Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Never Too Old

I met Leroy and Mary this week. Leroy is 74 years old and is drilling water wells in Kenya. He has been there for 20 years now. The youthful look in his eye covers the fact that most people are retired by his age. No retirement for him--he sold his home and he and his sweetheart are going for it in these golden years of their lives. He had lots of meetings and seemed to be fueled with his passion for helping the people of Kenya.

I have heard the saying "die with my boots on". Leroy is the walking personification of that saying. I love the heart and energy I saw in him. I think I might have gone to Kenya with him but I know my heart is in Indonesia. Lord willing I will have the same heart and strength as Leroy when I am in my 70's.

I think we all need to see someone like Leroy to remind us that there is a better way to grow old. He wasn't retreating or resting--he and Mary were putting it all on the line. God Bless them.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Staff Housing

We have 82 full-time Indonesian staff at our base in Halmahera. There are about 30 medical workers and 15 medical workers in training. These trainees are in a one-year program where they get the most basic education and practical experience. They are especially able to diagnose tropical infectious diseases, They can set broken bones and stitch up wounds. The training they are getting would be close to a first step EMT. The real blessing is they do an amazing job with those who come to our clinics with injuries or illnesses. The rest of the staff are construction workers, mechanics, agricultural workers, cooks, drivers, security guards, children's workers and secretarial. In addition to these workers we have two in medical school near Jakarta, five in an accredited nursing training, two in dentistry, two mid-wives and a pharmacist. It is a big operation.

The staff are amazing people. We have housed them wherever we could find room on our base. They have stayed seven and eight to a room in some cases. I think they have been fantastic about where they have lived. We did get a recent donation to build staff quarters. These facilities will provide excellent housing for these young people. There will be a wing for men and one for woman. The construction of the staff housing will begin the end of this year.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Yulens Still Waiting

We have not had a door open for Yulens yet. Yulens is the 23 year old mother from Indonesia who was tragically burned. She is a mother of a small child and has a supportive husband. We are pursuing all our options in hopes that she will get the professional care she needs. She is burned on her face and chest. She also has some burns on her legs. It is much easier finding help for a child than an adult. I am still hopeful she will get the help she needs. Until then she is waiting in Indonesia for a door to open.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Faithful Friends

We all realize we are in challenging economic time. We are doing all we know to make necessary adjustments. I am thankful for those faithful donors who have stood with us for all these years and continue to support the work of IFC.

I think of the 35 children in our Children's Home that need love and support. We are working in a remote region but the effect of this economic fall does touch them. I think in some ways it hits them harder that others. When the income of a laborer is a dollar a day there is no room for extras. There are many families who live subsistence lifestyles like their parents and grandparents. They seem to look at one day at a time.


Our medical work is greatly needed for the poor because we provide free medical care. Last year 10,000 people came to our clinic asking for medical help. The help we can provide is because we have so many who have believed in our mission. We serve the lowest and least--from new born children to outcast lepers. It is a privilege and blessing to serve them. I thank all of you who have stood with us and continue to stand with us in these days. Hunger and suffering do not stop because the world markets are going crazy.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Safe in the Storm

I was in Illinois earlier this year where I experienced my first tornado producing thunderstorm. I saw the warnings on the weather channel and could see the dark clouds approaching. I stood in the safety of my friends home as the storm approached. It kept getting closer and closer. The wind and hail was intense. I could see it was nothing to take lightly. It came and it passed. I was in awe of its power and its beauty.

We are in an economic storm at this time. I am not sure how it will change the world and our nation. I remain hopeful for Indonesia and have no thought of giving up. We have 35 children in our care, lepers and thousands who depend on us for their medical help. We have to stand safe in the midst of the storm.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Malaria

Malaria is a huge problem in the remote islands of North Maluku. Our medical staff faithfully treat those who are suffering from malaria. It is not uncommon to have entire villages sick with malaria. These villages are called "black villages". One "black village" is a Muslim village on a very remote small island. We have sent a number of teams to this village to help treat them--every family has had at least one member die due to malaria. It has devastated these people. We have a lot of compassion for them and want to assist them in stopping these outbreaks of malaria. The use of mosquito nets is a good first step. During the rainy months it is especially important to have protection at night as they sleep. We also help them with the WHO (World Health Organization) medicines that have to be taken faithfully in order to be cured of malaria. We want to see the health restored to this village and so many others who suffer from outbreaks of malaria.