God is the Chief Pilot

Monthly Health Promoters' training, Yamileth is on right standing.

Let me begin with a story that happened during the presidential elections in Costa Rica.  As a police helicopter was transporting ballots to a community in the Cabécar reservation, one of the Puentes de Vida (Bridges of Life) health promoters, Yamileth, was in the same community checking on her patient.  The new mother had given birth and was continuing to bleed.  Yamileth knew her patient could not hike to a road and wait for an ambulance to pick her up.  She would die if she did not get to the hospital soon.  Yamileth walked to the helicopter and convinced the pilot it was a true emergency and he transported the woman to the regional hospital.  This flight saved her life and she and her baby are doing well.  In the past a Cabécar woman would never have the confidence to speak to a police officer nor ask him to assist a new mother.  These women live very isolated lives in their reservation.  This illustrates the cultural and social obstacles that are being overcome.  God was the one who enabled Yamileth to interface with the police and save the woman’s life.  We believe God wants to use AeroVital to support the ministry of Puentes de Vida and others helping the Cabécar people.

 

The weather held for the flight demonstration.

On an aviation note, I (Paul) attended two weeks of ground school classes for flying, maintenance, and cargo preparation for the AeroVital staff.  One of the instructors came all the way from El Salvador and is the chief maintenance officer for their police helicopters. The maintenance for our Huey (UH-1H) was completed soon after the trainings.  I will spare you the details, but suffice it to say it was like renovating a house, you find more things needing attention as the project progresses. The demonstration flight was done for the civil aviation authorities on Sunday, June 21.  This was a huge step in the process and we are on track for receiving our certificate of operation for cargo and external load soon.  Pray we continue to operate in a manner above reproach and honoring to our Lord. 

Recently, I've had two interesting meetings with the regional director of Youth With A Mission (YWAM). A branch of this mission is a disaster relief organization called RESCUENET.  My director, Dr. Alekcey Murillo, and I have been asked to help with developing the helicopter aviation part of the emergency response plan for Latin America. If you have been listening to the news, you have noticed several large earthquakes associated with the geographic “Ring of Fire”. For us living here, it is not a matter of “if” but “when” the next major disaster will happen. We want to be ready when that day comes. Pray for us as the two ministries work together. 

Donna & Terry Keith with RESCUENET.

At one of the meetings with RESCUENET their regional director, Terry Keith, invited me to help with their Emergency Response Training Course held in Costa Rica. I spent an afternoon with RESCUENET students teaching how to safely and efficiently use helicopters in response to natural disasters.  I'm beginning to think we may need another helicopter as the Lord continues to bless and grow AeroVital’s ministry. Drop me a line if you know anyone who has a spare helicopter sitting in their backyard (or hanger) that they would like to part with.

Celebrating our 31st anniversary.

Until my doctor gives me the green light to fly, I will be looking for other ways to come along-side AeroVital and Project Emanuel.  We believe we are supposed to be involved here so pray for me to be open to whatever opportunities the Lord presents.  Ultimately God is in control, He is the Chief Pilot, and He gives us peace during times of transition.  Romans 8:28 says, "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, those who are called according to His purpose.”

Serving Him, Paul and Bridget