Dear CCAM Partners and Friends,

Just as Buntheep and I set out by faith from Cambodia last November, without knowing exactly how, when, or where God would provide Buntheep's healing, now we are returning to Cambodia by faith, thanking God for bringing us to Jacksonville and trusting Him to complete the healing which is still in progress.

Our plan, as God wills, is to leave Jacksonville as soon as Buntheep's medical follow-up is completed, hopefully sometime next week. Roslyn Darr, the volunteer who will be accompanying us on the trip back to Cambodia, will come to Jacksonville, first to learn how to give Buntheep’s injections, and then to drive us to my mother's house in Florence, Alabama. We will spend time there packing the extra baggage. Tentatively, on Saturday, July 19, our friends and partners from Redeemer Church in Florence will drive us and our baggage to Atlanta airport to begin our journey back to Cambodia.

We had hoped to visit Pensacola this week while waiting for Buntheep's MRI. However, that trip did not materialize, because of my unexpected hand surgery, coupled with the requirement of Ronald McDonald House that any resident leaving Jacksonville for more than 3 days would have to remove everything from their room and thoroughly clean the room in preparation for the next resident. Obviously, with my right hand still in a cast until July 2, I would not be able to accomplish all of that manual work or to administer Buntheep's daily injections while in Pensacola. As reported before, a volunteer is currently giving her injections.

In addition to that, when we would return to Jacksonville for Buntheep's follow-up, we would not be guaranteed any room at RMH (first-come-first-served). Ever since Buntheep started radiation therapy back in April, RMH has blessed us with a two-room suite where we could prepare and eat food. But food is not allowed in their normal rooms. Since Buntheep still suffers from side-effects of the drug she is taking and does not always feel well enough to eat in the community dining area, staying in a normal room could present difficulties. Therefore, it just seemed safer for us to stay put in our suite until our final departure from Jacksonville next week.

Thanks so much for all of your prayers. And as we keep petitioning the Lord for help, let's also keep thanking and praising Him for all of His answers thus far! Especially praise Him that Buntheep had a normal menstrual period this month. And please add some additional prayer for Buntheep's over-all physical recovery. Recently, she had a nasty fall which left her with a lot of pain in one hip and lower back. However, with rest and ice packs, she is gradually improving. Praise God!

In His Hands,
Gioia and Buntheep

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