I am sure anyone reading this have seen the dreaded blue screen on your computer. Unless you own an Apple–as some of my Apple friends have reminded me. Yes–I had the blue screen and my computer would not open. I immediately took it to the computer repair shop and they gave me that look. It will be about 10 days to two weeks before they will let me know the verdict.I have had to use other sources and I found that if I access the...

It is early August and there is a chill in the air. It is the closing of the Alaskan summer and the greetings of the short fall season. I have had the opportunity to travel to many places and meet some amazing people this year. We have new partners and new doors have opened. I am very hopeful and determined to walk into a new seasons of serving the poor in Indonesia. We have been so blessed to be able to continue the work in spite of economic...

I reflected today about “why” we work to serve the poor. The root of the question is “what is it all about”. Tison is going home soon after being treated here. He was here for a year and a half and had eight surgeries and nine procedures. He was welcomed into a host home and came to be loved by them. When you consider the passport and visa application process and the many cost–you have to ask “why” are...

I have been thinking recently about the amazing friends I have made in the last 10 years. I have been to some remote and far out places. I couldn’t possibly name them on these lines but I have thought about many of them recently. There is a community a couple hours drive north of Sydney, Australia. Taree has become a destination for me when I am down under.I do not remember who was the first Aussie I met there but I have made many friends...

I am sure most of you have heard of the devastating earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. The loss of life and destruction was vast. We kept hearing the death toll rising and the heroics of those tireless rescuers. I have several friends who live there and just got a note from Peter and Katherine, his wife . Peter volunteered at our base in Halmahera in 2004. He and I were roommates for about a week. Peter is a doctor and what I remember was...

I got the call from Esther asking me if we would be interested in Hendra coming to the U.S. It was excellent timing because we were at an important point in deciding the next step for Tison. Hendra has been the link between Tison’s parents and our medical team here in Alaska. Tison’s parents live in a very remote region of Indonesia and only come out occasionally. We are at a critical time in deciding the next procedure or the...

It is hard to believe that IFC has been serving in Indonesia for ten years. January 2001 was the first introduction to this amazing nation and people.This past Friday a group of 280 friends and supporters gathered in Fairbanks for a wonderful night of food, laughter and reflection. Esther Scarborough, IFC (Hohidiai) co-founder, was the honored speaker. She is so gifted and inspiring–she always shares from her heart about the people. She...

It was January 2001 that I went to the refugee camps in North Sulawesi near the city of Manado. IFC was born to help the poor in these camps. It was an overwhelming challenge with 53,000 refugees in the area. This began a journey of IFC where we worked in food, clean water and medical programs.These were the early days and now it has been ten years. We have reached a milestone–one decade. It hardly seems possible that 10 years has passed....

It was a normal year in many way–365 days–12 months. It began with the same hopes and dreams as most other years. It was also entered into with wide-eyed anticipation. 2010 is the 10 years anniversary of IFC and landmark for our supporters and staff.IFC began in 2000 with a short sited plan of simply helping refugees in a crisis time in their lives. We did not know how long we would be involved in aid work. Now 10 years later we are...

The year 2010 is nearly completed. It had it’s challenges and blessings. I reflect on the amazing goodness of God and the great friends we have. I am also reminded of the importance of making your life count.So–Merry Christmas to all of you and a blessed New Year.