Indonesia - July 2006 - Clef Lips

One reason for going to Indonesia, was to participate in doing 20 clef lip surgeries. BandS is in partnership with Hoesni Karim, a business man in Medan. He is a good friend who is very generous in caring for those who need help. He has several projects that include lip surgeries, dialysis center and cataract surgery clinics.
We agreed to do 20 surgeries this year and were fortunate to get started on them while I was there.








































You can see the first two photos are before and immediately after surgery. These children did not receive any premedication. They just came to the operating room and we used local anesthesia. I have never seen children so cooperative during what must have been a frightening experience. We only did three surgeries the first afternoon.

The plastic surgeon we hired in Medan, Dr. Nazar, has agreed to do unilateral lips for $250, bi-lateral lips for $500 and clef palates for $500.


Pictured here is one of the more difficult cases that will be completed in the near future.











This little girl was too congested for us to operate on. She requires a general anesthetic for this procedure, and will hopefully be ready for surgery next week.

Thanks for all your help and interest in this ministry.

Indonesia - July 2006 - Cataract Surgeries

I left home July 7, 2006 for a mission to Indonesia and the Philipppines. My main purpose in going to Indonesia was to see about the cataract surgeries BandS Ministries partners with other NPO's in doing. The flight to Medan was very comfortable thanks to free on miles given by Larry and Gaylene Drader, of Calgary, Alberta, (Gaylene is my niece).

The roads on the Island of Nias are still in a state of disrepair. Almost every bridge and culvert on the island was destroyed during the tsunomi and earth quake last year.

The roads make it both dangerous and difficult to transport patients to Lukas Hospital for their eye surgeries. Even with these problems, there were 101 eye surgeries completed during the second week of July.

The weather also interfered with our travels. Our flight from Medan to Sitoli was cancelled twice and we arrived a day late. Getting off the island was also difficult. I bought tickets on two different airlines so I could be sure of getting a seat. I took the first flight out.

I found out that the bugs on Nias have been in training. They now attack me without a sound. I thought of trying to negotiate with them and offer my blood in a small basin so they could get their fill with out puncturing my warm and tender body. Think of the wear and tear it would save on their little sticker/sipper.

We will do surgery in a few hours. One interesting fact about this trip is that many of the patients came from remote villages. One small village sent 40 patients. It is only 17 miles from their village to the hospital but it takes 6 hours to make the trip.

We sent 4 small trucks with benches in the back for them to travel in. Of course, more than 40 people came. Each patient was allowed to bring one person with them, but the count seemed to get mixed up.

I have not been in one place for a month this summer, but I have not been home any either. Rose and Papa both "encouraged" me to blog, and this is my contribution. I started the summer by registering at Harding, and have 15 hours next semester which were difficult to procure because of my AP credits and planned semester in Europe. Then I headed to church camp as a camper for my last year of Zenith at OC. It was wonderful. I had one night in my bed before flying to Nicaragua with Papa. A learning experience and a testament to how much I appreciate mission experiences. Then I was home for a few days to shop for my dorm, train for Royal Family and head to Cornerstone, a middle school camp, as a counselor. 14 middle school girls. It was like reliving the worst years of my life, but I was viewed as old and supposed to have all the answers. Actually it was awesome and my group grew tremendously. God has worked powerfully in everything He has allowed me to do this summer, and I am blessed to have so many opportunities. I leave for Houston on Monday and then Royal Family Kids' Camp for foster children is the next week. It amazes me how much energy I still have...lots of love to everyone, and I hope your summers are as wonderful (I know they are as full) as mine has been thus far.

Arrived Safely in Indonesia

I had a good trip to Medan, Indonesia. The first leg of the trip was to SF and I had plenty to read, so the time passed quickly. The longest leg was from SF to Tokyo. I was able to sleep about 4 hours of the 11 it took to fly. It was day light and we went from Wednesday morning to Thursday night without any darkness.
From Tokyo to Singapore is about 6 hours and the arrival time was 11.30 p. There is a very nice hotel in the international arrival area and I had a room reserved. They have made improvements since I last stayed there and it is atlest a **** hotel now.

The trip from Singapore to Medan is just a little over an hour, and they try to feed us breakfast. It was not a breakfast I wanted to eat.

One of the usual things that happens is that the baggage crew holds back a few bags and about the time you get the form for lost baggage filled out they suddenly find them. In the great rejoicing hour they ask if you would like to give them a little something for finding your bag. I fell for this the first time, but this time I told them I knew what was going on. The custom inspector was a part of the plan and did seem a little embarassed when I called their hand.
I took several out to dinner last night as we made arrangements to do 20 cleft lip repairs here in Medan. We negotiated a price and we will do the first ones on Wednesday, the day I fly to Singapore on my way to Manila.

I am out of time.
Love to all,
Papa

Medical Mission - El Cua, Nicaragua

Dr. Cody Mihills, Jordan and I along with about 40 other workers traveled to El Cua Nicaragua to conduct a medical mission. This trip was lead by Malena Rampy of Olive Branch Ministries.

The working and living conditions were very primative, but the volume of patients was great. I know Cody saw over 150 patients in one day, and we averaged about 60 extractions each day.

The hotel had no running water, just a tank and a bucket to use for showering. The toilets did not flush and the electricity was off about as much as it was on.

The food was good and we had plenty to eat.

Our daily routine began with alarms going off at 5 a.m. Needles to say, with cold water and a bucket, it didn't take long to shower.

The morning devotionals began at 6 a.m. Breakfast was at 6.30 and clinic opened as soon as possible there after.

Jordan and I were assisted by a Spanish speaking young man from Germany. Sabastian was a good worker, good translator and we couldn't have done well without him.



Our trip out from El Cua was interesting. We came very close to having a head on with another bus. Then we transfered to smaller vans and had the experience of a broken cable on the transmission and a flat tire, causing us to arrive 3 hours late for our luncheon appointment.

After lunch we went to a shopping area and enjoyed the bargaining and shopping that is traditional in Central America.

Jordan was a great worker, shopper and travelling companion. The picture is of us at the farewell banquet provided by one of the local congregations.




This was Dr. Cody's second trip with Olive Branch and I think it won't be his last. He has a caring heart and the patients were very blessed and appreciative.

You can see some of the beauty of Nicargua in this final picture.

I hope Jordan will blog her impressions of the trip. I leave in about 10 hours for Indonesia and the Philippines, and I have not finished packing. Pray for me.

John (Papa)

Brown Family Summer...so far

Okay bloggers...things are a bit slow on the Bailey Family blog so I thought I would fill you in on the West Texas members. First of all I have done very little to report on but everyone else is quite busy. Tod has been preaching this month while Ronnie is on vacation. We just hired a new small groups minister so that will help with Tod's load a bit. He just returned from YouthWave Austin today and once again it was an amazing week. Bailey has been in Abilene for almost three weeks now. She is loving it and has made a great group of friends. She is taking two classes and doing great in both so far. She feels like MCS has prepared her well compared to the other Junior Scholars and she even had the highest first test grade in her psychology class...she is finding it very interesting to be in class with people in their 20's. She will be finished July 5th and I think she will be ready to see her friends and maybe her family too! Bailey and Hutton will be going to YouthWave Pepperdine in July and Bailey will go to cheerleading camp at Texas Tech too. Hutton has really been just in and out of Midland so far. He went on the youth group mission trip to Mexico and after being home a few days headed to Colorado to fish with a group of friends and a couple of dads. He is playing summer league basketball when he can and the football coaches mentioned they hadn't seen him much this summer but I explained that I hadn't either. He is now on a houseboat trip on Lake Travis with the McGraws. We are going to head to Dallas this Friday to see Les Mis...one of his birthday presents. On July 2nd he will leave to be a counselor at Op Camp for the first time. After YouthWave he will settle in and get ready for 2 a days. Connor went on a 2 and a half week trip with Tod's parents to the Northeast and had a ball. He did everything from a Yankees game to Amish country and loved it all. He will be going to McAllen for a 7th grade mission trip, to Panama with his friend Tanner and Tanner's dad for another mission and then to church camp with me and Reagan. He is also trying to work out for football when in town and playing summer league basketball...he had 6 points last night. Now for Reagan...I am basically trying to keep him busy and not too bored. We are spending a lot of quality mom and Reagan time together. He did tennis camp this week and charmed all the coaches...especially the college girls. They all think he has great potential and he won his first match against an older boy...I told his coach we didn't need another sport but we were enjoying camp...I'm sure everyone is busy but we need news. I will try and get Bailey to blog soon. Have a safe and fun July!

Family Vacation - Providence Point

We attempt to get the entire family together for a few days
vacation once a year. We haven't always been successful
but we were this year.
All the children with their spouses, and the grandchildren
gathered at Providence Point on Lake Brownwood, May 29
- June 1.
Providence Point is the beautiful lake place owned by
Dale and Rita Brown (Tod's parents). They are just about
the most generous folks I know, and they allowed us full
run of their perfect spot for a family vacation.
If it can be driven or ridden in the water, they have one or
more of them to play with, and believe me, we used them
all. The fishing was great and there were times in the early
morning or late evening when the dock was not so heavily
populated that you could get a hook in the water.
Tod and Lee Ann arranged for the food and did most of the
cooking. The only dish missing was Tod's famous "steak on
a bed of sausage." However, he substituted with the best
beef and chicken fajitas that I have ever had.
Unfortunately, I failed to take very many pictures and some
of the most important people are not included. However,
if you read some of the old posts you will see recent photos
of all of the family.

Stephanie and Rainey catching some rays.




















Connor & Reagan in beteen fights




















King of The Hill (Tubes) "King Hutton"




















It was Lee Ann's turn to hold Emily Rose

Congratulations Jordan Elizabeth Bailey

Jordan Elizabeth Bailey graduated Summa Cum Laude from
Birdville High School, May 28, 2006. She was ranked 4th in a class
of 424. Besides all the accolades she has attained along the way in
both academics and theatre, she now is listed as a Texas Scholar,
named to the National Honor Society and has received the
Chancellor's Award and Freshman English Major Scholarship
from Harding University. We are very proud of you Jordan. You have
always been an over achiever and we don't think this is the time to stop.

In your 18 years of life you have never disappointed me. We are
thankful that you have chosen a Christian University as the place
to further your education and we are thankful there are institution
of higher learning with academic standards that will challenge the
best students they enroll.


Jordan with her big/little sister Caitlin




















The Cousins - Except Emily Rose
Back Row - Bailey Brown, Jordan Bailey, Hutton Brown, Caitlin Bailey
Front Row - Rainey Bailey, Connor Brown, Reagan Brown





















Jordan Bailey with Emily Rose Bailey.
(The oldest and the youngest of our grandchildren). If I live to
see Emily Rose graduate I will be 89 years old. I'm going to start
getting in shape just as soon as we finish all the left overs.

Bathing Beauties

Emily Rose is being introduced to the swiming pool. As you can see she meets with the strong approval of big sister Rainey and Momma Stephanie. 

John Connor Brown

If we had known Connor was going to speak in chapel and end his primary school career in such style, we would have scheduled Rose's cataract surgery around such a date.

Connor, you make us proud. Your mom didn't tell it all, but then she doesn't have time to write a book.

You're a good man, Connor Brown. 

Final Chapter of 6th grade

I will admit that this reporter has fallen behind this week but I'm updating with a report on Connor Brown. Like his brother Reagan it was a very busy and successful week for Connor. He finished his elementary career with all A's for 1st through 6th grades, made a perfect score on the Language Mechanics part of his achievment test and was awarded a Presidential Award for Academic excellence from George Bush. He also competed in the Bible Bee for the intermediate school and finished in the top 10. Today was his last day of elementary and he and his good friend Tanner Dobbs were asked to speak in chapel. He did an excellent job and may give his father some stiff competiton some day. His parents were heard to say they were very proud but not surprised at his strong finish. This reporter hopes that Papa can find a picture to post with this report...way to go J. Connor Brown!!!!

Three New School Records

Bailey Family Blog

Editorial Page
Midland, Texas - Some people say this editor is hard to work for. Is it too much to ask your reporters to be on time and have all their reports perfect the first time? I think not. Therefore when I level criticism at the reporting staff from Midland, faithful readers know that it is not without reason.

A case in point. Several days have passed since Reagan Brown competed in the MCS field day. No one outside the Midland area knows that he set three new school records on that day. If he had just set a new record (for his age group) in the 50 Meter Dash, I would excuse our reporters of their slothfulness. But he also set new school records in the Long Jump and the Obstacle Course.

This young man's body is power packed. He is built for speed. He has demonstrated his hand-eye coordination on the base ball field this year as well. His on base average is about .900 and his speed makes him a dangerous man on the bases. His defensive play is also outstanding. This writer witnessed a game where Reagan threw out a runner at first base from deep in the pocket at third and later threw a one bounce ball to the catcher from center field.

There is more. Reagan competed in the Bible Bowl and received a third place trophy. This allows him to be on the student team that will compete against the faculty of MCS. Teachers beware

With all the accolades he has received, this editor was deeply impress with Reagan's humble attitude. In a phone interview last night, I told Reagan just how proud we all were of him and his accomplishments. To which he replied, "Thanks so much for calling." Then he left to continue the evaluation of his golf game he had just completed with his dad.

MCS Student Body President 2006-2007

Midland, TX - May 12, 2006
JC Bailey Family Blog

Editorial Page

Today Bailey Ann Brown, daughter of Tod and Lee Ann Brown, was introduced as the Student Body President of Midland Christian Schools for 2006-07 school year.

The election of Miss Brown was the results of the voting of both the student body and the faculty. For those who heard the speeches of the candidates, there was no surprise in the annoucement. Our reporters all agreed that Bailey's speech was a master piece of both rhetoric and elocution. If that wasn't enough, the stunning beauty of Miss Brown even had the football team holding their breath. It was generally agreed that Miss Brown's beauty is known to those who know her best, as both an outward and inward. A beauty that is not exceeded even by her intellect.

A free press is wonderful, but it is the belief of the editor-in-chief of this blog that all bias should be confessed. This editor admits to having formed an opinion about Bailey Brown just a few minutes after her birth. His evaluation then was "she's perfect......just perfect". I have had no reason to change my mind. Congratulations Bailey. Papa loves you.

(Please note: all letters to the editor will be published). 

World Bible School in the Philippines

Rosalyn Bailey Sharron Gonzales

WBS has proven to be a very effective tool for the churches in the Philippines. Rosalyn is one of the teachers at our church and she was pleased to spend time Sharron who is the resource person for WBS in Baguio. Sharron process thousands of students and teachers names and is responsible for locating the follow up person for each student who requests further study.

I wish all of you could know Sharron. She is not only beautiful and smart, but she is a dedicated Christian worker. We love you Sharron. John & Rosalyn 

Thanks to BandS Supporters

In a recent letter from Ron Brown, head of Agape China, he said, "Thanks for all of your help. You do more for the China Mission than anyone else. I appreciate your love and concern for the poor children of China."

Ron and I both know that it isn't me, it's all the supporters of Body and Soul Ministries that do these good things. We have 150 patients ready for clef lip surgeries in August. These will take place in Mongolia. The good news is that we already have funds in hand to pay for the surgeries. What we are lacking is tavel funds for some of the health care workers. I would like to make it possible for several young nurses to be able to go who need some help with travel expenses.

I want to remind you that BandS Ministries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and all of your donations are tax deductible as according to the law. Our address is: 3704 Greenbriar Court, Colleyville, TX 76034.





















One dear lady who helps us on each of our trips to the Philippines is Ethel Paul. This faithful sister is a member of the Legacy Church and spends many hours collecting good quality flat ware. She packages these and I take as many as my weight allowance will allow. She only sends high quality goods and the most common comment I get is, "we could not afford this good ware in the Philippines." Rosalyn and I enjoyed giving to these young brides. Ethel Paul is a lady who helps people and I've known that for many years. Many Filipino's thank you Ethel.

 

MCS Banquet and other news

Just a quick blog...Bailey and Hutton had banquet last night and both looked wonderful. Bailey went with a boy we really like...actually he is one of Reagan's favorites. Hutton decided not to ask anyone but sat with several girls who went by themselves...his sister was not happy with him not asking but couldn't sway that decision. Bailey's golf team finished as state runner up last week. We were thrilled because they finished 3rd at regionals so they fought hard for 2nd at state. Things here are busy as usual. We have just 2 weeks of school left so end of school things are coming fast and furious. Bailey is busy with some senior parties and cheerleading practice and Hutton is now in off season football. Can't wait to see you at the lake!

These four girls have taken a picture like this every year since 7th grade. They sure have grown up.

Hutton and Bailey - MCS Banquet 2006

Bailey and Derek Whiting MCS Banquet.

Island Hopping

Rose is in Bohol at the Women's REtreat. I traveled via ferry boat to Leyte and toured the area of the mud slide where over 3000 were buried alive. We took several orphaned girls with us and they showed us where they thought their house was buried under 30 feet of mud and rocks. I think thet were less emotional than I was.
Today we are traveling to Bohol where we will stay until Monday. There is a 3 hour ferry ride and a 3 hour bus ride. Our goal is to arrive before dark.

Tmorrow morning I will preach in Bohol and we will tour the island in the afternoon. This is a famous island both for historic reasons and for it's sceinic beauty. This island is home to the worlds smallest monkey and the "Chocolate Hills".

We leave from Bohol early Monday morning and arrive home 42 hours later with stops and layovers in Cebu, Manila and Soeul. There is 13 hours difference in time. Papa
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