Christ Reformed Info

Floods, filters and fellowship came together November 9-12, 2011. 

The elevation of southern Cambodia in many places is only a few feet above sea level.  Most years during the rainy season extensive flooding does not take place.  However this year the floods came, which prompted Samath a local church planter to reach out to his fellow countrymen.  Samath’s friends told him of severe flooding in Kampong Thom where the Christians were not receiving much aid.  During their visit to Kampong Thom Samath and a medical student, Phearoum, saw the need for clean water and medical care.  Three weeks later November 9, 2011 a group of 30 Khmer relief workers made their way to Kampong Thom.  Samath made contacts with Global Aid Network, an NGO from Australia, which funded part of the project.  A young newly married Korean couple became of aware of the relief need in Cambodia as they were here doing research for a PhD project.  Through their church in Korea they raised money for two hundred clay pot water filters.  The organizing and additional funding came from the Cambodian people.  Phearoum spent his time tracking down water filters and medication.  In addition, he summoned 8 medical students to see patients.  The morning of November 9 the relief workers loaded a truck with the filters, packed a large van with medicine and water and boarded a bus to make our way to Kampong Thom.  Along part of the road we saw make shift housing and cows bedded down on the side of the road.  

Three local pastors arranged for the guys to sleep in one house and the gals in another.  We took breakfast and supper in a local restaurant, which also brought lunch to our clinic locations.  November 10 the journey began on a road muddied by the flood, but as we traveled the remainder of 10 kilometer one hour journey the road became dusty.  Samath and Phearoum traveled to another location to delivery water filters.  The student relief workers quickly set up the clinic.  Two people took charge of crowd control.  Three medical students registered the patients by the numbers given by the crowd control personnel.  The triage students recorded temperature, weight, and a short history on the clinical sheet.  Patients then made their way to the Khmer medical students and doctors.  I had the privilege of seeing mainly children.  At the next location the patients received their medication.  A Khmer medical student and two Korean nurses as well as others filled the prescription.  Afterward, the patients visited with the Khmer students and pastors who explained to the patients the good news of new life in Christ.  The local people prayed with the patients and got to know the patients we examined.  The first day over 200 people were seen.  November 11 after a short trip we set up the clinic under trees and canopies and saw over 400 patients.  On November 12 the local health department opened its doors so we were again able to see over 400 patients.  The health department had beds for inpatient care.  The prayer and counseling was done place in the inpatient ward where physical and spiritual healing took place. 

The Khmer young people who participated in this adventure worked very hard without complaining.  Many of them were anxious for their fellow countrymen to hear the good news of life in Christ.  The participants showed good respect for the Khmer leaders.  The Khmer leaders anticipate holding similar events in the future.  

Pastor Samath’s church, Khmer Christian Church, will begin worship January 1st.  Pray for him and the core group that is now meeting.  Pray that this fellowship of Khmer people will develop into a vibrant church community that will reach out to Cambodia and the rest of the world.   

Nancy and I look forward to working with Khmer Christian Church especially with the medical students.  Pray that we may see God at work in their hearts and minds. 

I first met Khmer medical student Kosal in February 2010, when the Medical Campus Outreach team came to Cambodia from Augusta, Georgia with 29 senior medical students, during the time he worked as a translators.  One night I saw him sitting on the steps deep in thought.  As I began to talk with him he explained to me his desire to bring good health care to the province.  The abject poverty and lack of healthcare in the province drove his desire to help his fellow countrymen. In September of 2010 and 2011 Kosal translated for medical teams working with us.  Kosal impressed them with his depth of knowledge and his ability to communicate with the patient.  In September 2011 Kosal bonded with the oncologist on the team to the point where they now exchange emails. As a result of the medical team experiences Kosal asked to work with me at Mercy Medical Center one morning a week.  During each of the times Kosal worked as a translator he heard the gospel and received a Bible.   Recently he expressed to me the torment he feels in his life.  Now it is as if a wrestling match is at work in his spirit. He is not wrestling with flesh and blood, but with powers and principalities.  Pray that his heart will be turned towards God.  Pray for me as I have opportunity to work him medically and spiritually. 

Encouragement

As God gives us opportunity to encourage medical students, encourage the growth of the church and work with patients at Mercy Medical Center, we feel privileged to be here in Cambodia.  Words cannot express our gratitude to the many who pray for us regularly.  We truly see the hand of God at work.  Many also give on a regular basis to our support.  We deeply appreciation your financial support.  Your sacrifice in giving is a great encouragement.  Over the past several months giving to our support has decreased.  In order for us to remain in Cambodia we need additional support.  A one-time gift is always appreciated.  Regular support will help us continue our journey here in Cambodia.  May the grace of God and His great mercy rule in all our hearts as we seek His ways and not our own way.

Dale Knutson

Donations: Mission to the World

BOX 116284

Atlanta GA 30368-6284

Account 013944