Please Visit our Newest Blogg for Updates of our Return

Titusville, FL- Air Mobile Ministries (AMM) is gearing up for a return visit to Indonesia. The team will be leaving on April 4, 2005 and will return on April 21, 2005. The team will be traveling to the Aceh Province and the island of Nias to assist in the reconstruction process as well as in helping with first- responder relief to the victims of the Earthquake.

To visit our Indonesian: The Return Visit' site please click here . Also, check out AMM's main page at www.airmobile.org to see our current media.

Thank you and God Bless!

All the Team is Home and Recovering

Titusville, Florida-- The entire AMM team is back in the USA and getting to work building Vortex Voyagers TM and spreading the news of the work still to be done in Asia.

For many team members it was heartbreaking to leave because there is so much work to be done in Indonesia. However, there is much to be done on this side too. All of the information gathered on the trip needs to assembled and sent out so that all the needs of the tsunami victims can be met. There is still such a great need in the areas of rebuilding lives and infrastructure and with providing clean water, food and medical supplies.

AMM has made a commitment to get back as soon as possible to continue the restoration process. The webpage will continue to be updated with pictures and progress. Please continue to keep all of the aid workers and missionaries of this world up in prayer.

All the Units Have Been Delivered!

Jakarta, Indonesia--- The rest of the team is heading home!

We have made contact with the final organazations that we wanted to deliver the units to and in a couple of hours Joe and Cherie Hurston will be heading home! The team feels accomplished, but there is still a sense of sadness at leaving with so much still undone here in Indonesia. AMM can do more now at home than they can do here so to all of our supporters and prayer partners, thank you so much for making this trip a success! God Bless and we will see you soon!

Back in Jakarta

Jakarta, Indonesia-- The team has landed safely back in Jakarta.

The trip to Melauboh was more than anyone in the group had expected. It was amazing to see God work to clear the way for AMM. There are two ways to get into Melauboh right now. The first way is a 22 hour ride through rebel infested forest and mountains and the second is to airlifted in by some military group. With 7 people in the group, AMM was sure that we would have to take the overland trip. However, there were reservations made at two hotels in Medan for the team. This is the city that is serving as a staging area for all aid into Northern Sumatra. AMM was blessed to choose the right hotel and as soon as the team entered the lobby they saw military groups everywhere. The Vortex was demonstrated and immediately the Singapore Army was offering to fly in the entire group the next day. It was truly a miracle!

AMM was invited to a meeting to discuss collaboration between Christian organizations. Again, God paved the way and provided for another organization to rent a house for AMM to stay in while in Melauboh. The home had been hit by the earthquake and tsunami but was livable so AMM had a base for operations.

While in Melauboh, the team met with military from all over the world and demonstrated the Vortex Voyager TM. It was a tough assignment not only because the lack of basic necessities but also because there was death and destruction all around. There could be many details written here but suffice it to say that it was extremely difficult to see so much pain. There was also a good deal of hope though. Indonesia has not allowed any relief organizations into this region in over 40 years. Now, there are organizations setting up permanent bases everywhere in this impoverished and devastated part of the world.

AMM strategically deployed several units to relief workers. Please continue to pray for AMM to have wisdom as to the best possible placement of these life saving units. There are so many good places to deploy them but the team needs to find the best places.

Then,as easily as the team got in, they were airlifted out. This truly was an amazing feat due to the fact that there were so many people trying to leave the area. When AMM was airlifted into Northern Sumatra by the Singapore Army they were informed that there would be no return flights for nearly a week but God once again intervened and created a way. AMM has so much to be thankful for!

Upon landing in Medan again, another miracle greeted the team. A man pulled up to the team and asked if they would like a ride. Assuming it was a taxi they loaded in and sped off down the congested roads of the city of 2 million. Then they noticed the cross. It is highly unusual to display signs of Christianity so they inquired about the meaning of the symbol and realized that God had deployed one of His own to retrieve them from the airport. When the team tried to pay the man for his time and fuel he adamantly refused to accept it.

They made it back to the hotel and realized they were probably going to miss their flight to Jakarta which would require money to purchase additional airline tickets. They rushed to the airline and when they arrived they saw that the flight had been pushed back just enough to get them onboard! God has His hand all over this situation.

As the team landed back in Jakarta our minds drifted to Martha VanCise. She had gotten terribly ill on the flight over and had to remain in Jakarta for the entire trip. She greeted us at the hotel with a smile and some interesting stories of life in Jakarta and everyone was grateful that she had pulled through. Prayer does work!

The group woke up feeling rested and refreshed and were greeted by a doctor who works closely with the president of Indonesia. He asked if we could demonstrate the Vortex Voyager TM for him and immediately he was talking about purchasing 200 units for the relief teams. Then his friend said the Australian government would possibly consider buying these for relief work within Australia. It was so divinely ordained. If AMM had missed any flights it might have been different. But God had His own ideas of how this should work out.

So today half of the team is returning to the US and Joe and Cherie Hurston are remaining to see what else can be done to assist in this time of great need. There is so much work that can be done still. Please continue to keep the team in prayer in the areas of wisdom, safety, direction, and also that the remaining members minds would stayed focused. There are times where it is difficult to keep morale up simply because of the severe levels of pain and suffering all around. Everyone in Sumarta has been affected by the disaster.

Another update will be posted as soon as more information is gathered. God Bless

Stuck in Sumatra

We have been blessed to find another organization that will let us use their computer for a moment here. This part of the world has been so devastate that currently it is hard to get the basic items and computers are not on that list but their are some set up for relief organizations. Their are so many stories here of sadness, hope, and need. Mixed in with all our meetings we are finding time to get on the streets and pump water from deep within the devastated regions to give to people who so desperately need it. We have also met courageous groups from all over the world who are doing some of the hardest jobs right now on the planet. There is a group of young men here, ages 15 to 25, from all over Indonesia who came here voluntarily to find bodies and bury them in mass graves. There are refugees camps everywhere with whole families sleeping on a single mat. They have one outfit a piece and a pot for cooking. These are everywhere. The smell around the city is unbearable due to the bodies everywhere. But despite all of this there is so much hope! The human spirit is amazing. I must go now but I want to apologize to anyone who is looking to receive emails because it is not possible. I will as soon as possible. God Bless and please keep praying!

Here at the Epicenter

We do not have much time to write due to limited resources but we wanted you to know that we are ok. It is very difficult to be here but there is also hope . Thank you for your prayers. We will write again as soon as we can.

The team is in Melauboh

The team made the flight into Melauboh today onboard a giant transport helicopter. This is a very exciting time. Getting into this area is extremely difficult, and so we do not take it lightly to be able to go into this devastated region. The population of Melauboh is 40,000 and 32,000 have perished or are missing. This stage of the mission is really going into to the heart of the tragedy. We do not take anything for granted as we venture into this next plateau of our trip. Keep us in your prayers.

God is Good in All Things!

Medan, Sumarta -- The team has experienced many victories today!

The day began with joint meetings with several countries and large organizations that are assisting in the relief. Even ending up in that meeting was an amazing feat in itself. A woman of God reserved the last rooms for Air Mobile in a hotel that is a hub of international workers. It is the location of United States as well as Singapore Military operations. Everyday, all participating military and aid workers get together and discuss the best way to help as many people as possible. The team was overjoyed and blessed to have an opportunity to participate. What is more is that the other organizations were overjoyed to speak with Air Mobile! It is known that the Vortex Voyager TM is a great tool for saving lives but it was wonderful to have that recognized by such powerful groups who were amazed the capabilities as well as the portability of the machine. The team could not keep up with the amount of people asking questions about the Vortex Voyager TM.

After the meetings wrapped up, AMM went to met with Dr. Jeff Hammond. God created and opportunity for the team to met this man of God on the airplane. He is possibly one of the best connections to get the group into the region where they can do the most good. He is an Australian who has lived in Indonesia for over 30 years and runs one of the biggest churches in Jakarta named Bless Indonesia Today. He is also very talented at paving the way for other missionaries to work in remote regions of the islands. With his valuable assistance, AMM got a ride into a part of Sumatra that no one else can get into. The Singapore Military is going to fly the group in by means of the Chinook, a very large transport helicopter. People all over the Asia are trying to get to this area and God provided a way.

Dr. Hammond also brought AMM to a refugee camp for Chinese Indonesians. There are 7000 people receiving food and supplies from the camp and another 200 displaced persons living there. It seemed to be fairly organized considering the huge levels of confusion and unanswered questions that fill the lives of the refugees. The billboards everywhere with pictures of missing loved ones coupled with pictures of the giant tsunami waves brought tears to the hearts of everyone in the team. One woman was crying hysterically as she told John Torres about holding onto her child during the waves. He was ripped from her arms by the powerful water and the last time she saw him he was crying for her to help him. The team stopped and once again prayed to God to please use them in anyway possible to help.

At the end of the day, three more Vortex Voyagers TM were dispatched. One went to a Christian organization affiliated with Dr. Hammond that is going into Banda Ache to dig wells. They need clean water for themselves to drink as they dig wells to provide clean water for the masses.

The other two Vortex Voyagers TM went to Hope for Indonesia. They are an extensive missions group that works doing health care, water and sanitation projects, supervising of teachers and students, TB and HIV clinics and drug treatment facilities for Indonesia. They also are heavily involved in several other countries. They are invested in raising the standard of living in Indonesia and AMM is blessed to be able to partner with such an amazing group.

Cherie's thoughts: Today has been an incredible day. At times it has seemed overwhelming but also thoroughly satisfying. I believe that the purifiers are going exactly where God planned. Currently I feel overcome by both the sadness of the destruction and death as well as by the blessings of God all around us. He has been the best person on our team by far! Please continue to pray for our wisdom and safety. The area we are headed to tomorrow has been off limits to foreigners of any kind for years due to the violence between the rebels and the military. We needed to have the military escort us in to ensure our passage into the region. We are confident in God and treasure your prayer. Several members of the group have gotten sick and they also need your prayer. We will update again as soon as we can. God Bless

PLEASE EXCUSE ANY TYPOS OR ERRORS AS I AM EXTREMELY TIRED. I WILL RECHECK THIS WRITING SOON AND MAKE SOME EDITS UNDOUBTEDLY.

Medan, Sumatra -- The team left Jakarta Tuesday afternoon for the island of Sumatra, where most of the tsunami death and destruction took place.
Contacts were made with military officials from the United States and Singapore to see about getting some water purifiers airlifted to Banda Aceh and Northern Sumatra. Team members spoke to American soldiers, who praised the work of the Singapore Army. The Singapore have eased the way for America to enter radical Muslim neighborhoods, according to Captain Polemical of the U.S. Marines.
Joe Hurston, President of Air Mobile Ministries, has set up a Wednesday morning presentation for various military officials and relief workers, trying to spread the word about the Vortex Voyager TM Water Purifiers. The hotel where the group is staying is teeming with representatives from various countries, such as Japan, Turkey, Singapore, U.S., Canada, Italy, France, Australia, Korea among others.
There is a real feeling of camaraderie and determination among the different countries.

John Torres' thoughts -- I met a man today who lost his 18-year-old daughter to the tsunami. He was flying to Banda Aceh to continue looking for her. He cried when he told me her story. When he asked me where I was from he could not stop thanking me. Everyone I meet thanks the United States and the rest of the world for not forgetting them during their hour of need.
I was leery about coming to Indonesia, but after a few days I realize that it is a beautiful country filled with friendly people who are eager to move past this tragedy and continue their lives.
It was also an amazing feeling for me to ride in hotel elevators and to talk with soldiers from so many different countries all working for the common good. The traveling has taken its toll and the team members are tired. Tomorrow we hope to visit a hospital and refugee camp.

A first look at Jakarta

Jakarta, Indonesia-- Air Mobile has arrived in Indonesia. The team has already had several meetings with relief organizations. Currently six Vortex Voyagers TM have been delivered.

The recipients are International Board of Indonesia, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Missionary organization, which is one of the world's largest faith based relief organizations. They are heading tomorrow into the the worst hit regions of Asia with two mobile medical units.

The second recipient is Project Concern, based in Southern California. They have been creating an extensive infrastructure in Indonesia for over 30 years. Usually their work is not disaster-related, but they divert resources when an area near their bases experiences disaster. Currently they are preparing their mobile medical units to assist the tsunami victims in Indonesia as well as in India.

The Air Mobile team also met with a group of United Methodist missionaries and arranged plane tickets to Sumatra Tuesday. This part of Indonesia suffered terrible losses. Reports indicate that the 30 foot waves created havoc as far inland as 15 miles. The town had 40,000 residents and 80 to 90% of the population is reported as missing or dead. The team would like to get the Vortex Voyager TM into the most appropriate and neediest hands there. The medical teams that AMM delivered Vortex Voyagers TM to today are headed to that region.

The Indonesian government has never allowed this kind of help before in its history. This is actually the first time that foreign military has been allowed on Indonesian soil, since independence. The United States military, along with the Australians, have been some of the first responders and are making every effort to be incredibly sensitive to the Indonesian government as they assist in the relief. Therefore, due to these complications, the team is not sure they will be allowed to enter the worst hit areas as they have been turned into military zones.

Jakarta itself doesn't look too bad. You can see where there is some damage but it is not nearly as bad as some of the other regions of Asia. Most of the citizens the team has spoken to did not even feel the earthquake and learned of the tragedy on the news. Tomorrow the team heads toward Medan, one of the regions that has suffered the greatest losses. Please keep the team, as well as the Vortexes deployed, in prayer. The organizations this evening said there has never been a natural disaster of this magnitude in recorded history and that there has also never been such a relief effort launched. We are proud to be a part of the solution.

John Torres' : I was shocked at Jakarta. I was expecting a third-world hovel, but instead it is not unlike many other big cities in the world. I am anxious to go out and report as well as witness relief efforts. I have made contact with a hospital admisitrator where many of the injured have been taken to. In the morning, after yet another airplane flight, we will finally be at the heart of the disaster. The team is satisfied with the trip so far but I think many of us are want to see the water purifiers in action, helping the needy. Keep us in your prayers.

Landed in Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong- China -- The team is currently in China. The flight went through the North Pole and over Siberia into Hong Kong. Tomorrow the team heads into Jakarta and will have their first look at the damage from the tsunami.

Cherie's thoughts: The custom clearing in America was quite the experience! The good people in the department of security (TSA) thoroughly went through every Vortex Voyager TM box. The team spent several hours there, but we were so thankful for the levels of protection that the United States provides for its travelers. Continental Airlines, and particularly Mike Smith did an excellent job of getting us on our way and treating us like we were "First Class" passengers!

The ride over the North Pole was amazingly beautiful. Even though it was daytime, the sky never really lit up. The stars from that height were breathtaking. As the plane began traveled over Siberia the mountains covered with snow were clearly visible from 34,000 feet. The temperature outside the airplane was -86 degrees Fahrenheit.

As the group neared the end of the 16 hour plane ride, we were so grateful to feel the solid ground beneath our feet. We took a crazy and twisting taxi ride over a mountain in Hong Kong to our hotel next to the Yellow Sea.

Our thoughts shift from from the anticipation and preparation portion of the trip, which is all but consumed us the last week, to the reality of the pain and somberness we are soon to encounter. We have known the whole time what we are going to see but nothing can truly prepare us for tomorrow. We will be getting a good night's sleep and heading out first thing for Jakarta, Indonesia.

John Torres' thoughts: Halfway through the flight to Hong Kong, I began thinking of the task at hand and felt a bit overwhelmed. This morning I woke in my comfortable Brevard County bed and tomorrow the team and I will be entering into the heart of darkness. We can only hope the Vortex Voyagers TM will reach our intended destination and deliver clean water to those who have lost everything. These people have absolutely nothing. Twenty water units will save thousands of lives. Anyway, that's the hope. The team seems confident and loose but I am worried that perhaps we are not really prepared for the death, desolation and destruction we are walking into. I hope everyone who knows us is praying.

Indonesian Mission Updates

Titusville, Florida ~ The mission team will post updates as often as they are able to get access to the worldwide web. The team carries a satellite phone and a laptop computer. They will be in contact with home base throughout the entire trip. The accompaning news reporters will also provide trip updates through their respective news outlets.

Mission Prayer

All-powerful and merciful God,you led the children of Israel on dry land,parting the waters of the sea; you guided the Magi to your Son by a star. Help these our brothers and sisters and give them a safe journey. Under your protection let them reach their destination and come at last to the eternal haven of salvation.

Hear, O Lord, the prayers of Thy servants. Bless this mission to Indonesia and all those who have chosen to make this trip. Thou Who art everywhere present, shower everywhere upon them the effects of Thy mercy; so that, insured by Thy protection against all dangers, they may return to offer Thee their thanksgiving.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Final Preparation

Titusville, Florida - Today is the final preparation day prior to leaving for Jakarta, Indonesia to deliver 20 Vortex Voyager TM Water Purifiers. Joe Hurston, the CEO of Air Mobile Ministries, always refers to this as the “funnel time” because there are so many last minute variables to get squared away. The team is confident as to the purpose of the mission but there are still many factors to be considered.

Distribution will begin in Jakarta but there will be several locations involved. The team is looking to go to the small island of Nias, Indonesia. According to the news reports, this small island has been almost completely looked over in the relief efforts. There has been contact with the survivors of the island and Air Mobile is looking forward to being able to assist them in the stabilization process.

Air Mobile is also working with several large relief organizations that have portable medical units. The Vortex Voyager TM will be a life saving tool for these teams. Many countries are putting large water purifiers in place to help the masses get clean water, but it is difficult to carry large quantities of water long distances due to the fact that it is so heavy. The twenty pound Vortex Voyager TM can be carried into the remote regions to bring in surgically pure water. The medical teams can immediately begin to provide aid to the tsunami victims.

The team will leave Orlando at 11am Saturday and will be arriving in Jakarta at 9 AM on the 10th of January. This page will be updated as soon as possible.

WESH Channel 2 News Report

Orlando, Florida - WESH Channel 2 News will be airing a report on the Air Mobile Ministries Indonesia 2005 Relief Mission on January 5, 2005 during the 5:30 PM newscast.

Vortex Voyager Production Start

Titusville, Florida - Cartridge Source of America has started the assembly and test of the 20 Vortex Voyagers TM that Air Mobile Ministries will distribute to Indonesian locations. WESH Channel 2 news reporter, Dan Billow, from Orlando, Florida is filming the Vortex Voyager TM water purification and filtration system assembly process today and is planning to do a news story.

For information on the Vortex Voyager TM, please contact the following.

Joe Hurston, President/CEO
Cartridge Source of America
1427 Chaffee Drive, Suite 5
Titusville, FL 32780
Office - 321-267-7726
Fax - 321-267-7353
email: joehurston@cartridgesourceofamerica.com

January 4, 2005 Press Release

Air Mobile Ministries
1427 Chaffee Drive, Suite 5 – Titusville, Florida 32780
http://www.airmobile.org/
Office: 321-794-5121
Fax: 321-267-7353
info@airmobile.org



PRESS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robert J. Wiebel
Office: 321-794-5121
Cell: 321-544-5183


AIR MOBILE MINISTRIES RAISES DONATIONS TO DELIVER VORTEX VOYAGER TM SYSTEMS TO TSUNAMI DEVASTATED REGIONS IN INDONESIA

January 4, 2004, Titusville, Florida - Air Mobile Ministries (AMM), an emergency first responder, has teamed with Cartridge Source of America and Vortex Water Technologies to deliver the Vortex Voyager TM to worldwide emergencies.

Air Mobile Ministries will be delivering 20 life-saving Vortex Voyager TM Water Purifiers and filtration systems to Jakarta, Indonesia. From there, the units will be distributed to areas where fresh and sterile water is needed. The Vortex Voyager TM can produce 30 gallons of hospital grade clean water per hour and operates on 110 and 240V ~ 1.6A MAX. 50-60 Hz. 100 – 200VA input power. Each Vortex Voyager TM costs $2000.00. A small team of dedicated “Humanitarian Angels” will travel to distribute and train local medical and humanitarian relief personnel on how to operate the Vortex Voyager TM. The team plans to leave Titusville, Florida on Saturday, January 8, 2005. The team member list is as follows.

1) Joe Hurston - Director Air Mobile

2) Cindy Hurston - RN

3) Cherie Hurston - Mission Specialist

4) John Torres - Freelance Journalist

5) John Goheen - HD Net World News

6) Doug Rodante - Film / Documentary

7) Chris Stamper - Vortex International

8) Martha VanCise - Author / Writer

Flight Itinerary:
Depart Orlando, Florida International airport on 1-8-05 arriving in Jakarta, Indonesia on 1-10-05. The team will visit other Indonesian locations after arrival in Jakarta. Depart Jakarta, Indonesia on 1-117-05 returning to Orlando on 1-20-05.

You can support the Tsunami Humanitarian Relief Effort by sending donations to:

Air Mobile Ministries
1427 Chaffee Drive, Suite 5
Titusville, Florida 32780.