She has suffered more than almost anyone I know. She has seen unspeakable violence and the loss of her oldest brother. Her village was a target of attack back in 2000 where over 200 people were killed in one day of violence. Winda was only 13 years old and defenseless in the attack. She is one of the strongest individuals I have ever met. The many atrocities she has  seen and yet she is stable emotionally. Winda believes it was God’s help...

Baassee Cho is an Athabaskan phrase that means a deep thank you. It is set apart from the general thanks to express a warm and special thank you. That is the name given to the new house built on our base.  The funds to build it were given by a very loving group in Alaska. The house is being occupied by an amazing couple–Dr. Leo and his wife, Dr. Deni. Dr. Leo and Dr. Deni will be expecting their first child in April. We are thankful for...

I am waiting in another airport in the U.S.  It really doesn’t matter where.  There is a distinct commonness to them all.  You check in at the counter outside the security area to a hopefully smiling agent, then find the security line with your boarding pass in hand. You are being examined for any suspicious behavior as you pass security.  Once you take off your jacket, belt, and shoes and then get the nod to proceed past the security zone, you...

In two weeks I will be traveling to Indonesia with another team. This team will work in the clinic and school. The gems that will be deposited are in the form of expert training for the medical staff and the patients who come to the clinic while this team is on site. I can see the faces of the children as they sit at their desks in their classrooms. Four members of the team will be assisting in the classroom and in the after school programs....

Everyone reading this blog has faced challenges in their lives. Challenges come in many forms–some can be life changers others just ruin your day. A grandmother came to our clinic and asked for help for her and her granddaughter. When she told her story, she unfolded a story of the struggle to survive. She was poor–not U.S. poor. Her challenge was NOT about living with only one family car or having basic cable service. She could not...

There must be something about the life of a farmer. Ray Giles has farmed near Adelaide, Australia, for most of his life. His life has been filled with hard work, and he has been an inspiration to many over his 96 years of life.  It has been said he can fix anything, Ray recently volunteered at the IFC/Hohiodiai base and so the challenging projects at the base were given to him. He came with a team from his church in Adelaide and is an example...

Joanne Klaver and Emily Miner visited the IFC/Hohidiai School in January 2013.  Their  time and effort is deeply appreciated.  Here are their comments:   By Joanne Klaver — “Having spent most of my life in the medical profession, I was surprised and truly blessed when I was assigned to help with second graders at Hohidiai School. Their enthusiasm in academic work, the high standards presented and met by the students, and the...

When he first arrived at the IFC/Hohidiai clinic Viktor was seven months old and weighed only seven pounds.  Malnourished, sick, and near death, he fussed and cried constantly. His two other siblings had died of malnourishment, and he, too, was struggling to live. Little by little, Viktor recovered from his sickness and now, at 8 years old is doing very well. He is a normal little boy full of energy. He is loved, accepted and is now thriving....

In almost any sport there are those who stand out who are ‘just gifted’. In music there are prodigies and virtuosos. It takes a lot of natural talent and hard work to become one of these ‘best in your field’ stars. We all had the kid in college who walks into class on the first day, and everyone knows the grading curve just got harder. We have three stars that I want to highlight. They are all in medical training. Nius...

Dr. Chris is from a lazy country town about 60 miles east of Melbourne, Australia.  As an average kid he had searched for the spark in his life that would make him feel alive and valued.  At 15 years old , Chris’s parents wanted to widen his worldview and took him to the Hohidiai medical base in Northeast Indonesia on the island of Halmahera.  Chris got an eye full of the challenges faced by those living in poverty. He saw the medical...