It was late and I'd just lain down on my bed when someone knocked on the door. When I opened it three men, who had been sent to travel with the health team and document their activities, were standing there—a doctor, the Santa Elena hospital director, and a photographer. For months a team of Venezuelan doctors and dentists had planned to come so I could fly them out to treat the villagers. We'd been wondering how many would be coming so we'd know how to plan, but like most things in this country one just can't get the needed information. Here it was, the night before I was to fly the health teams out, not even sure how many people were going, and these three men show up wanting flown out as well. I told them, "I'm glad you are here and it wouldn't be a problem for you to go wherever you want and look around." They left to round up more medicines and have meetings. I went back to bed.

The plans were for me to take off with the first group at 6:00 in the morning, but it was after 10:00 before they were ready. These doctors were specialists who had come help the poor villagers for a few days. Neiba worked hard trying to organize these medical people into groups, weighing their things, and then transporting them in our pickup to the airport in Santa Elena so I wouldn't have to wait. The plan was to fly several groups from village to village, while others went by dugout to villages accessible by river.

During the day I flew several medical teams into various villages. I was informed that everyone would need to be picked up on Sunday. What! It would take me three days to get everyone flown out, so who thinks I'd be able to pick them all up in one day? We were going to have to change some plans!

When it was all said and done everything went well. I had to leave one group waiting for 4 hours until I could return for them. They didn't think I flew in the rain so they weren't at the airstrip ready for me when I arrived. Since no one was there I headed on to the next group where the people were waiting, ready to leave. I had to wait for one group over 2 hours, since there wasn't another village close by. The weather was rainy so most of the groups experienced being dropped off or picked up in the rain. Many of the groups ran out of food to eat. Everyone was badly bitten by the puri puris, a little knat-like bug that leaves a dot of blood running out wherever they bite. However, no one complained!These doctors went out to serve and help others, and in turn were touched by the love and appreciation each of the villages gave them. You see, when you reach out to others you are the one who is blessed! Even after getting rained upon, going hungry, and being bitten by insects these people were in no hurry to climb into the Cessna and leave the villages. Truly it is in showing love and a caring heart that we receive. Hundreds of people were helped and many of these doctors plan to return to hold more clinics.
After over 34 hours in the air during a period of 4 days I was happy to have a break while the airplane had its maintenance check. Thanks for your prayers and support. Drop us a line when you get the chance as we would love to hear from you.