Wednesday, March 29, 2006

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUTTON!!!!!

Hutton, I couldn't find a recent picture of you in my files. The lastest photo is this one taken last summer while you were on vacation at Hilton Head.
Casual visitors to this blog may now know that you are the tallest one.
When you were born, I was praying hard for a grandson. You see I thought Bailey was perfect and to have a little sister just wouldn't be fair for the "little sister". I got my wish and more. I was looking at some pictures of you when you were very small. I smiled when I remembered how great it was to have a grandson and it pleased me that I find even more to admire in you now than I did then.
Keep setting a good example for your brothers in school, home and the church. Challenge them to greatness as you continue your quest to be all that you can be. Rose & Papa love you. Posted by Picasa

Out Of Nias, Indonesia

I keep this picture available so when I start to plan another trip to Nias I will remind myself that it is always a difficult trip because of the travel, extreme heat and the humidity. Someone took this picture during a lunch break in one of the remote villages we visited.
However, I am home safely and body and soul are just about back to Texas time.
Due to missed connections, faulty calculations, layovers and flying time, it took me 61 hours to get home. As difficult as the trip was, it was made much easier because of the generosity of Gary Mann who made arrangements for my travel and put me in first class/business class all the way. This also gave me priveleges at the AP lounges and made for easy bording.
The minor inconveniences of the trip pale in comparison to what was accomplished. I am trying to follow the code of "truth in reporting" that I personally wrote, so here goes. Our team completed 142 eye surgeries, saw over 1,000 patients in village clinics, gave away hundreds of pairs of glasses and distributed hundreds of pounds of rice and dried soup mix. The last count I had, about 350 personal Bible studies and prayer sessions were scheduled by the local evangelists in the villages.
It is a real joy to be on the giving side of human need. I believe true joy comes from living in the knowledge of the ever abiding presence of Christ, and I think you will never be closer to Him than when doing what He did. He went about doing good and place a priority on caring for the poor.
Speaking of "joy in His presence", being there when Reagon was buried with Christ in baptism is pretty high on the list of true joys that can be experienced by mortal man. Your a good man, Reagan Brown.
Papa Posted by Picasa

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Big Weekend

Thought I would blog before another busy week starts. We spent most of the weekend in Brownwood watching a track meet. We ended up with both the girls and guys teams spending the night at the lakehouse...lots of fun and a huge breakfast Saturday morning. Hutton ran the mile and two mile...he did great but I don;t think track will ever be his great love!

Bailey found out Friday night that she made cheerleader. When she told me she didn't want to play volleyball her senior year and she might try out for cheerleader I was a little surprised since she hasn't cheered since 6th grade but Bailey doesn't let little details like that stop her! She did great and we will have a blast watching her cheer on the Mustangs next year.

We had a very special day watching Reagan's baptism this morning. He had been waiting until Rose and Papa could be there because he didn't want to do it without them. Our family has a special completeness now and we are very proud of him.

Jordan we really want to see the play! Please make it to San Angelo so I can come! Let me know the dates if you can so I can make sure I'm not scheduled to work. Great job on all star cast too. Caitlin you look beautiful in your picture...and I'm not at all surprised on the award. We need to meet the new guy...I think he especially needs to meet Uncle Tod don't you?

Love to all and have a great week!

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Ballyhoo


I just wanted to update on what's going on in "far north Hurst" (named by Dad). The play I'm working on went to Zone competition yesterday and we advanced, so next Thursday we have District. Think good thoughts. I won an All-Star Cast award, too. Caitlin had basketball banquet and looked beautiful in her dress and make-up applied by a loving older sister. I'll try to post a picture. She won the Hustle award taking after our micromanaging mother. Things are blessed in all areas around here, and we're all excited about the lake trip this summer. Love to everyone!

Friday, March 17, 2006

Birthdays

I did not have a signal on the island of Nias so I couldn't call to wish Lee Ann a happy birthday on March 11. Lee Ann, when you were little people thought I loved you too much. They were wrong then and you have given me more reasons to love you - at least 5. I am so proud of you. I show pictures of your family every where I go and the response is always the same. People are xlown away.
It's Saturday, March 18th and that can only mean one thing - John Connor Brown (JCB IV) is 12 years old. He is everything a man could wish for in a grandson. You are a delight to look at and a joy to be with. It doesn't hurt that you are a good football player and make good grades, but you are maturing and being molded into the image of Christ. I hope God will allow me to live long enough to see some of the things you accomplish
in His Kingdom. HAPPY BIRTHDAY from indonesia,
Papa
Sent via BlackBerry from Cingular Wireless

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Nias, Indonesia

I'm in Medan and this is the first time I could make contact with the rest of the world. We have had a hard trip but a very successful one. The eye surgeons from Medan complete 142 surgeries. They would have completed more but about 50 who had been screened either did not show or were turned away because of health problems.
We treated more than 1000 in free village clinics and distributed hundreds of pairs of glasses.
I will write in more detail when I get home in about a week. I am very tired but well. It is 2 a.m. and I can.t sleep. I am eager to get home. I am going to try to crowd 5 days work into 3 and see if I can change my ticket and get home 2 days earlier than planned.
Sent via BlackBerry from Cingular Wireless

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Madness

Happy Bracket Week everybody! Thanks to Alan Brown, several of us fill out brackets each year for the NCAA basketball tournament and show the world how little we know.

I thought I better warn those of you involved this year that there is a new "playa" on the scene. Rose is in this year and she's in it to win it. Look out Tod, your mother-in-law is gunning for you!

Now, we'll know she's really serious if she picks anybody but Kentucky to win it all...

Monday, March 06, 2006

Into Nias

I leave Medan today for the island of Nias. This is where our medical mission will take place. I don't think I can write from there. The work force on this trip is very small so I believe my goals for patients treated will not be met. I am well but it is very hot here. Will blog when I can.
John
Sent via BlackBerry from Cingular Wireless

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Medan, Indonesia

I'm here but my bags were sent to Hawai (spekk check please). No one met me at the AP and none of the team is here yet. I have a couple of contacts here that I will call later. It is 4 a.m. So I will wait a couple of hours before I call.
The flights have all bee smooth and. Thanks to Garry Mann, I have really enjoyed sitting up front, I could easily get used to it.
Tyeping on a BlackBerry is a slow process and since I don,t know if this will transmit, I will close.
Sent via BlackBerry from Cingular Wireless

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Testing

I leave March 3 for Nias, Indonisia. I hope to be able to keep you informed about the mission by writing a blog and sending it from my BlackBerry. This is a trial run.
Sent via BlackBerry from Cingular Wireless

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Clef Palate





















This is what the palate looked like prior to surgery. It was 10 mm wide at the base and extended anteriorly to 8 mm of the incisal foramen. I was able to document this procedure with photographs and would be happy to share them with anyone who is interested. Posted by Picasa

Surgery Completed





















Dr. Phillip Strawther did this surgery at the Clinica Ezell in Guatemala. For the untrained eye, the black is the gauze that covers the denuded bone. This tissue will granulate in and make the palate smooth and comfortable. Prior to surgery this patient could not speak plainly enough to be understood. As soon as the anesthetic wore off the mother heard her child speak normally and was overcome with gratitude. Posted by Picasa