Musings . . .

Greetings!

We went to Battambang to visit and immunize the orphans -- from Monday to Wednesday.

We had an awesome time visiting those 50 beautiful kids, just sharing with them. (No one seemed to hold a grudge against me for putting holes in their arms!)

After a difficult farewell Tuesday evening, Wednesday, six of us took a van overland to Siem Reap - the site of Angkor Wat and the ancient ruins. We traveled over a rutted, dirt road in the 95+ degree heat making awful clouds of dust. It took over 4 hours of non-stop bumping and jostling to get across just that stretch of road. There were no "rest stops" or McDonald's, nor even any real bathrooms!

As I was asking myself, "what in the world was I doing this for? How could I last four plus hours?", the Spirit of God came and took me on a walk with Him.

I remembered the orphans who gave us a tearful farewell the evening before. I remembered the 16 year old young man who weeping could not let go of me to say "good-bye". I remembered the beautiful 10 year old girl who I had the privilege of holding on my lap and hugging while she quietly sobbed on my shoulder for 40 minutes - after she had just shared why she had come to the orphanage. I remembered many of the other orphans and team members who had eyes brimming with tears as we had to go.

All we did for them was play with them, laugh with them, tickle them, teach them Uno, listen to them, and tell them that we loved them and cared for them.

Why had God allowed these young, blameless children to experience more pain, loss, heartache, hunger, and hardship than I had ever even a 1/1000th of in over five times the years of life? What did they do to deserve this?

I remembered the 68 students at the University student centers who worry not only about their studies, but also where will the next weeks tuition come from? Will they get a job after graduation without having to pay an impossible $5000 bribe to land it? Will they take their college degree back to the province to sell vegetables on the roadside, or sow rice in the family paddy? Will their families disown them because they have chosen to serve Jesus Christ and forsaken "all their Cambodian nature and culture" by rejecting Buddhism?

I remembered the school children we passed on the dusty road. They were in simple uniforms, riding their bicycles to school. Nearly all of them flashed us a big grin or smile as we passed; just before they ate the dust from our passing. I'm sure the next vehicle got the same greeting.

I remembered the men and women tending dry, hot, very dusty stands along the road selling a service or item, trying to eek out barely a subsistence living. They, too, had smiles and warm greetings for those who stopped.

I remembered the meticulously dressed (about 10-12 year old) girl who invited us to use the bathroom (well, sort of a bathroom) and spoke in very good English (where did she learn that?). After we exited the facility, she asked for 500 Riel (12 and 1/2 cents!). I wondered how much she "earned" in a day?

I remembered the man standing along the road facing out to the fields as we approached. He was standing in front of a sign which I could not make out. I assumed that he was relieving himself (a common sight), but as we got closer, his head was bowed and his hands were clasped in front of him (as though praying?) I wondered if he had lost a father, a brother, or a wife to a land mine, or the brutality of the Khmer Rouge?

What was the difference between them and I? Basically, that by God's hand, they had been born to a woman in Cambodia instead of a woman in North America.

The Spirit reminded me how irritated I get at "orange barrels" while driving along an Interstate Highway in my comfortable, air-conditioned car, listening to stereo music while worrying about which restaurant we should go to for dinner.

Don't get me wrong; this was NOT a guilt trip, nor is it meant to be for you. It was actually a pleasant experience. Sort of a True "reality check" -- not like the ones on TV. An invitation by God to look at the world through someone else's eyes -- instead of my own. Spiritually it was like a walk in the cool of the Garden with Him.

The nature of the ride changed . . .

Monday

Sunday, Father's Day, the team went to church and immediately got in the van and drove 5 hours to Battambang. This is the site of our first orphanage and houses 50 beautiful kids. I spent Father's Day with those "children". It is an awesome experience to sit still and have four or five kids climbing on your lap and hanging onto you. Watching their smiles and faces is truly refreshing. I used the time with some of the older ones to help me with my Khmer language learning.

Today, we returned to the orphanage to continue our immunization program. Only one or two tears shed among the kids. Not having a nurse this trip, I enlisted two team members and had them help draw up the serum into syringes.

Since there are two "veterans" on the team and two teams rotating through, being one of the vets, I was elected to lead the team to Siem Reap, the site of Angkor Wat, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. We will van to Siem Reap, visit the temple complex, overnight there and return to Phnom Penh on Thursday.

In "parallel" with our team is a team of 50 youth from Columbus (Ohio) on a short-term mission trip here in Battambang. As a physician who has travelled half way around the world to "serve", I have more opportunity to doctor the folks from Columbus than Cambodians. Who says God has no sense of humor?

I am getting lots of new ideas for service and teams for the future! I'd like to persuade some of you to join us!

Thanks for your continuing support. I depend on your partnership.

Saturday News

Good Morning!

For those of you who get my email letter, this will look familiar. (If you do not get my email letter and wish to, email me your address.)
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We arrived safely in Cambodia Tuesday afternoon -- today is Saturday morning. It was a wonderful experience to be back and to see people we have become very good friends with. (Sorry, to the English teachers for ending a sentence in a preposition.) All are healthy but for minor complaints and the trip was uneventful.

This trip I am following up on connections made last February. I met with a MD in the Ministry of Health, whose daughter was studying last year in Baltimore and fellowshipped with Pete! He is head over ALL three schools: Medical, Dental, and Pharmacy. We are considering how we may contribute, or offer some "color/alternate perspective" to the Med school curriculum.

I have spent considerable time inventorying and categorizing the medical and dental stuff into a cabinet we purchased; in fact, I am still organizing and stowing. I have taught twice the evening study with the university students; always a fun and challenging endeavor.

Some of the students wanted to go over to the Royal Palace -- the home of the King. So 9 of us piled into our ForeRunner and went. (Boring ...) The kids had a great time.

I have not had a great deal of time at the Phnom Penh orphanage, but that will soon change. I have done nothing "medical" yet, but that, too is about to change. There are a few highlights of the trip so far:

The first night with the students they introduced themselves and their schools/study. I was very surprised to learn that there are six students in medical related disciplines (Med, nursing, vet medicine). This is a big change from the past. I asked one of the student leaders to make a list of their names and I plan on getting together with them for just a fun, shoot-the-breeze session.

You have heard me tell of a Korean mission which has built a clinic and is awaiting staff to begin it. Yesterday Dave (AH Exec Dir) and I went to meet the missionary pastor overseeing the operation. It was a God-ordained meeting. We spoke of partnership and are on the road with a new Cambodian partner! They need medical staffing to rotate in and through, English teachers, musicians, etc. ALL of which we can supply at intervals. The pastor was so excited to hear that we usually bring music teams with us that he called his music man and he came over.

The music leader is a young Korean man in Cambodia 5 months who has a vision for a music school and worship/outreach band. He and Dave had a lot in common. Our team plans to worship at their church next week. Their facility is beautiful; clinic, teaching classrooms, office space, a small guest apartment, and an awesome worship sanctuary.

Yesterday I visited my friend the Cambodian physician with whom I have worked (there, English teachers, is that better?). He is swamped in their clinic and begging for more help. tragically, while I am here, with my AH responsibilities, I have only a small amount of time to give him. If I were to be serious about helping, I would have to separate that time totally from AH and dedicate it to their clinic.

Asia's Hope now in Cambodia has two orphanages (90 children), three student centers (68 students), one Christian School (80+ students). As of last week, we now have an orphanage in Thailand! This will be built within the next two weeks, thanks to the passion of our Canadian partners!

Sunday we are off to Battambang for four days to play with the orphans there and immunize them. We also have some fun time "partying" as we wash and shampoo for lice. Care to join us?

I am having a busy, but great time, and look forward to completing the tasks that God has set aside for us. The people continue to be open, honest, anxious to learn and get to know us, hungry and receptive to the Gospel. I have not witnessed such simple faith anywhere. I have a new understanding of Jesus' words you must have the simple faith of a child to understand the gospel. These people are not children, but their faith and action is simple, straight forward, honest, expectant, and vital. I learn much each time. I wish all of you could share in this experience.

Asia's Hope has been richly blessed. Much is being accomplished here as we invest in the future of not only God's Kingdom, but the future of an entire nation! You are a part of that work, and can be justifiably proud! Thank you.

I am grateful to you for your prayers and support. Keep it coming! I apologize that Bobbi is not here to proof this letter -- so it will be too long. Oh well.

God Bless and "more later".

Campbell's in Cambodia

Campbell's in Cambodia

It looks as though my "technologically challenged" wife has figured out the blog idea before me! Way to go, Bobbi. I am having a great time; it is HOT, but I do not complain. There will be more later. Thanks for your interest and prayers. John.

Campbell's in Cambodia

Campbell's in Cambodia

Networking in Cambodia

So far the team has spent two days reweaving threads of friendship that have begun on previous trips. I've seen students who are about to graduate, babies who have been born to couples in the church. I've met with Dr. Oum who is in the Public Health service. His daughter Phyllka was in Pete's medical fellowship group at Johns Hopkins this year! Tomorrow I will meet with Dr. Kim who is the missionary serving at the new clinic that is being built. I am sleeping well and am healthy. Thanks for all of your prayers.

Campbell's in Cambodia

Campbell's in Cambodia

Hi: John and I are trying to "re-open" our Cambodia blog to be on line for his June/July 2005 trip to Cambodia. He has arrived safely and rested in PP. Again, he is overwhelmed with what it means to the Cambodians that we take the time to come. Each visit builds them up a little in believing that they are "worth" it. More later. Bobbi