Dishes and Modems

If you think it is frustrating waiting for your slow computer to boot up, then try being in the middle of the jungle attempting to find a satellite somewhere low in the eastern sky. That was the dilemma Peter Scarborough and I were facing. We were trying to upgrade the internet connection in order to get the internet speed increased to a level where we could show detailed images of patients to doctors anywhere in the world via the internet. It would greatly increase our ability to help patients with the advice of specialists.

We were advised to purchase new equipment and then to connect to a satellite on the “C” band. Sounds simple enough for a couple “tech-challenged” but willing characters. The new dish and modem arrived in good shape. It did take time to get it assembled and set on a stable base—this is not a small dish. Peter and I adjusted the dish and used the basic alignment tools we had and finally connected with a satellite. We were excited and amazed at ourselves—we did it. The next day we realized we were aligned with the wrong satellite, so we were back to where we started. It took a few hours, and several trees were cut until we finally locked into the correct satellite. We were reluctant to celebrate too soon but were pretty sure we had found the right one this time. Now the next challenge was apparently the modem we had did not have the right settings. So we were now at a standstill—it honestly made us wonder if it was going to happen. It did have some humorous moments—what else could we do other than laugh.

The provider recommended we purchase a new modem for the new satellite dish and come to Australia to retrieve it. We were in the jungle of northeast Indonesia, and the part we needed was in Australia. It was a costly and hard decision, but I went to Australia to get the new modem. That might sound like an expensive way to get this modem, but if we were to have it shipped to Indonesia, it could have been months and had a good possibility of getting caught in customs. The flight was easier and assured us of getting the equipment we needed. We did not have anyone else who could pick it up, and I also had some business I did at that time in Australia. Finally, I returned two weeks later with the new modem. It was installed, and we were now using the new system. We were all excited and proud of our perseverance. We now had the connection and were testing its speed and capabilities. The next day I noticed a red light on the modem. It was now off, and we worked for a couple hours trying to find the problem. We had the connection for only 24 hours, and we were now offline. After two more days of frustration, we realized the new modem must have failed. It was run thru a check, and it was not working. How could we get this operating? We had to take the new modem back to the provider in Australia for testing and repair. We knew of someone who was going to Australia in the next weeks and asked them to take it back for us. The tests proved the unit had failed, and it was not our fault—it was a problem in the unit. It had to be rebuilt and then brought back to Indonesia. It was about three weeks ago that it was hand carried back to the base and installed. The connection was made with the satellite, and the system was back online. We have been testing it for the speed needed to show the live video of patients. We have found that it is too slow, and the speeds that we need (and were promised) just cannot be reached. It is hard enough to get technical equipment to work when you have all the support in the same city, but we are in a very remote area and can get equipment and help from faraway places. We either need a miracle that will give us the speed we require or an open door for a new system or provider who can help us—such is life at the end of the earth.

Remembering Those In Need

They come asking for help. They are poor and in crisis. Their needs range from illness to injuries. The one common thing about all of those who come is they all believe our medical staff can help them. Recently a little girl was brought to the clinic for examination. She had a growth on the right side of her head, including her right ear and it wrapped around to cover her right eye. The concern is that she was allowed to get to this condition. She should have been brought in months or even years earlier. Her growth is in an advanced condition. She is in need of treatment we cannot provide at our clinic. We are looking for an open door for her to get the care she needs.

It is an honor to help those who find themselves in need medically. It is why we are working in the remote islands of Indonesia. The entire staff is committed to giving the best care with compassion to those who ask for help. Those on the staff are just amazing people—they do give their all to serve the least and lowest.

Volcano

When you live on the "ring of fire" you might see fireworks. There were many at the base who were awakened at around 2 a.m. yesterday by the rattling of windows as a volcano erupted. The volcano, Mt. Gamkonora, is only 20 miles from the base and it shook the place in a display of its power. The ash blasted over 10,000 feet and then showered the area with a white coating.

This is not an everyday or every week occurrence but it is a reminder of the awesome power that is not very far away. The base is just far enough away and yet close enough to feel the energy it can produce in its eruptions.

This region is also very fertile due to the rich ash that has fallen over the island in millenniums in the past. There is a positive outcome to the violent eruptions.

On The River

The Delaware River has a lot of historic significance for the early years of the United States. Here I was with a band of over 50 men on the shores of the Delaware River. We could see Pennsylvania State just across the river on the steep bluffs that faced us like an impossible obstacle to climb.

We were there for some historic landmarks of our own. We were gathered to have a time of refreshing from the Lord. We had the full cross-section of men--we had businessmen, bikers, college and high school students. It was a three day event and we were there to seek breakthroughs in our individual lives.

I believe it is the unexpected that touched us the most over those days. We experienced times when the challenges we face as men were faced by all. There were times of repentance, encouragement and healing. So many good things happened it is even hard to pick one. If the changes that came to every man will be real and relevant to them in the weeks and months ahead then the time was well worth it.

Who would have though we would have made recent history in the lives of these men on the banks of the Delaware.

A Surprise Gift

We have some amazing partners and our supporters are awesome. I have to tell you about the most recent gift we received. It comes from an unlikely donor and just blessed us so much that it brings tears to my eyes and the story will touch you as well.

We serve the people that this culture considers the least and lowest of the region. The lowest and most rejected are the lepers who are considered worthless by the community and are even thrown out of their families and villages. It is a less than human, existence. We have a leper residential rehabilitation center called "Tamariska” which means “Dwelling Place of Kings.” It is a safe and very nurturing place for these rejected souls. The lepers who come to us for help live in the residential units and are treated as a part of our family. They receive daily care by our medical staff and it is a time of healing and emotional growth. Several years ago a leper by the name of Hendrik came to the base. He had been banished from his village for 15 years and suffered alienation, ridicule, and the physical effects of his disease. Hendrik is no longer infectious. He has lost his toes and fingers but he can walk and is just a delightful man. I love spending time with him and he loves to play UNO. He is actually really good and delights in putting a Draw Four on anyone who might be getting ahead in the game.

Hendrik recently heard that we were running low in the general medical fund. We have faced this challenge before and during those times, we just pray for the increased support. Hendrik came to the office and gave his donation of $550,000 Rupiah (about 60 USD). That is all he had. We do not even have the slightest idea where he got that amount of money. It is a big mystery and we are just in awe. Hendrik is like the widow who gave all she had—her two coins. He gave all he had to help others. I am just so touched by the generosity in his heart and I know the gift he gave was given in love, without expecting anything in return. The next time I see him I am going to give him a huge hug, and then settle down for a wild game of UNO!

Long Lost Friends

Thirty-five years is a long time. It is a lot of water under the bridge of life. Such is life when friends say good bye and new chapters open. High school graduations are a major event before the scattering starts. Those who spent almost every day together then are pursuing much different paths. I left high school to attend college. I had other friends who went directly to work and others got married. Whatever the reason, we all scattered and hardly looked back. We had lives to live and goals to achieve. The seasons of responsibility came, and we all raised families and/or immersed ourselves in our work. There are a lot of reasons that distance became the key word in old friendships. Literal distance was what separated me from old friends—I moved to Alaska. The reasons are many for why we all have 40 years of distance and occasional thoughts of: "I wonder where so-and-so is right now."

I got the chance to sit down with five of my long lost friends this last week. I was in Seattle for meetings and was invited by one of my high school friends to come by and meet her husband and get caught up on the gap of 35 years. It was a wonderful time of catching up. There was not enough time to talk about the last 35 years since I had seen them. We could only show photos of our children, and there were plenty of grandchildren to brag about. We were all in pretty good shape—gray hair and less hair (actually none for me) were the signs we were not wide-eyed teens anymore. We get our exercise chasing grandkids and attending fitness aerobic classes.

If you can come to this season of life and look back with a smile and give thanks to the Almighty, then it has been a blessed life. I am looking forward to the next chapter. I do not plan to slow down or give up. Life has been good, and now I have a few more friends in the boat with me.

Saying Yes

The little three letter word we use so often has so much power. It is the word “YES”. I can see myself as a child anticipating that word after asking a hope filled question. It might have been: Can I go to the lake? Can I have some candy? Can I stay overnight at my friend’s house? I can remember waiting to hear that little word — "Yes". When you think about it, it is a very powerful word. It can bring a smile and the hope of a good experience. That little word has been used to start the process to help so many in need: "Yes, we can help you."

I can think of six families who have heard that word when they have asked the question regarding the possibility of sending their children to the U.S. or Australia for extensive medical care. Their future became bright, but if these children are to be helped, so many people have to say yes. I am so grateful for the amazing people who make it possible to change a person’s life. If a number of people agree to help, then it is a shared effort. A life can be changed if we can find a way to say, "Yes".