2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia
After our 38 hour return trip, we were so very happy to get back to Nashville around 9AM this morning. All of our flights were on time (except one which was 30 minutes late because someone had forgotten to turn on the air conditioning), all of our luggage arrived with us, and family and friends greeted us at the airport as we arrived. Thank you for all your prayers. We saw evidence of answered prayers every day of our stay in Cambodia. I want to say a hearty “thank you” to all the awesome students– for your positive, “just do it” attitudes and willingness to move out of your comfort zones as you served the people of Cambodia in so many ways!
Susan, Chas, Tyler, and Zane, we wish you Godspeed as you travel back all together as a family.

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia
Well, it’s our last night in Cambodia. How can we even begin to recap what we’ve experienced here and what this trip has meant to us? We should have plenty of time to reflect and compose our thoughts tomorrow during the numerous flights, so I’ll just give you a brief update for now. We’ve stayed very busy during our time here, and these last two days have been no exception.



After spending the weekend in the village, we returned to our “luxury” accommodations at the hotel for a restful night’s sleep. Sunday morning we headed to church and then spent the afternoon at an orphanage in the city. Words in a blog can’t accurately describe what it was like to be there with those children; it was an absolutely joyous event. As the van pulled through the gates to the orphanage, children started running toward us, and they proceeded to mob us with smiles and hugs. I felt like I had just made fifty best friends. They surrounded each one of us, wanting to show us their artwork, sing songs for us, and play games together. We came to the orphanage to contribute through our donations, but in the end I think we all felt like our contributions were small compared to the blessing we received by being with them.

Early this morning, our group took a walk down the riverfront as a final goodbye to the city. Like every other morning at 5:30 AM, there are crowds of people walking, doing aerobics, and playing games. We of course joined in the fun by participating in some Cambodian dancing. We took a walk to Wat Phnom, where we saw some monkeys and the elephant. After our early morning walk, we went to the hospital to say our final goodbyes. It seems strange to be saying goodbye to the staff there after having only just met them. We’ve been impacted in many ways through our experiences at the hospital, but we will always remember the remarkable kindness and hospitality of the people at Sihanouk.

The remainder of the day was filled with last-minute trips to the Russian market and other errands, as well as a final meal together. As we make our journey home, please continue to pray for us.

Thank you so much for all the encouragement and support you’ve given us. See you all soon!

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia

This past weekend, we experienced extremes–from extreme poverty to extreme wealth, from eating soup made with “skin from the pig” and chicken “with skin and bones” to fresh passion fruit and lavish desserts, from a Cambodian village-style bathroom (see picture – click to enlarge) to matching bathrooms with sauna and jacuzzi, from loud speakers and karioke to elegant ambiance. But in both extremes, we found people who invited us in with open arms.

On Friday morning, we traveled to the village that we discovered through one of our class readings, “Bones That Float.” In the book, Kari Grossman, the author, talks about adopting a Cambodian boy and, in the process, adopting the country as well. She and her husband, George, in searching for their son’s birth family, had discovered a village in the Kampong Spue Province. Over 6 years, they have been working with the village, helping them grow the Grady Grossman School, dedicated in honor of their son. They have also helped the village produce sustainable income to pay the teachers by making and selling briquets made from trash. We contacted Kari and she asked us to visit the village and assess the nutritional status of the children, do some health teaching, and provide bicycles to all students who had completed the 6th grade so that they could ride to the next village to continue their schooling. We worked with her Cambodian contact, Yeong(?), to make the arrangements.
After a 3 hour van ride over some BUMPY roads, we arrived at the school where we were to stay in the teachers’ quarters and to do the nutritional assessments. Our accommodations were worlds apart from our comfort zones. See the pictures of our bedrooms–complete with mats on wooden frames with mosquito netting–which also served as our pharmacy. My roommate was Phalla, one of the nurse educators from Sihanouk Hospital, who was invaluable as a health translator and as a roomie. She showed me how to take a “bath” Cambodian-village style. Imagine donning a saroung and going behind the house to wash in the rainwater caught in large clay pots.





We left on Saturday in time to get back to Phnom Penh by dark and in time to attend a barbecue to which we had been invited. Susan and Chas are friends with the director of the World Health Organization in Cambodia, so we were all included in the invitation. So after our culture shock in the village, we had to adapt back to a different way of living. We met people from Belgium, Hungary,and even Atlanta! And our hosts were wonderful people.


From one world to another we travelled this weekend. People are the same everywhere, and we all have needs. Hopefully, we met some needs this weekend. Our needs were surely met!
Thanks for your many prayers as we ventured into another world.

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia
If you have been following along with the blog posts and the Cambodia team’s itinerary, you may have noticed some odd references to dates that don’t seem to match up with the calendar here in the states. As I write this post early Frrday evening (6:00PM) here in Nashville, it is already Saturday morning (6:00AM) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Just imagine posting a story from Cambodia knowing that it will be seen in the states yesterday….it can be a little confusing. All that to say: The team will spend the next couple of days in a village that probably does not have internet access…and without that access, there will be no stories posted here on the blog.

During their absence from being connected electronically, I would ask that you look into the faces of these six women and (continue to) pray for this team…their health, their safety, their attitudes, and their impact on those who they minister physically and spiritually. So many of you have already supported this team financially, prayerfully, and publicly (including your comments here). Thank you for that. When the team returns, I assure you they will read your comments and understand even better just how much support from family and friends means to their Cambodia experience.

I Thessalonians: 16-18
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia
There is a saying among some of the expats I have worked with in Cambodia…it is TICB (this is Cambodia Baby). Today, I had to say that alot. Stephanie and I headed out to the Ouressey (sp?) market with our new Cambodian friend, Yoen. He is helping us to get to the village tomorrow. We had bikes to buy, helmets to size up and many other supplies to take to the village. This particular market is mainly used by the local Khmer people. Stephanie got an eyefull and a nose full. The sites and smells are very different from the trip to the market in America as there are tons of dried fish, fermented fish paste, shrimps (dried), cockroaches, grub worms and numerous other interesting edibles hanging around almost everywhere you turn. It is always an experience bargaining and buying in the market. At times, it can be draining as you wonder if you are getting a fair deal.

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia
We spent today at the hospital as our last official day of work, as tomorrow we go to help with nursing check-offs and to get ready for our trip to the village on Friday. We have all gotten to see and do so much at the hospital here and its been really interesting to compare it with healthcare in the US. After the hospital, we went to church with Susan’s family who flew in on Monday. It’s been great getting to know Susan’s husband Chas and her two sons. They have made such deep connections with the people here, its really nice to see them reunite with their friends. After church we went to great dinner and discussed our thoughts and feelings about the trip thus far. It’s crazy to think it’s almost over. We have all learned so much from this trip, its unbelievable. All the things we’ve seen and people we’ve met have impacted us and changed us in a way that I can’t describe. Cambodia is such a beautiful country and all the people we have met have been so nice and warm and caring.
It is absolutely incomprehensible to think about the state of this country only 30 years ago. Seeing Toul Sleng and the Killing Fields and the horror of torture and genocide and then going to back to work with the same people who lived through all that… I don’t even know what to say. I am constantly filled with so many emotions. I feel so lucky to be here and see the country and Angkor Wat and all the beauty, but I hate that such good, hard working, strong people are still suffering and starving because of the war. The resilience of the human spirit is amazing. Absolutely, utterly amazing. Cambodia has come so far so quickly and we are trying to do our part to help, but after meeting the people here I have no doubt in my mind that soon this country will be thriving like it used to.
I just want to say thank you so much for all your support. My family especially, thank you for being there for me and giving me everything I could ever want or need. I am so grateful to be able to be here and I appreciate your love and prayers more than I could ever say.

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia
After returning from Siem Reap on Sunday, we geared up for another busy week at the hospital. Since I am in the physiotherapy department, I will share a bit from my experience. We see both outpatient and inpatient. Inpatient has been mostly strokes, severe broken bones, and brain injuries. Outpatient has been moto bike fractures and dislocations. Unlike the US, many of these fractures and dislocations are never properly healed, leading to deformity and prohibiting return to prior function. I have been teaching the 2 physiotherapist more than I expected (making me very thankful for my neuroanatomy and orthopedic classes).


I will share an exceptional story that happened today. There is a 19 year old paraplegic who has been confined to his bed for 12 years. His hips and knees are bent at a 90 degree angle (contractures). He has scoliosis so severly that he has problems sitting. He has 3 pressure ulcers so big and deep that several inches of bone is exposed. He also has no family to take care of him. Today, we went to see him. We did some bed mobility, range of motion, sitting balance. At the end, I was doing some arm exercises (PNF), and he thought it was a wonderful game. He was working so hard, but smiling and laughing the whole time. The other physical therapist translated for me, and told me that the boy really enjoyed the treatment and having someone spend that much time with him. It was a very fun, rewarding experience.
The group is also preparing for our weekend trip to the village where we will be doing nutritional assessments on a school with 400 students. We have a supply of general antibiotics and vitamins for the entire community. We met with the Cambodian man who will be guiding us to the village. He gave us some helpful hints about what to bring, and warned us that people from neighboring villages have heard that we are coming and will be traveling to see us. There is no health care in the area and no health care professional has ever visited. We were rather overwhelmed by the news, but can only promise to treat everyone we have time for and would benefit from our care. We have been reading and researching about health problems in the area. Your thoughts/prayers would be appreciated in preparation for this weekend.
And the last thing to write about, our afternoon trip to the Killing Fields. The Killing Field is the place where the Khmer Rouge would take people who were too weak to do manual labor or they suspected of crimes against the government. (Please see my last entry for a brief history of the Khmer Rouge.) The people were forced to dig their own graves, and then brutally killed. In 1980, they discovered piles of thousands of dead bodies in the field. It was powerful to see the tower of skulls, piles of clothing, and deep holes where the bodies were disposed.
Overall, we have been staying super busy by learning a ton about the Cambodian culture and teaching small things to help the hospital run more efficiently and provide a higher level of care. Be sure to check out the next blog for a nursing student’s perspective of the hospital….

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia

(Click images to view larger versions.)

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia

(Click images to view larger versions.)

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia
Hi, everyone! Let me give you all a quick update on our day. We left Phnom Penh this morning for a six-hour, uncomfortably warm bus ride through the Cambodian countryside to Siem Reap. Siem Reap is famous for it’s ancient temples, most notably Angkor Wat. After arriving at our hotel this afternoon, we rode the tuk-tuks to one of the temples to see the sunset. It was beautiful, and we were blessed by a nice breeze as we watched the clouds from atop the temple.
Our plans for tomorrow include several hours out at the temples to experience the 3-D history lesson. In the evening we will go to a performance of traditional Cambodian dance. It should be an exciting day, and I’m sure we will have lots to report on!
Thanks to all for staying in touch!

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia

Today was a very eye opening day for Diane, Julia, and myself as we did HIV home visits with the hospital’s social worker. Before heading to the homes we stopped at the market to buy apples and sardines for the families to eat. I feel that out of the homes we visited the first was the most heart wrenching. I would not even consider the first home a home but a shack. It was a bamboo plank raised off the ground with different plastic pieces of trash connected as a roof. One family’s 6×6 area was connected to the next family’s area. We arrived to a mother who was 25 and has AID. At home with her was her 10 year old son who does not have HIV, her 17 month old daughter who has HIV, and her 7 month old daughter who has HIV. The father was at work making $2.50 per day. As I looked around at their “house” I was blown away. I just could not believe that a family of five could live in such a small rundown space. We have tool sheds in America that are more stable than their home. I was also astonished to learn that they pay $25 a month to rent it! Words and pictures do not even begin to describe how sad their situation is. The social worker began to explain to us that the mother also has TB. She is on the hospitals DOTS program which means she must come to the outpatient clinic everyday for someone to directly observe her take her TB medication. However, she does not regularly make it to the clinic so her children have now all acquired TB as well. Also, the 10 year old boy had to stop going to school because it cost $10 a month and they could not afford for him to continue to attend. This made all three of us very sad because we knew without and education he has barely any opportunity to better his future living conditions. Our other visits were much like the first and we left feeling emotionally drained and wishing we could do more than give apples and sardines.

On a different note I know that our trip to the village is coming close and we are all very excited. We know that God has something very special to show us because there have been so many doors opened for us. However, there are still a few things we are not sure about and I would like to ask everyone to please pray for everything to fall into place the way God has planned and help us to trust in him.

We miss everyone at home and want you to know that your comments brighten our days and greatly encourage us and your continual prayers are needed.
Matthew 17:20 “The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, ‘Move!’ and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.”

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia
Wow…..what a trip so far! Today has been so full, I feel like we have had 2 or 3 days in one. So many things to share about that I will put them under subheadings. The morning began early at 0530 with the whole group going out to exercise. We witnessed a beautiful sunrise and then joined a group of Cambodians exercising in the form of dancing along the river front. The tall women from America were a big hit and we did the macarena (sp?) and some Khmer dancing. It was a great start for the day.
OUR PRAYERS: We have been praying together for our work in the hospital and village trying to focus on God’s ability to heal through us as well as healing that comes through the love of Christ. Our prayers have been specific that God give us the wisdom, compassion and love we need to make a difference in the places we go.
THE MOBILE CLINIC: HOPE has started a mobile clinic that consists of a truck with supplies, a doctor, nurse and other helpers. It travels around the city providing free medical care to the poor and needy, children and adults alike. We were asked if we wanted to join and of course we did. None of us including myself had any idea of what to expect. It was totally and completely amazing. We went to the area of Stung Mean Chay which is the city dump. It is the area the children come from in the orphanage we have visited in the past years. We walked in and were greeted by small children from the local school running to hug us. Later, the Khmer physician who runs the mobile clinic set up an area for me to see patients! He asked me if I would like to see them myself or together with him. I was a little nervous at first, but realized that God was providing me an opportunity to learn about the types of illnesses we would see next week in the village. We decided my Khmer language skills were not good enough to see patients without translation, so we settled on seeing them together. The group played with the kids and then helped triage the patients into the clinic. It has built the faith of each one of us to see how readily God is providing us with the wisdom we need to treat the children in the village. I learned so much about the medication available and types of illnesses we will see; most of which are due to such poor nutrition. Anson was able to use her PT skills and I realized today how valuable that will be in the village as many women came with sciatic pain or other overuse type ailments. During our discussion tonight of our “highs”and “lows”of our day, the mobile clinic and how God is providing was at the top of each list.
THE HOSPITAL: After the clinic was over and we had a wonderful lunch at a favorite restaurant, we went back to spend a few hours at the hospital. As the group was all off doing their “thing”, I headed to talk to the pharmacist about helping us to order some medications to take to the village. The idea was to purchase some de-worming medications, antihistamines (it is allergy season here), antibiotics and a few others. Well, God showed his love for the poor once again and HOPE is donating most all of the medication! They are providing enough medicaiton to treat 500 children for worms, antibitiotics, tylenol, pre-natal vitamins and more. So, far the only purchase of medications we will need to make will be for flagyl. Another prayer we have had is to provide us with a Khmer nurse to go with us to the village. I will admit, I was a little skeptical because I understand the issues with staffing at HOPE and we would be asking someone to volunteer their time as well. God is amazing and it was so easy. I did not even ask for a nurse to go, I was offered one! So, one of my dear Khmer friends who is a nurse educator at HOPE and a Christian will be coming with us to help in the village!
THE CHURCH: We attended church on Sunday and again tonight. The trip to church was miserably long due to rush hour traffic that is total chaos, but we finally made it and were happy to see everyone. After you read this next part, close your eyes an imagine this: Sitting in plastic chairs outside with fans blowing on you. The preacher is speaking in Khmer and there is a translator talking over the sound of the fans. Mosquitoes are biting at your ankles. The heat is still considerable even with the fans. Electricity goes out two to three times during service. A bat flies over the group a few times and then the large rat runs up the side and across the front behind the preacher. We think the rat is a cat, but realize it is not.
The church is actually doing great! There have been many teens baptized over the past year. The church that was planted from Phnom Penh in Siem Reap has grown from 7 to 24! There is much joy and excitement among the disciples and we have felt their love. They have come to pick us up for church in the van each time and then drive us all the way back to our hotel. I mentioned the village trip to Sovann and Sopheap (leaders of the church) and from the very first Sopheap wanted to come help translate. Prayerfully, she will be able to join us. I can see us in the village provided physical and spiritual help the the poor in health and spirit. Our God is a mighty and loving God who will do great things here.
THANKS: To each of you who has made this trip possible through allowing your daughters to come, donating money and supplies, supporting us with encouragement and prayers. We feel your prayers and rejoice in them. We are receiving Mannah from heaven and I pray that we remember the gifts God is lavishing on us now when we come to a time of suffering and need. We love you all!

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia

Today was our first full day of working in the hospital. Some of what we see and experience is similar to the US but much is different! In both venues, we see caring health care providers, sick patients, loving families. In Cambodia, however, families are feeding, bathing, and turning their family members who are sick; nurses are regulating IV rates by counting drips rather than using IV pumps; medical decisions are being made with less sophisticated equipment (X-rays rather than CT scans and a plastic chair on wheels rather than a wheelchair, for example.) One patient that we saw today (left image above) had a leg wound that had been treated months earlier in the hospital but who had then resorted to Cambodian traditional medicine, having the leg wrapped in a grass bandage. By the time he was brought back to the hospital, he was disoriented and the infection had spread throughout his body.
Another patient had a textbook case of ascites (right image above). We have many opportunities for learning–about skills, culture, and even about ourselves. Our group is awesome and positive even in the face of obstacles such as transportation and scheduling issues. Thank you for your prayers and continued support. Continue to pray for us and the people of Cambodia.
Click images for enlarged versions.

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia

We knew that today was going to be exciting when we saw both an elephant and a park full of monkeys on our morning run.
The hospital where we will be for the next few weeks is run by the Center of Hope Worldwide. It offers the only free healthcare for adults in the country. The building was larger than I expected. It has 2 operating rooms, an ER and surgery room with 10-15 beds in each room, a new x-ray machine, and even an air-conditioned lab. The staff warmly greeted us, and were very excited to see the return of Ms. Taplin, who acted as the head of nursing for 2 years. We spoke with the staff to see where they needed our help, and it seems like we will be doing a bit of everything. Tomorrow we will put in a full day at the hospital and will really see what it is like.

In the late afternoon, we traveled to Toul Sleng, or the S-21 Prison. Brief history – in the mid to late 1970s, civil war broke out in Cambodia. Pol Pot headed what is known as the Khmer Rouge and began taking control of the country. Their communist agenda was to move people out of the cities and into the rural areas. The genocide that followed killed almost 2 million Cambodians. S-21 Prison was an school transformed into a building of torture. People were tortured until they agreed to sign documents claiming they committed crimes against the government. They were then taken to the Killing Fields about 15km outside of the city.
To see the pictures of the men, women, and children who were tortured and killed in that very building was quite moving. Many of the cells where they were chained in were only a few feet wide. I find it interesting that a mass genocide that happened only 30 years ago is not more well known. Everyday people in this country lived though the Khmer Rouge. We were at the hospital today and one of the workers shared his story of the Khmer Rouge. He was separated from his family at the age of 14. For 3 yrs, 8 mo, and 20 days, he worked to build a dam, receiving only one bowl of rice soup a day. This strong, successful man is now only in his early 40s. It was amazing to hear such a story straight from the source. We all admire his strength and bravery for surving and sharing his story with us.
Today was an educational, eventful day. We learned much about the culture and history of this country. Tomorrow should bring more knowledge and excitement….

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia
We arrived to Phnom Penh late afternoon yesterday after a fun stop at the Bangkok airport. We were greeted at the airport by our hotel bus and then we checked in to the Golden Gate Hotel.

(click images for larger version) For our first night in the city, we went to a local theater and saw a native drum performance. It was really fun and great to see a part of Cambodian culture. The performers also did a traditional “monkey dance” which was hilarious. At the end of the show, Stefani, Anson, and I got on stage and showed off our amazing drum playing skills 🙂 This morning we took a tuk tuk to the Russian Market which was a really unique experience. There was everything from sapphires to dinner plates to food. We all enjoyed it a lot and got some cool stuff but after a few hours we were ready for some refreshing lime soda. Delicious. I think we’re all very happy to be here and are making the most of this experience. Tonight we plan on going to church and then dinner before bed. Tomorrow will be our first day at the hospital for a tour and to get started working. Woo Hoo!

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia
Today our journey of Chaing Mai continued. We were off to and early start at 8:30 am with a full day ahead. Our first stop was at the orchid garden and butterfly farm, both of which were breathtaking.

(Click images to view larger size) We then moved on to the adventures with the elephants. This to say the least was amazing. We were all in awe of these incredible creatures that are not seen in Tennessee unless you visit the zoo. When we arrived the elephants were bathing and the river and began to playfully spray the crowd with water. We all received muddy elephant kisses and then watched the elephant show. The show consisted of elephants dancing, painting, and playing soccer. It was quite amazing and funny.

We then took an ox and wooden cart ride to a village were we then rode the elephants to our destination of lunch. We all loved riding on the elephants for we knew this is a once in a lifetime adventure. After enjoying another wonderful Thai meal we went on a thirty minute bamboo raft river ride. This was quite relaxing and a wonderful way to see the beauty of Chiang Mai. We each had a turn at steering the raft though I think Anson and Susan were by far the best. We left the river and headed to the Long Neck Village.
The Long Neck’s get their name from the women who wear medal rings around their necks, which lengthen their necks. They originally had theses ring put on because it was believed that the women were weaker than the men and would be unable to fend off a tiger attacking them. Therefore, the rings would protect their necks from tiger bites. However, they are worn today for decoration. Beginning at age five a ring or so is placed on the neck until age twenty. We learned about these people and and watched as they made beautiful and woven scarves.
Our time here in Chiang Mai hasflown by and we have enjoyed every moment of it. I sent in some pictures today so I hope they went thru okay and make it up. We are headed to Cambodia in the morning and we will keep everyone posted on the rest of our journey. Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers.

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia
Greetings from Thailand! After a long journey (almost 40 hours on planes and in airports), we have arrived safely in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This is the first stop on our itinerary that takes us to Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and a Cambodian village. After stopping in the Hong Kong airport, and a seven-hour layover in the Bangkok airport (sleeping on cold floors is not too comfortable!), we finally stepped on Thai ground around 8am yesterday.

After reaching our hotel and taking a short nap, we attended a Thai cooking class. Our instructor led us through the markets, where we learned about traditional Thai ingredients. Then, at her kitchen, we prepared various Thai dishes, such as spring rolls, green curry, and sticky rice with mango. The names of some of the other dishes I don’t know how to pronounce, much less spell, but luckily we each received a cookbook with the recipes. Now we can cook Thai for you guys back home when we return!
Today we had a very “interesting” trek through the hills around Chiang Mai to visit a hill tribe. The guide had promised us that it would be “easy,” but this was definitely not the case!. It was very steep and very long–eight and a half hours! There was lots of mud, sweat, a few tears, and pouring rain involved, but in the end we all agreed that it was a great time. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous! Tomorrow we have a day planned with elephant riding, rafting, waterfalls, and much, much more. We will definitely keep everyone updated, and we hope to get some pictures up!
Thank you all so much for your thoughts, prayers, and all your comments here! Halfway across the world, it means so much to stay in contact with you all!

2008 Mission Trip to Cambodia
I am going on this trip because I want to develop a deeper appreciation of the Cambodian culture. By opening my eyes and learning to respect the culture, people, and health care system, I will become a better physical therapist. Through cultural exchange, I will bring my knowledge to the Cambodian physical therapists, while they will teach me far more than I can imagine.