You should have seen Hendrik’s face when he saw his new shoes. His was so excited to try on the new shoes for which he had waited. These shoes were fitted for him months earlier when he placed his feet into a foam box to make a perfect impression. As a leper, Hendrik’s toes are gone and his left foot does not move. It is “frozen” in a slight upward angle. No off-the-shelf shoe fits him. These were specially made just to fit...

You would never know the pain he has experienced if you saw his big broad smile. Tison was only 8 when he was showered with kerosene in an accident in his home on a remote island in Indonesia. His burns were extensive and covered both legs, both feet, torso, arms, neck, chin, ears and the right hand. He had limited undamaged skin to use for grafts. When he was 11 years old he came to Fairbanks, Alaska. An amazing group of medical professionals...

Tison spent 18 months in America where he received reconstructive surgery for burns to his face, arms, right hand, both legs and feet. While he was in the U.S. he became very special to his host family who sent with me several gifts in a big, Green Bay Packers bag for him. I got to take it and give it to him.  He was so excited to get his gifts and card.  He has grown a lot.  Each time I see him I notice he is becoming a young man. He was also...

In June of 2003 Yulce was admitted to the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles for treatment of burn injuries. She received 12 surgeries in her first year and returned home in June of 2004. Her story was made into a documentary called “A Face For Yulce” which was shown here in the U.S. and all over the world. It was a great story of hope and determination. In 2006, she displayed her strength and courage as she came back to the U.S. for more...

Junita Update: June 27, 2011 A Good Fight I first–want to thank all of you who prayed for 10 month old Junita. I just got the sad report that she did not survive her fight for life. She suffered injuries from a tragic hot oil spill. Her mother was desperate for help—they are very poor and had no way to pay for the help she needed. Her mother was even injured in the oil spill but not as bad as Junita. Junita was badly burned on her head,...

The transition Tison is making is best described as the tension between two worlds. Tison was born and raised on a remote island in a remote region of Indonesia. His father is a fisherman and lives a subsistence lifestyle. His life was simple and in some ways attractive. Tison came to America and lived with a wonderful family for 18 months. He was so amazing even during the toughest time of surgery and recovery. Tison was smart and learned to...

I seemed like I just finished an around the world non-stop flight. I actually left the island of Halmahera in remote Indonesia on Monday. I have been traveling ever since–either in transit or on the flights. It is good to be home.The purpose of the trip was to take Tison home to his family. He was unsure of himself and how he would react once he got to Indonesia. He got off the last flight and saw his father waiting for him. He just...

Tison had many of his friends at his big party on Sunday. He had a fun day and enjoyed all his friends coming to celebrate with him. Tison will soon be leaving the U.S. and going home. There has been plenty of tears shed as the days count down. It is hard to thank everyone who has had a part in helping him because there have been so many. His main physician came to say goodbye to Tison. It was a joyous event with plenty of food and cake. He...

Tison went to surgery yesterday. He was scheduled to have his right ear repaired. The outer ear was pulled over to a closed position. Due to the burn injury his ear was folded forward and was closed–you could not see his inside of his ear. It was a concern because it was very obvious when you looked at him. He was very self-conscious of it and wanted it to look better.He has had several surgeries that addressed more functional...

We have friends who have a large farm in Alaska. Tison was invited to come down and ride machines with their son. Here is a boy born in Indonesia and now very much a part of life in the arctic.We arrived with plenty of daylight on a beautiful sunny day. It was a little cool but the sun was bright and Tison was more than ready to get on the snow machine and have some fun. He got his winter clothes on and we hardly saw them again. They were just...