Home from Cambodia

Ben recently returned from a Medical Mission trip in Cambodia. He along with several others from our church, and a few volunteer doctors and dentists went to five different villages in Cambodia. The people in these villages are very impoverished and have never been treated by medical professionals. Although the team was not able to give any long-term care, they went to serve as much as they could and to spread the word of God. Cambodia is largely Buddhist but there are several Christians as well. Buddhists believe that they become ill because they have angered the spirits. They also believe that even stepping into a Christian church will bring bad fortune to them. Because the team from our church had their medical equipment and make-shift "pharmacy" set up in Church's, they were showing the villagers that God loves them, and that stepping into a church can bring healing and not misfortune.

Ben had a great time, and though I really wish I could have gone, I am so glad that Ben was able to go and have this life-changing experience. We missed him a lot though and we're glad he is home safe. Here is a small sampling of pictures from this amazing trip.


Ben with kids from a school nearby one of the villages they were working in.




Ben with some of the Cambodian translators that volunteered to help.



This little girl was one of Ben's favorites - very sweet and reminded him of how much he missed his own little girl while away.




This little boy is getting some much needed dental work.




The team got pretty tired out each day.




This picture is from the "Killing Fields." In the 70s, genocide in Cambodia. The new leaders wanted to get rid of any educated people....Thousands and thousands of people were murdered and dumped into a field. Ben told me that you could see parts of bones and pieces of clothes sticking out of the dirt in the path. A very sobering experience.




Ben with new friends.




Big Buddah.




It's hard to believe that what's hauling all this stuff is a little moped. (the most common form of transportation there, well, besides walking.)




Yummy exotic fruit.




Ben with more new friends.




Way too many people in one vehicle.




Ben teaching the waiting patients "the blow up a rubber glove trick".




This beautiful little girl has very desirable hair. (the lighter the skin and the hair the more beautiful in Cambodia) It's sad because this girl should have dark black, shiny hair, it is only lightened because she is malnourished.




Common transportation.




More from the "Killing Fields" This is only one of many many cases filled with skulls.




Little boy with a mouth full of candy. Ben's team brought lots of candy and little toys for the village children. They were so grateful for everything.




Mom and baby waiting to see the Doc.




This is the "guest house" that the team slept at each night.



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Although Cambodia is poverty-stricken. God's beauty continues to shine through in its people and nature.