Looking Back At 2008

When I look back at 2008 I am amazed at the forward steps our work has made. I credit the awesome staff led by Peter and Esther Scarborough. They are the real heroes and have worked with integrity and compassion.

Here are some of the highlights:

• Building and dedication of new 21 bed patient ward.
• We now have 28 children in our care. These are orphaned and abandoned children.
• Three new vehicles were purchased giving us reliable transportation.
• The "Hohidiai" Clinic in Halmahera treated over 10,000 poor.
• The clinic is now wired with a LAN computer system.
  
• The second four-plex unit was built for the Tamariska (Leper Treatment Center).
  
• Self-sustaining programs are being developed--including the sale of coffee.
  
• Three children are being treated overseas--Yulce, Vino and Kasih.
  
• 22 short-term foreign teams came to assist our work.
• We have over 80 full-time staff at our base--about 30 are medical workers.
  
• Two of our staff are in medical school, five in nursing training, two are training for dentistry, two more as midwives and a pharmacist.
  

The most rewarding part of our work is knowing lives were saved and a mountains of compassion was given to the poorest of the poor. Our care is based on need--no one is turned away. These are only the highlights, there are so many individual miracles and breakthroughs. We just want to be a part of changing the future of this region by investing in the people.

Now we look ahead to 2009 with enthusiasm and hope.