The Inspiration

  When we were in Cambodia we spent a day with Rosa, who grew up in the slums but now ministers each day traveling to the slums to check on the safety of the children, make sure they are in school, doing their homework and teaching them about Jesus. The place we went to was located along the river with garbage packed beneath. One of the toilets was a wooden seat hanging off the end of a homemade platform that was out in the open. When you are in Asia it is customary to take off your shoes before entering someone’s home. All the kids were waiting in this Christian woman’s “home” for us, which is more like a shack. We nervously took off our shoes praying they would not fall beneath us into the garbage because our “sidewalk” was rotted pieces of wood. 

I told the children the story about Daniel in the Lion’s Den and how God protected him from the hungry lions for obeying Him. Then I switched to talking about how Jesus is our Protector and one of His names is The Lion of Judah. How as a Lion He is fierce in His love for us and how even if our body is being harmed, He will protect us from the one who can harm our soul. When we were leaving Rosa took me aside and asked me how did I know? I had no idea what she was talking about. She pointed up at the cheap tin roofs and there was a brand-new satellite dish mounted in this place. She told me then of the horror that goes on at night where the children are sold online. This is where you believe the Gospel, or you don’t. 

Jesus, will You protect these children despite what is physically happening to them? We were stunned by Rosa’s commitment to these children in Phnom Penh who are living not only in extreme poverty but also in extreme abuse as she later told Tom and I of her own personal abuse as a child, yet she chooses to serve Him. 

We knew we needed to tell her story and others like her who serve Christ in dire conditions that frankly we cannot relate too. Servants of Christ who sometimes I feel like I am not even worthy to be in the same room with. Our Lion of Judah shirt was inspired by the children of Phnom Penh.  Our beautiful art has been created by our kids who were rescued from trafficking in Mexico and our kids in the Care for Cambodia project. I call it our victory wall. We promised the kids that they would be seen, and their lives are living proof that no life is too damaged that God cannot restore.