Article from Russ
We know we just put in a previous blog someone's words, but we couldn't help but add this also. Russ and Rosemary are special to us and have great hearts. The words they wrote must be shared.
On the road of life, the Ship of Life provided a wonderful challenge.
–Russ Burcham
Rosemary and I reached our 80+ birthdays recently. She always jests that I am “much” older - and that is true - I am 83 and she is 82. I have been retired from dentistry for about 20 years. We have usually spent about three months each year teaching at foreign mission points including Austria, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Romania, Albania, Honduras, Kosova, Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma). Three years ago as we worked to build the church in Cambodia we were challenged by a new opportunity: to work on the Ship of Life, then under construction by Partners in Progress, a mission of the Little Rock, AR, Windsong church of Christ.
A result of the fertile mind of Bill McDonough and with the support of many brethren, the Ship of Life has now, for about one year, plied the waters of the famed Mekong River which flows from north to south across Cambodia. Stopping at villages along the river the ship provides Medical and Dental treatment for poor people who do not have access to these health services.
In early January, 2008, with a good deal of trepidation, we walked across the gangplank for a two month stay and a tremendous experience. The big question was, “After 20 years will I be able to use the surgical techniques which were a part of my life for the previous 40 years?” The answer came quickly: “It’s like riding a bike. You never forget how to do it!”, said Dr. Rick Northen, retired dentist who serves as Project Director. With Rosemary’s assistance in the ship’s modern facility we performed dental surgery for hundreds of impoverished people. Across the hallway, other patients were treated by a physician. Assisting in the entire process might be a retired nurse, an LPN, a former secretary, a housewife.
For us, seniors, this means that the talents which served us for so long are still available. What a wonderful thing to be able to use them again, especially in a setting where we can show the love of God to people who do not know Jesus Christ.
80% of the people of the world have inadequate sewer facilities and unsafe water. Carcasses of dead animals float by in the rivers. Cows wade in them urinating and defecating. Yet, untold thousands of people live in shanties along these rivers. Their sewage is dumped in the streams. They wash their clothes in the water, bathe in it, drink it and cook their rice in it. Christians come to these rural areas to teach the Word of God, to educate and bring basic medical and dental care. If you say the word “Christian” to one of these people, the first image to pop into his mind may be that of a health team which restored his sight or relieved his pain. And –– that is not a bad place to start.
There are many similar activities available to those of us in our 60's - 80's. Numerous helpful areas of information such as the internet exist. Finding them is not too difficult. Most churches support missions. Perusal of brotherhood periodicals shows a surprising number of opportunities. Area-wide lectureships such as the Harding Lectures abound with such information. But active investigation is what it takes to busy oneself in service. To be sure, journeying to interesting world areas is pleasurable and entertaining. However, the point here is to make it really fulfilling by traveling for service in the name of the Lord. As great missionary, Otis Gatewood, said many times from foreign soil, “Please don’t come over here just to see a pile of rocks!! ”
Think about this: Just as you would if traveling for pleasure, use your own resources when possible rather than depending on others to provide the necessary travel funds. It is very rewarding. And, for the most effective service please consider that, in many cases, distance and the necessary adjustment period preclude a quick, short term stay.
I must not leave the impression that only retired health professionals can work in foreign fields. These 20 years before the advent of the Ship of Life Rosemary and I spent 95% of our time teaching the Word one-on-one. All seniors are valuable to the growth of the Kingdom of God and they have plenty of time to make it happen.
On the road of life, the Ship of Life provided a wonderful challenge.
–Russ Burcham
Rosemary and I reached our 80+ birthdays recently. She always jests that I am “much” older - and that is true - I am 83 and she is 82. I have been retired from dentistry for about 20 years. We have usually spent about three months each year teaching at foreign mission points including Austria, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Romania, Albania, Honduras, Kosova, Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma). Three years ago as we worked to build the church in Cambodia we were challenged by a new opportunity: to work on the Ship of Life, then under construction by Partners in Progress, a mission of the Little Rock, AR, Windsong church of Christ.
A result of the fertile mind of Bill McDonough and with the support of many brethren, the Ship of Life has now, for about one year, plied the waters of the famed Mekong River which flows from north to south across Cambodia. Stopping at villages along the river the ship provides Medical and Dental treatment for poor people who do not have access to these health services.
In early January, 2008, with a good deal of trepidation, we walked across the gangplank for a two month stay and a tremendous experience. The big question was, “After 20 years will I be able to use the surgical techniques which were a part of my life for the previous 40 years?” The answer came quickly: “It’s like riding a bike. You never forget how to do it!”, said Dr. Rick Northen, retired dentist who serves as Project Director. With Rosemary’s assistance in the ship’s modern facility we performed dental surgery for hundreds of impoverished people. Across the hallway, other patients were treated by a physician. Assisting in the entire process might be a retired nurse, an LPN, a former secretary, a housewife.
For us, seniors, this means that the talents which served us for so long are still available. What a wonderful thing to be able to use them again, especially in a setting where we can show the love of God to people who do not know Jesus Christ.
80% of the people of the world have inadequate sewer facilities and unsafe water. Carcasses of dead animals float by in the rivers. Cows wade in them urinating and defecating. Yet, untold thousands of people live in shanties along these rivers. Their sewage is dumped in the streams. They wash their clothes in the water, bathe in it, drink it and cook their rice in it. Christians come to these rural areas to teach the Word of God, to educate and bring basic medical and dental care. If you say the word “Christian” to one of these people, the first image to pop into his mind may be that of a health team which restored his sight or relieved his pain. And –– that is not a bad place to start.
There are many similar activities available to those of us in our 60's - 80's. Numerous helpful areas of information such as the internet exist. Finding them is not too difficult. Most churches support missions. Perusal of brotherhood periodicals shows a surprising number of opportunities. Area-wide lectureships such as the Harding Lectures abound with such information. But active investigation is what it takes to busy oneself in service. To be sure, journeying to interesting world areas is pleasurable and entertaining. However, the point here is to make it really fulfilling by traveling for service in the name of the Lord. As great missionary, Otis Gatewood, said many times from foreign soil, “Please don’t come over here just to see a pile of rocks!! ”
Think about this: Just as you would if traveling for pleasure, use your own resources when possible rather than depending on others to provide the necessary travel funds. It is very rewarding. And, for the most effective service please consider that, in many cases, distance and the necessary adjustment period preclude a quick, short term stay.
I must not leave the impression that only retired health professionals can work in foreign fields. These 20 years before the advent of the Ship of Life Rosemary and I spent 95% of our time teaching the Word one-on-one. All seniors are valuable to the growth of the Kingdom of God and they have plenty of time to make it happen.
posted by Rick Northen at 3:41 AM
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