Mike and Michelle Freeze serve in Svay Rieng, Cambodia, where God is using them to change lives for Christ. Mike wrote this account for a May 2011 prayer letter.
Something happened a few days ago that I still cannot get my hands around.
Mr. Dock (the pig farmer) has an older sister (Mrs. Sake, 72) who had been taken to Ho Chi Minh for medical treatment, but the doctors just said to take her home, that there was nothing they could do.
On Wednesday, Mr. Dock called to ask prayer because it did not look like Mrs. Sake would make it through the night. We prayed.
Thursday, I went out to visit her. I arrived and the neighbors and family members were around the house. They led me upstairs to sit right beside this woman who was comatose … not eating, not talking, just lying there, obviously near death. Her husband, several grandmother-age neighbors, her children, Mr. Dock, and grandchildren were all around her bedside. I expressed sadness and grief as best as I could. … I prayed for her.
I drove away … and I grieved that I did not say more about the gospel with such a crowd around … ugh. It is hard to know what to say as a total stranger two feet over from a near-death woman … Anyway I prayed on the long moto ride home … "Lord, can you keep this woman alive so I can just have another chance to witness to her and the people there?"
Friday, Mr. Dock called saying, "She is sitting up and awake." Really?? Cool, I got back on my moto … this time, I was ready.
I arrived and Mrs. Sake (the lady who was comatose the day before), her husband, and many family were greeting me with great respect. They recognized that the God of heaven healed her. (NOTE: none of these people are believers. In fact, Mrs. Sake's husband is a head leader at the Buddhist temple here … he is a recognized priest/teacher at funerals, weddings, etc.)
I expressed my joy at seeing her healthy and asked to pray for her again. (They were all very happy for this.) After praying, I told her about the God of heaven, who He is, and the many things that He has done. Spoke for about 10 minutes. As I left, they thanked me for praying for her.
Yesterday (Sunday), we went out to Mr. Dock's house for church, and afterward Mr. Dock and my whole family went out to see Mrs. Sake again. This time, Mrs. Sake was sitting up on her own, talking, and they had said she had begun eating again. Once again, they all were very appreciative for our visiting and prayers.
As we talked with her, I continually tried to give praise to God for His grace in healing her … trying to explain that He is all-powerful to heal, but he does not heal everyone from all diseases. I prayed again for her, and this time I read some Psalms to her and gave another 8-10 minute explanation of God, our sinfulness, and the need for Christ.
Usually in talking or witnessing to a group of 10-15 adults as this, I will speak till the crowd starts to get preoccupied, disinterested, fidgety. Yesterday, they all had their eyes on me and they were quiet. This was one of those times where time stops and there was much freedom in explaining the gospel and their need of it.
Michelle came away from it saying she had tears in her eyes from the moment. I have to agree it was a special time before that group. These were people who visibly saw the hand of God heal this near-death woman and were being told about this God. I give all praise and glory to the Lord. I was just the mouthpiece at the right time and the right place.
In this picture is her Buddhist leader husband with a tract in his hand that we gave him. This would be a HUGE step for her husband, who is a recognized leader of Buddhism in that area, to do. (Dock's older sister, who traveled 10 hours to see her sister before she died, is on the far left. She also heard the gospel twice over the weekend :)
I ask your prayers for her continued healing, and more importantly that she and her husband and children and neighbors would submit to what they know is correct and right BUT against their flesh.
THANKS, Michael & Michelle Freeze