Air Calvary is building an air ambulance program for the Central African country of Gabon, the only of its kind in the nation. The main focus of the work will be supporting the remote and renowned Bongolo Hospital, located in Lebamba, southern Gabon, near the Republic of Congo border. Air Calvary pilot and C&MA Tentmaker, Rev. Steve Straw, of York, PA, is leading this pioneering work.
Though mission efforts have been ongoing in Gabon since the 1930s, and the country has a thriving church, establishing air ambulance service in the region will bring a new dimension of ministry to a continent plagued by poverty, disease and war. Currently, Gabon has no air ambulance services. Sadly, Africa accounts for 70% of all people infected with HIV/AIDS, and 80% of resulting deaths. Many of the approximately 12 million orphans in Africa are sick with the virus.
Bongolo Hospital's new HIV/AIDS clinic opened its' doors in 2008. Regular delivery of antiretroviral medication (normally 3 days minimum round-trip by ground vehicle, less than 2 hours by air) is key to treatment.
Air service will reduce travel time dramatically for patients, doctors, and nurses. It will also allow for the efficient transport of medicines and supplies. Additionally, the service will eliminate the hazards and rigors of ground travel. The air ministry is strategic to connecting the capital, Libreville, and outlying villages with quality health care and Christian ministry at Bongolo Hospital. As the physical needs of the sick are met (500 patients average per week), many also respond to the Gospel message.
The Straws first visited Gabon in December 2005. After much prayer, and confirmations from friends, family and ministry peers, the Straw family has committed to fill the dire need for air ambulance service for Gabon and Bongolo Hospital. Steve and Alace, and children Joey (14), Megan (12), and Samuel (10), were deployed at the end of August, 2008, following 3 years of preparation.
Currently, the Straws are laying the ground work for the mission and focusing on the remaining fund raising for the aircraft. Steve has met the Gabonese minister of health, the director of civil avaiation, and many national church leaders.
…PRAY for language acquisition – we meet weekly with language partners to work on our fluency.
…PRAY for financial needs. We are self -funded and the weak dollar is impacting us greatly. We have lost 1/3 or our family funding recently.
…PRAY for (matching challenge) for our Aircraft. We hope to have an aircraft purchased this spring. Fund raising has slowed down with the economy.
…PRAY for the children’s educational needs in Gabon. Our first 5 months of home-schooling (for the 1st time!) has gone great! Praise God!
…PRAY for Christ to be exalted in everything – our words, thoughts and actions
Watch our new project video! CLICK HERE
Isaiah 40: 31
“…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.”
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