You try not to stare
She was nervous. So were we. It’s awkward to meet someone who sells their body all night, every night. But she’s why we’re in Cambodia.
Her name is Terra. She’s 24 and has an 8-month-old daughter named Terry. We’re talking to her at one of the Saving Moses Centers in Phnom Penh. We are trying to find out more about her, but little Terry is stealing the show.
“She’s almost walking!” I shouted. Mom seemed to smile, but it was kind of different. Her eyes had a mom’s loving glimmer, but were weary looking from being up all night. She had been with five men using her body as nothing more than a business service.
We wanted to encourage her, but it was difficult. Not speaking Khmer was part of the problem, but it was way more tricky than that. Turns out that little Terry was fathered by one of Terra’s many customers, and it’s not certain which one.
I felt helpless. I’m holding little Terry and thinking, “Who’s going to celebrate special occasions with her?” First steps were a big deal with my kids, as they are with most. But Terra’s thinking about survival. Full stop.
“Boot the grime of this world in the crotch dear”
We let Terra and Terry go get some sleep. Later, as I was riding back in the tuk-tuk, a song came into my head. It wasn’t a worship song, but I bet David would’ve loved it. I started singing in my best Morrissey voice,
Is it wrong to want to live on your own?
No, it’s not wrong, but I must know,
How can someone so young,
Sing words so sad?
Sheila take a, Sheila take a bow,
Boot the grime of this world in the crotch dear,
And don’t go home tonight,
Come out and find the one that you love and who loves you,
The one that you love and who loves you.
I could feel the Holy Spirit rising in me, and I began to pray for Terra and Terry. “Jesus become real to them. That You would be involved in every detail of their lives. That they would feel Your love, and sense Your pleasure in them. That every good and perfect plan You have for them would be fulfilled.”
I got a picture no camera could take
As I prayed, my vision was blurred with tears that filled my eyes. But I saw something I will never forget. It was Terra holding little Terry while kicking a dark hooded figure in the crouch. Angels were surrounding them. They were laughing too. Then a tall, strong, handsome man, with eyes like fire, appeared next to them. He knelt down with arms outstretched. Terra put little Terry down, Terry started wobbling towards him. “Look!” he said (felt like thunder). “She’s almost walking!” The angels shouted, and Terra took a bow.
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