Report from Indonesia, Nov 2007

Resting Place of Kings

What a great name for the Leper Center—Resting Place of Kings (Taman Rista). In the middle of the jungle of Halmahera this place of rest is now being built. There is one four-plex built and second four-plex is nearly completed. A water well is now drilled next to the site to provide good water for the residents.

I went to visit the site and could see Hendrik, the first leper we brought to the base, supervising the work on the second four-plex housing unit. He sees himself as the mayor of Taman Rista. It was his job to know what is happening on this site. It also gives him purpose and someway to be valued. Hedrick quickly got down from his supervisory perch and greeted us. He had a puppy following him and he told us that was his dog. It was clear that puppy was protective of him. It is interesting to see this little dog bonding with him because for 20 years Hendrik was banished from his village—he was called a dog and other insults. He was happy and now the tide had turned. He was just a “throw away human” in the view of the villagers who abandoned him but now he was the leader of a place of rest for other rejected souls. The second thing I noticed was that Hendrik was now walking on his own power. Last February, he receives Physical Therapy from Michelle, a PT from L. A. He worked hard on the exercises she showed him and now he was walking. That is a great testimony—it showed his determination and the importance of Physical Therapy for lepers. We enjoyed seeing him and the progress for the Taman Rista. Hendrik had a new neighbor—Lazarus was also a leper. He has badly damaged hands and is joined with his wife. Lazarus lives in the unit next to Hendrik.

The Taman Rista continues to be built. This place will truly be a resting place for the most rejected people of this region. It will fill as each four-plex is completed. We will start the third unit as the funds become available. We see this as a chance not only to help the physical needs of those suffering the effects of leprosy but also to re-build the emotional and spiritual person in some ways the emotional and spiritual needs are of equal importance. I also thank all of you who have helped with this Resting Place for Kings. It is just like the Lord to take rejected “dogs” and call them kings--reminds me of the story of the lame Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 4. He saw himself as a rejected “dog” and became a welcomed guest at King David’s table. God does what He does best—brings hope to hopeless situations.

Moving Impossible Stones

Rolling impossible stones away is nothing new for God. He likes us to stare at the impossible and know we cannot do one thing under our own strength to change things. There seems to be an immovable stone that stands between Muslim’s and Christian’s in this region. The conflict that raged for more than three years in this region cost an estimated 10,000 lives and some 500,000 displaced people. Militias came into these islands to attack Christian villages and the retaliation attacks on Muslim villages caused hatred, suspicion and deep wounds. I have been in both Christian and Muslim villages and have seen destroyed churches and mosques. It is clear to see the divide that exists.

How do we move these impossible stones of suspicion and hatred? I am happy to tell you that we are seeing some of these stones being removed. We can lean our shoulders on these stones and not budge them one inch. It is the Divine work of forgiveness and respect that can touch a heart. Forgiveness and kindness are the keys to the future of this region.

I wish all of you could see what I saw this last trip to Indonesia. It would help bring hope to the big questions many of us are asking about our current world’s troubles. IFC Medical teams go to villages in this region to give free care to the poor. We go to any village we get an invitation. We were invited to do a clinic in a remote Muslim village. These people had suffered during the conflict and were now suffering from an outbreak of Malaria. We came to serve them and by the end of the clinic we were seeing doors of respect open. Respect began to open the way to friendship. It was the genuine heart of compassion that led them to ask us for a favor. They asked us to help train two of there young men to be medical workers. It was an easy decision when the leaders of the medical staff asked the question—what would Jesus do. The loss of so many in this village due to malaria needed to be addressed—nearly every family had lost someone. That is when Hayati and Ikram came to study with our staff. We knew we were put to the test.

Johannes (called Annes) was one of our staff who had lost several members of his family to the attacks on his village. He told us with tears how his aunt was raped and then cut to pieces along with her unborn child. It hurt and he had a lot of reasons to carry hatred for the injustices against his family. Annes has chosen to forgive those who killed his family members. He was now moving that immovable stone. He met these two Muslim men and began to see a friendship starting. Annes would talk to them for hours and would help them with their studies. While I was there I spent some time with Hayati and Ikram. They shared their stories and their gratitude for the training. They will not be full-time staff they will go back to their village and serve there. They both had concerns about the malaria problems. Annes helped them during the month of fasting. I can tell you the best witness to the love of Christ is not to argue doctrine but to show the authentic love of God. Christianity began when a stone was moved from the entry to a grave. We are in the business of moving impossible stones.

Plump Newborn

His parents already had eight children and were now living in a refugee site. Those who remain in refugees are unable to find an entry point into society. This family realized they could hardly care for themselves let alone a new born child. They decided to give this baby boy away. Unless you are taken by a close family member it can be a hard life to grow up as an addition to a family. The IFC medical team became aware of the situation after serving in the refugee site. We could provide him with a good future. Jeremy was a newborn brought to live in the Children’s Home.

Jeremy is beautiful and a very happy little guys. He is helped by everyone and he has a wonderful laugh and smile. He also is more than plump. He is not shy about pulling up to the table. It was so good to see him and how healthy and loved he is. Pray for him as he has a new life ahead.

A New Doctor, a New Hospital but Our Eye Remains On the Prize

Dr. Stella is now our full-time doctor at the Island clinic. She is an answer tour 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 constructed.

All the 82 full-time staff and all the construction are involved in achieving the real prize. This remains as our heart and deepest desire—to show the compassion of Christ to the least on this earth. The medical advances, leper treatment center and Children’s Home are all ways we have to help the helpless.

Another Burn Patient

Jery is about six years old and he looks like a normal child until you see his hands. He was caught in a fire that engulfed his home. He and all his brothers and sisters were burned as they tried to get out of there burning home.

He actually fell into the fire while one of his brothers was so badly injured he died. His mother went into the fire to rescue her children. She was badly burned on both of her arms.

Please pray for him as we will be looking for a door to open for Jery to receive help for his burns.

Yulce, Vino Continue Their Treatment but Gloria is Still Waiting

Yulce is in Los Angeles and is getting her final touches to her burn treatment. Dr. Peter Grossman has been so wonderful and generous in providing the needed surgeries. When she is finished with her recovery she will go to the Shiner’s Hospital in L. A. to begin the long process of straightening her curved spine.

Vino has been here for quite some time and is now on his final surgeries. He will be recovering and then on his way back to Indonesia with his family. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Gloria is now over a year old. She is the most serious medical case I have seen. I visited her on the last trip and she seems to be doing OK. She is in desperate need of an evaluation—please pray for her. She was born without a skull from above the lower jaw. She has no nose or eye sockets and her left arm never developed. She has a sack where her brain is believed to be held. This sack is at least double the size it was when I saw her at four months old. She has a very special family and she needs a miracle. She looks good as far as weight and temperament. She seems happy and is lovingly cared for by her family. All doors have closed so far and yet we are still moving forward.