Everybody's Got a Water Buffalo

If you grew up in the Christian sub-culture, then you're probably familiar with the VeggieTales song “Everybody’s Got a Water Buffalo” . I found myself humming this tune yesterday on our way out to see patients in one of the farther out clinics because everyone did have a water buffalo!!

Water Buffalo at the church

Water Buffalo blocking the way

After a bit of a slow and discouraging start, my first week here ended on a much more positive note. A doctor from the States and a nurse from South Africa were visiting the ministry that I am working with for only two days, so the director of the patient care ministry took us out to several of the churches out in the provinces to assess people that had been referred by the pastor or church members as needing medical assistance. Most of the patients were thankfully not too sick, but we did see some that will need to be brought to Phnom Penh for further follow-up.

A lot of our time was spent educating the patients on basic nutrition and hydration to increase overall health. I learned much from the doctor that was with us, as he had been on multiple medical missions all over the world and had worked in Cambodia twice before. He has a very balanced view of the help but also limitations of medical missions in third world countries. He also seamlessly integrates the care of the patients physical needs with their spiritual needs which is something I don’t have much practice in having only worked in the hospital setting where boundaries are more strict.

Dr. Ryan, Candace and I at a pastor's house. As you can see, our two days included lots of adventure!

A little boy with prune belly syndrome that can hopefully get international aid

Dr. Ryan praying with a patient who had suffered a stroke 2 years ago. Unfortunately, there is not much we can do medically for him at this point...that's where the spiritual becomes so important

Flooded entrance to one of the churches

One of my frustrations leading up to and since I’ve been here has been lack of a pre planned out schedule. However, God knew from before any of the 3 of us planned to come here that he would bring us together to serve the Cambodian people and this ministry for the past two days. It was one of those things that you couldn’t have orchestrated if you tried. We got along great as a team, and I know that I learned a lot not just from the doctor and other nurse but also the director and Cambodians that joined us. It was a joy working with them, and while I still don’t have a super specific schedule for the days ahead, I know God has great things planned for me!!