The road was clear until we drove into Delta Junction (Alaska). We went to Valdez over the weekend to meet with some of our partners and to speak to a group of supporters. We had a wonderful time. It was so beautiful and the drive was safe–all the big animals (moose, caribou, bison and bears) stayed off the road. We did see a lot of tracks but only saw two lonely moose.We had driven 360 miles on the road to Valdez and the next day we...

I went to Los Angeles to support Esther Scarborough, IFC Medical Director and co-founder, as she was going to be the speaker at a group of leaders. She was going to fly in from Kentucky and land at 4 p.m. drive to the meeting at 7 p.m. I did have some concerns because of the bad weather in the mid-west and all the reports of flight delays. She did have a little wiggle room but it was going to be tight.I got a call from her that she was delayed...

After over 20 hours in flight–I caught my first view of the mountains of Alaska. The beaches of the remote islands of Indonesia have a wonder and beauty–there is a stunning, jaw dropping awe to the peaks of these snow cover mountains. I was viewing them from the comfortable seat of a jetliner. Regardless of whether you are looking up to the massive rock towering over you or looking down from the heavens–they are just...

The downpour of refreshing rain is falling here in Manado Indonesia. I have been on the remote Island of Halmahera in East Indonesia for three weeks with two teams. We are back in the big city with malls and crazy drivers. We are on a slow trip home–departing in six days.The time at the Hohidiai base was awesome–I will have more to write later. I have a few minutes before the team comes back from lunch and then we are on the run...

I just returned from a trip to Springfield, Illinois. I was reflecting on the time that I got to speak to several groups. I also stayed at three homes in the 10 days I was there. I can only come up with the word friends. I met a lot of people and made a number of friends.I especially liked the opportunity to speak to a group of men and to a group of teens. They were interested and open to what I had to share. The work in Indonesia was presented...

What does L.A. and Illinois have in common? Tomorrow–IFC will be represented in L.A. and in Illinois. Esther Scarborough is in L.A. and will be speaking at the fundraiser for Grossman Burn Foundation. I am in Illinois where I will be speaking at several events.Esther will have the privileged to speak to a group regarding the burn care in the North Maluku region. She is passionate and will share the dilemma we have with so many people...

It is 4 a.m. here at home. I am awake and am still on some other time zone. This is the plight of those who travel Internationally. I have flown a lot and still have the adjustment every time.I have found that flying westward is easier than going eastward. I often fly to Singapore and then into Indonesia. I am usually ready to go on day one and have no sleep problems. Singapore is 17 hours ahead of the west coast of the U.S. If I sleep at least...

It was three weeks on the road. I was in Portland, Oregon for a week. Phoenix, Arizona for another week and Boise fort he final week. It seemed like a lot longer but I am now back in Fairbanks. I left with snow on the ground and came back with it clear of snow.I spoke at a number of meeting and got to connect with some of our partners. We have amazing people who are standing with us.However good the trip–it is great to be home.

I have been stranded in airports around the world for many reasons. Once I was with a team and we were delayed for three days in a row. The reason that was finally given was they had no windshield for the plane. I was glad to be on the ground. I have even seen burning planes on the runway. This year we had a flight cancel from a remote island. It was complicated by the fact that it was the only flight off the island and we had an international...

I just got back home from a two week trip. I meet some new friends and made a number of contacts in familiar places. I put on a lot of miles over the two weeks. My first stop was Idaho–I went to college in Idaho and remember the beautiful springs they enjoy. It is windy but when the sun comes out it is hard to beat. I went to Nampa and Twin Falls. I am so blessed to have the contacts and friends in those places. There are a couple friends...