Celebrate Answered Prayer

In 2004, Mike Valdez (Filipino pastor in Cambodia) had his little church going, and a broken heart for the hurting children around him. He met Mike Fox. They stood on a piece of land in Phnom Penh with nothing around. And prayed.

They prayed for the Lord to stir and open opportunities to care for Cambodia’s discarded children – right there where they stood.

Last night, in the light of the church, school, and homes that have since sprung up on that very ground, the Mikes (Fox and Valdez) told a story of answered prayer to the 66 children who call the Power of Grace Village “home.”

They had not prayed for comfort, for money, for a peaceful life. They had not offered up rote “throw away” prayers like afterthoughts. Not that day. They prayed for specific children the Lord had in mind; children discarded by circumstance, but more precious than gold. “Lord, let us see them.” Last night, in a worship service, the kids heard that THEY were answers to prayer.

You could have heard a pin drop.

Once upon a time, those kids scuttled to survive, filthy and feeling worthless. Now, they’re all well cared for, loved, and in school. And last night, they watched this strange man from America and their pastor, their dad, cry and praise God for providing these 66 gifts.

Mike Valdez could barely speak through his tears, recounting that day in 2004. What shall I pray for today? What shall you?