May 2005 -- "Released to Mother's Care": Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, March 16-26, 2005

Since Face the Challenge's surgical teams and their associates first performed free facial surgeries in 1993, we estimate 817 indigent patients have received life-changing surgeries. We are profoundly moved that Our Father has chosen to show His favor in this way. He has enabled us to help many with dire needs.

We have reviewed patient charts of each of the sixteen surgical trips our teams have taken thus far. The most recent charts were of patients who received surgeries in Vietnam; the 12th trip there. Methodically, we sought such information as, what supplies, suture, and medications were expended. Further, we looked for the outcomes of each of the 64 reconstructive surgeries performed. The recovery room nurses, Priscilla Olmsted and Gabi Stevens, expertly assessed their patients. Most had parents present. These nurses repeatedly wrote as their final entries, "Resting in Mom's arms", or, "Released to Mother's care".

These "Mother's care" phrases switched analytical thoughts to parental emotions. . . . Near the time of His death, Christ tried to comfort His Apostles with the following analogy:

Young mothers long for the births of healthy children and grieve during the painful deliveries. For most, they experience immediate joy at the safe arrival of their healthy babies. But what about parents who see a deformed child delivered, instead of their "dream child"? Where is God in their lives then? For many, their anguish does not immediately turn to joy. Frankly, some who are not able to procure reconstructive surgeries for their children despair for a lifetime. They must first deal with their troubled hearts, then muster the energy, courage, and means to reach out for help for their vulnerable children.

Repeatedly we have seen parents or advocates carry or nudge forward in line these children during our teams' screening sessions. We know the adults have much to say. But word-less, they cannot express their thoughts in a common tongue. Their faces, however, express anxiety mixed with long-held hope. When a team member conveys through an interpreter that their child can be helped, the parents' eyes glisten before the translation is complete. The few English words they maybe know come from the wells of their souls; simply, "thank you".

These children are borne to the hospital where our teams await them. They come by whatever means is available, even on foot. Some of the most compelling accounts are of the remote places of origin, even up to 600 miles where hill tribes, such as the Hmong, live in isolation. They sacrifice much just to have their children seen and considered for surgeries. These families come with the clothes they are wearing , little food and money, if any, and. . . sometimes no shoes. Regardless, they come thankful, focused on their children's needs.

We empathize with the fears of these parents. They release their children, trusting in others' care. They watch as their small children are carried away by foreigners to large, unseen operating tables. Once reunited in the recovery room, however, many are embarrassed they can no longer hold back their pent-up emotions. They gaze into their children's faces, embrace, rock, and sing to them. Simply, again they say, "thank you". Watching the collective grief of many parents turn to hope and joy -that is priceless - the essence of Face the Challenge.

Project Tomorrow, Xining, Qinghai Province, (Western) China: 35,000 Orphans Await Surgeries

In our December newsletter we shared that we were praying for how God might direct FTC to new opportunities to meet the needs of others. Our sense was to wait and trust . . . . In January we were contacted by Reverend Joshua Zhong, PhD, Co-Founder and President of Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI) of Centennial, Colorado, www.ChineseChildren.org. Josh, along with his Co-Founder wife, Lily Nie, JD, run the world's largest international adoption agency of Chinese children.

Josh and Lily were asked by the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) to seek others who could provide reconstructive and orthopedic surgeries. There are currently ~55,000 children housed in orphanages throughout China. About 34,000 of these children suffer from various deformities. To address these pediatric surgical needs, the MCA initiated an ambitious effort called "Project Tomorrow". Their aim is to provide surgeries for all these children in the next three years.

To help in this cause, Josh and Lily accepted the MCA's invitation to come to Qinghai Province (central China, north of Tibet). Many children are not considered for adoptions through adoption agencies until they receive corrective surgeries. Their deformities hold them as captives. Josh and Lily, therefore, turned to FTC for help.

As a result of their request, FTC has agreed to provide material and experiential support to the CCAI/Project Tomorrow facial surgery team. It is coordinated by Josh and led by Joe Strausburg, MD, pediatric anesthesiologist (FTC Vietnam 10/96 member). This team travels on May 14-27, 2005 to this remote Province where the altitude is ~7,400 feet. Randy and I have met with the surgical team members, given our surgical and anesthesia supplies, and loaned our surgical instruments, monitors, and duffels for their use.

It is wonderful to learn from many who have traveled to other continents with other surgical teams. Working side-by-side, we learn from their experiences and wise advice. Packing for such trips usually takes volunteers two weeks to pull the needed items together and wrap them well for the rough trans-oceanic flights.

The CCAI/Project Tomorrow team hopes to provide up to 100 free facial surgeries on orphans. These children will be between the ages of infancy through 18 years. More will be female than male. And, about 50% will be Tibetan orphans. FTC will consider joining them next year, perhaps in the Spring.

We remain committed to being used for His service as He opens doors. OUR MISSION REMAINS: ...showing the compassion of Christ by providing free facial surgeries to those in need in developing countries . . . . As we release ourselves to our Father's care, we hope to demonstrate grace in the dark periods of the lives of others.

Your prayers and support continue to make these surgeries abroad possible. We remain thankful!

Resting In His Arms,
Ginger, along with Randy Robinson

Randolph C. Robinson, MD, DDS, Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgeon, Founder
Ginger H. Robinson, BSN, RN, Cardiac/Critical Care Nurse, President