Blog
Bumps in the Road
I have sad this many times–it is hard work helping people. The efforts to get Tison to the U.S. are moving forward. We did run into a “bump in the road”. We need to have the “power of attorney” documents signed and notarized by an Indonesian Notary. We had the POA translated into Indonesian and also in English. Tison and his family went to Ternate to have the documents signed They could not find a Notary who could read English.It looks like the best option is to go to another city and find a Notary who can read...
read moreCulture Shock
Imagine the shock Tison, the nine year old Indonesian burn survivor, will have when he steps off the warm Alaska Airlines flight onto the frozen walkway into the terminal. Fairbanks Alaska is a very cold place in the winter. I have been told the he is excited about coming to Alaska. I know he is excited but he will experience a cold that he cannot even imagine.There will be the normal culture issues to overcome. He is a really great little boy. He will be safe and cared for by his host family. I know it will be a challenge but I believe he...
read moreNext Step
The next step for Tison, the nine year old burn victim, is to get all his letters of support to the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta. We have organized and sent all the these letters from Alaska. We sent the package by Fedex to Indonesia. This Fedex package full of the letters he needs went from Fairbanks to Anchorage to Memphis to Anchorage in four days. It winged it way to China and was in and out of the distribution center in an hour and a half before arriving in Jakarta. Finally, the letters made it to Manado. The next stop is the U.S. Embassy....
read morePassport Granted
Tison recently met his parents in the city of Ternate. They had not seen each other for around a year. This was not just a get together, this was a time to set a direction for Tison’s future. Tison has been at the clinic on the island of Halmahera for the past year. He is burned over 40% of his body. He has missed his parents but his village in about 200 miles from our medical base. They left him at our clinic where he receives daily treatment for his wounds. He was given a passport with the support of his parents.He is one more step...
read moreDistinguished Service
Elizabeth (Liz) Wood is a surgical nurse who has a huge heart. She organized a monumental effort to save the life a a child, Billy Ponto, who was very ill and faced certain death. Liz arranged for the doctors, hospital, housing and even raised the money to cover all the expenses. Liz is someone who sees a need and then just finds a way to gather resources and partnerships to meet the need.It was an honor to recognize Liz, for her heart and amazing tenacity. International Friends of Compassion presented the first Distinguished Service Award to...
read moreSafe Lamp
In many remote regions of the world the poor use kerosene lamps to light their homes at night. A common simple wick in a can of fuel is used in millions of homes. It is very dangerous because it can easily spill and start a fire or in the process of filling the lamp it can explode. It is a serious hazard and we have seen numerous injuries due to kerosene lamp accidents. There is always a lot of pain and suffering with each burn.IFC has arranged for two burn patients to come to the U.S. for care and a third child, Tison, is in...
read moreTison Needs Our Prayers
I got a note from Peter Scarborough asking for prayer for Tison. Tison has burns over about 40% of his body. His right leg has had an open wound on it that has a very bad infection. He has been so brave and has endured the daily changing of dressing. The hospital staff have done a wonderful job on all his wounds. He needs our prayers and support at this time.Tison will meet with his parents tomorrow. He has not seen them for nearly a year. They will join him to apply for a passport. Once he is awarded a passport then he has to go to the U.S....
read moreLifting Your Voice
I have taken many short-term teams to Indonesia over the last nine years. I have traveled with some of the most amazing people. These people pay their way and volunteer their services. I make sure they are safe and have a positive experience. A 70 plus year-old woman was one of the best surprises. She did fine in the heat and had such a great attitude. A 15 year-old teenager was another great team member. She was so kind and seemed like she was perfect for this experience.The food, culture, driving and heat can catch you by surprise. These...
read moreEpen and Mim
I just got the official announcement today. Epen Akay and Miriam Scarborough are engaged to be married. Epen is an amazing Indonesian young man. He is the foreign team coordinator for our medical work. He has made so many friends because of his kindness and care for each person traveling to our base. Epen taught himself English and is now fluent–that is a tough task. He is my favorite translator when I speak in large meetings. He is like a friend. Epen has had enough pain in his short life for several lifetimes but has a deep faith and...
read moreKalkati
It is interesting how some names are given to children. In some cases names are just given on a “try out” basis. Imagine my surprise to know that a new born was given my name. It is the Indonesian spelling of my first and last name. They called him Kalkati (pronounced Call-Kay-Tee). He was born early and was an abandoned child. He was not in very good health. I was humbled that a “little life”, a living individual was given my name. I got to hold him although he was frail and did not look well. He was fighting for his...
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