January 31, 2011 – Monday – 8:59am (Eastern U.S. Time) Cocoa, FL – Report submitted by Air Mobile Joe

Since early this morning, been up thinking about what is going to happen when the Extreme Makeover Home Edition program airs on February 13th.  Many details to attend to.  Hope we have the website strong enough to handle a flood of ‘hits’ and the phone lines able to handle a bunch of calls.  We’re taking this time to get everything into position.

Just checked on our mission aircraft, Ti Burik and all is proceeding on course.  Frankly, if the tanks were in and the avionics all in place, I’d fly to Haiti tomorrow morning.  Just have to be patient and let these wonderful, incredible modifications be installed properly.  Our shop, Orlando Aircraft Services has been working on Air Mobile aircraft for nearly 30 years.  They really know what they are doing.  We just want to get back and bring the help where it is needed most.

This time in the U.S. is being very well spent.  We’ve been learning all about this new home.  Just learning all about the appliances, solar power, sprinkling system, alarm system and the list goes on and on, is quite a job (but one that we’re really enjoying!).  We’ve had a steady line of people seeing our home.  So many have helped to build this gorgeous home with so much love.  We’re getting many stories telling how this all came down.  It’s still hard to believe that they built this beautiful place in 106 HOURS!!  Amazing what folks can do when they work together (powered by a lot of love).

In the midst of all of these blessings, Haiti is ever close to our hearts.  Hillary Clinton visited Haiti yesterday and urged the government to take the recommendations on the run-off elections.  We pray for the leaders to have wisdom and guidance from the Lord.  The situation is still extremely volatile and could explode any minute.  We pray!!

The situation in Egypt is still total chaos.  Now, thousands and thousands of folks are stuck at the airport.  Again, been there…done that.  Matter of fact, often been the pilot with the little bitty airplane just outside able to bring just a few folks out.  Hard to choose who to bring.  Have had to make those decisions many times.  Just recently in Haiti, in late December, had to “rescue” a number of folks when Haiti blew up. 

Recently had calls from folks wanting to go to Haiti and have had to remind them “how quickly things can change”.  The situation can be calm and peaceful and a simple bit of information, even a rumor, can cause things to get crazy real fast.  My simple counsel is:  be ready for things to fall apart.  Don’t assume they will remain calm when you are there.  Picture the worst case scenario and ask the Lord if He wants you to go.  If the answer is “yes”, then by all means go.  But don’t ever “assume” things will remain calm.  Certainly pray that they do, but be prepared for the worst.  

Today, many calls, planning, learning and preparing.  We love you all and can’t thank you enough for your love, prayer and support.  God Bless!

Air Mobile Joe