2007 Mission Trip to Cambodia
We have returned from the village after a 4 hour trip one-way (about 50 or 60 km.). Back to the reflections…
Progress has been made since we were here last year.
The hospital now has an excellent Cambodian nursing director. Nurse educators have risen from the ranks and teach half time while spending the other half of their time working in their areas of expertise. Susan has conducted teaching rounds for the students and the Cambodian nursing staff.
The orphanage is also much improved through donations from many sources. The orphanage has a relationship with an international school; a Khmer child is paried with a student from the school and together they learn dances–traditional Khmer dances and tradtional American/European dances. They will have a performance right before we leave. The children are healthier; scalp and skin diseases had been mostly treated.
On the HIV home visits, we could see improvements as well. Mothers-to-be are now aware of and are taking the free antiretroviral medications available to them that may help them have a healthy baby.

The country, as a whole, is changing. There are now ATMs available. More cars and people are in Cambodia, but more seem to be following traffic signals such as red lights.
We are enjoying our time here. It has been awesome to experience the culture here. For example, we saw a shadow puppet performance last night. Puppets made of leather were used with lights to tell traditional stories. The circus consisted of 4 people, one of which could bend herself back until her head rested between her legs–very flexible!
The people are so welcoming and friendly. We are blessed.