It was late in the afternoon on Tuesday, 11 December when Dr. Erin Meier from Kudjip Nazarene Hospital called my phone, “Todd, what are our options for a medical evacuation to Port Moresby? We have a very critical patient!”
Dr. Erin would go on to describe a young man around 25 years of age who had suffered what appeared to be a significant heart attack while playing rugby. As Dr. Erin described the case my mind was weighing the facts. It was already late in the afternoon. The rugged rain forest jungle over which we fly does not allow for safe operations at night, and given the 45 minute drive from Kudjip station to our airstrip, a late afternoon departure for the two hour flight to the capital city was already out of the question. Dr. Matt Woodley (ER Doctor at Kudjip) and his team had already resuscitated the patient four times. Would he be able to survive the high altitude non-pressurized flight that is required to clear the high mountains of the highlands on the way to the coast? We agreed that at this point, the best plan was to see if the patient could remain stabilized through the night at Kudjip and then plan for an early departure on Thursday morning.
Shortly after 0600 on Thursday morning, Dr. Erin called. The young man had stabilized through the night and although still critical, they felt he could survive the flight. They would be on their way shortly. Quick calls to our Flight Operations Manager, Captain Brad Venter and Church and Community Partnership Manager Godfrey Sim put the plan in action. P2-SDP was readied and the base team awaited the arrival of the patient from Kudjip.
Kudjip Ambulance arrives at the MAF Mount Hagen Base. 
Dr. Matt Woodley from Kudjip Nazarene Hospital arrives with the patient.
At 0850, the ambulance from Kudjip arrived at the MAF Mount Hagen Base with the patient, family members and Doctor Matt Woodley along with Anesthesia Specialist Officer (APO), David Wan. The team quickly went to work to prep the patient for the flight. Simultaneously, our team at MAF headquarters continued to do their part – praying for the patient, family, doctors, and pilot team as they prepared to launch.
Team transporting patient to the aircraft. 
Arriving at the aircraft with the patient.
At 09:49, pilots Brad Venter (South Africa) and Andy Symmonds (UK) lifted off with their valuable cargo on the wings of P2-SDP and much prayer from both the Kudjip Nazarene and MAF teams. Touching down 1 hour and 59 minutes later in the capital city of Port Moresby, the patient was transferred to the waiting ambulance and rushed to Pacific International Hospital.
Pilot Brad Venter and Dr. Matt prep patient in the plane. 
Dr. Matt preps patient. 
Dr. Matt and APO David work with patient. 
Final preparations. 
Pilot Andy Symmonds makes sure that family members are properly secured. 
Church and Community Partnerships Manager, Godfrey Sim, helps to make sure all is in order.
On Friday morning our Mount Hagen team met for morning devotions as we do every morning. When it came time to list our praises and prayer requests, Nancy from our operations team said that she had received news from the family. Our patient had successfully undergone surgery, was in the Intensive Care Unit, and it was expected that he would make a good recovery.
“Seeing isolated people physically and spiritually transformed in Christ’s Name.” This is why we do what we do in one of the most remote countries in the world. Accomplishing this Vision requires a team. Doctors, nurses, pilots, ground operations, flight operations, finance, IT, engineers, and on an on. It also requires you!!!
Thank you so very much for praying for and partnering with us as a family, and our greater MAF and Nazarene Team!
Together we can do so much more!
Todd & Connie Lou - back in the USA! 
Oh my dear Todd and Connie Lou,
We rejoice with you for the Lord’s care and provision for this young man. I am in awe of this great testimony.
May the Lord provide for your ministry according to His riches in heaven.
I’m so thankful for the Lord’s care for your dear team members.
May The Kingdom if God come in power to to those you minister to.
We love you guys! NaN Haworth Amarillo, Texas Sent from my iPhone
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Nan,
It is always so good to reconnect with you! Thank you for following and praying for us – and rejoicing with us in what God is doing here in PNG! We are a team and together we can do so much more!
We love you guys too! May your 2020 be filled with God moments and answers to prayer!
Connie Lou
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This one makes me very homesick for PNG! We sent patients out from our clinic in the Jimi Valley, but we had tomove them to where there was an airstrip, and that airstrip was tricky. The runwqay was short and ended at the topof a dropoff! Thank the Lord we never had a patient in that bad of a condition! Those were excellent pictures andI will copy off your email and post it on the missions bulletin board at church! Were you the photographer? Barbara
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Dear Barbara,
Yes, seeing photos does make one homesick for PNG! Mandy Glass the Communications officer was the photographer for those.
Thank you for keeping us before the church in prayer – we do so appreciate the partnership with you and the church – Together we can do so much more!
May your 2020 be filled with answered prayers and God ordained appointments!
Together for Him,
Connie Lou
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Yaaay!
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Amen Lorri!
Hope your 2020 is blessed with many answered prayers – and God ordained opportunities for you to share the hope that is within you!
Together for Him,
Connie Lou
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Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. God is Good. He provides the best Medical Teams to save lives.❤❤❤❤❤
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Jo Ann,
You are most welcome – we are so thankful for the great outcome of this joint effort! All praise to the Lord for providing in so many ways!
May your 2020 be filled with answered prayers as you lift us and others to the Lord for His guidance and provision!
Together for Him,
Connie Lou
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Thank you for your update, Todd. I heard of this incident and I’m so thankful that God provided a way for him to make it to Moresby for surgery. Keep up the good work! Our prayers go with you!
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Dear Lukas,
Thank you for the comment, and especially for the prayer! We so need those prayers daily!
May your 2020 be filled with answered prayers as you lift so many to the Father for His provision and guidance!
Together for Him,
Connie Lou
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Thanks, thanks to everyone on that “saving team”. What a blessing it was for me to view this mail. Ruth Davis, Bethany, OK.
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Dear Ruth,
Yes what a blessing indeed! We are so thankful for the team – around the world, working together to accomplish much for the Glory of God!
May your 2020 be filled with answered prayers as you lift so many of us to the Father – for His protection, provision and direction!
Together for Him,
Connie Lou
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