Saturday (Jan. 31) evening
CAMBODIA | Wednesday, 28 January 2009 | Views [498]
Hello once again from Phnom Penh!
We made it up and back from Battambang. We rented a 20 passenger bus for the trip. What takes 4 hours by car took us 6 hours by bus. Long trip. And to top it off the bus had a flat tire on the way up, so it took us 7+ hours. The clinics were successful in Battambang. They were not quite as organized so patients came in clusters which made things really busy for a while. I think the 2 patients that stood out was the 70 year old man who had broke his arm in a moto accident 2 months ago. No treatment was given at the time so his armed healed deformed and he will lose function of it. Pat and Peter took him to a local hospital for xrays. He had 5 fractures from his elbow to his wrist. They hoped they could rebreak it and set it, but it was not possible. The other end of the spectrum was the lady whose only complaint was head pain when she wore a hat! What do you do or say to that. Peter made a diagnosis of hate pain and told her to use an umbrella in the sun! There were a lot of patients in the middle of those extremes we were able to help. The real benefit will be the follow-up by the health promoters and church members. That is when the real ministry will be done.
Our prayer list was added to last Wed. Just after arriving in Battambang, Margaret got word that her husband had emergency gallbladder removal. Because of their connections at the hospital, she was able to talk with him immediately while he was in recovery. Her mind was eased that he was doing well and the 2 grandfathers were taking care of her kids. We figure we must be doing something right with all the curves satan is throwing at us. I'm still hacking away with my cough. It had started to get better then went south again in Battambang. I had hoped it would ease with better air in the country but unfortunately they are burning the rice fields now. Pat's diagnosis is acute bronchitis. I'm on predisone for the inflamation and antibiotics to prevent infection. I'm sure I'll be seeing the doctor when I get home. Except for the cough, I'm doing great.
Tim, Sovann sends his greetings from Battambang. I've been able to reconnect with several people I'd met on past trips. The friendships made here survive the time apart. Everyone wants to know when I'll be back again! We are going to have a team debrief tomorrow night but I think we can count this trip a success. Some changes will be made I'm sure. Things can always be improved. But I'm sure there will be more trips like this to come. Matt and I would like to involve more people from NorCal churches, either to the hygiene part or medical part. We will see what the future holds. I haven't even made it back home yet!
Tomorrow is church in the morning then shopping in the afternoon. I think Craig and a couple of others may go out to the killing fields. The genocide museum made a big impact as it usually does. Then we pack and get ready to leave Monday morning. In some ways it feels like I just got here but in others it feels like it is time to go home. I miss you all. With all the family stuff going on back home for other teams members, I'm greatful you are all doing well. I hope you would let me know if things weren't ok. I miss Avery so much. I know she's changed in 2 weeks. I hope you guys made some videos! I'll see you all in a couple of days.
P.S. As a follow-up to the earlier prayer requests, Peter was able to get a flight home today. He took a taxi down from Battambang this morning and flew out at noon. He should be very close to home by now. He took a video message for Margaret's husband. Even with everything he's gone through, he wanted to do that for her. I guess they all live fairly close to each other in SoCal and all work for Kaiser except Craig. The team has been great. There won't be another one like this. Please keep Peter in your prayers as he deals with his sister's death. And keep Margaret and her family in your prayers too. Her husband was due to go home yesterday or today.
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