... is 75% better.
Praise God!
STOP PRESS. Another up-date. Now reported to be 100%. Wow.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Bong Broh's back
In the physio up-grade training clinic, Steve and the Khmer physios are currently targeting back and neck pain. It changes every 10 weeks so they gain experience in a wide range of areas. It also means that they meet a wide range of characters, like the one Steve was dealing with yesterday…
Bong Broh (older brother) is a very poor man. He arrives at the clinic each week in the same clothes. He is often unwashed and smelly, yet Steve encourages the physios to treat this man with the same concern and respect as the office worker, foreigner or movie star.
After weeks of treatment with no results, Steve sent him to a local hospital for an MRI scan of his spine. As Steve was unsure of the cost, he gave Bong Broh more than enough money to pay for it ($150), instructing him to get a receipt and to return the remaining funds next time he came to the clinic.
It was a lot of money and it was too much temptation for Bong Broh. When he returned, he brought back only $5 claiming that they didn’t give him a receipt. Steve accepted this, but when he pulled the x-ray film from the envelope he also found a receipt for only $80.
Furious at being lied to, Steve managed to remain quiet while he slowly thought through the situation and his response. He knew that without his help, this man would never recover and his family would remain shockingly destitute. In the end, he spoke strongly to Bong Broh, reprimanding him to be honest in order to show gratitude for the support he was getting from the clinic.
The scan showed that Bong Broh needs an operation if he is to have any hope of reducing his debilitating pain. So yesterday (learning from his previous “near miss”), Steve met Bong Broh at the hospital and directly paid the operating doctor $550 of project funds (Bong Broh had previously told him it would cost $850). He also gave Bong Broh $40 to buy a clean set of clothes, a sarong, a sleeping mat and food for his stay in hospital… it was a generous amount from which we are hoping he can manage save a little for his family.
They operated last night and we won’t know for a number of days whether the operation was a success.
It all reminds me of Matthew 9:11-13 when the Pharisees asked Jesus' disciples why He eats with tax collectors and "sinners". Jesus replied, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice'. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners".
Bong Broh (older brother) is a very poor man. He arrives at the clinic each week in the same clothes. He is often unwashed and smelly, yet Steve encourages the physios to treat this man with the same concern and respect as the office worker, foreigner or movie star.
After weeks of treatment with no results, Steve sent him to a local hospital for an MRI scan of his spine. As Steve was unsure of the cost, he gave Bong Broh more than enough money to pay for it ($150), instructing him to get a receipt and to return the remaining funds next time he came to the clinic.
It was a lot of money and it was too much temptation for Bong Broh. When he returned, he brought back only $5 claiming that they didn’t give him a receipt. Steve accepted this, but when he pulled the x-ray film from the envelope he also found a receipt for only $80.
Furious at being lied to, Steve managed to remain quiet while he slowly thought through the situation and his response. He knew that without his help, this man would never recover and his family would remain shockingly destitute. In the end, he spoke strongly to Bong Broh, reprimanding him to be honest in order to show gratitude for the support he was getting from the clinic.
The scan showed that Bong Broh needs an operation if he is to have any hope of reducing his debilitating pain. So yesterday (learning from his previous “near miss”), Steve met Bong Broh at the hospital and directly paid the operating doctor $550 of project funds (Bong Broh had previously told him it would cost $850). He also gave Bong Broh $40 to buy a clean set of clothes, a sarong, a sleeping mat and food for his stay in hospital… it was a generous amount from which we are hoping he can manage save a little for his family.
They operated last night and we won’t know for a number of days whether the operation was a success.
It all reminds me of Matthew 9:11-13 when the Pharisees asked Jesus' disciples why He eats with tax collectors and "sinners". Jesus replied, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice'. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners".
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Today's lesson
Just a quick up-date on the card making today.
In usual Khmer-style (which some might also describe as Lisa-style), the plan changed moment by moment and nearly an hour after arriving we were finally all sitting cross-legged around the low table, making the cards. Well, it was actually just the boss, the team leader and one of the girls.. but from my estimation they were the people who were going to run with it anyhow. Lion cub was also there wreaking havoc…
However, at 11am, the boss stopped. It was time for devotion even though none of us had finished the cards. She was confident she could follow the templates I had prepared. Sharing together about Jesus was a greater priority.
I tried to help pack up and the devotion time had already begun by the time I left. As I snuck out to get Lion cub home to bed, I was reminded of my own lack of discipline in spending time with God. I didn’t spend the time to focus on Him this morning and it showed – I was distractible, unorganised and only achieved half of what I had planned.
It is a lesson that I am (embarrassingly) excruciatingly slow in learning … even with a Template!
In usual Khmer-style (which some might also describe as Lisa-style), the plan changed moment by moment and nearly an hour after arriving we were finally all sitting cross-legged around the low table, making the cards. Well, it was actually just the boss, the team leader and one of the girls.. but from my estimation they were the people who were going to run with it anyhow. Lion cub was also there wreaking havoc…
However, at 11am, the boss stopped. It was time for devotion even though none of us had finished the cards. She was confident she could follow the templates I had prepared. Sharing together about Jesus was a greater priority.
I tried to help pack up and the devotion time had already begun by the time I left. As I snuck out to get Lion cub home to bed, I was reminded of my own lack of discipline in spending time with God. I didn’t spend the time to focus on Him this morning and it showed – I was distractible, unorganised and only achieved half of what I had planned.
It is a lesson that I am (embarrassingly) excruciatingly slow in learning … even with a Template!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Productive Fun
You'll have to excuse me, I'm a little excited.
Tomorrow, I will be teaching a group of girls to make some cards that I designed (see below)… not because I’m an awesome card maker, but because I was just at the right place at the right time.
“Slum light” (terrible name, I know) is a card-making project begun by Servants to Asia’s Urban Poor in the Chbaar Ambow district. It provides work to a number of girls from the local slum area, selling the cards abroad through various volunteers who on-sell them in churches etc.
All of Servants' projects (as well as Slum Light) are now entirely Khmer run with various expat advisors from the Servants team. One of these advisors was working on developing some new, fresh ideas for the cards. My interest was sparked and she was kind enough to let me visit the Centre. From then, I was hooked and a bizarre transformation has occurred.
My normally pink and blue world has given way to greens, purples, browns and (horrors) orange! Paper, ribbons, stamps and cutting instruments actually excite me. The only woman in the world who hates shopping (me) is spending hours at the local market looking for paper, chatting with the sellers while my little Lion cub sits patiently in the backpack.
Apart from being a part-time, creative outlet that I can do at home, I love it because I finally have an excuse to play. I see it as “productive fun” with a wider benefit beyond myself. (Velociraptor who sells me his paintings to send to grandparents thinks I am being incredibly generous.)
However, the benefit it yet to be seen as we wait to find out if anyone actually buys it!
But I have plenty more designs, loads of business ideas and still much passion. Who would have ever thought??
Tomorrow, I will be teaching a group of girls to make some cards that I designed (see below)… not because I’m an awesome card maker, but because I was just at the right place at the right time.
“Slum light” (terrible name, I know) is a card-making project begun by Servants to Asia’s Urban Poor in the Chbaar Ambow district. It provides work to a number of girls from the local slum area, selling the cards abroad through various volunteers who on-sell them in churches etc.
All of Servants' projects (as well as Slum Light) are now entirely Khmer run with various expat advisors from the Servants team. One of these advisors was working on developing some new, fresh ideas for the cards. My interest was sparked and she was kind enough to let me visit the Centre. From then, I was hooked and a bizarre transformation has occurred.
My normally pink and blue world has given way to greens, purples, browns and (horrors) orange! Paper, ribbons, stamps and cutting instruments actually excite me. The only woman in the world who hates shopping (me) is spending hours at the local market looking for paper, chatting with the sellers while my little Lion cub sits patiently in the backpack.
Apart from being a part-time, creative outlet that I can do at home, I love it because I finally have an excuse to play. I see it as “productive fun” with a wider benefit beyond myself. (Velociraptor who sells me his paintings to send to grandparents thinks I am being incredibly generous.)
However, the benefit it yet to be seen as we wait to find out if anyone actually buys it!
But I have plenty more designs, loads of business ideas and still much passion. Who would have ever thought??
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Flowers in the rubbish
I took this photo a couple of weeks back and it has been speaking to me ever since…
Life has been anything but easy lately. Another tummy bug, another cold, and yet another night of interrupted sleep has floored me. My mantra of “this too shall pass” is wearing as thin as I am. My awe of mothers with more than 3 children is sky high!
But like my Princess, I wanted to find the flowers amongst the rubbish. I needed to.
So, I endeavoured to list 10 things to be thankful for… my mum (of course), my husband, kids, various friends who had noticed my struggles and responded with such care, music, the latest Survivor episodes, a book on baby sleep. However, I soon found that my list could not contain all of the things I was thankful for… my sis, unexpected gifts in the mail, a note of encouragement, a friend who makes me laugh (a lot), people who pray daily for us, my pa, pizza, a wise voice.
I was struck by two things. One, I am not alone on this journey. And two (sheepishly), I was no longer looking for flowers amongst the roadside rubbish. I was actually looking at a flower bed but had been staring at some litter that could blow away tomorrow.
Forgive me, Lord.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Food for thought
In keeping with my current obsession with food, I’d like to show you seven photos taken from “What the World Eats” a photo essay of the Time Photo Gallery (there are 16 in total). I found it powerful and disturbing, fascinating in its detail and insight into lives in these countries.
Japan: The Ukita family of Kodaira City
Food expenditure for one week: 37,699 Yen or $317.25 AU$388.62
Egypt: The Ahmed family of Cairo
Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53 AU$79.42
Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp
Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23 AU$1.39
Great Britain: The Bainton family of Cllingbourne Ducis
Food expenditure for one week: 155.54 British Pounds or $253.15
Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo
Food expenditure for one week: $31.55 AU$35.70
Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village
Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03 AU$5.69
Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide
Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07 AU$625.24
This speaks to me about a number of things. Progress equals processed. Small changes to our western lifestyle combined with generosity could make a huge difference in the lives of others – the only thing lacking is willpower. The remarkable resilience of the poor. Feeding your family is an achievement worth celebrating (or you don’t need a million bucks to have a million dollar smile). Simplicity is a great and healthy aim which will also benefit the environment. And self-funded retirees who find themselves short should consider moving to Bhutan.
What does it say to you?
Japan: The Ukita family of Kodaira City
Food expenditure for one week: 37,699 Yen or $317.25 AU$388.62
Egypt: The Ahmed family of Cairo
Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53 AU$79.42
Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp
Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23 AU$1.39
Great Britain: The Bainton family of Cllingbourne Ducis
Food expenditure for one week: 155.54 British Pounds or $253.15
Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo
Food expenditure for one week: $31.55 AU$35.70
Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village
Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03 AU$5.69
Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide
Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07 AU$625.24
This speaks to me about a number of things. Progress equals processed. Small changes to our western lifestyle combined with generosity could make a huge difference in the lives of others – the only thing lacking is willpower. The remarkable resilience of the poor. Feeding your family is an achievement worth celebrating (or you don’t need a million bucks to have a million dollar smile). Simplicity is a great and healthy aim which will also benefit the environment. And self-funded retirees who find themselves short should consider moving to Bhutan.
What does it say to you?
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