Cheng is a 24-year-old man who lives in southeastern Cambodia. For three years, he suffered from demon possession and mental illness.
Over time, he became more and more violent, and destroyed many people's property in the village. His parents suffered tremendous shame because of his actions and were desperate to find help for their son.
They travelled more than 55 miles to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city, to take Cheng to a hospital, but the doctor couldn’t find anything physically wrong with him.
Cheng's parents then sent their son to a witch doctor, but still his behaviour was unchanged.
The police advised Cheng's parents to put chains on him to help restrain him from terrorizing the community. They had tried so many ways to find healing for their son, and finally decided they had no choice but to chain him.
In June of this year, Cheng’s parents heard the name of Jesus Christ for the first time. They learned that He could heal the sick, and though they were not yet believers, they began to feel hopeful.
“If Jesus can heal our son, then we will believe in Him,” they said.
One day, Saran, one of the church planters with our partner River of Life Church Cambodia, visited the family and saw the chains on Cheng’s hand. Saran started to pray, sing praise songs, and read the Bible to him.
He witnessed to the family about Jesus Christ and His power to heal the sick and set the captives free. Saran went to the house every day to pray for Cheng.
A few weeks later, Saran invited two of his fellow church planters from nearby villages to help pray for Cheng. After they prayed, they opened their eyes to find that Cheng had been healed. He no longer showed signs of his former behaviour.
Cheng’s parents were so overcome with gratitude that they led the church planter team outside and asked them to help them remove permanently the shrine and idols they had previously worshipped in their home.
So far, five people in Cheng’s family have accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts. Saran continues to teach the Word of God and fellowship with the family.
“Thank you, Lord, for the manifestation of your healing power to set the oppressed and the captives free in the midst of witchcraft and idols,” Saran said.
Cheng himself has started to testify to other people about the power of Jesus Christ, which helped heal his illness and set him free from the associated demonic oppression.
Thank you for your prayers and support to equip church planters like Saran, who are helping to bring the Good News of God’s healing power and salvation into situations even as serious as Cheng's.
