Blog
Soto Makassar
Soto Makassar is an outstanding soup that I have come to enjoy very much. I have taken many of my friends to the roadside booth in Tobelo where the best Soto Makassar is served. The soup is a broth with beef cut into small pieces. It is served very hot in a large soup bowl. You have the option of putting a small block of sticky rice, a hard boiled egg, squeeze a lime slice, a spoon of hot pepper sauce, and salt. You can add whatever you want in whatever amounts–it will make you sweat. It has its own wonderful flavor and can be very...
read moreTrue American Idols
I am in awe of the goodness of so many people who volunteer to help the people of Indonesia. These volunteers are gifted and well prepared for the investment of their time. They are the true American Idols. They do not need to sing the the latest hits for millions on network broadcasts–they just quietly give of themselves.I am getting ready to take another team in February. It will take three days travel to get to the remote region of Indonesia. We have purchased tickets and have been meeting every week to coordinate our children,...
read moreTwo More in Medical School
Adrian an Antonetta are both very smart and committed young adults. I have admired both of them and knew they had high potential. They both took the entrance exam to medical school and passed. We already had two of our staff in medical school. Nius and Melly are doing well and now will be joined by these two. It is very costly to start school. We are planting seeds for the future. Someday we will have four amazing doctors running our clinic and ward. Adrian and Antonetta will begin school this summer then they have five years of hard work...
read moreOnward Into 2009
What a challenging year we have experienced in 2008–our world has changed in these few months. Now we face 2009 with it’s own challenges and hopes. I have found that even with the ebb and flow of the world economy there are things that do not change. They do not move aside when world markets crack under their own weight. Like the false assurance that may come while taking the first few steps on a frozen lake–soon it will begin to reveal it’s strength. You either find the ice capable of holding your weight or you hear...
read moreLooking Back At 2008
When I look back at 2008 I am amazed at the forward steps our work has made. I credit the awesome staff led by Peter and Esther Scarborough. They are the real heroes and have worked with integrity and compassion.Here are some of the highlights:Building and dedication of new 21 bed patient ward.We now have 28 children in our care. These are orphaned and abandoned children.Three new vehicles were purchased giving us reliable transportation.The “Hohidiai” Clinic in Halmahera treated over 10,000 poor.The clinic is now wired with a LAN...
read moreNarrow Roads
The roads on the remote island near our base are narrow. Those of you who have been there and know what it feels like to pass an oncoming truck understand the sense of relief after both vehicles pass untouched. There is no shoulder and it is not uncommon to have a pile of sand or even road crews on the road without any warning–no signs or flagmen. The dogs are the worst–they just lay down in the road daring you to hit them. Pigs, chickens, goats, and dogs just run loose. If you hit one you will have to pay the owner an unrealistic...
read moreCars–Boats–Air Planes
It was the afternoon before our team was to leave the remote island of Halmahera. Our team was scheduled to leave on a flight in the morning. We were in town purchasing some of the last items before we were to leave. We were just getting ready to drive to our base some 20 miles away but we were flagged down by the ticket agent who had sold us the tickets a week earlier. She told us that our flight had been canceled. That meant we had to work quickly and find a way to get to our international flight that was to leave in three days. Three days...
read morePrince Daud
We call him a prince because he seems to have a domain of his own–he has a northern and southern kingdom. He was six years old when I first saw him. He came in the back of a pick-up truck. He had just had a very bad burn injury and was in a lot of pain. I remember him crying that first day and threatening to have his uncle, a police man, come a shoot the nurse who was treating his burn wounds. He needed urgent care and was in for a couple years of painful therapy. He was really strong and proved to have a lot of will power to improve.I...
read moreMore Lepers
It was raining hard and then the skies cleared so I walked to the leper treatment center. I wanted to see Hendrik who was the first leper in our care. He was sitting in front of his unit. I called out his name and heard his call back to me. He inspired the building of these units to help other lepers. He was rejected by his village and lived like a dog for 15 years. He is now happy and loved by everyone.Hendrik was not alone at the Tamariska (dwelling place of kings). The two buildings have four units each and they are completely full. I saw...
read moreTison
Tison (pronounced Tee-sone) is seven years old and is so full of life and is always smiling. He runs and plays with his friends. He is a kid who will grab your heart very fast. He is normal in every way except is he badly burned over a big part of his body. He was standing a few feet away from his father who was holding a container of kerosene when it exploded in flames. His life changed in a moment. This little boy who has the beautiful smile was now fighting for his life. He has an unstoppable spirit and I know it was that tenacity that...
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