Pheng's passing

The view from just a wee bit above

We have had our first death at the Healing Home early on Monday morning. Pheng's passing happened two days short of our first anniversary as a healing home. Cancer got her but Jesus took her.

Sue has worked tirelessly these last ten weeks for Pheng. Sadly, this will be part of our work here. We will have some victories and some sadnesses. The joy is in the knowing that Pheng has eternal life - and in the faith that her daughter Kia has embraced during the time that she has cared for her mum at the home.

Pheng knew that she was going and she was beautiful. Her last words to Sue and I late afternoon Sunday was to care for Kia. Already we had been talking to her about living in Phnom Penh, growing in God and perhaps coming on staff when we start the next healing home. Pheng was all for it.

Pheng (centre lady on the bunk) just two weeks ago.

New Life Fellowship were brilliant. They released a vehicle and, together with Pastor Mara, Donnie and a young guy driving, we took Pheng and Kia home to Takeo province. As soon as we arrived, a guy hit the sound-system button and the taped funeral dirge music kicked in. I'm real glad that Pheng missed all that - she was listening to a different sound.

Kia is gutsy and compassionate. She's taken a lot of flack from her uncles for believing in Jesus. Her love has not been shaken. She says that she will be back soon. If we can't get her into the New Life women's dorms we'll make room somehow for her. There is a new generation on the move over here and we're keen to spot the good ones and build into them.