ENJOY

  In this life we often long for satisfaction, but our experience yells dissatisfaction.  For a moment, for a short time satisfaction seems to be a reality.  However, finding long term satisfaction is elusive in this world.  Ultimately we can only find true satisfaction in Christ.  So I pose the question can one enjoy things, food, relationships and events in the face of dissatisfaction.  When one speaks of enjoyment, one tends to think of enjoyment in the increments.  We can enjoy a soft drink, but will not be ultimately satisfy for the long term.  We can enjoy a good relationship and be satisfied for a time.  So I submit that enjoyment is both short term and long term, but true satisfaction come with an eternal relationship with God.

GRATEFUL STUDENT

Smiling with great joy, these young ladies joined with others to receive practical medical knowledge.  Jared Sheppard a first year medical student, came to Cambodia as a summer intern.  Displaying his gift for teaching he graciously and skillfully imparted to the students how to begin a physical examination, based upon the knowledge he gained as student at the medical school in Houston Texas.  As the Khmer students leave each session they pray for us and invite us to return to teach them.    

Tim, the director of Mercy Medical Center, felt the need for lectures on microbiology for the doctors in training.  Well, in God’s providence, Jared taught two lectures on microbiology drawing from his major in microbiology at Clemson University.  Those who listened to his lectures agreed that Jared is a gifted teacher.  He distilled microbiology into understandable language to assist us in the clinical care of patients.   In recognition of Jared’s skill as a teacher he now has an open invitation to return to Mercy Medical Center to encourage and teach the young doctors.   

We have been honored to work with Jared this summer.  Pray for him as he pursues medical missions.

JOINING IN PRAYER

Several months ago, a group of doctors from Alabama were searching for a place to serve on a short term medical trip. Marty, one of the leaders of the group had joined a team of medical students headed to South Asia to serve. Because of political unrest in the country, they were diverted to another country to serve. It just so happened that Nancy and I were serving in that country on a different team. We met Marty, and began to dialogue about bringing his group of doctors to serve in Cambodia on a short term trip. 

Several doctors from Alabama prayed for an opportunity to serve with a short term medical team.  Church members in Cambodia prayed for new churches to begin in a place where the gospel was never heard.  Several months later these groups joined together to share in cross cultural ministry.

Adam and Seng Long

When the team asked about coming to Cambodia, I surveyed the church planters as to who would like the team to come.  Samath, the pastor of Khmer Christian Church (KCC), asked if they may be willing to go to the outlying region of Kampong Speu where the roads are difficult, the climate is hot, and malaria is an ongoing concern.  I presented this plan to the Alabama team who enthusiastically embraced the idea and from that point on the leadership of KCC took the responsibility of leading and organizing the procedure.  They met with the village leaders, set up venues for the medical clinics and determined where we would eat and sleep.  In addition, they organized the translators and gathered an evangelistic team together. 

Over the next several days we ministered together in three different villages, with about 30 people serving on our team.  The second night we slept in a village with extreme heat and the constant threat of malaria.  Most of the people there had never heard of Jesus and most had never met with a doctor. It was a powerful experience to serve them, and we hope to return soon with a medical team to follow up with the village.  On the third day of clinic we moved to Prey Mein, another village, at which the gospel was heard for the first time and only minimal care had been available.  As I write this letter, as  leader from a small church plant in a nearby village has moved to Prey Mien to serve the people there.On days four and five we ministered in Prey Thom, where there a 15 month old church plant and the people who had been displaced from other areas of Cambodia have  received the team with great joy.  

We rejoice as we see the hand of God orchestrating events and motivating people to serve for God's glory. We know that by ourselves we could not have made these events take place. It has been a privilege to see people from different countries and cultures joined together to spread the good news and we rejoice in God's grace.

SATISFIED WITH DISSATISFACTION

When I totally get my way then I will experience ultimate satisfaction.  Bill Gates, Solomon and others who have wealth and power perceivably have time energy and resources to accomplish most every desire of their heart, thus becoming very satisfied.  I am not sure about Bill Gates and his level of satisfaction, but from Solomon’s writings we begin to understand that his satisfaction level decreased  as he aged.  

Now if Solomon’s wealth, power and multiple wives did not bring him satisfaction, far be it from me to find satisfaction.

So how does one become satisfied with dissatisfaction, when the quest for life is for me to live life my way.  Yes we look to scripture which states delight in God and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Realistically, my desire certainly do not match up with God desires.  So I must live with my dissatisfaction.  Moment to moment living hardly brings satisfied living.  As I delight in my own thoughts I become more overwhelmed with my dissatisfaction.  When will satisfaction come.  Will it come in the next moment of life.  

Life in Christ should bring satisfaction.  As i read the scripture and rest in the truth of scripture I perceive small glimpse of satisfaction.  When I begin to Delight in God my desire begin to fade for that moment of delight.  Then my desires  steal the beginning of the satisfied life delight in God.  

So I must come to grips with the dissatisfaction and begin to be satisfied with that dissatisfaction as I from time to time begin to understand the work of Christ in my life.  So in the middle of my dissatisfaction, I know that Christ will satisfy the longing of my heart as i allow Him.  That is a journey that will have its true beginning as the gates of heaven open to my soul.

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE

"I feel as if I know so little about medical practice" is a statement I find myself often making to the young doctors at Mercy Medical Center.  They look at me as if I have lost my mind, apparently the wrinkles on my face and hands give away my years of practice.  After this conversation from time to time I will talk for several minutes about the diagnosis at hand and turn around in an attempt to seek out the person who was giving the advice before I realize the words came from me.

In the practice of medicine with the ever changing environment of new studies, new medicines, and new ways of approaching old topics, I feel as if I am on the verge of beginning to understand the entire scope of what practice entails but then an event will take place putting into perspective something I have thought of for a long time.  As I have opportunity to mentor young physicians in Cambodia, I've come to realize knowing much information is important, but as important or maybe even more important is the use of the knowledge.  Helping the young doctors develop a compassionate approach to a patient will help the doctor as well as the patients because as the doctor and patient build a trusting relationship,  credibility is added to the advice given.  The patient begins to open up to the doctor about the previously unspoken concerns and questions. and  as trust deepens between the two, the doctor's medical knowledge coupled with a good history and physical exam leads to a better outcome.  I can only hope to have a small impact on the young doctors by beginning to instill in them a desire to serve their patients.  Knowledge yes, but I hope to encourage them to begin with the patient and not the textbook.

DUSTED DUSTY PUFF

The dusty puff virtually reach dust storm proportions on the road in Chin State.  Our medical team gathered in two twenty year old 12 passenger vans loaded with medicine and luggage.  Even though traveling the roads on the right usually place the driver on the left our van's driver sat behind the wheel on the right facing a majorly cracked windshield.  Having looked up the distance on an internet map I determined the trip was about 90 miles through the mountains.  However, most report about the time indicated the trip took about 6 hours.  We began the trip on a reasonably paved road.  On previous visits we traveled a very short distance on the road to look over the city standing by several monuments thanking God for a safe trip and invoking God's blessing on the ensuing trip.  No other place have been in the world where the vehicles stop allow the road at the beginning and end of a journey raising the expectation of an arduous journey.  A couple hours down the road the pavement gave way to an earthened road on which each vehicle generated several pounds of dust and dirt which was flung into the air creating a dust storm.  You can imagine where the dust settled.  As we traveled to about 7000 feet we stopped and a giant cross inscripted with Matthew 11:28.  Then we continued on the up and down switch back road for another several hours with no evidence of fueling stations.  So when the announcement came for a fuel stop I got out to take pictures of two young ladies holding a fuel topped with a filter into which they poured fuel from a two gallon bucket.  Upon our return we spent two hours waiting for a truck stalled in the middle of the road with a broken axle.  The road was narrow so that no other vehicles could pass.

We stayed in a barebones cabin with a flush toilet with nightly freezing weather without heat.  Daytime warmed to temperatures allowing  one to dress in fairly light clothes. 

At the church the congregation joyfully greeted us, since in time past they would travel on foot and bus up to 2 or three days to visit us.  We felt encouraged by our acceptance and they express appreciation by honoring  us with two chickens and several pounds of rice.  We are grateful to God for the gifts that he gives us to encourage the church in Myanmar

CAMBODIA FLAG

 PAIN

Smey, our helper's mother in law suffers from back problems and  strongly desired surgery as the treatment to relieve the debilitating pain. However, one of her friends had underwent surgery and had no experienced no relief.  After awhile, our helper brought me the CAT scan for advice and I suggested that before going through an intensive surgery, Smey first try exercising. Our apartment complex has a pool that we frequent, and for the last two months, Smey has been daily coming and swimming with Nancy.   Recently, during one of their swims, Smey asked if Nancy was a Christian. Smey is not a Christian, and while our helper has invited her several times to attend church services, she's always turned her down. This time, though Smey asked if she could attend the New Year's Eve service at our church.  On New Year's Eve, the whole family attended the service and desired to return.  We are not sure of the all the dynamics behind this interaction but we are very much encouraged that a small act of kindness may have given Smey an opportunity to feel the love of Christ.