PAMAS News: Emergency On the Mountain

OB Emergency (Lali’s life saved again)

Dear Friends and Family,

I expected the worst, but was still amazed by what I saw. Lali’s husband, Buba and another friend trudged down the trail covered in sweat and mud with Lali in a hammock on a pole. Lali was white as a sheet and in and out of consciousness. Another girl, Bapa, with muddy and tattered clothes, carried the baby who was still covered in blood, mucous and poop since his birth 9 hours earlier. I asked Carrie, the AFM nurse (in Kemantian) how the baby was doing and she said, “His heart rate is low.” As they awkwardly tried to figure out how to place Lali across the back seat of our truck, blood oozing everywhere, I said, “Never mind the blood. Hurry, let’s go!” And we all jumped in and raced for the hospital, praying the whole way.

When I got the call earlier that morning from Carrie, I knew very well the patient, the place, and the situation. I had taken care of this same girl with the same problem 9 years ago with her second baby at the age of 14. (This is now baby number 4. Baby one and two did not live past 1 year). This time the baby was born at 10 p.m., the placenta did not deliver, and they called Carrie at 2:30 a.m. to hike up to their village and help. Last time, God helped me to deliver the placenta in their home and Lali miraculously stabilized so we did not have to take her out. But I know this is not always the case and we trust Him no matter how He answers.

Lali and Buba 9 years ago after God saved her life the first time.

Looking out of Lali and Buba’s house.

 In the hospital, the nurses looked at our group with obvious disgust, though they are used to us bringing patients in this way. Several of us missionaries worked quickly to get medicines, lab tests, and blood donors. It seemed painfully slow but they finally got Lali started with the first blood transfusion and into the O.R. When they wheeled Lali out of the O.R. and back into the ward, she looked great! I explained to the family that the doctor was able to remove the placenta without surgery and that she and the baby were going to be fine! Buba (the husband) listened intently and began to cry . . . tears of joy. He thanked us for our help and we prayed a thanksgiving prayer to God for saving Lali’s life once again.

If Only! (Shattered leg on the mountain)

Bridge to Kensuli

Elias with missionary Napthali after the fall.

 Elias is not a small guy (285 lbs) and the nurses and Palawanos alike were wondering how this was going to work! One new comer asked if there was ANY other way to get him out. Carrie said, “Yes! With a helicopter!” . . . If only!

Eighteen Palawanos graciously carried Elias 7 hours out of the mountains, in the dark! Sean flew him to Puerto Princessa the next morning to the Adventist Hospital. He is in amazingly good spirits and plans are being made for his transport to Mexico where friends will do his surgery. He hopes to be hiking back in to Kemantian by January. (Let’s pray for that miracle!)

Loading Elias in the PAMAS mission plane.

 Saving Lives

Seems like more and more emergencies are happening lately that could have really used a helicopter. But it’s no different than it’s always been, it’s just that with our visit to Palawan we have been reminded again of the ongoing need. There are also other reasons for needing a helicopter. There are many areas in the surrounding mountains that are still isolated from the outside world, and unreached by missionaries of any kind. Transportation is critical to open up these areas where it takes a full day’s hike or longer to reach. Other ministries also need our help with emergencies in the small islands off the south end of Palawan where there is no health care and travel by boat is difficult or impossible during some times of the year. Many lives will be saved physically as well as spiritually when we get a helicopter back in operation.

Helicopter Fund Progress

We continue to ask for your prayers for the rest of the funds needed to purchase a used helicopter for Palawan. We have $255,500 pledged or given towards our $300,000 goal. This leaves $44,500 still needed to fulfill the matching funds pledge.

Thank you so much for being a part of this project!

Dwayne and Wendy Harris

Philippine Adventist Medical Aviation Services (PAMAS)
pamasmission.org

If you’d like to help with the helicopter fund, simply specify your donation for “PAMAS Helicopter Fund”

Make checks payable to: Gospel Ministries International

Send checks to:
GMI (Gospel Ministries International)
P O Box 506, Collegedale, TN 37315

(For all donations, be sure to specify it for “PAMAS”)

Or donate online at our website: pamasmission.org
(be sure to specify donation is for “PAMAS”)

 

Current Needs:

• Helicopters
• School books for Kabulnucan
• Side car for Bible worker ($400)

Volunteers Needed:

• Pilots
• Mechanics
• Construction/Builders
• Accountant
• Medical Missionaries
• Missionaries with leadership abilities
• Bible workers
• Teachers

Prayer Requests:

• God’s provisions for the rest of funds needed to get the helicopter for Palawan
• Helicopters for Luzon and Mindanao
• Need for local missionary volunteers (Medical and Bible workers) and sponsors –
• Guidance and provisions for next airbase project in Mindanao
• Healing of Dwayne’s ongoing headaches (since last year’s Malaria case in Palawan)
• Continued help for Typhoon Haiyan victims (since last November 2013)

PAMAS is a faith-based, volunteer-driven organization which aids the Seventh-day Adventist church in it’s mission to carry the great news of the Gospel to the world through the use of aviation and medical ministry. Though not officially affiliated or supported by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, PAMAS is a well-established supporting ministry of the church, working closely with pastors and leaders all over the country. Any services offered or opinions expressed by PAMAS are solely those of PAMAS.

 

Contact us:
Dwayne’s email: harrdw@gmail.com
Dwayne’s phone: 63-9175017018
Wendy’s email: wrguptill@gmail.com
Wendy’s phone: 63-9175019031