Weekend Fun

THESE ARE THE MUSHROOMS BEFORE COOKING
THE MUSHROOM EATERS!
FRIED MUSHROOMS
THE GANG
Last weekend we went to Phnom Penh. We were going to take Don and Diane in for their return to the states. That was sad, but we were able to have some good times with Dennis, Sharon, Troy and Tabby. They have unusual places to eat, so once again we went to one that featured mushrooms. Everything on the menu had mushrooms. Not just any kind, but the one pictured which looks like a tree limb. I had the noodles and mushroom. Rick had rice and mushrooms, but they ordered fried mushrooms for all of us to share. That is the plate that looks like beef jerky. It had a similar texture to jerky also. But no problem, the cost for all us to eat and drink was less than $9.00 and then we were off to the ice cream shop! Gail

Giving Just A Little More

Most of the time it doesn't take much to help a person, or make them feel valuable. We keep a lookout for families that we (the church that meets on the ship) can give someone who could use some rice, clothes, or other simple items that lets them know we care. This women had a son with downs syndrone. We can't "fix" that with our doctors on the ship and really there is no need for medicine. But we could give some clothing, rice, and baby formula. We hope that this idea of sharing and giving lets the villages know that Christians care, and hopefully it affects the crew. gail

Thanks Don and Diane

They are off! No not the horses, Don and Diane! We took them to airport last night to head back to states. Although, I noticed on facebook that they were delayed an hour and half. Hopefully, the next post they will be at home. I think they have a very special birthday party to attend on Sunday. Thanks for all your hard work here on ship. We will miss you.. God Bless, rick and gail

Denah

One of my favorite people in the whole world is Dena Lambert. She assisted me for many years and
watched me ride off into the sunset about 5 years ago. I have fond memories of her helping me through
the good and the bad of everyday practice!

Dena, meet Denah. She is 18 years old and belongs to the Cham Muslim community we are in at
present. She came to me with her good friend in tow earlier this week and wanted me to take out her
two top front teeth. Ouch! She is very pretty and as I have said many times before, it breaks my heart
to do this to a young lady. I asked her if she had plans to replace them and she said no. Her family did
not have the money to afford the replacement bridge. I decided to remove the teeth and make her a
removable flipper and she really liked it. She could speak only a few words of English but she, like many
others before her, said, “Thanks You”!

When I first saw her on the river bank, she always had her hand over her mouth to cover up the ugly
front teeth. Now she beams with pride in her new smile. Some days really are fun. rick

Pharmacy Facelift

With Don Johnson here, some great changes have been made to the look and organization of the pharmacy. New shelves were made to accomodate the baskets of meds that are readily available as Bun Roth fills the prescriptions of each patients. A place for the laptop attached to the wall, makes it easy for the data to be input throughout the day. Don and Dian have both worked tirelessly for the two months they have been here and we thank God for their dedication and help.

Planting a Plant

After a few months of living on the ship, Rick decided we needed a plant. I actually posted a blog about the new bouganvillia plant back in 07 and having it on the ship. Well, after four years we decided it needed a new home. So Rick took the plant up to the closest house that the ship was parked near and asked if they would allow him to plant it near their home. Of course, they agreed. So we are with out the plant, but I think it is in a better place! gail

Water Fun

Every afternoon, some boys would come around the gangway and laugh and play. Rick was sitting on the bench near the door one day and started teasing them by pretending to chase them. Then he took off and actually did! They loved to run leaving him behind in the dust! But Rick tricked them. He went on second level and got some water. Then when they got close, he dumped water on them. At first they were too stunned to move. Then they started laughing. It was great fun. (too watch) I don't think I could have run after them! gail

On to Peam Chi Kang

As we head north to our next city, we leave behind some people we were able to meet and see their daily life. From volleyball, to boatkids, to ladies gathering straw to make mats people are busy with their life chores.

Sun Sets

After a day of working, it is good to watch the sun set. Sometimes the ship is located to where we can not see the sun set, but the color of the river changes. These pictures were taken by Dona and Diane (again). not sure what I will post when they depart next week! ha! enjoy...

Salt Mines

Salt fields drying and they are scraping the salt into piles.
Gathering into storage.

We have not yet traveled south to Kep and Kampot, cities near the Gulf of Thailand. Don and Diane went to visit these cities on the way to meet a friend of theirs in Koh Kong near the Thai border. Kampot is where salt is harvested in fields that were first constructed by the French. Other NGOs have helped the area developed a black pepper market that the country exports. Thanks, Don and Diane for providing some great pictures to share!

Hair Cut

I have put on this blog numerous humorous pictures. Well, here is one that reminds me that I need a haircut! Ha! Ok, so maybe I need a break from the ship. It will be another two weeks before we take the Johnsons to Phnom Penh, so the blogs may get worse. I know you like to see pictures of daily life, so here are a few. Gail

Lazy Saturday

In the picture with us is Kierstin and Rob,Walt and Sarah-Kate, and Don and Diane Johnson. Rob has returned to Canada, and Kierstin is traveling with her sister in Thailand. Today the rest of us are enjoying a quiet day. Diane had this beautiful picture of a lotus flower in her collection and I swiped it from her to post. It is good to stop, slow down, and enjoy the simple things. gail

Lines

Every morning the doctors walk up to where the people wait to recieve their numbers to be seen. The doctors ask quick questions and determine who needs care the most. Rick checks their mouth, so everyone gets to "open wide" for him! Sometimes it can be overwhelming, but all is necessary.

French Visitors

SINGING.. FATHER ABRAHAM
SINGING OTHER PRAISE SONGS
MINEA(in turquoise shirt) INTERPRETING FOR GREG (in blue plaid shirt)
Bill and Marie-Claire returned to Cambodia from the states and visited us on the ship. Along with them came a team from France that had been in Burma and was stopping over for a quick visit to Phnom Penh. Bill and MC brought them to the ship not only to see us in operation but to sing and do some skits for the people waiting to be called into the ship. Minea translated for Greg, the missionary, as he told some stories. Songs were sung and the people really seemed to enjoy them. I neglected to get all their names, but check with Marie-Claire and she will know!

Around the ship, there is always a lot of activites to watch. This group of monks came down daily to wash their gowns and bath. Kids swam and used our life rings to float. People come to wash their laundry, along with the cows. The first century christians were water people. Like the Cambodians, they needed it to live.

Interesting Visitor

Meet Ivan. I was working in the kitchen and I heard some English being spoken with an accent I didn’t recognize. Our night guard’s English is about as good as my Khmer so I knew this person was having no luck talking to Sokun. I went outside and there was a foreigner in a rowing boat. He was wanting to know if the local market was still open and if there was a beach that he could sleep on. It was about 6:30 in the evening, so I knew the markets we closed, and the only “beach” was across the river where the fishing villagers lived. I asked him where he was from and where he was going. Turns out he had started his Mekong River trip from China, down through Laos and into Cambodia. His destination, Vietnam and the ocean! He lives in Spain and the manufacturer of his rowing boat was sponsoring this trip. He had been on the river for three months. He looked like it, too! I invited him on ship to eat some decent food. Rick came down and invited him to sleep and shower and have a good rest. He was a little hesitate to intrude on us, but the next morning he looked 100% better. He had a head cold, so Sarah Kate gave him some medicine. Then he rowed on down the river toward Phnom Penh. We don’t know where he is now, but hope he made it to his final destination.

Rob and Kierston

The Canadians are here. With the Olympics going on, we have some great conversations about hockey! Ha! Meet Rob Burnstad and Kierston Burnstad from Edmonton, Canada. They are uncle and niece and this is their second week here on the ship. Kierston is an ER nurse and is helping see patients, assist in dental clinic and making sure the kids have some fun. She brought a bag of goodies with her! Rob has been watching the clinic area, keeping strays from walking on and making sure people were going where they were suppose to go. They have been a blessing to us here, and don’t mind when we kid them about their Canadian speech idiosyncrasies!