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.

A Good Man Goes Home

Peter Scarborough is the Field Director in charge of almost everything but especially development and staff at the base in Kusuri. He and his wife Esther are the real heroes in the successes of the medical base. It is their vision and hard work that shaped and made possible the work. They are respected and loved by so many including all of us here in the states who know them. They are friends and partners in this effort.

Peter wrote to me about the failing health of his father over the last months. He was concerned and wanted to be near his family if his father got worse. Peter and Esther were in Australia for medical check-ups and personal leave time. Peter saw his family and it wasn't long before he knew his father was slipping physically. His Dad died on April 20 with his family near. Peter wrote he got to be there to comfort and to say the final words that have eternal meaning from the lips of a son. He told his father that he was loved and thanks for being a great father. These words are what every father desires to here from his children.

Peter is a man of character and integrity--it was modeled in the life of his father. The Scarborough family is thankful for the support and prayers for them these last months. The one comfort in these days is the assurance this father is in eternity with his God. He was a man who lived his faith and raised his family to love God. In the truest sense he was ready and has just gone home.

Teacher

Each morning at 8 a.m. on our base our staff study one hour of English. Several of them are doing very well--they just tackle this very difficult language with enthusiasm and hard work. I have taught these classes myself and enjoyed the passion some of them have to learn. Beverly Conover who was on our team in February did such a great job teaching for two weeks. She has a gift and is an inspiring teacher. She was well prepared and the students were ready to soak up her learning drills.

In June, a full-time teacher will arrive. Kori is from Alaska and has been teaching at the High School level. She is planning on being there for a year. She will work with all the staff. She will love everyone of the staff and the eagerness they have to learn. I can see them making huge gains in their language as they have systematic lessons. The bonus for Kori is--it will not be long before she will be speaking Indonesian. Living with the Indonesians and speaking their language everyday accelerates the learning process.

Off The Road

I just got back home from a two week trip. I meet some new friends and made a number of contacts in familiar places. I put on a lot of miles over the two weeks. My first stop was Idaho--I went to college in Idaho and remember the beautiful springs they enjoy. It is windy but when the sun comes out it is hard to beat. I went to Nampa and Twin Falls. I am so blessed to have the contacts and friends in those places. There are a couple friends in Idaho that I know would stand with me in my toughest time. Washington is the place of my birth. I spent time driving up and down I-5. It is a rainy place but it was only sun while I was there. One of my dearest friends lives in Southwest Washington. We have known each other sine 1981. David is such an encouragement to me. He is an example of faithfulness and integrity. He is another one of those who I know would stand with me if I needed him. I also got to see two men I had not seen in over 20 years.

I am reminded of the rigors of travel and yet the blessings. I am out making contacts with our supporters and finding new ones. I have some rich friendships and lasting friends. It means a lot to me and makes these times away from home a lot better. When I left Alaska we had three feet of snow in out front yard and now it is around two feet deep. I have to say I did enjoy the green grass warm sun.

It Is Done

Indra will get the needed surgery for the hole in his heart.

I have to thanks a couple very generous and compassionate couples for stepping forward with the needed donations. It will mean a lot to give him a future.

It amazes me that it really doesn't take much to make a difference. The average surgery costs about $ 500 USD. I recently went to the hospital for a two night stay here in the U.S. and the cost was shocking. Thankfully, that is not the case in our region of Indonesia. Esther Scarborough, IFC Medical Director, is very selective about who we can help. We do not have an endless supply of funds for surgeries but we want to respond when we can--especially to save a life.

Indra and his aunt will be traveling to Jakarta after arrangements are made to admit him into the hospital. I can see him already--he will get to play with the other children without getting too tired. He will feel so much better and his future will be bright.

That is how it works--help one person at a time.

He Has a Name

The little boy I wrote about in the last story is named Indra. He is four years old. He was abandoned by his parents and his aunt is now raising him. He is always in her arms. He has a hole in his heart and needs surgery for PDA.

He is in a difficult time as his future is in question. He cannot run and play like the other children in the camp where he and his aunt are living. The camp they live in is depressing and not a good place to live. Indra's aunt does not have a husband or children. He is her sunshine and needs to get his heart repaired soon.

So far we have raised half of what he needs for his surgery. He needs another $ 1,000 to cover the rest of the costs. We are trying to give him a normal life.

Hole in His Heart

I just got a note from IFC medical director, Esther Scarborough. She told me about a small boy (I do not have his name) who is living in a camp and needs surgery to close a hole in his heart. I got to see him because I have stopped at that camp a number of times. He is always in the arms of his mother and cries a lot. He seems lethargic and doctors feel they need to get him help soon.

There are about 500 people living in this camp--they are unable or unwilling to return to their homes because of lack of money or safety issues. They remain in these poor conditions and life seems to go on. This small boy is in need of surgery in Jakarta. It can be done but we need the funds to get him help. It costs around $ 3,000 to get him and his mother to Jakarta, lodging and surgery. Please pray with us about this little boy.

I have several photos of him but he is crying in every photo. His family is praying but they are very poor and need some help.