July Update- Covid Positive

If you missed our July Update in your e-mail, then SUBSCRIBE!  I invite you to use the e-mail sign up tool, on the right side bar of this website to do that.  If you'd like to see the July update, CLICK HERE.  The first part of the update is seen here...

CLICK HERE FOR FULL UPDATE

Less Restrictive Restrictions!

So, in this period of Pandemic restrictions, which started, here in Gabon, the second half of March, we've seen a dramatic fall off in aviation activity.  Instead of 1-2 flights a week, we were happy to have 1 flight a month.  This, mainly due to the closed borders and restrictions on moving passengers on aircraft domestically as well.  UNTIL!

As of today, the government lessened the restriction and the US embassy in Libreville sent the following email to us expats here:

"The following changes will take effect on July 1 at 05:00:

·        Commercial air travel may resume.  Two international flights per airline per week will be permitted.  

·        Although Gabon’s land and sea borders will remain closed to travelers, travel by air, boat, and train within Gabon may resume.

·        Regular working hours will resume in the public and private sectors.  

·        Hotels may reopen.

·        Restaurants with outdoor dining terraces may reopen.

·        A curfew will remain in effect, but with reduced hours (20:00 to 05:00).  

·        Classes for students who plan to take the baccalaureate exam in August will resume on July 20.  Post-secondary classes may resume on July 13.

Masks are still required in public and social distancing and hygiene requirements will continue.  The government cautioned that restrictions may be reinstated in certain locations or throughout the country if new outbreaks occur."

What does this mean to us?  We can have visitors again!  Also, I'm able to have passengers.  

Thanks for your support to our projects here!  We're looking forward to more and more activity in the coming weeks and months.

New Airport Moving Forward!

Pastor Laurent and Pastor Jacob- national church leaders supervising PK27

The national church is building a new runway on the outskirts of the capital city of Libreville, on the property where they will be offering an array of social programs- PK27.

Much work has already been accomplished, and yesterday, we re-cleared some of where the jungle has tried to take back over, as well as the aircraft parking area and initial hangar location.

This is the birds-eye view from google earth. "Le Piste" is the runway- the dozer re-cleared some overgrowth the length of the runway.  Then, it cleared the red square area for aircraft parking and construction of a hangar.

Meanwhile... Back at BONGOLO HOSPITAL

Here is one update from a colleague and friend of ours, here at the Bongolo Hospital, Renee:

Creeping Closer

At the end of March there were 7 cases of Covid in Gabon. Now we have 276. It is creeping closer to the Bongolo day by day, and is now in 4 of the 9 provinces of the country. One of the deaths in Libreville was a doctor who was a friend of our Assistant Medical Director.  (UPDATE: National news outlets estimate that there will be over 1000 cases of Covid 19 in Gabon by the end of May).

Bongolo Covid Preparedness

 (Renee) have been reviewing with the nurses how to put on and take off personal protective equipment (PPE) and how to use our decontamination area.  The decontamination area has three parts. After working with patients, the medical personnel will enter the “dirty” side, remove their PPE and scrubs, and put the scrubs in a big bucket of bleach water. The next room is the shower. Finally, the exit is through the “clean” side, where they will put on their clothes from home. Coming to work, the process is the reverse.

I've done several PPE exercises with the nurses. After they fully donned the PPE, I spattered green paint on them to simulate respiratory droplets (I even made some coughing sound effects.) 

Then, they had to remove the PPE without getting green/contaminated with Covid. This was a very productive exercise. Despite the eye protection and masks, they still had flecks of paint on their faces. 

They realized the importance of the shower in the decontamination area. Today we practiced treating simulated patients wearing PPE.

Meanwhile in the rest of the hospital...

-There was a baby with neonatal tetanus. This is 90% fatal. He was here for a week and half, and was starting to do better, when his grandmother left the hospital with him today to see the witch doctor.

-A one-year-old girl had high fevers and spontaneous bleeding from many parts of her body, even her eyes. She met the case definition for hemorrhagic fever (the group of illnesses like Ebola,) but we will never know the real cause. It's a reminder that God is constantly protecting us from things here even more dangerous than Covid.

-A baby was born at home and came because of severe respiratory destress which did not respond well to CPAP. The home birth was because of economic problems. Despite frequent economic problems, Maternity is currently full to overflowing with women on mattresses on the floor.

- We currently have 5 patients on treatment for Multi-drug resistant and Extensively drug resistant TB. That's the most we have had at one time. I'm thankful they are all currently doing well. One patient has 4 year old twins. I saw them today to make sure they don't have TB, and I'm thankful they don't have MDR-TB. (I put in a picture because they are really cute.)

I (Steve) am thankful for Renee in allowing me to post here stories.  These are just some of the stories that are part of life at this mission station where there are over 2 dozen international workers and about 100 local staff helping to care for the physical and spiritual needs of some of those that live in a very remote corner of the world... in the name of Jesus.

Thank you for your prayers!

Lot's of Flying = More Maintenance!

(Picture:  Steve, in the Bongolo hangar, next to the engine- a 300hp, Continental IO-550F)
We had more flying in January and February than originally thought... which took the airplane up to the time of needing the "100-hour Inspection" sooner.  It came just as the pandemic restrictions came to Gabon which led to the cancelation of all of our flights.  So, a mixed blessing of grieving the loss of flights, but a more relaxed schedule meant a more measured pace of completion.  

(Picture: the spark plugs and fuel injectors just after removal)
This aircraft inspection event was to have been done in Cameroon (2 hour flight north), but, due to a lot more flying in January/February, we found ourselves up to the inspection time.  I was a bit hesitant on doing the inspection at Bongolo, where our supplies and tooling are a bit limited, but, through the help of technology (mainly WhatsApp), I’ve been in regular contact with the team in Cameroon and Rob Peterson, in North Carolina, and they’ve provided excellent help.

(Picture: Dr. Drew Huang)
Another reason for a great inspection event was a couple of days of a helping hand from Dr. Drew Huang, one of the surgeon's who helps train other doctors at Bongolo Hospital through the PAACS program.  Drew was also a key teammate back in September, when the aircraft finished up the annual inspection. 

(Picture: Fuel Strainer- inside the "plunger hole", you see the culprit- a broken o-ring)
It seems that each inspection unearths at least one issue that poses a bigger challenge than you were expecting.  This time, it was a leaky fuel strainer.  During the inspection, we did all the normal things- with the strainer mounted in place (accessed by laying on your back near the nose wheel), we pulled the lower portion off, inspected, cleaned, replaced some o-rings and a gasket and then reinstalled.  However, once we turned the fuel back on, there was leakage.  So, I opened it back up, double checked everything, reinstalled, and, yet, the leak continued.  Further inspection showed it was actually coming from an o-ring that is hardly ever considered (at least in my experience), from the top of the strainer which is VERY hard to reach!  So... we pulled the whole unit out, and took a look- yep... bad o-ring.  We had only one new o-ring in stock, so I very carefully installed.  Thankfully, all said and done, the leak is gone!  Phew!

(Picture: Our aging, Bongolo hangar- built circa 2000- lots of wood that termites have not been kind too!)
With the work at the hangar complete, along with a successful engine run-up and leak check, now it's time for the paperwork!  None of this can happen without your strong, dedicated teamwork.  Would you please take a moment to pray for these critical efforts and consider partnering with us in other ways?

Thank you everyone!

CLICK HERE to TEAM UP WITH US!

Pandemic in the Jungle

Some are asking how the pandemic of Covid-19 is affecting life here.

TP multi-pack and some bananas... we're all good!

Even though there has only been a hand-full of confirmed cases in Gabon and one death (as of Friday 20 March, the gov’t has wasted no time in shutting down schools, etc. and asking that there be no group gatherings of more than 10 people.  So, Gabon is going after this pretty hard!  All passenger transport (boat, ground, air) are prohibited, except for medical or cargo reasons.

Cancelled Flights

All of the foreign visitors to the Bongolo Hospital have had to cancel their trips.  They are a vital part of the life of the hospital, many of them bringing needed medical materials as well as expertise in some of the training programs, plus needed relief and help for the team that serves here full time.  Also- we transport them with our aircraft, so that means a lot of flights are canceled.  So, please pray for our team as we will definitely be feeling these losses.

"Snow Fence" in Africa?!?  Yes! The fence to control foot traffic to a check-in station at the Bongolo Hospital.

Emergency Needs

The hospital is doing a bit of scrambling to ensure that we have enough stock, especially personal protective gear for our team, so that we can get through this time.  Just last evening, there was a bit of a race to reach out and find someone that lives in the Allentown, PA area to pick up some emergency supplies from a ministry there.  Thanks to the Eastern PA C&MA District Leadership (thanks Pastor Nate Howard!), we were able to find a friend in Allentown (Thanks Dr. Paul K.!) to make a connection with the generous people at Through These Hands ministries so that Bongolo Hospital will get the medical material they need.  Through the blessing of technology, this all came together in about 30 minutes!!!  Please pray that we can find a way to get it to the Hospital... likely DHL to Gabon, then perhaps our mission aircraft from the capital city to the jungle. 

Will We Fly?!?

So, some other flights may pick up as the country will be looking for Covid-19 tests to be transported from the various collection points around the country to the main testing center in the far east of the country.  Although we are not happy about a pandemic, if our aviation services can be used to bless this region of the world, then that’s why we’re here.  We're praying that many can sense God's love and comfort for our broken world, through our words and deeds.

New Protocols- New Normal

The hospital has already changed it’s protocols and has roped off a lot of the property to control foot traffic- all people pass by a check-in station where they get temperature checked as well as other symptoms checked.  A portion of the hospital that was just emptied out when the new eye clinic was opened (what timing!), so that has become our quarantine area.  We are also discussing/implementing enhanced protocols for any medical flights that are requested- the last thing we want is to transport sicknesses that are contagious.

Down time = Good time for some aircraft TLC!

Return to the US?

Some have asked if it would be better for us to return to the US.  The simple answer is "no".  Traveling all that way would expose us so much more than staying put and riding it out.  Additionally, as we travel, we could unwittingly become carriers and make life a lot more challenging for others, especially those we love most.  So, we're in a great place, even though, in times like this, you'd really rather be with your whole family.  We do keep regular touch with family as the internet allows, which has been more and more difficult, but still possible.

We were set to return to the US for our son, Sam's, graduation from San Diego State Univ. graduation, however, that event, like all others, has been called off for the time being.  So, our plans for being in the US in May and a bit of June, followed by an organizational conference in Spain, are all looking like they will need to be postponed.  That's a big loss and we'll be doing a bit of grieving... we were really looking forward to seeing our kids, family, friends, and connecting with others.  On May 30th, we were to lead a regional cross-cultural training event, hosted at our home church, York Alliance, but that is also likely to be postponed or cancelled.  So... lots of losses.

However... Treasure Hunt!

However, during this time, we're doing a lot of reflection.  Psalm 91 and 23 are great places to go for some meditation.  Our "plan A" may be going down the tubes, but, as I have told many others, the reality of what is before us, each day, has been God's plan A for today.  There are "hidden treasures" to be discovered.  Our dear friends, Sam and Ashley, once gave us this picture of keeping our eyes open, always, for these treasures, which makes everyday a "Treasure Hunt"! 

So... Enjoy your Treasure Hunt everyone!

Love, 

Steve and Alace

2020 Gabon Airplane Focus

By Mid-Year, we literally run out of 100 low-lead AvGas fuel.  Please consider assisting to secure our next batch (80 drums; $24,000) 
2020 Gabon Airplane from Stephen Straw on Vimeo.

PARTICIPATION

Please partner with us in this work!  Please pray for our PEOPLE and PROJECTS... and consider PARTICIPATION through a generous gift to this important work.

HALF THE COSTS REMAIN TO BE PROVIDED!

Yes- there is an airstrip there!

ONLINE GIVING:  through the C&MA website, CLICK HERE

BY CHECK:  Send your check made out to "The Alliance" and write "Gabon Airplane" in the memo line.  Mail to: 8595 Explorer Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Thank you so much for considering supporting this critical effort to bring health and hope to the Central Africa region through teamwork with the local churches there.

Show and Tell

The Bongolo team does road trips!  Many times, our international and national teammates head out to villages in the region to find those that can't travel to the hospital. 

The "SHOW AND TELL" process:
Showing the Love of Christ through medical care...
Telling of the motivation for their work- Jesus...
who loves them and wants to heal them
Spiritually, not just Physically.

From our colleague, Eric:  "We had the privilege to go to a couple of nearby villages to do an eye care outreach.  While there, they found several people who needed cataract surgery but could not afford it."  

"Thanks to the generosity of one of our donors, we were able to offer them surgeries for free, and this past week, Wendy and Dr. Elisee got to operate on them."  

"They sure were happy!"