In the central province of Kampong Chhnang, famed and named for its clay pots, the Tonle Sap River provides much of the means to make a living. Of the many farmers, one among them is a 63 year old farmer named Chan* – described as a man who loves his family.
Chan's wife Phhoung* is a farmer too and every day they think of their two daughters, whom they miss very much. The elder works on a farm along with her husband while the younger is a house-maid in the capital city, Phnom Penh. This farming couple's only son, who is 39 years old, lives with his parents and suffers from a mental disability after having contracted meningitis as a child. As such the most he can do is take care of the cattle with the village children.
In 1979 many people returned to their places of birth after years of forced relocation. Chan and his family came back to Talo village but since there wasn't enough agricultural land many farmers began clearing the jungles. It was on one of these trips that Chan encountered the deadly blast of a grenade.
He needed urgent medical treatment but without access to a hospital or money to meet a doctor, Chan continued farming with extreme physical pain. Three years went by and Chan's hands and legs had withered to the point that he could not pick up or hold a single object, including a cup of water.
A year later it worsened and painful lumps started forming on Chan's wrists, elbows and knees. The growth was so large and sent pain searing through his body that walking soon became impossible. Chan began to panic.
Phhoung was 60 years old and couldn't be expected to work for the entire family, yet because of their poverty they were incapable of affording medical treatment for Chan.
Unbeknownst to them, Phhoung's sister endured the same ailment, but was healed in a month. How did you get better; who helped you? Phhoung asked her sister. She told her about the treatment, medicine – and kindness – that she received for free from the Hand of Hope Health Center in Pursat.
In excitement, Phhoung took her husband to the Hand of Hope Health Center without delay. They learned he was also suffering with arthritis and anemia and after spending time with a doctor they walked ever so slowly to the dispensary and collected their medicine. The old couple was astonished and touched by this amazing and precious gift that they were getting for free. The lack of money prevented them from seeking medical help for years. But at the hospital that day, they stood in a place where the doctors, nurses, pharmacists and all other hospital staff displayed a passionate zeal to medically treat the crowds who arrived at the hospital in need.
They thank Joyce Meyer Ministries for helping them. Chan is on his way to recovery and can soon go back to caring for his family, thanks to the love of Christ, shown through the Hand of Hope Health Center.
You too can be a part of the Hand of Hope drive to give suffering people the gift of medicine. click here to partner with us and bless the multitudes with life-saving medicine!
*Names changed for privacy
