"The Last Frontier"

Tonight Esther Scarborough and Nius Sudan will arrive in Fairbanks, Alaska. They have been in California for two weeks and will be here in "The Last Frontier". Nius will be speaking to several groups and he will be very busy. Esther will be traveling around the state and will find her way to Palmer and Anchorage on August 1-4.

She will go to one of the most spectacular places in Alaska--Valdez. She will speak there and meet with friends. August 9-11 will be her short stop in Valdez. The beauty and fishing are world class. The rest of her stay will be in Fairbanks.

It is a privilege to have both of them her in Alaska.

On U.S. Soil

Nius Sudan and Esther Scarborough are in the U.S. They arrived in last week. Nius is an amazing young Indonesian man. He has been sharing his story of survival and courage. Esther Scarborough is the director of IFC's medical work in Indonesia. She is a real hero and has served the poor and former refugees--saving countless lives.

They will be in Los Angeles for two weeks and then to Alaska for a month. Nius will be speaking to a number of groups including at University of Alaska. He and Esther will meet with medical professionals in Alaska. They will be traveling to Fairbanks, Palmer, Anchorage and Valdez.

First AIDS Death

This is a sobering report. I just got a note from our medical base in East Indonesia. They informed me that a father of four came to our clinic. He died yesterday from the effects of AIDS. The sad part of the story in that three of his children have also died of AIDS.

Our teams go into public schools and warn the students about STD's. I have witnessed these amazing teams as they tell these students the realities of the sexually transmitted diseases. These students look wide-eyed as they hear these warnings. Now what we have been so concerned about has been confirmed--AIDS is now spreading in these villages.

New Ears

Vino has been here in the U.S. receiving reconstructive surgeries to repair the burn injury he received in a kerosene spill accident in Indonesian. He has made fine progress as his right arm and hand were freed and his neck and chin were also reconstructed.

He is a normal and energetic little boy. He goes to school and is fluent in English. He has lots of friends but the best friend is Dr. Richard Grossman who is giving him a new life. Dr. Grossman has performed all the surgeries and is happy with the results.

His ears were nearly completely burned off. The rebuilding of his ears will take time to heal but will result in a more normal look. He is feeling very good about how his life has changed.