What are We Doing Here?

This past Saturday (a typical day off for MAF), our boss, Stan, got a call requesting an emergency medical evacuation flight for a person who had an accident on a remote island off of our big island (nothing unusual for MAF, but was the first time that I got to take part in it). Without the small and maneuverable MAF plane, the trip to the hospital here in Banda Aceh would be arduous and risky. To traverse the jungle, take a boat across the water, and drive along unkempt village roads would take approximately 28 hours! Can you imagine needing emergency care but having to travel over a full day to get to it?

Stan calls Corey with the news, and off to the hangar he went (with me and the girls in tow)! Our family arrived first at the hangar and immediately Corey began to prep the plane for the flight. In addition to the regular prep work, Corey also removed many of the seats in order to create space to secure the stretcher for our emergency passenger and their family, as well as, installed an oxygen tank.

Shortly after we arrived, Stan and his family arrived too - bringing along with them a nurse who would care for the patient during the flight. As the nurse stepped out of the car in her light blue scrubs, carrying her supplies, and wearing fun, child-inspired sneakers, I smiled knowing that the sight of this lady in blue would comfort the hearts of the scared and worried family members (and patient); people who live in a distant remote village and are not accustomed to good medical care.

An ambulance then was arranged to be on site and ready to transport this precious passenger from the airport to the hospital as soon as the plane landed. Before the plane even took off, the ambulance arrived and was ready to go.

The plane is prepped, the nurse is present, the ambulance is ready, the pilot has done all his prep work and gotten all the necessary clearances. One thing left to do: seek God's face and ask for Him to use us and our efforts for His kingdom's purposes and for His glory alone. And so, there on the runway, a prayer was offered up to the only One who could bring the care that this person, this precious soul, truly needs.

What an amazing blessing it was to be a small part of that act of love on this particular Saturday. I'm thankful and humbled to be a part of this; a part in imparting the love, care and truth of Christ to a desperate and needy people. For I was one of those people; one who needed saving but was helpless to reach it on my own. But He picked me up and carried me to the One who could heal me. It is my joy and honor to do the same for others.

And that is what we are doing here.

*MAF is the only organization providing medical flights in the whole province (think state in America) of Aceh! What an incredible opportunity that we have!