Narrow Roads

The roads on the remote island near our base are narrow. Those of you who have been there and know what it feels like to pass an oncoming truck understand the sense of relief after both vehicles pass untouched. There is no shoulder and it is not uncommon to have a pile of sand or even road crews on the road without any warning--no signs or flagmen. The dogs are the worst--they just lay down in the road daring you to hit them. Pigs, chickens, goats, and dogs just run loose. If you hit one you will have to pay the owner an unrealistic amount of payment for the animal They calculate the value of the animal and the potential off spring that would have been born due to the loss of the animal. It can be costly to hit an animal.

On Christmas eve three of our staff were coming back to our base after transporting a terminally ill patient to Tobelo. They were coming around a corner near our base and a speeding vehicle came around the corner and the driver had to make a quick decision. He had a moment to decide to turn into the ditch and take his chances instead of a certain head on collision--he turned into the ditch. Our driver is very safe and thankfully he was going slow around that corner. All three of our staff were not injured in the crash but the one riding in the middle broke the windshield.

Peter Scarborough wrote, " Whilst the damage looks extensive the car doors still open and close OK and the wheels are seemingly in alignment. The front headlights are undamaged. We will need to purchase a new bonnet (hood), front quarter panels, grill, bumper assembly, windscreen and a new radiator. Praise God it can be fixed.

We can fix the little truck--we are very thankful our three awesome staff are fine other than some soreness.