Saigon, Vietnam—September 27, 2005— The Mekong River Clinic Boat is about seventy-five per cent completed. We have just spent a week here working with the shipyard and medical equipment companies on the installation of dental, x-ray, and lab equipment. Wiring and tubing are being run through the boat’s spars and all the measurements have been made concerning placement and room designs for the equipment. Sony sales and technical people were with us this morning designing our audio visual equipment for the classrooms where Bible and continuing education courses will be offered.

The state rooms, cockpit, classrooms, crew quarters, and medical rooms are all now built and ready for the interior cabinet makers to begin their work. We are indebted to so many people for making the project live. This would not have been possible without the technical expertise of Dr. Max Baker, Dr. Jane Gault, Dr. Don Johnson, Bill Kidd, and Dr. Rick Northen, and the boat building technical expertise of Tom Tune, who has worked with the shipyard in Saigon for the last seven months. Dr. A. J. Thompson planted a dream in our hearts for medical missions that has grown into something much more dynamic than even he envisioned.

The ship will carry a crew of five to seven, Project Director Rick Northen and his wife, Gail, and medical staff of up to twenty-five. At regularly scheduled intervals, teams of Bible instructors will come on board to teach two-week seminars to village church leaders. At other times, medical professors will teach continuing education courses to local health care professionals.

Without the gifts, prayers, dreams, and hands-on work of many of you, this clinic boat project could not have happened. You are a part of an eternal project which will bring hope and eternal life to many while relieving suffering and ignorance in one of the most depraved areas of the world.

You care because we all know He Cares.

William E. "Bill" McDonough, Director
Partners In Progress
Phnom Penh, Cambodia