Sept. checklist: see Vols-check, Pinckley reunion-check, move-check

As we boarded the boat, at the beginning, I couldn't really wrap my head around being there for a month. When I travel for work, I may be gone for 3-4 weeks, but I am changing locations every few days. I was actually going to unpack and stay in one place for four weeks!

The time flew by. I still can't believe it. In some ways it was a blur. In others, it was a comfortable stroll. Bottom line - it was good. It was where God wanted us to be. It was what God wanted us doing.

Now, after having been back and thinking and praying about our experiences, Debbie and I have decided to return. Full time. I have resigned, as of August 31, from Pepperdine. Our house is on the market (interested? call me!). We plan to basically liquidate it all. In September, we will be back on the wonderful Ship of Life. It will be our home. We will have an extended family of wonderful crew members. We will be ministering to people who need medical and spiritual care. We will be doing the work that God has been preparing us to do for over 50 years. Yeah, 50! Some of us take a little longer than others.

I know it is silly, but we both were worrying about leaving behind Reggie, the wonderdog. He is going with us. I didn't want to be "that" guy, but he is really like our third son. Of course, Paul and Matthew are loved more!! While we were in Cambodia, we saw basically two types of dogs. Not a lot of variety, in breeds. Good ole Reg will be quite the exotic character. He may stand out more than me!

There is a great deal to be done, over the next two and one-half months. It is a bit daunting. I just keep telling myself, "Baby steps, baby steps. Take small bites." We are doing Google searches on visa requirements, bring a dog, year-round temps, other vaccinations we need, etc. The one thing we already learned -- we don't have to worry about a Mexican food fix. We found a place in Siem Reap - great shrimp quesadillas.

Our biggest tasks are selling the house and finalizing our support (this is not a paying gig; we will be raising our financial support). To date, we have about 45% of our needed funds. We have three churches and seven individuals who have committed to partner with us. We have contacted others. We are also looking into a couple of foundations. Thank God for the Simi Church of Christ, who has agreed to be our sponsoring church. They will be handling the receiving and processing of our support. If you know of a church that is interested in medical missions, let me know. I am happy to contact them. If you, or someone you know, would like to partner with us -- let me know. It can be one-time or monthly support. We can use it however we can get it. More than anything, we want your prayers!! Pray for the house to sell. Pray for the support to come in. Pray that we can do an effective work and glorify God in all that we do.

In one of the earliest blogposts, I called our May trip an adventure. I didn't know just how true that would be. But, the adventure has not ended. If is just beginning.

Do Ya Have a Hankerin' to Make a Difference?

Okay, we all want to make a difference. But, I mean a "really" big difference.

The Best (Bible English Study and Training) Center, in Phnom Penh, provides you with a great opportunity. The Best Center teaches English, by using Bible lessons. The student learns English and Bible. It is a great opportunity to help people advance in their personal and professional life, by gaining stronger English skills. More importantly, you can help them strengthen their spiritual life, by revealing the Word of God.

You don't need to have any special skills. The students want to learn from native English speakers. You can help them with reading and pronunciation skills. You will meet one-on-one with your student and follow the curriculum.

Your out-of-pocket expenses are quite limited. You pay to get to Cambodia. You stay at the Best Center, in very nice accommodations, for free. The Center has a full-time cook who will prepare wonderful meals. You will meet some wonderful and motivated students. In fact, you may question who is getting the most out of the program -- them or you. So that the students are able to make good progress, you are asked to commit to a one to three month stay.

During your time there, you will also have an opportunity to worship with the local church. Your attendance will be a real encouragement to the work, there. You will also have time to travel around this amazing country (as well as southeast Asia), and learn more about the Khmer culture.

Julie Broyles is the director. She is a wonderfully dedicated Christian lady, and will take great care of you. For info, you may email her at juliebroyles1@gmail.com.

Think about it. It is a great way to make a difference.

The front of the Center

The dining room

Living room/lounge

One of the teacher's bedrooms

View from 2nd floor patio

Julie and Paul on 3rd floor patio

looking down on courtyard/driveway

Julie and secretary

Debbie enjoying fresh mango and

reading the paper, at the dining

table

Getting back to normal

We have been home for almost one week. I have done a great deal of contemplating, when not trying to overcome the jet lag. Ambien and I have fared fairly well, thank you. My time is getting back to normal.

I have also tried to readjust to the non-humid, cool weather we are having in Southern California. I actually told Debbie that I was cold, as we stood outside LAX. I guess, after a month, you do begin to get accustomed to the heat and humidity. The years of training, during my pre-California years, must have really kicked in. Today, I am not too cold. My temp is getting back to normal.

There has been an odd culture clash, as I return to my day-to-day American lifestyle. I have watched some television, but it has been hard to really get excited about it. You have to understand, I have always been a television junkie. I even missed the first NBA Finals game - by choice! {for full transparency, I should add that this wouldn't have happened had the Celtics been playing} I have a reasonably free weekend. I am sure I will reduce the number of shows on the DVR, and watch a few new ones, too. My TV viewing will get back to normal.

Through it all, I find myself wondering what is going on with the ship. I want to know how the guys are doing with their Bible and grammar study. I think about all of the smiling Khmer faces I am missing. I still question how they can be so happy - so content. I look at the excess around my house, and want to know just how long it will take me to get back to thinking it is not enough. Back in April, my cousin described the American culture as one of "wanting more." I readily agreed. But, even then, I didn't really get it. Now, I understand better. I am certain he is right. I have seen a different culture. The Cambodian villager culture might be best described as one of "wanting enough." They want a roof over their head. They want rice in their bowl. They want what is essential. They don't kid themselves into thinking they will have more. So, they are content.

Content. What a daunting word. Can I say that I am TRULY content with what I have? Maybe there are some parts of the old culture that I shouldn't work on regaining. Maybe I need to find a new "normal."

The best and the worst of Cambodia

It was our last day in Cambodia. We decided to spend some time doing touristy stuff. There is much to to see, in the exciting, vibrant capitol city of Phnom Penh.

BLOOM CAFE- Some of the Seaver students, who had studied in Shanghai, told me about Bloom Cafe. I decided we must experience the quality baked goods and commitment to serve others. You see, Bloom Cafe is the creation of Ruth and Murray Larwill. After Ruth had spent years providing vocational training in Nepal and Cambodia, she, her husband, and children moved from Brisbane to Phnom Penh. In PP, they established the first Bloom Training Centre. It is a place where young girls, coming out of sex trafficking, can learn hospitality and cake decorating, waiting on customers, running a cash register, etc.

The facility is gorgeous. Inside a beautiful villa, on St. 222, there is a wonderfully quiet seating area, filled with attractive furniture and delightful baked creations. The cupcakes were extraordinary. Undoubtedly, they are the best I have ever had. Crumbs, Sprinkles, et al, have nothing on these girls! Best of all, we know that we are helping young women begin life anew.

A bake shop is changing the face of Cambodia.

Bloom Cafe

Debbie having coffee

our treats

You can learn more about this special place at http://www.bloomasia.org/.

THE NATIONAL GENOCIDE MUSEUM- In the afternoon, we decided to visit the National Genocide Museum. It is located in the former school which the Khmer Rouge chose to use as its prison and torture site. The atrocities conducted here were unbelievable. Men, women, old, and young. They all went through the prison. Tortured for what the knew, or for what they were thought to know.

The prison has been left much as the Khmer Rouge left it. Bars remain on the windows. Barbed wire is still stretched across front of the classroom buildings. Torture beds are still in a few of the rooms. Bricked cells and chains in the floor remain.

The telling part of the museum are the photographs. No, not the graphic ones depicting torture and death. The alarming photos are those taken by the Khmer Rouge to document those who came through the prison. Blank stares and numbers safety-pinned to clothing are repeated over and over. Room after room contains stands of photos. For me, the eyes scream out. The demand my attention. In some bizarre tribute, I feel that I must look at each one - straight in the eyes. I somehow owe it to them. The purpose of the museum is to serve as a caution against this ever happening in Cambodia, or elsewhere. I hope its purpose is realized. Oh, please God, let it be so.

If you have not read the history of the Khmer Rouge, I suggest you read First They Killed My Father or When Broken Glass Floats.

Tonle Sap Lake & Siem Reap

This past weekend, we had the opportunity to visit Siem Reap. Siem Reap has millions of tourists each year, due to its proximity to Angkor Wat, the cultural heart of Cambodia. Many say that you have not visited Cambodia, unless you visit Angkor Wat. Well, we made it to Siem Ream, but we didn’t have time to go to Angkor Wat.

Siem Reap is a nice town. It is much smaller than Phnom Penh, and it also much quieter. Our purpose for going was to go to the Tonle Sap Lake. The Tonle Sap is the largest lake in all of Southeast Asia. It is about the size of Lake Erie. In addition to the people living along the lake, there are four very large boat villages. These floating villages are primarily Vietnamese. Many of these people will be born, live, and die, on the lake. There are schools, churches, restaurants, stores, and motor mechanics, on the lake. The poverty is alarming. Even though they live in poverty, they smile. It is amazing. The children still laugh and play. At the Vietnamese school, we found children on the “playground.” They were running and chasing one another. Some were playing a modified game of marbles.

There is a great need for medical care on the Tonle Sap. Partners in Progress is planning to put the Ship of Life on the lake, during the rainy season. The changing size of the lake is quite interesting. During the rainy season, the Mekong River swells to such an extent that it actually pushes water back up the Tonle Sap River. The Tonle Sap River runs backward and fills the Tonle Sap Lake. The Ship on Life only has access to the lake, during the time that the Tonle Sap is deep, running backward.

The pictures below are scenes from the Tonle Sap Lake.

Lake general store

housing along the canal

mechanic shop

partial view of a lake village

Vietnamese school on the lake

boys playing on the school "playground"

On Sunday morning, Debbie and I were privileged to go with Bill and Marie Claire to the Siem Reap Church of Christ. It was a great service. There are two capable men leading the work, there. The Bible class was totally in Khmer. While I had no idea what was being said, I was impressed with the conviction of the Chan, the teacher. Chan is one of the leaders. Debbie and Marie Claire chose to go to the children’s class. There were many young children in the class, and Debbie fell in love with them all. But, there was one small boy who she held throughout the class. If there weren’t laws prohibiting the adoption of Cambodian children, we would be going home with a child!!!!

Marie Claire with one of the little girls

children singing Father Abraham

A young man, a preacher school student (I think), delivered the sermon. It was translated by Panat, the other minister. It was a very good lesson, and he preached with commitment. There were many young men involved in the service. It was so encouraging to see them actively participating. The church is relatively young, but strong.

One treat while we were in Siem Reap was dinner and a dance show, at a local restaurant. The dinner was a wonderful international buffet. There was great Asian food, as well as some western food. I have always viewed an all-you-can-eat buffet as a challenge. They tell me, “you can’t eat all that you have paid for.” I feel compelled to prove them wrong. But, due to the heat of the day, I wasn’t playing my A-game. Don’t get me wrong --- I ate my share, but I think they won!

The entertainment was great. The performance included the elegant Apsara dancers. It is amazing to watch their hands and graceful movements, as well as their keen balance. We also enjoyed the traditional folk dances. Most of the folk dances dealt with the relationship between young men and women. They were lively and fun.

Apsara dancers

Folk dancers

Siem Reap and Tonle Sap Lake were a tremendous treat. We saw a new side of the Khmer culture. The one constant is the tremendous people.

The Crew, Part 2

The crew works together extremely well. They support one another and everyone is happy to do what it takes to get the job done. I was asked to present a teamwork workshop, for the crew, other Partners in Progress staff, the nutrition program staff, and students from Phnom Penh. The workshop went well, and we had some great discussion. I was not expecting many comments, but I prepared many questions, just the same. The discussion was lively and enlightening. Like most seminars and workshops, the information may not have been necessarily new, but it was a good refresher.

In the last post, you met half of the Ship of Life crew. Today, I would like to introduce the rest of the crew, to you.

Lieng, our night watchman, isn’t seen much. He sleeps during the day and is up all night. We get to spend breakfast and dinner with him. His English is good and he loves to joke with us. I have been able to teach some of his Bible lessons. Lieng impresses me as a bright and capable young man. His dream is to study at a university in the U.S.

Bunthuen is the Clinical Assistant. His responsibilities include the processing of new patients; taking name, age, weight, blood pressure, and temperature. Then, he gets the patient in queue to see the doctor or dentist. Bunthuen has good Bible knowledge and is the most advanced student. He is responsible for teaching Debbie and me the Khmer numbers – the patients all have numbers and we call them for triage and to see the doctors.

Dr. Tha is the physician. He speaks very little English. Observing him, you can tell he is compassionate and really cares for his patients. Since many of the guys cannot go home, on the weekends, Dr. Tha and his wife invite them to come and stay at his home in Phnom Penh. I have been told this is quite unusual for Khmer people.

Bun Roth, our pharmacist, is an interesting fellow. He loves to play with the children who come onboard. He is a real family man. He is eager to talk about his wife, his three daughters, and his home church. Now, there are five families meeting for worship, in his home. Like many people his age, he was touched very personally by the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. Bun Roth is a great asset to the work.

Marie Claire McDonough is from France, originally. She has a true heart for missions. Marie Claire was involved in missions, before meeting her husband, Bill. She is the personification of the term, “comfortable in her own skin.” She loves the Lord and his Kingdom. She was the key person in beginning the Cambodian Back to School Program. While on hiatus from the work in Myanmar, she takes care of the pharmacy stock, book keeping, and other jobs to numerous to count.

Bill McDonough is the Director of Partners in Progress. He has served in Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Asia, and other places I am sure I have forgotten. He is instrumental in the Bible teaching through teaching English work, here in Cambodia. He started the nutrition program, for Khmer children. Of course, the Ship of Life was a significant focus of his efforts. He has begun a successful work in Myanmar, and will return to it, once a new Ship Manager is onboard.

My life has been greatly blessed – and changed - by spending time with these people. I hope you have enjoyed getting to know them.

The Crew - our key to success

I want to introduce you to the special people in our lives whom we have been blessed to work with, during our trip. The Ship of Life crew is a great group. They are committed to serving the people along the waterways of Cambodia. I can tell this is more than just a job.

In this post, I will share half of our new friends with you.

First, our Captain. He is a capable ship’s captain. He speaks limited English, but makes me laugh. When he speaks with the guys, the twinkle in his eye and his tone of voice let me know he is saying something funny. I laugh, along with the crew, and have absolutely no idea why I am laughing. I am impressed with his faith. He loves to sing, when we gather for our worship, on Sunday evenings.

Samath is the ship’s Engineer. He is a quiet man. His English isn’t strong, but he wants to learn. Because he is older, Samath automatically has the respect of the crew. But, they also respect him because when he does say something, it is valuable. Now, I call him the Engine Doctor. Some of the crew told me that when he walks through the village with our physician the people call him Doctor.

Jack is the Electrician. He is quite important to me – he keeps the air conditioning working. Like all of the others, he does many things on the ship. He is a great student. Debbie and I have been meeting with him for his Bible lessons, as well as grammar. He is already at the upper limits of my grammar knowledge! He is committed to his Bible study. It is a joy to study with him.

Piseth is kind or our “jack of all trades.” He is the Director’s Assistant. His English is strong, so he often interprets. He assists with maintaining the non-medicine inventory, as well as working with eye patients. He fits them with eyeglasses, as well as works to get those needing surgery to the eye hospital. Since we have been here, he was made arrangements to have 26 eye surgeries, mostly cataract, done. Piseth has a great heart for people, and is a fine Christian young man.

Sahn fills the tremendously important job of cook. Don’t let his youth fool you. He is quite capable. He prepares both Khmer and western food. He loves a challenge, and gladly takes on new western recipes. We have had meat pies, cream soups, stews, crepes, omelets, and much more. He makes wonderful breads. He spent time assisting a pastry chef and learned well! Debbie is about to spring the recipe for King Ranch Chicken on him. Also, we have been blessed to work with him on his Bible lessons. Sahn is a good student who is improving, daily.

Sokha assists Sahn, in the kitchen. He is quiet; his English is weak. He is working to learn more. He will share Khmer words with me, and I tell him the English equivalent. Kha is a hard worker. He does a lot of the grunt work, but never fails to have a smile on his face. He lives in Siem Riep, so he is the farthest from home. Luckily, one of our doctors lets him stay with his family, on the weekend, from time to time. When the ship moves to the Tonle Sap Lake, in July, he will be the closest to home. He is excited!

Enough for now. I will share the rest of this special group, soon.