Photo link

Here are photos that document a portion of the trip.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2082329&id=1584800346&l=3565444a1f

Summary of the trip

This will be my last post to the blog. The trip has gone very well, and I must say again that I feel very blessed to be a part of this amazing group. Because of your prayers and the prayers of saints all over the world, we can certainly see much immediate fruit from our efforts. Until we reunite in heaven with our Cambodian brothers and sisters in Christ, we will certainly not know the extent of the impact our team has made. As time passes and follow-up is made possible by local pastors and future teams, the seeds that we have planted will be watered. But only because of God will the increase be realized. I Cor :6-9

Please check out two video at the bottom about one documented healing healing and also more about the feeding center. They are excellent.

Thank you one last time for your prayers on my behalf in these past few weeks.

Clinics Are Completed

Wow.  How time has flown these last few days.  We arrived last (Wed) night in SiemReap after a 3-hr drive from Poipet. SiemReap attracts tourist from all over the world, and therefore I'm able to choose non-Asian food for the first time since arriving.  Today we are turning into tourists for the rest of our time before heading to the airport Friday evening.  I am heading to Angor Wat with the majority of the team.  This is a HUUUUGE temple that was actually lost for centuries.  I will post pictures to facebook when possible.  Some of the team that have here before will take a

To backtrack once again, our clinic site on Tuesday was at Pastor Timothea’s church.  This is the first established church in Cambodia founded in the 1920’s by CMA missionaries, the Ellison's.  We see approximately 350 cases, and there were definitely some challenges.  There are traumatic eye injuries, broken bones, large tumors, traumatic loss of hearing, long-term and severe/acute back/leg problems.  One young man has all the signs of ligament tears (ACL/MCL) in his knee, but walks with a very unusual gait.  We do what we can for all of these, and trust God will use the results of their experience here for their good and His glory.  The prayer team reports restorations of hearing, healing of pain, and a number of salvations.  As soon as possible, there will be links posted to a number of video testimonials.

After Tuesday's clinic, we travelled to the city of Poipet on the Thai border.  This is an area devoid of morals and is quite dangerous due to drug trafficking and other similar evils.  Our clinic Wednesday was at a nearby village.  We saw another 350+ folks come through and praise God He is still working through us to minister to these very needy people.  Due to the high number of mines in the local area, we see several dozen amputees including a former General of the Cambodian army that is now a local official.  I will post more about the day when possible.

We're moving!

Today we will be packing up and heading to Pastor Timothea's village for our 8th clinic day. Pastor Timothea has been a great help in directing the drama team, stepping in to take over a crucial part of the drama, and also provides excellent crowd control with his infamous megaphone :-).

By mid-day, our team will be splitting up for a few days.  Kurt, along with one helper, one translator and a van driver, will be heading to the David Center orphanage to try to diagnose and hopefully fix a sewage problem.  Kurt is a professional engineer that specializes in such issues.  You can read more about Kurt's special mission on his blog. 

In review of Monday, our 7th Clinic Day was held at a Baptist church between Battambang City and Sampov Mountain at a Baptist church.  It was a fairly short drive on paved roads, and we arrived in plenty of time to set up and prepare for the day.  I estimate we saw 150, and were finished by approximately 2:30p.  A few of us theorize that the lower number reflects the location, as Buddhists and Muslims may be shunned from entering a church.  None-the-less, we are thrilled to offer health care, support and encouragement to our brothers and sisters in Christ and those from the local area that were in attendance.  I am certain that God will use our work today in a powerful way.  None of will ever know how touching even just one life today will affect the lives of millions in the future.  When His Hand touches a life by redemption, He has an intent to use that precious life in a mighty way to spread the gospel for generations to come. 

For photos of Monday, click this public link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2081047&id=1584800346&l=8facea79ed

Sunday Worship

It is approx 4:50a on Monday, and I'm up early to post a blog and upload pictures while the internet connection is at its best.  I had a very restful weekend, and raring to go to our 7th clinic site @ Sampov mountain.

Sunday was an awesome day of refreshment.  We attended church @ the trade school, and were blessed by the worship service.. The service began with the women leading the praise service.  Of course, it was completely in Khmer but some of the music was familiar.  Several of us tried to sing or at least hum the tune.  You can see the joy of the LORD in these many of these people.  I think about how transforming the trade school is for these young women.  There is not doubt that God will use them in a mighty way as spiritual examples in communities throughout the country as they live productive lives and serve Jesus.  The children sing a special number, and they are truly a joy to capture their shining faces.  The translators also took their turn singing a special.  These young people have truly served this cause way beyond my expectations.  Pastor Ron Cole spoke the morning message through a translator and spoke of the love of Christ.  It reminds me of the old hymn, "I love to tell the story."

I love to tell the story

 of unseen things above,

 of Jesus and his glory,

 of Jesus and his love. 

 I love to tell the story,

 because I know 'tis true;

 it satisfies my longings

 as nothing else can do. 

Refrain:

 I love to tell the story,

 'twill be my theme in glory,

 to tell the old, old story

 of Jesus and his love.

After the service, we toured the surrounding campus and speak to some of the students.  These ladies all exhibit the love of Christ in their demeanor, and I believe have an excellent work ethic.  They are truly an asset to the local Christian community, and I sense will become future leaders by example to the Khmer women throughout the country.

The TA team invited the drama team to lunch.  Over 30 of us sat at one very long table, and it was mandatory to mix the translators, the drama team and the TA team throughout.  We had a great meal as well as fellowship.

In the afternoon, 4 of TA staff and 3 fellow translators were invited to Wat's family home.  Wat is a 6th year dental student in Phenom Penh, and received Christ as his Savior about 3 years ago.  He is an exceptional translator and has worked very hard helping wherever he can.  Since we have been in his hometown these last several days, Wat has been able to witness to his family and explain the gospel for about 2.5 hours.   We have already prayed as a team earlier in the day.  Now, we arrive at the well-appointed residence to answer any questions his family has about the Christian faith, and also show them genuine Christian love.  Kurt takes the lead and we exchange pleasantries.  We learn that Wat's father is the "district chief" (ie, Mayor) of Battambang city (approx population, 150k).  Kurt opens up the discussion, and we also find out that Wat's mother has accepted Christ just a few hours earlier.  In addition, Narie (one of Wat's fellow translators and dental students) asks a question about church attendance (does this save you?).  She also has accepted Christ and turned from her Buddhist faith this morning after being in the worship service.  We are overjoyed at these reports, and make preparations for the family to receive Bibles as well as help direct them to a local body of believers.

Our evening meal is prepared by the women @ the Trade Center.  The food is delicious, and we have a time of fun and fellowship that I will not soon forget.  

It is pure joy to see many Cambodian people come to know Christ.  In some camps, as many as NINETY-FIVE PERCENT have never even heard of JESUS.  Thank you for praying, and please continue. 

4th, 5th and 6th clinic days

Today is Saturday, and I've spent the entire day in my hotel room.  Tracking back to Thursday, we were in the Rokakiri village, and saw our largest crowd yet--approx 430 people.  The day was exhausting and due to problems with acquiring food, it was nearly 10p before I could get into bed.  Friday morning, I woke up with diarrhea and some malaise, but nothing severe.  So, I headed to breakfast, and then off to our 5th clinic day site at Kaaskrolaw village.  On the way to the village, we drove on bumpy dirt roads for probably 45 minutes.  We are in Battambang province where the Khmer Rouge were very active, and used a mountain camp where thousands, including Randa Lee, were held captive in the late 70s.  Hundreds of thousands of the 3million nationwide were executed in this area including >20 of Randa's family.  In all those years, this is the first time Pastor Setan has been this close to the eery mountainside, and he is in contact with Randa answering questions about what still exists in the local area.  We arrived while the drama had already begun, and remained in the vans so as not to distract from the gospel message.  Pastor Setan told us that Nita, one of the drama team members, came to salvation in Jesus Christ approximately 1 yr ago.  This young lady is a professional actor playing the villainous on a Cambodian soap opera.  Because she is very attractive, nearly everyone in her life had unsavory motives in getting close to her.  Therefore, she quit her job, and wants to do work that is pleasing to God.  Of course, she feels very comfortable with all of the team associated with TransformAsia.  The drama is entitled the seven miracles of Christ and has drawn a sizable crowd, praise God.  We learn that there is a church work started in the village, and discipleship of new converts will be possible.  This is 1 of nearly 100 churches (many "house churches") that Pastor Setan has helped to form.

In the clinic, the day started fairly light.  Nonetheless, by lunchtime, I was lethargic and decided to take an extended break.  I pulled my designated adjusting table to a semiprivate area and tried to get some rest.  About an hour later, I was back up and seeing patients but after about 10 adjustments decided that I could not continue.  Dr Rick could certainly relate, as he had a similar episode last year.  Fortunately, he remains healthy and saw the majority of the 250 by himself.  See Dr Rick's and Kurt's blogs for further details on Friday {and especially Saturday's (6th clinic day) report}.


It was a long afternoon and long drive back to the hotel.  I was in bed by 6pm, and slept about 10 hours. By Saturday morning, I was pretty certain I'd be no use to the team today.  I attended the devotion, which is always a blessing.  Regina gave me some Cipro, bread, and her cell phone for the day.  I am feeling better this evening, and glad tomorrow is Sunday as I have another day to make a full recovery.

UPDATE:  It is Sunday morning, and praise God I am feeling much better--at least 90% better.  In about 1/2 hr, we will be going to church.

4th clinic day--Rokakiri village

Today, we switch hotels once again and travel to the Battambang province where we will be based for about 5 days.  Please pray for our travel safety.  The roads are unbelievably bumpy and heavily traveled.  As I understand it, they are continuing to be improved.  So far, most of the dirt roads we've traveled have been recently graded (beginning of the dry season).  Throughout the country, there seem to be no rules of the road except to avoid accidents, and I think that one is broken often based upon clinic experience.  Of course, our main prayer needs remain health of our team, and discernment in ministering to the large crowds of needy villagers.

Yesterday was the most amazing ministry day yet. We arrived at a small village that featured a large Buddhist temple, and a newer temple being constructed.  As usual, the drama team had arrived earlier and were performing as we were setting up the clinic.  I'm really impressed with how much organizational progress we have made in just a few short days.  All of team members are hard workers, and becoming more efficient.  The translators serve in whatever way they can, and are thinking ahead on how to meet the needs of others.  God has assembled an awesome team, and I once again must state that I feel very privileged to be a part of it.

We saw many of the same conditions as in previous villages.  However, the spiritual ministry reached a new level of God's favor.  One of the first patients I adjusted today was a 70yo Buddhist monk.  His example allowed many of his followers to come for physical and spiritual healing.  I consider it the favor of God, and His moving in this village even before we arrived. Additionally, we saw dozens of Muslim women that were allowed to remove their headscarf and be touched (adjusted), which is normally disallowed in their religious customs.  Praise God that many seeds were planted.  Now, prayer must continue to allow the follow-up of the local itinerant (Pastor Timothea) to water.  We are relying on God for the increase for His kingdom.

One case that I will never forget is a 17yo teenage girl presenting with her mother.  The intake form mentions no real physical ailments--only that she was in Malaysia for "employment" for 6 months, and upon arriving home is unable to speak or interact normally--basically in a nearly complete dissociative state.  Her countenance suggested that she may be demon-possessed.  However, after 5-10 minutes of talking through a translator and with her mother holding her hand, I was able to adjust her full spine without any resistance.  During the experience, I knew that physical healing was completely inadequate to accomplish much of anything for her problems.  However, I knew that the restoration of proper nerve flow would allow her to relax, and accept prayer and counseling from the rest of the team.  Through further efforts, the tragic story of this young woman begins to unfold.

Approximately 6 months ago, this young woman was enticed into going to Malaysia on the promise of a job that would pay a few hundred dollars a month (keep in mind that the average wage in Cambodia is approximately $30/month).  Her family is very poor, and so they all agreed.  Upon arriving in Malaysia, she was promptly indentured into a sex slave ring where she was "broken down" and then horribly abused by many brothel 'customers' each day.  After a foot injury two weeks ago, she was "shipped" back home.  Upon arriving, she spoke only a few sentences to her parents <paraphrasing> "Do you want to come and see who has done this to me?"...before falling into a state termed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  This explains why she is suffering physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  According to Pastor Setan Lee, she is not possessed and that she will not be completely healed for at least 3-8 months.  You can read more about his ministry to these women at TA's website .  Due to the experience of Pastor Setan and the loving acceptance and words from many of the Cambodian teenage girls from the drama team as well as the prayers and words from many of the women on our team, this young woman's countenance was completely changed by the time of our departure.  Praise God.  We are believing that, through the ministry of TA, that this woman and her entire family will be saved, and be a witness to their entire village.

I am just arriving back from our morning devotion, I am sure today will be yet another awesome day.  Thank you for reading, and for your steadfast prayer for all of us.