It was a long trip back from remote East Indonesia but an awesome experience. The team went via Tokyo–Bangkok–Jakarta–Manado. The return trip was Manado–Jakarta–Seoul–Tokyo. We heard about the problems in Bangkok and were thankful we did not return to Bangkok on our return trip. The Bangkok Airport was closed and we would have been stranded somewhere in Asia.We accomplished everything we planned as a team....

37 hours from home to Manado (Indonesia). I have made this trip over 20 times in the last seven years. I can’t say I am used to the long hours of travel. I arrive at the airport at 5 a.m. and then the journey begins. I will be joined by a team that is traveling with me. We are excited about going but I remember how long the trip really is. The international flights have movies and seem to be more aware of the sleep we passengers need....

It just amazes me how some people catch a vision of our work. Katherine and her husband have been to Indonesia and helped in the medical work. Katherine’s husband is a medical doctor from New Zealand. Katherine is a talented photographer and took some amazing photos of daily life in Halmahera. She has selected eight photos and put them on cards. She is giving them as a promotion of the medical work of IFC. We are offering them for $ 10...

I met Leroy and Mary this week. Leroy is 74 years old and is drilling water wells in Kenya. He has been there for 20 years now. The youthful look in his eye covers the fact that most people are retired by his age. No retirement for him–he sold his home and he and his sweetheart are going for it in these golden years of their lives. He had lots of meetings and seemed to be fueled with his passion for helping the people of Kenya.I have...

We have 82 full-time Indonesian staff at our base in Halmahera. There are about 30 medical workers and 15 medical workers in training. These trainees are in a one-year program where they get the most basic education and practical experience. They are especially able to diagnose tropical infectious diseases, They can set broken bones and stitch up wounds. The training they are getting would be close to a first step EMT. The real blessing is they...

We all realize we are in challenging economic time. We are doing all we know to make necessary adjustments. I am thankful for those faithful donors who have stood with us for all these years and continue to support the work of IFC.I think of the 35 children in our Children’s Home that need love and support. We are working in a remote region but the effect of this economic fall does touch them. I think in some ways it hits them harder that...

I was in Illinois earlier this year where I experienced my first tornado producing thunderstorm. I saw the warnings on the weather channel and could see the dark clouds approaching. I stood in the safety of my friends home as the storm approached. It kept getting closer and closer. The wind and hail was intense. I could see it was nothing to take lightly. It came and it passed. I was in awe of its power and its beauty.We are in an economic...

Peter Scarborough reported that the recent powerful earthquake did not result in any loss of life to his knowledge. The shake was felt at our medical base in North Maluku. The ground rolled and trees swayed for a short time. We have built the structures on our base to withstand most of these shakes. We have done our best to reinforce our structures. It helps to have structural engineers on our team.We are thankful to report the minimal damage...

I just got the news that there was a powerful earthquake that rocked the region we are working. I only have a little direct information about this quake. It was centered 55 miles from Manado and 75 miles from Ternate in the Molucca Sea.Peter Scarborough reported that our base was fine and there were no injuries there. They did feel the quake. We are the only medical option for the poor in the region. If there are injuries we will be working...

While Indonesia has only one gold medal that I have seen in the Olympics. I believe we have a lot of gold medal winners on our staff. If I were to give the medals I would award many of them with gold medals in compassion.Our staff members make a winning effort when they care for the lepers at our base and nearby. Olan is so committed to the health and emotional well being of these rejected people. Olan wraps their woulds and spends time talking...