Thursday found us all getting comfortable to venture out and do our own things. It is interesting to see how each team member finds his or her own niche. Clay and Justin were joined by Cody in the gym. Marissa, Janelle, Katie, and Tim worked kids club. Mary is in her element in the morning working in the baby room and teaching John English. We are happy to have her back for afternoon kids club. Tim leads a Bible study just before lunch for some of the leaders here. Bible Study, as well as other activities, also become English lessons.
I served at two medical clinics yesterday. For the first, we packed medical supplies, tables, chairs, and cases of water on a Tuk Tuk, (I should have taken a picture & inserted here!) and headed out to one of the local brick factories. These brick factories surround the boarders of the village of Svay Pak. Here you find some of the worst working conditions in Cambodia. The workers are paid a small wage, but significantly under what is needed for living. Often the workers will borrow money from the owner for necessities or medical care, the owners are then able to exploit the workers through debt repayment. Children under 10 are not allowed to work in the factories, however the locals say that many children do work, or "train" which is working without pay. The factories are mostly outside "brick yards" and are very hot and dusty. The owners do not provide filtered drinking water so the workers will drink from the river or water troughs that run through the yards. These workers are at a much higher risk for disease.
The clinic ran smoothly, we treated mostly mild symptoms of coughs and colds and a few minor injuries. We are able to dispense medications that these people would not be able to afford, otherwise. The people are very patient with me as I struggle to understand my translator. Cambodians are very polite and every patient was very thankful. As we cleaned up the clinic, we purchases donuts from a street vendor, they were a real treat. Watch out Donut Man!
After clinic it was back to AIM for lunch. Each day the 2 house Moms cook lunch for 50 and we eat together on the first floor of the AIM house. The food is simple and yummy. I enjoy this time to sit with the AIM staff and learn more about their lives. The foster kids that live in the two AIM houses are at risk youth that come from a home where a sibling has already been trafficked. AIM takes these kids in to keep them safe. The pastor and his wife are so involved with these kids and this community and are truly examples of what it means to serve God in everything you do.
I helped in the afternoon clinic while the team headed back to the gym & kids club. While seeing patients I found myself shouting over the music from the kids club upstairs, what a joyful noise.
We ended our day with a soccer match. Janelle and I opted out & bought green mango and other snacks from the street vendors.
The ride home was an adventure all it's own. I'm sure others will share the details later.
Last night, as I sat around the table with the team sharing my least favorite, most favorite and most thankful moment of the day I reflected on the volunteers at AIM. Most are missionaries from other parts of the world who come to Cambodia for the same reasons we did. I thankful for each of these people who come here to care for and fight for the least of these.
No comments:
Post a Comment