"Hollo-cotchter" (Helicopter)

As we've posted before, patients are sometimes transported to Nazarene Hospital, where we live, by helicopter. Usually when we hear a helicopter circling, we grab shoes, hats, and camera and run out the door to see it land. Today, however, we already knew the helicopter was coming, so when we heard it in the distance, we left the house and leisurely walked the 100 yards or so down to the field where they usually land, just outside Daddy's office. There was great excitement around the field as a handful of the hundred or so gathered to gawk knew there would be a special treat today. After the patient (another missionary) was helped out of the chopper and moved to guest housing, the pilots agreed to give a short ride to Uncle Mike and Josiah. Uncle Mike was prepared to take some aerial photos of the new hospital, and Jo just loves airplanes and helicopters. (What 13 year old boy wouldn't jump at the chance to ride in a chopper?)

There was a short delay in the plans when the pilots requested help with charging the battery - apparently the alternator belt was broken and they could not get the helicopter started again. While we were waiting, I asked if Aden wanted to get a little closer and see the helicopter or meet the pilots. "No," he quickly replied. At his request, to get away from the wind and noise, we had already moved several yards away from the scene. Not wanting any regrets later, I asked again if Aden just wanted to stand near it so that I could take his picture. It wasn't moving and wouldn't be moving until a battery was found. Again, he answered, "No." But this time I realized that Wiley had also been answering my questions all along, as I heard a little, "Yeah." Without hesitating, I picked up Wiley and Aden followed as we walked back to the field. Aden got excited about getting close, but still refused to sit in the helicopter. I was able to set Wiley inside next to Jo long enough to get a picture, and then got a picture of Lydia with Aden and Wiley standing close to the helicopter.


When they were ready to take off again, Uncle Bill spotted us from a distance and we remembered there was more to this spectacle than the boys' getting to see a helicopter. Five of us (Uncle Bill, Lydia, Aden, Wiley, and Mommy) quickly made our way to the new hospital. As we stepped into a small open area between a couple of the wards, we held up our hands and waved at the chopper - and at Uncle Mike's camera hanging out the open door - a moment that will be etched in the history of Nazarene Hospital for years to come.