We had been working with another ministry in the US to evaluate a young child with a serious heart condition. We had hoped to get him either medical care here at the new French Cardiology Hospital or if they couldn’t help him, perhaps he could taken elsewhere for treatment. His evaluation was not good news but before anything more could happen or be decided, he passed away.
Yesterday the mother was brought to us and asked for assistance for her family out in province. She came asking for something to take back to her family to help with their situation which is quite difficult. This is a typical tale here in Cambodia.
Mark felt hesitant to give them cash but he did want to help. So yesteday he sent Isaac out to buy a new phone number for the mother, Pang Gea, and they then put that new phone number in his own personal phone. He loaded $10 worth of minutes on the phone next. So Pang Gea then had her own in-home business.
Phone booths that people erect anywhere and everywhere are very common in the city. But in the province, a person will simply make it known that they are willing to allow folks to use their phone at 400 Riels per minute. Through this project, Pang Gea will be able to generate a small amount of income each month for her and her children’s support.
We called her on the phone last night and found that she had arrived back in province safely. We can easily follow up on this project with a weekly call.
With any project there are some risks. We stood the risk of Pang Gea immediately leaving our courtyard yesterday and selling the phone, the phone number, and the phone minutes. We simply have to continue to try to do what we are led to do and leave the rest to the Lord.
This is just one of many examples of Shepherd’s Crook projects. The final cost of this project was $75. But it can mean a long term change for Pang Gea’s family. Plus it is a testimony to the God that we are here serving. She did not receive a hand out or a gift…she received hope.
You can read more about Shepherd’s Crook on our website www.hightowerministries.net
I am going to attempt to upload a picture of Pang Gea, her daughter, Kati (our daughter), and Pawnie. Pawnie is the contact that introduced us to Pang Gea and her son. He worked for us our first year here and does occasional projects with us.
Breathing in, Breathing out,
Rhonda
