Broomfield Enterprise
Enterprise columist
Posted: 01/19/2012
Those of you who have been reading my column over the years are aware I am a huge fan of short-term mission trips. Usually 10 to 14 days long, these trips reap tremendous benefits regardless of the age of participants. Why? Because in just about every case, the benefits received by participants are far greater than what they thought they could give to the people they met.
That was certainly the case for a group of nine "mature adults" from Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Broomfield. On Nov. 10, they boarded a flight from Denver to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, that led them eventually to the city of Battambang, Cambodia, and 12 days of mission work. Last week I met with three from the group: Bob (the group leader) and Marilyn Mohling, as well as Betty Kassel, who I've known for many years. Betty and her husband, Bert, moved to Broomfield in 1958, and the two of them were very successful in real estate for many years.
Since I spent a good deal of time over the years leading groups on short-term missions, I am aware there is always someone in the group who ignores everything they are told regarding foods and liquids that are safe. I was curious if their group had such a person. And sure enough, it was Bob Mohling, the group leader, who ate a hamburger with lettuce (that's the no-no) and paid for it dearly. The whole group stuck to bottled water, and all were warned that when ice melts in drinks, it's (big surprise) water. Water that will make you sick in many cases.
Did everything go smoothly on the trip? No. Originally, the plan was for Norbert Kleidon to be one of the leaders and provide training for minister candidates in Cambodia. Kleidon's health took a turn for the worse as the time got close, forcing him to cancel his plans to be part of the trip. Stepping in for him at the last minute was Risen Savior Senior Pastor Philip Cameron. Cameron helped with the training and preached on three occasions, thanks to the help of an interpreter. He also taught a Christian history course to 12 pastors at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Before heading to their main destination of Battambang, they spent three days in Phnom Penh, getting used to the heat and the humidity. They also spent some time visiting tourist sites, some of which had political overtones dating back to the '70s and the Vietnam War. One of the sites was the Killing Fields, outside of Phnom Penh, which is a memorial to the 2 to 3 million Cambodians killed by the Khmer Rouge from 1975-79. On a more pleasant note, they visited the Angkor Wat Temple, built from 1112 to 1152to honor a Hindu deity.
Before I give you the impression that the nine people from Risen Savior were on a holiday, let's take a look at some of the projects they took on during their stay. Betty Kassel is an accomplished musician on the organ, and she was one of two women who helped teach a group of Cambodian students "Silent Night." She pointed out that children came to the Trinity Lutheran School to receive instructions in English part of the day, and then returned to the public school in the city to resume their regular studies.
There were a number of projects during the trip, but I want to highlight three. The Sunday school children at Risen Savior raised $300 that was used to purchase 600 pairs of used glasses. Called Operation Restore Vision, the Cambodians were tested and then given pairs of glasses.
Another project was in conjunction with Habit for Humanity, and 300 homes were being built at the time the group was there. The group was active in helping build the cement blocks used to build the one-room houses. It takes 1,800 blocks to build a home, and the group spent an entire day helping build the blocks.
The third project was repairing a home in desperate need of help. Repairs included work on the kitchen, bathroom and exterior of the house.
The group accomplished a great deal in a short time. They provided about 400 pounds of project materials and supplies, and raised more than $30,000 for projects, local expenses and airline tickets. The Americans were impressed with the Cambodian's faith, despite the difficult circumstances they face daily. Bob Mohling pointed out that despite the extreme poverty and widespread political corruption, they still had beautiful smiles and love in their hearts for the visitors from the United States.
The group came back feeling the trip was well worth the effort. Like I said earlier, reverse mission. There were enough tears to go around when the group boarded a plane to come home, but the hope now is to return, perhaps toward the end of 2012, for another project that is badly needed at Trinity Lutheran Church and School -- a proposed water project that will provide an elevated water tank and distribution system for both the church and the school. The project will be in conjunction with Rotary International (which, it is hoped, will provide matching funds) and Engineers without Borders.
If you are interested in getting involved, contact Risen Savior Lutheran Church at 303-469-3521. Donations for the project are being taken by Mission Central-LCMS World Mission, 40718 Highway E 16, Mapleton, Iowa, 51034. The phone number at mission headquarters is 712-882-1029, and questions can be directed to Gary.Thies@lcms.org.
E-mail George McHendry at Georgemchendry@aol.com.
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