The Final Day


To say this was a productive trip would be an understatement. In terms of our medical clinics we have seen well over 2000 people. In terms of the prayer teams hundreds of decisions for Christ have been made.

But this trip also established relationships between us - the participants - and the people of Cambodia in general as well as new friendships with our fellow team members, and the staff of Transform Asia.

I have not provided a lot of discussion about our crew of interpreters and the TA drama team, but they have brought an incredible level of service to this trip. Without their help we Americans would not have been able to accomplish much at all.

This is the first medical missions team that has been accompanied by the TA drama team. These kids, all of whom are from the TA church in Battambang are an incredible bunch. They love the Lord. They are mature in their faith. They come from a diverse background of Cambodian culture. Some of them are from families that are poorer than poor, and one of them is the son of the Mayor of Battambang. They were trained last year in the production of the “7 Miracles of Christ” by a drama ministry team from Castro Valley - Neighborhood Church. They work hard and do a wonderful job. Their sound system is archaic and was probably discarded by some church in the states a long time ago, but it works - well sort of - and gets the job done. They have a simple set and bright colorful costumes. But most important, these young people have hearts that are large. They have adopted us as their family and have poured love into us at an unimaginable level. Cyndy has gotten to know some of them even though most of these kids do not speak a word of English.

Nita on the Left and Ruann on the right. Nita is a Cambodian Soap Opera star as well as part of the drama team.

Drama girls, Dr. George and Dr. Nelson give me the Royal Treatment!

I also have to give kudos to our crew of interpreters. These young men, all college age, come from a number of academic backgrounds. Several dental students, a law student, an IT student and several business majors. They are the future of this country and their time with us as enhanced their passion to help build their nation. But most importantly, almost all of them love them the Lord. They have come with a knowledge and understanding of the promise of God that few of their age possess in any culture. They too have loved on us and made our trip special as a result.

My Interpreter Sotir

Spider anyone?

Seha one of our interpreters does dishes at the feeding center

Together the drama kids and the interpreters have been an integral part of the operation of this trip. They have pitched in at every medical clinic. Not just interpreting for us but assisting in caring for the sick, holding fussy babies, calming peoples fears and allowing to serve the large numbers of folks in each clinic.

As we head home Today I do not look forward to the long flights but I again return with a new sense of the awesome nature of our God and a renewed passion to bring the message of Christ to these folks. Unlike many nations, Cambodia has been one of those countries impacted the least in the latter 20th century by Christianity. War, adverse politics and a number of factors have contributed to this. But now the country is open to hearing the message of Christ. While we come to provide health care, at the end of the day, each of us knows that health care is temporary and the salvation message of Christ is eternal. There are certainly challenges in both providing health care and the message of Christ. I look forward to contributing to meeting those challenges and overcoming obstacles in the future when we return.