Today, we switch hotels once again and travel to the Battambang province where we will be based for about 5 days. Please pray for our travel safety. The roads are unbelievably bumpy and heavily traveled. As I understand it, they are continuing to be improved. So far, most of the dirt roads we've traveled have been recently graded (beginning of the dry season). Throughout the country, there seem to be no rules of the road except to avoid accidents, and I think that one is broken often based upon clinic experience. Of course, our main prayer needs remain health of our team, and discernment in ministering to the large crowds of needy villagers.
Yesterday was the most amazing ministry day yet. We arrived at a small village that featured a large Buddhist temple, and a newer temple being constructed. As usual, the drama team had arrived earlier and were performing as we were setting up the clinic. I'm really impressed with how much organizational progress we have made in just a few short days. All of team members are hard workers, and becoming more efficient. The translators serve in whatever way they can, and are thinking ahead on how to meet the needs of others. God has assembled an awesome team, and I once again must state that I feel very privileged to be a part of it.
We saw many of the same conditions as in previous villages. However, the spiritual ministry reached a new level of God's favor. One of the first patients I adjusted today was a 70yo Buddhist monk. His example allowed many of his followers to come for physical and spiritual healing. I consider it the favor of God, and His moving in this village even before we arrived. Additionally, we saw dozens of Muslim women that were allowed to remove their headscarf and be touched (adjusted), which is normally disallowed in their religious customs. Praise God that many seeds were planted. Now, prayer must continue to allow the follow-up of the local itinerant (Pastor Timothea) to water. We are relying on God for the increase for His kingdom.
One case that I will never forget is a 17yo teenage girl presenting with her mother. The intake form mentions no real physical ailments--only that she was in Malaysia for "employment" for 6 months, and upon arriving home is unable to speak or interact normally--basically in a nearly complete dissociative state. Her countenance suggested that she may be demon-possessed. However, after 5-10 minutes of talking through a translator and with her mother holding her hand, I was able to adjust her full spine without any resistance. During the experience, I knew that physical healing was completely inadequate to accomplish much of anything for her problems. However, I knew that the restoration of proper nerve flow would allow her to relax, and accept prayer and counseling from the rest of the team. Through further efforts, the tragic story of this young woman begins to unfold.
Approximately 6 months ago, this young woman was enticed into going to Malaysia on the promise of a job that would pay a few hundred dollars a month (keep in mind that the average wage in Cambodia is approximately $30/month). Her family is very poor, and so they all agreed. Upon arriving in Malaysia, she was promptly indentured into a sex slave ring where she was "broken down" and then horribly abused by many brothel 'customers' each day. After a foot injury two weeks ago, she was "shipped" back home. Upon arriving, she spoke only a few sentences to her parents <paraphrasing> "Do you want to come and see who has done this to me?"...before falling into a state termed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This explains why she is suffering physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. According to Pastor Setan Lee, she is not possessed and that she will not be completely healed for at least 3-8 months. You can read more about his ministry to these women at TA's website . Due to the experience of Pastor Setan and the loving acceptance and words from many of the Cambodian teenage girls from the drama team as well as the prayers and words from many of the women on our team, this young woman's countenance was completely changed by the time of our departure. Praise God. We are believing that, through the ministry of TA, that this woman and her entire family will be saved, and be a witness to their entire village.
I am just arriving back from our morning devotion, I am sure today will be yet another awesome day. Thank you for reading, and for your steadfast prayer for all of us.
Wow. Thanks for your service.
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