SUBJECT: CAD Approves Medical Aviation Program

AUTHOR: David Gates, his wife Becky, and four of their five children - Lina, Trina, Carlos, and Kristopher, work together with Becky's sister and family, the Burgdorffs, in a medical aviation program in the jungles of Guyana, South America.

DATE: May 13, 1997

"I don't want to dissapoint you, but there have been many others who have brought in aircraft and have not received permission to operate." A friendly Guyanese commercial pilot shared some advice.

Almost outfitted for the flight South

"You should be prepared to keep the plane tied down at the airport for at least a year before you get any answer at all. And then, it probably will be negative."

Over the past three years, I had visited Guyana's interior along with our local Conference and SDA hospital administrators. We had considered different medical outreach programs such as overland, by river, and by air. It had become clear that lack of roads and navigable rivers, the only effective means of transportation would have to be by air.

Concluding nearly 18 months of planning, and consultation with the local Civil Aviation Department (CAD) and Ministry of Health, we submitted a proposal to the CAD in November of 96. By then we had purchased a small plane in the US and were preparing it for overseas service. Using the Davis Memorial Hospital as a medical base, we had proposed a plan to reach out into communities throughout Guyana with professional medical and dental assistance. Our target date to begin operation was March of 1997.

From the very beginning, a wall of obstacles appeared to block our path. The very first was the acquizition of funds to purchase and prepare an aircraft for bush operation. Others included the lack of organizational support for such a new and untried project, reluctance of the local Civil Aviation Department to approve a new aircraft for operation within Guyana's interior and to provide me with a professional Guyanese pilot's license, and many more. Getting the plane ready as far as maintenance was concerned proved just as difficult as getting the FAA paperwork taken care of. As I was leaving Guyana to continue working on the plane's final preparation in April, I was extremely pleased to hear from the DCA that my Commercial Pilot's License was ready to be picked up. I lost no time in stopping by their office and picking up my new Guyanese pilot's license. Having that in my hand seemed to encourage me that after the many months of wait, things were finally beginning to happen.

However, the months continued to roll by as I worked day and night on the plane. Long periods of separation from my family with me in the US and they deep in the jungles of Guyana were a special sorce of discouragment. Weekly amateur radio contacts were a wonderful blessing. But most of the time the communication was another "There has been another delay."

Having been away from the family for four and a half months out of the last six, I knew this last two month separation was too much to ask of my wife and five children. I dropped everything on the plane and headed to Guyana to be with the family for a couple of weeks. I knew that this delay would further postpone any approval of our application for I had been told that "only after the plane arrives in Guyana, will your application really be considered."

When I arrived in Georgetown, I stopped by the Guyana Conference office to pick up my mail, and give an update to the administration. While there I was handed a stack of family and business mail. I quickly scanned them, but found none of special interest, so I put them in my briefcase to read at a later date. The following morning I caught a 1:45 hour air taxi flight directly West into Kaikan to be with the family. What a wonderful reunion that was. In nearly 18 years of marriage I had never been away two months before.

Front (David, Becky, Lina & Trina). Back (Kris & Carlos). We thank God for the privilege of allowing us to serve Him here.

Later on the same day, I took the mail out of the briefcase and handed it out to the family. One particular envelope was rather plain and had no return address. What I found inside, however, was not plain. Inside was an official letter from the Department of Civil Aviation granting Guyana Adventist Medical Aviation Service permission to operate our aircraft within the interior of Guyana as requested. The letter had been posted on April 1. What an answer to prayer! I had been praying for approval during the last month, even though the authorization had already been posted. "Before they call, I will answer" God said, and He indeed meant what He said. I praise Him for his "goodness and mercy unto the children of men."

Currently my wife Becky and I are in Trinidad meeting with some 35 college students who plan to serve as volunteers this Summer in Guyana. In a couple of days we leave for the US so I can finish the final items on the airplane, and so we can attend the graduation of our oldest daughter Katie from Laurelbrook Academy on June 1, in Dayton, TN. Immediately afterward, Becky and I will fly the plane down to Guyana and at the same time celebrate our 18th anniversary.

Yours in Christ,

David Gates

You may write to David at: gates@andrews.edu

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Last Updated: March 13, 1997