Church family

We've felt a bit punch-drunk these last couple of weeks. Sreyda, our sweet wheelchair-bound lady who has been with us since January, was due to return to Kratie Province this week. However, a sudden infection flared up in her left leg on Sue's birthday (Aug 25). Long story made short - the infection was so aggressive, she has had to have her leg amputated above the knee. She's back with us now, courageous and sweet.

Therefore, it was pretty special to sit in church yesterday and look around at those who were literally surrounding us. Immediately behind us was Long, the little crippled guy who now walks just great, and his family. His dad had been in a moto accident and got pretty bad concussion. One Long's legs had a sore too, so we said 'bring the family'.

One of my favourite kids in all the world - little Long. We were heading out to a hospital appointment this morning and I asked Long (in Khmer!) to please open the gate. He scooted out so fast with this big happy smile on his face!

To our right in church, one row behind and one aisle over, was Sreyneth. She came to us with a back injury and broken heels after her spirit friend whom she called 'my king' encouraged her to fly off a balcony. For weeks, we could not get any response from this lady: she was deadpan as. The light slowly entered as she saw that maybe the king fella was not such a good friend - what friend wants to kill you? She later gave her life to Jesus and now, three weeks after leaving the Healing Home, is sitting in church.

Alongside Sue, fast asleep in a pram, was Naan. Donnie wheeled her there and left her with 'auntie' for the service. If our kids don't get something happening soon, we may just take Naan on as an honorary grandchild! She is adorably beautiful and developing into such a wee character. The 1.2kg malnourished 'hopeless case' is a blossoming miracle.

Sreyda leaving the Healing Home for the hospital. There, she was pumped with very high doses of antibiotics for three days. We were so gutted when neither believing prayer nor medicines turned the infection around.

Finally, sitting on our left was Phong and her fat baby, Ritsar. Phong is the abandoned mum who came to us from a slum community, heavily pregnant and with very high blood pressure. She too appeared so shut down to the Lord. We were so happily surprised when she asked if she could keep coming to church when the time came for her to leave the Healing Home. Our staff pick her up every week. Her countenance is so different now; a wide smile and a happy heart. She has work in the Elim Church daycare and life has become altogether new for her.

We needed a couple of blood donours for Sreyda and I had been a bit sick, so we asked English friends Nick and Elaine to come. They are amazing 'ordinary' people, full of faith and the Holy Spirit. After praying his heart out for Sreyda, Nick looks around the ward and offers to pray for anyone. He literally prayed his way through the big room!

Sreymom leading a study in the afternoon, with a little help from puss. The lady on the right was a Buddhist nun. She had so many questions about grace and forgiveness. Dara (far left) is still with us. He appears to have had some kind of mild stroke. Married for just five months, we are greatly exercised to see his situation touched.