A Child's Testimony

Recently my church had a special outdoor service so our entire congregation could worship together. Among the 8 people who were baptized was Danielle, an 8 year old girl. I think it takes a lot of courage for anyone to get in front of a thousand people to do anything, let alone talk about what God has done in your life and then be baptized. But think about being an 8 year old child. What makes this even more meaningful is Danielle is a special needs child. Her body may not work like other kids, but this girl's mind, heart, and soul are worth far more. Here is what she shared while being held by one of our pastors just prior to baptizing her.

I love Jesus. It doesn’t matter if you are special needs, he still loves you. So don’t worry if you have a need that people can see. You are still a child of God. During my surgeries God was
with me. He’s always with you. I know I can trust God. He even helps us through hard
times. Jesus is awesome. Just like it says in John 3:16, He even died on the cross for our
sins. He is so kind. He really didn’t have to do that. That’s why he is so kind. In Heaven you
can have ice cream for breakfast, lunch or dinner or other treats you like. Jesus is
preparing a place for you in Heaven. I accepted Jesus in my life. I know I’m going to Heaven.

My verse of assurance is Phil. 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I think this little girl is something special. Let's never lose that kind of faith!
Blessings,
Dr. Paul

Celebrating Dads

What a great moment at the Phillies game earlier this week. Steve Montforto takes his family to a Phillies game and during the game catches his first foul ball ever. An exciting moment as he celebrates with those around him. Then, like any good dad, he gives the ball to his little girl, 3 year old Emily. She promptly does what any three year old may do, she throws the ball away. Dad has a look of disbelief, and then gives his girl a big bear hug as she realizes that she probably did the wrong thing. It was a touching moment, so much that it has been all over the media, and I am blogging about it as well.

I am tired of Hollywood portraying men as idiots, who are of little or no importance to the family. On the contrary, dads play an important role, and are vital to any healthy family. So let's use this media moment to remind ourselves that dads can make all the difference in the world to any child, just like moms. Way to go Steve!

Back to School

Yesterday our family reached another milestone. Our youngest son, Andrew, went off for his last first day of school for the rest of his life. And that means Phyllis and I experienced our last first day of school. I know, he is going off to college next year, but that doesn't count. College is elective, grades 1 through 12 are mandatory. College is an experience where your son or daughter don't have parents to wake them up in the morning, make sure they are dressed for the weather, etc. If he or she can't make it on their own with these basics in college, then there is a real problem somewhere. As per ususal, the Lower Moreland School Districe computer program messed up his schedule. Phyllis put in a note of encouragement in his lunch bag, nagged him about what he needed to do, etc.
Later this week we will have our last Back to School night. We have never missed one for any of our kids in any grade. When we had more than one in the same school, we practiced divide and conquer. Funny thing is, the parents who really need to be there because they are lousy parents, who have lousy kids, aren't the ones present. But at this point, I don't care because I am about to experience my last one.
God has been very good to us. All of our children were born healthy, they have all accepted Christ as their savior, they are leading productive, meaningful lives. We have a lot to be thankful for, and we want to give Him the glory, because all three have been prayed for endlessly. We have been spared many of the parenting nightmares I have had in my counseling office (they are far from perfect kids, and we have been far from perfect parents, ohh to be able to wind back the clock and do somethings differently).
And so I will go through this week with a sense of gratitude, relief, accomplishment, and while I miss many aspects of when they were little ones, I can't wait to see how God leads them in their early adult years. We need to keep hanging on as the ride continues!
Blessings,
Dr. Paul

Poverty

What do you see in this picture? I see an example of the poorest of the poor, trying to scrape out a living, probably wondering if he will have enough to eat today. I don't know this man's name, where he lives, or anything about him. I was standing on a busy street corner in Phnom Penh watching the world go by. The temperature outside is approaching 95 degrees. His cart is full of plastics, glass bottles, cans, and other metals. He spent his night picking through trash to find these items so he could sell them for whatever he can get.

Or how about this man begging at the largest Buddhist temple in Phnom Penh. Blind, lame, alone. What is his name? What is his story?

If that doesn't grab your heart, seeing the children of Cambodia who live in such poverty is so heartbreaking. When I look at my children, I am so thankful for God's blessing in allowing me to provide for them. By the world's standards, I am spoiled, and so are they. Take some time and think about all you have, and all the people of this world who have so little. Give thanks to God for what you have, and give to those in need.

Blessings,

Dr. Paul

Firefighting in Cambodia

Who cares about firefighting in Cambodia? Well, Cambodians do! One of the reasons is that the capitol city of Phnom Penh, a city of 2.5 million people covering 145 square miles has only one firehouse. An independent contractor runs the fire service for the international airport, but they do not cover fires in the city. The missionaries in Phnom Penh I came to minister to found out where this lonely firehouse is located and arranged a visit. Whenever I visit a city, I try to work in a stop at a local firehouse. There is always an opportunity to minister in addition to swaping stories around the kitchen table.

One of the pictures you see is me standing next to the only ladder truck for the entire city, a late 1970's era American LaFrance 90 footer donated by a group of firefighters from the United States. They also have a collection of pumpers from Europe and China. There is no interior firefighting, and no resscue capability. These men fought fires with no bunker gear (protective clothing) until a couple of years ago when some firefighters from the United States donated their used gear. The fire chief (see picture top picture below) expressed his gratitude for all of the donations they have recieved, and his concern for all of the new highrise buildings under construction (travel tip: if you visit this city, stay on the ground or second floor!).

Needless to say, if your house catches on fire, you are in trouble. Last year a fire broke out in the garment district and five factories were destroyed. Stories continue to circulate that when the fire department arrives, you are asked to make a cash donation or else the water won't flow (these guys only make $70 a month and are required to work 6 days a week, 24 hours a day).

One of the things this illustrates for me is the can-do, make-do spirit of the Cambodian people. These guys still respond even though they are poorly trained, woefully under-equipped, and haivng to work in 100 plus degree temperatures. They make do with what they have. As one of my friends on this trip said, in admiration of the people, "What the Cambodians could do with a roll of duct tape!"

One of the morals of this is, the next time you see a fire truck, be thankful that when you dial 911 you are going to see a fire truck within a couple of minutes.

Blessings,

Dr. Paul

Caring for Cambodian Kids

One of the saddest parts of my trip to Cambodia is seeing the children. When you travel in a country with so much poverty, your heart really goes out to the kids. Kids who are drugged by their parents to use for begging purposes. The drugs keep the kids more cooperative during a long day of begging, and makes it appear to visitors that the child is sick. The woman in this picture is one of many examples we saw. Kids who live with practically nothing, are mal-nourished, and if they go to school, the parents must pay a bribe to the teacher so they will actually be taught. Kids who might be lucky enough to work in a factory and make $1.50 for a 10 hour shift.



The most horrific examples are the girls who are forced into the sex trade. Some are kidnapped off the streets, others are acutally sold into it by their parents who are desperate to provide for the rest of the family. It is so bad that if you are a male visitor who is travelling without his wife, it is assumed that you are there for sex. The rate of AIDS is one of the highest in Asia.

If you are a parent here in the USA, give thanks that you are able to care for and provide for your children. We are truly blessed! Pray for the children of Cambodia and those who are serving to meet the vast needs of this country. Pray that the people of Cambodia will rise up and say enough is enough when it comes to the neglect and exploitation of children. Pray for the missionaries I had the priviledge of serving that God will use the power of the gospel to transform the hearts of the people.

Blessings,
Dr. Paul

A Tale of Two Homes

One of the things that strikes you when you arrive in Cambodia, besides the incredible heat and humidity, is the depth of the poverty alongside of glimpses of wealth and modern technology. An example which comes to mind is one of the Bible studies I attended with our host missionaries. it was located in the city of Phnom Penh. We pulled up in front of a large home surrounded by a wall, barbed wire, and a locked gate. The Bible study didn't take place there, but in a corrugated aluminum, roof top home of a poor family. the home consisted of a living area with no chairs, a mattress on the floor for the mother to sleep on (behind some curtains), and a small closet for the toilet (a bucket). There is one flourescent light hanging from the roof rafters, and one small window with no glass or screen, just two wooden shutters. Food is cooked in the corner of the room.
The mother of this family lost her husband to cancer last year and is now unemployed. She used to see rice on a street corner until the government ordered all street vendors at that location to be removed. Her oldest daughter now works in a garment factory for 10 hours a day, and earns $1.50 per day. The rest of her siblings go to school, but unless you bride the teacher for about $300 a year, your child is not educated. Needless to say, there is no money to provide an adequate education.
At the end of our study, this dirt poor family offers us some bowls of fruit in appreciation for our visit. They wait until we eat first. It brings a tear to my eye as a wealthy American (by Cambodia standards) eating food from a family who can barely survive. I talk to Greg (our missionary host) about giving them a generous money gift before we leave and he agrees. Then I walk over to the window and I see a large satellite TV dish on the roof of the three story home I described when we first pulled up. Looking down, I notice lots of toys on the second floor balcony, and three cars inthe driveway, two Lexus and a Mercedes. Talk about a tale of two homes! There are hundreds of examples as you travel this country. The needs, spiritual, physical, economic, medical, etc., are vast and deep. It reminds me of Jesus as He ministered in Matthew 9:35ff, "And Jesus went travelling among the cities and villages, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every type of disease and sickness. And seeing the people, he was moved with compassion, for they were distressed, and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send workers into His harvest."
Pray for the people of Cambodia and those who serve them.
Blessings,
Dr. Paul