Her mother died and she is near death

Word travels fast in this region and a plea for help reached our base. There was a new born child whose mother died and the child was malnourished and struggling to live. Esther Scarborough, IFC Medical Director, sent a couple staff to find this child. It was a long journey to a remote island but the time and effort was worth it—a life was saved. The child was in bad condition and it took over a week of building the strength of this little one before she was able to travel. This child was a rescue effort and will live in the loving care of Children’s Home staff.

Jasmine was the 12th or 13th child born to Telda a woman suffering from leprosy. I first met Telda in a refugee camp. She had at least nine children cramped into a corner of this smoke-filled shelter. We did a lot to help her and later she gave birth to twin boys who lived not even a year. The boys died within a week of each other in the sad surroundings of the refugee center. Then Jasmine was born following their deaths. Telda’s husband was a “hunter-gatherer” and seemed to be good at two things--gathering food under the canopy of the jungle and making babies. The problem is he is gone so much and cannot provide for his family. They leave for periods of time and then reappear with more children. Telda knew this little girl would have a rough fight for life. She did the right thing and gave this child a chance for a life by bringing her to the Children’s Home. Amy, Peter and Esther’s daughter, has taken a special interest in her. Jasmine is loved and will have a bright future. Telda’s husband was convinced to get “THE” surgery. He will no longer be fathering children.

We already have Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Lisa, and Teresa (in addition to Jasmine) who are the children that we are caring for now at the beautiful new Children’s Home on our base in East Indonesia. Thanks to the financial support of First Presbyterian Church in Fairbanks Alaska this facility is done with phase one. It is very well done and will provide a clean and nurturing environment for these little ones to grow. Teddi and Maya, the house parents, are very loving and offer a secure life for these children. Just before I left I got word that there will be another four children coming to live at the home. I will have more details on these children when I get it.

I can’t tell you what it means to me and to all of us involved with IFC to provide a future for children in crisis. I have bonded with a little boy who was near death when he came to our clinic. Caleb was given a lot of love and was nursed back to health. He is now a year old and gives big hugs and kisses. He has a smile that you will never forget. He was given a life because of the care and support of our staff. There is something about seeing a child thriving who could have just passed away and been forgotten—sometimes it doesn’t take much to make a life giving difference. We are now working on phase two of the construction—this is greatly needed since these new children are coming. It will provide two more bedrooms and two bathrooms. It is already roofed but needs the interior work. Please pray with us about our beautiful little ones and completion of these rooms.