Tortured and terrified

Last night Jennifer and I decided to prayer walk through the Nana Plaza area near our apartment since it was Halloween.  Our goal was to bring light into darkness...little did we know how much darkness we would encounter very quickly as we turned on Soi 4.

Walking by one of the many 7-11s in Bangkok, we noticed an American guy, about 40 years old, sitting on the steps with his feet resting on two bags of melting ice.  Looking more closely,  we noticed to our horror the condition of his feet.  We had to stop!  His feet and lower legs were swollen and almost black in color with large gouges/holes in his flesh...very swollen and infected.  I asked what had happened and in a very short period of time realized that this man was a paranoid schizophrenic or very demon oppressed or both...ie. he had lost his business, home and marriage because of George Bush, Nazis and Arnold Swartzenegger

He self-medicates his wounds...I believe he also causes his wounds through mutilation.  "The wounds are a result of 'worms' that he picked up in a communal shower since he is homeless.  The only way he can stop the worms from taking over his body is to freeze them (ice packs) and by pouring rubbing alcohol, bleach or iodine in the worm holes."  HOW HORRIFIC!

I asked if I could pray for him...that I believed in healing.  He said, "Please do,  I hear from God all the time.  He tells me what to do about the worms."  When I told him I was a pastor his body moved away slightly, yet he allowed me to hold his hand and pray.  The whole time his piercing eyes felt like they were penetrating into me...very unsettling.  After praying for him,  I gave him a little money and blessed him.  His eyes revealed a great deal of "torture and terror."  PLEASE PRAY FOR HIM...he told his name is Jeff.  Whatever the reality of his situation, he obviously needs healing.  We were Jesus to this homeless, haunted man last night...what a privilege.

As soon as we were out of sight, I asked Jennifer to lay hands on me and pray for me and then took out the hand sanitzer.  Another night on the streets of Bangkok...