Piercing the Darkness

Seom was just a teenager when he started having vision problems, but that didn’t excuse him from the requirement of becoming a soldier in the Khmer Rouge regime. His poor eyesight made his duties especially challenging, as he often had to work at night. 

After the war, Seom started growing corn and potatoes. His eyesight worsened as he got older and eventually he was unable to farm and provide for his family. “It was really hard to have other people help on the farm, but I couldn’t do the work by myself,” he said. 

Seom didn’t know where to turn for medical care. His blindness was caused by cataracts, and although cataract surgery is a routine procedure in Western countries, it can be nearly impossible to access in many countries worldwide. 

To help meet this critical need, Samaritan’s Purse sends teams of ophthalmologists and nurses to the far reaches of the world to provide free cataract surgeries in Jesus’ Name. Our team brings hope to people who have often been cast aside and ostracized because they are blind. 

Seom was among a number of former soldiers who experienced restored sight during a Samaritan’s Purse cataract surgery campaign in western Cambodia. Our team performed 230 eye operations for people living in rural communities without access to an ophthalmologist or healthcare facility. 

Some of the military veterans struggled to get to the eye clinic. They hobbled in on crutches and prosthetics that represented decades-long injuries. But like Seom, they were all rejoicing when they left for home. 

“I am really excited and thankful for this team,” Seom said. “You took care of me.” 

In addition to surgery, Samaritan’s Purse provided Seom and every patient with food, essential postoperative care, and lodging at a local church while they recovered. 

THE LIGHT OF JESUS CHRIST

Seom was thrilled to see again after years of living in darkness. He can finally return to farming and caring for his family. 

Yet, the most significant transformation he experienced wasn’t physical—it was spiritual. Seom heard the Gospel from our team and decided to receive Jesus as his Lord and Saviour.

“I saw all the joy around me—I saw Christ through you all,” he said. “I see that God is good, and I wanted to experience His love.” 

Now, Seom knows that God has a plan for his life and will be with him through every trial.

Bethany Densham, cataract and cleft lip program manager, said that sharing the eternal hope of Christ is always a priority for our teams.

“The program is a great opportunity for our staff, and especially our national staff, to minister to the patients. You have the ability to transform their life not only physically but also spiritually,” she said. “A lot of hearts were changed this week.” 

TRUSTING GOD 

Kin had been blind for two years and desperately longed to see the faces of her loved ones. But at age 98, she knew that her chances of seeing again were slim. She didn’t think anyone would regard her life as valuable enough to offer medical care. 

Yet, she never stopped trusting in the Lord’s love for her. She prayed that God would make a way and do what seemed impossible.

Her prayers were answered when she heard about the Samaritan’s Purse cataract team. Her granddaughter came with her to our clinic since she couldn’t travel on her own.

“I am really excited because after the surgery I will see my family and grandchildren,” Kin said. “I have been the one who stayed quiet at home because I wanted it to be easy for my family to take care of me. When I can see, I will be able to do things in my own home.”

Kin said that the Christ-like love and sacrificial, servant attitude demonstrated by the cataract team quickly put her at ease. “I really appreciate this Christian organization. I don’t know how to fully express my excitement for how you’ve helped me,” she said.

Lang, 68, also received the life-transforming gift of restored sight at our clinic. She has been blind for many years, but she never stopped praying that God would one day open her eyes. 

Lang is a Christian who has experienced the Lord’s grace and love during many difficult seasons of life. She has lived through crippling poverty when she had no money and no idea where her next meal would come from. Still, she said that believing in Jesus created a “joy that filled my heart.” 

When her eyesight deteriorated to the point that she could no longer live alone, she moved in with her younger sister’s family. She tried to contribute to the household chores, but eventually blindness stole her ability to do even that. 

Lang was overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to see again and for renewed hope and purpose. 

“Thank you, Lord, for having Samaritan’s Purse come to Cambodia,” she said.

Will you join us in lifting up the following prayer requests?

That Lang, Kin, and Seom will continue to trust God and to share their testimonies of His faithfulness with family and friends. 

That the Gospel seeds planted in the hearts of cataract patients and their families would take root and that many people would come to saving faith in Christ. 

For our cataract team as they travel to other countries and offer life-transforming surgery in Jesus’ Name.
 

“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” 
 

2 Corinthians 4:6
 

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