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.

Holding Our Breathe

We are praying and holding our breathe following Billie's most recent surgery. He came out of surgery very well and was looking good. The pediatric surgeon removed 15 cm of his intestines. The next days seemed fine but then he started to struggle. His stomach distended and he had no bowl movement or passage of urine. His parents were very concerned as he was not improving.

He has made slight improvements this week by passing urine. There are a lot of decisions to make by the family and our staff. He could need another surgery if his condition does not improve. This is a very serious ailment and needs to be monitored with the greatest care. It is a waiting game right now.

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.