WINTER 2005/2006

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. Ecclesiastes 3:14

The last break from traveling gave me the time needed to do some research on aero medical evacuation coverage for our missionaries at minimal cost to the missionary or sending church. The part of our ministry that focuses on evacuation consists of three categories. The first category is coordinating tactical evacuation. This involves the use of missionary aircraft already deployed on the mission field by missionary agencies that are willing to help during emergency situations. Also included in this category are those private aircraft owners we can locate who would be willing to cooperate in emergencies to conduct evacuations. Costs to the missionary for these flights are after the emergency flight.

The second category is assisting missionaries to obtain evacuation by air ambulance to the proper medical facility. This is where great expense has been incurred in the past by those on the field requiring aero medical evacuation.

The third category is assisting missionary families to coordinate evacuation of non-critical patients by commercial airlines.

Assisting missionaries in evacuation by air ambulance is the category that presents our greatest challenge in AMI. We were able to spend some time researching the various options to better prepare our missionaries for these types of contingencies. We are very close to completing an aspect of this ministry that missionaries and sending churches may participate in (for an annual fee) and will meet the need in a timely fashion on the field while exercising good stewardship of God’s resources.

The air ambulance costs that could be associated with the calls for help we received in the last 18 months alone would total over $200,000 of God’s money from sending churches. This new part of AMI’s ministry will allow for better stewardship of God’s resources by sending churches and missionaries, and in the process may save lives and reduce the severity of injuries and illnesses. That same amount of money could provide coverage for over 400 families for a year. For more information on this ministry, please call and I will be glad to discuss it with you. Even pastors who make missions trips or who travel and have potential health issues should consider looking into this ministry. Also, information will be posted at the AMI web site in the near future.

We are looking forward with excitement to the meetings and conferences ahead in 2006 and 2007. Our travel will take us once again from coast to coast, mountains to prairie, and many places in between.

We hope to include in our travels this year visits with our supporting churches to report on more than can be covered in the newsletter and just to enjoy the fellowship of some of God’s sweetest saints.

Once again, it is our prayer that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.