December 2011
Dear Friends,
Merry Christmas!
Terrific news. Our airplane repairs are complete!
Thank you sincerely for your prayers and support as we resume full-time flight operations in Gabon.
God bless our missionaries, the Straws, and each of you this season.
Laus Christo,
Brock Barrett
President
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galations 6:9
September 2011
Dear Friends,
Excellent news!
Our Gabon airplane repairs are scheduled to be completed next month! By God's grace and with your help, our plane should soon be ready once again for deployment to Africa.
Sincere thanks to MMS Aviation in Ohio for their expert work. Heartfelt thanks also to you, for your continued support as we prepare to return to full-time flight operations in Gabon.
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement for our chief pilot, Steve Straw, as he prepares to recommence regular sorties in support of Bongolo Hospital.
Follow Steve’s work via his on-line blog at www.gabonpilot.blogspot.com.
Prayers also for the entire Straw family are very much appreciated, especially for the children, who are away at school in neighboring Cameroon, and for mom and dad holding down the fort at home in Gabon.
Thank you for joining us in our mission. It is a challenging journey. Thank you for partnering with us along the way.
God bless you for your charity and faith.
Gloria Christo!
Brock Barrett
President
April 2011
Dear Friends,
Happy Easter!
Good news: Repairs on our Gabon airplane are well underway. Many thanks to MMS Aviation in Ohio for their expert work. Sincere thanks also to you, for your continued support as we prepare to return to full-time flight operations in Central Africa. In the meantime, thank you for your prayers and encouragement for our chief pilot, Steve Straw, as he seeks to open additional airstrips in Gabon. Prayers for the entire Straw family are very much appreciated, as homesteading and schooling abroad present consistent, uncommon stress and challenges.
Despite the trials and obstacles we have faced in Gabon, we are determined to fulfill our mission building a charitable medical air transport program for the country. We are thankful for all we have learned on our journey, and how we have been strengthened in the process. Thank you for partnering with us in this effort. With your help and by God's grace, we will soon re-commence flights in support of Bongolo Hospital.
As always, we will do our best to respond where there are other needs, as we have ability and provision. Thank you for your faith and financial support. Our mission of mercy is challenging, but with your assistance we carry on.
God bless you for your generosity and vision. We wish you joy and peace this blessed season.
Gloria Christo!
Brock Barrett
President
December 2010
Dear Friends,
Merry Christmas!
Season's greetings from Air Calvary. On behalf of our entire team, we wish you joy and peace this holiday.
As always, thank you for your kindness and generosity toward our ministry. We are so grateful for your support.
In Gabon, our aircraft repairs are commencing, and we are continuing to work to open additional airfields to expand our medical transport service throughout the country.
In Cameroon, we are looking forward to aid with urgent care helicopter flights in 2011.
In Haiti and elsewhere, we stand ready to assist, as we have provision.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us in our mission of mercy. Thank you for your prayers. We could not carry on without you.
God's richest blessings to you this Christmas and in the New Year.
Gloria Christo!
Brock Barrett
President
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
September 2010
Dear Friends,
Good News!
Central Africa:
We have entered into agreement with Missionary Maintenance Services www.mmsaviation.org to repair our Gabon aircraft. With your support, and thanks to our insurance policy, the process of returning our Cessna 207 to service has commenced. Thank you for your prayers as we work with MMS to restore our plane to operation. In the interim, a Belgian agricultural company operating in Gabon will allow us the use of their Beechcraft Baron when it is available.
Thank you for your continued support for the Straw family. They are so grateful for your financial support and your encouragement. The Straws especially appreciate your prayers for their two eldest children, Joey and Megan, now attending boarding school at the Rainforest Academy, across the border in neighboring Cameroon.
On another note, regarding Cameroon, (to the north of Gabon) we are pleased to have struck upon an arrangement with mission aviation friends there. SIL Aviation operates a new Robinson R44 helicopter offering medical flights to the people of Cameroon at cost. However, just as in Gabon, lives regularly hang in the balance because air transport is unaffordable for many of the most needy.
In the mountainous area where SIL operates their 4-seat helicopter in support of remote communities, mission stations and clinics, a 20 minute flight can often mean the difference between life and death. It is for this reason that we have determined to assist with funding SIL's urgent care flights, as the Lord provides. As little as a few hundred dollars per month would allow us to sponsor emergency helicopter missions in Cameroon on an ongoing basis. This would make a world of difference for those with no other hope or practical alternative for medical transport in the rugged region.
Caribbean:
Unfortunately, in Haiti, despite our crisis-response work in the country, it seems our charity registration there still remains unattainable at this point, which prevents us from attempting to establish a full-time non-profit helicopter operation in Port-au-Prince. As always, we will continue to do our best to assist there, as able. We do pray for an uneventful hurricane season.
Thank you for your kind consideration in all these matters. In every effort, we aspire to embody God's mercy in action. Thank you for partnering with us to that end. God bless you for your faith, generosity and courage. God bless you for undertaking these difficult missions with us. We could not do it without you.
Gloria Christo,
Brock Barrett
President
April 2010
Dear Friends,
Happy Easter!
Haiti Update:
Sincere thanks to all for your support during our earthquake response mission. By God's grace and with your help, we were able to coordinate many helicopter sorties in support of crisis relief efforts. Using helicopters from the Dominican Republic, we were able to safely transport aid workers and supplies to Port-au-Prince and to remote health clinics and orphanages in Haiti. We were also able to safely extract persons from Haiti to the security of the Dominican Republic.
We are so thankful to all our volunteers and supporters who gave of their time, effort and resources in this emergency mission.
Central Africa:
Our Gabon air ambulance program got off to a terrific start this year, conducting many flights in support of Bongolo Hospital. Unfortunately, however, we recently suffered a setback, as our plane encountered a loss in engine power and had to execute an unplanned landing. Thankfully, no one in the plane or on the ground was injured. Our aircraft was damaged, however, and we thank you for your prayers and support as we evaluate the situation and seek to resume flight operations as soon as possible.
We are so thankful to all of you who give so generously to this pioneering ministry. We could not do it without you. God bless you for partnering with us in these difficult missions. The work is fraught with hazards and challenges, yet, with your help, we will continue to press on as we seek to serve those in need.
Gloria Christo,
Brock Barrett
President
March 29th, 2010
Dear Friends,
Central Africa:
I regret to report that our Cessna 207 airplane, despite a very promising program start in Gabon, experienced a loss in engine power today and made a forced landing in the village of Owendo, just south of the city of Libreville.
No one on the ground was injured and neither were the two pilots and one passenger participating in the training flight. There was minor property damage and the aircraft also incurred structural damage.
Thank you for your prayers and support at this time as we evaluate the incident and seek to resume flight operations as soon as possible.
Brock Barrett
President
Haiti Crisis, February 2010
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for your prayers and support as we continue to conduct helicopter missions to aid disaster relief efforts in Haiti.
By God's grace and because of your generosity, we are able to consistently complete safe and successful flight days, representing multiple missions.
Our work has included the movement of aid workers and supplies from the Dominican Republic to Port-au-Prince and to remote locations in Haiti, and the safe extraction of persons from Haiti to the security of the Dominican Republic.
To see our work in action, please view a video of one of our initial air-mobile missions via the link below:
Sincerest thanks for your assistance with our ongoing mission, serving those in need during this crisis.
Thank you and God bless you,
Brock Barrett
President
January 2010
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year!
Central Africa:
Wonderful news! Our aircraft has made it safely across the Atlantic and is now on location in Gabon.
Thank you so much for your support. By God's grace, and because of your generosity, our Cessna 207 airplane has now begun its life-saving medical transport mission in support of Bongolo Hospital, www.bongolohospital.org.
God bless you for your faithfulness in the development of this aviation ministry. To all our supporters, we are sincerely grateful. Our Gabon pilot, Steve Straw, and family are so thankful for your continued support for their family and toward our ongoing operating expenses.
Thank you very much for your prayers for safe flight operations. A new day has dawned for air travel in Gabon. For the latest news and photos from our aircrew, see www.gabonpilot.blogspot.com.
God bless you in 2010. Heartfelt thanks for your part in building and sustaining this one-of-a-kind aviation program, bringing health and hope in Gabon.
Laus Deo!
Brock Barrett
President
December 2009
Dear Friends,
Merry Christmas!
Central Africa:
Wonderful news! Our Gabon aircraft refurbishment is complete. Specialists are now preparing the airplane for its transatlantic flight. Lord willing, we pray for a Christmas landing in Gabon.
Thank you so much for your support. By God's grace, and because of your generosity, our Cessna 207 airplane will soon begin its life-saving medical transport mission in support of Bongolo Hospital! www.bongolohospital.org
God bless you for your faithfulness in the development of this aviation ministry. To all our supporters, we are sincerely grateful for your partnership in this effort.
Our Gabon pilot, Steve Straw, and family are so thankful for your continued support for their family and toward the aircraft. We especially appreciate your financial help now, as we transport the aircraft to Gabon, and purchase insurance and spare parts.
Thank you very much for your prayers for a safe journey as our aircraft makes its way from the US to Central Africa. A specialist will be flying our plane from Kansas to Newfoundland, then across the Atlantic ocean to the Azores, Canary Islands, West Africa, and then south to its new home in Gabon.
God bless you this Christmas season! Thank you once again for sharing in building this one-of-a-kind aviation program, bringing health and hope in Gabon.
Gloria Christo!
Brock Barrett
President
October 2009
Dear Friends,
Thrilling news!
Central Africa:
Our Gabon aircraft is preparing for takeoff!
Heartfelt thanks to all for your support! By God's grace, and because of your generosity, our Cessna 207 airplane will soon be departing for Gabon, where we can begin our life-saving medical transport program in support of Bongolo Hospital!
Please join us for our commissioning ceremony on Saturday, October 24th, at CXY Aviation, Capital City Airport, New Cumberland, PA, 1-3pm.
God bless you for your faithfulness in the development of this aviation ministry. To our major benefactors and all our supporters, we are truly grateful for your partnership in this effort.
Our Gabon pilot, Steve Straw, and family are so thankful for your continued support for their family and toward the aircraft. We especially appreciate your financial help now, as we prepare the aircraft for the flight over the Atlantic Ocean, and for insurance and spare parts inventory.
Sincerest thanks to you all for your kindness, for your vision, for your prayers, for your encouragement, for your determination in this pioneering mission.
Laus Christo!
Brock Barrett
President
August 2009
Dear Friends,
Wonderful news!
Central Africa:
Our Gabon airplane is near ready for deployment! We have purchased the new engine and propeller, and the aircraft, an eight-seat Cessna 207, is now in the paint/avionics shop.
We expect to complete the aircraft purchase shortly. Thank you for your prayers and continued financial support, for our pilot, Steve Straw, and his family, and toward the aircraft.
We would especially appreciate your financial support now, as we prepare to deploy the aircraft to Gabon, for the flight over the Atlantic Ocean and for insurance and spare parts inventory.
It has been a long road. We are almost there. With your help, our plane should be on location in Gabon by October, and our much-awaited medical transport program will begin operations.
Thank you for your faithfulness, for your prayers and encouragement, for your generous charity. We are so grateful and thrilled to partner with you on this project which will mean so much, to so many, bringing health and hope to Gabon.
Sincerely,
Brock Barrett
President
July 2009
Dear Friends,
Terrific news!
Central Africa Update:
We have entered an agreement to purchase an airplane for our Gabon air ambulance program!
Thank you for all your support! We have placed a deposit on a Cessna 207, an eight-seat, single-engine, high-wing plane. Presently, the aircraft is in the final stages of a comprehensive overhaul, including a new six-cylinder, fuel-injected, 300 horsepower engine, fresh paint, new propeller and avionics.
By God's grace and with your help, within a matter of weeks, the plane should be ready for deployment to Gabon. Our Gabon pilot, Steve Straw, is raring to go! The Straws are so thankful for your continued support, toward the aircraft and for their family.
We are sincerely grateful for your partnership in this project. Your prayers and financial assistance have built and sustain the work. To our major benefactors, to all our supporters, we are humbled and encouraged by your faith and generosity.
God bless you all. Together, may we soon see this work through to fruition.
Gloria Christo,
Brock Barrett
President
April 2009
Happy Easter!
Central Africa Update:
Our pioneering pilot, Steve Straw, and family, are doing well, working hard to lay a solid foundation for our aviation program in Gabon. Building an air ambulance service from scratch in a challenging foreign environment is not an easy task, but with your help and God's grace, we will do it. Thank you so much for your continuing commitment to support the Straws.
While we raise the final funds needed for our airplane purchase (all donations are being matched!) Steve is working with the government to open and certify the Bongolo Hospital airstrip for use. We pray this will be completed soon.
If you have not already, please view our Gabon update video, a great look at project progress, via the following link:
Thank you all sincerely for your support! We hope to buy our plane very soon and get to work flying! Thank you for your faith and encouragement. Thank you for your generosity and prayers. God bless you this Easter season.
Sincerely,
Brock Barrett
President
November 2008
Dear Friends,
Happy Thanksgiving!
Central Africa Update: Our pioneering pilot, Steve Straw, has obtained his Gabon flying permit! We are anxious now to buy a plane and get to work! The Straw family is settling in to their new surrounds in Gabon's capital city, Libreville, and homeschooling for the children has begun. The Straws are so thankful for your prayers and continued financial support, for their family and the air ambulance project. Donations toward the purchase of an airplane would be especially appreciated at this time, and are being matched, thanks to a very generous supporter. With your help, the project is coming together. God willing, we will soon begin air service to Bongolo Hospital! www.bongolohospital.org
Caribbean: Our charity registration application is still under review by authorities in Haiti. We pray this important step will be completed soon. Once registered, we will turn our attention to constructing a hangar at Port-au-Prince International Airport, key to commencing flight operations. We hope to establish a full-time helicopter transportation program in support of health and development initiatives in the country very soon.
Thank you once again for your prayers and continuing support! Your faith and generosity spur us onward. God bless you this Thanksgiving season.
Brock Barrett
President
Haiti Crisis, September 2008
Dear Friends,
Earlier this month a succession of devastating hurricanes tore across Haiti. The result was flooding on a terrible and tragic scale. Hundreds of lives were lost. Homes, livestock, and farms destroyed. Roads and airstrips submerged. Communities isolated, supply-lines cut off.
Air Calvary did not sit idly by during this emergency. Contracting helicopters from the Dominican Republic, Air Calvary raced to Haiti, to assist. Working parallel to helicopters from the US Navy, Dominican Air Force, and United Nations, Air Calvary's fleet of three helicopters jumped into the relief effort.
Over the course of five days, in cooperation with churches and mission agencies, we were able to move aid personnel and several tons of supplies into affected areas. We were also able to evacuate a number of women and children stranded by the floodwaters.
Though we were not able to sustain operations for an extended period, we are pleased to have been able to offer some assistance in this disaster relief effort. Your contributions toward this recent crisis-response mission would be very much appreciated.
Thank you for being a part of the rescue. Please pray for those suffering in Haiti. The road to recovery will be long and difficult. God bless you for partnering with us.
Sincerely,
Brock Barrett
President
September 2008
Dear Friends,
Great news!
Special Central Africa Update:
Our pilot, Steve Straw, and family, have arrived safe and sound in Gabon! Thank you all, for making this possible!
The Straws are setting up house in Gabon's capital city, Libreville. Please keep the family in your prayers as they settle in to their new environment and begin homeschooling the children. Pray for Steve as he lays the groundwork locally for our air ambulance program.
We are so thankful for your support! This project has been years in the making. We are sincerely grateful for your partnership in the work. Your faith is such an encouragement, and your financial contributions have been vital. Special thanks to the Christian and Missionary Alliance www.cmalliance.org for standing with us.
God bless the Straws for their courage, and God bless you, for your continuing generosity. It is with your prayers and donations, that the Straws are able to pioneer this effort. Together, by God's grace, may we soon see air service in support of Bongolo Hospital commence! www.bongolohospital.org
Contributions for the Straw family are sincerely appreciated; and thanks to a pledge from a very generous supporter, all your donations toward our aircraft fund are being matched! Thank you for sharing in building this one-of-a-kind aviation program, bringing health and hope to Gabon.
Brock Barrett
President
