Blog
Island Blessings
This is my first update since we arrived in remote Indonesia. The team from Alaska are are doing well–except a few “Bally Bellies”. The food has been wonderful and the team is in full gear forward. We joined a mobile clinic yesterday at a beautiful village on the ocean. The team saw over 100 patients. They saw the infected, lepers, T.B., pregnant, respiratory problems, heart issues and the full package of ailments. It was hot but enjoyable work. The children were cared for by our team of children’s workers. The kids...
read moreEarly Flight
The Alaska Team is in Manado. We are all well and warm. We heard that it was very cold back home. No one has “Bali Belly” and we have had a lot of rice to eat. We have had two days here and it has been a time of preparation. We leave at 4 a.m. for our flight tomorrow. We will land on the beautiful island and start our work. We have traveled a long way and we are ready in everyway to see our friends. Thank for the prayers.
read moreTaking Flight
In a couple hours our team will be on the way to Indonesia. We have a lot of connections and hour on the planes. Our bags are packed and all the documents are signed and we are ready to go. It seems like such a long journey but it is worth every stop or delay. The people of Indonesia are beautiful and we will have the opportunity to help some of the poorest in remote regions of East Indonesia and to love the “little ones” in the Children’s Home.In a couple days we will have more than our share of rice and fish. The food will...
read moreHelping the Helpless
This nameless eight-month old girl was brought to our medical base in Kusuri. She was examined by Dr. Nichole Anderson from New Zealand and by Esther Scarborough, IFC Medical Director in Indonesia. Dr. Anderson said the cleft palate is the worst she has seen. I will try to see this child myself when I arrive in Indonesia.This is another child we ask you to pray for–we hope and pray we can see a door open to help her. The best option is to find someone in Indonesia to do the surgery. I do not know if her medical needs make her a...
read moreFrozen Chosen
It was 25 degrees below zero F. (33 degrees below C.) on the sign at the Dentist office on the Steese Hwy this morning. Yes–that is bitter cold and some of you might wonder why anyone would choose to live in a place like this. By-the-way it has been colder than 40 below F. this winter already. Now you really are wondering why some of us are living in the arctic. Well–this is our home. It actually takes a special person with a little adventure to stay more than one winter. I have found that as cold as it may be outside people here...
read moreThe Frozen Chosen
It was minus 25 degrees below zero F. ( minus 33 C.) on the sign at the Dental Office on the Steese Hwy this morning. A friend of mine just got home from a well deserved rest in Hawaii. When he got off the plane it was minus 38 degrees F.–the cold hit him like a frozen slap in the face. Those of you who have never experienced (and do not want to) this kind of bitter cold may say we are crazy to live here. It is hard on cars and harder on exposed flesh but it is our home. I have found there are some really warm hearted people...
read moreSeven Lepers
Our team went out to a wooden hut; they described it as more like a dog house or chicken coop. The patient was an old, thin woman. The team had come to care for her wounds as she was a leper. She told them how when she was cast out to the jungle by the other villagers when she was younger and separated from her children and loved ones, along with 6 other leprosy sufferers.Thirty or so years later a pastor went out to find them and bring them back but she was the only one who survived. She is cured of her leprosy now but has wounds due to...
read moreIt is the People
It is more like a bee hive–full of activity. People are going everywhere–some are cleaning–some are working with animals–some are helping the sick–some are building new buildings–some are security guard–some are loving and caring for children in the Children’s Home–some are mechanics repairing our ailing vehicles–some are gardeners–some are translators–some are cooks–some are students learning–some are accountants–the vast majority are Indonesian. The...
read moreA New Doctor and a New Hospital
Dr. Stella is now our full-time doctor at the Island clinic. She is an answer to our prayer and will allow us to go to another level in our care of the poor. Dr. Stella is young woman who is very committed and has such a calming way about her. She came to us just in time to get us prepared for the new hospital. The hospital is now getting its roof built. It will be a 16 bed facility with radiology and a birthing center. Next to the hospital is a food service where all meals will be provided to patients. It is also having its roof...
read moreThrown Away Soul
Esther Scarborough wrote about a child she was told was unwanted. He was on another island and it took quite an effort to get him. The new born baby was found discarded in the garbage pile. He was heard crying by an old woman (grandmother) who rescued him.Here is Esther’s note:The baby has just arrived at our clinic. Vikki & Yenni who collected the baby from the island of Obi expected to be away just one week, I think they were away four weeks! On each attempt to return the ferry had to turn back because of high seas. The waves...
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