A Singular Purpose to Restore Broken Lives
Over the last 2 days, I have heard some of the most intimate details of individuals whose lives have been completely turned upside-down in more ways than one.
Travelling through the dirt-paved streets of Cambodia, it is hard to imagine that a fellow human being could undergo such tremendous suffering, pain, and abuse, leaving them in trauma and devastation. How could anyone deal such inhumane treatment to someone so innocent and so full of potential?
On the flip side, how could anybody put everything on the line to see these lives restored? I saw the worst and the best of mankind.
These weren't the average type of abuses. They were the most horrific and toughest of human conditions. Each victim was broken, literally broken physically, emotionally, mentally, and psychologically.
Neither were the folks the average lobbyists for world peace. These were admirable heroes who would bite bullets for each life they fought for. They lived their lives as examples of Jesus Christ and walked their talk. Their purpose is singular - to restore broken lives.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2
I had the privilege of hearing some of the most intimate details of how their lives were radically changed when they witnessed the terrible condition of a singular individual. Their lives were forever changed.
Restoring a human life is no easy feat, and for those who have experienced such traumatic abuse, there is no certainty when resilience would ever be achieved. How much would it take? How long would it take? At what cost will restoration come? These people would do what it ever takes to get them as far as they can go to realise and develop their fullest potential.
There were so many who want to contribute and for those who are walking their talk, I truly applaud them. These are professionals who change their lifestyles and cutback, with the sole intention of transferring their expertise and knowledge into help for these victims.
They understand the challenges they will face but it doesn't deter them. Every person, victim or staff, officers or directors, volunteers or managers, is valued. Nobody is any more or less important. Nobody's work is more useful or less useful. Everybody's effort is critical to the healing of an individual life.
I was impressed with the confidence of each staff. At every level, the boss would encourage their subordinate to speak up and share. Whoever spoke would do so with much gusto and confidence. The working relationships are so healthy and the environment conducive to allow everyone to use their voice and bravely speak up.
Everyone trusted everyone else, and this is crucial as they bring their different skillsets together to help each victim recovery and reintegrate. From counsellors to social workers to physiotherapists to operations manager to finance officers to systems managers, everybody had a part to play. Lives are at stake and it is no small gamble.
Whether you are a victim or a staff or volunteer, you have touched my life. I am once again reminded of my dream to look into the eyes of children and see them sparkle as a smile lights up their faces.
The innocence of youth once robbed can never be returned again and it should never be allowed to happen. But because of the depravity of mankind, it occurs over and over, and we can do something to see that these lives are restored to complete dignity and resilience. We can bring hope back to these people.
Everyone deserves the same opportunity at life in all its fullness. We breathe the same air and live on the same planet, so why should anybody's odds be any different? No child should have to go through such devastation.
My life is once again changed and I am faced with the same set of questions I faced 2 years ago. God, what exactly are you preparing me for, and what is it that you want me to do? Please show me the next steps.
Travelling through the dirt-paved streets of Cambodia, it is hard to imagine that a fellow human being could undergo such tremendous suffering, pain, and abuse, leaving them in trauma and devastation. How could anyone deal such inhumane treatment to someone so innocent and so full of potential?
On the flip side, how could anybody put everything on the line to see these lives restored? I saw the worst and the best of mankind.
These weren't the average type of abuses. They were the most horrific and toughest of human conditions. Each victim was broken, literally broken physically, emotionally, mentally, and psychologically.
Neither were the folks the average lobbyists for world peace. These were admirable heroes who would bite bullets for each life they fought for. They lived their lives as examples of Jesus Christ and walked their talk. Their purpose is singular - to restore broken lives.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2
I had the privilege of hearing some of the most intimate details of how their lives were radically changed when they witnessed the terrible condition of a singular individual. Their lives were forever changed.
Restoring a human life is no easy feat, and for those who have experienced such traumatic abuse, there is no certainty when resilience would ever be achieved. How much would it take? How long would it take? At what cost will restoration come? These people would do what it ever takes to get them as far as they can go to realise and develop their fullest potential.
There were so many who want to contribute and for those who are walking their talk, I truly applaud them. These are professionals who change their lifestyles and cutback, with the sole intention of transferring their expertise and knowledge into help for these victims.
They understand the challenges they will face but it doesn't deter them. Every person, victim or staff, officers or directors, volunteers or managers, is valued. Nobody is any more or less important. Nobody's work is more useful or less useful. Everybody's effort is critical to the healing of an individual life.
I was impressed with the confidence of each staff. At every level, the boss would encourage their subordinate to speak up and share. Whoever spoke would do so with much gusto and confidence. The working relationships are so healthy and the environment conducive to allow everyone to use their voice and bravely speak up.
Everyone trusted everyone else, and this is crucial as they bring their different skillsets together to help each victim recovery and reintegrate. From counsellors to social workers to physiotherapists to operations manager to finance officers to systems managers, everybody had a part to play. Lives are at stake and it is no small gamble.
Whether you are a victim or a staff or volunteer, you have touched my life. I am once again reminded of my dream to look into the eyes of children and see them sparkle as a smile lights up their faces.
The innocence of youth once robbed can never be returned again and it should never be allowed to happen. But because of the depravity of mankind, it occurs over and over, and we can do something to see that these lives are restored to complete dignity and resilience. We can bring hope back to these people.
Everyone deserves the same opportunity at life in all its fullness. We breathe the same air and live on the same planet, so why should anybody's odds be any different? No child should have to go through such devastation.
My life is once again changed and I am faced with the same set of questions I faced 2 years ago. God, what exactly are you preparing me for, and what is it that you want me to do? Please show me the next steps.