A Chill in the Air

It is early August and there is a chill in the air. It is the closing of the Alaskan summer and the greetings of the short fall season. I have had the opportunity to travel to many places and meet some amazing people this year. We have new partners and new doors have opened.

I am very hopeful and determined to walk into a new seasons of serving the poor in Indonesia. We have been so blessed to be able to continue the work in spite of economic challenges in our world over the last several years. We are blessed to have many faithful partners. We are entering a new season--more world economic challenges. Poverty doesn't stop because of economic woes around the world's stock markets-- disease doesn't take a break--abandonment takes no vacation when our exchange rate goes south. We continue to serve the poor--the sick and the abandoned.

Travel

I just got back from a little more than a week of travels. My wife and I drove over 1,000 miles with no incidents. We felt fortunate to see such wonderful views on this trip. We went to Seward (Alaska) where we spoke to a wonderful group of new and old friends. We saw our dear friends, Al and Donna, where we stayed up playing games and just talking. It was like we had never been away at all--we just picked up where we left off. The fellowship was amazing.

We also stopped to see Dennis and Janae. I have known Dennis for over 30 years. We so enjoyed the time with them--we went to their lake house and did some fishing. Cathy was amazing--she caught several nice red salmon. Our friends mean so much to us and we treasure them.

Seward is a port city here in the far north. There were thousands of vacationers who came to catch a silver salmon or halibut. This is a place where the visitors out number the locals during fishing season. We met some of the locals and just had a wonderful time. I consider these times as special blessings. I get to talk about our efforts in Indonesia and at the same time I get to meet new friends and see old friends.

Heavy Hearts

Baby Junita fought a good fight but lost her battle for life. We are all heavy hearted about her passing. Our hopes were high and the help that was offered to her was monumental. She was given every ounce of help we could give. She faced a domino effect of the tragic burn--dengue fever--a twisted bowel. It was just too much for her to overcome.

Jien is the nine year old who had T.B. and was severely malnourished. She was shockingly thin at around 15 pounds. Our medical staff assessed her battle was due to damaged organs that just could not process the food she consumed. She got weaker and weaker even though she was given an enriched formula. She was at our base for about a year. During that year she received lots of love and attention. This week her father came and took her back to their village. He could see she was not making progress and needed to be with family as her tiny body was not getting stronger. I think it will be best for her to be with her family during these days. She is a fighter and proved the power of the human "will to live". She touched many lives and was an example of tenacity.

Reality

I just reported the passing of baby Junita. She fought a good fight but just had too much for her frail body to overcome. If the burn injuries were not tough enough she got Dengue Fever and then a twisted bowel. The internal bleeding due to the Dengue Fever and the emergency surgery for the twisted bowel was a huge challenge to survive. She came out of the surgery but could not fully recover. This is the reality of the medical work. The staff and all our supporters put everything into saving her life. Even with the huge effort, sometimes a patient does not survive.

Jien is also a real concern. I recently saw her and spoke to the staff. She was not doing very well. She is very thin and is fighting for her life. This is reality. We want the best outcome but we have to walk in an understanding of what is actually happening.

We just continue to pray and do everything medically to join the fight to live.

Two Worlds

The transition Tison is making is best described as the tension between two worlds. Tison was born and raised on a remote island in a remote region of Indonesia. His father is a fisherman and lives a subsistence lifestyle. His life was simple and in some ways attractive. Tison came to America and lived with a wonderful family for 18 months. He was so amazing even during the toughest time of surgery and recovery. Tison was smart and learned to speak English pretty well. He loved chicken nuggets, snow boarding, computer games, movies, jet skiing, fishing and anything playing with his closest friends. He like life in America and wanted to stay here.

When he arrived on his island and saw his father. He just melted into the arms. It was an amazing moment. His love for his father will overcome all the adjustments to his culture. He was between two worlds. Neither world is better than the other--just different. They are not only different but vastly different. He brought some great tools for his father--a leatherman and headlamp. These tools will help make life much easier for his father. Now Tison need to appreciate the special things about his culture.

Tears in My Eyes

I seemed like I just finished an around the world non-stop flight. I actually left the island of Halmahera in remote Indonesia on Monday. I have been traveling ever since--either in transit or on the flights. It is good to be home.

The purpose of the trip was to take Tison home to his family. He was unsure of himself and how he would react once he got to Indonesia. He got off the last flight and saw his father waiting for him. He just hugged his father--I had tears in my eyes. There is nothing like a child and his parents. Tison was crying and had his arms around his father. It just reminded me that as much as he was a part of our lives--he had his own family.

Now he is in his village getting acquainted with his family and tasting the food he grew up eating. The best news for him was that since he left he has twin brothers born.

What It Is About

I reflected today about "why" we work to serve the poor. The root of the question is "what is it all about". Tison is going home soon after being treated here. He was here for a year and a half and had eight surgeries and nine procedures. He was welcomed into a host home and came to be loved by them. When you consider the passport and visa application process and the many cost--you have to ask "why" are we doing this. The reason we do this is the importance of the individual and the prospects of a better future. The poor cannot access this kind of help but our foundation can open those doors.

It is total joy to see these children helped and many who come to our clinic for help. We provide hope for those who need help. We are careful and compassionate in the care.

This week I received news that an infant who was burned in a hot oil spill has been accepted by the Children's Burn Foundation. Julita will be coming to L.A. for care once she and her mother are awarded visas. They have made an amazing offer to help and the Grossman Burn Center will provide the surgeries.