Heather in Neverland Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 I am so excited...and totally terrified. In 10 days I will be traveling to a tiny village in the highlands of Papua, Indonesia, called Bokondini. I have friends who live there and they have started a network of small village schools to educate the children of the Highlands. There are no educational options for these kids since there are no government schools for them. My friends started one small school and now their vision is spreading and they are starting more and more small schools. I am going there to conduct teacher training and curriculum development. It is such a remote place that you can only get there by plane. I have to fly in a tiny, six-seater plane from Jayapura to Bokondini. It scares me to death. I have never been in a plane that small, especially not flying over the Indonesian jungle. But you should always do what scares you, right? I have decided that if the plane crashes, I hope to die in the crash because if I have to survive in the Indonesian jungle I will last about 7 minutes, tops. But I will bring extra snacks just in case (I am not eating bugs!). :) If you are the praying sort, please pray that I arrive safely and that I am able to get a lot accomplished while I am there. If all goes well, I will probably go twice a year to work with their teachers. Here is a quick video about their school (The Wiselys are amazing people!): Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamolina Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 That is really cool Heather! Will be praying for your journey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besroma Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Amazing, Heather. I will be praying for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halftime Hope Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Heather, how wonderfully exciting! Who's flying you in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 What an exciting opportunity! And yes, definitely do what you can to avoid having to eat bugs. ;) Hope you have a safe and productive trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXBeth Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Will be praying! As long as you aren't prone to airsickness, the little planes can be really fun. Are you taking a 206 or a Kodiak? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted July 17, 2013 Author Share Posted July 17, 2013 Heather, how wonderfully exciting! Who's flying you in? Penang to Jakarta is on Makaysia Air Jakarta to Jayapura is on Batik Air (that made me laugh) Jayapura to Bokondini is with Yajasi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted July 17, 2013 Author Share Posted July 17, 2013 Will be praying! As long as you aren't prone to airsickness, the little planes can be really fun. Are you taking a 206 or a Kodiak? It will be either a Pilatus PC-6 or PC-12. Here is a pic of it: https://www.jaars.org/donate/5358 I've never had air sickness before but I've never been on a plane this small before! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Wow, Heather -- that is so cool!!! Don't worry about airsickness -- I'm sure you'll be just fine. Small planes can be really fun, and I think it will just add to your sense of adventure. I'll pray that everything goes perfectly for you. Have a wonderful trip!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Sounds like a wonderful opportunity - for you and for the people you will be training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeLovePassion Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Sounds amazing!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne in CA Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Amazing! How fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 The Pilatus planes are excellent aircraft, you can feel secure flying in some of the best ever built. Those big jungle spiders are pretty tasty, I hear. Can you get a rabies vaccination before you go? Indonesia is having a rabies epidemic, not in papua to my knowledge, but in the cities where there are large numbers of wild dogs. It may not be necessary if Jakarta is not having a problem, but worth checking into. Indonesia is gorgeous, you are going to have an amazing, wonderful trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaz Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 What a wonderful adventure and opportunity to help others! Praying for safe travels and successful training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 It sounds awesome, even if it is scary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandylubug Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Sounds like such a great adventure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyDays Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 What a wonderful adventure! I'm with you about survival, I might not even make it five minutes in the jungle! But I'm sure everything will go smoothly, and hope you have an amazing experience! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Sounds like an amazing adventure, and I'm sure it'll all go fine! Will pray for a safe and successful trip. I just watched the movie, The Year of Living Dangerously, last week, and that takes place in Indonesia. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halftime Hope Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Heather, my dad was an MAF pilot for 16 years, and I've been on more tiny flights than I can remember, even flying once from Honduras to far, far southern Venezuela in an extended trip when my parents were asked to fill in there. No kidding, my dad flew missionaries that worked in both the Miquiritare and Yanoamo tribal areas--way, way, way out into pristine, untouched jungle areas. I know these pilots are all extremely well-trained, and they don't go out solo until they've been thoroughly and extensively "checked out" on each strip they land on. Safety is a bit of an obsession for these guys; "hotshots" don't fit in well with this culture. If you're worried about air-sickness, do they still sell dramamine? The only thing I can remember besides the small bits of turbulence on occasion is the unique smell of av gas and hot vinyl upholstery from way back in the day, so if smells bother you, peppermint and ginger help. (I've had much worse turbulence at high altitudes with stomach-gripping drops in commercial airline flights. I hope you enjoy every minute of the experience and that you are absolutely amazed by the beauty and the awe-inspiring panorama spread out beneath you. It will be breath-taking. I know that what you will be a part of will be equally breath-taking. God bless as you bring your gifts to the table and help is this unique vision! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedmom4 Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Wow, wow, wow! That sounds scary and exciting! Sounds like an adventure of a lifetime! Elise in NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessReplanted Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 How awesome! I think I told you before that I know the Wiselys through the EduVenture program they had. I'm so excited for you, and for them. I know they will really appreciated the teaching and experience you have to offer. I also got to fly on some of the small MAF planes. It was a little scary, but the view is so amazing that it's really easy to overcome your fear. Have a fabulous trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllll Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 That sounds so exciting, Heather! And fun. Praying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 My husband (private pilot) is sooo jealous you get to ride in that plane! Regarding air sickness; I am really really really prone to motion sickness but never get air sick, even in a small airplane (just keep looking outside or straight ahead). Dramamine is great, you will sleep the whole trip; or Zofran is better if you can get it because it doesn't make you sleepy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 Heather, my dad was an MAF pilot for 16 years, and I've been on more tiny flights than I can remember, even flying once from Honduras to far, far southern Venezuela in an extended trip when my parents were asked to fill in there. No kidding, my dad flew missionaries that worked in both the Miquiritare and Yanoamo tribal areas--way, way, way out into pristine, untouched jungle areas. I know these pilots are all extremely well-trained, and they don't go out solo until they've been thoroughly and extensively "checked out" on each strip they land on. Safety is a bit of an obsession for these guys; "hotshots" don't fit in well with this culture. If you're worried about air-sickness, do they still sell dramamine? The only thing I can remember besides the small bits of turbulence on occasion is the unique smell of av gas and hot vinyl upholstery from way back in the day, so if smells bother you, peppermint and ginger help. (I've had much worse turbulence at high altitudes with stomach-gripping drops in commercial airline flights. I hope you enjoy every minute of the experience and that you are absolutely amazed by the beauty and the awe-inspiring panorama spread out beneath you. It will be breath-taking. I know that what you will be a part of will be equally breath-taking. God bless as you bring your gifts to the table and help is this unique vision! That so cool that you got to do this kind of thing all the time! I'm sure it will all be fine but it does make me a bit nervous. I think I've watched too many "Man vs. Wild" episodes. :) Thank you for all the great advice. I am so excited! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 How awesome! I think I told you before that I know the Wiselys through the EduVenture program they had. I'm so excited for you, and for them. I know they will really appreciated the teaching and experience you have to offer. I also got to fly on some of the small MAF planes. It was a little scary, but the view is so amazing that it's really easy to overcome your fear. Have a fabulous trip! That's right! I forgot. I am so excited to see them again. I am currently picking up little gifts for their kids whom I adore. They have such an amazing ministry in Papua and I am blessed to be a part of it (even if the MAF plane scares me a little). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilaclady Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 That is so cool. Have fun on your new adventure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Posted next to their wonderful youtube video is one titled, Dangerous airport in Bokondini. :lol: I've flown in small planes to far away places in Alaska. You will love it! Update just before you leave and we'll keep you in prayer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 praying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Wow! That's way better than staying at home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise in IN Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 What an awesome and unique opportunity! I will be praying for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halftime Hope Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Posted next to their wonderful youtube video is one titled, Dangerous airport in Bokondini. :lol: I've flown in small planes to far away places in Alaska. You will love it! Update just before you leave and we'll keep you in prayer. Starr, this isn't aimed at your post, I'm just griping....but the guy that posted the vid...I don't think he had a frame of reference. I'm sure it's a tricky spot, but honestly, that's a lot of room. It's a wide strip (room for error side to side if you get a cross wind), it's not on the side of a mountain (no hidden up- or downdrafts) and frankly, it's a big and well marked strip. The first pass (buzzing the strip) thing the guy mentioned in the comments, that SOP for village airstrips. Cattle graze there, kids play soccer on them, etc., etc. You have to buzz them first, if nothing else than to get the folks to come out and make sure everything is cleared off the strip. The pilot cannot commit to the landing without knowing it has been cleared. (Dad used to fly into places where he'd buzz and the people would come out and herd off the cows and take down the goalposts.... Too bad they didn't pick up the cowpies, too. ; ) ) Hope that gives Heather a bit of piece of mind if she's reading this. ETA: So I had a nice trip down memory lane with Dad on this. He said the altitude does make it more difficult, because the air is "thinner" so it is harder to develop power UNLESS you have a turboprop plane. The Pilatus plane in the picture is probably (without my going and doing more research) a turboprop (a jet engine, not a piston engine) because the engine cowling ("front nose" to us non-engineering types) is looooong, indicating it's probably more than a regular piston engine underneath the skin. The jet engine compresses the air and yada, yada--it went over my head at that point--so it completely changes the equation, making it possible to work in higher altitudes. There was more detail, but yeah, the pilots have this covered. For Heather's sake: not the world's worst strip. Then Dad said, laughing, "I'll put 'Montana de La Flor' up against any strip in the world." Ummmm....no thanks, Dad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halftime Hope Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 That so cool that you got to do this kind of thing all the time! I'm sure it will all be fine but it does make me a bit nervous. I think I've watched too many "Man vs. Wild" episodes. :) Thank you for all the great advice. I am so excited! Yep, he was a favorite around here with my guys, too. : ) . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 I've never had air sickness before but I've never been on a plane this small before! Flying in small planes is so different from flying airliners or even the smaller commuter planes. I don't get airsick in those but I do get sick in the really small ones, like a 4-seater Cessna. Just wanted you to be prepared in case you do get to feeling ill. I don't get carsick or trainsick but I do get seasick unless I'm where the wind can blow on my face. Being able to see outside is helpful. Maybe you'll get the front seat! Your adventure sounds exciting--helping to establish schools in remote places. I'm not too thrilled with the flying into the middle of nowhere but at least you don't have to walk a couple days to make it to a boat which takes a week to get to the nearest village where you walk a couple more days to your destination. Bringing snacks so you don't have to eat bugs. That's funny! :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly1730 Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Heather, what a wonderful opportunity to bring education as well as the love of Jesus to these people! Praying for you now:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in FL. Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Sounds like a great adventure! Here's hoping and praying that you don't wind up in the jungle biting the heads off live snakes or anything like that! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lailasmum Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Sounds very exciting. I've been in a fairly small plane with my eldest daughter. It felt like a van with wings. I think you really feel any turbulence because of the size but it was actually an uneventful flight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halftime Hope Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Well, Heather, there is one helpful You Tube video of Honduran kids in the area I mentioned upthread, digging sompopos (carpenter ants) out of the ground for a snack. Just in case you need a bit of instruction on the technique. :scared: :ack2: They had it down to a....ummm, procedure. Yes, that's a good word. (If it's any consolation, the guy filming is clearly hispanic, and he's shocked.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim in Appalachia Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 How exciting! What an adventure! I'll be praying, and looking forward to your updates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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