HELICOPTER ENTERTAINS THOUSANDS    by Jackie

My Saturday started out pretty normal as I quickly washed clothes because we had electric power for the day. My friends from my small group Bible study had made plans to visit Sarah for the traditional welcoming of a new baby. This is a formal visit with giving of gifts and enjoying coffee with a special porridge. Then I had a phone call that Markus Lehman from Helimission was planning to land his helicopter at the hospital in the late morning. I began scrambling to gather the women so that we could be back at my house by 11:30. Easier said than done is a familiar ring in Africa.

The dirt roads were slippery from last night’s heavy rain. The cell phone service was sketchy as we called and called for directions to Sarah’s home. After walking down the wrong road for ten minutes we turned around and met with one of the ladies who knew the way. 

Sarah is a hospital chaplain and a good friend. Her baby Abigail is now two months old. She and her husband greeted us with kisses and hugs. More ladies arrived until seven of us had crowded into the 10 x 10 room. Just like American women, we oohed and ahhed over the sweet brown eyed girl as we passed her around. After coffee, bread, and peanuts, I shared thoughts on a psalm and then prayed. It was time to go.

Bertequan, Heurig and I were carefully picking our way through the muddy street when we heard the whirl of a helicopter over head. “You have your guests. You need to hurry,” they said. Suddenly they were stopping a motorcycle and paying 5 Birr so that I could get back to the hospital quickly. And there I was, riding behind a young stranger down crowded streets and alleys, maneuvering through hundreds of people running towards the hospital, excited to see the helicopter. I just laughed out loud at the commotion and excitement in the air. I felt like I was going to see some big name movie star and I was honored with a special pass to the inner circle!

The helicopter sat on the open soccer field in the middle of the hospital compound. Duane was giving a tour of the buildings to the pilot Markus, Michael, his fellow missionary, and Darren, deputy country director of Samaritan’s Purse. Thousands of Ethiopians were pushing on the hospital fence for a look. Many employees formed a ring in the field. Some ventured closer for a photo. Guards were busy keeping others back. 

We calmly stood near the helicopter to discuss possible partnerships. The Helimission has a heart for evangelism and medical care. Markus and his family have been stationed in Awassa now for one year but he makes many fast trips to southern Ethiopia to help evacuate seriously ill and injured patients. They are interested in stopping here rather than flying all the way to Addis.   Duane would love to see them help us with reaching the unreached people groups isolated in the country. We envision a medical person and evangelist making trips to these people and eventually leaving a long term Wolaitan evangelist.