One week can be a long time ...

I was asked if we had settled back into Phnom Penh after our time in Melbourne. I said that I usually settle back in on the tuktuk ride from the airport to our home. Life here has a way of pulling you back into the happenings very quickly.

The view from the air flying back in - that's the Mekong river top right. It is the rainy season. My trusty motor scooter got me thru' the deepest waters I've been in four days ago - I was almost floating ...!

Mostly the Healing Home has been steady this week. Tuesday was a little different with 7 people turning up at our gate unannounced in the evening. We became a marae again that evening but have had some good outcomes from the temporary chaos.

Another curve-ball has been the return of the Navy. She had been a difficult lady for too long where she had been staying (for 3-4 days, which became 12 months ...) and so was evicted. We received a call saying that she and baby Alisa were homeless with no-where to go. This week we have become an emergency shelter too. We are focussed on finding a good solution for her and wee Alisa within 3-4 days ....!!

Navy and Alisa. We had the joy of witnessing Alisa's very first steps today. She is such a different little thing compared to the wee malnourished button who we first met seven months ago.

Sopal is a lovely 46-year old lady who came to us with a very sore hip. She was very puzzled as to why her hip had such pain when she had not injured it. She was taken to a clinic and returned with the news that she needed an operation. The poor lady started to wail when she came back - loud cries of anguish. She was scared - and she is so poor and so worried her family cannot pay any medical costs. This was last Friday - and she wanted to go home to speak with her husband. The poor little lady - we prayed for her before she went and assured her that, very likely, any op would be without cost.

An x-ray prior to the op this Monday revealed a broken hip - and cancer in her bones. She was sent back to us without being touched. The wonderful thing is that she has a strong, abiding peace. She says that when we prayed, a peace came into her life and she is confident that, whether she lives or dies, her life is fully in Jesus hands. Awesome!

Noul also is fighting cancer. He very nearly died while we were in Melbourne. Marty and Robyn joined the team to really, really pray for him. That was 10 days ago. Today he took a day-trip to see his sister-in-law (involving a walk thru' mud) and ate a serious amount of lunch.

Noul at lunch today. That is his most excellent little wife, Nath, and their little baby daughter at the table with him. They too are living at the Healing Home.

He has also started to trust Jesus since he has been with us. One of his turning points was when he awoke one night in great pain. He remembered that we had taught him that, if he is awoken with pain, he can pray for himself in Jesus name, asking the Lord to touch him. He says that, as he prayed, he felt like a warm hand come on his stomach. The pain left and he fell asleep again.