Shattered Leg on the Mountain
Elias with AFM missionary, Napthali
Just last week we received the news of yet another amazing story. This time it was Elias, the new (and first ever) SM doctor at the Kemantian clinic. He and some others were on their way to the church and school in Kensuli, across the river. He slipped on the bridge and his cleats caught between the boards . . . and in that split second, you can imagine how His life may never be the same! His foot was shattered in 4-5 places and his ankle was bent at a 90 degree angle.
Bridge to Kensuli
Elias is not a small guy (285 lbs) and the nurses and Palawanos alike were wondering how this was going to work! One new comer asked if there was ANY other way to get him out. Carrie said, "Yes! With a helicopter!" . . . If only!
Eighteen Palawanos graciously carried Elias 7 hours out of the mountains, in the dark! Sean flew him to Puerto Princessa the next morning to the Adventist Hospital. He is in amazingly good spirits and plans are being made for his transport to Mexico where friends will do his surgery. He hopes to be hiking back in to Kemantian by January. (Let's pray for that miracle!)
Loading Elias into the PAMAS mission plane
Saving Lives
Seems like more and more emergencies are happening lately that could have really used a helicopter. But it's no different than it's always been, it's just that with our visit to Palawan we have been reminded again of the ongoing need. There are also other reasons for needing a helicopter. There are many areas in the surrounding mountains that are still isolated from the outside world, and unreached by missionaries of any kind. Transportation is critical to open up these areas where it takes a full day's hike or longer to reach. Other ministries also need our help with emergencies in the small islands off the south end of Palawan where there is no health care and travel by boat is difficult or impossible during some times of the year. Many lives will be saved physically as well as spiritually when we get a helicopter back in operation.
Helicopter Fund Progress
We continue to ask for your prayers for the rest of the funds needed to purchase a used helicopter for Palawan. We have $255,500 pledged or given towards our $300,000 goal. This leaves $44,500 still needed to fulfill the matching funds pledge.
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