Health education and other Samaritan’s Purse projects in the Southeast Asian country are giving our staff a platform to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. People are believing in Him.
High blood pressure became a blessing in disguise for Prum and Naim, two impoverished women in Cambodia.
They suffered from the condition until a Samaritan’s Purse project taught them how to manage their symptoms through lifestyle changes and medication. Our teams also addressed some of their acute needs for food, paving the way for their hearts to be open to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
When our Health Education and Access for Life (HEAL) program came to Prum’s village, she was excited about the opportunity to learn about communicable and non-communicable diseases as well as safe migration practices. But even more importantly for her situation, the sessions gave her knowledge about the causes, risk factors, symptoms, and prevention methods of hypertension. Today, she manages it with daily medication.
Restoring Dignity
Though blind, Prum, 73, is the primary caregiver for her disabled son. Both of them are unable to hold jobs. Until recently, they lived in a dilapidated wooden house and relied on neighbors for food. Their home was also unequipped to manage waste and proper sanitation. This meant they had to defecate in open places, potentially contaminating food and water supplies.
Prum serves as the primary caregiver for her disabled son.
Recently, Samaritan’s Purse built Prum and her son a latrine so they can live in greater dignity. We also supplied a one-time provision of rice, canned fish, noodles, eggs, salt, oil, soy sauce, sugar, and laundry powder to meet some of their immediate needs.
Reflecting on the support, Prum said, “I am very happy because I can continue life.” She explained that these basic supplies will help her continue caring for her son.
Samaritan’s Purse offered Prum and her son greater dignity by supplying them with a latrine.
An Offering of New Life
Prum had heard of Jesus Christ before but she didn’t know how to invite Him into her life. A Samaritan’s Purse staffer explained to her the strength and hope that Christ can give in difficult circumstances and shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with her. Prum was so moved she accepted Jesus into her heart immediately! Our team also provided her with an audio Bible so she can continue to learn and grow in the Lord.
“I know that everything I have is because of Jesus Christ. I feel like I have new life.”
“I dream and think about Jesus, and what He has done for me every day,” Prum said. “I know that everything I have is because of Jesus Christ. I feel like I have new life.”
Encouraging Health and Sharing Hope
Moula, 78, lives with her daughter, Naim, 40, and her 11-year-old grandson, Sim, in a one-room metal house. A long, narrow dirt path separates their home from the main road, making transportation extremely difficult during the rainy season. To receive an education, young Sim must walk a half hour to school in the mud and return home along that same muddy path.
Moula, Naim, and Sim live in a one-room metal house.
Moula and Naim, who both suffer from hypertension and chronic stomach issues, began attending nearby community groups sponsored by our HEAL project. There they learned many of the same broad topics covered in Prum’s group, which included training in how to manage the symptoms of their ailments. Naim also expressed a desire to better understand the risk factors of diabetes and how to prevent the disease.
The family also received much-needed relief in a one-time gift of food and other necessities, including canned fish, rice, noodles, and eggs.
In addition, our team was able to bless Sim with a bicycle so he could more easily and safely get to and from school.
Thanks to the bicycle Samaritan’s Purse supplied Sim, he no longer must walk a muddy path to get to school.
“I am very happy. I never thought I would have a bicycle,” he said.
A Family Bears Fruit
God gave the Samaritan’s Purse team opportunities to address spiritual needs as well. Naim had twice before heard the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but the seed of truth fell on hard soil in her heart each time. This time, though, as she heard the Good News shared by our staff member, she realized she might not have another opportunity. She received Jesus Christ as Lord of her life, and Sim made this life-changing decision as well!
Naim prayed to receive salvation through Jesus Christ after Samaritan’s Purse staff made the message of the Gospel clear to her.
Now Naim is full of hope and the joy of Christ. She actively shares her faith with her family and community.
“Jesus has changed my life,” she said. “Jesus gave me a happy life for me and my son.”
Please pray that Moula and other members of Naim’s community would also embrace the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Samaritan’s Purse health education programs are giving hope to new generations of Cambodians.
