DATELINE PANAMA:
MY FIRST TRIP UP THE COAST IN MY OWN BOAT
OR
THE TRIP OF A LIFE TIME
I am excited. I am taking my first trip in my own boat. I have prayed for this boat and the Lord has supplied. Christian, the man who sold me the boat, has put it in the water (since it is still in his garage at the nautical club) and we gas up, adding oil as needed. We are way behind schedule since I had to help Brother Vasquez get everything together and see him off at another dock. My situation was further complicated by a flat tire and a Texaco gas station that couldn't quite get it together. It took well over an hour to do a I5 minute job.
I have invited Samuel to go along on this trip. He is a member of my church and I wanted to help him get a greater vision for the coastal ministry. As we take out, we note the strong wind from the north and Christian assures me that the ocean win get better after a certain point. We load the boat as we gas up and in short order we are ready to go. We have a generator, two extra tanks of gas, food and medical supplies on board that are for the upcoming medical clinic.
We head out and the water is choppy due to the wind. We have to go slow even though we are inside the break waters of the Canal itself. Upon crossing the breakwaters, things become a little worse, but not all that much. We have to take it easy because of the sea conditions.
We are not making very good time. I am concerned about the gas consumption since Christian was guessing at a I2 gallons per hour rate. I calculate that we should arrive at Cocle del Norte in about three hours or less, under normal conditions.
At the three hour mark, I change the gas tanks since I am anticipating the one in use of being nearly dry. I am pleasantly surprised to find about I5 gallons left which gives me a better than expected gas consumption rate ... 7 gallons per hour ... which I consider pretty good for this size of a boat - 25 feet with a raised bow traveling against the wind.
We are going along just fine, although I have to cut back on the throttle a little, in order to keep the engine running without rising out of the water at certain points. After being out there for over three hours, I decided to move in some what in order to check the town we are passing to verify our location. We have just passed San Miguel de la Borda and that means we have about another hour to go before we arrive at Cocle del Norte where I need to leave most of my cargo.
We are returning to deeper waters when we are surprised by a giant wave ... more like a moving wall ... and it is on us before we know what is happening. There is an attempt to change the course of the boat, but the time is so limited. Before I know it, I am all wet. By the time I get oriented, I realize that the boat has capsized and I am trapped between the roof and the hull After a couple of gulps of salt water, I get my bearings and start swimming until I see some evidence of light and then go up.
As I surface, I do not see Samuel and I am concerned. I start swimming to the other side of the boat. As I swim around the bow, I hear him calling my name. As I focus on the direction of the boat, I see him at the rear of the boat. He is standing on the mount of the spare kicker motor that Christian loaned me. I am very relieved. We stay around the motor for awhile, but I decide to move up on the hull which protrudes out of the water about four or five feet. There is nothing to do except wait until we reach shore. Samuel decides to join me there.
It takes about an hour to drift the 1/2 of a mile or so. We are drifting diagonally toward shore and end up beaching with limited space to spare: Another I0 yards and the boat would have been destroyed. As we near the shore line, we have to jump off as the boat begins to settle on the beach, crushing the metal roof structure as the waves force the hull further and further up the beach. We just sit and watch as the destructive power of the waves continually attack.
At this point, I am totally discouraged. I am trying to do something for the Lord here, and I don't have time or money, especially money, to do this all over again. Things that have been trapped in the air pocket are starting to fall and wash ashore. We are scrambling to save what we can. One of the first things to wash ashore is my Bible. As it passes by my feet I hear the whispered words "lo, I with you always". Even though it is in a zip lock bag, it still gets somewhat wet. It is tossed up on the shore, but I would never see it again. I do not know what happened to it. The fact that I even saw it is a mystery. It was stored in with my clothing and that was stored in the vacant ice chest. I never did see the bag a clothes from which the Bible was able to free itself.
We are scrambling to pick up medical supplies, bags of chips and cereal and a few military ration meals that someone gave us. Finally, someone comes along and warns us we need to get the boat up or it will be buried by the sand. The man's name is Castro and he runs to get his brother-in-Iaw and they help us raise the boat some. But, it is too big, bulky and heavy for 4 men to deal with beyond raise it a little and getting some logs under it. Pedro manages to get the gas tanks out. I am surprised they are still there.
During this time frame, I slip and one of the poles hits me in the chest area. I find out that my ribs are very very sore. This probably happened when the boat capsized, but who knows at this point?
At dusk, we have decided we have done about all we can do and are ready to give up. There is nothing else we can do. At this point some people start showing up. It turns out, an entire soccer team shows up, returning home after a game. As I meditate on this a little later, I decide that this was something special in itself since there is no major corn unity within an hour and a half walking distance from the stranded boat. We get them to help us and we get the boat right side up. They don't stop there; they get it pushed up the beach on logs…out of the reach of the waves. As they work, I envision the Israelites building the pyramids using this method. During this time, there are spectators picking up the individual size chips and packs of crackers and eating them. What can I say?
Somewhere in this time frame, I decide to take off my life jacket. As I attempt to unsnap the buckles, I notice that the hole for the arm is now over my head. No wonder the thing has been uncomfortable! Evidently there was more force than I realized during the moment when we capsized.
Children are finding examination gloves and making balloons of them. This would become common place over the next few days.
Pedro and Castro volunteer to watch the boat and Pedro sends us to his house to get a good night of rest. The people don't have much, but want to share. We are grateful. On the way to the house, we stop at a creek about to empty into the ocean. It is pitch black out but we manage to take a bath (sort of) in an effort to get some sand and salt out of our clothing and off of our bodies. Every little bit helps.
Then it is on to the house. Peter's wife makes it a point to ask about my Bible she saw. It turns out that this family has received the Lord about two years ago. We sleep on the floor and they attempt to provide us with dry clothes. All efforts to find a pair of pants big enough for me are in vain. Pedro’s wife comments, "Well, that's one disadvantage of being fat" I am too tired to laugh and besides, laughing hurts at this point. We rest well despite the fact we are sleeping in an open air area and my mattress is a blanket. We have some of the military rations and go to sleep. The more I relax, the more I hurt. I feel pain if I have to take a deep breath or cough. This concerns me.
Sunday
When we wake up, we go back to the boat as soon as possible. Pedro is standing on the bow of the boat as we arrive. I am already aware that we have a lot to be thankful for, but I feel rather weird spending the Lord's Day on this isolated beach. This was not part of my program. I gave Pedro and Castro $20 each for their special effort. I realize they deserved a lot more but I am limited with my funds.
We begin to get things in order. First, we start cleaning up the boat and getting it organized. We are making every attempt to reestablish order as we go. There is an unbelievable amount of salt in the boat and I am sure it is due to the wave activity as the boat slowly rested on the beach. We wash off everything we managed to save.
I take breaks during the days and pace the beach. This is my way to get alone with God and talk about all that has happened. It seems as though we are having an arm wrestling match. I am trying to understand why this bad thing happened to me. The Lord gently said, "Jim, don't you think it is time you practiced what you preached". I lost the contest and remember my conclusion, "Lord, I know it's not your fault and I still love you".
One man, named Chilo, was going to San Miguel de la Borda and offers to see if we can get someone to tow us on to Cocle del Norte. I agree. Hours have past and he has not returned, which leads us to conclude that there is no one wining to do this.
Pedro decides to go to Diego, the next town up the coast in the opposite direction. Samuel goes with him. After Pedro leaves, Chilo returns with someone willing to tow the boat. We decide that it is too late in the day to attempt this rescue effort, so we make plans for in the morning. We change out strategy a little and decide that it would be best to take my engine off, and mount another engine (although it will be much smaller). The dugout will still tow, which should give us a little more speed. I give him the gas and oil as needed and he returns home.
Pedro comes back with the news that he finally found someone who would tow us to Cocle del Norte. All I would have to do is supply the gas and oil.
People have been bringing us some food and we have survived with our remaining military rations and these gestures of kindness. I volunteer to stay with the boat and clean out the bow area so that I can sleep in there during the night should bad weather come. Samuel decides to stay with me. As we sleep during the night, we can hear and feel the waves attacking the bow of the boat as the weather conditions continue to worsen. Castro comes in the middle of the night, worried about what is happening. He has to yell to wake us and advises that we should tie the boat more securely ... just in case the waves get worse.
We have been sleeping on our life vests, which offer some cushioning. Every little bit helps.
Monday
In the morning, we survey the situation on the beach. The waves have eroded the sand under the bow somewhat; to the extent that some of the logs have washed away with the force of the tidal changes. There is the possibility that we will have to move the boat further back if the situation continues. The weather is out of character for this time and there is still a north wind and continual cloudiness. There is still a favorable condition for getting the boat back in the water... but nobody shows up. We would find out later that the waves are of sufficient strength and timing as to prohibit the dugout from making the transition from the mouth of the river to the open sea.
During the waiting process, Chilo brings two adjustable wrenches to the boat and they take off the motor in anticipation of Claudito arriving with the second motor.
We wait in vain and realize that the sea conditions are deteriorating as the morning spends itself and the transition to afternoon materializes. By afternoon, we realize a rescue is not possible as the tide, waves and wind are creating even greater challenges to conquer.
Unknown to me, the man who can not navigate the mouth of the river sends a radio message to the town of Diego (where the soccer players live). He was advising the people to not waste their time with the hour plus walk to the beach site since it was impossible for him to make an exit.
Since all of the coastal towns use the same frequency, news of my situation was broadcast in Belen. Jorge and Anayansi were no doubt worried, since I never showed up Saturday afternoon. They were keeping alert for any messages from me that might arrive via the coastal radio system. They picked up the news and immediately made plans to rescue us ... although at the time I was completely unaware of the plan.
Chilo offers us his home for the next night and we take him up on it. We decide to let the Lord guard the boat and leave. Castro lives on the west side of the boat and Pedro lives on the east side, so they will be able to detect anyone wanting to carry away any of our stuff.
We receive some thick drink at Chilo’s house ... served hot. It was filling and sufficient to meet the need. We relax and finally go to bed which is a blanket on the floor. I am not complaining since it is the best the people can offer. We are grateful for the friendship they have demonstrated.
At dusk is when we found out about the situation at Belen. Chilo’s brother, Encarnación, works at the health center in the town of Diego and informed us that the message came that Jorge and Domiciano will be coming tomorrow to rescue us. I am disheartened about the news because I know the fellow Jorge wants to bring with him and he is not a good boat pilot. His track record is stained with accidents and brother Creech has observed that Domiciano is a risk because he does not fear the ocean.
Now I am starting to worry about what Phyllis has heard or not heard. I have this feeling that Anayansi has been calling Phyllis seeking information about why we were delayed. Phyllis would have no answers since she knew nothing at this point.
Tuesday
We go back to the beach and wait. People from the village are congregating there as well, since they want to be ready to help us get the boat in the water at the first possible moment. As we wait for the contracted dug out, the morning passes slowly as we begin to realize nothing is going to happen again today. We note that the waves are getting worse much faster today and we observed that the boat has been subjected to more danger because of the beach erosion again last night.
The men decide to move the boat back further, but I feel I need to go to San Miguel de la Borda in order to send a message by radio to Phyllis, so that she will not be worrying. The men accept the responsibility to move the boat and give us liberty to go. Castro volunteers to be our guide. He goes home to change his clothes first and then we are ready.
We take off together. Samuel volunteers to go and I think he wants to go just to make sure I am O.K. I have noticed several times his concern and special attention to assist me. Castro walks fast. We are having to concentrate in order to keep up.
Finally, we stop at someone's house and take a break. Samuel does the unpardonable sin of the rural area: He asks for a drink of water. This was not a good idea since we are a long way from a potable water source. I decline a drink, but I do ask Castro if we are about there. He gives me the bad news about not being half way yet. That discouraged me.
Soon we are on our way again. During the hike I step on a thorn. One of those 2 to 3 inch kind that are produced by the jungle climate. I pull it out and keep going. Finally, we top the last hill and we can see the town. Now it is down hill to the river. Once there, we look for a way to cross the river. No one is around to offer us a ride ... but there is a dugout there with no one around to ask permission to use. We use it anyway.
After crossing the river, the first thing we do is find a store that has sodas. There is a generator in this town that supplies limited amounts of electricity. We are able to buy sodas with ice in them. I get a second one but am surprised to note that I cannot finish it.
We go to the radio station and make our calls. Anayansi is by the radio in Belen and talks to me. She tells me what has happened and that Jorge's boat has also capsized. The news is more stressful when she tells me a couple of the people were burned in the process. (I took this to mean burned with fire but later learned it was burned with a skin irritation as a result of Domiciano opening a gas tank in order to fill it with air and use it as a life saver). The result was that they were in a gasoline slick until they were rescued ... some 45 minutes.
Phyllis was not home to take the phone patch, so I did not get to talk with her at the time. I am really frustrated since I took this mountain trail just to find out she was not in the office as she was supposed to be. I would also learn later that Dan Young was in the office, but since my message was directed to Phyllis, the message would not be relayed to anyone else. I leave three messages for Phyllis: 1) The boat capsized, medical supplies were lost, we are alright but call Jan Milton for re-supply; (2) Cancel my Saturday trip with Brother Creech (we were planning another trip to Cocle del Norte on Saturday, using my boat; and (3) Cancel my upcoming trip to Cuba.
Dan was given the messages to have Phyllis call the radio station at Paitilla when she returned. Meanwhile I returned to the boat, not knowing what would transpire with my message.
Before starting back, we ask about buying some clothes in town. There is no store that sells clothes but the Catholic Church does sell used clothes. We go check and end up buying a pair of pants and two shirts each. We spend a total of $4.00 and I am so thankful to have some dry clothes that I pay with a $5.00 bill and tell the ladies to keep the change!
We go back and look for Castro. He left earlier to return the dugout at the river. We find him at the little restaurant (in someone's house) and have lunch. After lunch we go to the general store and buy a few supplies. I buy a few things to give to the people we have stayed with, in order to offset the cost of feeding us.
Finally, we are ready to leave. We get back to the river and manage to get some help in crossing. Upon arriving at the other side, we are forced to wait as a small cattle drive has arrived and we are waiting so as to not get in the way. The man in charge informed me that the bull was mean. We see the horses cross the river as the cowboys take off the saddle, put it in a dugout, get in the dug out and make the horse swim next to the primitive boat as they cross the river.
We get the signal to go on and we leave. We are walking back as fast as when we carne. I am not used to this pace I do have some city-slicker tendencies. I am glad to reach the house that served as a rest area. I am comforted knowing that we are more than halfway. Returning, the trail seems to be longer than it was before. When we get to Pedro's house, we know we are getting close. I get some water because I know we have good tasting well water here and we rest a bit. Finally, we make the last leg of the trip. Our new to us dry clothes are now soaking wet.
Upon returning, we notice that the men have moved the boat back a little and they are wanting to move it even more. I decide that the Lord is going to have to care for this boat from here on out. We leave it and call it a day. We go back to Chilo's house and spend another night there. The kids are helping get everything ready to make cooking oil out of coconuts. 25 coconuts make between 1 and 2 gallons of oil after a lot of work. First they must chop off the hull with a machete, then they grate the coconut, then they soak it before they cook it. After that, they dip out the pure oil and eventually end up with a pot of mush to be thrown away.
Neither Samuel nor I want to eat anything. The walk has left us with no desire to do anything except rest. We return to our beds and attempt another night sleep. Samuel is getting up at night with some lower abdominal pains. Chilo fixed him some tea, thinking he may have a stomach problem. The pains come and go during the night.
Wednesday
Samuel is moving rather slow this morning. We are not sure what his problem is. Our first thoughts are the water he consumed yesterday at the farm in route to San Miguel de la Borda.
I have decided to go check out the boat. Hard telling what the waves might have done during the course of the night. I am on my way out when I see some people coming up the trail. One of them looks like a gringo very similar to brother Creech at a distance. As we draw near to one another, I realize it is brother Creech who has two other people with him: brother Martinez and a local person serving as a guide.
I am surprised beyond belief. I did not expect him to jeopardize his boat to come rescue me. As we talked, I under- stood that he did not risk his boat but rather carne in a borrowed 4 x 4 pick-up. I was very surprised that he attempted this since most of the road to San Miguel de la Borda is only passable by a 4 x 4 vehicle in the dry season (so they say). Brother Creech and the Lord just proved them wrong.
About the time we met up, it comes a down pour. We go to an abandoned house for shelter and talk for a while as we wait for the heaviest of the rain to pass. Brother Creech let me know how this unexpected meeting took place: Phyllis called him and by the time he got the message, it was entirely different than "cancel our plans for Saturday". It was relayed as a plea for help from Jim in San Miguel de la Borda ... the boat was lost but Jim and Samuel were safe.
Brother Creech expected to find us in San Miguel de la Borda. There they told him we had returned to the boat. When he got to the boat, someone informed him that we were staying some 30 minutes the other side of the shipwreck. He is only a few minutes from the village where we were staying when we met on the trail.
We decide to go get Samuel and hike back to San Miguel de la Borda and leave together. I am ready to go and I am sure Samuel is as well. Upon arriving at the house, Samuel is just as surprised as I was. He would later confess that as I returned excited, he was anticipating news that the boat had been extracted by rough waves or destroyed.
We get our things together and get ready to leave. Samuel is still having problems, but is determined to make the trip as well. In a few minutes we are on our way and we have promised to keep in touch about returning to have a Christian victory party in order to reward all of those who come to our assistance.
Chilo’s wife gives me one last piece of advice: Be careful with Samuel. His pain and the location of that pain seems to indicate a hernia or appendicitis. As we leave, we are mindful and grateful for these people. We also make plans to return on Saturday to get the boat. We will need some bodies to push the boat back to the shoreline so we can begin the tow.
We begin another walk to San Miguel de la Borda and I am dreading it before we start. I already know this is not going to be easy. We are going to take the same trail that we took the other day ... which is considered the low road. That term is very misleading and I would hate to take the mountain trail if this is the low road. Brother Creech carne in on the mountain trail and it took three hours.
We do pretty good except for the time we take the wrong split of the trail. We lost five minutes since it carne to an end rather quickly. Samuel decides to lead us and he does a good job. Samuel is having to stop and rest due to the pains he is having. We are getting more concerned about this.
Upon arriving at San Miguel de la Borda, someone helps us cross the river and we do the same thing we did the other day: Go buy a cold soda and then lunch. It has been raining most of the morning, so we are all soaking wet. We decide to take Samuel to the medical clinic. As we arrive, we find a sign on the door giving us the message that the attendant has left for vacation.
Since it has rained all day, brother Creech is concerned about the condition of the road and if it is going to be passable in the most challenging parts. This turns out to be a real challenging part of our ride home. We have to endure a lot of bouncing and both of us are suffering. I still have severe pain in the rib cage area and Samuel is having to take these bounces as shock treatments. At times, we groan at the same time.
Twice, during this stretch on the worse section, we had to travel on the beach and needed to remove driftwood from our planned escape route. It is evident that brother Creech is enjoying the challenge. Finally, we are victorious after the first phase of this challenge. At Rio Indio, we have to stop and clean the wind shield.
We find the medical center in this town but it is closed as well: the attendant has been summoned to Colon on official business (so they say). We have no alternative but to keep going as there is another medical clinic in Bellas Palmas. We finally arrive there and get Samuel medical attention. He gets to see a doctor and is given medicine for his stomach problems. He is told not to eat anything until tomorrow. While waiting outside I am talking to some of the people. Some are waiting around, others work for the Ministry of Health. Everyone knows about our accident and everyone is surprised that no one was drowned or eaten by a shark (a major preoccupation with these people).
As we are talking, the conversations change to the upcoming medical clinic and some of the people there are going to be participating in it. As we stand around, we are interrupted by a man getting off of the bus that has just stopped who is asking in a loud voice, "Is there a señor Jaime (Hi-me) here?” I am flabbergasted, since I would not expect anyone to know who I was or where I was. I said yes and he mentioned that he has some things for me sent by señora Felicia (Phyllis). He retreated into the bus and returned with two bags. I thanked him and like the Lone Ranger he vanished as he was forced to retreat into the bus as people began to board.
Phyllis would tell me later that the following message was relayed and I was the originator of the message: Send money, food and clothes. I did not send that message, but it was good advice. Dan and Cricket Young brought Phyllis to Colon where they met the local representative who was about to leave for San Miguel de la Borda. He is the one who found us and gave us the bags.
I take the bags into the waiting room and look through them. My first impression is that there is a bag for me and a bag for Samuel. That was not the case. There was no time to get a bag for Samuel, so Phyllis just put in sufficient for both of us. Samuel would have to meet the challenge of wearing some clothes several sizes too large.
Once Samuel has received treatment, we change our clothes and go. We have all of this food but I am not going to eat since Samuel can not eat. We all have something to drink.
The rest of the trip back to Colon is rather uneventful other than a few bumps now and then. Only the big pot holes
cause any pain at all. We get to the church at Gatun and I call Phyllis. I let her know we will be home in a couple of hours. I offer the Droddy and Creech kids $10 to wash the truck inside and out. I feel like it is a real bargain.
Although we plan to return Saturday to get my boat, I consider my first trip in my own boat to be over. I don't
want another one like it. I truly hope it is the trip of a life time.
The boat rescue operation
Friday
Brother Creech called me on Thursday afternoon and informed me that the weather conditions were going to get worse and the deterioration would begin Friday afternoon so they have accelerated the rescue attempt by one day. I plan to be there early on Friday morning.
Friday I leave home about 5:00am so that I can be at Brother Creech's church by daylight. It is common knowledge that the sea gets worse as the day drags on. The earlier the better is the general attitude.
I get there early enough and before long we have taken the rescue boat to the dock. We are in the water before 7:00 and we are moving along at a rather good speed. The ocean is not bad at all.
We arrive at Quebrada Grande about 8:30 and it has been determined that I will have to go ashore and find the men in the village to help us get our boat in the water. This is a reasonable plan since I have stayed there and know the way. The plan includes returning to the site where we capsized because a teenager came along who wanted to try his hand at diving for the submerged generator and outboard motor.
Brother Martinez brings the boat close to shore and I have to jump and swim ashore. I am somewhat concerned because he is not slowing down any. Finally, I get the signal to jump and have a poor jump. Before returning to the surface I feel something hit my sneaker and I remember asking myself, "did that turkey just run over you, Jim". When I surface I see my sneaker floating about 10 feet away. I go ashore trusting that the sneaker will be pushed ashore by the waves and tidal movements.
Once out of the water, I examine my foot and realize that the rear of my foot, almost ankle high, has been cut about three inches. I am not concerned at all for the sneaker now but am forced to take my water-logged t-shirt and use it as a bandage. By the time I am ashore and know my situation, I can not signal the boat. Everyone has their back to me, so no type of signal is possible.
I have no choice to go on the village...... about a mile distance. I go as careful as I can, especially over the logs
that have been placed to serve as bridges that span the different creeks along the way. By the time I get to the village
my bandage is stained with blood. I have to explain to everyone why I am wearing my shirt on my foot.
Since the people were not expecting us until tomorrow, most are gone to their fields. We will have to wait until after lunch to move the boat. That is a long way off. I return to the boat and advise everyone about the wait. We were not anticipating this delay. We wanted to be home by lunch time.
About lunch time a few people start showing up. By two or so we have a few men that are tired of waiting so we attempt to move the boat with a limited number of people. By this time my foot is swelling with infection. Getting in the sand to help these few men is not helping either but I can not stand by and watch others attempt to save my boat without at least helping.
Using logs as pry bars, we move the boat a few inches at a time. We have moved the boat several feet when the challenge increases. We are moving the boat uphill and we can't handle that disadvantage. Just when we have exhausted all ideas, we see another group arrive. There are about another dozen bodies to add additional muscle.
Our teenager decides to swim to the rescue boat with the tow rope. He does that and we are ready to start the final phase of the rescue effort. With two cycles of pushing on the count of ready, one two three …. the boat is back at the water's edge. One more effort and the boat is in the water. It is time for the rescue boat to do its job. The boat goes for a few feet and the motor stalls. We have lots of slack line in the water and we are wondering what we can do. I envision the boat being beached a second time and realize that is not a good idea. I get the idea to take the slack out by reaching down, grabbing the line in order to pull the slack into the boat. I am glad I didn't fall off the boat and into the water. In short order we have all of the slack taken in and we take advantage of situation to draw us out into deeper water.
Finally brother Martinez gets the rescue boat motor fired up again and he takes off. He is not looking back again and the retrieved rope is being pulled out of the boat rather quickly. We are trying to get his attention to advise him to slow down. We are on the verge of holding our breath when brother Martinez decides to check out the situation. He looks just in a nick of time to avoid any serious problems of seeing the rope go taunt at full speed.
Now we pull my boat out into deeper waters and tie it up along side the rescue boat. This was a good idea, but it is not working well in this case, because the waves are forcing us to knock against each other. We now opt for plan B and tow my crippled vessel at about 30 feet behind.
Right off, we note a problem: Since the motor is not on the boat, we have no way to guide the craft as far as some form of steering goes. We invent a keel by using the oar in a forced position between the hull of the boat and the platform for the kicker motor. This is some help, but not a perfect set up. It is a challenge all the way home.
We arrive at the mouth of the Chagres River at dusk and travel up river to the dock. Brother Creech gets his boat out of the water first. We are faced with the problem of getting my boat out of the water since the trailer is at the nautical club the other side of Colon City.
Brother Creech calls Christian and he is available to get the boat out of the water. He goes and gets the trailer and puts it into the water where we are. Brother Creech returns about the same time and we go about lining my boat up on the trailer. I decide I could get in the boat and position it with an oar. I jump on the platform of the bow of the boat and am looking for a way to accomplish my goal. My effort is hindered as my knee gives out and I fall about 40 inches flat on my back. I am stunned. I quickly decide to be a bystander. During this episode Christian informs me that Samuel has under gone emergency surgery …. to have his appendix removed!
In short order, we have the boat back at the church parking lot and I am ready for a break. We go to brother Creech's house and take a bath and have something to eat. Brother Creech calls the emergency room of a local private clinic and lets them know we are coming.
By the time we get to the clinic it is after ten o' clock at night. It has been about 14 hours since the accident and my foot is swollen and red. I see a doctor, have the wound cleaned, get two shots and receive instruction on what to do: Since it has been over eight hours, the wound can not be closed. It will have to heal from the inside out. My emergency room bill is 40 dollars and change. I pay with wet money and we leave.
I called Phyllis to let her know she will need to come get me in the morning and let her know what the situation is at this point. Brother Martinez shares his room with me and I go quickly to sleep. Another joumey has come to an end and I am very glad I don't salvage boats for a living.
I have had plenty of time to reflect on this experience. I remember the story of Jonah and how the Lord used a wind, a storm, a big fish, a hot son, a plant and a worm to teach Jonah a lesson. The Lord has used this to teach me some things as well.
I am grateful to be alive. Most capsizing events here result in drowning. The Devil sent a wave to discourage me; the Lord sent a host of people and a soccer team to lift me up again. The Devil had kept me blind to the fact of all of these people; the Lord opened my eyes to a new mission field. The Devil tried to convince me that we should give up; the Lord taught me that nothing depends on one man alone. The Devil wanted me to curse God because a motor boat took a hunk out of my foot; the Lord reminded me that I still have that foot and the use of the tendon as well.
1 must admit, I don't fully understand why I have been given this particular experience, but I know the promise of Romans 8:28 is for me as well as anyone else: "All things work for good ...". I have not yet finished counting the good.
The first week of October, we will be going back to Quebrada Grande and Diego in order to host a victory celebration. We will take food, sodas, Christian movies, preaching, tracts and Bible study courses. I trust we will also count some souls saved before this story line concludes. Pray with me for that.
Epilogue:
1. God used this course of events to save Samuel’s life. He was starting out with symptoms of an appendix abnormality
but did not realize what it was. If we had arrived at Belen, Samuel would have died there because there would have
been no way to transport him to a hospital. The weather conditions would not allow boats to get through the
breakwaters of the river mouth. Samuel arrived at home and found it necessary to visit another clinic as things were
not getting better. The next morning it was more of the same so his dad decided he should go to the hospital.
There a cousin, an x-ray technician saw him and advanced him to the head of the line. He went almost
immediately to surgery, and doctors say with only 20 minutes to spare before having to deal with a ruptured appendix.
2. We did make a trip back to Diego and Quebrada Grande. We were able to sow the seed at that time. We would have
to wait to see what it would produce.
3. Brother Martinez lead a brother to the Lord that now leads the ministry in Diego. There is a congregation there now of
between 30 and 40 people. I can think of easier ways to start a church!