Cambodia - 2007
7.24.07 - We went on a medical mission, but I always knew it would be far more than that. There were so many connections and networks formed and I truly know that I have new friends all over the world that will endure here on earth and even into heaven.

Talk about the Body of Christ- I am so thankful for all my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thrilled to be part of a truth based, spirit filled local church but I am equally thrilled about being part of the global church- the fullness of the Body of Christ! There were people on the team from Australia, South Africa, Belgium, England, India and all across the U.S. Visit our blog for some photos of me with my new sisters (and brothers) in Christ! To God be the glory!

First Day of clinic - Later in the day I suffered form heat exhaustion and then massive back pain as my muscles "seized up" on me. Though it was difficult- I had to return to the hotel and rest and recouperate. It was a difficult way to start my first day with so much still ahead of me, but I felt the peace of God that everything was perfectly held in His hands. I used my time at the hotel to pray for the team and for the government to allow the festival to take place on Friday night (I'm happy to say it DID take place!) Thanks to all of you who knew about my struggles and prayed with me! The rest of the week was non-stop, with me feeling decent and adjusting about 100-150 patients each day! Now that's God!!!!!

At a Christian orphanage in Phnom Penh- we were able to sow money for food for these children who were simply precious. One young boy came up to me and said "what religion do you follow?" I said "Oh- I follow Jesus Christ. I am a Christian. How about you?" And he said, "Yes I am a Christian too." It was so obvious that these kids were being taught and trained up as Christians. Cambodia needs more!

I got to treat a woman who had severe scoliosis and was basically "crumpled up, hunched over, twisted and looking down" when Dr. Mark sent her to me. After laying her on the table and letting the Holy Spirit lead me (because truly I didn't know what I could do for her in the natural) I just kep praying and doing whatever I felt the Lord directing me to do. I can tell you I had HUGE FAITH for this woman that Jesus was going to heal her and help her. Even though the crowds were waiting I would not rush the Holy Spirit on this one. When she stood up- she was so much straighter we all praised God. You could see she still had structural deformities but God allowed her to straighten up and walk. She also gave her life to Christ for the first time that day as she felt the love of Christ healing her she said. PRAISE GOD! Yeah- this one gave me tears!

7.26.07 - Joyce Meyer's son David Meyer is keeping a blog for everyday of Hope Cambodia. He is the one in charge of world missions for JMM. Anyway, I just logged on and found these three entries regarding the time that I was there. Praise God for all that was accomplished!

Date: July 22, 2007 - From: David L. Meyer - This past week launched the first of four weeks of the medical/dental teams. Mark & Doreen Babo have been very instrumental in organizing the 80 plus professionals that are traveling to Cambodia throughout the 30 days. In the first week just completed, in the Battambang province, 1,685 patients were treated, many of which have had little or no access to this type of care. We believe very strongly in mixing social justice with God’s love. This week we all had a part in relieving suffering and I think God really likes that.

Date: July 23, 2007 - From: David Meyer - The Battambang meetings were concluded over the weekend. We saw what the Lord can do through the power of teamwork! Three churches came together and sent fifty volunteers to help touch the people of this province. Over 20,000 people attended services filled with anointed music and the word. As Pastor Dino Rizzo ministers to over a thousand people jam packed into the hall, many more thousands are outside watching on a big screen. Thank you to everyone at Healing Place Church, The Life Church and Celebration Church for all of your help.

Date: July 25, 2007 - From: Pastor John Siebeling-Life Church of Memphis - For me, the most touching moment of Hope Cambodia was touring the medical outreach taking place here in Battambang. I don't even know what it was in particular; I was just so moved by the compassion that I saw. I guess it just blew me away to see all those doctors and nurses from all over the world in those steamy hot rooms, armed with an interpreter at their side, doing whatever they could to help the hurting Cambodian people.

7.26.07 - THANK YOU to all of you who were part of this team to send me to Cambodia! I thank you and value all your prayers, notes of encouragement and financial support. I hope as you read through this, you will indeed feel a "reaping" of what you have sown.

It has taken me a few days to re-adjust and process the 12 hour time change and the "whirlwind" of ministry and travel that i have just been through. I'm sure in reality, I will still be processing it for a while. But now I can say "yes" I DO have a heart for Cambodia, for these precious people that the Lord so loves. My only regret is that I wish I had more time with them...but that is in God's hands. Who knows what the future will hold?

8.15.07 - Hey all, I just heard some "final numbers" from our time in Cambodia. I suspect the numbers may even be larger than these, but here are the ones we know for sure. We touched the lives of well over 160,000 people that we know of; over 54,000 of them accepted Christ.

How exciting and wonderful is this! One thing I knew for sure was the fields are ripe for harvest in Cambodia! And yes, I already know I want to return!

I've been in touch with so many of the team members who stayed for the full month and there is just testimony after testimony of how God was working powerfully in this small nation. One story that is especially fun I will try to recount below...

On the final weekend of the month long outreach Joyce Meyer was scheduled to have a evangelistic outreach at the Olympic Stadium. Permission to use the stadium was revoked when the government introduced a "new law" right before the month long outreach began. It specifically targeted the outreach and was clearly an attempt of the enemy to keep things from going forth. Anyway- each week we prayed for God to make a way and sure enough, each week, God came through and the festivals continued even if the locations had to be changed. Week by week, hundreds and thousands were giving their life to Christ and showing up wherever the ministry events were being held. (Specifically the praise, worship and teaching events at night.)

So on the final week when Joyce was to speak, once again the rights were revoked by the government which led to smaller and more frequent meetings being held throughout the week in smaller, private venues. All of it leading up to the big "finale" on the weekend.

So the big day comes and the line up is Hillsongs Darlene Cszech, Delirious and Joyce Meyer. The 1,000 seat venue is packed to overflowing with several more thousand outside. Hillsongs starts playing and everyone is singing along worshipping God and then the government comes and unplugs and cuts all electrical and generator power and shuts the place down. The place is pitch black now, packed to the max and the only light is from cell phones or cameras. Next thing you know is one of the lead guys from Delirious, climbs off the stage, stands on a chair (I guess) with his acoustic guitar and continues to worship. Darlene climbs down as well, gets a bullhorn type thing from someone and uses it to sing. So everyone is there, worshipping and praising God in the dark, refusing to leave!

The government ends up locking the gates to the place and no one can get in or out. At this point, Joyce Meyer is not even there I guess but is notified of all that is happening, that everything has been shut down, no one can get in but no one is leaving. She ends up coming out and has to climb over the wall to get in- which she does. She then goes up and gets the bullhorn thing and an interpreter and brings a message. Then when she is done, worship continues!

I just love it! And having been there, I can almost picture myself right in the midst of it all! When I check the websites and blogs of our leaders and Joyce Meyer's son David (who is in charge of global outreach) it is told that in all the years of ministry she has never had to climb over the wall! Everyone involved recounts in their own way that they were simply blown away by what was taking place- the presence of God was simply powerful and the Cambodians were hungry for all of it! They'd never experienced anything like it!

Well, I sure enjoy a good testimony like that and am encouraged and inspired by it. I am blessed to know that I was part of such a great harvest and I want all of you to know that you were a part of it too through your prayers and support! I hope you have found joy and rejoicing in it as well :)

Please check out our blog at www.thetruthministry.blogspot.com for more trip report details and photos.