Sunday, July 26, 2009

Another Brief Update

Well, since I can't figure out how to actually copy and paste posts I've written from word and notepad, this is the best I'll be able to do, and I need to keep it brief because internet costs money here. We are keeping busy--on Tuesday, a doctor and her grandson from TX left--they'd been here 5 days, and a team from AK came yesterday, and we saw over 180 patients. It's amazing. I'll write more about clinic in the future, but trust me, it's a powerful thing. There are so many, and the need is so great--not an urgent need for medical care, just for care, I think. The little kids are wonderful. I like them best, because you can communicate so much to them without language. I made a couple of friends in the last village we were at, and they came down to visit me a few times, including Friday before the ship left. I also love the old ladies, who are the most fascinated by my white skin, big nose, and freckles. I continue to help the crew with their English, and I really feel like they have become my Khmer family. They are really all fantastic people, full of kindness and wonderful smiles--beautiful spirits, I think of them, as Hai the electrician says something remarkably beautiful, or I watch Piseth or Bun Roth play with the kids (they both have such a gift for kids!). I am learning so much about the culture and the people. I am at peace even in frustration. I love it.
And I do need to say--I spent last Saturday in Phnom Penh. We visitd both the Palace and the Killing Fields. The latter was so powerful--to really be in a place where history occurred, such a history of great cruelty. It's not something I could begin to understand.
But to end on a happy note, there was a woman the other day who just sat down and smiled at me while I took her blood pressure. She only had one tooth, but the smile was so beautiful.
Sorry to be so brief. I promise more later, or at the very latest when I come home. Love and blessings to everyone. Thanks for listening :)

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Briefly--From Cambodia

I know it's been a while. Sorry, I only have internet about once a week, and the last couple of times (including now), I've not had my flash drive with me to put up the entries I've written in Word. I did want you all to know though, that I am here and well. I've been here just over a week. Cambodia is a beautiful country, though not necessarily in the traditional sense of the word. I love being on the Mekong (especially at night...it's so peaceful!). It's very brown though--makes the Hudson look clean. People still wash in it though, brush their teeth with it, use it to drink even when they are desperate. We are well taken care of on the ship though--on weekdays, we have a cook making 3 meals a day for us (very good cook), there's fruit with every meal (dragonfruit is one of my new favorite things), and the rooms have air conditioning. In so many ways, I'm very grateful for it, but in others, I feel almost as though I shouldn't be living in such luxury. The crew on the ship is wonderful. All speak a little English, and a few speak very well. I help Marie-Claire a few times a week teaching English to the engineer, the captain, and the doctor, and also with the night guard, Sokun. I really love teaching--it's such fun, and I love the chance to work with the crew in that regard as well. Bill and Marie-Claire are great teachers as far as culture and the like go, and I am learning Khmer from the nurse on the ship, Daven, who speaks very good English as well. We do Khmer lessons in downtime. I'm up to body parts :) I'll write more about Phnom Penh and clinic when I update again from the ship, so you can see how it's going. The country is so different, and yet I have felt nothing but tremendous peace the entire time I've been here. This is where I'm supposed to be, no doubt about it.

Stay tuned, and thanks for listening :)

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Pre-Departure

So I leave tomorrow night. I don't think the reality of it has truly hit me yet; it still feels surreal that I'll be flying halfway around the world in something like 36 hours (and probably by the time some read this, I'll be there!). I am absolutely so excited to be going there, and doing the work I'll be doing--it feels exactly like what I'm supposed to be doing, especially with the way everything worked out so perfectly for it. Which doesn't of course mean I'm not also quite nervous...

But as Maria's told me, I am so blessed and protected. That is the truth. I know I'll be just fine, and the experience will change my life (an exhilarating thought!). But thanks for the prayers and support! And thanks for listening :)