December 15, 2010 Wednesday – 6:18am (Haiti Time) – Undisclosed location – Haiti – Report submitted by Air Mobile Joe

Yesterday morning I headed out on the motorcycle.  I saw a dead body, a woman of perhaps 40 years old. She had obviously been struck by a vehicle in the night.  She had yellow gloves on that indicated that she was working with cholera cases.  A very sad scene.  I just stopped and reflected that this victim most likely left children, parents, brothers, sisters, cousins.  In a few moments there was a group of us and it was time to pray.  We all gathered in a circle and prayed for those whom she had left behind.  Even the Haitian police and U.N. officials joined us.  It was sad and sobering moment.  I too realized how fragile we really are.  We simply need the Lord.  Little did I know how this day would end.

From the accident scene, it was on to the airport.  Made final preparations on “Ti Burik” to be sure the little aircraft was ready.  Spent some more prayer time with my dear friend Mark with MAF.  We too prayed for the family of the woman.  Oh, I want you to know that I heard from Pastor Volny (refer to yesterday’s blog below).  He had indeed been ill, but has recovered.  He is currently in a Church convention.  We’re hoping to get together to go see “old Daniel”, the gentleman whom we have been following and helping from the tent city.  This was an answer to prayer.  The Tent City, Caanan II truly needs Pastor Volny’s solid and Christ-like leadership.

From the airport, I headed to an “Oasis” in Port-Au-Prince, the Visa Lodge to await word from Captain Stan Brock of Remote Area Medical.  He was scheduled to come in from the mountains following the successful medical mission.  We had evacuated 10 team members out on Saturday and Stan had stayed behind to finish up the operation.

While awaiting the call from Stan, I had the privilege to meet Dr. John Carroll.  John has been working in a Cholera Clinic since Thanksgiving.  He had slipped away for some peace and quiet at the Visa Lodge.  Soon, we were comparing notes and discussing strategies.  John specializes in heart patients and has helped many over the years to get life saving surgery in the U.S.  I hope we can help John to find some willing hospitals.  He currently has 15 patients that need surgery.  In this shot, you can see a black pillar of smoke indicating tire burning and unrest.  John indicated that there is no slow up in Cholera cases.  It crosses all boundaries.  I am thankful for willing servants such as John who reach out to help so many.

I just received a request from my dear friend, John Vrooman this morning.  The main Cholera Clinic in Les Cayes is in desperate need of medical personnel.  Again, the Cholera scourge marches on passing over all political boundaries.  Haiti so needs our prayer!

Captain Brock arrived right on schedule.  We headed to our base camp.  The traffic was horrible.  Tempers were flaring, gridlock was everywhere.  The Haitian people are so angry and frustrated with the election results.  After numerous “near misses” we made it back to our base.  Ahhh, now some rest or so I thought.  

Suddenly, received a call for help for a missionary in distress in town.  Without thinking, I dashed back out on the little mission motorcycle.  I passed the body of the woman who had perished earlier.  Apparantly, the officials were waiting for family to come and claim the body.  Another sobering reminder of the danger on the roads.  Another prayer for protection.

After doing what I could to help the missionary, it was time to head back.  That’s when the “freak” accident occurred.  I was on a nice, wide stretch of road.  Suddenly, the on-coming vehicle began veering directly toward me.  The road was slick.  I moved to the right.  The vehicle kept coming directly at me.  I had no choice, I slowly veered to the left to avoid a head-on collision.  Then it happened, the vehicle followed my movements and veered with me…. no choice now, out of room.  I laid the bike down made a full 360 degree spin and slammed into the car.

Never lost consciousness….slowly got up, all was in tact.  The little motorcycle has excellent protection.  The bars on the front and the back kept me from harm.  The motorcycle is pretty beat up.  Does not shift well but was driveable.  After exchanging a few unkind words with the driver (not very Christ-like), I limped off the road.  Managed to get the little motorcycle started and got back to our base camp.  Praise God for His Divine Protection!!

Well, it’s another day.  Not too sore, but still know that I was in an accident that surely could have killed me.  I suppose our Lord is not through with me yet.  The mission goes on and….as ALWAYS, THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYER, LOVE AND SUPPORT!!

Air Mobile Joe