This week I have been reminded that children from different cultures respond differently to the question, “What do you like to do in your free time?” Some examples from Australia and Cambodia highlight the differences.

10-year-old Joshua lives in Australia. He likes bike riding, skateboarding, Playstation, running, soccer and swimming. 12-year-old Breanna lives in Sydney with her mum, dad, 2 sisters and pet bird. She likes, “reading, dancing, singing, partying” as well as, “shopping, skipping, monopoly and Rummy-O”. 7-year-old Amy likes to do handstands, play tip and play with her Bratz dolls. Luke, 5, likes going to the park, riding his bike and singing.

In comparison, 12-year-old Veurn lives in Cambodia. In his free time he says he likes to carry the water. Hoky, 9, does housework. 15-year-old Srey Mom stays home. Srey Lis, 9, waters the crops and looks after her younger brothers and sisters. Others say they wash dishes, cook food for the family and care for grandparents. A few Khmer children reported on things they do apart from jobs. Some read books. Srey Toch, 14, likes to play with the cows.

Play. It doesn’t have to be with i-Pods and Playstations. It could be playing catch, climbing a tree or swimming in a creek. I’ve said it before but I believe that it pleases the heart of God when kids play.

This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. The city will be filled with boys and girls playing there.” Zechariah 8:4-5

Rathanak’s older sister, Chanto, has been visiting a young girl in their community who has lost both parents. His younger brother made a commitment this week to become a “big brother” to a 10-year-old who has lost his father. Rathanak himself has a 12 year old “brother” who his visits regularly to encourage.

These youth are putting love into action and showing compassion to kids who haven’t received the gift of a stable home life that they have.

Why stop at ten?

The goals of My Life, My Story are:

1. To invite 50 children within the Big Brothers and Sisters of Cambodia (BBSC) program to express their stories through art and writing. We see this as a valuable opportunity for the orphans and children at risk to share their own stories of hope and suffering, thus being active participants within the BBSC program. (As opposed to simply being passive recipients.)

2. To share these stories with both adults and children in Australia so that they have the opportunity to pray for Cambodian children with greater understanding and compassion. We believe that children can be taught to have a global vision and to pray for the poor and the outcast in their own countries as well as overseas.

3. To invite 50 children in Australia to express about their lives though art and writing. We believe that the stories of children in Australia are important. We believe that they can express message of encouragement through words and pictures that will be eagerly received by children in Cambodia.

Stay tuned for further reports….