We have been involved in relief work in North Indonesia for nine years. The heart of the work is providing free medical care to the poor. The cost of staff, facilities and medications is substantial. We plan to turn the work over to the nationals. There are 15 staff who are in accredited medical and nursing programs. These Indonesians have been selected for their compassion, academic abilities, and commitment to the future of IFC medical work....

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...

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...

We are praying and holding our breathe following Billie’s latest surgery. Billie came out of the six hour surgery O.K. The surgeon removedthe swelling in his stomach has gone down a little if his dad puts his ear to Billie’s belly he hears gurgling although he (Billie, not his dad) has not passed any gas yet he has 30-40 ml’s of urine in his catheter every hour instead of over 6 hours.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

The little boy I wrote about in the last story is named Indra. He is four years old. He was abandoned by his parents and his aunt is now raising him. He is always in her arms. He has a hole in his heart and needs surgery for PDA.He is in a difficult time as his future is in question. He cannot run and play like the other children in the camp where he and his aunt are living. The camp they live in is depressing and not a good place to live....