Flight Pics- 02 July

Our last flight produced a few more than your normal nicks in the prop- an unimproved gravel runway.  So, a little TLC on each propeller was needed with the file.

An hour and 40 minutes later, we were buzzing by the Bongolo Hospital, descending for the airstrip.

Final approach, runway zero-niner, Bongolo International Airport!

Touchdown!

Our humble Bongolo base.  Plans are afoot to enhance this hangar and place a 20 foot container adjacent to act as office.  We're still trying to solve some solar power issues.  After adding electrolyte to the 10 year old batteries, our voltage went from 17.7 to 18.8 in one week.  Let's hope it continues to climb back to the 24 volts that they should be at.

See that big bug along the bottom of the window sill?  Our back seat passenger snapped this photo right before trying to kill it.  The bug flew into the window as we were taxiing for takeoff at Lebamba.  The passenger managed to shove the bug deeper into the sill, so it was his job to keep an eye on it for the next hour and 45 minutes!

During dry season, there is a constant cloud deck that ranges from 500 feet above ground level to about 3000 feet- usually on the low side.  On the way back to Libreville, we had enough room to stay at a lower altitude for the first 45 minutes so that the passengers could do some sight-seeing.  Later in the flight, we headed up to 8500 feet and caught a nice tailwind into Libreville.

Here's take off from Bongolo- about 400 feet off the deck, getting ready to pass over the Bongolo Hospital as we continue the climb.  The is the view from the 3rd row of seats.

A neat aspect of this flight was my co-pilot, Joela.  Joela is the son of one of the chaplains at Bongolo Hospital who would like to become a pilot!  This was his first ride every in an airplane!  He spent the first half of the flight taking photos and videos (he posts a lot on Facebook!) and then, the second half of the flight, asked a lot of questions and followed me on the controls.  His flight was sponsored by a visitor to Bongolo, a surgeon, who Joela had shadowed for about a month, doing his translation from French to English.  Well done Joela!

Mobile Medical Clinic- a tool of blessing!

Led by our local friends at "OSPAC", Alace and the kids joined with a short term mission team to support the work of a mobile medical clinic in a remote village near Libreville.

Here's Joe using an electric blood-pressure cuff to start people through the evaluation process. Next, they are weighed in and receive a consultation by a clinic worker.  Most workers have been trained at the Bongolo Hospital nursing school.

There is always a skit and/or testimony from someone from the team to explain that the clinic is the work of Jesus-followers seeking to live our their faith and be a blessing as God's Word instructs.  They are then told that, among the stations around the clinic, there will be one station where they can go to for more information about the health of their soul.

Sam is helping Envision intern, Suzanne, at the eye station.  Third line down?  P - T - L !

"Papi" Joe always keeps everyone laughing and smiling!

Hope Flights!

Today, because of the generosity of God's people both in Gabon and around the world, we were able to transport a boy and a girl from the "Hope House" home for abandoned children from the city of Libreville to the Bongolo Hospital.  There, they will receive medical care- also provided through the generous gifts from around the globe in the name of Jesus.

L to R:  Henrika, Flavienne (guardian), and Famou.

Loaded up and briefed on the safety features!

Henrika was my co-pilot.  This was her first time in an airplane!

Her dream is to be a pilot!  Sadly, there are no flight training opportunities for her in Gabon... yet!

After arrival at the hospital airstrip, I put them to work rolling N207FD into the hangar.

"Watch the wings!  Watch the wings!"  Will it fit???

It fit!  Famou will have to have his leg re-broken and repaired with a "sign" rod.  Henrika will have dental work done. (note- within an hour and a half of this photo, "phase 1" of Henrika's care was finished!  Thanks Dr. Neni!!!)

Incredible things happen when God's children come together to be part of the heritage of blessing!  These two lives are going to be changed forever with this medical care.  More important, the resulting eternal impact will be a loud testimony for the world to see.  Thanks for supporting this team!

Upcoming Flight Schedule

National Newspaper Coverage!!!

If your French language skills are working well for you, then you'll really enjoy reading this article that the major Gabonese national newspaper, "L"Union", has written covering the Bongolo Hospital and our aviation services.  If your French is lacking, then you'll enjoy the photos- the airplane is pictured twice at the end of the article, so scroll down.  Enjoy!
  L'Union Article

Bongolo Fire Truck- Aerial Photos

We were flying from the Bongolo Hospital back to Libreville on the day that Bongolo's rebuilt 1975 Mack Pumper Truck was making it's way down the national highway.

About 100 miles out of Libreville, the Fire Truck came upon a damaged bridge where large trucks were being rerouted onto a ferry across the Komo river.

We found the truck, about 9th or 10th in line, waiting for the ocean tide to rise and ferry service to resume.

Paul, the physical plant director at Bongolo, was leading the fire truck with his silver Nissan Patrol and our new friend, and Jack-of-all-trades, Jon C. (from CBN- Africa) was driving the truck.  Jon was a former fireman (among many other things).  Paul's intern, Josh (from NY), was also part of the "fire brigade".

No- this pic was not from out the airplane window!  Paul sent this one to me of the fire truck loaded on the ferry, set to cross the Komo.

Finally, after two days of driving about 35 mph with a failing transmission gasket, they arrived at Bongolo Hospital!  Paul has written up a full story- I'll try and find a way to include it below, somehow.

The fire truck will be a program all to its' own- training locals in emergency response for the hospital as well as surrounding communities.

Thanks to Joela, we have these last three photos from the arrival party!  Perhaps this is a future fireman?

The Original Bongolo Fire Brigade!  Well done gents!

Fire Truck Trip2

Video: Bongolo Airstrip Landing

Happy Passengers

We got a great letter of endorsement from a recent passenger.  If you email me, I'll tell you how much I paid him for this...

"It is with the greatest enthusiasm that I offer this endorsement of Air Calvary, a ministry conceived, developed, and superbly managed by Steve Straw based in Libreville, Gabon, W. Central Africa.

Dr. Jon (aka. "Jack") is on the left in his shades!

I have been the beneficiary of this flight ministry on 2 occasions, having been transported to and from Bongolo Hospital in order to teach general surgery residents in the Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) there. The personel and equipment transportation is absolutely vital to the PAACS mission, and provides both an expeditious and timely service for those of us committed to teaching there on a regular basis.

Steve, along with the support of his family, demonstrates his obedience to God’s call; he is both professionally competent and personally encouraging. Additionally, this service provides a much more efficient method of transportation; saving us two full days of additional travel (by land), allowing more time for the ministry in Bongolo, and thereby reducing our fatigue.

I am looking forward to the next trip!

Jon R. Ewig, DDS

Oral/Maxillofacial Surgeon"

See all the pictures from the flight that Dr. Ewig was on:  CLICK HERE