Tuesday, May 22, 2012

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


3 comments:

  1. This is Judy Barlup, Jon Cassel's sister living in Seattle, Washington.

    Thanks for the great story, Paul. I loved it - it painted a vivid picture and kept me in suspense. But when Jon is involved, the ending always turns our well. The Lord is definitely looking over him every step of his journey.

    I don't understand how this works,so I selected Anonymous, hoping that the post goes through.

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  2. Such an encouraging read...men using their God-given strength to bring help and hope to those less fortunate. I pray the Lord's blessings on the lives of these men, eternal dividends for the investments they are making in the Kingdom. His will being done on earth. Hallelujah!

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