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Heaping Coals

By Julia O'Carey
 
“Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; If he thirsts, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ” Romans 12:20,21
 
 
Twenty-year old Sim Thim, living in the Boska village in Cambodia believes in God with all his heart.  He came to know about his loving Savior from studying at the Seventh-day Adventist literacy school. After he accepted Jesus and was baptized, his parents and relatives began mocking and ridiculing him for his foreign beliefs. Every evening, his mother or father would demand that he fetch water from far way. Though he ran there and back, he often missed his literacy classes and the chances to read more of God’s Word and learn of Jesus. This scenario took place every Sabbath as well.

One Sabbath he was relieved that he made it to church and during prayer time, shared his burden with the rest of the church members. The district pastor, Pen Narith knew that this village needed a well. “Why not place it near Sim Thim’s home as to ‘heap coals on the heads of Sim’s parents,” he thought. This act of compassion surprised and touched the hearts of all in the village. God answered Sim Thim’s prayers through the gift of a well. Now Sim can obediently draw water for his family and still make it to church and his literacy classes during the week. No longer do his parents and relatives persecute him with their words, looks and actions. Praise God!