They come asking for help. They are poor and in crisis. Their needs range from illness to injuries. The one common thing about all of those who come is they all believe our medical staff can help them. Recently a little girl was brought to the clinic for examination. She had a growth on the right side of her head, including her right ear and it wrapped around to cover her right eye. The concern is that she was allowed to get to this condition....

Cleft Lip Surgery — See our blog for a running commentary from team members.   http://medicalteamblog.wordpress.com The staff at the Hohidiai Clinic are looking forward to this Alaskan team from Fairbanks Memorial Hospital coming to provide cleft lip surgeries. The permits have been secured with the Department of Health for this team to bring hope to the poor that come for help. Those needing the cleft lip surgeries are now waiting for...

In Indonesia the word for teeth is gigi–so a dentist is Dr. Gigi. We had our own Dr. Gigi on the recent team. He came from the place on the planet that has had a record snowfall and now he is in the remote islands of Indonesia pulling and filling teeth. Dr. Paul (Dr. Gigi) was just been amazing as he patiently took a look at the dental needs of each person. He was also there to train the dental support staff. It was fascinating watching...

Our mobile clinics go to some of the most remote places on the planet and serve the poorest people in these secluded mountain regions and isolated islands. I have personally been on several of their mobile clinics and I am amazed at, and blessed by, the devotion of these mobile team members. Sometimes the teams are greeted with dancers and music and there is usually food served to the team members. These teams stay in the villages for as long...

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...

Baby Junita fought a good fight but lost her battle for life. We are all heavy hearted about her passing. Our hopes were high and the help that was offered to her was monumental. She was given every ounce of help we could give. She faced a domino effect of the tragic burn–dengue fever–a twisted bowel. It was just too much for her to overcome. Jien is the nine year old who had T.B. and was severely malnourished. She was shockingly...

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,...

I just reported the passing of baby Junita. She fought a good fight but just had too much for her frail body to overcome. If the burn injuries were not tough enough she got Dengue Fever and then a twisted bowel. The internal bleeding due to the Dengue Fever and the emergency surgery for the twisted bowel was a huge challenge to survive. She came out of the surgery but could not fully recover. This is the reality of the medical work. The staff...

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...