A Call to Cambodia: Bringing Medical and Spiritual Care
At the request of Sou Olbrich, Foursquare’s National Leader of Cambodia, a Foursquare Disaster Relief Medical (FDRM) team gathered in Phnom Penh on Saturday, September 14, 2024. Cambodia, one of East Asia’s poorest countries, became the focal point of this mission, aimed at providing both medical and spiritual care to the surrounding tribal communities.
The Journey to Ratanakiri Province
After a vibrant worship service at Pastor Sou’s church the following morning, the team embarked on a 12-hour bus journey to the Ratanakiri Province, located in the northeast. By Tuesday morning, the team of 12 had joined forces with Cambodian translators, medical professionals, and a group of local pastors and volunteers at the Foursquare Children of Promise Church Home.
The Medical Mission: Healing Hands at Work
The medical team included one local doctor, two FDRM doctors, and a nurse practitioner. Each of them was paired with a local translator and an FDRM nurse. Since this was also a training mission, nurses rotated through different stations—triage, pharmacy, lab, and medical—to gain experience. A logistician ensured that security, logistics, and finances were handled smoothly, while two ministry team members collaborated with local pastors to provide spiritual care, offering prayer and sharing the Gospel with both patients and the team.
Organizing the Clinic: From Chaos to Calm
The first day at the clinic is typically challenging, but local pastors had prepared the way, visiting villages ahead of time, distributing clinic tickets, and inviting those in need of care. Volunteers from the local church also helped greet and direct people, maintaining an organized and peaceful atmosphere. Under a large rainproof canopy, pastors shared the Gospel in the heart language of each tribe, while offering education on handwashing and dehydration prevention. Many of those waiting responded to the message, accepting an invitation to receive Christ, and the peaceful, fruitful spirit that began on day one carried through the rest of the outreach.
A Week of Healing and Transformation
Over the course of five days, the team treated 654 people, ranging in age from infants to those as old as 100. In Cambodian culture, quiet respect is the norm, with bows replacing handshakes, and physical touch—especially on the head—being uncommon. However, as people encountered God’s love through the compassion and kindness shown at each station, their hearts began to open.
The Power of Prayer: Spiritual Healing and New Beginnings
After receiving care, almost every person chose to enter the ministry room for prayer. Many made the courageous decision to allow pastors to cut off the amulets they had worn—given by witch doctors or Buddhist monks to protect against evil spirits. By the end of the week, more than 105 people had prayed to accept Jesus as their Savior, experiencing not only physical healing but the ultimate healing of the soul. In a beautiful transformation, those who once hesitated to offer even a handshake were now giving joyful hugs as they were warmly welcomed into the family of God.
