INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS OF COMPASSION

APRIL 2009 UPDATE

More Children

Tison, Billie and Jery came to our base in East Indonesia because they had bad injuries—all three of these boys had bad burns. We also have other children who were given to us to raise because they were orphaned or abandoned. There is another group of children who are on our base—their parents are sick or rehabilitating at one of our programs. Their parent might be a leper or in long term care at our ward.

Tison is eight years old and he is just full of energy. He is badly burned but doesn't let his injury stop him from playing and enjoying his life. He just makes you smile when you see him. He has a tenderness and innocence that seems to make you forget how severe his burn injuries are. He is from a Muslim family that lived on a remote island. He came to our base six months ago and now is making good progress. He has his dressings changed everyday. It is a painful process but he seems to take it in stride. His family has not been back to see him so I think he will be with us for a long time.

Jery is going to Dallas to have surgery on his hands. He was in a fire when his home was engulfed in flames that resulted in the injuries his brother and sisters and the death of one brother. His arms and hands are burned with his fingers are tightly curled under. Pray that all the necessary paperwork and funding is in order. Jery is a quiet little guy with a sweet smile.

At our base house in Manado a little girl just stood shyly in the shadows. She is about nine years old and was abandoned and left at the house. She is smart and so interested in about anything that was happening. Feta is from a Muslim family and has so much potential. The staff will try to decide what they can do for her future. She is very cute but thinks she is ugly. She was brought to the base and abandoned—we will keep her and build the confidence she needs.

Our Alaska team did children’s programs at two villages on Halmahera. Mary, Cathy, Beverly, Hannah and Leah along with our Indonesian staff did a great job. Andy, David and I just did what we were told. In one village, the children showed up in waves. The excitement and volume of singing was wonderful. Mary did a great job of changing plans based on the growing number of children. The program was fun and the children really were blessed. The waves kept coming and coming until there were 300 or more children. The other village we were invited to go to a public school. The kids sang loud and enjoyed the program and especially the crafts. We were tired but blessed to see so many children involved and happy.

Mary was so sensitive to the son of a leper living at our treatment center. I wish you could have seen him run to us with a broad smile when he was invited to go to our children’s event. His father was sick and his mother had left them. He so enjoyed the time with the other children and doing crafts together.

It doesn't take much to bless little children. They are so beautiful and innocent. We are open to giving them a future and providing a loving and nurturing life for them. Pray for us as we need wisdom in raising these little ones and blessing all the children that come into our lives.

Dr. Lena Makes a Discovery

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. Dr. Lena got to work along side Scott Conover the American P.A. He is so good at teaching and he can go all day with a smile on his face. I know Dr. Lena valued the time with Scott at the clinics they worked together.

She told us that she came to learn English but instead she learned compassion. Dr. Lena studied medicine to have a successful and prosperous life. She admits she got into medicine to make lots of money. She watched the way our medical staff gave to each patient. They show respect and mercy to everyone who comes to our clinic. They show no partiality--it does not matter if they are poor. It does not matter if they are Muslim or Christian--they all get the same care. She witnessed this day after day and it began to touch her. She is a good person and will make an amazing doctor now that she has discovered the key--compassion.

A Hole in His Heart

I got a note from IFC medical director, Esther Scarborough. She told me about a small boy named Indra 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. He is four years old and needs surgery for PDA.

There are about 500 people living in this camp--they are unable or unwilling to return to their homes because of lack of money or safety issues. They remain in these poor conditions and life seems to go on. This small boy is in need of surgery in Jakarta. It can be done but we need the funds to get him help. It costs around $ 2,000 USD to get him and his mother to Jakarta, lodging and surgery. It did not take long before this boy and his need touched people who completely funded his need.

I really appreciate the concern and heart so many have had for Indra. He needs this surgery and should see a nice improvement in his energy. I want to see him running and playing with the other children. We are trying to give him a normal life.

Blessings—Carl Cady U.S. Director for IFC

International Friends of Compassion P.O. Box 81823 Fairbanks, Alaska 99708 www.ifcus.org