I just got the news that there was a powerful earthquake that rocked the region we are working. I only have a little direct information about this quake. It was centered 55 miles from Manado and 75 miles from Ternate in the Molucca Sea.Peter Scarborough reported that our base was fine and there were no injuries there. They did feel the quake. We are the only medical option for the poor in the region. If there are injuries we will be working...

I met with Mary Meier, a nurse, who is trying to open doors for Yulen to get the needed treatment for her burn injuries. Mary is a real hero and she is working on behalf of Yulen. There are several doors that need to open before we can order tickets and get Yulen and her husband here in the U.S. Her surgeries and therapy will take around one year.I appreciate Mary and the heart that she has for this desperate situation. We have a lot to do to...

She was a beautiful young mother. Her home was filled with laughter and the daily chores of any Indonesian family in this region. Yulen and her husband were working hard and making ends meet. Then the tragic kerosene spill happened. She was burned over her chest and face. She went from a young mother to someone who is struggling for her life. She went to the IFC Clinic for help. They have been caring for her and keeping her burns clean and...

While Indonesia has only one gold medal that I have seen in the Olympics. I believe we have a lot of gold medal winners on our staff. If I were to give the medals I would award many of them with gold medals in compassion.Our staff members make a winning effort when they care for the lepers at our base and nearby. Olan is so committed to the health and emotional well being of these rejected people. Olan wraps their woulds and spends time talking...

I just returned from a rare blue sky day in Valdez, Alaska. It is one of the most beautiful places in Alaska. The mountains that surround the city were just crystal clear and snow capped. Esther met with several people and shared the work in Indonesia with another large group. It was a worthwhile time of building partnerships.While driving back to Fairbanks we saw four moose and one caribou. The caribou was running down the road in from of us....

I have been traveling with Esther Scarborough and Nius. Nius has met with several groups to share about his life and work. He is in medical school and has an awesome story of how he desires to serve the poor in his region. We have past over 1,000 mile posts in the last week. We have seen several animals–moose, caribou, musk ox, bear and even elk. There is another more than 800 miles to go and mountains and rivers to cross. Esther will be...

Tonight Esther Scarborough and Nius Sudan will arrive in Fairbanks, Alaska. They have been in California for two weeks and will be here in “The Last Frontier”. Nius will be speaking to several groups and he will be very busy. Esther will be traveling around the state and will find her way to Palmer and Anchorage on August 1-4.She will go to one of the most spectacular places in Alaska–Valdez. She will speak there and meet with...

Nius Sudan and Esther Scarborough are in the U.S. They arrived in last week. Nius is an amazing young Indonesian man. He has been sharing his story of survival and courage. Esther Scarborough is the director of IFC’s medical work in Indonesia. She is a real hero and has served the poor and former refugees–saving countless lives.They will be in Los Angeles for two weeks and then to Alaska for a month. Nius will be speaking to a...

This is a sobering report. I just got a note from our medical base in East Indonesia. They informed me that a father of four came to our clinic. He died yesterday from the effects of AIDS. The sad part of the story in that three of his children have also died of AIDS.Our teams go into public schools and warn the students about STD’s. I have witnessed these amazing teams as they tell these students the realities of the sexually transmitted...

Vino has been here in the U.S. receiving reconstructive surgeries to repair the burn injury he received in a kerosene spill accident in Indonesian. He has made fine progress as his right arm and hand were freed and his neck and chin were also reconstructed.He is a normal and energetic little boy. He goes to school and is fluent in English. He has lots of friends but the best friend is Dr. Richard Grossman who is giving him a new life. Dr....