My Name Sake

When I first saw him in February I was not sure he would even live another day. He was very frail and sick. He was a throw away child--just like the other children we have in our care. He was born at our hospital and was unwanted. I was told by Peter Scarborough that they had named him. His name was Carl. I took a long look at him and wondered if little Carl would even live.

I got a report that his caretaker, Ribka, was doing a great job in his care and he was improving. He might make it. I was very happy to hear this child was improving--not because we shared names but because he was not expected to survive. He was a fighter and has a will to live.

Today, I got the photo of little Carl--he is with Ribka, his caretaker. He really looks great. I am so proud of Ribka for her faithful care to this little life. She saved his life.

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.

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.

Planting Oak Seeds

Children were being left at our clinic. There were some who just were not wanted but others were orphans. The number started to grow and we had to make a decision about how we would care for them. We decided to not only care for them but to provide a future for these little ones. They had no idea their lives just made a turn for the best.

These were the seeds being planted for the future. They are like the oak seeds that were planted to provide the massive beams for the cathedrals. The first generation plants the seeds, the next generation cuts the huge oak trees and shapes the beams and the third generation finishes the cathedral. We could see the amazing plan to use these lives to make a difference in this conflict region. I think it is like the Lord to take thrown away lives and make them the ones who change the history of a nation or region. Read the story of Joseph in Genesis. He was just that—he was thrown away by his brothers and God used him to save a nation. We are looking to this generation and also the next—we are growing big trees.

The Alaska Team came to train and encourage the Children’s Home staff. Cathy Cady, Becky Halbert and Beverly Conover brought lots of materials and enthusiasm. They spent two or three days evaluating the programs and staff. The goal was to encourage the staff and give them tools to use to improve the learning and safety of the children. It was a wonderful time together. The children became very comfortable with the “bulai (white)” woman. They were holding, reading books, playing games, painting, and stimulating their learning.

She Wanted a Girl

Jeremy has curly hair and seems to smile all the time. He is plump and looks very healthy. When he was born he was rejected by his mother. She wanted a girl. His mother was a prostitute and she was not willing to keep him. He could not advocate for himself and ask for life but she was talked into giving him to us.

His future is bright and he is just adorable. The future would have been dark if he was raised by a mother who would provide little love and was willing to just throw him away. He is now joined by the other band of throw-aways in the Children's Home. Jeremy will be nurtured with lots of hugs and hope. The children we are raising are all going to be bi-lingual (Indonesian and English) and offered the highest level of education they are able to achieve. Education is so important to the path for their future.

I looked at the smiling face of little Jeremy--thanking God he is alive and we have him in our care. I also see him as a part of the band of rejected souls who have been rescued. Thank all of you for your prayers and support.

Thrown Away Soul

Esther Scarborough wrote about a child she was told was unwanted. He was on another island and it took quite an effort to get him. The new born baby was found discarded in the garbage pile. He was heard crying by an old woman (grandmother) who rescued him.

Here is Esther's note:

The baby has just arrived at our clinic. Vikki & Yenni who collected the baby from the island of Obi expected to be away just one week, I think they were away four weeks! On each attempt to return the ferry had to turn back because of high seas. The waves were much higher than the boat. They were terrified of drowning. The time was spent nurturing this precious child who is now doing much better.

A few surprises have been had though! The details about the child was not accurate. When undressing the baby to give it a bath (the baby arrived in filthy clothes) Esther discovered the baby is a boy! Not a girl as first reported! The other thing is that the baby's mother did not die but she REJECTED the baby and the cruelest thing is that this dear little boy was named "Buang Jiwa" which means "Discarded/Thrown-away soul". The grandmother is old and tried to find someone to care for this ill, malnourished boy and no-one wanted him. Needless to say we have renamed this boy Yohanes (John) John: From the Hebrew, Y'hohhanan which means, "The Lord gave graciously," or "whom Jehovah gave".

Love in Him—Esther IFC Medical Director

Yohanes is now in the Children's Home and is doing great. He is loved, safe and happy.

Children's Home

The Children's Home continues to meet the needs of the abandoned and orphaned children in our care. A team from Alaska will be training the Indonesian staff about early childhood development. This will greatly enhance their ability to see these children advance according to their age. I know we have at least one new child--I will have more details on this "little one" later.

Children's Home

IFC has supported and continues to support orphanages in North Sualwesi and North Maluku. There are many children who have been orphaned because of the conflict. We stand with these good efforts to care for these children.

We have seen a number of children brought to our clinic and just left. We were caring for a handful of abandoned Children and just loved these little ones. We decided to provide a safe and nurturing home for them. In late 2005, a home for these children was begun. It is now complete and is a first class facility.

We have a couple who serve as the mother and father of the home. They give these children a home with parents. A “grandmother” is also a part of their lives. She comes everyday to spend time with these little ones. These children are going to be given a lot of love and a chance at a future.

We consider it an honor to raise these children. The cost of caring for a child is about $ 50 per month.