Sunday, December 9, 2018

Transects, Turkeys, and Turning Wrenches


Baobab tree next to the Caravan at Lugenda


In the span of a few weeks, Dave flew about 80 hours doing an elephant survey.  This consisted of flying transects at low-level (about 300 ft above the ground) following the terrain over the wildlife reserve areas.  Dave had to maintain his altitude and stay on course for the survey (in order for it to meet scientific standards) while spotters counted and identified the wildlife seen.  It usually entailed a five hour flight in the morning followed by a two hour flight in the afternoon for six days straight and then a day of rest.  The purpose of the survey was to help Mozambique get an idea of the elephant population and the effects poaching have had on the population.  While it is a fun experience, the long days of flying can be intense, hot, and exhausting. 
 
A look at the transects from our tracking software
 Shortly after he got back, one of the families on our program left for their furlough leaving just two pilots to manage all of the flights.  November is always one of our busiest months so Dave was busy flying many different organizations all over the place.  One interesting flight was for some Norwegian missionaries who work primarily in southern Mozambique.  Dave flew a long day getting them from Chimoio, in the southern part of Mozambique, to Cuamba, in the north.  

Caravan taking off at Lugenda

Thanksgiving is not a holiday celebrated in Mozambique, but we had a group of 22 Americans (kids and adults) that got together to give thanks.  The group represented 4 different organizations serving Mozambique in very different ways.  We were able to eat most of our beloved traditional foods (even turkey), play games, and enjoy multiple types of pie… yum!

Jill's apple pie

 Our most recent medical flights to Niassa included an eye doctor.  Like the dentist on previous trips, this was most certainly the first eye doctor to visit these villages ever.  Various reading glasses were taken and it was a blessing to help give the gift of improved vision to patients.  It makes me realize how much I take for granted my ability to pop in my contact lenses for 20/20 vision without any thought. 

Getting an eye exam
First pair of glasses
Pulling a tooth
 Because of our busy flight schedule and being short-staffed, a couple from our headquarters was willing to come to Mozambique for several weeks to help with a major inspection on our Cessna 206.  Larry has spent most of his time in the hangar, while his wife, Linda, has continued to do her work for headquarters remotely.  What a huge blessing to have the help during such a busy time! 

Larry and Nelson working on the landing gear
One of the things we love about living in Mozambique is the sense of community and how everyone helps everyone out.  Northern Mozambique is a difficult place to get things as we are far from major cities where parts and services are more readily available.  Since aviation is quite a technical field requiring very specialized skills and parts, this can often pose a problem.  Two different small aircraft operated by conservation groups in the Niassa Reserve had mechanical issues that our MAF mechanics were able to assist with.  I was able to tag along on a flight in our Caravan on a trip where Dave, Dave, and Larry were putting their mechanic skills to good use.


Someone had to squish down the lid on the box!

 And of course, wildlife pictures... courtesy of my walk along the Lugenda River while the mechanics were busy doing their thing!  It has been so hot here lately (over 100 degrees) that it didn’t take long to get a sunburn on that walk!


Little Bee-Eater
White-Fronted Bee-Eater
Baboons
Bush buck
African Jacana
Monitor Lizard
Crocodile
Starling
Yellow-Billed Stork  

Hamerkop
Family of hamerkops living on our property











2 comments:

  1. Dear Jill and Dave,Hi there! Loved the Baobab pic with caravan and the transects map surveying the elephants and also the hamerkop family. You really give us a great update.
    Jill, I received a beautiful Christmas card from your parents and appreciated it very much. I have such wonderful memories from our visit with you this summer. Thanks again for hosting us. Last week I flew to Tucson AZ to see a Canadian pilot and wife who trained at Sheppard 6 years ago. He is now assigned to the Netherlands but was doing F16 training. It's amazing how distance and time separate Christian brothers and sisters but when we are reunited the fellowship is so sweet. I am pleased that you had community come together for celebrating Thanksgiving. Your apple pie looked amazing! I had a house full of kids and grandkids for Thanksgiving and also a family wedding that weekend. Well, hoping that your AC is up to keeping you cool at night as you are in the hot zone now. Blessings of Comfort and JOY, Kaye

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  2. Thank you for your blog update! Neat to see how God is using you as you are faithful there in Mozambique.

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