This is an excerpt from my journal on the evening of 9/20/18. There is some ugly, raw truth in here that I am not necessarily proud of, but I felt the Lord leading me to post.

Today I met the wisest 12 year old along the side of the road. She spoke phenomenal English. After exchanging names, (her name is Su-Tee & that is the best way I could think to spell it) the first question she asked me was “Why do you love God?”

First off….what twelve year old asks this?? Second….my mind went completely blank (I know. Way to go. The missionary can’t even answer one of the simplest questions). After a minute of thinking, I finally responded with “I love God because everything He does is good. Even when I don’t understand, His will is still perfect and good.” Lord please let these words somehow speak truth over her life. Su-Tee then told me that she loves God because: He is the one and only God, He is powerful, and He cares about her. She told me that she is the only Christian in her family. *heart shattered* How can a 12 year old be so strong?? She told me that it is hard, but she is happy because of God. And when she is sad, God tells her that she is His child and He is with her. I asked if she had any siblings. She preceded to tell me that she has one little brother who is 3 years old and one little sister who is 8 years old. She told me that her sister will sometimes pray to God, but also pray to other gods. I encouraged her to reach out to her younger sister and teach her more about Christ. I can’t help but to think of Addy at home and how much I love her. Su-Tee continued to tell me that her friends call her ‘dumb’ for being a Christian. The strength of this young woman. The wisdom. Jesus tells us to be like little children – and trust me, if only we were all like this one.

I felt the Holy Spirit tell me to pray over her and her family. But I didn’t do it. I was too scared. Scared of what? Someone’s opinion of me?? My flesh is so weak.

I read this morning about how God still promised to make Abraham a great nation EVEN AFTER he conceived a child with Hagar (his wife’s servant). I know what I should have done and I am sorry. Please give me another opportunity to pray for someone. Give me the strength to step out of my comfort zone. Let your glory shine through my failure.

Lord I lift up this beautiful young lady to you. My heart breaks for her. She is wise beyond her years and her love for you is so evident. Bless her. Continue to pour your love all over her. When life is hard and she feels sad or overwhelmed – whisper your promises in her ear. Remind her that she is loved, and she is not alone. Use her to reach her family. Let them come to know you through her faithfulness. I don’t know why I was born into a Christian family that provided me with everything I could possibly want or need, and Su-Tee was born in Battambang, Cambodia. But I trust you. I praise you for Ezra Ministries and how they are effecting the lives of so many children. Thank you for bringing this girl into my life, even if it was just for a 15 minute conversation along the side of the road. You are so so good.

I encourage everyone who reads this to pray for Su-Tee. Lift this young woman of God up in your prayers. Pray that the Lord will give her strength, continue to teach her, and that her family will come to know the Lord as their Savior.