Saturday, November 29, 2008

Tired but Blessed

It was a long trip back from remote East Indonesia but an awesome experience. The team went via Tokyo--Bangkok--Jakarta--Manado. The return trip was Manado--Jakarta--Seoul--Tokyo. We heard about the problems in Bangkok and were thankful we did not return to Bangkok on our return trip. The Bangkok Airport was closed and we would have been stranded somewhere in Asia.

We accomplished everything we planned as a team. The LAN system is in place and the clinic and ward are now connected. The best part of the trip was to meet the people. I will write more about Tison the seven year old burn victim and his friends. I called them the "three amigos". The 21 bed ward was open and just packed. I will share a couple stories about what the ward means to the area.

I am blessed to know everything is moving forward and the compassion shown to the poor and injured is changing things for the good. Remember even though the economy is challenged hunger and sickness continue without change. The people in the remote region of East Indonesia do not know about a world economic crisis. They just know they have the same struggles to live and survive.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Long Flight

37 hours from home to Manado (Indonesia). I have made this trip over 20 times in the last seven years. I can't say I am used to the long hours of travel. I arrive at the airport at 5 a.m. and then the journey begins. I will be joined by a team that is traveling with me. We are excited about going but I remember how long the trip really is. The international flights have movies and seem to be more aware of the sleep we passengers need. Thankfully I can sleep well on a plane. We plan to install a computer network at our clinic in northeast Indonesia.

I will be in touch when I can find an Internet connection. It has already snowed here but we will soon be in the sweltering heat of the tropics. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Cards

It just amazes me how some people catch a vision of our work. Katherine and her husband have been to Indonesia and helped in the medical work. Katherine's husband is a medical doctor from New Zealand. Katherine is a talented photographer and took some amazing photos of daily life in Halmahera. She has selected eight photos and put them on cards. She is giving them as a promotion of the medical work of IFC. We are offering them for $ 10 for eight cards plus $ 2 for shipping. If you would like to have sets of these cards please contact us and we will be happy to send them to you. Just mail a request and check to our P.O. Box or go to our web-site and use your credit card.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Network Time

Cat 5e cable, crimping tools, switches, plugs and much more--these are the parts we need to build a computer network at our clinic in Halmahera. This will greatly increase our ability to keep records of all of the patients that come to the clinic. Last year there were over 10,000 who came to our clinic for help. The intake form was done hard copy. That is a lot of records and sometimes difficult to find needed information. This network will increase the effectiveness of our care. We plan to link the clinic to the new Ward (21 bed in-patient facility). Our team will be installing this network in the month of November. We have a good computer tech on staff.