A picture is worth a 1,000 words, at least!

We meet so many wonderful people, in our work. Some are young. Some are not so young. The youngest are not always happy to see the big foreigner sticking the thermometer in their ear, but the parents are thankful. The older patients smile, bow, and thank us, as they leave. The children, and some parents, are eager to come back to the ship for a Bible lesson or movie.

Of course, we have a wonderful crew. They take good care of us. They provide a great example as they care for their countrymen. They are upbeat and ready to serve. We are blessed to have the opportunity to study with many of them.

Do I have the vision?

A few weeks ago, we were scheduled to travel to Singapore. There was a QS World MBA Tour event, and I was going to represent Pepperdine’s Graziadio School. I also was scheduled to participate in a doctoral dissertation defense.

As the dissertation defense was on a Wednesday night prior to our Saturday Singapore departure, I went ahead to Siem Reap, leaving Debbie on the ship. On Thursday, I was having a late lunch at The Soup Dragon (great fresh spring rolls and Vietnamese 

pancakes!). The phone rang – it was Deb. She told me that there was a patient who had cataracts. She was unable to see out of one eye and the other was not good. Knowing that we have referred cataract patients to hospitals and assisted with expenses, Debbie asked what we could do. I told her that I could see the Siem Reap Referral Hospital from my lunch spot and that I would walk over to see what could be arranged.

Where should I put my boat?

We have been in the village of Kampung Luong for a week, now. It is a huge place. The village is made up of ethnic Vietnamese and Khmer. I was told there are more than 6,000 people living in this sprawling “aquatropolis.” There are churches, stores, and even karaoke!

Worshiping in Thai, English, and Khmer -- all in one language

The last few weeks have been busy with travel to Bangkok, driving to Phnom Penh and back, and attending a wedding. Each has been special, in its own way.

The beginning of November provided two weeks away from the ship. The clinic was closed from October 30-November 13. One week was the usual one week off, for the three weeks of work. The other was for the Water Festival and Independence Day, two big Khmer holidays.

We knew that Thailand had been suffering from tremendous flooding. We weren’t sure if we could make the trip. The news was full of video reports showing streets and business under water. The domestic airport was flooded and closed. Luckily, Suvarnabhumi International Airport was still open. We made it in and got to our hotel, and didn’t see any flood water. In fact, we didn’t see flood water during our entire visit. But, we did see the effects.

A flooding we will go

The last few weeks have been busy. That is why there has been little posting, here.

Last week, Debbie and I went to Phnom Penh to take care of some business and pick up needed supplies. We were to be gone for 4 days. That is significant when I tell you that my sweet Debbie packed everything in her backpack. Yes, that is right. She packed for a four-day trip in one small back pack.

Who’d thought it?

The trip began with a ferry ride from our village, Tvang (twahng). The ferry actually came to the ship and picked us up. It took us about two hours to get to the Siem Reap dock. We experienced a good rain shower, followed by bright sunshine. I have often been reminded of the scene from Forrest Gump where the rain is pouring one minute, then is just stops and the sun is shining. That is NOT just in the movies.

Once we arrived at the dock, we got a tuk-tuk to take us into the city. As you may have seen on the news, we are experiencing great flooding in much of Southeast Asia. Well, we don’t really notice it on the boat. On the road to Siem Reap, IT IS NOTICED. I should have known something was up when there was an extra guy with the tuk-tuk driver. He was there to help push us through the big potholes which were covered by the flooding.

The streets of Siem Reap were flooded, as well. We had lunch in a restaurant on one of the main streets. It was more like sitting at a riverside restaurant.

From Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, we took a limousine bus. It was a nice air-conditioned bus with comfortable seats. They even showed a couple of American movies. The volume was too low to hear, consistently – but it is the thought that counts. It was a nice way to see the countryside, and more of the flooding.

There was a very nice attendant on our six-hour trip. She provided us a bottle of water and small snack box. It was better than flying on a U.S. commercial airline (apologies to employees of U.S. carries, sort of)!! We slept, read, chatted, and watched the scenery.

Once we arrived in Phnom Penh, we were busy finding and buying supplies. Buying is the easy part. Finding can be an ordeal. There really isn’t anything such as one-stop shopping. To buy one part, such as glow plugs for the engine, requires going to multiple shops asking if they have the part. Often, the guy will take the sample and leave. I assume he is going to other shops or his supplier. After a while, he returns and says he does not have it. The phrase “hurry up and wait” has taken on a whole new meaning.

In addition to extending our visas for a year, I had to get my Cambodian driver license. For the life of me, I cannot see the need. It doesn’t appear there is any quality control on the issuing of licenses. They took my California license, a photocopy of my passport and visa, 3 passport photos, and $71. The next day, I had my temporary license. Now, I am a licensed driver in the Kingdom of Cambodia. I am authorized to drive on the wrong side of the road to pass anyone (even into oncoming traffic), honk my horn at will, turn left or right from any lane, go straight from a turn lane, and disregard traffic lights. It may not be safe to be on the roads, when I return to the U.S.

Our trip home was a simple reverse of the beginning. The only difference was our “”find” in Siem Reap. I have been searching for our Siem Reap hotel home. You know the place we will call home, when we are in town. I have tried a few. Now, I have found the Angkor Pearl Hotel. It is a few blocks from the main drag, but it is a keeper. The rooms are a nice size and clean, free Wi-Fi, breakfast included, good air conditioning, the staff are unbelievably helpful, AND it is $22 per night, tax included! In California, I was spending three times that amount on a tank of gas!!!

Oh, and one other difference from our trip to Phnom Penh -- instead of two backpacks, we now had boxes, bags, and a mop!

We are home, now, in a new village for the week. I am eager to see what adventures this week will hold.

Fire up your lamps and put away your bowls

In our time on the Tonle Sap Lake, we have been in seven or eight villages. The populations of these villages have ranged from a few hundred to a few thousand. Some villages have schools, churches, a pagoda, and government offices. Some have small stores, selling everything from phone cards to food to gasoline – need a “cold one,” they have it; need a quick meal, they have it. There are mechanics and machine shops. In addition to the boat houses, there are also permanent structures on stilts. These houses are here year-round, sitting by the un-flooded river.

In Bak Prea, during our off-week, we were next to one of these permanent houses. They had ducks – no problems during the high water. They had an otter – again, high water not a problem for him. They even had two large dogs – lots of water could be a problem. The dogs and ducks stayed on top of the floating dog house, and would swim around for exercise.

I often wonder if the people would like for us to stop outside the village. Not just pull up right next to them. You know, like the motor homes parking around Venice, California. I suppose we could be considered bad neighbors: Khmer gospel music on the loudspeaker each morning, a morning prayer, increased boat traffic due to patients coming and going all day, people laughing and talking in the evening, a dog barking and playing. I wouldn’t be crazy about this big ship in my neighborhood. But, they don’t seem to mind. They will happily put up with what I might consider an inconvenience or intrusion, so the village can have medical and dental care.

Lieng, our night guard, told me that the people in our last village really liked us being here. When the men are coming home at night, after fishing, they use the lights of our ship as a landmark. After a long hard fishing trip, these fishermen just want to be home. It gets dark out here, at night. No, I mean REALLY dark. It is particularly dark during the rainy season, because of the thick cloud cover. It can really be hard to find your way. It is just water, treetops, and water vegetation. It looks the same on both sides of the boat, particularly at night. The fisherman appreciate help. They know that if they just head to the light, they will get home.

After he shared the story, I thought about why we are here. And that “we” isn’t referring to those of us on the ship, alone. That “we” is all of us. That is why I am here. That is why you are here. We are to be a beacon. We are supposed to be the light shining in the darkness. We are the city on the hill that cannot be hidden. We are the light that is meant to be set on the stand to provide light for the whole house. That is our job – be the light that man can see, in order to find his way home. God blesses us and cares for us. What does he want in return? He wants us to be the light. Yes, I think it is really that simple.

When I think about this, I have to ask myself two questions.

First, how bright is my light? Can anyone see it? Maybe, I have it hidden under a bowl. I think I can save my light for later. Or maybe, there are so many other things going on in my life that the “juice” is being drawn out of my light; and it just keeps getting weaker and weaker.

Second, I have to ask where my light is leading people. If they are following me, where am I taking them? Can I get them home? Or, will I just take them farther and farther away.

These are two questions that I must answer (uh, and by “I,” I mean we). Am I just bright lights on a lake, or am I helping the spiritually lost find their way home to the Father.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5:14-15

What is the effect of your cause?

Early in the summer, I read a book by Matthew Barnett, The Cause Within You (thanks for the recommendation, Roxy). It isn’t high theological philosophizing. It is simple, practical examples – and challenges – of living a full life of Christian service.

Barnett really helped me solidify my thoughts on choosing to serve in Cambodia. He caused me to examine my passions and seek the road God has set for me. In a chapter entitled, The Reason to Get Out of Bed (don’t we all need that, at times?), Barnett says,

Surveys tell us that tens of millions of people – nearly half of all adults – admit they are still seeking to understand the meaning and ultimate purpose of their lives. Research confirms that a huge majority of people – more than three out or every four adults – say they want to make a difference in the world; they want their lives to count for some lasting, positive outcome. But the statistics further point out that most people hold on to that hope as something they may experience in the future; it is not a present reality for them.

What is this information saying? Many of us have not yet found the cause that will genuinely fulfill our lives.

He goes on to say that God plants many things in us, from the beginning, and one of them is a “great cause” he wants us to take. I don’t know if I agree completely, but I do believe God has given us a desire to experience love, inclusion, and control.

A thought from my Speech Communication days has always stuck with me. Schutz stated that we all have three interpersonal needs. We have a need for affection, inclusion, and control. These three needs may not be met by ones self. We need others to satisfy those needs. I would take it a bit farther: We also have a need to show affection, include others, and be controlled. These “needs” may be what Barnett is talking about.

God has set these basic needs in me, from birth. To achieve real fulfillment, I have to dig them out and see how I can best serve Him, as I meet those needs for myself – and others.

Hopefully, these ramblings will make sense to you, and cause you to consider God’s plan for your life. If not, just pretend they did. Then, spend time considering God’s plan. Ponder your calling. Examine yourself, to find your cause.

Remember, causes do not always easily reveal themselves. Sometimes, causes take time to mature. The key is to keep searching. I have to think about my own experience. My road to this cause was not obvious, as I worked through it. I had a life teaching. It was great. It prepared me for administration, which in turn set me to working in Admissions. Admissions involved advising international students. I received an opportunity to move from Tennessee to California (not one I ever thought about!!). My Pepperdine job sent me to Southeast Asia. The recruitment work allowed me to learn more about the people, culture, and yes, the food. I soon learned I had a heart for the people of Southeast Asia. One day, I am watching a documentary on the sex trafficking of children in Cambodia, and the next think I know, I find an ad for Manager of the Ship of Life. I am confident this was all part of God’s plan – it was my “cause” being developed, refined, and revealed.

God has a plan for each of us. He has given us a cause. Have you found yours?