Friday, June 29, 2012

Remembering Those In Need


They come asking for help. They are poor and in crisis. Their needs range from illness to injuries. The one common thing about all of those who come is they all believe our medical staff can help them. Recently a little girl was brought to the clinic for examination. She had a growth on the right side of her head, including her right ear and it wrapped around to cover her right eye. The concern is that she was allowed to get to this condition. She should have been brought in months or even years earlier. Her growth is in an advanced condition. She is in need of treatment we cannot provide at our clinic. We are looking for an open door for her to get the care she needs.

It is an honor to help those who find themselves in need medically. It is why we are working in the remote islands of Indonesia. The entire staff is committed to giving the best care with compassion to those who ask for help. Those on the staff are just amazing people—they do give their all to serve the least and lowest.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Volcano

When you live on the "ring of fire" you might see fireworks. There were many at the base who were awakened at around 2 a.m. yesterday by the rattling of windows as a volcano erupted. The volcano, Mt. Gamkonora, is only 20 miles from the base and it shook the place in a display of its power. The ash blasted over 10,000 feet and then showered the area with a white coating.

This is not an everyday or every week occurrence but it is a reminder of the awesome power that is not very far away. The base is just far enough away and yet close enough to feel the energy it can produce in its eruptions.

This region is also very fertile due to the rich ash that has fallen over the island in millenniums in the past. There is a positive outcome to the violent eruptions.


Saturday, June 9, 2012

On The River

The Delaware River has a lot of historic significance for the early years of the United States. Here I was with a band of over 50 men on the shores of the Delaware River. We could see Pennsylvania State just across the river on the steep bluffs that faced us like an impossible obstacle to climb.

We were there for some historic landmarks of our own. We were gathered to have a time of refreshing from the Lord. We had the full cross-section of men--we had businessmen, bikers, college and high school students. It was a three day event and we were there to seek breakthroughs in our individual lives.

I believe it is the unexpected that touched us the most over those days. We experienced times when the challenges we face as men were faced by all. There were times of repentance, encouragement and healing. So many good things happened it is even hard to pick one. If the changes that came to every man will be real and relevant to them in the weeks and months ahead then the time was well worth it.

Who would have though we would have made recent history in the lives of these men on the banks of the Delaware.