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Letters from Sumatra
by Ken MaGee

Our fellow Christ Follower, Dr. Ken Magee, is now in Sumatra with The Northwest Medical Teams

March 24, 2000; 9 a.m. - Banda Aceh
Dear Jo, Things are well here. The trip was long, connections all ended up well. NWMT has a sizable crew here in Banda Aceh. Good people. Tomorrow I, with one of the nurses and a logistics person, will helicopter in a UN rig to Lam No where I will be with other medical people for the next several weeks. Things move slowly here and today was spent largely in getting papers that are needed to go in Lam No. They did tour us through the HUGE tsunami area here today. Thousands died. We've also heard many tsunami stories. You can't imagine any more twisted cars and flattened houses. Even large ships were washed far inland. One person described the first water that hit her as being very hot, and indeed there were people who even suffered burns. People are friendly. There are many little goats running around. I think they are treated much like dogs would be in our country. Part of the crew that I went over with will be kept in Banda Aceh as the needs seem to be changing and there is pressure from the Indonesian government for only NGOs who can provide ongoing rehab type services to be allowed to stay. Jo, I will not have any further internet access but will have a satellite phone in Lamno. Much love to you and others, Ken

March 28, 2005 Lamno
Dear Jo and Others,
Greetings from a land of Contrasts. You would be astonished at the devastation and the associated stories - but the beauty of the nearby jungle-covered mountains, the flowers, intriguing villages, and beautiful people always so eager to help, smile and say "Hallo." The kids especially love to greet us. I love the abundant bird-life; tiny goats everywhere that act about like dogs. This morning I wakened to someone calling "Ken, Ken" and then realized it was only one of those little goats bleating outside my window. Little toads, big water buffalo, skinny chickens that look like they could really run fast, ducks and geese and monkeys add to the menagerie.
.....I have been getting into the business of the clinics. Actually there are three medical groups doing such in this part of Sumatra. Work is getting less emergent, rehab is getting to be a major need, so what NWMTI will decide to do in the near future is being considered. There is more of the latter going on in Banda Aceh and so more concentration there may take place.
.....The devastation is terrible. One of our drivers showed us the cement foundation of his home. The earthquake had moved him and his family outside and they could see the first of three increasing waves approaching and ran up a nearby hill. In that village of 1500 about 100 died. The third wave was about 30 feet in height. Another patient told of escaping in their packed car. A lady threw her baby in the car window and then vanished in the caldron behind. Stories are innumerable.
.....A young tiger was shot in Lam No recently and people are hearing the mother crying in the nearby jungle. The cub was apparently killing chickens.
.....What a very good group I have with which to work - a privilege.
.....Much love, Ken

April 2, 2005 - Lamno
Dearest Jo, Always so very good to hear from you. Worked in clinics today and then went for a nice walk with some of the team this evening.
.....Fruit bats were sailing over, water buffalo were in the river and we took a short ride across the huge muddy river in a ferry with two small pontoon-like boats under it. Have seen lots of interesting things, and the people, especially the kids, are always eager to say "hello," kamakasi pagi, and the like. Toads jump around at night and bikes and assorted motorized carts both with and without lights dash up and down the streets. You would enjoy the flowers. Many buildings are erected on stilts.
.....There is a huge need for glasses. Not only do most not wear them but many lost them in the tsunami. Would any of the people at church have access to old pairs of glasses that might be sent to NWT and shipped over to us? I will plan to send a note to Kristin Domain and let you know.
..... I must close. I am thankful for very good health but felt I didn't want to try journeying out to the islands where many have died recently. I surely appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers. Much love, Ken

April 7, 2005 Lamno
Dear Jo and Others, I hope this finds you all well. We are really pretty out-of-touch with the rest of the world in this place. I'm both missing my wife and home this evening , but also enjoying the people of this place. This morning's clinic was quite busy but afternoon was slow. I'd rather be busy. Every day I see people who have had great family loss. Many of them yet struggle with much sadness.
..... Saw a nice troup of monkeys moving through the treetops on our evening walk yesterday. Everyday I enjoy the miniature goats, dogs and cats. They seem to co-exist with people but are mostly unpetted.
.....We are starting work in a small unreached village that was in a jungle area in the lowlands when the tsunami hit. What terible destruction.
.....A dentist, Terry, is working with us now. He has spent time in 35-40 hurting areas of the world. Works rapidly and the teeth here are terrible, so does lots of pulling. A lady from Newberg, Betty, works as his assistent. A very nice lady.
..... We have mild to midsize shakings with regularity. I think I told you that several of our crew went out to the islands off the coast of Sumatra where some of the shakings have been bad.
Much love, Ken

April 11, 2005 Lamno
Dear Jo and Family and Others, Thank you so very much for your recent notes. My ability to send notes out may be over out of Lamno for a few days so I expect that it will be Friday evening or somewhere on the trip home for my only next time.
.....We worked hard today and saw a lot of people. Yesterday we took the day off and drove up northward along the ocean. The Indian Ocean is beautiful. So many things to show and tell. Saw lots of monkeys too. Picked up some Tsunami artifacts. I need to sign off. It will be a busy week. Hope to helicopter out on Friday a.m.
Much love, Ken