Passport Granted

Tison recently met his parents in the city of Ternate. They had not seen each other for around a year. This was not just a get together, this was a time to set a direction for Tison's future. Tison has been at the clinic on the island of Halmahera for the past year. He is burned over 40% of his body. He has missed his parents but his village in about 200 miles from our medical base. They left him at our clinic where he receives daily treatment for his wounds. He was given a passport with the support of his parents.

He is one more step closer to getting to Fairbanks, Alaska for the medical care being offered to him. All the providers have agreed to give him the treatments he needs as charity. This is such a great chance for him to come here and get the "life changing" surgeries he needs. There are some awesome people who are willing to give their professional skills and personal support.

There are many more steps to take until he is in Fairbanks. The support letters have been sent to Indonesia. These letter will be a presented to the U.S. Embassy in support of the application to award Tison a visa. We are weeks away from the next big step--where he is granted a visa to come to the U.S.

Distinguished Service

Elizabeth (Liz) Wood is a surgical nurse who has a huge heart. She organized a monumental effort to save the life a a child, Billy Ponto, who was very ill and faced certain death. Liz arranged for the doctors, hospital, housing and even raised the money to cover all the expenses. Liz is someone who sees a need and then just finds a way to gather resources and partnerships to meet the need.

It was an honor to recognize Liz, for her heart and amazing tenacity. International Friends of Compassion presented the first Distinguished Service Award to Liz on October 14th. She was surprised and in the expected response, she minimized her part in the effort to save Billy. We all know, she did all the heavy lifting and deserves the honor.

Peter Scarborough wrote, "There are a few things that really stand out with Liz. Her compassion for people and her ability to get help for them. We have seen this particularly in the cases of Billy and Tison. Liz has seen the needs and moves mountains to respond to the needs. We here in Indonesia, want to thank Liz so much for all the amazing help she has provided, she is dependable and well worthy of the honor bestowed upon her." There are so many who love and respect Liz. Epen Akay, our friend and translator, said this, " You (Liz) are an amazing woman, with such an incredible compassionate heart. All your efforts and spirit, that you gave to save Billy Ponto's life is such an encouragement to me. It is a privilege to be able to know you. You are an inspiration!" We all agree Liz is an inspiration and deserving of the Distinguished Service Award.

Safe Lamp

In many remote regions of the world the poor use kerosene lamps to light their homes at night. A common simple wick in a can of fuel is used in millions of homes. It is very dangerous because it can easily spill and start a fire or in the process of filling the lamp it can explode. It is a serious hazard and we have seen numerous injuries due to kerosene lamp accidents. There is always a lot of pain and suffering with each burn.

IFC has arranged for two burn patients to come to the U.S. for care and a third child, Tison, is in process--all of them were injured because of the accidental mishandling of kerosene. It is a challenge because we have limited medical ability at our base to help them. We cannot do skin grafting or prosthesis. We can clean their wounds and do some therapy.

Recently, our staff heard of research on a "safe lamp" being used in Sri Lanka. I contacted the foundation and found a very helpful and awesome team working on this project. Dr. Wijaya Godakumbura worked 17 years to develop a safe kerosene lamp. I admire his work and tenacity. His hard work will prevent horrible burn injuries and even save lives. I contacted Dr. Godakunbura about the availability of purchasing or making the lamps in Indonesia. The process is in place to partner with them to bring these safe lamps to Indonesia.

I want to recommend that you take a look at their web-site and vote for them as a worthy project in "The World Challenge-09" contest conducted by the BBC, Newsweek, and Shell.

Please Log on to one of the following:

1. http://www.safebottlelamp.org and click ‘Breaking news’ on home page

2. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/2009-finalists-project10.php and click ‘Vote now’

3. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk and click ‘Vote now’

Tison Needs Our Prayers

I got a note from Peter Scarborough asking for prayer for Tison. Tison has burns over about 40% of his body. His right leg has had an open wound on it that has a very bad infection. He has been so brave and has endured the daily changing of dressing. The hospital staff have done a wonderful job on all his wounds. He needs our prayers and support at this time.

Tison will meet with his parents tomorrow. He has not seen them for nearly a year. They will join him to apply for a passport. Once he is awarded a passport then he has to go to the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta to apply for a visa to the U.S. He has a lot of steps ahead of him. His world will change very fast.

Imagine living in a remote village in the tropics and coming to Fairbanks, Alaska in the winter for treatment. He is used to playing soccer and walking around bare-footed. He will be taken care of very well but the culture and cold will be major challenges. They think 75 degrees F. is cold--imagine minus 40 degrees. Please pray for him.

Lifting Your Voice

I have taken many short-term teams to Indonesia over the last nine years. I have traveled with some of the most amazing people. These people pay their way and volunteer their services. I make sure they are safe and have a positive experience. A 70 plus year-old woman was one of the best surprises. She did fine in the heat and had such a great attitude. A 15 year-old teenager was another great team member. She was so kind and seemed like she was perfect for this experience.

The food, culture, driving and heat can catch you by surprise. These are real challenges--especially for us from the northern regions of North America. There are plenty of obstacles to those of us who are used to all our western comforts. I am so proud of these amazing people who give of themselves and try to bless those who are less fortunate.

Then these team members go home and they try to tell their family and friends about what they experienced. It is really hard to put into words what you see and experience on these trips. Yet they try to share about the amazing people of Indonesia and their lives and culture.

I recently went to hear one of the team members share about his experiences. He was excited and I admire the way he lifted his voice for those he met in Indonesia. He told about orphans, lepers, the training of our staff and the many other experiences he enjoyed. Dr. Paul is a testimony and inspiration to me. I would love to take Paul with me again and I would love to have more like Paul. He was sick a number of days but just kept going and did everything with a smile.

Epen and Mim

I just got the official announcement today. Epen Akay and Miriam Scarborough are engaged to be married. Epen is an amazing Indonesian young man. He is the foreign team coordinator for our medical work. He has made so many friends because of his kindness and care for each person traveling to our base. Epen taught himself English and is now fluent--that is a tough task. He is my favorite translator when I speak in large meetings. He is like a friend. Epen has had enough pain in his short life for several lifetimes but has a deep faith and strength. Miriam is the daughter of Peter and Esther Scarborough, co-founders of the work, and a wonderful young woman. She was raised most of her life in Indonesia. They make a beautiful couple and will have many years of happiness. I admire both of them and I know they will be strong leaders together.

Epen as a single man has already adopted an abandoned little girl named Lestari. He is the father figure in her life. Miriam is caring for a little boy named Leigh. Leigh was near death due to malnourishment--she has nursed him to health. He is doing very well and is bonded to Miriam. Epen and Miriam are already responsible and caring people--together they will be great parents.

Epen has been interested in Miriam for many years. He has been a perfect gentleman and has respected her as he waited for the right time to move forward in their relationship. I pray the best for them.

Kalkati

It is interesting how some names are given to children. In some cases names are just given on a "try out" basis. Imagine my surprise to know that a new born was given my name. It is the Indonesian spelling of my first and last name. They called him Kalkati (pronounced Call-Kay-Tee). He was born early and was an abandoned child. He was not in very good health.

I was humbled that a "little life", a living individual was given my name. I got to hold him although he was frail and did not look well. He was fighting for his life.

When I left two weeks later he looked better and I am optimistic he was gain more strength. He has a full-time care giver who is doing a great job nurturing him. I am looking forward to seeing how he does over these next months. These are important days for him to be nurtured back to health.