by Deborah Austin, Volunteer in Mission
God is working in Cambodia through Community Health and Agricultural Development (CHAD) to bring people together to bind up the brokenhearted and heal the sick. This is the story of Pok Buntha, a 27 year old man who has a serious blood circulatory problem that has brought on low blood pressure and anemia, as well as stomach and esophagus conditions.
The first time the CHAD team met him was in April 2009. Pok was brought to a medical clinic that was being held by CHAD and a Rocky Mountain UMVIM medical team at First Methodist Church in Kratie. He came with his mother Heang Neon. At the clinic, Irene Mparutsa (GBGM missionary) gave him a “ticket” to allow him to enter a hospital in Phnom Penh. CSI (Cooperative Services International – a Christian hospital) diagnosed his illness.
Up to this point, Pok had never known what was wrong with him. He was told he needs to go to Thailand for life-saving surgery on his veins. The cost of this seemed formidable to Pok and his mother. The surgery is $3000. In addition, the passport, visa, and travel costs are $1000. They are raising money by selling their moto. But this will only bring them $500.
This is where Pok’s faith come in. He says he is holding onto hope in the Lord Jesus! Sam Dy, a lay pastor in the area, is the one who brought Pok to the clinic. Some time earlier, he’d started visiting Pok in his home and sharing the Gospel. Sam Dy said, “I saw his thinness, that he was ready to die.” Pok began to open his heart to Jesus and believe.
Pok said, “Before, I stood in darkness. I was sad. Right now, I am still sick, but the holiness of Jesus is around me.” Sam Dy continues to disciple Pok. He brings the church members to his house so that they can all pray for him. Pok has begun attending worship services and he is also witnessing to other sick people in the village. “One day,” he says, “I hope I will receive mercy from Jesus.”
If you would like to partner with others in giving money to Pok’s surgery, you can do so by giving to the Advance #3020542 (“Emergency Health Care for Pok Bunta”). Mail checks payable to:
Advance GCFA
P.O. Box 9068, GPO
New York, NY 10087-9068
This article was written by Reverend Deborah Austin and Irene Mparutsa. They talked with Pok in January 2010 and report that Pok continues to need this surgery. Yet, his whole demeanor is stronger, a result of his newfound faith!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Health Ministries Catching On
by Irene Mparutsa
In 2009, Pho Linn, a woman from the Phum Meas rural area, had come to a clinic sponsored by CHAD and a volunteer health team from the United States. She was weak with ovarian cancer. We laid hands on her and prayed, referring her to the Russian Hospital in Phnom Penh. The doctor there could do nothing for her except confirm the cancer. A Methodist pastor stopped by and prayed with her every day.
About a year later, I was accompanying a United Methodist Volunteer-in-Mission team from Virginia when I saw her again. She looked well! She was experiencing some pain, so I asked her to return to the Phnom Penh hospital for review. The doctor confirmed that she had no more cancer! She had continued to pray to Jesus; and, in her Buddhist village, the word has gotten around. She went home with a Bible, and her brother-in-law is now asking about building a church.
Access to Care
After a meeting in Kratie with the Provincial Health Director to talk about the problem of goiters (enlargements of the thyroid gland), we decided to work together on a campaign to prevent the problem. Being able to work with high-level government officials on health issues is an exciting part of the Cambodia Mission Initiative's health ministry. We will begin with a house-to-house survey to learn more about the disease and what has already been done for it. While in Kratie, we visited some village health centers to continue building relationships and bridges between local health services, the church, and the community.
Another goal of our visit to Kratie was to continue nurturing the newly established congregation there.
Last week, the office door opened and Yei (Granny) Oeun and her pastor walked in. At first I thought she was Ming Phalla, another yei from her church who also has a beguiling smile and only one tooth. Yei Oeun and her pastor had a good laugh over my confusion and then she began to tell me her story. She wanted a referral letter for free treatment at a clinic. I admired the wisdom of her appeal to CHAD for help. One translation of Proverbs 1:2 speaks of the "discipline of wise thoughtfulness." She had heard of the CHAD ministry from her friend, Ming Phalla. Using the wisdom God had given her, she had thought it through and come to ask for help.
A great part of the health ministry continues to be helping people access health care here in Phnom Penh. Church members and their families and neighbors from the 147 Methodist Mission in Cambodia congregations - which are located all over the country - call on their pastors, who, in turn, contact CHAD. As the word gets out about CHAD, the number of people asking for help is growing. In January, members of the Social Concerns Committee participated in a training to build their skills in advocating for affordable treatments.
This story also appeared in July/August 2010 edition of New World Outlook.
In 2009, Pho Linn, a woman from the Phum Meas rural area, had come to a clinic sponsored by CHAD and a volunteer health team from the United States. She was weak with ovarian cancer. We laid hands on her and prayed, referring her to the Russian Hospital in Phnom Penh. The doctor there could do nothing for her except confirm the cancer. A Methodist pastor stopped by and prayed with her every day.
About a year later, I was accompanying a United Methodist Volunteer-in-Mission team from Virginia when I saw her again. She looked well! She was experiencing some pain, so I asked her to return to the Phnom Penh hospital for review. The doctor confirmed that she had no more cancer! She had continued to pray to Jesus; and, in her Buddhist village, the word has gotten around. She went home with a Bible, and her brother-in-law is now asking about building a church.
Access to Care
After a meeting in Kratie with the Provincial Health Director to talk about the problem of goiters (enlargements of the thyroid gland), we decided to work together on a campaign to prevent the problem. Being able to work with high-level government officials on health issues is an exciting part of the Cambodia Mission Initiative's health ministry. We will begin with a house-to-house survey to learn more about the disease and what has already been done for it. While in Kratie, we visited some village health centers to continue building relationships and bridges between local health services, the church, and the community.
Another goal of our visit to Kratie was to continue nurturing the newly established congregation there.
Last week, the office door opened and Yei (Granny) Oeun and her pastor walked in. At first I thought she was Ming Phalla, another yei from her church who also has a beguiling smile and only one tooth. Yei Oeun and her pastor had a good laugh over my confusion and then she began to tell me her story. She wanted a referral letter for free treatment at a clinic. I admired the wisdom of her appeal to CHAD for help. One translation of Proverbs 1:2 speaks of the "discipline of wise thoughtfulness." She had heard of the CHAD ministry from her friend, Ming Phalla. Using the wisdom God had given her, she had thought it through and come to ask for help.
A great part of the health ministry continues to be helping people access health care here in Phnom Penh. Church members and their families and neighbors from the 147 Methodist Mission in Cambodia congregations - which are located all over the country - call on their pastors, who, in turn, contact CHAD. As the word gets out about CHAD, the number of people asking for help is growing. In January, members of the Social Concerns Committee participated in a training to build their skills in advocating for affordable treatments.
This story also appeared in July/August 2010 edition of New World Outlook.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)