When There Is No Water

If you have been following our blogs of recent events here in Cambodia, you may realize that the temperature has exceeded 100^oF almost every day here in the city. The rest of the country has been about the same, and at times, even experiencing higher numbers than we have here.

But, what do you do when there is no source of clean and safe drinking water, or any water at all for that matter?

While we were deployed here in 2013, we took a trip down to the province of Kampot to meet with several pastors. We sat outside a beautiful white church in the shade of the palm trees to get away from the heat. It was near the end of the dry season and after we had sat for several hours of discussion, we were preparing to leave when the pastors asked if Shary would take time to visit with the wife of Pastor Nop Sean. The poor lady was in abdominal pain with a swelling that had been with her for some time. Shary asked what had been done for her and they had sold the family cow in order to raise money for her to be treated at the local clinic, but the clinic had been unable to help.

Shary suggested that she be taken to Phnom Penh for further diagnosis and treatment, but there was no money available in the community to help. Thanks to the generosity of some donors from Colorado, money was made available for a donation and it was possible for Pastor Nop’s wife to be brought to a hospital in Phnom Penh. Because hospitals here require prepayment as treatment is done, Shary paid several visits to see her laying in a bed with her family sleeping beneath the bed to care for her,making payments as treatments were done.

Unfortunately. it seemed that the cause of her illness was the consumption of unsafe drinking water which had destroyed her body inside. As we asked more questions, we were told that 78% of the people in Kampot Province were at end of the dry season without safe drinking water. In order to survive, these people drank whatever water they could find, many times only to end up in the hospital.

It appears that women and children are most affected by the drought. When there is no water, the children will frequently get diarrhea and succumb to complications quite quickly from it.

This year, it is even worse. Last week, the Phnom Penh Post, reported that this has been one of the driest dry seasons in Kompot ever recorded.(and elsewhere too) Actual temperatures in many areas are as high as 115^o F on a regular basis. The government is hauling in water to sustain the people. But it isn’t just in Kompot, but also is happening in Siem Reap. The Post reported that the barays (reservoirs) were at the lowest point ever recorded. These barays have been around for 600 years and make Siem Reap part of the bread basket of Cambodia. The banks of the Tonle Sap are also very dry and the water level remarkably low. And the forecast for the monsoon rains which refill all these reservoirs and wells is that they will probably not occur until June, at least rain on a regular basis, that is so needed.

Certainly drinking water is the water of life. But, this need also opens the door to talk about the water of Life and baptism. Concordia Welfare and Educational Foundation and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cambodia work together to provide wells and water filters for those needing the water of life. But, these physical sources of water also provide the opportunity to talk with the recipients about the water of Eternal Life in Jesus Christ. We are thankful for their passion to share both of these needs in their work, and welcome anyone else who would like to do so, to partner along in this life saving agenda.

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The Peace Above the Stress Factor

The months of March and April have been topsy turvy for me. Things that had not been on my ‘to do’ list were now occupying a number there, which seemed to be in a somewhat constant state of flux. I had presumed my life was going to be smooth sailing as preparation for the Immanuel short term team entered its final preparations. Not so much.

First off, we have had some staff who have been quite ill, which when your staff is small in numbers, can make a huge impact. Additionally, when your language skills are not up to the level of the locals, it means that we have to rely on them at some point to be sure we are doing the best we can with/for them.

That being said, when the office translator took seriously ill and up till now has been in the hospital four times, it truly impacts everyone, including this wonderful man whose heart is to share the gospel to the youth (and he has a youth ministry offsite). If he is in the hospital he cannot work, and if he is not able to work, he cannot pay for his medical care. He can’t buy food to eat, pay for his rent, medication, his whole life is upside down. The church, as fragile as it is till now, can only help so much.

He was also our second option for our Immanuel team as our team translator for the time that they are here with us in Siem Reap. Our first option is also dealing with some unknown illness, not yet figured out with the local medical people. Sigh! Neither one will be with us.

In steps our next option, a very gracious young guy whose roll here is IT on staff. His english skills are ramping up at breakneck speed as we continually cross cultures and language to figure out how to do all of the prep work. I can’t begin to count how many trips to the printer he has made in the past three weeks to get samples, price quote, and copies (coloring pages and bookmarks as an example.) Sometimes I wondered if I had spoken correctly of what needed to be made up. Gratefully God’s example of patience and forgiveness has gone around a few times. He is learning to ask more than enough questions and when I hear “I got it” then I am able to breathe out that he indeed understands. Mind you, he still has his other responsibilities to do as well, so he’s gone way beyond the call of duty at this point in my book.

In the midst of all of those needs, comes along a request to gather in a Christian day school curriculum and do a Sunday School seminar. AND I am in the midst of a gargantuan Sunday School translation project graciously shared from a wonderful church who had exhausted their use of the materials sent our way to initiate an ‘official’ program.

And I am a nurse by profession. I don’t think that in any of those classes did I learn about these topics?

Have I lost any of you readers yet?

Well, here’s the catch. NOTHING has gone as planned. And as you all know my crazy detail oriented mind for a ‘perfect’ result didn’t ever happen. Only this time I realized I was so far out of my comfort zone that there was no way I could do it on my own nor did I have to stress out over it. It just wasn’t going to work out. God is smiling and said “Well, are you going to let ME help you this time.?”

Oh, did I mention that it’s Khmer New Year next week the 13-15 timeline. The country literally shuts down those days ~ and cruises along a few days before and after too. That means that no one will be available to complete the list I talked about above.

Today, as I write this the following has happened:

1-three pastors have come forward and are sharing in the translation that would be beneficial for the team to have in Snor Village at the end of the month. Each has / is taking some of what remained undone and are even working over the New Year holiday on their own time. Wow!

2-A dear friend in the US, a retired Lutheran elementary school teacher, has graciously stepped up to help me roll out the beginnings of a platform for the Garuna Christian Schools. Amen!

3-The Sunday School seminar is completed, thanks to the encouragement and prayers from our eldest daughter, who sat in the back row of the classroom waving at me (on my phone no less) as I stood in front, sharing the mission, structure, and ministry of Sunday school across all age levels over a two day time span. When the translation wasn’t completed due to illness as noted above, plan R came into action ~ make English copies and translate it ‘on the spot.’ Good way for the locals to get an English lesson in along the way free of charge. Even George was able to step forward and give a ‘story telling’ of one of the Bible events just as if he was talking to a group of children (older ones). Surprise, surprise, I don’t think the staff had a clue that was one of his favorite things to do in ministry.)

4- Additionally, I’m now understanding that starting in June, these 18 books will begin their translation process with the ultimate goal of 100 copies to be distributed for teaching to the village congregations. Wow, wow~

5-Early English and other Sunday School materials gathered in for a DVD for distribution to strategic persons to use in the start of the new school year coming forth is done.

And to give credit where credit is due, whose been doing the laundry, cleaning the two rooms we occupy, and running for groceries and meals while I worked. George. He’s the one who has stomped on the heat index as he has marched outside to do all of those things while I was in another cloud frame. And he also continued In his own projects too. Thank you!

You know what, God is good. He has had His mighty hand in all of this, and whatever goes, is going to be just fine. It’s kinda nice to let him drive the car once in a while actually, knowing that at the end of the journey you know you’re going to get there. Gotta do that more often I guess.

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” -Deuteronomy 31:8

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When There is No Free Medical Care

Medical care around the world takes on a different image in itself, depending on where you are living. For the here and now though, I’m not here to debate on which system in which part of the world is the best. Yet, having been involved with and growing up in the American style of medical care makes this the most familiar one for me. Secondarily, probably the medical system of our neighbor to the north in the US is the other one that I can also identify with.

I’m learning more and more about the medical system here in Cambodia the longer I stay/live here. One thing is for sure though, there is no free medical care for the middle class individual in this country. This statement was affirmed in these last weeks as various people in the office staff have become quite ill. Their approach for resolution to their issues varied greatly. (Somehow that rings wide for the middle class in the US doesn’t it?)

The first one was a pastor who was doing Lutheran Hour Ministry broadcasting for a month, having come down from his preaching stations in Ratanakiri. He was here to discuss his future involvement and plans within the church as others were being raised up to take his place. About mid month he became very ill. He struggled with it for a few days, and then went to get some ‘coining’ to resolve his illness. I’ve seen coining done and it doesn’t look too appealing to me, but it worked for him. He got better. I think the pain shifted points in his case.

The second one to fall ill was a church planter who was traveling and driving for President Vannarith. He had not been well way back in February when he was with us in Siem Reap for a week. After two weeks of drinking water and sleeping and resting almost all of the day, he went to his father and said to him that he needed to go to the doctor but had no money. His father gave him the funds he needed. We now know the possible reason for his illness. He needs our prayers.

The last person is our office translator and logistics coordinator. He has been hospitalized four times in the last month with severe stomach pain. He has been diagnosed with gallstones. If you can imagine that even having an ingrown toenail in this country is problematic, then the diagnosis of gallstones here is not a good sign. He is afraid of surgery. We can understand that. Additionally, he is not able to work at the moment, so when you don’t work, you don’t eat, you can’t pay your rent, buy your medicine, or pay for your surgery. He is in that middle class where there is no free medical care. Gratefully the church is trying to help him, but even they cannot fix the whole thing. He is an orphan with no family I will also add here. We are his family here in the office as it is.

So if you have money, as the rich do here, you can afford medical care as you need it. Most likely though, these people will travel to Thailand or Malaysia for medical care at least. If you are upper middle class you may go to Vietnam, where medical care is better (we’re told).

If you are poor, you have to fill out the form in the local medical clinic where you live and get permission/authorization to get free medical care. You have to show that you have made an attempt to take care of yourself, which means that you may end up selling your cow, the rice to feed your family, or ask your friends to help first before they will give you free medical care. We are told that these clinics by and large are not as yet all medically competent as they could be.

If you are an expat and need medical care, they see the $$ in your eyes, and you will pay dearly to have their help, at whatever level they are able to do so. They will try their best.

So, for whatever your medical system is wherever you sit in this world, I am thinking that it is a lot better than the current standard here, but for a start, at least it is a beginning here, for a system that had nothing and has had to come from the ground up, with not a lot of long term help to do it from the outside.

Incidentally, the dental care is top notch here. The dental community has hit the mark. Western style dentistry is 21^st century, much cheaper, and filled with individuals who have been trained abroad and returned to take care of their countrymen. We have used them as need be and have been totally satisfied with their care to us.

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KK April 2016

KK April 2016

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KK March 2016

KK March 2016

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March Madness ~ In Cambodia (looking around)

. It is now the dry season in full force.
. Temps in the cemented city of PP are in the high 90’s, feeling like 105+.
. The rice fields are silent.
.The red dirt dusts the world around it.
. People move slower.
. The sun blazes day after day on the earth it shines on.
. We all tire more even if we’ve been in the cool some of the day.
. We cough more in the dust bowls.
. The mosquitoes are fierce dive bomber competitors to attack our exposed skin.
. Trash and smells are more noticeable.
. The temperature is slowly inching higher in numbers.
. Dragon, jack, mango, lychee, custard apple, melons, and milk fruit are all appearing with pineapple, bananas and coconut at the fruit stands with veggies winter melon, banana and lotus flowers, eggplant, cucumber (the size of a watermelon) with an array of greens that we westerners would usually pass by. (morning glory and lotus).
. Cows meander in their forage of food.
. Potholes on the dirt roads are permanent for the moment.
. People hose down their porches, cars, and motos almost daily.
. There is always a thin layer of dust inside.
. Clothes can dry in minutes in most cases.
. Chinese New Year has come and gone replacing Christmas decorations, but they still flow in the breeze.
. The locals are looking forward to the Khmer New Year in April

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KK February 2016

KK February 2016

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God Answers Prayer ~ As Only He Can Do

One of the most encouraging texts in the Bible is Philippians 4:6-7 which let us know to take our requests to God. This is why we start projects including our time in Cambodia with prayers. While there, other needs come across our table and we start those projects also with prayer. This was the case for a need from three church workers to provide transportation to reach out into some of the more remote villages. We know all three of these workers, but especially Pastor Samuels and Visech. So, we started praying.

Our intention was to raise funding for three motorbikes as a project. But as we prayed, we also let the need be known to others that there was a need. But, we forgot about Matthew 18:20 and how God is present at all times. But He was, and acted just like it says in Isaiah 65:24. We weren’t even done praying when a co-worker contacted us saying that a single supporter wanted to purchase all three motorbikes for the field workers. Bright, shiny new motorbikes to carry the Word of God into remote villages where anything with more than two wheels cannot go.

The accompanying picture shows the three recipients as they receive their keys in a short ceremony to recognize their service.

Were we surprised? Yes and no! We were surprised that God answered the prayer with the speed and in the manner He chose, providing the finished answer instead of help with a fund raising project like we were actually praying. This gave us an answer in days and weeks instead of the months we expected. But we were not surprised that God answered the prayer. This has happened before when we needed a generator because the power during the dry season failed almost daily. A single supporter stepped forward at that time and merely asked where to send his check for the entire amount. Nothing is to difficult for God (Jeremiah 32:27)

Guess we ought to study our bible more before we pray :-).

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Suffer The Little Children

Sunday was a special day for two little babies at Christ Lutheran Church in Phnom Penh. Pastor Naro conducted the baptism of Maria and Kensen, the two newest members of Christ Lutheran Church. Now, to many of our supporters this may not be a big thing, but here in Cambodia this is huge because it means that the parents are making a decision for their children to accept Christ.

We have worked in International Student Missions, in Indonesia, and also here in Cambodia. Normally the individuals we have witnessed baptized are adults or at least young people who can speak for themselves and are making a personal choice of Jesus as their savior. This is even greater because it means that the parents, have also made a choice to accept Christ. They value this opportunity as important enough to make a commitment to the life of their children, a commitment to bring them as Luther encouraged in the nurture of the Lord.

As Pastor Ravy translated for us, he quietly leaned over and said, “Next week, Pastor Songiim will have to do this for you. Next week, my son will also be baptized.” Pastor Songiim and his wife are the parents of Kensen, so this week is very special, and next week will be too.

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Seeing The Results of Christian Volunteers Beyond Its Shores

Today we were sitting in a local restaurant sipping on a coffee shake and doing some much needed catch up after a grueling week on the road outside the city. About midday a kindly gentleman approached us and asked where we were from. (not an uncommon question when we are out most days.) He introduced himself to us, speaking perfect English as if we were neighbors from all the years gone by in the US, but his obvious appearance told us that he was not from Cambodia nor the US. He hailed from Malaysia, just a plane flight of 1 ½ hours away.
His smile was so genuine and his heart clearly showed in conversation. He is currently teaching at the university across the street from where we sat at that point, teaching International Business Relations. He is 77 years young he told us. He looked very healthy and not at all showed the years in numbers listed here. His spirit spoke of a younger self inside, full of enthusiasm and frankness that was refreshing.
Dean received his PhD from Georgetown University in Washington DC. He studied in 1968-70, way back when we were still in college ourselves. We didn’t go to Woodstock in 1969, but he did. We didn’t walk thru Arlington National Cemetery and see the burial of so many men who died for a cause that the US was engaged in. But He did. So much seemed to impact his time in the US during those years when he was studying for his PhD.
“The real America isn’t in Washington DC you know,” he said. “The real heart of America is in its people outside the DC area. I have learned that the American people are the most generous people in the world and the only ones on this earth who will die for others in the world outside their own country. I’ve experienced the love of people in America, the Thanksgiving of turkey, the love of football, the stamina of golf.”

With a beaming smile he engaged us in conversation that so many others need to hear in the global international community who have ministered to international students coming to our shores of the United States to study and experience the American dream. Yes y’all, you and we do make a difference, perhaps many years after we would think it would be possible.
“America has it all,” he said. “You have democracy that is unparalleled in this world. Now you have elections that are a tight neck and neck race to your White House. In Malaysia the same people have been in power for 60 years. It may be called democracy there, but we all know what we see and what we hear about America is the best and it’s in the people who live there. They are the kindest people anywhere, and until I die with my boots on, I will always know this in my heart.”
Our hearts were touched deeply by the conversation with this kind man, who took the time and came to us to talk. We could have easily missed his passing as we sipped that cold drink and did some catchup on our computers. But a mighty God brought another one of His to us to hear some positive note about our important job as Americans. I am sure that Dean knew we were Christians, as do most internationals view Americans these days. That’s good.
We are hoping to spend more time with this man, to listen to his life story tucked into chapters as he has gone thru life just like we have. He is associate dean and adjunct professor specializing in technical government and international relations at The University of Cambodia, teaching to PhD students and being not their teacher, but their ‘coach’ as he calls himself. These students are so blessed to have him in their midst, and I truly hope that they realize that.
(No I didn’t have my shorthand notebook and pen out, so while I listened intently and tried to tuck this conversation into my brain in its entirety, I can honestly say that this is a synopsis of that conversation, but it shows us that all of us have been called to share life with the international community in one way.

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