Blog
Dr. Lena
She is a tall Indonesian woman. She is going to be a Medical Doctor. She has completed her studies and just needs to pass her medical examination to get a license to practice medicine. Dr. Lena came to our base to work on her English language. She is very good in English but wanted a more technical grasp of the language.She told us that she came to learn English but she learned compassion. Dr. Lena studied medicine to have a successful and prosperous life. She admits she got into medicine to make lots of money. She watched the way our medical...
read moreJurambi
We were taken to the Ward to see the newest arrival. It seemed important and had an sense of urgency. When we went to the room we could see a young man in serious condition. Jurambi is 21 years old and has an unknown illness. It was a little early to know because he had just arrived and was being diagnosed. He was malnourished and very weak. He looks like someone with AIDS. The Doctor was doing tests and asking the questions about contracting HIV.His parents had brought him to the Ward. We spoke to them and it just seemed like they had no...
read morePa Pa Daud
David is from Illinois and has been a friend of mine for a number of years. He is a real student and loved researching about Indonesia and especially the people of East Indonesia. I have learned a lot from him and always look forward to the inspiring and interesting things he shares with me.David was recently on a team that went to Indonesia and shared the big heart he has for the people and the knowledge of the culture. The interest he has for knowledge is only dwarfed by his heart for the people. David might be found holding one of the...
read moreBetween Two Worlds
Cathy and I had just come from the remote islands to the east of Manado. We had spent lots time with the poor and sick–it was such a blessed time to share their lives and to stand with them. There is something about the simple live they live. The daily struggle to survive is always facing them–hardship is a constant reminder of their world. Our affections were with the abandoned children and the lepers who were now close to our hearts.Tison is an eight year old boy who was badly burned and was brought to our medical base about six...
read moreOn The Road in Oz
The time in Indonesia was full of landmarks. I will be writing about many of them in the weeks to come–but for now I am in Australia. I will be seeing friends and finding new doors to open for IFC. We plan on traveling many miles while we are here and only have a couple days open–so it will be a busy time.It is amazed how many friends we have made over the years around the world. The partnerships and dear friends that have been made are just staggering. I have to stand back in awe at the concern and goodness of so many who have...
read moreNur–Fought A Good Fight
I am in Indonesia and have been too remote to get on the Internet–here is the latest news.Nur the young Muslim woman we have tried to get to the hospital in Kalimantan was able finally get to the hospital. She was so weak (due to her extensive burn injuries) when she arrived that in only two days she died. She fought for her life and everything was done on our part to get her help. Now we need to remember her husband and 13 month old daughter. We will try to help them ass they grieve their loss of a wife and mother.Yulens (the other...
read moreUpdate
I leave with a team of nine for Indonesia in less than seven hours. It is exciting and also a very long trip. I have done it many times and I always have the an excitement about going to serve at our base and to see lots of my Indonesian friends. The team of volunteers is the bonus. What a privilege to be with such amazing people.I have an update on the two burn victims (I mentioned in an earlier post). Yulens and her husband have made it to the Bethesda Hospital in Kalimantan (Borneo). She will bein the skin grafts surgeies soon. On the...
read moreTwo Woman In Great Need
Yulens and Nur are two woman who share a tragic past–they are both burn victims. I am not talking about a burned finger or even a hand. These women were badly burned–their photos are so shocking I have not included them in this post. They are both as bad or worse than Yulce (read her story on our web-site).A door has opened for both of them to go to Bethesda Hospital in Borneo for treatment. They will need extensive skin grafts and will have to survive surgery. These women are in very bad physical shape and emotionally near their...
read moreVino Going Home
Vino and his family are on their way back to Indonesia. I remember when Vino’s father brought him to our clinic (see photo) with some very bad burns–his chin, chest, ears, neck and right arm were effected by the kerosene fire. Arrangements were made to bring Vino to L.A. where the Grossman Burn Center would provide the needed surgeries and therapy. He was accompanied by his father to America. It took about four years and several surgeries–in that time Vino’s mother joined them and a new little brother joined their...
read moreSoup Success
It was not the food booth on a busy Indonesian street but it was lots of fun and the Soto Makassar was excellent. Jim and Cindy Aldrich did a great job with all the preparation and hours of cooking the soup. They wanted the participants to get a taste of Indonesia. Jim showed slides from the recent trip and detailed the work in east Indonesia.The tables were set up just like you would have if you sat down at the place we enjoy going to get this wonderful soup. The hard boiled eggs, (very) hot sauce, salt, rice and cut slices of limes were set...
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