God is good! Been a while since I wrote, but God is awesome! So the ARMS team leaves today. It was great being a part of them. Always love meeting the old and new. Everyone is so wonderful and unique and I am always blessed. Apparently on the 8 days of camps and extra stuff they/we all saw 2012 patients. Kind of cool given the year J
So some background about ARMS. I was in Japan, just moved there as a missionary and it was my 2nd week. I was asking God what He wanted me to do in Japan. And He said to go to 5 different places, one being Okinawa Japan. Through a series of misunderstanding I end up at a couples house for 2 days and the next morning they asked me if I was interested in going to Cambodia or the Philippines on medical missions with their church. I wasn’t. But to be nice since I was staying with them I said I would watch their dvd on both countries. Well, although I was pretty clear on not wanting to go to Cambodia when I saw the video I started to cry. And I am not a crier. I knew I was supposed to go. So I went with the team. My very first medical mission trip. I had no idea what to expect. Only that God would do something with healings there. At the time I was going around Japan teaching on God’s spiritual gifts, but I was starting to wonder about a few things, especially about healing. There are so many teachings out there. To see healings some say you must pray a lot before hand, others say you must have the gift or be “anointed” , some even claim certain words said for various diseases cause results, BUT the bible just seemed to say you would lay hands on the sick and they would recover. So I told God I would not teach on healing until he revealed the truth to me. J
I didn’t pray before the Cambodia trip. I was at a point where I knew God was showing me it’s not what I do that causes Him to do anything (like heal people, bless their lives, etc) but it’s His love for them. I went on this trip a little scared. By then I hadn’t practiced medicine in 1 ½ years in a clinical setting and I heard we would average 100 patients a day per doctor in 6 hours time and all this in a tropical medicine setting which I hadn’t studied since medical school! AHH! But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I resigned myself to not being able to share about God or pray with people because I had to be a good doctor first. Was disappointed but I knew God wanted me to be a doctor on this trip.
The first patient was just heartburn! So I was feeling pretty good! Maybe I could do this! The 2nd though was so sick I thought she was going to die soon. So as I examined her I was complaining to God saying I signed up to be a doctor to help people, not see them die and if this was what the trip was going to be like, I couldn’t make it. Hehe! But God is God and He is in control! So my interpreter interrupted me and said that the patient was saying that while I was examining her all her pain disappeared! They will lay hands on the sick and they will recover! Wow its was true. The bible was true in what it said! So the next girl had an eye problem she was born with and so we prayed and she could see.
The next day a 15 year old girl came who couldn’t see anything, her eyes were moving back and forth and she was going numb on her face. I thought she had a brain tumor so I told the family that I was sorry there was nothing I could do, but Jesus could heal her. So we prayed and first she could see my eyes, then my smile, then count fingers, then see I was writing something and then as I had two little girls pray for her while I saw more patients she was completely healed and of course automatically believed that God is God! By the last day I wasn’t asking paient’s what was wrong. It was, do you know Jesus? He loves you and wants to heal you. Then I would have them pray and they would be healed. One lady was very sour and as soon as she came in I asked if she wanted to believe. She said she would only believe if she was healed. I said ok (after momentary doubt) and then we prayed. I asked if anything happened. She said no, I said, are you sure? Not even a little bit and she said ok, a little bit. So I said praise God! And slapped her hand onto her affected body part and had her pray in the name of Jesus and she got a huge smile on her face as she prayed and was healed! Then she prayed for the rest of herself and walked out a very smiley person full of peace, joy and a healed body. That day all but one patient got healed.
I was reprimanded for not going into the stories of the healing this time J and I totally understand why, but part of me just says, “of course God will heal” that is his job. Hehe! But I always hated it when missionaries didn’t give the cool details. So I apologize and I hope this makes up for the other stories J
As for what’s up. Well it looks like we are going to get to move into the café after I leave! The location is central. We have no contract, which is good and bad, but unless something weird happens I know the manager will not kick us out because he is just very trusting. I of course would love a contract, but really I guess it’s in our best interest not to have one and they don’t want one so YAY! J
Yesterday was the ARMS team day off. 3 were supposed to come and visit and 10 came! I had planned for them to teach English but since there were so many we ended up changing things around and Kimmy had come so we sang, the team shared and everyone was happy.
One of the girls has been sick. Michael told me she might have appendicitis. I told him no, the doctors are milking her for money. So yesterday I saw her and all she had was constipation due to dehydration. Healthcare is sad in Cambodia. But I am glad I got to help her. They gave her 5 different pills, none of which she needs L And this is THE women’s health clinic in the Phnom Penh. Sad, really sad. I’m so glad I get to teach my medical students and hopefully as they train all these NGO’s better came will start. But what I am even more excited about is as Michael goes to the provinces, maybe the people will start to really learn and then they won’t believe these doctors and will be able to save their money and treat themselves at least for common things. J pray for the people of Cambodia and their health system.
Anyways saw M and then rushed off to make it in time for ice-cream in a coconut! It was great seeing Kimmy and laughing with her. We both needed to just relax and laugh.
After that we were off to check tickets for our weekend trip. Una has one weekend left so might as well make it count. And we had such high energy that we ended up at the appreciation dinner for the ARMS team despite not planning to go. We went Wednesday to say goodbye to everyone the day before.
one last thing. the one thing that hasn't happened right is that my bible study ended. well today I found out it hadn't :) hehe! all a misunderstanding. so every desire for and in cambodia is coming to past! how awesome is God.
Tomorrow off for a 1 day vacation!
So some background about ARMS. I was in Japan, just moved there as a missionary and it was my 2nd week. I was asking God what He wanted me to do in Japan. And He said to go to 5 different places, one being Okinawa Japan. Through a series of misunderstanding I end up at a couples house for 2 days and the next morning they asked me if I was interested in going to Cambodia or the Philippines on medical missions with their church. I wasn’t. But to be nice since I was staying with them I said I would watch their dvd on both countries. Well, although I was pretty clear on not wanting to go to Cambodia when I saw the video I started to cry. And I am not a crier. I knew I was supposed to go. So I went with the team. My very first medical mission trip. I had no idea what to expect. Only that God would do something with healings there. At the time I was going around Japan teaching on God’s spiritual gifts, but I was starting to wonder about a few things, especially about healing. There are so many teachings out there. To see healings some say you must pray a lot before hand, others say you must have the gift or be “anointed” , some even claim certain words said for various diseases cause results, BUT the bible just seemed to say you would lay hands on the sick and they would recover. So I told God I would not teach on healing until he revealed the truth to me. J
I didn’t pray before the Cambodia trip. I was at a point where I knew God was showing me it’s not what I do that causes Him to do anything (like heal people, bless their lives, etc) but it’s His love for them. I went on this trip a little scared. By then I hadn’t practiced medicine in 1 ½ years in a clinical setting and I heard we would average 100 patients a day per doctor in 6 hours time and all this in a tropical medicine setting which I hadn’t studied since medical school! AHH! But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I resigned myself to not being able to share about God or pray with people because I had to be a good doctor first. Was disappointed but I knew God wanted me to be a doctor on this trip.
The first patient was just heartburn! So I was feeling pretty good! Maybe I could do this! The 2nd though was so sick I thought she was going to die soon. So as I examined her I was complaining to God saying I signed up to be a doctor to help people, not see them die and if this was what the trip was going to be like, I couldn’t make it. Hehe! But God is God and He is in control! So my interpreter interrupted me and said that the patient was saying that while I was examining her all her pain disappeared! They will lay hands on the sick and they will recover! Wow its was true. The bible was true in what it said! So the next girl had an eye problem she was born with and so we prayed and she could see.
The next day a 15 year old girl came who couldn’t see anything, her eyes were moving back and forth and she was going numb on her face. I thought she had a brain tumor so I told the family that I was sorry there was nothing I could do, but Jesus could heal her. So we prayed and first she could see my eyes, then my smile, then count fingers, then see I was writing something and then as I had two little girls pray for her while I saw more patients she was completely healed and of course automatically believed that God is God! By the last day I wasn’t asking paient’s what was wrong. It was, do you know Jesus? He loves you and wants to heal you. Then I would have them pray and they would be healed. One lady was very sour and as soon as she came in I asked if she wanted to believe. She said she would only believe if she was healed. I said ok (after momentary doubt) and then we prayed. I asked if anything happened. She said no, I said, are you sure? Not even a little bit and she said ok, a little bit. So I said praise God! And slapped her hand onto her affected body part and had her pray in the name of Jesus and she got a huge smile on her face as she prayed and was healed! Then she prayed for the rest of herself and walked out a very smiley person full of peace, joy and a healed body. That day all but one patient got healed.
I was reprimanded for not going into the stories of the healing this time J and I totally understand why, but part of me just says, “of course God will heal” that is his job. Hehe! But I always hated it when missionaries didn’t give the cool details. So I apologize and I hope this makes up for the other stories J
As for what’s up. Well it looks like we are going to get to move into the café after I leave! The location is central. We have no contract, which is good and bad, but unless something weird happens I know the manager will not kick us out because he is just very trusting. I of course would love a contract, but really I guess it’s in our best interest not to have one and they don’t want one so YAY! J
Yesterday was the ARMS team day off. 3 were supposed to come and visit and 10 came! I had planned for them to teach English but since there were so many we ended up changing things around and Kimmy had come so we sang, the team shared and everyone was happy.
One of the girls has been sick. Michael told me she might have appendicitis. I told him no, the doctors are milking her for money. So yesterday I saw her and all she had was constipation due to dehydration. Healthcare is sad in Cambodia. But I am glad I got to help her. They gave her 5 different pills, none of which she needs L And this is THE women’s health clinic in the Phnom Penh. Sad, really sad. I’m so glad I get to teach my medical students and hopefully as they train all these NGO’s better came will start. But what I am even more excited about is as Michael goes to the provinces, maybe the people will start to really learn and then they won’t believe these doctors and will be able to save their money and treat themselves at least for common things. J pray for the people of Cambodia and their health system.
Anyways saw M and then rushed off to make it in time for ice-cream in a coconut! It was great seeing Kimmy and laughing with her. We both needed to just relax and laugh.
After that we were off to check tickets for our weekend trip. Una has one weekend left so might as well make it count. And we had such high energy that we ended up at the appreciation dinner for the ARMS team despite not planning to go. We went Wednesday to say goodbye to everyone the day before.
one last thing. the one thing that hasn't happened right is that my bible study ended. well today I found out it hadn't :) hehe! all a misunderstanding. so every desire for and in cambodia is coming to past! how awesome is God.
Tomorrow off for a 1 day vacation!