Where Durian Grows Wild

Mountain path to Channa's home

Channa, a third grade boy, pointed towards a grassy mountain path. The boys in the class had decided his one hour walk through the forest was the farthest of them all. As we talked I wondered what types of things he saw on his way to school every day. 

Driving to the mountain village we had crossed rivers and bounced our way through muddy, steep roads.  Walking in the village I tripped over a sprouting pineapple plant as our team picked and ate fresh Rambutan and climbed the Durian trees. 

The children’s school was a rickety, wooden building with a dirt floor and limited resources. But Channa, the other kids, and the village families who gathered to meet us seemed happy and content.

I listened as a Khmer pastor I work with shared how he had helped the community put a new roof on the school. We talked about practical ways he had helped with putting in a self pumping water system from a nearby stream.

I felt inadequate and inept in an environment where I was very out of place. I wondered why I was there and what I had to offer.

Grade 1 sign in chalk by the
grade 1 doorway

They asked me to share something and I wasn’t “prepared”. I had been so awestruck with everything I had seen that day, so I simply asked the children “Who created the world?” They knew I had come with the Christian pastor, so they had a safe answer, “God”.  Then I asked what He created. They were silent for a minute, so I primed the pump. “Did he create the elephant?” They answered yes and then began to list all the animals they knew from the forest. We continued the pattern with fruits and forest geography.

Rambutan

Finally, I asked “What was His favorite creation?” It got really quiet as they all thought deeply. No one spoke and so I finally answered the question. I wasn’t expecting the look of surprise on their faces when I pointed to each of them and said “You”. Of all the grand things God created He loves you the most.  They all giggled and smile with warm looks.

That’s when I realized that was what I had to offer. The simple message that the God of the universe created them and loved them. Of all the needs I had seen that was the greatest need I could fill. The need to know they were special and loved.

Durian Tree

This isn't to minimize the work of the church planter who has helped in practical ways, showing the love of Christ. His practical works of love communicate the Gospel as well. God just used this day in a village where Durian grows wild to remind me that His love fills the most important need of any human heart.