Why are there so many police out on the street? I wondered. My time in Guinea taught me that when the police are out in force, I need to be extra cautious because something is about to happen.

I quickly made my way to Sabay’s house. Sabay is the local Khmer church planter working with Global Missions. I asked him what was going on as I watched groups of police walking up and down the main road, telling sellers to move their booths. Sabay told me the police were getting ready for the king. The king was coming! I had never seen a king before. I started to get a little excited at the thought of the king of Cambodia coming to visit Mondul Kiri Province.

The next day when I went to buy some gasoline, I learned that the king was supposed to arrive that day at around 1 p.m. I was amazed at the transformation that had taken place almost overnight. The usual mess along the road was gone. All the shop owners and home owners had cleaned up in front of their places.

After I bought my gasoline, I headed out to Boan village for some language learning. On my return, I saw newly hung Cambodian flags all along the road for several miles out of town. As I neared the middle of town, I noticed that school children were starting to gather along the main road. I headed home quickly to get Cara and the kids so we could all see the king.

The police weren’t allowing vehicles on the main roads, so we came in from a side road and parked our motor scooter at a friend’s shop. Then we walked up and joined the waiting crowd along the main road. It was the hottest part of the day as we waited . . . and waited . . . and waited some more. A car came by handing out Cambodian flags and signs with pictures of the king to the waiting children. After nearly two hours of waiting, we heard the king had been delayed, so we headed back to our house so Cara could get lunch ready.

At about four o’clock, I called Sabay, and he told me the king would be there any minute. I decided to take Andrew and Autumn into town on the motor scooter while Cara finished lunch. When we arrived, people were getting excited. Then, off in the distance, we saw the first car of the king’s motorcade. Before long, we saw a man standing in the open moon roof of a large, black Lexus and waving. It was the king! He flashed past, and his motorcade drove out of town.

Before the arrival of the king of Cambodia, there was a lot of work and excitement, and some waiting and disappointment. Then, almost before we knew it, he was through and gone. It makes me glad to know that I serve King Jesus Christ and look forward to His second coming. There is a lot of work yet to be done, and we are very excited. Best of all, He isn’t just passing through; He is coming to take us home to live with Him forever! What a day that will be! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if many of the people who lined the streets of Mondul Kiri that day would be waiting for Him when He comes? Please pray with me to that end.

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