TRAVEL FOR PURPOSE

What is Remote Area Medical?

Remote Area Medical is a Tennessee based humanitarian aid organization started by Stan Brock (whom was of television fame from prior ventures). The operation’s primary purpose is to conduct public health clinics in impoverished regions, especially rural parts of Appalachia. Volunteer doctors, nurses, dentist, and assistants come together under RAM’s coordination turning gymnasiums, community centers,…

Going out with your boots on…

One time while loading the aircraft for a flight, a doctor going along and I were discussing some of the details that pertained to his rather rough and frustrating day. Feeling slightly desperate but not completely hopeless, he apparently was not as concerned or scared as some of the other doctors whom rather would not…

Aircraft Maintenance in the Bush

Bush flying is hard on an aircraft. Lots of engine cycles, lots of rough airstrips, lots of dirt and grime coating the airframe, and lots of people, baggage, boxes, and supplies. The Cessna U206 is the pickup truck of the boonies, both here and elsewhere. With all the harsh flying and conditions, these aerial pickup…

The Little Adventures

Although my experience here in South America is intended strictly for serving through humanitarian aid with no days off, occasionally a few little adventures come up. Mostly it is only when there is a reason I cannot fly, such as weather, waiting on medical technicians, or waiting for aircraft parts/tools to arrive. So to help…

All Those What If’s….

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:8-10…

Principles to Live By

“For I know the plans I have for you, delcares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 NIV At times people challenge others as to why another would live differently than how they live themselves. The lens in which they judge…

The 3 Levels of “Fun”

There are three types of fun to experience: Type 1 – fun while it’s happening and fun to talk about later Type 2 – not fun while it’s happening but fun to talk about later Type 3 – not fun while it’s happening and not fun to talk about later How about some examples. For…

“We’re going to Gunns”

There are some places so far isolated off the beaten path from the rest of the world one would never think they would visit it often. But in this kind of work, one does. The village of Wai Wai has become mine. Separated from the rest of Guyana by dense Amazon jungle, “Gunns” as we…

The Rupununi – Another World

Mix aspects from the films Out of Africa and Crocodile Dundee and you would have the Rupununi. The scenery and dynamics of the two blended together would well describe the place. Surrounded by jungle and separated by the Kanuku Mountains, the Rupununi is split into two savannah regions in Southwestern Guyana and Northeastern Brazil. It…

Air Medivac – On Call

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? ” And I said, “Here I am. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8 NIV Being an air ambulance, one does not know what kind of medical emergency will come in next. Sometimes several missions are flown each day….

RAM – Guyana Operations

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah‬ ‭40:31‬ ‭NIV‬‬ A long while ago while managing a rural cattle ranch on the South Rupununi Savannah, Stan Brock began to…

Lethem – Gateway to the Guyanese Outback

Stepping off the cross-country puddle jumper commuter plane, one is hit in the face with a few things: The dry season heat and sun A rather primitive air transport arrival Old crumbling pavement being overtaken by dirt roads Although Lethem itself has been around for a long while, it just recently became an official “town”…

Georgetown – Guyana’s big city

“…I have become a foreigner in a foreign land.” – Exodus 2:22 Coming down on a red-eye overnight flight from New York, we were treated to a beautiful sunrise approaching the South American continent. Outside the window the misty jungles of the Amazon and massive Essequibo river, the largest in Guyana, eerily greet us while…