Blog
Dr. Paul
Dr. Paul came to Indonesia knowing he would be there only a short time. He filled the days he had with hours of training and dental work. Neni, the dental nurse, was so amazing. She was hungry to learn and Dr. Paul kept giving her more and more opportunities. His teaching style was to show her, then let her do what he just showed her. Neni is smart and was the perfect student. She wanted to learn more and more. It was the perfect team–Dr. Paul was willing to teach her and she was eager to learn.Dr. Paul could have pulled and filled a...
read moreBaby Steps–Tison
I just got home from Indonesia. It was only a month but it seemed like two months–there was a lot accomplished. One of the most important projects in the works is bringing a nine year old Indonesian child to American for reconstructive surgery.Tison is badly burned and needs major help. He is an awesome little boy. He is full of energy and is normal in every way except he was involved in a accidental fuel spill. He was brought to our clinic with his injuries. Tison has extensive burns on his right arm and leg. His face and upper torso...
read moreBeyond Reach
I have been in the remote island of Halmahera in northeast Indonesia. There is no access to the Internet there–so I have been beyond reach since the 13th of August. Today we started traveling at 1:30 a.m. It was a four hour car trip on sometimes marginal roads thru the beautiful jungle of this island. The equatorial sky was brilliant with stars this morning. Our car nearly ran out of gas but we found a light on in a home along the road and got just enough gas to get us to the port. We then got on a boat for about an hour shot across an...
read moreDental Needs
In March, a dental team went to our base and treated over 100 children and then visited a public school. It was a dynamic time. The dental needs where we work are great–no one get regular dental care. Two of our staff are studying to become dentists. We want to relieve suffering of those who come with dental issues. All of us know the pain you can have when you have dental problems. I leave in three hours for Indonesia. I will be joining a dental team. This team will be training our dental staff and will be caring for those who come to...
read moreLiving in the Smoke
I have been stranded in airports around the world for many reasons. Once I was with a team and we were delayed for three days in a row. The reason that was finally given was they had no windshield for the plane. I was glad to be on the ground. I have even seen burning planes on the runway. This year we had a flight cancel from a remote island. It was complicated by the fact that it was the only flight off the island and we had an international flight to catch in a major city. In order to make that flight we had to drive four hours on a jungle...
read moreTeam Preparation
We have just over a week before we leave for Indonesia. This short-term team will be focused on dental training, hygiene, training children workers and construction. We have a dentist, three college students, and electrical engineer and the team leader. We have a relatively short time in Indonesia and so we have to be ready to fill our time and give our best efforts. The team members on this team live in two locations and will be meeting in Seattle. We will actually come from three points and meet for the long trans-Pacific flight to Tokyo...
read moreComputer Issues
I am sure all of you have had issues with your computer. We have a satellite connection for email use at our medical base in Indonesia. It has periodic problems with connection but they usually get worked out. Recently the software and modems had to be changed. This is not a simple fix. You cannot just run to the Comp USA store and get what you need. There are no computer geeks with the needed parts just laying around. The problem had to diagnose then the parts had to be shipped. It was about three weeks in the process. We are now up and...
read moreGood News
I got a call from someone representing the Fuji T.V. Network of Japan. She was working on a proposed program which would include a testimony from Yulce. Yulce is the girl who came to the U.S. from Indonesia following her tragic burn. She received help from Dr. Peter Grossman and was transformed by the 12 surgeries in one year. She has a bright future and will be a story of hope for anyone who gets to hear about her life. Fuji wants to focus on positive programing. Yulce agreed to an interview and the production team has completed the...
read moreMeasles
We are in the middle of malaria season and now an outbreak of measles. Several of the children on our base now have measles.Peter Scarborough wrote,” Viktor had malaria before the measles, so he is pretty thin. His spots have come out and he is now fine. They start to get better once the spots come out. In our house, Lestari, Leigh, Theresa, Ami and Merna all have fevers so we expect spots to appear soon. The fevers are high and the kids miserable. It has started in the Children’s Home with Moses being one of them.”Viktor is...
read moreSkills Needed
Peter Scarborough just send this request for skilled volunteers.”We are currently building a staff accommodation unit and would welcome any tradesmen/women to work alongside our national so that we can quickly complete the building. Single staff are currently sharing bedrooms with up to 8 to a room. It is difficult for these staff to get adequate rest and personal space in this situation.We would welcome anyone with the following skills: July–September: Bricklayers, Carpenters (doors, window shutters, door and window frames),...
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