Vino

Vino was brought to one of our clinics. I remember seeing him and wondering what could be done to help him. He had been badly burned in a kerosene spill accident. His right arm, right hand, chest and neck were scared and he needed expert reconstructive surgery. He was presented to the Children's Burn Foundation and Grossman Burn Center. He came to the U.S. to be treated. He has made wonderful progress and is now free of the burns contractures and continues to be treated. He is going to school and seems to have adjusted very well.

Vino is facing some challenges that could effect his recovery. He is running out of harvestable skin for grafting. He is having "balloons" placed under his good skin to stretch the skin to provide more usable grafts. We are now waiting to see the results of the new skin harvest. I will keep you posted on the progress.

Home Sweet Home

New bricks are setting ready for the beginning of the foundation for the next leper house. This new building will be the third house at the Tamarista. These are all four-plex units which will provide homes for the lepers and their families to live.

We are in the process of filling the two other buildings with lepers from remote villages in this region. There are several lepers who have asked to come to the Tamarista. This is the stormy time of year and these lepers and their families have to take care in being transported by boat. They will begin to fill these two homes in the days and weeks ahead.

Those who suffer from leprosy can be treated with good results. They need more than a negative report on the leprosy--they need their emotional and self-esteem rebuilt as well. It can take two years of treatment to finally get a negative status on their leprosy. These families will live in clean units with a bathroom, served nutritious food, and have a daily medical care. It is an honor to move forward in the construction in order to help the least of the least.

Extravagance

I was in one of the villages near our medical base and was served some coffee. It was one of the best cups of coffee I have ever had. I asked where did they get this coffee--an old woman smiled and told us it was from her tree. She told us that all of the fruit tree and coffee trees had been destroyed in the crisis. She got this twinkle in her eye and said, " My coffee is from a few branches that survived." I asked her if she had more and she raised her eyebrows. This is the same as nodding affirmatively for us. I wanted to buy some of her coffee to take home with me. She agreed to sell me some of her coffee.

We walked down the road to her home. The front of her home was just a huge hole where bombs had found their target. She walked in and went thru another door. A few minuted later she comes with about five ounces of coffee. She told me it was all she had left. It was a small amount but it was also an opportunity to bless this old woman. I looked into my wallet and I had a 5,000 Rupiah (55 cents) and 100,000 Rupiah ($ 11 USD.) and I had a choice to make. She offered to just give me the coffee. There was no way I was going to miss the chance to shock her with a big gift. I rolled up the 100,000 bill and put it into her hand. I took my coffee beans and started to walk down the road.

I felt great knowing she was getting more than she expected. She was a surviver who had excaped with her life from the years of the conflict. She and her coffee had that in common. As I walked down the road I heard her excited shouts to the woman across the road. She was saying, "You cannot believe what that crazy white man gave me for my coffee." She got more for this small amount of coffee than most workers get in a week of hard work. She had reason to shout. This was a day when extravagance came to her door.

The coffee was wonderful. I had it roasted and enjoyed every sip. It was also especially nice knowing a small amount of the bitterness of life had been removed from this old woman's life.

We are now growing 200 coffee trees on our base. These trees were started from seeds from this village. These beans came from the branches that survived the conflict. The trees are now 10-12 feet tall and are just full of coffee beans--our hope is to market the coffee in the future.

Keys To the Future

The conflict (1999-2003) left this region devastated. There are ruins almost everywhere you look. This was a difficult time for those who survived the conflict. It is now a season of rebuilding their homes and lives.

This photo seems to illustrate the status of this region. The portion of the ruins of a church is still standing next to the new church under construction. This is a place that is between the dark past and their future.

Our hope is to be a part of a positive future for those who are rebuilding their lives. Villages and businesses are being rebuilt and the economic outlook is much better. The markets and stores are very busy. There are smiles and it seems the future could be bright. I am hopeful but cautious--there has to be real forgiveness and restoration as a foundation to the future. The evidence of a peaceful future is not necessarily new roads and buildings--it is inner healing from the sorrows of this region. Forgiveness and reconciliation are the keys to the future.

Rain

It can rain in the tropics--as you can see. This photo is taken at the Medical Base House--it was taken in February during the rainy season. These islands have dense jungles drenched nearly every day during the rainy season. The rich volcanic soil combined with a perfect climate produce ideal conditions for the growth of fruit and vegetables.

It also provides a wet playground for the children at the base. Epen (big brother) is enjoying the downpour with Teresa and Victor. It wasn't long before they we running and splashing in the big puddles. They played for over an hour and came in completely soaked. When you witness these fantastic downpours it is easy to see why these islands are so green and fruitful.

Yulen's Story

Yulen's story in her own words:

"I remember the time and date the 22nd of February at 7 o'clock at night I
wanted to light the kerosene lamp at our house. I put more kerosene in the
light then I went to put the container of kerosene back but I was still
holding the light when all of a sudden my hair and face was on fire. At the
time my hair was long and it was falling off onto my body, hands and legs as
it burnt. I screamed and fortunately my neighbour who was bathing nearby at
the well heard me and threw water over me. I was cared for at home for a day
where a nurse gave me intravenous fluids but then I went to the public
hospital in Tobelo. I was in that hospital for 20 days but the nurses only
changed my wounds every 2 or 3 days. The other patients were upset by my
wounds because they smelt so bad. We heard from a nurse that the clinic here
(IFC Clinic named Hohidiai) has good cream for burn wounds so we asked the
clinic for help. For the time we were in the public hospital we had to pay Rp. 8
million (that is about $ 900 USD). We received assistance from the church
and other friends and relatives but we were almost out of money when my
relatives and I made the decision together to take me to clinic Hohidiai. We
arrived here on the 14th of March with the hope that the medical staff would
serve me here. We are so grateful that I can be in this clinic. God Bless
you."



"Yulen's burns are very extensive. Whilst we will do our best to get them
healed she will be in our clinic for many months and may end up with severe
scarring. She may need plastic surgery later. Whilst she has a long haul
ahead of her we count it a privilege to serve her here. She is not out of
complete danger. Burns patients can die in the first 6 weeks from infection,
fluid loss and malnutrition." Esther Scarboroug

Ribbon Cutting

It was the only day we got a reprieve from the tropical rain. It was a beautiful night for this celebration. The Tamarista, Leper Center, had two four-plex buildings completed. We were there that night for a ribbon cutting and celebration of the completion of these leper houses.

The children danced a traditional dance and we enjoyed a nice dinner. I shared the story of Mephibosheth who was a lame boy who was a relative to Jonathan. King David sent his servant to find him and then brought him to his home. Mephibosheth was a throw-away and when he met King David he called himself a “dog”. This was the very word that Hendrik, the leper living in the Tamarista, was called when he was cast out of his village. I love that about the Lord—He is for the least and lowest. He shows mercy to them. Mephibosheth was given a place at the table of King David. He was accepted and given honor. This seemed so fitting for this dedication.

Lyle Gresehover represented his “home group” who had given funds to build one of these homes. Dale and Shirley Shelley stood for First Presbyterian Church in Fairbanks who also gave funds to build this site. They cut the ribbon and we rejoiced that those who suffer the effects of leprosy can find a place where they are accepted and treated.

The remaining units will be filled soon. The team knows were there are lepers who want to come. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Planting Oak Seeds

Children were being left at our clinic. There were some who just were not wanted but others were orphans. The number started to grow and we had to make a decision about how we would care for them. We decided to not only care for them but to provide a future for these little ones. They had no idea their lives just made a turn for the best.

These were the seeds being planted for the future. They are like the oak seeds that were planted to provide the massive beams for the cathedrals. The first generation plants the seeds, the next generation cuts the huge oak trees and shapes the beams and the third generation finishes the cathedral. We could see the amazing plan to use these lives to make a difference in this conflict region. I think it is like the Lord to take thrown away lives and make them the ones who change the history of a nation or region. Read the story of Joseph in Genesis. He was just that—he was thrown away by his brothers and God used him to save a nation. We are looking to this generation and also the next—we are growing big trees.

The Alaska Team came to train and encourage the Children’s Home staff. Cathy Cady, Becky Halbert and Beverly Conover brought lots of materials and enthusiasm. They spent two or three days evaluating the programs and staff. The goal was to encourage the staff and give them tools to use to improve the learning and safety of the children. It was a wonderful time together. The children became very comfortable with the “bulai (white)” woman. They were holding, reading books, playing games, painting, and stimulating their learning.

Why People Seek Treatment

In Indonesia you do not just go to the "emergency room" for treatment. You must have the money in advance for the treatment. It makes it very hard for the poor to get medical help. The IFC Clinic offers free care for the poor. This is a way for the poor to get examined and then treated for their injuries or sickness.

If the patient needs surgery we try to help with that if we have the funds. We have provided many surgeries from broken bones to tumor removal. We usually take them to a hospital in Manado which provides good care. We have staff that help these patients with transportation, housing, getting into the hospital and after surgery care.

Patients have told us over and over that they know they are cared for at the clinic. That means a lot because we want them to get the best care possible.

I saw it again last month when a Muslim man came to the clinic following what was suspected as a stroke. He was in one of the rooms and was joined by his family. He told us he wanted to stay because he knew the staff really cared for him. He was at a difficult time and gave us the greatest compliment.

Hospital Progress

The hospital being built on the Medical Base has a roof, walls and the interior work is being completed. It will be a 16 bed facility with a birthing center on one end. This is will provid needed in-patient care for this region. It is located next the clinic and will compliment the out-patient work there.

This project is being funded by Rotary (Australia). There is a helicopter landing pad and an ambulance that will add to the versatility of the hospital. The cost of cement and steel have increased the cost of this construction which has slowed the progress at times. It is moving forward now and there should be a date of completion some time in the summer.

I am thankful that we are able to add this facility to the medical work here. It will provide first-class treatment to those who cannot afford medical care. It is a joy to see this come to pass.

Mobile Clinics

The poverty in this region of Indonesia can be so bad that even the cost of transportation to a hospital or clinic can be more than most can afford. The mobile clinics that go to remote villages bring help to those who cannot access health care. The Alaska Team went to a village on the Island of Halmahera. This clinic was to be just a one day event. IFC have sent teams to remote areas and they stay for three days to as much as three months. This clinic was conducted under a roof but there were no walls around the clinic area. The first step is to unload the medicines and set up chairs. It didn't take long and the clinic was underway. It was hot and very humid. There were about seven medical staff doing examinations along with Scott Conover a P.A. from Alaska. There was no privacy and the medical interviews were conducted with the medical staff and patient sitting on chairs facing each other. Scott was in his element. He had a smile on his face the entire day. Scott is a great teacher and spent the day instructing our medical staff as well as seeing patients. These are very poor people. They saw people suffering from malnourishment, T.B., malaria, the flu, fevers and possible cancer. There were some very serious problems.

While the medical team was conducting the clinic another group of brave souls were entertaining a band of children. This was great fun with balloons, singing and games. The children were having a lot of fun with the bulai (white people).

This clinic saw over 100 patients that day. They ranges from new born to the elderly. This is a way we can help with the health in these small villages. It is a privilege to be able to provide some hope to their suffering.

She Wanted a Girl

Jeremy has curly hair and seems to smile all the time. He is plump and looks very healthy. When he was born he was rejected by his mother. She wanted a girl. His mother was a prostitute and she was not willing to keep him. He could not advocate for himself and ask for life but she was talked into giving him to us.

His future is bright and he is just adorable. The future would have been dark if he was raised by a mother who would provide little love and was willing to just throw him away. He is now joined by the other band of throw-aways in the Children's Home. Jeremy will be nurtured with lots of hugs and hope. The children we are raising are all going to be bi-lingual (Indonesian and English) and offered the highest level of education they are able to achieve. Education is so important to the path for their future.

I looked at the smiling face of little Jeremy--thanking God he is alive and we have him in our care. I also see him as a part of the band of rejected souls who have been rescued. Thank all of you for your prayers and support.

Finally Home

It was a month ago we left with our team for Indonesia. We had some amazing days and became deep friends in the process. We traveled lots of air miles and sat in plenty of airports. The time with our staff, children and the people of remote Indonesia were just priceless. I will have a lot of stories in the next days. I am jet lagged and have a pile of emails to answer.

We are at an important time of our work. Thanks for all your support and prayers.