Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Today our team broke into two groups, each one going to a different poor neighborhood. In the morning we went to a typical slum. As I walked down the narrow lane, lined with people sitting in front of derelict shacks and a variety of small booths, it seemed like I had been to this place many times before--in Mumbai, Nairobi, Nkwazi, Lima, Manila, Davao. Extreme poverty has the same look, feel sound and smell all over the world. As most of the team ministered to the children--who breathed in the adult attention like it was oxygen--I went down the narrow lane with a couple of others. As we asked one woman if she needed prayer, with great concern she pointed across the alleyway to a woman huddled against the rough wooden wall. As we approached, it was immediately apparent that something was very wrong. Her swollen right arm was obviously broken. Even more distressing wee the bruises that covered her face, arms and legs. In all my life I have never seen so many deep, dark bruises on one person. I went to get one of the XP (Extreme Prophetic) while one of our team prayed for this poor, traumatized woman. She was too afraid to tell us who had beaten her, instead telling us that she had fallen then a stranger kicked her. After giving this womb what we had to eat, The XP member arranged to connect with her later in the coming days.
Meanwhile children were captivated by the Bible stories being told and acted out. At the end, each child received a gift from the toys that the Impact team had brought to Cambodia.
It is now late afternoon. Again, our team has been divided into two, each going to another slum area. Our team sets up a table laden with food parcels. In just a couple of minutes the deserted lot is filled with expectant people. The XP team calls out each family by name and gives them the package. They are informed that our team is here to pray for any who want to receive prayer. Quickly, a large crowd gathers around our small team. The first woman comes with a badly infected eye, the result of an insect bite from a week ago. What we didn't know is that she couldn't see out of that eye. After a short prayer, her vision is fully restored. For the next 45 minutes person after person is healed. As I write this, I don't yet know how many opened their hearts to receive Jesus, but I spoke with two of our team who each led two people to the Lord. Everywhere I see smiles. This is a joyful time for all of us, Cambodians and Impact team alike.
Tonight our team is going out to minister to men and women on the street who work in the sex trade. We anticipate a great ending to a full and exciting day.
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