Hello to everyone -
I apologize for my fairly infrequent updates online, but in case you haven't heard (fully my fault) ....I'm currently in Cambodia!!
Poi Pet at sunset
I have been blogging for Freedom's Promise, so if you would like to read about this past week, click HERE.
There are many amazing things to share about this trip, but most importantly, I want to share a story that is close to my heart.
If you were following my trip to Cambodia in January, you might remember that I was in a bit of an accident. (To read about it in detail, click HERE). But in brief, Perlito is a pastor in Poi Pet and a dear friend of Freedom’s Promise. When I was here earlier this year, Perlito and I were en route to Kampong Thom when a car hit our motorcycle. By the grace of God, we were both alive, but Perlito required surgery to set a fractured femur.
“…So are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than
your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8
Yesterday, I stood next to Perlito at his church in Kampong
Thom as he recounted the last six months of the Lord’s faithfulness. With tears streaming down my face, I
realized at that moment that we were finally together at our original
destination.
When we set out from Poi Pet on January 30th, we
thought we had an easy 4-hour ride ahead of us. Little did we know that the journey we were about to embark
upon would actually take 6 months, a lot of pain, tears of sadness and joy,
difficult goodbyes, sweet hellos, and for me – four countries and seven plane
flights. But here we were, and
Perlito was standing. The many skype calls, trips to the
doctor accounted over email, and rehab plan revisions were all worth it. Perlito still has a long way to go
before playing soccer…but that day will come.
I am reminded that, often, the journey of life looks a lot
like this. We have a plan, an
intended destination. We think we
can estimate the amount of time it will take to get there, the work involved,
and the outcome. Our plans seem
well laid, and we can taste what it might feel like to be successful. But I would submit (thanks Jamie) that
this is not how the Lord sees our lives.
He sees the person we will become at the end, He sees the relationships
that are built as we walk along the path, He sees our hearts – the things we
most need to deal with. In a place
of pain and suffering, when the resolution is not in sight, He wants to be the
one we run to. He forces nothing,
yet he expects everything.
Maureen, one of the pharmacists on this trip, led a
beautiful devotion this morning and referenced Genesis 50:20, which reads, “You
intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now
being done, the saving of many lives.”
This verse rings true over and over again in our story. Yesterday, we took four vans full of
medical professionals, translators, and supplies over the exact spot where
Perlito and I once hit the asphalt.
What was meant to harm us is now fuel for us to continue serving and
loving the poorest of the poor.
I also want to express how grateful we are for all of your
prayers and even financial support for the hospital bills for Perlito. It has been a difficult year, but also
wonderful in many ways – thanks to many of you.
Six months exactly - Perlito and I
In other news, I am here with a phenomenal medical team - each member has brought something special and unique to our clinics. I have been able to use my ATC training to do a lot of injury assessment, treatment, and rehab programs - it's been fun to see how those skills work SO well in this setting! ....more thoughts to come on that later.
We have also had some VERY exciting meetings about the very real possibility of starting and staffing a permanent medical clinic here in Poi Pet. I am at a loss for words when I see threads weaving together before my eyes. Again, more details will be forthcoming as they fall into place.
We have two more busy clinic days before we begin the long journey home. Can't wait to see you all soon. Sending lots of love from Cambodia!
Sports Med...Cambo style
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