Good works: Clinic in Cambodia aids thousands

On July 28, 23 medical professionals and support personnel from New Life Foursquare Church in Everett joined with 15 other medical professionals from Nevada, California and Idaho to conduct a medical clinic in the Oddar Meanchey province of northern Cambodia.

Over the course of the seven-day clinic, the team treated 10,500 patients for health problems such as common complications of malnutrition and more serious diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. The team also brought 120 suitcases of vital medication, including deworming pills, vitamins, malaria kits, antibiotics and more.

Warm Blankets Orphan Care International co-sponsored the clinic with New Life Foursquare Church and hosted the clinic at one of the organization's orphan homes and secondary schools.

Warm Blankets has established more than 100 church orphan homes in Cambodia, caring for a combined total of more than 3,000 orphans.

The team established 20 stations, including an eye clinic and lab. The emergency room staff provided urgent care and surgeries, including functional circumcisions and the separation of the fused fingers of a boy's hand.

The lab allowed accurate diagnoses of diseases and infections, while the pharmacy dispensed prescribed treatments. The dental clinic saw more than 400 people at five stations for extractions, fillings and cleanings. Nurses and additional staff treated wounds and scabies. Every child treated for scabies was giving a bottle of scabies shampoo and a new set of clothing.

Crowds began lining up for triage hours before the clinic opened at 8 am. Several Cambodians reported walking for two days to get to the clinic. Those who arrived after the close of the clinic camped out on the side of roads to wait for an opportunity to be treated.

The new Warm Blankets ambulance transported the most severe cases to local hospitals for continued care. One woman with appendicitis was taken 100 miles for medical treatment paid for by the team.

Churches team up for ServeFest 2007

Cascade Community Church and the Monroe Community Chapel have joined in a new venture, ServeFest 2007. Beginning this year, ServeFest participants will take this Sunday to serve the Monroe and Sultan communities. Anyone is welcome to participate in Serving and Celebrating Community Together.

This year, hundreds of people will carry out various jobs for Monroe schools, the city of Sultan, the city of Monroe, the Evergreen State Fairgrounds and two housing programs, Take the Next Step and Housing Hope. At 4 p.m., there will be a celebration at Lake Tye Park with food and music.

For more information, call 360-794-4600 or go to www.servefest.org .