit Lena a couple times a week. I sit with her and we watch people walking up and down the riverfront. It's a very touristy area, so it's a good place to sell drinks, but it's also a very sad place. We see prostitutes walking up and down the riverside looking for men who are interested. These prostitutes are both young girls and boys. You see men with girls and men with boys. It makes me sick to my stomach. These young girls and boys have either been sold by their family or they have given in to this as a way to make money, a way to survive. For most, the way seems hopeless. They need the money! Others try their best to make money in other ways. Some are honest in their work and sell drinks and food from morning until night. The other night, Lena pointed out. Lady who has 4 children and she sells food on the riverfront everyday all day to support them. There are no days off for these people, because a day off might mean no rice to eat for the day. Some people walk the riverfront collecting bottles and cans to make money, while others beg for money with a baby in their arms. What do you do to help??? The needs are endless! I can give my money, but it only goes so far and it will only satisfy an earthly need for a short period of time. Lena and Bunthy make just enough money to survive and support their family. There is no extra money for accidents or sickness. So, then what do they do? I've helped Bunthy and Lena quite a few times, but after awhile I wonder if I'm really doing an good. I don't know!  I've heard the many debates over giving money and how it isn't always helpful. If God has blessed me with even a little money, should I not live with open hands? Bunthy's daughter was very sick, and he had no money to pay the doctor.   He asked to borrow some more money.  If I was desperate, and my child might die, I might do the same thing.  After you have given until it hurts, do you give more, knowing they can't afford to pay you back?  Can our giving actually cause more hurt than good?  This is a question I struggle to find the answers to.  I do know that more than anything Lena and Bunthy need Jesus, and I've been praying about how to reach them. 

 The night before Easter Sunday, I was visiting Lena by the river. We were talking, when a Cambodian man stopped at Lena's cart to buy a bottle of water. All of sudden he started singing "Bless the Lord, Oh my soul...." and I started singing along with him. We started talking and I found out that he was a pastor at local church in the city. This was a church that I hadn't visited and the services are all in Khmai (the Cambodian language). He invited Lena and I to visit the church in the morning. I asked Lena what she thought, and she seemed excited about the idea of going.  So, Lena and I went to church on Easter Sunday! I was so excited and Lena seemed to really enjoy it. She heard the gospel in her own language. We visited that same church again the next week. After chirch, I asked Lena about what her family believes, and she said they believe in Buddha as I suspected. I asked her what she thinks about Jesus, and she says that Jesus and Buddha are the same and both good. I told her no, no... Jesus and Buddha aren't the same. I told her that Jesus truly loves her, and I don't believe Buddha does.  After a long silence, Lena says, "I like Jesus". I'm not sure what's going on in her heart, but please pray that God will do a work in her heart and bring her and her family to saving faith in Jesus.  It's been about 8 weeks since Easter, and we continue to go to church together every week.  I believe God will save her!  Please pray for Lena...