Bryan and Melissa Abbott Using Aviation to Make HIM known in Indonesia 
Flight Following begins as soon as the pilot takes off!
Last Friday began my training for a very vital ministry here in Indonesia – Flight Following. Although this job has its downsides – such as having to stay close to the phone/ radio for the duration of the flight, it is a great way for me to feel connected with the flight program and ensure that we are fulfilling one of our key goals in the flight program – safety for everyone.
Little did I know that this particular flight would also involve a medical evacuation – so not only was I learning the ropes of following the pilot’s flight path and noting coordinates, but I was also involved in medical consultation.
At 5am, our pilot called Bryan, asking him to prep the helicopter for an emergency flight. A fellow co-worker had injured his foot while on a tribal group assessment and after 2 days in the jungle, his foot was swollen, he was in severe pain and suffering from a high fever. An emergency flight was needed. At this point, I consulted with the patient and then sent my recommendations via SMS and made sure proper treatments and meds were available. Then, I focused on my training at hand.
Thankfully due to the helicopter, our co-worker was able to get the necessary medical care in only 2 hours compared to 40 hours. A real confirmation to the essentiality of a flight program and one reason I’m thankful to have a small part through flight following. Now I just have to learn how to read a flight map.
Tags: Flight Following, Melissa, Ministry, Missionary Wife, Safety