Unforgettable people- Brian Parker and Miss Fran

Brian Parker
Brian Parker is/was the Chief EMS helicopter pilot for West Palm Beach, FL....a vocation we've become much more aware and appreciative of since we became 1st Responders and ambulance drivers with the Wintergreen, VA Fire and Rescue Squad a year ago. He and his wife live in Jupiter, FL where he also owns and operates Agriculture Air Service, a four helicopter business serving the South Florida agricultural business community. Several years ago he felt called to create an organization to assist those in need using his expertise and Samaritan Air was formed. A 501(c)(3) corporation, Samaritan Air provides free emergency helicopter services (including patient and supply transfer) to remote areas and organizations. While Brian still balances his time between his other jobs, his 18 year old son Hunter, who’s been flying helicopters since he was 11, and Martin Schroeder, an intensely dedicated, hard working German citizen, carry on the bulk of the daily work in Haiti. Presently Samaritan Air has a single four-seater helicopter, but soon a larger model will be added to the fleet.

Miss Fran
It’s obviously not PC to put my wife at the end of the list, even one that’s kind of without order…chronological…significance…arbitrary? And, of course, as I do hope I indicated when I started, almost everyone I’ve met has been a blessing, an inspiration and deserves special attribution, so I apologize to those I haven’t yet acknowledged.

But Fran- being-Fran; skeptical at first…diligent, almost obsessive in her endeavors, steadfast in her daily devotions and uncomplaining in the heat, dirt and somewhat less than five star accommodations, thrives. On our 4th day she decided that the three storage rooms were inefficient and unmanageable. Falling back on our recent MFI experience, she recruited four of the older orphans and undertook to reorganize what would not be an understatement to call “xxxx censured xxxx”… even hotter conditions inside than out, she and her crew worked daily to straighten and then repack as Angela’s supplies, and those from others, rolled in.

One of the big problems even today in Haiti is finding what you need. There is no central clearing house and thus supplies languish unused. Over 6,000 NGOs (non governmental organizations) compete with the government to aid, assist the locals. Many don’t know what stocks they have and some aren’t particularly interested in helping other groups. Because of the nature of the disaster and the response to it, many needed items sit in boxes in warehouses, tents, containers and storage rooms – unpacked because those logistical people either aren’t here, or are doing something else. Some people are begging for supplies that others have but may not even be aware, and if they are, don’t know who needs it. Dr. Ken said one of the most useful people in his early response team to the tsunami in Indonesia was the person who organized the medicines and supplies.

Well, Fran took that task on to be her job and in so doing discovered a new weight loss plan that may rival Jenny Craig; warehouse restocking. We’re thinking that weekly trips to the storerooms of Haiti vs. the local “fat farms” may be a more effective diet strategy and a lucrative fund raiser. Maybe tax deductible too?

On our 15th day she awoke and said “we needed to talk” … there’s that phrase again! She shared that she had been led to pray like David (Pertl), a young missionary from AK who had been staying at NLCH, 1st with a group he to do some health clinics and preaching around Carrefour; later on his own (the Lord, he told us, told him to stay on longer). David did little without praying first, then listening.

Fran shared that today’s prayer had revealed concern for the operation and condition of the orphanage and the treatment of the children. Immediately after breakfast Miriam called us aside and asked us to consider staying permanently with the orphanage. She says that the current operation is unsatisfactory, and the fact that the head woman, Louisa, has just had a heart attack is not the reason. She said the entire operation needs a major reorganization…the children are being short changed…and after all, the whole purpose of the ministry is the children!

Had Miriam been outside our tent listening to our talk? Does God answer prayer this quickly? Don’t know, don’t care; Fran wept tears of conviction – when you’re convicted, you’re convicted –time to open a Haitian bank account. Shortly thereafter I made preparations to return to Vero to take care of immediate financial concerns to enable us to extend our stay through the end of March. Fran stayed, kept the storage areas straight and added yet another area to her realm, a container NLCH was given; Air Force personnel erected some shelves inside on one of their visits with us. She also helped organize and prepare for three large distributions of food we provided to families in our neighborhood involving over 450 bags of food.