28Oct Church, Pizza and Final Post

Ah, still getting up early, but we don’t have to dress in scrubs for clinic.  Forgot to mention yesterday.  As we finished with our last clinic and in the bus going back to the hotel, Thomas, our “crowd control” man, (Actually a successful businessman in Singapore), came down the isle passing out “communion”.  These were our post clinic, post tropical environment de-worming pills!  It will kill 19 different worms and flukes.  We will wait to take ours after our 2 weeks in Borneo!

Last night was our “banquet”, celebrating our 5 days of clinic, even more food then usual, then an opportunity for everyone to publically reflect on the week.  7-10pm.  A great time.  All were moved by the friendliness of the Cambodian people, both the poor who we served, but also our interpreters and helpers.  Several were medical students, others, businessmen, one sold diamonds in her family’s business.  Some of  the Cambodia support team work for the different churches, many, though, took time away from their studies or businesses to help us.

A great church service.  Video projector of praise music, the keyboard reminded us of karaoke!  Victor, or leader gave a great sermon, reminding both old and new Christians, that the God’s “arrangement” with  Old Testament Jews was a covenant not a contract (one way), and for New Testament Christians, grace not works, again one way.  Few people, anywhere, really understand this.

After lunch, we said goodbye to everyone, they were heading back to Phnom Penh in the bus (6 hour bus ride), we cruised the isles in the downtown market place and ended up at the Lemongrass Spa for massages.  (May’-soj).  Tourism note:  always check the internet for massage parlors before you show up.  Not all are legitimate, some downright dangerous.  This one had a great rating, hey, it was also $10 for the hour.  Can’t beat that.  Finally, a break from Asian fare, we went down the street for pizza, although Asian style, it was the first cheese (!) we have had in a week. Nice.

So, what do we take away from our week in Cambodia?  People really are the same everywhere in the world.  What separates us from each other, income, language, health, religion, resources, opportunity are all man-made.  Bridging that gap benefits all; misunderstandings diminish, barriers diminish, peace arrives.