"This news broke by heart . . ."

Written by Brent Dodd, UIMA pilot and Director of Operations

I received a text from the single missionary that works in an area a 12-minute flight away in the Carbon Cub. A young girl was very sick and needed to be brought to the hospital. When I landed, strangely there was no one waiting at the airstrip. Still, no one arrived after twenty minutes. There are times when you can get a cell signal at the edge of the canyon. I decided to give that a try, but sadly there was no signal, so I could not communicate with the single lady missionary. As I made my way back to the airplane, I noticed there were two young Tarahumara girls in their brightly colored dresses. When I approached them, I asked them if the patient was here, and they pointed down into a little valley about 300 feet away and the mother with the baby were there. I called out to the mother and said let’s go. The mother made no attempt to make steps towards the airplane. I thought that was odd. I called out again and there was still no movement. I thought to myself, is she afraid. I wait another five minutes and still no movement. I prayed to the Lord and asked that He would cause her to not be afraid and that she would come to the airplane, so we could get the little girl flown to the hospital. It was not two minutes later, and the mother started walking my direction. I loaded up the mom, baby, and sister and flew the 12-minute flight back to home base. We disembarked from the Carbon Cub, and I drove them down to the hospital, where they received help immediately. We all prayed that this little life will be spared and that she will have the chance to hear what Jesus has done for her.

The baby's mother preparing for the flight

A few days later, I received a text that the little girl passed away. This news broke my heart. Please pray for the mom, sister, and family. The next day I flew them back to their village, along with the casket with the body of the little girl that passed away two days ago. The single lady missionary was there and prayed for the flight and for the mother and family before we took off. Another reminder of why we are doing what we are doing and the finality of death. May more Tarahumara have the chance to hear the Good News and accept what Jesus has done for them.

Flying the tiny casket back to their village

Even though this story has a heartbreaking ending, so many more stories would not have happy ending if it weren’t for the use of the plane. Having access to medical care through the availability of flights will save the lives of the remote people in Mexico. We need you to help make these flights possible! Will you consider giving towards an hour of flight time? You can make a difference!

By donating today to UIM Aviation’s Flight Fund, you will be giving someone a chance to receive lifesaving medical care.