Good farmers watch their fences. Our former National Leader was trying to steal one of our church homes in Steung Treng. One of his brothers, a District Supervisor, had been running an illegal lumber business out of the church. The church was totally battered and unfruitful. No one felt any pity for the church because the District Supervisor had been so ruthless.

My insistence that our former leader, “Dismiss this unproductive fraud!” helped lead to our discovery of other corrupt family practices. Even though this corrupt District Supervisor signed a resignation paper and agreed to leave the church home, he was convinced to stay in the home by his brother, our former National Leader, thinking they could gain possession of this property. Sou, so sick she could not drive, went to Steung Treng with three of our Regional Supervisors and one other District Supervisor who has high level political connections in the area. It was a tough fight; the night they arrived, the city seemed lost.

Sou was so discouraged and sick, being plagued with a persistent cough for over a month. Then, a prophetic word came for her from a man half-a-world away. He’d been fishing in Canada and knew nothing of what was going on in Cambodia. Sou had just sold some jewels to rebuild the home, reclothe the children and re-equip the entire operation. I always thought the ruins were re-built of jewels but the Bible says, “with”.

When I read his email I thought I was reading something the prophet was writing to us as a personal encouragement after gaining knowledge of our predicament. He sent it to me out of the message Bible, so I didn’t even believe I was reading scripture: “Afflicted city, storm-battered, unpitied: I’m about to rebuild you with stones of turquoise, Lay your foundations with sapphires, construct your towers with rubies, Your gates with jewels, and all your walls with precious stones. All your children will have God for their teacher—what a mentor for your children! You’ll be built solid, grounded in righteousness, far from any trouble—nothing to fear! far from terror—it won’t even come close! If anyone attacks you, don’t for a moment suppose that I sent them, And if any should attack, nothing will come of it. I create the blacksmith who fires up his forge and makes a weapon designed to kill. I also create the destroyer—but no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged. Any accuser who takes you to court will be dismissed as a liar. This is what God’s servants can expect. I’ll see to it that everything works out for the best. God’s Decree.” (Is 54:11-17)

The next day, the government ran the crooks out of town!