Soon to Leave

Three teams will be going to the Hohidiai Clinic in Indonesia this next month. The first team has a variety of interests--medical, children's work, English language training, video editing training and counseling. This will be a very rewarding time for our workers at the base. This first team is very skilled and prepared to give a lot of their skills and expertise.

The second team will be leading a staff retreat for our leadership. There will be about 30 leaders who will attend the retreat. The retreat will be a three day event. The theme is working together and understanding the differences we have. We want this to be a time of encouragement and refreshing.

The third team will be led by Jim Aldrich. They will be working in the medical, mechanical and micro-enterprise programs. Our fleet of vehicles will be upgraded. The processing of coffee for sale will be another step closer. A roaster has been purchased and we need two more pieces of equipment to have all we need to process the coffee from our 200 coffee trees.

Please remember these teams--there are a total of 15 people represented in these three teams. They have a lot to give and will come home with more than they imagined.

Friends

I just returned from a trip to Springfield, Illinois. I was reflecting on the time that I got to speak to several groups. I also stayed at three homes in the 10 days I was there. I can only come up with the word friends. I met a lot of people and made a number of friends.

I especially liked the opportunity to speak to a group of men and to a group of teens. They were interested and open to what I had to share. The work in Indonesia was presented and more partners are helping us in these efforts.

I see us making friends of all the people who join us in our work in Indonesia. We appreciate the many people who believe in our work and have stood with us. We have partners who have been supporting these efforts for nearly 10 years. It is just amazing to me that they have been so faithful in their support.

L.A. and Illinois

What does L.A. and Illinois have in common? Tomorrow--IFC will be represented in L.A. and in Illinois. Esther Scarborough is in L.A. and will be speaking at the fundraiser for Grossman Burn Foundation. I am in Illinois where I will be speaking at several events.

Esther will have the privileged to speak to a group regarding the burn care in the North Maluku region. She is passionate and will share the dilemma we have with so many people being injured as a result of accidental burns. We need a better program to provide care for them--preventative as well as after accident care.

I will be speaking to a men's group tomorrow night and Saturday. Sunday I will be speaking at several meetings and a youth event. I have had an amazing time and I look forward to more chances to share about Indonesia.

I will be back home on October 12 and then to Indonesia on the 20th. I can't wait to take the two team to Indonesia.