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".