After violent winds claimed a woman’s home in Cambodia, Samaritan’s Purse built her a better one and introduced her to the living hope of Jesus Christ.
Long’s days were spent going to the nearby river to gather wild vegetables, like morning glory, to sell at the local market. This simple, early morning task sometimes became arduous for the 52-year-old widow due to her spinal problems. But when her chronic health issues prevented her from working, Long relied on the kindness of neighbors to survive, because she had no children or extended family to help with her care.
Her life suddenly took a turn for the worse when a storm tragically ripped apart the walls of her Cambodian village home, destroying the belongings it contained.
With nowhere else to turn, she bounced from different neighbors’ homes from night to night. She never knew where she would sleep for months on end. Desperate, Long cried out to God for help.
Gaining a Place to Rest
Samaritan’s Purse became an answer to her prayers when staff saw her situation and committed to do what they could to help. They delivered an emergency food kit to Long and offered to build her a new home.
Within days, we constructed a 9-by-13-foot zinc-walled home for the homeless widow. Stronger and more comfortable than the one Long had lost, this new house gave her a new sense of security.
After months of being homeless, Long was grateful to receive this zinc-walled house from Samaritan’s Purse. The new structure is stronger and more comfortable than the home she lost in the storm.
“I never thought I would have a house where I could live comfortably both day and night,” she said through tears. “Now when I come back from the river, I have a place to rest. Even when it rains, I no longer have to run for shelter.”
Finding Ultimate Refuge
Even more important than the physical shelter, Samaritan’s Purse also gave Long a spiritual refuge by sharing the hope of Jesus Christ with her. The power of the Gospel combined with the gift of a new home softened Long’s heart to the Good News.
“Their kindness touched something deep inside me,” Long shared. “When they told me about Jesus Christ and His love, I felt peace. I decided to believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him.”
“When they told me about Jesus Christ and His love, I felt peace. I decided to believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him.”
Samaritan’s Purse Cambodia team also gave Long an audio Bible so she can hear God’s Word often and grow in her walk with Him. Now, she daily thanks the Lord for his provision and for using something as awful as a storm to bring her to eternal salvation.
Please pray that Christ may dwell in Long’s heart through faith—that Long would be “rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:17-19, ESV).
