AR – Venezuela Search Continues
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Venezuela: Search Continues for Missing Medical Missionary Plane
BY LIBNA STEVENS, news coordinator, Inter-America Division [ See Original Story ]
Adventist search teams continue looking for a medical missionary plane which went missing on Monday February 16 in the jungles of La Gran Sabana in southeastern Venezuela. The Cessna 182N plane, piloted by Robert Norton, who volunteers for the Adventist Medical Aviation (AMA) in Venezuela, is believed to have hit turbulent weather after taking off from the community of Carun en route to Bethel. Also in the plane were six passengers: Neiba Norton, wife of the pilot, Gladis Zerpa an Adventist teacher, a woman accompanying a 14-year-old, and a woman traveling with her young son. "Our church is really distraught about the news of this tragedy," said Rodolfo Escobar, communication director for Venezuela-Antilles Union Mission. Escobar said church members in Gran Sabana began searching for the missing plane as soon as they heard the news. The National Civil Aviation Institute and several air rescue and non-government organizations immediately began their search but were forced to stop after 72 hours. The search continued Thursday with contracted rescue organizations. "We are running out of money to pay for the rescue planes but are trusting that God will provide what we need to find our people," Escobar said. Search operations will continue as long as funds are available, he added.
According to Escobar, there were several accounts from villagers in the adjacent distant areas of Carun who heard the plane's engines go silent at some point during the stormy weather. "We have formed groups to search on the air and several more groups on foot to scour the region where the plane’s communication was last heard," said Escobar. "We have asked our church members to take a moment to pray every hour of the day for those missing, and we are appealing to our members all around the world to join us in this effort asking for God's intervention during this situation," said Escobar. Pilot Robert Norton has more than 20 years of flying experience. For the last eight years, he has been the director and pilot of AMA Venezuela, which is based on the campus of La Gran Sabana Adventist School in Santa Elena de Uairén in the state of Bolivar. His wife Neiba, a registered nurse, also works by caring for indigenous people in need of medical attention. The Adventist Medical Aviation is an international project established more than 12 years ago by David Gates. AMA provides emergency medical transportation and evangelistic support to dozens of otherwise inaccessible villages, enabling the inhabitants to have another chance at
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The Missing Mission Plane
Very early on Monday morning, February 16, 2009 the AMA Venezuela plane took off and headed north toward Ciudad Bolivar.
Experienced mission pilot Bob Norton has been flying in southeast Venezuela for 8 years. His wife Neiba usually stays at home, but this time she accompanied her husband.
The plane landed briefly at the village of Karum, possibly to pick up patients.
Bob called the radio operator at his next stop, the village of Bethel to ask about weather conditions and give an ETA (estimated time of arrival). The weather was stormy, but Bob had been flying in stormy weather quite often without any mishaps. But this time the airplane disappeared, possibly somewhere in the dense jungle along the route traced below.
During the flight between Karum and Bethel, Bob called the Bethel radio operator. But the message was garbled, and nobody understood what was being said. When the plane did not arrive at Bethel as expected, aviation authorities were notified.
Search parties by air and by ground were organized, but many days went by and there was no sign of the plane or its passengers.
Gladys Zerpa (left), teacher and administrator of Colgransa Adventist boarding school was in the plane when it disappeared.
Also on board was a 14-year-old girl and a newborn baby, each accompanied by a parent.
Friends of the Nortons and AMA Venezuela arranged with Google Earth to do a high definition satellite scan of the area, and many volunteers are looking for any possible signs of the missing plane.
Thousands of people in Venezuela have been helped by Bob and Neiba's ministry. Many lives have been saved, and the people love "their" plane and pilot.
Bob loved the people, he loved serving God, and he served by faith, volunteering his time without a salary, trusting God to provide funding through donors who wanted to help make a difference in the lives of others.
Bob's father Elwin Norton died in the mountains of south Mexico in 1980 when his plane crashed into a mountainside after both magnetos failed.
Bob's brother Bill currently serves in Papua New Guinea as a mission pilot.
This time of waiting has been difficult for the family and friends of Bob Norton, as well as the loved ones of four other families of those who were in the plane.
Bob's sister Barbara has been very much involved in his ministry. She edited and sent out his monthly e-mail reports, shared his video updates and since Bob's disappearance, has kept folks updated on any news during the search.
Her inspirational message below, written six days after the plane disappeared, confirms her faith that ultimately, God is in control.
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February 22, 2009 Friends, The outpouring of concern touches my heart. From homes, churches, and hearts so many of you have indicated that prayers are ascending in behalf of this desperate and sad situation. While I can't answer each of you individually right now, I thank you for writing, and for your prayers. The news I received last night is that while the search continued yesterday, nothing was found. There are groups of Indians looking in the jungle area where they think the airplane may have gone down. While I don't want to dash the faith of any of you, I do want to share this message from my heart. What happened on Monday is history. If Bob were alive he would have sent up some sort of signal. I do believe in miracles. Over and over God has sustained and protected. However, we are in enemy territory and Satan has been very angry about this ministry for years. In reality--and those of you who are pilots agree with me--there really is no possibility of them being alive. I know we don't want to think of the hard facts of tragic deaths, and long to hold tight to the belief that they will be found alive. Faith clings to God's hand when our desires are crushed. It holds fast to the fact that God is love and cares for our hurting hearts. Read the entire "faith chapter" in Hebrews 11. Those who perished by sword, famine, martyrdom had great faith. God doesn't always rescue. Sin runs its course. There are causalities on the battle field. I know this isn't the update message you wish to hear, but I've had to write it. My hope is anchored in God's Word and His promises. To these I cling, as I continue to pray for those searching and God's comfort with all the family and friends of those involved. God knows the desires of each of your hearts. Bob and Neiba's desire, should they be able to speak with you just now, would be that this season of prayer would be for the advancement of God's kingdom. Our entreaties to the throne room of the universe should be as earnest for the salvation of souls as it is for the return of the lost. May this time of prayer be a heart cleansing experience for each of us. Jesus coming is very near. God bless you and comfort you today. Barbara |
This link has information about the search efforts, along with links to other online articles about the missing plane. Click here if you wish to contact Barbara.
Webmaster note: Bob and his family have been good friends of my family since 1968, when our parents served as volunteer missionaries in Chiapas, Mexico. It has been a privilege to be a part of Bob's ministry. Our son Daniel flew with Bob, and currently volunteers as a mission pilot in Bolivia.
~Fred Adams~
Frustrations . . .
Hi Everyone,
It finally quit raining and we've started into a very late dry season, I thought when we'd had two sunny days in a row.
I was wrong, because every day it continues raining, which makes for muddy strips. Many have lots of water standing on them, which is very wearing when I have to splash down a dozen times or so.
We've been making progress taking medical help into the villages, as our plan from the beginning has been to help the ailing before their sickness becomes life threatening and they have to go to a hospital. At times I've thought we'd never make this goal. However, the head of various health departments have been replaced by people who want to work with us to help the Indians, so I'm able to fly doctors into the villages now.
People in a small village collected these bags of clothes to send to another village in need.
When there are many sick in a village they call Celso, our radio operator and flight coordinator, asking that he please send a doctor. 
Then we ask around among those doctors willing to go until one agrees. He'll tell me, "I'll go tomorrow." Well, when tomorrow comes he says, "I can't go until I get some medicines, perhaps tomorrow." And so it goes, day after day, sometimes for weeks, until some doctor has meds and is ready. Then I fly him out to the village who called for help. Whether I stay to bring the doctor home depends on how far away the village is, and how many patients need care. Sometimes I leave him in the village for a couple days.
For two weeks we have been trying to find someone to go out to three different villages, so maybe this is the week someone will be ready to go. Maybe tomorrow? It is not easy to get anything done in this culture. This is just one example of the frustrations I deal with on a daily basis.
(The picture at right is of a med team I took to the village of Uricima.)
Another ongoing frustration concerns a yearling horse. It hangs around the buildings and tries to get under the porch when it is raining. The problem with this sociable fellow is that when I taxi the airplane onto the runway he runs out in front of me, and when I am landing he also runs onto the strip. We can't have that, so I talked to the owners. They came and collected their horse, and I thought we were through dealing with it. Well, not quite, because the next day he showed up again. I chased him away, but the next day he returned. So, we informed his owners and they came after him, and then the next day . . . well, you get the idea.
This went on for months, and finally I'd had enough. Celso and I told the owners that if they couldn't keep their horse off the runway they would have to sell him to us. So they did. Celso took him and tied him up. His kids were going to have a lot of fun with their new pet. However, the following day the ex-owners returned to claim their horse, even though they had signed papers and received money in payment. So, the horse went back to them. The next day it was on the airstrip again! I was more than frustrated by this point. Celso and I trekked over to talk once more with the owners. They came and took the horse home, but he likes our place better, and next day was back. I got on my bike and chased it half way up the mountain. We'll see if he is back tomorrow. Frustration can be a part of every day—it's just the way things are.
Bob & Neiba Norton
P.S. If you would like to see some short video clips of the AMA plane landing and taking off from some of the challenging airstrips, click here, or you may also go to www.YouTube.com and type in the video search box: enorton25.
God Opens Paths Through the Rain
When I got up Friday morning I thought it would be an easy day. I had only one flight scheduled, patients to return to Awarauka and then a 20 minute hop over to Kamarata to pick up a woman with pregnancy problems who needed to be in the hospital. Just as I was getting the airplane ready to leave, Celso came by. "I just had a call from Vista Alegre. There is a very sick baby who needs a flight."
"Okay, I'll go to Vista Alegre first," I told him, "taking a load of patients who have been waiting for a flight home to Wonken for several days. Then I'll head out for Awarauka and Kamarata."
After landing in Wonken with three passengers who were very happy to be home, I headed to Vista Alegre. The weather was not good with rain everywhere. I dropped down into the little valley, picked up the mother and her sick baby and then took off for Santa Elena. Just one more round, I thought, as I lit at Santa Elena. The weather was worsening. For weeks we've had nothing but rain; it just won't stop!
As I took off with well patients to leave in Awarauka and Weneweneken I had to fly mostly with my vision fixed upon the instrument panel. I wondered if I'd be able to land at Awarauka, but figured if I couldn't I'd fly down the river to Uriman and let them go on home by boat the following day. But, what about those whose home was Weneweneken? As I considered my options Celso called me on the radio to inform me that it was socked in at Uriman and raining hard. "There's a sick baby in Awarauka to pick up," he added.
"Okay," I answered, "That will work just fine, that is if I can land there."
His next words were, "It is also raining hard at Weneweneken and the village of Karum is begging you to come pick up a pregnant lady who is not doing well." I glanced at my watch and calculated the time. I would still be back home an hour before dark."
I prayed that Awarauka would be open so I could land there before it started raining there again. Just minutes out it was still raining hard. Again I asked God for His intervention with the weather, because if I couldn't drop off my passengers I'd have to turn around and leave all those needing help stranded in their villages. Tomorrow might be too late for some. Just then I broke out of the rain over Awarauka. Rain continued to fall all around, but not over the strip. "Thank you," I prayed as I circled to land.
After landing I learned that the sick baby was being transported from Aripichi, a village upriver one and a half hours away. "They will be here sometime close to an hour from now," I was told.
Looking at my watch I knew I couldn't wait. "I'll stop in on my way back," I promised.
"But the baby is so sick," they protested.
"Yes, I understand, and I will do my best to stop in again, unless the weather doesn't permit." I couldn't wait because then I'd not have time to pick up the other patients in Karum and Kamarata.
I took off for Karum. I flew in heavy rain all the way. I looked through the breaks in the clouds toward Weneweneken, and just as Celso had told me, the clouds were clear to the ground with pouring rain. As I neared Karum I was still flying in the clouds with rain. "God, would you please stop the rain long enough for me to land?" I asked. "I don't mind taking off in the rain, but I don't want to land with it pouring rain." Three minutes before I got there I broke out of the clouds into a clearing and could see rays of sun shining through the clouds. It wasn't raining!
"Oh thank you God," my heart spoke to the One who cares so much for His children that He will stop the rain so I can do my part to help them. As soon as I landed it began raining again, but not hard. I quickly exchanged passengers, loading the patient into the airplane. I figured it would pour rain any minute and wanted to be up in the air before that happened. As soon as I was in the air the plane was enveloped in clouds and heavy rain pounded down as I flew toward Awarauka. The closer I got the harder it seemed to rain. If it was still raining when I got there I'd just have to go on, and the sick baby probably would die. Then Celso's voice came over the radio once again. "There are two more patients in Uriman, one with a broken bone and the other very ill."
"And what are the weather conditions being reported there now?" I asked him.
"They say it is still closed in and raining hard," Celso replied. I knew there wasn't time to return for them even if the weather was good, so they would just have to suffer through the night.
Now, just minutes away from Awarauka I still couldn't see a thing outside of the plane—only water everywhere! Even looking straight down I couldn't see the ground, and I was flying fairly low. Again I talked about the situation with God. "In two minutes, if I can't see how to land, I will fly on, which means one of Your little ones probably won't live." My heart felt sad, but there was absolutely no way I could land on such a short strip with all that water pouring from the skies. Even if the strip was longer I still couldn't.
Then, incredible as it may sound, I broke out of the clouds into a bubble of clear area right over the village. No rain! I was able to land with good visibility, load the mother and baby in, and just as I was ready to take off it started raining again. Such weather makes taking off difficult, but at least the plane is leaving the ground, not trying to gently meet it with very little visibility.
I asked our radio operator again what the weather was like in Kamarata, as the poor pregnant woman was in desperate need and had been waiting all day for the airplane. "It's still clear over the valley," Celso told me. I'm so thankful for a good radio operator to find out what the weather is like along my route. It is such a big help!
I informed Celso that my chances of getting into that valley were less than 50 percent, but I'd give it a try. I couldn't fly to Kamarata on instruments due to the mountains along my flight path and those surrounding the valley. I would have to be able to see the ground, and at present it wasn't looking too good. There are two ways I could reach Kamarata, one being up through a small valley until I pass a big mountain on the left, then turning left I could climb, as the ground would be rising up until I got past the next mountain on the right. Then I would be on a big, flat plateau until I reached where it dipped into the valley once more. The other way was flying down to Uriman and then taking a straight shot up over the ridge and down into the valley.
Since the weather at Uriman was still really bad I decided to head for the slot through the mountains. It was socked in all around, but right at the edge where I needed to go there was an open space. I didn't want to get stuck and have to go up to the high altitude of 10,500 feet to clear the mountains because of the ill baby. He was having difficulty breathing as was. I carefully worked my way along the next ridge, then started climbing and found the clouds lifted along the way just enough for me to slip under them. Thus I had just enough clear space all the way until I reached the plateau. Now all I need is to find a hole to drop through into the valley, I thought. I was certain there would be one, because God would not have brought me this far without continuing to open a way to fly into the valley where Kamarata was. Sure enough, just as I came to the edge of the valley, there was a hole and I was able to enter the valley and land.
Once I was on the ground I looked to see what time it was. I needed to get back in the air quickly in order to have time to get back home before dark. With this patient the plane was full and I left for Santa Elena. I had to work my way along the mountain, drop into another valley, and then follow a little river which guided me away from the mountains until I reached the next valley. Next I turned east and stayed close to the ridge until I crossed the next river. From there it was a straight shot on in. About 10 minutes from the base I left the rain behind and started my descent.
I started my pre-landing check—gas, landing gear, brakes. Whoops! As I started putting a little pressure on the brakes I felt the left peddle give. Something was broken; now what did I lose? Did I still have rudder control? I felt again, and yes, I did. However, there was no brake on the left side. I broke off my approach and started a big circle over the base. I saw the ambulance waiting to take the patients to the hospital in Santa Elena. Pulling out my little flashlight, I looked under the dash. Yep, the brake linkage was broken. I figured that since I still had good rudder control I could land fine. With the water running off the strip and the soggy grass and mud, brakes wouldn't help me much anyway. Once again I started my approach and soon splashed down in the water and mud, moving the airplane from side to side a bit to help slow me down. I was able to stop, using only a large half of our nice long 1,500 foot strip.
I'd flown 5.5 hours, through rain, with 9 landings on short, muddy strips with streams of water running off them. I'd transported 6 people back home, now well and strong, and brought 4 patients to the hospital for help. So what is different about this day? Nothing really, except for the brake situation. Every day I fly is much like this one I've described to you. There are lots of days when I just can't get to everyone needing help. The people who have to wait, like those I left in Uriman this Friday, until the following day when I can fly again.
Friends, it isn't who we are nor what we have that matters, but what we do for others that has lasting value. Thank you for your prayers and continued support as together we make a difference in this area of Venezuela.
Merry Christmas!
Bob & Neiba Norton
P.S. If you would like to see some short video clips of the AMA plane landing and taking off from some of the challenging airstrips, click here, or you may also go to www.YouTube.com and type in the video search box: enorton25.
My Day Off and A Big Scare
Everyone needs a day off once in a while just to relax, breathe in and out, and try to keep some kind of sanity. Well, I had one planned, the first day I'd taken off in months, and was really looking forward to Sunday. I'd been invited to the Motocross Race—not to race, but to take part in some of the events and they'd asked me to fly my parasail. This was going to be a nice break from my daily work and lots of fun!
When Sunday morning came I had one flight to Parqupi to take out a medical team and deliver some medicines. I'd still be back in plenty of time for the races. Unfortunately the med team was late coming to the plane, which put me behind an hour. I figured I'd still be there in good time and enjoy my day off.
I was nearly home after making the flight when a call came in for help. A young man in the village of Wonken had a broken arm. I couldn't just leave him suffering, so headed out again thinking, if all goes well I'll just be gone another hour and fifteen minutes.
When I lit at Wonken the patient wasn't at the strip so I had to wait and wait. Finally he arrived, but as I was helping him into the airplane he told me, "I didn't get the reference paper." (Each village that has a nurse, or someone serving in some medical capacity, writes a paper with a diagnosis, treatment they have given, and information for the doctor.) So I waited some more while someone went after this paper. Fifteen minutes later they returned with the paper and I took off for our home base instead of taking him directly to Santa Elena. No, it wasn't to save time, but because all the emergency vehicles were at the races so no one would be available to provide transportation for this man.
I planned to drop him off at the hospital on my way to the races.
After settling the airplane in the hanger for a nap I headed to the house to get our pickup. Jumping in I jammed the key in and turned. Click, click it went. Oh no! Not now, I mumbled to myself. I tried again to start the truck, but to no avail. That starter had started for the last time. I did have another one, so went after it and rolled under the pickup to change it out. By now it was raining and water began running under the truck. It dripped all over me, even though I was underneath the vehicle. It didn't take too long to complete the change, and this time when I turned the key it started right up.
I hurried inside to change out of my wet clothes, and then drove into town where I dropped the patient off at the hospital. Now, finally, I was off to the races. It was now late afternoon and they were just about over. However, I did get to see one race. I guess one is better than none! It was way too late in the day to fly parasail, or to do any of the other things those in charge had asked of me. I just stood watching this one race with the other spectators, and then left for home because it was threatening a heavy downpour of rain. So much for a day off!
I am still hoping that someday we can have another pilot and someone to help with ground maintenance so I can REALLY take a FULL day off! After all, it does sound like such a great idea.
A few days back I had a real scary experience. I was in the village of San Miguel de Uriman, a big name for such a little village. The bush strip there is nothing great, like most of the places I fly into. It's about 1,200 feet long, if you count the tall grass at the end and stretch it a bit. When you take off it is uphill, not matter from which end, with the highest part near the middle. There are trees on one end and a hill with trees on the other. It's one of those strips where there is just no good way either in or out. Except for these things it is a great little strip, or would be if the grass was cut short so it wouldn't cause drag during take off. Because the wind is more favorable I usually take off toward the trees. Also the climb up the hump mid-strip is less steep from that direction, so it's easier to get airborne.
This day the emergency flight was for a pregnant woman who'd taken a bad fall and her baby was in trouble. I had her husband sit in the back seat with her. Starting the airplane I "taxied" through the tall grass, up over the hill and down the other side to the end of the strip. I checked the winds, and conditions looked great, but I had a feeling I needed just a bit more strip, so went further into the waist-high grass before turning around to take off.
I had a good run getting going and the air speed was just coming alive as I got to the top of the hill. In that instant my mind shouted, OH NO, HELP!! There on the strip was a flock of kids—humans, not goats. They were running down the strip trying to outrun the airplane. None were getting off to the sides and I didn't have room to stop. If I tried to stop I would certainly run over all of them and hit the trees at the other end.
I got more flaps coming down, although painfully slow. I glanced out to see if they were even moving. My plan was to jump over the children and then figure out how to get over the trees. I had to act now since the slower kids continued running down the strip straight in front of me. From the time I spotted them until I had to jump over them was less than a second, and at that moment I wished for manual flaps.
Just before I hit those behind I pulled hard on the yoke while talking to the bird to convince it that it could fly. It did, and I just barely missed them. It was so close—you don't even want to know.
Now for the trees! I pushed hard on the yoke, pushing the nose back down since the strip drops downward towards the trees. I had only 40 mph air speed and lots of flaps hanging out. I needed some speed to fly. I quickly brought the flaps up just a bit as I dropped back towards the ground again, muttering to the bird, "You can fly at this speed. Come on, fly." I got 45 mph out of it and held the nose up again. Up and over the trees we flew and then down over the river and I was flying!
I've never had any problem previously with the village people getting on the strip. I have had a few "well educated" people from up north who thought it would make a great picture to stand right in the middle of the strip and film the airplane landing or taking off, but never any natives. I told Celco, our radio operator, about my experience. He talked to the villagers in Uriman as well as the Captain over all that area, repeating my words. "If anyone ever gets on the strip again during a landing or take off I will never fly into that village again."
My message was taken seriously. The next time I landed, taking patients back home, I spotted faces in the bushes at the far end of the strip, but not one child came out onto the strip, not even after I had stopped and shut off the engine. I thank God for helping me that day so no one was hurt. There isn't much which scares me, but that experience shook me up for days. I would have run over a dozen children! By the way, I would have taken a picture of all the children running in front of me if I'd thought to pick up my camera, but I didn't. Ha! (Like there was time . . . .)
Thank you for your continued prayers for our protection and God's guidance. Right now I'm in Cuidad Bolivar working on insurance papers for the plane, so maybe pray that can be accomplished shortly.
God bless,
Bob & Neiba Norton
A New Airstrip at Tuauken
Greetings to our Friends and Family,
Recently I headed out to the little village of San Jose de Tuauken, about a 30 minute flight north. It may be a funny sounding name, but it's a pretty place at 4,000 foot elevation, which also makes it a bit cooler temperature.
This time I was flying in a medical team because many of the children were sick. Finding medical personal willing to fly out to treat villagers is difficult, and coming up with needed medicines is even harder. After many hours of searching we finally found enough medications to treat the sick in this one village.
Here we are crossing the river from the airstrip to the village of Tuauken. This is the second time for me to land at the Tuauken strip. The villagers had asked me, "Will you land at our village and bring us help if we make a strip?" Of course I said, "Yes." They quickly set to work, and a few days later the strip was ready for me to land--almost finished.
The medical team set up clinic inside this school building. Everyone wants to see what is going on.
The medical professionals assess and treat the sick, grateful for the AMA plane which now can bring help to their village.
The first time I landed in Tuauken it was a happy occasion. I'd been flying a group of gift givers to several villages, and this was our last stop of the day. These people had clothes and toys to share with the Indian children.
In each village those in charge had the children line up to receive the gifts. Each child was given a sack with clothes and a little bag of toys.
Every boy and girl was also handed a pair of shoes, which they tried on to make sure they fit. Many of these kids have never owned a pair of shoes.
I wish you could have seen the happy faces of those children as they clutched their shoes and bags tightly. You would have been smiling for days, as I was.
A few days later I was in the village of Paraqupi to pick up a man who had been snake bit. He was transported downriver from his village an hour away to this village where there is an airstrip. 
As I listened to the boat approaching I heard another engine coming from the village. Imagine my surprise to see a truck drive through the village, across the strip, and down a path to the river.
While they were loading the patient into the truck to bring him to the runway I asked how they happened to have a truck in this remote place where no roads of any kind exist. The story is, they made a raft and floated it down the river.
The men have cut the river bank down in order to drive the truck to its edge, and are also making a truck path to their yucca field. Currently their "road" is a one minute drive from one end of their village to the other! Well, after loading the patient from the boat into the truck the driver had difficulty getting it to climb the hill up from the river, because they are just learning how to drive it.
The poor man suffering from the snake bite finally made it to the airplane and I was able to fly him out to the hospital.
Another of the Parqupi villager's projects is building a new bush strip, for which they plan to use the truck. For this I am very happy. The strip I've been using at Parqupi is one of the shortest and most difficult I fly in and out of.
The new one will be nice and long. This much needed project is one they've started several times but never finished. I've been talking to them of this need for some time. Perhaps this is the season it will be accomplished!
I had to quit using the strip in the village of Pampatamaru because it had too many ruts on one end from water running across it. Not until the villagers needed help did they began work on another one, which really is the strip they used years ago.
This new strip at Pampatamaru is smoother and longer, even though it is further from the village.
Now I can take off with a full load.
Thanks to each one of you for your prayers and support. We'd would love to hear from you, so if you can find a few minutes to jot us a note we'd appreciate it.
Bob & Neiba Norton
Challenging Medical Rescues
On a recent Friday afternoon I had finished the day's flights and decided to catch up on the grounds. With a large area of grass to cut, rake, and carry away it takes a lot of time. It was threatening to rain; thunderstorms were scattered on all sides, but maybe I could get this job done. I'd just hopped on the mower and began cutting the grass when Celso walked up. His presence indicated I would be making yet another flight this day, so I prayed the call was from a nearby village.
"I couldn't get you on the radio," he said, "so I figured you'd be outside. The villages of Yunik and Warama have called. In Warama someone has been snake bit, and the person in Yunik has gotten bit by a spider." Both villages are within a 35 minutes from our base, so I'd have time to make the flight before dusk.
We walked to the hanger and drained some of the fuel from the tanks. I'd not landed in Warama for a long time, but remembered it to be a bad strip with some really big humps. As I checked over the airplane I decided to go there first, and then fly on to Yunik.
After a 20 minute flight I circled over the strip taking a good look. It's a challenging strip, one I've never liked. Short, with several very big humps in it which make landing and taking off difficult. I saw a dozen people still working on the strip. They'd cut the taller grass, but done nothing to level the humps. Well, at least with the grass slashed down I could tell where the strip is supposed to be. I flew around to make an approach, praying for God to help me. Wiping my sweating palms I turned final. Checking my air speed I slowed the airplane more. Feeling the need to be slower in order to manage the humps I checked the air speed indicator again. Its reading told me I could not slow down more. I was already on the edge, holding it steady with power. I set the plane down gently and braked hard so I wouldn't be thrown into the air again by the first big hump and be able to stop before the next one. I sighed with relief to be safely stopped. Now I just had to get out!
The patient was being transported down the river to this strip—if you can even call it such.
Shortly I saw a group carrying the patient up the hill to the airplane.
Taking off was no easier than the landing, but once off the ground I headed on toward Yunik, which is a much better strip. The challenge of that strip is to stay clear to the right in order to avoid the big holes that would break off a wheel should you drop into one.
The woman I picked up there was in a worse condition than I'd thought she'd be from a spider bite. On the way to pick her up I'd dropped off a former patient who was now well and returning home. As I approached Santa Elena with these women needing medical help it was an hour until dark. I knew if any more calls came in the people would have to wait until the following day.
Sabbath was quiet until late afternoon, so at least I had the chance to attend church. This call came from Parama, a village 20 minutes west. A mother had been in labor for more than a day. The strip there is good, just narrow, and most of the time there's a strong cross wind. This day the wind was only 10 knots with a bit of rain cutting down visibility.
As we loaded the mother into the airplane the rain came down harder and I could tell a big storm was closing in. With winds blowing hard from the side I had to concentrate on holding the plane in the middle of the narrow strip. In the air I was able to go around the worst of the storm, and soon landed in Santa Elena.
For months we've had wing tip extensions sitting in the shop, just waiting on paper work to get done so we could put them on. These make such a difference getting in and out of these strips as I can slow the plane more.
As I'm writing this letter the shop is nearly finished putting them on. Now we can start paper work for the STOL kit. Pray with me it won't take months and soon it can also be installed.
In spite of everything happening around the world, with things just getting harder, God is keeping us going. We are able to touch lives every day, giving people another chance at life. It is great to be here and be a part of this ministry. Thanks to each one of you for your prayers and support, for being a part of the AMA team and making these flights possible.
Bob & Neiba Norton
Our Little Radio Operators
Dear Friends,
One day Celso came and told me, "We have a little problem." I thought of all the problems we deal with, so wondered what he had in mind."Tell them that if there are no emergency flights in the morning I will come in the morning," I agreed, happy to "fix" this problem.
For a long time we've been trying to find someone to help Celso with the radio operation and flight following so he could take time off. No one seemed willing to 
do this job, so Celso trained his 10-year-old son, Jose Antonio, to operate the radio. Jose fills in when his Dad has to be away, and is doing a great job.
"What would that be?" I asked.
Smiling he replied, "Well, we have two more people who want to work with AMA."
"Good," I answered, "Where are they?"
Celso began his story. "I was sitting at the radio one day recently when my youngest son Karuan came asking for 3,000 Bolivars (about one dollar). I asked him, "What do you need the money for?"
"I just need it to buy something. I understand we don't spend money on things we don't need. I'm not going to buy candy or anything like that, but I need to buy something."
"All right, here you are," I said, handing him the requested money.
Karuan left for the little village store to buy a notebook. He wanted to log the flights and the patients coming in for treatment and those ready to return home. However, the boy discovered the notebook he needed cost 4,000 Bolivars, and he only had 3,000. This time he approached his mother, and coaxed her into giving him 1,000 Bolivars. Happily Karuan bought the notebook at the store. That night he showed me all the entries he'd made during the day. His sister Anamar had found her own notebook and also made entries, copying her brother," Celso concluded.
"So, what is the problem?" I asked.
Celso replied, "My children want to work as volunteers for AMA and they are waiting for you to come talk to them because they want to know if they can be missionaries for AMA too."
Those precious children were up at 5:00 the following day waiting for me. When I arrived I thanked them for their eagerness to be part of the AMA team and work for God. Proudly they showed me their notebooks, and now officially work along with their older brother as AMA radio operators—of course with their Dad's help.
Six year old Anamar wrote in her notebook I want to work for AMA because I want to help those who are sick. Karuan, who is eight says I want to work with AMA because I want to help those who are sick to get well again. And Jose Antonio says I want the patients to know Jesus and have Him in their hearts. I am proud to have Celso's children as part of our team.
What a wonderful example these three children are as they desire to make a difference for those around them. Usually when you reach out to others you learn that the biggest difference made is in yourself.
Bob & Neiba Norton
God Keeps Air in Mission Plane Tire
Let me share this story from a recent experience.
I had only an hour of time before I'd have to leave in order to make it back to Santa Elena before dark. The patients needed to be at the hospital. Asking someone to find me a tire pump I prayed that God would help me to somehow patch the tire so I could take off and land. Then I waited . . .and waited . . . and waited. By the time someone arrived with the tire pump I had only a few minutes before I must leave. If they'd only come quickly with the pump I'd have had an hour to work on this project, I thought.
Hurriedly I pumped up the tire, then checked it for a leak by pouring water over it. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't find a leak anywhere! I considered how the tire had leaked down to nearly flat during an hour's flight, and it would take me that long to return to Santa Elena, so it could be totally flat by the time I needed to land. I poured on more water, hunting for a leak---nothing showed.
"Okay, I'm going to leave," I told the villagers standing around. Bring the boy who was attacked by the dog." As I checked on the woman in the plane she appeared to be loosing consciousness, and I didn't relish spending the night stranded with her in that condition. Praying again, I prepared for takeoff.
Thank you God, I prayed. As the ambulance drove off with the patients I looked again at the tire. It hadn't lost any air at all! Marveling I made the short hop over to our home base and rolled the airplane into the hanger for the night.
The next morning I went out to fix the tire, and yes, it was totally flat. Taking it off I discovered a thorn had made a hole in the inner tube. Again I thanked God for His intervention and helping me get those people to the hospital.
The lady I transported was very ill; they sent her on to the larger hospital at Boavista, where she received medical help. She has recovered and is waiting for me to fly her home when I have a flight near her village of San Francisco. The little boy is already home.
Yes, God hears and answers our prayers when we most need His help. Thank you for all your prayers in our behalf.
Bob & Neiba Norton
Education Changes Lives and Snakebitten Girl
Dear Friends,
As we drove toward Miami, headed home to Venezuela, it was with mixed feelings. Yes, it would be good to be home, but how much we miss being able to spend time with our sons and dropping in to visit friends, which we enjoy while in the US. Our trip down was good, and now I'm back making flights—touching the lives of people who need help. In the past several weeks some I've flown out for medical help have recovered and been able to return home.
Today I want to tell you about Elizabeth. It was back in 2003 that the director of the Adventist school here at our base asked if I could pick up two girls from San Francisco who wished to attend school. "Sure," I told him. The next time I had flights that direction I notified the person closest to their home that I'd be coming. I got word that the girls were waiting, but when I arrived they weren't at the airstrip. After inquiring around I discovered that the message had not reached the girls and they lived in a different village. I had to leave without them.
Some time later I made arrangements to pick them up, but upon arriving at the nearest airstrip I learned they had left and wouldn't be back for several days. Time passed, and once again I was asked to go after these two girls. "Get them to San Francisco and keep them there until I arrive to pick them up," I told the school director.
A few days later I was told that the girls were waiting, so I left once again to transport them to school. This time they were ready with all of their luggage—two little bags. That's all they possessed.
A few weeks at the school passed, and Elisabeth was doing fine, but her friend was homesick and not adjusting to boarding school life. So, when I flew near her village I had to take her back home. However, God had a plan for her at home. She'd seen a glimpse of God's love through the support AMA and the school had provided to help her village, and get her and Elizabeth to school. A seed had been planted in her heart. She studied and learned more about God from His word, and when there was a baptism in her village she was baptized. In fact, within a year most of her village became Seventh-day Adventists and now worship in a little hut church.
Last weekend Elisabeth graduated with honors, one of the top of her class. Besides studying hard she has been the assistant cook during her school years. She accepted Jesus as her personal Savior and was baptized a few months after coming to school. She has endured many health problems, but through it all I always saw her smiling. As I watched Elizabeth receive her diploma, and saw the joy on her face, I thanked God that I'd not given up trying to bring her to school. Not only has she received a good education, her life has been changed.
Don't be afraid to reach out and touch someone's life. And remember to keep us in your prayers as we continue serving here.
Bob & Neiba
P.S. - Yesterday morning made an emergency flight to the village of Domasco. A 10 year old girl was fishing with her brother Friday
afternoon, and when she reached for a fish her brother had caught and thrown onto the grassy bank I very poisonous snake bit her twice on her hand. Since this village doesn't have a radio they had to send a runner several hours to the nearest village, Apuri, early the next morning.
I got the call around 9:00 and went after the girl, who was already bleeding from her mouth. The hospital here in Santa Elena sent her on to a larger hospital in Bovista, Brazil.
Humanly speaking she doesn't have much of a chance of living, but we can pray for healing. Nothing is too hard for God. Thanks for praying for this girl and her family.
~Bob~