Written at 9:55am on November 28th, 2022 in Kampong Thom, Cambodia.
Hey friends and family! While in Kampong Thom, I have had the opportunity to spend some time reflecting on our ministry in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Walking in Cambodia, you start to notice that many people wear thin, bright red bracelets around their wrists, composed of string or yarn. After seeing these bracelets again and again, I asked our ministry host if there was any significance, or if I was simply missing out on some Khmer fashion trend. He shared that the red bracelets symbolize a blessing bestowed exclusively by a monk. In times of distress or suffering, a person in the Buddist faith might journey to the closest Pagoda, or temple, to receive a blessing of good fortune or healing. This made my heart ache, so desperately I want these people to know that they can receive true, real, blessing and healing from our Heavenly Father.
My ministry host shared the testimony of the woman we would be visiting in the village that day. At one point in her life, this woman was devastated by throat cancer. Our ministry hosts met her at her home, and after 7 consecutive days of consistent prayer, she was healed, the cancer was completely gone! At this moment the love and greatness of the Father was revealed to her, and her eyes were opened. Shortly after, she gave her life to Christ, and it was then that our hosts cut off the red bracelets of Buddhist blessing that she bore on both of her wrists and around her waist, initiating the beginning of her walk with the Lord.
On the day we came to her house, we were met with the ashes of burned spirit houses and idols that had previously decorated her property. She had completely destroyed every trace of the Buddist religion, sanctifying her home and her heart in the process. Oh, the beauty that comes from the ashes! We met her in that place with joy and celebration. Hugging her and laughing and praising God! A newfound sister in the Kingdom of Heaven!
I can’t help but continue to think about those red bracelets. A tangible symbol of the earthly idols that bind us to the world. How many bracelets of idolatry do I wear on my own wrists? That ties me down and restricts me from knowing the full freedom I can find in Jesus Christ? I pray that the idols I consciously or unconsciously follow stand out to me like the bright red ties. So I can cut and burn them, in order to fix my eyes fully on the One who can bless me with true healing and freedom.
Amen!