Hole in His Heart

Hole in His Heart

I just got a note from IFC medical director, Esther Scarborough. She told me about a small boy (I do not have his name) who is living in a camp and needs surgery to close a hole in his heart. I got to see him because I have stopped at that camp a number of times. He is always in the arms of his mother and cries a lot. He seems lethargic and doctors feel they need to get him help soon. There are about 500 people living in this camp–they...

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Christiana

Christiana

Lodi and Eka have their own son, Christian, who is ten years old. He is bright and full of energy. He comes home from school and hardly sets his books down and he is out the door with the soccer ball. He is also the top student in his class. He is now a big brother to his new sister Christiana. She is a new born who was adopted by Lodi and Eka. Chritiana was born at our clinic to a mother was not willing to give her a home. She wanted her to go...

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Wounds Still Open

She sat with us and told us about her life. Ribka is about 23 years old and started by telling us about the attack on her village during the years of conflict. She stated that she and her family fled from their village and ran to the jungle where they lived for five months. She spoke of the struggle of eating only what they could find–roots and occasional fruit. It was a difficult time and just full of suffering.It reminded me that the...

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Dr. Lena

She is a tall Indonesian woman. She is going to be a Medical Doctor. She has completed her studies and just needs to pass her medical examination to get a license to practice medicine. Dr. Lena came to our base to work on her English language. She is very good in English but wanted a more technical grasp of the language.She told us that she came to learn English but she learned compassion. Dr. Lena studied medicine to have a successful and...

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Jurambi

Jurambi

We were taken to the Ward to see the newest arrival. It seemed important and had an sense of urgency. When we went to the room we could see a young man in serious condition. Jurambi is 21 years old and has an unknown illness. It was a little early to know because he had just arrived and was being diagnosed. He was malnourished and very weak. He looks like someone with AIDS. The Doctor was doing tests and asking the questions about contracting...

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Pa Pa Daud

David is from Illinois and has been a friend of mine for a number of years. He is a real student and loved researching about Indonesia and especially the people of East Indonesia. I have learned a lot from him and always look forward to the inspiring and interesting things he shares with me.David was recently on a team that went to Indonesia and shared the big heart he has for the people and the knowledge of the culture. The interest he has for...

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Between Two Worlds

Cathy and I had just come from the remote islands to the east of Manado. We had spent lots time with the poor and sick–it was such a blessed time to share their lives and to stand with them. There is something about the simple live they live. The daily struggle to survive is always facing them–hardship is a constant reminder of their world. Our affections were with the abandoned children and the lepers who were now close to our...

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