PASTOR BUZZ SNYDER FLYING HOME AFTER EMERGENCY EVAC
All was fine, as Buzz and I prepared for the bean processing on Monday. Late that night as he slept, he felt a hot tearing type pain rip through his left calf all the way to his thigh. The pain persisted, so at 3a.m. he limped over to my house to ask help. It was obvious to me that his body had thrown a blood clot into his calf.
His entire calf was cold, pale, hard, and painful to touch. He was taken in my King Cab back to his house and put to bed. I prayed for the clot to dissolve, and then notified Eric that Buzz needed to be driven to Pemba immediately to see a doctor so evacuation procedures could be started. I packed his things, and within 20 minutes Eric was ready to go. Our 2 night guards picked up Buzz, putting him in the back seat of Eric’s King Cab pick-up so his leg cold remain elevated. One guard travelled with them as Buzz would have to have 2 men to lift him as walking on a leg with a clot is not advised.
Two doctors were consulted at a Pemba clinic. Global Rescue’s Evacuation Team wasted no time in attempting to organize a Medivac Jet to fetch him, but none were available in RSA or Mozambique until 1pm that afternoon (all were out on emergency calls). At 7pm, the Medivac Jet arrived in Pemba with an MD and assistant. The MD’s assessment also said “possible blood clot”. Buzz was “packaged” for transport and whisked off to the plane for a quick 2.5 hour flight to Sunny Hill Hospital in Johannesburg.
Now note that during his wait in Pemba, much prayer was given this whole situation.
The leg showed no change while Buzz was in Mozambique, but by Wed. noon, ALL SYMPTOMS had started to fade and the leg pain was gone.
By the time the Doctor took him for X-rays and an ultrasound NO CLOT COULD BE FOUND! The leg was totally normal by Thursday, and Buzz was released (much to the amazement of his Doctor, I’m sure). Friday, Global Rescue changed his flight ticket, and he will arrive in Atlanta early today (Saturday, May 25th).
We were all amazed that Buzz had this sudden medical emergency, because he had no previous medical problems nor takes any medications! All 3 doctors believe the clot was caused by his 17 hour flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg. This is proof that EVERYONE MUST EXERCISE while on long flights. Young and healthy doesn’t mean this can’t happen. Doing lower leg exercises and getting up every 2 hours is essential to keeping circulation going in one’s lower legs.
OUR THANKS TO THE LORD FOR BUZZ’S MIRACLE HEALING!
I’m sure it will be an amazing testimony that will stick with everyone who saw the sudden changes.
WE ALSO EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE WHO NETWORKED AND PRAYED SO THAT BUZZ’S EVACUATION WAS A SUCCESS.
GLOBAL RESCUE’S STAFF: Once again giving excellent care in this situation. They truly are the best rescue team in the world.
LINDA FERGUSON: O.U. “girl Friday” for making the zillion phone calls that coordinated everyone.
MARY LOU AND JOHN in Pemba who gave Buzz and Eric refuge for the entire day as they waited for the Medivac Jet, and also for the loan of their station wagon to get him to the airport lying flat.
PEMBA AIRPORT STAFF for keeping the airport open very late, so the Medivac Jet could land.
JUANITA AND HENK (Danielle’s parents in RSA) who gave Buzz refuge upon his release from the hospital, and got him to the airport on Friday for his flight to the USA.
Whole team in front of church
ON THURSDAY, TWO VISITORS CONTRACTED MALARIA
Breanne Brammer and Danielle Van Zyl both are now recovering from malaria. Was a bit rough on them the first 24 hours, as both suffered nausea and vomiting.
I PRAISE THE LORD for BLESSINGS INTERNATIONAL, Tulsa, OK for supplying us with the best malaria treatments available.
AND FOR Dr. R. Cantu of Eagle Lake, TX for equipping me with the needed anti-emetics (controls vomiting), so the girls could recuperate faster. Both were immediately started on Malaria treatment, and are up and about today.
These 2 young ladies will be resting this week, so Bean Processing will continue on Monday as substitutes have now been organized.
We have about 50 tons to still process. With the team being 3 people short, Emma and I will manage it with the help of our Moz. Pastors who’ve agreed to “step up” and learn new jobs so the work can continue.
MELISSA OLMSDAHL TO JOIN THE TEAM JUNE 1st.
Melissa, 25, from George, South Africa, is an experienced YOUTH DIRECTOR from the Christian Motorcycle Association Church located in George. We welcome her aboard and look forward to knowing her. I’ll fetch her in Pemba next Saturday, just in time for the filling the barn with corn (mealies).
More news to come, so stay tuned for the “rest of the story”. The team was invited to destroy a Witch Hut last Sunday. That story is coming soon. Jesus via our church members in Namara has Satan on the run!
Keep those prayers coming, as they DO make a difference!
Blessings,
Bush Bunny Brenda
Eric Dry
Linda Stanley
Breanne Brammer
Danielle Van Zyl
Emma Clifford
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