“I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of The Way.” St. Paul in Acts 24

“The Way that can be named is not the True Way.” The Tao Te Ching 1; Lao Tzu

“Follow your bliss, and the universe will open doors where only walls existed.”  Joseph Campbell

What do the three quotes above, all written by different people living in different places at drastically different times, have in common?  The answer is obvious:  They all refer to The Way.

Following, or seeking to follow The Way is a very significant and central spiritual concept that cuts across all time and traditions. It indicates that a person is seeking to find something, or someone, that they haven’t yet discovered.  It is a mystical metaphor for life.  For the Celts the concept of pilgrimage, or peregrino, was central to their spiritual life.  They saw themselves as guests on earth, and their whole life a seeking after the One who had first sought them.

In the Christian tradition this is the time called “The Epiphany Season”, which begins with the journey of The Magi to Bethlehem, seeking the newborn king of the Jews.  They were led on their way by a star.

What is leading you?  And who are you seeking?  In making that long journey from the East, the wisemen not only found Jesus, but I believe they found themselves as well.  As did St. Paul.  What about you?  What way are you following?  Who or what is leading you?  And what are you seeking?

I’m intrigued by these existential questions, but I’m even more intrigued by the people that I meet along The Way.  As you know if you’ve read my previous blogs, I recently travelled to Cambodia.  And there I not only met delightful children, but a fascinating family who together run the Ray of Hope ministry.

Nora is the father.  Every weekday he wakes up at four a.m. so that he can drive the truck to pick up the children and bring them to the Center.  And then he drives them to school.  And then he picks them up from school. And then at the end of the day he takes them home.  But he is more than a mere truck driver, he is a father figure to these children.  A father in The Faith.  Nora had previously served as a pastor, but that was a result, not a cause of coming to Faith.  He was led on The Way by the persecution he endured as a twelve year old boy during the genocide of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge.  While there we visited the Buddhist pagoda where he had been a prisoner, and he recalled his horrific memories of his time there.  For some reason known only to God, his life was spared, and it resulted in him expressing his gratitude by loving the children.

His wife, Menglis, is the cook at The Center.  She also rises before dawn so that she can make breakfast for the children.  While they are in school she not only prepares lunch, but also washes the clothes they wear at home.  But she is much more than a cook—though if she only did that it would be more than enough—she is a mother figure to the children, especially to the older girls.  She dispenses wise advice and guidance to them, which they are often-times lacking in their lives.

Vimol and Viya are their two daughters.  Viya was one of the original teachers, but since marrying my friend Joe and having children she has stepped back from the hands-on aspect of ministry there.  Nonetheless she continues to love and support her family members as well as the children.  Vimol has become the director, replacing Joe, and does most of the teaching of the children.  Every day she spends 1-2 hours after lunch insuring that the children are keeping up with their homework and doing their best in their studies.  But again, she is more than that for the children.  She insures that each day every one of them receives the loving touch of her Lord.

In addition to their hard work and the outpouring of love that they provide for the children, what most impresses me is their humility.  They don’t take credit for doing the amazing work they are doing.  In fact, they would probably be quite embarrassed if they knew I were writing this about them. 

So why AM I writing about them?  Well, they are people who have been led on The Way, so that they can lead others on The Way.  Furthermore, they are people who have made an incredible impression on me as I’ve travelled on my Way.  And not so obvious, they are the ones who provided the inspiration for the theme I’ll be following in these blogs this year.  My intention is to write each week about people I meet along The Way.  It could be that some of you reading this will be featured.  I hope you don’t mind. 

You know, that’s what’s important.  Though we may look for heavenly signs, like the one God gave the Magi, the most significant markers that provide direction for us are the everyday people that God places in our path.  Perhaps you can take some time to consider, and give thanks for, those whom God has used to guide you on your Way.