Believe it or not, I used to know the name and bio of every kid at Asia’s Hope. 

Back in 2005 when we had just two homes in Cambodia and one in Thailand, I could pretty reliably give you the child’s name, tell you where they lived, identify their siblings and give you a decent summary of how they came to live at Asia’s Hope.

Today we have 13 homes in Battambang alone — 34 homes across our three countries, more than 800 kids, not including the dozens of local children who attend our schools but live with their biological families. Plus, we’ve added more than 60 new kids since the beginning of this year!

So, yeah. Keeping track of names is hopeless, at least for me.

At times, I’m just the tiniest bit envious of our trip participants. When y’all visit, you come as representatives of sponsoring churches, businesses or families, and you usually spend their entire time at one home. So if you spend a couple of weeks in Battambang, you’re seeing the same kids every day and really get a chance to connect on a deep, personal level.

So even though my trip is 40 days long, I’m really limited to one afternoon or evening at each of our homes. It’s a lot, but I’m making an effort. I show up with a bag of tricks — a wastebasket full of plastic balls, some dry erase markers — and a couple of cameras. And though my time is short, I give it everything I have.

Even though I’m just flying through, I try to connect ever-so-briefly with each of the kids: find out, ask them their age and treat them like they’re the most important kids in the world for the duration of my brief visit.

The kids love me, but they don’t need me. And that’s a very good thing.

Don’t get me wrong. Even though they look forward to greeting visitors from abroad, the most important relationships — by far — are they ones they have with each other and their caretakers: the Asia’s Hope moms and dads and teachers and home staff. 

You and I get to play games and throw parties and sing songs, but we don’t have to get up at 2am when someone has a nightmare or wets the bed. You and I may work hard to make sure these kids have a safe, loving and supportive home, but we’re not responsible for fulfilling their greatest needs on a daily basis. Thankfully, though, the staff of Asia’s Hope has that covered.

So even though none of us will ever know these children the way we wish we could, God has given us an important role nonetheless: to stand behind our staff and kids and make sure that they have the resources they need to create secure and healthy family for kids who once were vulnerable and alone.

And until God’s kingdom comes in its fullness and grants us unlimited time together, this role will be more than enough for me. 

Thank you for everything you do for these precious kids and for the adults who care for them.