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.

3rd clinic day-- village near Posat

"Praise God from Whom all blessings flow...."  We sang several songs in our devotion time yesterday morning ending on the doxology.  He is to be praised, as without Him we can do nothing.  It is one more reminder of God's great love for each one of us.  He is the reason we are all here to serve in Cambodia.  As I think about my team members, I am humbled and amazed at how God works in us and through us to accomplish His will in our own life as well as in the lives of His children throughout the world.  You must not minimize the EVERY DAY opportunities that He also gives to us.  He uses each one of us in amazing ways every day when we recognize that we are His hands and feet.  We experience joy when we humble ourselves and allow Him to work.  This is the ultimate love of the Father when we serve with the mantra:  "He Must Increase, I Must Decrease." (John 3:30)

It is approximately 3:30am here in Cambodia, and I am ready to be up and about preparing for the day ahead.  After a team devotion and a hearty breakfast, we will be travelling about a 3 hr distance to our next clinic site in Posat referred to as "Srey Oun's village"

Yesterday, we conducted our second medical in a small village about 15 kilometers from Kampong Chhang.  This is a new site--a public primary village school.  We arrived at the site around 10:00 AM, and set up the pharmacy tables and triage centers in two large open air classrooms as well as a third room for the prayer line.  The day seemed to go much smoother.  I believe we saw over 300 come through the clinic in approximately 5 hours of work.  One thing that amazed me was the tenacity of many of the Cambodian people.  Several traveled a great distance leaving as early as 3am to arrive at the clinic.  Another lady very active in spreading the gospel in this area had severe and chronic hip pain, and came with expectation that this would be the day God would heal her.  We gave her the best we had to offer (adjustments where indicated, several powerful meds)--our limited resources, and sent her to the prayer line to experience the ultimate healing of the Great Physician--He has unlimited resources.  We again saw an amazing array of conditions. One man had a partial bicep tear that is now irreparable.  One lady had a goiter the size of a grapefruit.  I'd estimate 90% of the women between 18 and 45 had STD symptoms.  Many had traumatic injuries.  One child, seen by Dr Rick, had been kicked in the abdomen by a cow and has permanent fibrosis (internal bleeding--she's fortunate to be alive). One man had sky high blood pressure, and was post-stroke (huge atlas subluxation was greatly reduced by his first adjustment). One seen by Dr Nelson has the early signs of leprosy (Dr Nelson is an expert in this area, as he runs a clinic in India and cares for thousands of leprosy patients on a regular basis).

QUOTING From Dr Rick's BLOG:  "One of things that I realized last year, and is still true this year is that the Cambodian people are just like you and me. They want the same things. To raise their children in safety and love, to be loved and to live a long a and full life. While the American version of a full life may include any number of things we take for granted like a shopping mall or a convenience store in the right place the Cambodian version focuses more on having enough to eat as opposed to where to eat, having a roof to sleep under as opposed to the size of the house under the roof, and things that are much closer to survival than most Americans, even the most disadvantaged of Americans will never have to contemplate.

As we begin seeing patients on this trip I am again reminded that while you may think that the health problems would be very different from in the US, there are still conditions of the spirit that affect the body in ways such as anxiety, depression, gastritis and so forth that seem out of place when you also see things like leprosy, goiter, severe infections, TB, malaria, typhoid, dysentery, and diseases that are often only ever seen by most health care professionals in a book."

With this in mind I am going to be sharing with the entire team that whether you are one of the doctors, or working in the pharmacy, or manning the prayer room, many of the afflicted we will see are ill for the reason of a lack of love in their life. They do not have the ultimate love that we as Christians all too often may take for granted. Imagine for a moment if you and your spouse where not in love. What would that do to your mental, emotional and physical health? Imagine if you did not have the greatest love of all in your life and had to face each ugly loveless day all by your self, alone and without hope. What do you suppose that would do to your health? Regardless of what we do on this team, our single biggest purpose is to bring Love. The love of a Christ who asked us to give that love through Him by the simple means of providing a cup of cold water in his name!"

Please continue to pray faithfully for the entire team.  We know it is only by God's strength that we are able to continue this mission with good health and safety.

2nd clinic day: Cheneak village

Mark 16:15, 18
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation....they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Today we will be driving quite a distance to another remote village called Cheneak, and look forward to having a full day to see as many as possible.

We are praising God for many healing reported from yesterday. Approximately 50% of those afflicted showed immediate signs of improvement after receiving medical care and most importantly prayer for healing. I adjusted a 9-month old that has been unable to nurse without vomitting since birth.  Probably 80% had musculoskeletal complaints. All were adjusted and triaged--either sent to the MD, nurse, or directly to the dispensary. We estimate 250-300 adjustments in about 5 hours.

Oh, time is so limited. Please read on Kurt's blog and connect on facebook to see lots of pictures.  I appreciate your continued prayers for our safety, and effectiveness with the Cambodian people--to lead them toward the understanding that Jesus loves them and died for them so that they may have an eternity in heaven with Him.

It's Monday and we're off to Kdol village near Kampong Chnang

PTL I was able to sleep abot 9 hours last night.  Our team meeting was at 5:30a.  After getting the luggage ready and eating breakfast, we are leaving in just a few moments for our first clinic day.  Our clinic team consists of 2 chiropractors, 1 MD from India, and a nurse from Florida.  Also, a paramedic/firefighter from Missouri will help us out with basic wound care and lots of vitals.  Today should be a good opportunity to get our "feet wet." My roommate, Kurt, has done a fantastic job.  Please see his blog !@ http://missioncambodia2010.blogspot.com/

We arrived safely at the Asian Princess hotel

It is approx 12:40a local time, and my roommate (Kurt, you can read his very well-developed blog here) and I are both up and connected to the internet to update our blogs.  We got some decent sleep on the plane, but have to get accustomed to sleeping on Cambodian time (6:30a will come very early).  We praise the LORD for safe and pleasant travels.  Through it all, no one was delayed or encumbered by security or customs. I look forward to tomorrow's church service to get accustomed with the local Christians, and to meet the rest of the team including my colleague, Dr Rick Scala.

Layover in Seoul, S.K.

I am sitting her in the Incheon Int'l in Seoul, South Korea with Sam and Ron--two of the team members on the Chicago to Seoul flight.  We just "happened" to sit right next to Regina and John, and also met up with Kurt in the waiting area.  We are all on the next flight from Seoul to Phenom Penh.  We have the majority of the core team together, and it's a real pleasure to meet these fine people with the same calling.

The LORD kept me safe even before arriving at O'Hare.  On I-94 about 7 Fri am,  an SUV attemped to avoid debris on the highway and careened out of control crossing three lanes of traffic and slamming into the barrier within about 25 feet of our car.  I praise God for His provision of safety.  And God also allowed us to clear security checkpoints in both Chicago and Seoul very smoothly.  Both times, we were through in less than 10 minutes.

I was able to sample some Korean food at the airport, and will share some pictures on Facebook soon.  The next leg leaves @ 6:50p Seoul time (3:50a CT) and is about a 5 1/2 hrs flying time to Phenom Penh.  I'm very thankful for an eye mask and well-fitting earplugs.  I actually slept pretty well on the airplane despite be awakened twice to eat.  No problem--the airline food was actually really good (or maybe I was just really hungry).  

Tomorrow morning, we will be in church and will get rested up, and then I believe we make final preparations for our tour.  We are staying at the Asian Princess in Phenom Penh, and plan to post again tomorrow.  God bless all of you as you pray for us. 

A calling

Approximately 3 months ago, I picked up the CCA journal, and read an article from Dr Rick Skala regarding his experience in Cambodia in late 2009.  I immediately felt that God was calling me to go, yet I was hesitant.  Over the next few weeks, I looked at the article several times.  Finally, I decided if God was calling me to do this that He would work out all the details.  I contacted Dr Skala, and he sent me further information (see his 2010 blog).  I also got in touch w/ the CCA mission director and also talked with family and friends about the possibility.  Every possible concern in my mind had been answered, yet I knew in my heart that it was a leap of faith.  Well, I took that leap!  In less than 24 hours, I will be bound for a 2-week medical mission trip to Cambodia.  During the following 2 weeks, we will have 11 clinic days including stops to the villages of Kdol, Cheneak, Posat, Rokakiri, Kasskrolaw, Bakroutas, Sampov Mountain, Poipet, and the cities of Battambang and Siem Reap.

Our group is organized under Transform Asia and with the logistic help of Partnership International.  It is a great privilege to be going to Cambodia with such an experienced group of doctors and mission-minded professionals.  Our intention is to provide a high quality of health care to folks that are suffering.  However, the medical care is a draw for people to be exposed the gospel of Jesus Christ that will transform their lives for eternity.  Please join us in praying for the Cambodian people that we will be serving, for travel mercies for the entire team--especially in the next 48 hours, and for robust health throughout the entire trip.

I will be posting to the blog regularly throughout the next several weeks, so please subscribe and pray for us daily.  Also, you can "friend" me on facebook to see pictures and videos (depending on available bandwidth) along w/ blog-posted notes.