Kori and Kate

Kori and Kate are full of enthusiasm and hopes for their stay in Indonesia. Kate is a medical student who will spend the summer at our base gaining experience in tropical diseases. Kori is a certified teacher who will be teaching English to our staff. Kori will be staying a year at the base as the English teacher. She is also gong to be going to Australia for the English as a second language course. Kate will be coming back in time to attend college in September.

We met together tonight--this was the last meeting before they depart for Indonesia. They are ready for the trip and the cultural differences they will experience. These young woman are at a prime time for this experience. They are both single and are ready for a foreign experience. They are also realistic about their time in Indonesia.

Remember them as they travel and then give everything they have to serve the staff and the poor who come to our clinic.

Another Viktor

Victor came to our clinic when he was seven months old. He was very malnourished and had sores from head-to-toe. He was is very bad shape. It took a lot of round-the-clock care for him to turn a corner. He became such a loving and sweet little boy. Viktor is almost five years old now. He is bi-lingual and loves everyone.

Peter just sent a note from the medical base and said we have another Viktor. His name is Yoshua and he is badly malnourished and covered with sores. He is 10 months old now and weighs 11 pounds (5 kilos). He was born at nearly10 pounds (4.5 kilos). In the last 10 months he has only gained one pound. Yoshua's mother has died and those who were caring for him nearly starved him to death. Miriam is taking care of him during the day. He should be able to recover in time just like Viktor. Once Yoshua gains his strength his father will take him. Peter feels it will be months before his is able to get to a normal weight and heal from the sores.

Billie is Improving

Billie is the four year old boy who went in for emergency surgery at a Manado Indonesia Hospital due to an obstruction in his bowel. He had come to Portland, Oregon when he was one year old for the needed surgery to save his life and now he was facing the same emergency. So many of you prayed and gave to help him in his latest chapter. Liz Wood made a valiant effort to organize help and monitor his care long distance. She advised the IFC medical staff and organized financial support for his medical expenses.

Esther Scarborough reported recently, "Billie is now out of the hospital! I visited yesterday morning and he was pretty uncomfortable but he did not have any tubes connected. He had not had a bowel motion for a week. I requested his discharge and the doctor agreed. We thought we would have to take him elsewhere for further tests etc to see what was holding up the works. Praise God things got moving and Billie's bowels are working. he walked into our Manado base! He looks thin but otherwise great. THANK YOU for praying for him"

We are cautiously optimistic with this news. He is improving and that is the best news we have had in weeks.

Standing On Our Own

We have been involved in relief work in North Indonesia for nine years. The heart of the work is providing free medical care to the poor. The cost of staff, facilities and medications is substantial. We plan to turn the work over to the nationals. There are 15 staff who are in accredited medical and nursing programs. These Indonesians have been selected for their compassion, academic abilities, and commitment to the future of IFC medical work. Peter and Esther Scarborough have led the selection and development of staff. They have led with grace and wisdom.

We are developing self-sustaining programs. The need for programs that pay for themselves is important for a strong future. We will always offer free medical care but where we can we are investing in ways to support ourselves. Four years ago 1100 fruiting trees were planted--there were papaya, mango, banana, rambutan, sirsak, coffee, lime, lemons, oranges, avocado and more exotic fruits like durian. We also grow cash crops of corn, egg plant and other vegetables. There are 200 coffee trees that are producing a very nice medium roast coffee. We also have a mechanics shop--it is well equipped and is a potential income base. We have a kiosk (small store) which sells to locals. There is plenty of livestock like cows, pigs, goats, chickens and ducks. We supply plenty of the food that we use--that off-sets the cost of feeding everyone.

There are also opportunities in local crafts and other small businesses. We know our future needs some "stand on our own" programs. The future is bright and doors are open to building these self-sustaining opportunities.

Listari's First Birthday

Listari has had a couple special days in her short one year of life. The first special day was when she was adopted by Epen Akay. Listari was abandoned at birth and Epen's heart went out to her--he believed he could give her a good life. Epen has never been married but he is a great father. He gives her a father image and lots of affection.

Listari just turned one year old recently. This was another special day for her. She is happy and loved. Listari means beautiful in Indonesian. She is a beautiful child and has only a bright future ahead of her. She is in a safe and nurturing environment.

It is nearly impossible for foreigners to adopt Indonesian children. A number of the children who are in our care are adopted by our Indonesian staff. They will grow up in solid homes and will have a large extended family.

Holding Our Breathe

We are praying and holding our breathe following Billie's most recent surgery. He came out of surgery very well and was looking good. The pediatric surgeon removed 15 cm of his intestines. The next days seemed fine but then he started to struggle. His stomach distended and he had no bowl movement or passage of urine. His parents were very concerned as he was not improving.

He has made slight improvements this week by passing urine. There are a lot of decisions to make by the family and our staff. He could need another surgery if his condition does not improve. This is a very serious ailment and needs to be monitored with the greatest care. It is a waiting game right now.

Surgery for Billie

Billie is four years boy who came to the U.S. for surgery for a imperforate anus when he was less than two years old. Liz Wood, a nurse from Fairbanks, led the effort and his life was saved by her coordination of all the travel, funding and medical and personal sacrifice. Billie was operated on by Dr. David Bliss of Emanuel Hospital in Portland Oregon. The professional skills and compassion of Dr. Bliss gave Billie a future. He did very well following these surgeries. He went back to Indonesia where he started a normal life.

Liz heard recently that Billie was having problems with an obstruction in the small bowl. He had a successful six hour surgery in Indonesia. He is now recovering and time will tell how he will do following this surgery.

I admire the heart and efforts of Liz as she has remained committed to Billie and his future. She is going to be in Indonesia this month and will be able to see him in person.