Thanks

When we signed up for missions, we were warned to not expect any thanks from those whom we were reaching. A mentor who has worked many years overseas can count on one hand the number of thank yous he has received.

However, our experience has been quite the opposite, particularly for Steve in his physio training clinic. Because they are only training, it is a free service. Yet it has been highly valued by the patients treated there.

Crumpled notes are often shoved in the donation box (which are then used to help with medical costs for poor patients). And weekly, we can expect a bag of fruit from a patient’s own tree (which are shared amongst the physios or brought home to us). Once, we even got a packet of Tim Tams (which was NOT shared!).

But over the last couple of weeks, we have been showered with appreciation.

One wife of a missionary invited us to a scrumptious homemade dinner of lasagna, mango and coconut cake, and chai tea. A high level Policeman has taken Steve and the physios out a number of times to a seafood restaurant (the kind with live fish swimming in tanks outside “waiting” to be chosen).

But my favourite “thank you” came from yet another man of few means who had a back operation paid by the project funds. Only days after the operation and just as he was leaving Phnom Penh to return to his home in the Provinces, this father of 10 children came to Steve’s clinic. Overjoyed with his treatment and success of the operation, the man thanked Steve again and again, calling him one of his own sons. He has invited us all to visit him and his family in the Provinces where I am sure we would be treated with hospitality beyond their means.

The challenge is communicating that they should be thanking the One who sent us and the One who inspires others to be generous in giving. Mostly, it just falls on deaf ears... but we pray that it sits in their hearts, one day to take root and grow.