Air Mobile on the Move Again

Home from Pakistan! Happy New Year!

2005-12-31T20:11:00.000-08:00

December 31, 2005 - 8:11pm (EDT)- Saturday - Cocoa, Florida - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

As I count down the hours to midnight, looking back on 2005 brings so many thoughts of exotic and strange places, disasters and victories, some quite small, others, significant. Tsunami's, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes.... It's been quite a year!

It's great to be home. After the long flight back, this mission to Pakistan is completed, but the challenge goes on to bring clean water and the Love of God to those who are in need. Our Lord opened so many doors on this last journey to Pakistan. We stand by for the opportunity to return to the earthquake zone with more aid for the suffering. Thank you for standing with us and always, for your love and prayer. I'll update this report as developments in Pakistan occur.

Air Mobile is currently preparing for our next trip to Haiti to bring in more Vortex Voyagers TM. We will not publish our travel itenerary as kidnappings are a huge problem there.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We pray our Lord's richest blessings upon each of you. God Bless You and thanks again for reading our report. Never hesitate to contact us if we can be of service or answer any questions you might have.

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile Ministries

Please continue reading the reports below for the in-depth picture of our latest mission to Pakistan. Please believe with us for at least 1000 Vortex Voyagers TM to be deployed into Pakistan immediately. The report below gives an EYEWITNESS account of the disaster area. PLEASE READ ON! God Bless You!

Joe

Eyewitness view of the Pakistan earthquake disaster - ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE OCCURS!

2005-12-28T02:06:00.000-08:00

December 28, 2005 - 2:06am (Pakistan Time) Wednesday - Lahore, Pakistan - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

Before daybreak, on Christmas morning, the driver, in a new Toyota Land Cruiser provided by the Interior Minister of Pakistan came to get Dr. Shaikh and I. We headed straight for Mansehra, the town that we deployed Vortex Voyagers TM in on our last mission. Traffic was light and we arrived in just under three hours. We found the Communications officer, Taimur hard at work. He had already assisted in loading three trucks of relief supplies that morning. We received a good report on the 4 Vortex Voyagers TM that we had deployed in that zone. Taimur agreed to accompany us today.

We searched the map for the Machiari Valley where the widow named Mariyam lived. No one had heard of the valley, or the little hamlet of Duliard. Regretfully, we were unable to go check on the village (refer to the December 24, 2005 report for Maryiam's story).

We decided to go to the city of Balakot. The population of Balakot before the earthquake was 300,000. The entire region was flattened by the October 8, 2005 earthquake. We can testify to that! Long before entering the Balakot Valley, we saw tent cities EVERYWHERE! We stopped and visited a few along the way. We found relative order and evidence of adequate supplies and water in the tent cities along the main-route. PLEASE NOTE, there are thousands of small, unaccounted for tent-cities far off the beaten path!

Dr. Shaikh carefully looked for evidence of disease and physical problems in these tent-cities along the main road and was pleased to announce that things acutally looked pretty good. I felt particularly fortunate to be traveling with the former Minister of Health (Surgeon General) for Pakistan. In one tent-city, an old gentleman fell and Dr. Shaikh cleaned and cared for his wound.

While visiting another tent city and video taping the drilling of a water well, we felt the earth moving under out feet. It was a 5.2 earthquake centered very close to where we were standing. A vivid reminder that the quakes are not finished.

As we approached Balakot, we were absolutely astounded by the sheer force of the 7.6 earthquake. We saw gigantic sections of the snow peaked mountains ripped open and spilling out huge rock slides. I can only imagine what that morning must have been like. Every single structure that we passed had damage and most were completely flattened.

People were busy, small markets were set up, supply lines were steady. Nearly everywhere we stopped, children ran up to us, so often with huge smiles and exuberance. Those moments, in the presence of the children, softened the stark blow of reality of the broken lives and shattered dreams all around us.

Our trek stopped at what was a very prominent hotel that absolutely came down to where the large concrete roof lay on the pile of rubble. No one survived inside that hotel. We stood and scanned what was the panaramic view of the hotel with sober and sad thoughts of so much suffering. We prayed and asked the Lord to show mercy and grace to the survivors! We also asked Him anew to use us to help here!!

The sun was beginning to set and the temperature was dropping. We began our long journey back to Islamabad. We did not talk a lot on the way back. It was a Christmas day I will never forget.

After the completion of the mission to Balakot, we had follow-up meetings in both Islamabad and Lahore. Everyone we spoke with expressed the same desperate need for clean water throughout Pakistan, particularly in the earthquake regions. Likewise, everyone agreed that the Vortex Voyager TM would truly meet those needs. The major obstacle is funding. We pray for our Lord to help us with this! Please pray with us to have the wisdom and direction.

My last meeting in Pakistan was an interview by the "Nation", a national newspaper of Pakistan. The Reporter did an excellent of job of hearing all about our mission and asked some very good questions. I was able to explain what we saw and express the deep need for 1000 Vortex Voyagers TM IMMEDIATELY! Simply put, those 1000 Vortex Voyagers TM would provide very pure drinking water to 500,000 Pakistani earthquake victims PER DAY in 1000 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS! I pray that the appropriate authorities and donors will "capture this vision" as many lives will be saved as a result of this!

I will be boarding a plane for the long grueling flight home in a few hours. Will write a follow up report once back in the states. God Bless and THANK YOU for you prayer, love and support!

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile

PS - Please continue reading the reports below to see how this journey has been unfolding. The next report gives a story of "Divine Delays". Please read on! God Bless You and thanks for taking to time to read this report. Joe

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM PAKISTAN! Air Mobile heading back to Ground Zero 24 hours later than planned due to "DIVINE DELAYS"!

2005-12-25T00:55:00.000-08:00

December 25, 2005 - 12:55am (Pakistan Time) - Islamabad, Pakistan - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

"Divine Delays"...How often have you struck out on a mission and been delayed? It's happened to all of us. How many times are those delays arranged so that something better can happen? More often than we know. This is exactly what happened to us today. Our plan was to go to the Ground Zero's of the earthquake. Here's what happened.

Our departure was delayed due to the difficulty of securing a proper vehicle for the mountains. As we sipped coffee and awaited calls for the vehicle, I recalled a dear friend, a poet and very gracious gentleman by the name of Irshad Ullah Kahn. I gave him a quick call to greet him. He and Dr. Shaikh spoke and soon we were on our way to his house. It was so good seeing Irshad and Dr. Shaikh speak of mutual friends and family.

After departure, Dr. Shaikh suggested we swing by the Minister of the Interior's home as it was very close to Irshad's home. The Minister was so glad to see Dr. Shaikh! He listened very carefully to our Vortex Voyager TM project to bring clean water to the disaster areas and offered to review our project. Then he offered to provide us with a proper vehicle and driver for our Mountain trek. I marvel at how our Lord has brought Dr. Shaikh to us for this life-saving project.

Next it was off to lunch. While entering the hotel/restaraunt, the Minister of Privatization, another Cabinet member sees Dr. Shaikh and greets him warmly. We were able to clearly explain our project to the Minister who offered encouragement and promised to review our project as well.

Now, it was too late to depart for the mountains. Dr. Shaikh and I marveled at what had just been accomplished. In a few short hours, we met two Leading Pakistani Cabinet Members and fully explained our Clean Water project to them. Normally, this would take weeks or even months of careful planning and coordination. This is nothing short of a miracle! Our Lord is getting this life-saving project before the proper people in His way and His time!

Over dinner, we met with one of the top broadcasters on Pakistan Television (another good friend of Dr. Shaikh's). After hearing about the Vortex Voyager TM Project, he pledged to do a special on Nationwide TV on our project. After returning from dinner, I had to write this report. As midnight came, the thought of spending Christmas in Pakistan hit me again. Apart from being home with my family, I wouldn't want to be anywhere on earth than right here on this mission.

In a few hours, the Minister of the Interior's driver will arrive and we'll be off to one of the most desperate places on this earth. Please pray that our Lord continues to lead and guide us.

Merry Christmas!!

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile

PS - Please continue to read the reports below to see how this incredible journey is unfolding!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM PAKISTAN! Air Mobile heading back to Ground Zero - Pakistan earthquake zone!

2005-12-24T04:56:00.000-08:00

December 24, 2005 - 4:56am (Pakistan Time) - Islamabad, Pakistan - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

Actually, Merry Christmas Eve from Pakistan! Yes, I do miss being home with my family this Christmas. I thank our Lord for my family that loves me and understands the mission that I am on here in Pakistan. Other than being home with my family, the only other place that I would rather be on this entire earth is right here in Pakistan helping the victims of this terrible earthquake!

We're heading into ground zero(s) of the Pakistan earthquake a bit later this morning. Dr. Shaikh and I were at it again yesterday, knocking, asking and seeking help for the earthquake victims. The meeting with USAID went well, but we are in a long and complicated process to secure funding for the Vortex Voyagers TM. Time is not on the side of the victims of the quake. Though we have been diligently seeking funding since the earthquake hit, we have yet to hit that solid funding stream. We still search and ask! I would be lying to say that it doesn't get frustrating. We so want to bring help and it is so slow in coming. Meanwhile, people are dying! We keep marching on!!

All day yesterday, I kept thinking about that widow in Machiari Valley that we wrote about in yesterday's report (scroll down to the December 23, 2005 and read the article: PAKISTAN: Widows in quake area battle to survive). Her name is Mariyam. What could we do to help? Why not go and seek to find her? Check on her village and see what we could do to help. Throughout our day of meetings yesterday, I sought to identify where this valley is. We still are not sure where it is, but after long discussion and prayer, Dr. Shaikh and I decided to just strike out and go find her and the little hamlet Duliard.

We hope to obtain quality information about the condition in the camps, particularly the spontaneous camps that are not run by the Pakistan Government. The reason for that is that for the most part, these camps are not monitored (due to the sheer magnitude of them). For example, in one area, according to governmnt reports from yesterday, there are 35 government camps and over 400 non-government camps! These are the areas that we believe the Vortex Voyagers TM will play an integral role in saving lives and improving the health and strength of the earthquake victims.

During our time in these zones, we will likely be out of touch with our reports so if you don't hear from us for a couple of days, you'll know what we're up to. Tomorrow, when Christmas comes, PLEASE REMEMBER to pray for the 3.5 million people who have been left homeless and for the 500,000+ that are at extreme risk. Below are two articles that graphically depict the actual winter and emotional conditions that exist here in Pakistan.

Lethal cold threatens Pakistan quake survivors Fri Dec 23, 4:22 AM ET

Thousands of Pakistan's quake survivors are caught in a desperate struggle for survival in the Himalayan cold and need urgent help.

"The falling temperatures could be lethal," British-based Oxfam director Barbara Stocking told a news conference on Friday, after a tour of areas ravaged by the October 8 earthquake in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and northwestern province.

The warning came three months after the country's worst natural disaster that killed more than 73,000 people and left an estimated 3.5 million homeless.

Around 1,000 US troops and NATO units have been helping Pakistan in relief and rehabilitation efforts of survivors, shuttling supplies by helicopter and treating the injured at field hospitals.

Stocking called for an enhanced international response to the United Nation appeal for around 550 million dollars, launched in November, which had so far brought in only 40 percent of the needed funds.

Children are falling sick in the freezing temperatures suffering from respiratory ailments while heating has been a problem because of the risk of tent fire, Stocking said.

She said Oxfam had provided shelter to 127,000 people and improved water and sanitation conditions for some 150,000.

"There is so much more that needs to be done urgently. We need to improve conditions in the spontaneous camps and reach those who have stayed further up the mountain," she said.

Oxfam urged the international community to honour its pledges and deliver resources to prevent another humanitarian catastrophe.

Pakistan has received aid pledges of more than six billion dollars, of which two billion dollars is in the form of grants.

Here's the second story that depicts the EMOTIONAL state that exists in some camps.

PAKISTAN: Frustration at quake camps
23 Dec 2005 10:46:51 GMT Source: IRIN

BALAKOT, 22 December (IRIN) - Patience seems to have run out among some earthquake survivors in Balakot, at the lip of the Kaghan Valley in Pakistan's mountainous North West Frontier Province (NWFP). Many of those living in the tents dotted across the devastated landscape of the town are angry, and make no attempt to hide it.

"Just look at the situation here. People are dying of the cold, the living conditions are filthy and no one is helping us," said Aziz Hussain, his shrill tones swiftly drawing a small crowd that gathers around him. Many nod sympathetically as he adds, "I just don't understand what is happening to all the money we hear is coming in. It's certainly not being used here."

Many survivors of the 8 October quake say they are now desperate. An aged woman hugs a small grandchild close to her as she sits close by her tent. Despite the fact that the sun is shining, the icy breeze has a chilling effect – especially with many quake survivors still lacking sufficient warm clothing, bedding, and adequate tents or heating arrangements.

Nearly 10 weeks after the quake, many victims are still in a miserable state, with the arrival of winter having added immensely to the hardships they face. Often cooking fires or oil stoves offer the only source of warmth, with families huddled around them through much of the day.

Poor sanitation, a lack of toilets and an absence of cooking arrangements add to the stench that lingers around many camps, with rotting rubbish lying in heaps in some areas. The conditions are ideal for disease to spread and diarrhoea, pneumonia, scabies and lice infestations are common.

"My children have not had a bath for nearly three weeks at least. The best I can do is clean them with wet washcloths. There is never enough hot water and I can't possibly bathe them in cold water as I did until a few weeks ago," said Unaiza Bibi, 27, the mother of three children under eight years old.

With matted hair, welts indicating scabies visible on their arms and perpetually runny noses, the children show the effects of the conditions in which they live and there seems little hope that there will be much improvement before spring next year. "We can only hope we will stay alive till then," Unaiza said.

Balakot, a town that was once home to nearly 300,000 people, located some 220 km north of the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, was one of the areas worst hit by the quake. Even now, barely a few buildings peek out above the ground, while makeshift shelters of every shape, size and description have cropped up across the area.

Rubble has been partially cleared, but large piles of it still lie in some areas. Since the earliest days of the quake, the town has been a focal point for the relief effort, with aid supplies and volunteers pouring in. The fact that despite this, the situation remains so bleak is testimony to the immense difficulties involved in helping the survivors of the quake, and also a reminder of the need for the aid effort to continue.

A few days ago, Jan Vandemoortele, the UN's humanitarian aid coordinator in Pakistan, warned after visiting camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir that the onset of winter and snows could lead to clashes at camps as people became increasingly frustrated. "We are preparing ourselves for the worst, because it could be ugly," Vandermoortele said, while maintaining that preparations for any situation that might arise were fully in place.

Some local NGOs operating in Balakot have packed up and withdrawn, citing resource constraints as the reason why they are unable to continue their relief efforts. The perception that the outside world may be deserting them has added to the panic among some survivors based in the Balakot area. Families across the region have now started to stockpile what they can in fear that the delivery of goods may dry up over coming weeks.

In some cases, local police have had to move in to calm the situation. Further north from Balakot, in the mountains of the Kaghan and Allai valleys, conditions are said to be worse, even though the World Food Programme (WFP) has rapidly delivered stocks for winter to people who have opted to remain close to their homes. Many of the villages are already inaccessible.

The focus of aid has now shifted to people based at camps and at lower altitudes. Efforts are on to try and expand facilities available at tent villages and to provide better protection from the cold. Waterproof sheets are being distributed and many local and international groups are racing to help set up shelters before snow covers the ground and blocks off roads to villages located in the mountain valleys.

"People have shown great fortitude and immense patience since the quake. But there is a limit to how long they can suffer in silence. Their anger is quite understandable," I A Rehman, Director of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), said.

IRIN news

As these two stories indicate, the situation here in Pakistan is desperate. Please pray that our Lord uses us to bring help and grace and love to these precious people during this terrible time.

God Bless You and thank you for taking the time to read our report. If I don't get a chance to report tomorrow, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston - President Air Mobile

PLEASE CONTINUE TO READ THE REPORTS BELOW, PARTICULARLY THE STORY: "PAKISTAN: Widows in quake area battle to survive"

Air Mobile moving toward the goal of bringing CLEAN WATER to desperate places - PAKISTAN!

2005-12-23T06:05:00.000-08:00

December 23, 2005 6:05am (Pakistan Time) - Islamabad, Pakistan - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

The road trip from Lahore to Islamabad began in extremely dense fog. Once the sun rose and visibility slowly returned, we could see the beautiful mountains of Pakistan. Yet the haunting reality that literally millions of Pakistanis have been left homeless and nearly 500,000 are at extreme risk in those very mountains sobered Dr. Shaikh and myself as we worked toward Islamabad. Deaths have begun to occur from freezing and of course, the ever present diseases associated with such a disaster.

Those fleeing the cold find themselves in thousands of make-shift tent cities where conditions are deplorable. That is where we can help by bringing the ability to take existing contaminated water and purify it with the Vortex Voyagers TM. Our mission today is to continue our appeals to various officials on the need for these units and the funding to pay for them.

Dr. Shaikh has amazing connections and great influence here in Pakistan. We found ourselves in high level meetings explaining the strength and benefits of the VORTEX Voyager TM. We made significant headway toward our goal. Later this morning we will be meeting with a representative from the American Embassy. Then we hope to travel to the Western Frontier and visit some disaster areas and meet with more officials. As you can see, the days are long and tedious, but we must keep marching toward our goal!

Late yesterday evening I ran across another gripping story depicting the plight of these precious people. This is what is driving us forward. Here's the story....

PAKISTAN: Widows in quake area battle to survive
22 Dec 2005 09:19:55 GMT

MACHIARI VALLEY, 22 December (IRIN) - Since Mariyam Nessa's husband died of an asthma attack while ploughing his fields five years ago, her neighbours in the hamlet of Duliard have always helped out.

But after the earthquake, which killed over 86,000 people and devastated the remote Machiara Valley, where Duliard lies, her neighbours have no time to help Mariyam as they must battle for their own survival.

Mariyam lost her husband before the disaster but thousands of others lost their husbands in the quake that ravaged the region. Now these widows are struggling to survive.

The earthquake flattened Mariyam's home and all that remains is a deep, black hole where the huge mud roof collapsed, burying all her possessions. With no one to help her, it took Mariyam six days to cobble together a crude, makeshift shelter from bits of wood and ragged shawls. But it does not protect her or her children against the cold. The icy wind howls in and the shelter is likely to collapse with the first heavy snowfall.

"It's hard without a man as there's nobody to help me. I must do everything myself," she says.

To survive Mariyam must plough the hard ground with her bare hands and harvest her corn and potato crops. Her children are either too small or too ill to help. Her eldest son, who is 18, suffers from the same crippling asthma that killed her husband and she is afraid that if he pushes himself too far, he too will have a fatal asthma attack.

Since the earthquake dried up the mountain springs in the area, Mariyam and her small children must now walk several hours up a perilous mountain track to fetch water from a spring in another valley, balancing heavy metal urns on their heads.

"These women do a massive amount of work and it's extremely hard, they're very vulnerable and there's no one taking care of them," said Maggie Tookey from the UK-based charity Edinburgh Direct.

The crops the villagers harvest are not enough to nourish and support them through the bitter Himalayan winter months when these isolated communities are cut off from the outside world by up to 3 m of snow. To survive, the men in Duliard, as in many farming communities across Pakistani-administered Kashmir, spend four months a year working as cheap labourers, often earning less than a dollar a day in cities across Pakistan.

But widows like Mariyam do not have this extra source of income. Instead, their lives are clouded by debt, as they must borrow money and buy food on credit from other villagers and shops in towns.

"I sell potatoes and corn but this isn't enough to survive so everything I buy is bought on credit," says Mariyam.

The village elders in Machiara Union Council, which is made up of 10 villages and 1,104 households, say that there are some 200 widows who are without adequate shelter or aid.

"The number might even be more," said Rahmat Ali, tracking guide working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

"These widows are getting aid last and are suffering more than families who have men around to help," he said.

The women are also suffering from more medical conditions, according to Dr Zulfkar Ali who works with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

"These women suffer from joint pain due to carrying bigger loads on their shoulders and doing even more work than they usually do," Dr Ali said.

"As well as cutting hay for animals, harvesting crop, milking, manage livestock, cooking, cleaning and looking after their children they now have the added pressure of surviving under these conditions. It is too much for them," he said.

Mariyam says two of her small children are ill and she is frightened for the future. Since the IOM arrived in Duliard, she now has a blanket and a sheet of tarpaulin, but she says she needs help to rebuild her house and mend her ruined land, a task that could take up to four months.

"Before the earthquake people in the villages would help us and look after us," she says. "But now they don't have time. We've been forgotten."

This widow is not forgotten. Thank God her story is being told. It is not by chance that you've come across this blog. Please consider helping.

This disaster is so real and it seems so few are even talking about it or reporting on it. From the very beginning, I stated that the death-toll from this disastrous earthquake could easily surpass the December 26, 2004 Tsunami. Well, without some miraculous intervention and a great concentrated effort, this could very well come to pass. PLEASE continue to pray with us and do all that you can to help. I literally plead with you in behalf of those who are helpless and vulnerable. I am personally moved by the thought of "What would Jesus do?" That is why we must help these precious people. Don't hesitate to write me at: joehurston@airmobile.org.

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile

PS - Please continue to read the following reports to see how this tragic and incredible story has been unfolding. God Bless You and thanks again for taking the time to read this report.

Joe

On the Ground in Pakistan - Air Mobile in position to bring CLEAN WATER to desperate places!!

2005-12-21T21:38:00.000-08:00

December 21, 2005 - Wednesday - 9:38pm (Pakistan Time) - Lahore, Pakistan - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

Since landing in Pakistan yesterday morning, we have been busy, busy, busy! I linked up with Dr. Naseer Shaikh upon arrival. We have been very blessed to have Dr. Shaikh as our "Champion" here in Pakistan. He is the former Surgeon General of Pakistan and so clearly understands the desperate need to get clean water into the disaster areas immediately. We have been from one meeting to the next. We were even interviewed by CNBC TV network today explaining our quest.

Tomorrow morning we depart very early for Islamabad. There, we will be in mulitple meetings concerning the deployment of the Vortex Voyagers TM. To be so close to the incredible disaster that is unfolding is heart-wrenching. There are literally MILLIONS of victims in the mountains within eyesight. We must do all that we can to help them in this, their darkest hour. This morning, I read the following story and would like to share several excerpts with you.

DULIARD, PAKISTAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR – With no road access and few spots for a helicopter to land easily, the Machiara Valley in northern Pakistan had yet to see any relief supplies for two months after the devastating earthquake...

Survivors of the South Asia earthquake that killed some 80,000 people and left 3.5-million homeless have cobbled together a few makeshift shelters from bits of wood and old shawls.

One villager, Kasem Jan, sleeps on the frosty earth by the collapsed ruin that was once her home in the hamlet of Duliard, perched 7,500 feet high. At night she cradles her small children in her arms for warmth. They have lost much of their clothing in the quake, leaving them with little more than rags against the freezing nights.

"It's so cold at night. I'm scared my children won't survive," she says. Seven member of Kasem's family were killed by the quake and her child and brother are still buried under the rubble.

"I've tried to get them out, but it's too hard, I can't do it with my hands," she says, starting to cry.

Like most villagers, Kasem's cattle were killed and her farming land ruined. The quake also dried all the mountain springs and now the villagers must trek up a perilous track to another valley to fetch water, which they carry on metal urns balanced on their heads. The journey takes several hours....

In a matter of weeks most of this region will cut off from the outside world by over six feet of snow. "What will happen to us then?" asks a village elder.

The sad fact is, this story is repeated literally hundreds of thousands of times as this report is being prepared. To those who read this report, PLEASE just take a moment and pray for these precious people that are suffering so terribly. Please pray that we find great success in securing funding for these Vortex Voyagers TM to help relieve the imminent threat of disease and death in this region. Until the next report...

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile

PS - Please continue to read the following reports to see how this tragic and incredible story has been unfolding. God Bless You and thanks again for taking the time to read this report.

Joe

Air Mobile just arrived back in Pakistan!! Another Quake hits Pakistan - Many terrified! MILLIONS RISK FREEZING!! WE CAN HELP!

2005-12-21T08:50:00.000-08:00

December 21, 2005 - Wednesday 8:50am(Pakistan time) Lahore, Pakistan - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

Finally, a good nights sleep (72 hours after departure). Anticipating good meetings today gathering facts and planning logistics for deployment of Voyagers into strategic and needy locations. Last night I linked with Dr. Naseer Shaikh. He has been in Pakistan for the last week laying tremendous groundwork for this Vortex Voyager TM deployment. Will write more later.

Earlier update - Made it on-board the flight from Houston to Pakistan. Got one of the last seats! I found out that this flight has been booked for nearly a month. It's truly a miracle that I made it on-board. Please be praying for great success and that many will get CLEAN WATER!! I truly thank God for this incredible opportunity to bring help to these precious people. There is so much suffering in the mountains. THANK YOU for your help and prayer!! I'll give a more detailed update and report once I get settled in Lahore. God Bless!! Gotta go! Joe

The following account is how the events unfolded that have led to this current mission to Pakistan

My phone several nights ago. An urgent message from Pakistan! Please come ASAP to lay the ground-work for up to 1000 Vortex Voyagers TM for Pakistan!! Wow! The joy of being able to bring CLEAN WATER to so many caused my wife Cindy and I to celebrate. Then the thought of being away from my family over Christmas caused some sadness. In the end, Cindy and I both agreed that this mission is far too important to delay even a day!! Now here's our challenge. ABSOLUTELY NO SEATS available. Well, I'm on stand-by for a Sunday, December 18th departure out of Houston. We're believing God for an open door and an empty seat. Next, I need to get my Pakistan Visa. Well, the Pakistan Consulate in Houston is processing it tomorrow, thanks to our good friend and Rotarian, Syed Ahmed. Then the rest is routine, pack warm clothes, satellite phone, etc. etc. and head out to Pakistan.

By the way, 1000 Vortex Voyagers TM would produce enough water for nearly 500,000 people every day IN 1000 LOCATIONS! So many of the make-shift Camps throughout the earthquake affected regions of Pakistan are suffering terribly from the lack of CLEAN WATER. That is where we can help!! PLEASE be praying for us to find great success on this mission. In the meantime, your donations go directly into this life-saving project. Thank you for all you do!!

Earlier this week the 6.9 earthquake shook the region again! I can only imagine the fear and panic that swept through northern Pakistan / Afaganistan as another very strong earthquake shook the region. Thank God, no serious injuries have been reported as of this report. Yet, so many that are so vulnerable from the dreadful cold and disease were driven from their shelters by the powerful 6.9 earthquake that struck at about 3:00am on Tuesday morning. We at Air Mobile are thrilled to be going back to Pakistan to lend a hand! Though the task is daunting, we can do something to help. We are bringing in CLEAN WATER! The Vortex Voyagers TM that Air Mobile has deployed world-wide are saving thousands of lives daily!

The following headlines capture "just the tip of the iceberg" of what is going on in Pakistan. This is our hour to help!!

'When the snow comes, some will die'
By Marcus Stern
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
December 16, 2005 NELVIN CEPEDA / Union-Tribune

BALAKOT, Pakistan – Bibi Nargus lost her husband, home and eldest son in the earthquake that rocked northern Pakistan two months ago. Today, she and her six surviving children sleep in a tent, sharing two blankets as they brace for the full onslaught of winter weather.

They are residents of the Balakot neighborhood of Belapudna, 122 families that have set up tents next to their collapsed houses and apartment buildings in the commercial heart of Balakot. Next to their tents, they have buried their dead, a total of 110.

They are like hundreds of thousands of other tent dwellers in the quake-affected areas of Pakistan's Azad Kashmir and Northwest Frontier Province. They are bracing for a cold winter they might not survive.

The International Headlines read "Pakistan quake survivors face winter crisis" By Suzanna Koster (Updated Dec 14, 5:47 AM ET MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan (Reuters) - Two months after Pakistan's killer earthquake, the focus of a huge aid effort is on keeping survivors alive in freezing mountains and preventing disease in crowded tent camps in the valleys. ...-

PAKISTAN: Dire need for clean water in many quake villages 14 Dec 2005 13:50:57 GMT MANCHIARA VALLEY, 14 December (IRIN) - Hundreds of villages in northern Pakistan are without water after the October 8 earthquake that killed over 80,000 people and left 3.5 million without shelter, triggered landslides and split mountains, leaving natural springs dry and breaking water pipes....

Another newscast states...Sanitation has been one of the biggest problems, despite efforts by United Nations and aid agency workers to bring order to the camps. In November hundreds of people at the University Ground were struck with acute diarrhoea.

Most camp dwellers have hardly bathed for the last two months, as the swirling river water passing by is too cold to enter. "The hygienic situation is fairly deplorable, so I would have to say that water and sanitation is our main priority right now," United Nations Children's Fund health officer Tamur Mueenuddin was quoted as saying in a statement Thursday.

``The threat of a wave of additional deaths among earthquake survivors in northern Pakistan is becoming more acute,'' the UN statement said. ``The danger arises from the cold, poor sanitary conditions and inadequate nutrition. Children are malnourished, viral infections are rampant.''

Millions risk freezing
ISLAMABAD: Millions could die of exposure in sub-zero temperatures in northern Pakistan eight weeks after a massive earthquake rocked the area, according to an Austrian aid worker. In the ruined villages, many have died of dehydration through diarrhoea. “Today we lost a one-year-old boy. He was completely dehydrated.”

The U.S. Media is covering very little of this terrible, UNFOLDING disaster that could easily eclipse the Tsunami in deaths. The Tsunami struck and suddenly hundreds of thousands died. The Tsunami was the greatest Natural Disaster in Modern History. Now.....

With this Pakistan / Kashmir / India OCTOBER 8, 2205 Earthquake, the deaths are occuring LONG AFTER (8 WEEKS AGO!) the disaster. Relief has been slow, world awareness has been minimal and meanwhile, millions are at risk. LONG-TERM AID has been raised for Pakistan, but the need for shelter, food and CLEAN WATER IS IMMEDIATE! Many deaths can be PREVENTED if we ACT NOW! Children, the elderly and the injured are extremely vulnerable!!

Funds have begun to come in for Vortex Voyagers TM and we will be bringing in several units on this upcoming trip to Pakistan. Our "Champion" in Pakistan, Dr. Naseer Shaikh has been in many meetings that are bringing great attention and interest to our project. We introduced you to Dr. Shaikh in our November 25, 2005 report below.

In the meantime, there are many individuals who are working diligently to seek funding for these "Life-Saving" water purifiers. You see, as DISEASE increases due to poor sanitation, hunger and exposure, the need for CLEAN WATER is even more urgent. Survivors, particularly the INJURED are becoming increasingly weak, thus becoming very vulnerable to disease. Air Mobile just received funds from our dear friend Dan Carpenter, founder and President of World in Need. Dan actually accompanied us on our last trip to Pakistan.

Also, groups like the Rotary have been very active in seeking funding for Vortex Voyagers TM for Pakistan. Syed Ahmed of The Houston Task Force (www.HoustonTaskForce.org) is working diligently to help us with logistics, connections and funding.

Then there are individuals such as Judy Garrett in Grafton, Massachusetts. Judy is hoping to set up a Concert to raise funds for Pakistan. Another church in Millbury, Massachusetts, The Chapel at the Mill, gave an offering that funded a Vortex Voyager TM for Pakistan. Our local church here in Titusville, Florida, New Life Christian Fellowship recently sent a donation toward Pakistan. Doctors as well as many individuals from across America have contacted us to see what they can do to help.

Here's something very cool! It is such a blessing to see Christians, Muslims, Jews, Athiests and a host of others working together to SAVE LIVES! Wow, my personal faith is being stretched by all this. I Praise God for this combined effort THAT IS SAVING LIVES!!

Let me ask you a question. Have you ever been cold....real cold?? One mother writes "I'm really worried about the winter because I lost my house and we are living in tents. It's extremely cold, and when it rains, we get wet." It's difficult to imagine what that must be like. After having been in Pakistan several weeks ago, I have awakened in the middle of the night several times from nightmares of being extremely cold.

As I write this report, the temperature in the Pakistan/Kashmir mountains is dropping. It is snowing at the upper elevations and raining at the lower levels. We must help these precious people.

That is why, as a Christian, I ask myself "What would Jesus do?". I know that He would have us to help in any way that we can. That is where you come in. PLEASE look into your heart and consider helping us to help these earthquake victims.

I thank God for the ability to communicate with you on this forum. I also thank God that you have found this site and are reading about this terrible, ON-GOING DISASTER! TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! Feel free to contact us if you would like to help or if you have any questions (all of our contact information is on the www.airmobile.org homepage).

Until next report...THANK YOU!!

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston
Air Mobile

PLEASE CONTINUE READING BELOW FOR AIR MOBILE REPORTS FROM THE FIELD AND HOW THIS DISASTER IS UNFOLDING!

AIR MOBILE IS THANKFUL!!!! Barbara Walker kidnapped.... and released after 2 minutes!!

2005-11-25T07:29:00.000-08:00

November 25, 2005 Friday - 7:29am (EDT) - Cocoa, Florida - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

Air Mobile is so thankful to our Lord and to you for enabling us to go and bring help and love to those in desperate need! HAVE WE GOT A REPORT FOR YOU!

Last Friday, our Air Mobile Team returned from Haiti after deploying 20 Vortex Voyagers TM to areas of tremendous need. This team was led by my son Christian Hurston along with my daughter Cherie. Due to extreme volatility of Haiti, particularly in the area of KIDNAPPING, we have left many details out of this LIFE-SAVING mission. My daughter Cherie did a superb job of posting a report on this site. To see the report return to our website home page and Click on: Click Here for Report of November Haiti Trip. We are all THANKFUL that Christian and Cherie and the other team member made it home safe and sound.

Barbara Walker, our intrepid, courageous, extremely effective Caribbean and World-wide Air Mobile Associate arrived from Haiti Wednesday evening just before Thanksgiving. We are so THANKFUL to have Barbara with us! Just before Barbara arrived, I received an e-mail from her with this quote: "HAVE I GOT A STORY FOR YOU"!!

Once Barbara got in the car, it was just moments before the story came out. She and her assistant Johnny were in a dangerous part of town to help a needy mother secure a home. Barbara had a "bad feeling" about the mission. As they were attempting to get out, it happened!

The car was surrounded by five, automatic-weapon toting thugs. Suddenly the door was ripped open, Johnny was pulled from the vehicle and another armed bandit jumped in the driver seat. Barbara, quick thinking, sounded the "alarm". On another mission, Barb had shown us this little device, about the size of a silver dollar. It emits a very loud, piercing squeal. The kidnapper was bewildered, he couldn't get the truck into gear and in a confused state started to just jump from the truck and Barbara helped him out as she lunged behind the wheel and sped away. The U.N. forces standing by witnessed what was going on and decided to help. THEY SHOT BARBARA'S TIRE OUT! Still, she managed to limp out of harms way and begin the process of getting Johnny back.

Here, we can't give the details, but Barbara "brilliantly" negotiated the release of Johnny. The amount of money, that cannot be disclosed, was "reasonable"! Johnny was returned, safe and sound, but rather shaken by the ordeal after 19 hours of captivity.

We, in the Hurston household, celebrated THANKSGIVING with an extra dimension of THANKFULNESS!! By the way, we were also VERY THANKFUL to have Cindy and Peter back from Massachusetts (MA). Cindy's sister Debbie, passed away. Cindy and Peter were there for the family and settling things afterward. Cindy ministered to her family and many young people during her time in MA. I personally cannot begin to tell you how happy I am to have my Cindy and Peter home!

Air Mobile will be back to Haiti but...we will not disclose any details of our upcoming trip until "after the fact" and then...we will choose our words carefully.

Meanwhile, Air Mobile is returning to PAKISTAN soon!! We may be heading back as early as next week. We are THANKFUL for so many who are assisting us to get LIFE-SAVING water to the Earthquake victims. The situation in the affected areas of Pakistan is desperate. There are still hundreds of thousands of victims trapped in isolated areas and thousands of make-shift camps set up for the millions of homeless victims. Many of these camps lack CLEAN WATER & PROPER SANITATION. This is a formula for disease. Thousands and thousands (the actual number is truly unknown)are suffering from WATER-BORNE diseases. An immediate answer is bringing CLEAN WATER to those areas IMMEDIATELY.

Air Mobile has made many excellent contacts including the Rotary Club, multiple Pakistani businessmen and doctors and many kind-hearted, compassionate Americans. Recently we had the privilege of meeting Dr. Naseer Shaikh, a very prominent Pakistani surgeon. Dr. Shaikh's list of accomplishments are long and rich. Among his many include, Surgeon General of Pakistan, Ambassador to the U.N., Board Member of the World Health Organization and the list goes on and on. Dr. Shaikh will be meeting with many leaders in Pakistan this week. We hope to be getting a call from Dr. Shaikh with the funding clearance to come to Pakistan immediately with Vortex Voyagers TM!

As the Pakistan return mission continues to develop, we'll keep you informed. Have an excellent THANKSGIVING weekend. God bless you!!

Joe

"It's getting colder here!!" Report from Pakistan mountain village - also, "The water plant (Vortex Voyagers) working very well"!

2005-11-22T16:51:00.000-08:00

Presenting "water plant" in Devli Jabbar with Akhtar to my immediate right

Tuesday - November 22, 2005 - 4:51pm (EDT) - Titusville, FLorida - Air Mobile HQ - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

The E-Mail from Akhtar (received Sunday November 20, 2005) was both gripping and encouraging. He wrote: "It's VERY COLD in affected areas, trying to protect the people with temporary shelter and...the water plant (Vortex Voyagers TM) working very well..Thank you..." I remember Akhtar so well. He shared his experiences that terrifying morning of the Octorber 8, 2005 Earthquake. Nearly 90,000 died and the number is growing! I wrote about it on November 4th upon returning from his mountain village. Akhtar is a Pakistani Relief Worker with National Committee Human Development. Akhtar was our guide to his village, Devli Jabbar. While we were there, we felt the temperature dropping. Between the cold and the outbreak of diseases, many (hundreds of thousands) Pakistanis are at extreme risk. Here is a part of Akhtar's story from our November 4th report:

"As we rumbled down the narrow trail that used to be a mountain road, Ahktar shared what happened to him on the morning of the the terrible earthquake. First came the cataclysmic shaking that roared like a thousand trains. Rocks began falling everywhere, screams of terror and seeing the houses collapsing before his very eyes. The huge shattering shaking just kept going on and on. More rock slides, bodies frantically being pulled out the rubble then suddenly came the storm. It was like no other storm Ahktar had ever experienced, filled with punishing hale, howling wind and more shaking and more rocks falling. Ahktar described the scene of dead bodies with hale striking them, children screaming, then more shaking and finally in blind panic he just began running and pleading with God to save him. He knew it was the end of the world.

Ahktar led us to our destination, the village (his home) of Devli Jabbar located at the extreme tip of Pakistan on the Kashmir border. The four hour drive there was harrowing. The road in places left us a mere six inches on each side with towering boulders precariously balanced above us and a sheer 1000 foot drop off on the other side. What appeared to be smoke on the side of the mountain ahead of us was actually rock slides. The earth is still shaking. So was our team as we proceeded to Devli Jabbar. There are times when you just realize that it could be all over in a flash. Several times, we considered jumping from our vehicle.

This was our second Vortex Voyager TM deployment of the day (the first being in a large tent city). After the grueling journey, we decided to leave 2 Voyagers TM with the village, knowing full well that even a minor after-shock will likely take the road out, completely isolating this village for months. As we entered the village, children laughed and followed us like we were leading a parade as we trekked the final half mile.

We saw graves everywhere. A simple mound of earth to the size of the victim. It was chilling....Look, over the years, I've seen a lot of disasters, but I never get used to it. The grief and suffering literally permeates the air. We trained 2 village leaders on the operation of the Vortex Voyager TM and Akhtar will follow up on the deployment. The simple joy of bringing clean water to these precious people is overwhelming. We must do all that we can to help!

As the day wore on, the air got progressively colder as we all realized that winter is coming. It's likely going to be a harsh winter, as it's early for it to be this cold. TIME IS RUNNING out for so many. Well over 1,000,000 are homeless. Usually, the nomadic Pakistan mountain dwellers migrate down from the upper elevations as winter approaches. That has all changed with the October 8th quake. In many areas, passages are blocked and people are trapped. We must get clean water to them. What a privilege it is to be here at this desperate time and be able to lend assistance in this massive disaster."

Air Mobile is doing all in our power to get back to Pakistan as quickly as possible with at least 50 Vortex Voyagers TM (and 150 more Voyagers TM to follow in short order). Disease is rampant in many camps throughout the affected regions. A major solution to both treating and preventing these disease outbreaks is CLEAN WATER. The Vortex Voyager TM fits "the bill"!! The Vortex Voyager TM is PORTABLE, POWERFUL, EFFICIENT AND EASY TO OPERATE!

We need your help to do this. As I write this report, we are checking on airline tickets back to Pakistan. We are doing this by faith, praying that the funding will come in for this next deployment of LIFE-SAVING Vortex Voyagers TM. Each Vortex Voyager TM is being equipped with a Solar-Power Battery Pack that will enable the Vortex Voyagers TM to pump clean water in the most remote locations (see the CBS - WKMG Television interview on the Air Mobile homepage). Each Solar-Power Vortex Voyager TM system costs $3,000. Please pray that the funding will come in quickly. Air Mobile is READY TO DEPLOY IMMEDIATELY!

Feel free to contact us if we can answer any questions. God Bless You and THANK YOU for taking the time to read this report.

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile

Contact information:

e-mail: joehurston@airmobile.org
Office: 321-267-7726
Cell: 321-544-7757

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING STORIES TO SEE HOW THIS TRAGEDY IS UNFOLDING!

TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR MANY PAKISTANIS (MANY ARE CHILDREN!) German paramedic describes the camp as "Dante's Inferno"!

2005-11-20T18:58:00.000-08:00

"This place is like hell," said the 26-year-old paramedic from Frankfurt. "People are living together in squalor. Everyone is coughing, and the babies get sicker every day. I cannot imagine how they will survive. Hell cannot be any worse than this."

Sunday - November 20, 2005 - Updated (6:58pm EDT) - Titusville, Florida - Air Mobile HQ - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

The reporter asked me, "Why the urgency to get back to Pakistan?" It took a moment for me to sort through the emotions. People are dying of thirst! When cholera or diarrhoea strike, it's just a matter of hours before death IF rehydration is not administered immediately. In many cases, simple, CLEAN WATER will save the life! I distinctly remember being in Haiti years ago when a distraught mother brought her child to us and before our eyes, the child died from diarrhoea (resulting in dehydration). That is what is happening in hundreds of make-shift tent-cities throughout Pakistan. That's the urgency! Time is running out for many and IT IS PREVENTABLE! That is why we must return to Pakistan. We MUST help these precious people!

You may view the newscast from Tuesday, November 15, 2005 that was conducted by the Orlando CBS Affilate, WKMG Channel 6. We are thankful for this media coverage that portrays the plight of millions of survivors of the October 8, 2005 Earthquake.
To see the actual newscast, go to www.airmobile.org and Click on: Watch the November 15, 2005 CBS (WKMG) newscast!

While we are stateside, awaiting funding, Air Mobile is developing a special Solar power-pack that will be suitable to operate the Vortex Voyager TM in the Himalaya mountains where hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis are trapped. Many have injuries and have yet to receive any care. We must get clean water into these areas! On our recent trip into Pakistan, officials have promised us air-support to get the Vortex Voyagers TM into the most isolated places. The Forward Medical Team coordinators have asked us to bring in 200 Vortex Voyagers TM IMMEDIATELY!

The following Los Angeles Times story paints a pretty grim picture.

November 16, 2005 latimes.com - Los Angeles Times
Quake Survivors Now Mired in Squalor
Surrounded by sewage, without clean water, about 2,000 people crammed into ramshackle tents are falling prey to disease.

By John M. Glionna, Times Staff Writer

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan — Shortly after a cold rain had finally quit, German relief volunteer Waggas Sajid walked the muddy paths of this city's most disease-ridden tent camp for earthquake survivors. Picking his way through mounds of rotting garbage and excrement, he felt like a character in Dante's "Inferno."

"This place is like hell," said the 26-year-old paramedic from Frankfurt. "People are living together in squalor. Everyone is coughing, and the babies get sicker every day.

"I cannot imagine how they will survive. Hell cannot be any worse than this."

Doctors blame the outbreak of infectious disease, including hundreds of cases of diarrhea and acute respiratory infections, on a shortage of toilets, foul drinking water and the occupants' close quarters.
The German medical team, from the group Humanity First, discovered the camp after arriving in Muzaffarabad a week ago.

Its members reported the situation to foreign health officials, who said they did not even know that the camp existed. Since then, several groups have rushed to the camp and have been shocked by the squalor.

"These are deplorable, appalling sanitation conditions — absolutely and completely inadequate," said Dr. John Watson, a communicable disease monitor for the World Health Organization in Muzaffarabad.

There was only one tank for drinking water, which soon became contaminated. Without latrines, residents relieved themselves just outside their tents, Din and other doctors said.
This is a recipe for an epidemic."

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING REPORTS to get specific details of Air Mobile's plans to return to Pakistan ASAP! In a nutshell, disease is spreading like wild-fire and winter is closing in on millions (over half are children). Our prayer is that we will receive funding so that we can return to Pakistan quickly and bring clean water to dying people! Thanks for taking the time to read this. Read on for details!

Joe Hurston
Air Mobile

"CHOLERA COULD SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE"...DEATH-TOLL COULD SKY-ROCKET! AIR MOBILE READY TO DEPLOY BRINGING PORTABLE, POWERFUL WATER PURIFICATION!

2005-11-16T10:53:00.000-08:00

Updated Wednesday - November 16, 2005 10:53am (EDT)- Titusville, Florida - Air Mobile HQ - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

This is an appeal to save lives! Air Mobile recently returned from Pakistan after successfully deploying life-saving Vortex Voyagers TM. Air Mobile stands ready to return! The October 8, 2005 Earthquake killed nearly 90,000 people in Pakistan / Kashmir/India. THE NUMBER OF DEATHS could SKYROCKET AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE! Many of those deaths will be children!

Right now, evidence indicates that a CHOLERA EPIDEMIC is beginning to occur throughout the camps. The answer: CLEAN DRINKING WATER! If a victim has Cholera (or a related water-borne disease) dehydration can occur in as little as four hours. The solution: CLEAN DRINKING WATER. If a person is not yet infected, the available drinking water is likely GOING TO BE INFECTED! The answer to PREVENTION: CLEAN DRINKING WATER!

Air Mobile has Vortex Voyager TM (Powerful, portable, simple, solar powered) water purification units ready for RAPID DEPLOYMENT. The Pakistani Medical Community has already requested at least 200 Voyagers TM IMMEDIATELY.

The hold-up? FUNDING! The Vortex Voyager TM with Battery/ Solar Power costs $3000.00. Each Vortex Voyager TM can provide CLEAN DRINKING WATER to 600 people per day. The first 50 Vortex Voyagers TM would provide CLEAN DRINKING WATER TO 30,000 people PER DAY IN AS MANY AS 50 SEPARATE LOCATIONS! The Vortex Voyagers TM sets up and is pumping clean water from the most contaminated water sources in just THREE MINUTES! The Vortex Voyagers TM can also be moved from camp to camp as the needs / outbreaks occur. Once a permanent water purification is installed, the Voyager TM could then be deployed in other locations.

The portability of the Voyager TM also enables us to utilize helicopters and bring the units to the most isolated regions of Pakistan / Kashmir / India. The Vortex Voyager TM is proving itself everyday, again and again around the world. PLEASE HELP US BRING CLEAN WATER TO THE DYING!!

The following are news-stories expain the situation in Pakistan quite well:

Sunday, November 13, 2005 :: infoZine Staff :: page views
Many People Are at Risk in Pakistan Camps, Oxfam Warns
As people move into makeshift camps, the risk from disease is growing.

Boston, MA. - infoZine -The focus on the most remote communities in earthquake-hit Kashmir is overshadowing the danger thousands of people face in a growing number of camps, international aid agency Oxfam said today.

As winter approaches, tens of thousands of people are set to move temporary camps. Many of them sit on floodplains with inadequate water and sanitation facilities. Because the camps are densely crowded, an outbreak of disease could result in many more deaths than are likely to occur in isolated villages.

"Unless conditions are improved in these camps, diseases like cholera could spread like wildfire," said Jane Cocking, who is leading Oxfam's emergency response in Pakistan. "The thousands of people living in remote villages are in serious danger, especially once the snows come, but the plight of those who are living in camps has not received the same attention. If disease does break out in the camps, the number of deaths could far exceed those in danger in their villages."

"We could soon see as many people dying from cold and disease as perished in the initial earthquake," said Cocking. "There is no doubt that large numbers of vulnerable people are facing certain death unless the international community steps up its response to this disaster."

Published by Gulf Times: Sunday, 13 November, 2005, 10:19 AM Doha Time

Living where water is polluted and the air poisonous

Waterfalls and fresh water streams were all blocked, rendering the river, the only source of water for drinking and common use.

All human waste goes directly to the river, as people don’t use toilets.

However, the toilets also present problems as they are with septic tanks. He is desperate because people are forced to drink the river water, which is home to many diseases.

Dr Rizwan said initially people were offered bottled water donated by several national and international organisations but the stocks were now running out, leaving no option for the dwellers but to drink the contaminated water.

Reuters - PAKISTAN: More than 400 cases of watery diarrhoea in quake camp
13 Nov 2005 12:06:12 GMT

"This situation is explosive," said Dr John Watson from the World Health Organization (WHO) based in Muzaffarabad. Acute watery diarrhoea leads to severe dehydration and within four to five hours this can lead to vomiting and a dramatic drop in blood pressure. It can be fatal if not treated quickly.

"A rapid response is what is needed and for communicable disease control in this area this is the most pressing thing as the mortality rate can be very high," said Dr Watson.

Air Mobile stands ready for that RAPID RESPONSE! Please pray that the funds come in for these life-saving Vortex Voyagers TM. Thank you for taking the time to read this report. God Bless You!

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston

Contact Information: e-mail - joehurston@airmobile.org
Cell: 321-544-7757
Office: 321-267-7726

PLEASE CONTINUE READING THE REPORTS BELOW TO SEE HOW THIS TRAGIC STORY IS UNFOLDING!

THE PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS, HALF OF WHOM ARE CHILDREN, ARE GROWING MORE DESPERATE BY THE MINUTE!! WE MUST HELP!

2005-11-12T05:21:00.000-08:00

November 12, 2005 - Cocoa, Florida 5:21am (EDT) - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

I have been doing relief work for nearly 30 years and HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED anything like this. After the Pakistan/India earthquake of October 8, 2005 that killed well over 86,000 (many believe that number is very low!), the world appears to be sitting by and doing little or nothing to help the millions left homeless and vulnerable. OVER HALF ARE CHILDREN!

My heart is breaking. To date, we have appealed to the President of the United States, 2 U.S. Congressmen, 1 U.S. Senator and literally hundreds of businesses, churches, doctors. We have appealed to ABC, NBC, FOX, CNN several newspapers and anyone else who would listen. This tragic story has dropped off the Media's Radar Screen in the U.S.

Air Mobile has a "miracle" water purifier (Vortex Voyager) that sets up in 3 minutes pumps nearly 30 gallons per hour, simple to operate, very portable (20 pounds) and is solar powered! The most contaminated water is made very clean by the Voyager. Now, disease is breaking out all over Pakistan, MAINLY DUE TO CONTAMINATED WATER!

Last week, while we were in Pakistan donating and setting up and training on the operation of the Voyager, Pakistani Doctors pleaded with us to bring in at least 200 of these units IMMEDIATELY. Their funding is abysmal and they truly need help. I appeal to you who read this, please pray and ask the Lord what He would have you do. Please take this appeal to anyone you know who could help. We are truly in a race for time for lives!!

This weekend, a group of Pakistani doctors in Orlando are meeting to see what they can do. Meanwhile, the Houston Rotary has offered to MATCH any funding generated by this group. Please pray that funds are generated to send us back to Pakistan to bring clean water and SAVE LIVES!

This news story below captures the situation quite well.

Saturday, November 12, 2005 - POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL
Pakistan needs help from rest of world

More than half of those left homeless are children.

"Damage from the October earthquake that left millions of people homeless in Pakistan and parts of India is getting worse, and recovery efforts are slowing. As winter descends on the region, the crisis will expand. The rest of the world must offer help.

Already, 86,000 people have died from the temblor that registered 7.6 on the Richter scale. More than half of those left homeless are children. Extreme mountainous conditions, coupled with rain and snow, are halting aid for the most vulnerable victims. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has said the country needs $5 billion in aid, yet only $620 million has been pledged. The gap means that necessary medical and humanitarian aid is lacking. As a result, diseases are spreading, shelter is inadequate and the future looks bleak.

The temporary tents that relief agencies brought in for housing cannot withstand the extreme winter temperatures. Villages above the snow line are particularly vulnerable. The unprecedented agreement between Pakistan and India to exchange aid in the Kashmir region has been fraught with violence.

This week, President Bush appealed for Americans to help in the effort. It's a plea that must not fall on deaf ears.

Disaster fatigue may affect those who traditionally offer help. The impacts of the tsunamis, Hurricane Katrina and mudslides have taken a toll on even the most generous people. But they also take a toll on the agencies most often called upon to help in the time of need.

Natural disasters cannot be prevented. But humanitarian support by those lucky enough to not be affected can relieve the pain and, in Pakistan and India's case, save lives."

Do not hesitate to contact me if you can help us with this LIFE SAVING MISSION!! I have simply been confronted with this truth: "What would Jesus do?"

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston
Air Mobile

Contact information: e-mail - joehurston@airmobile.org
Office: 321-267-7726 (U.S. Country Code: 001)
Cell: 321-544-7757

PLEASE READ DOWN AND CONTINUE TO READ HOW THIS TRAGIC STORY IS UNFOLDING!!

Freezing Rain - Outbreaks of Diseases - Pakastani Businessmen, Doctors and the Rotary offering to help Air Mobile!

2005-11-11T17:24:00.000-08:00

November 11, 2005 5:24pm (EDT) - Titusville, FL - Air Mobile HQ - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

Air Mobile is ready to return to Pakistan with 50 Vortex Voyagers TM water purifiers. We have an additional 150 ready to send in the next few weeks. We are waiting for funding! Meanwhile, winter is approaching. Rain is causing disease to rapidly spread in the tent-cities and beyond. The pain and suffering of the Pakistani people is terrible! Last week, while in Pakistan, Air Mobile placed 6 Vortex Voyagers TM in critical locations. We know that these units SAVE LIVES!

Today, I was on the phone with a Pakistani businessman and Rotarian Syed Ahmed from Houston, Texas. He has offered to accompany me on the next trip into Pakistan. Thank God! Syed was instrumental in setting up many of our contacts on our Pakistan mission last week. What an incredible job he did. Our primary point of contact in Pakistan was another Rotarian, Shehzad Amed. I cannot begin to describe the excellence that was afforded to us by Shehzad and the Pakistani people. It was Dan Carpenter with World In Need (W.I.N.) that introduced us to Syed! THANKS DAN!

In my conversation with Syed today, I mentioned that we had been in touch with some Pakistani doctors in the Orlando area to raise funds for the 50 Vortex Voyagers TM. He quickly added that the Houston Rotary would MATCH any funds raised by the Orlando Doctors. Our mission is coming together. Words cannot begin to express the joy in my heart that soon we may be returning to Pakistan and bringing with us the incredible capability to produce CLEAN WATER AND SAVE LIVES!

The following news story from today helps explain why we must get CLEAN WATER to the tent-cities and the isolated mountain villages as quickly as possible.

LAHORE, 11 November (IRIN) - Beds reserved for quake victims at the giant Mayo Hospital and other medical centres in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore are quickly filling up once more.

Patients suffering from cholera, diarrhoea and other related ailments, stretch out on beds, intravenous lines feeding them with the liquid and drugs they need to stay alive. Many seem hollow-eyed, badly dehydrated and haunted by this new disease threat.

Some days ago, bed space had begun to open up in Lahore hospitals, as those with trauma injuries from the quake shifted out to camps or to the homes of relatives. Now, the situation is once more grim. At hospitals closest to the disaster-hit areas, in Abbotabad, Murree, Muzaffarabad and elsewhere – from where more and more patients are being sent to Lahore - doctors state "a new crisis has begun".

This time, patients are coming in not with gaping open wounds, gangrene or broken limbs, but with acute diarrhoea, cholera, measles, skin diseases and other infectious illnesses. Many of the worst afflicted are children, with dehydration aggravated by the lack of clean drinking water in many areas.

"The second disaster has started. Cholera and diarrhoea are rampant. These sicknesses will take many lives," said Dr Fayyaz Khan, a volunteer doctor who returned to Lahore from Balakot a day ago to try and find drugs to return with and persuade other volunteers to join depleted staff at field hospitals.

These are the fortunate ones who make it to the hospital! The weather forecast is likewise grim.

More rain forecast for next 2 days in TN
Nov. 11, 2005

Widespread rain is likely to occur over coastal Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry in the next two days with the trough of low pressure persisting today. In the wake of the trough, rain or thundershowers are likely over most places in coastal Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry over the next 48 hours beginning at 8.30 a.m this morning, local weather office said. Isolated heavy to very heavy rain is also likely during the same period.

PLEASE pray with us that funding will come in for these Vortex Voyagers TM. We are ready to return to Pakistan IMMEDIATELY. If you would like to help us with this LIFE SAVING mission, please write me at: joehurston@airmobile.org. Until next report....

Joe Hurston
Air Mobile

PLEASE CONTINUE READING THE STORIES BELOW TO SEE HOW THIS TRAGEDY IS UNFOLDING! Joe

PAKISTAN - WATER-BORNE DISEASES BREAKING OUT - RAIN/SNOW FALLING - WORST CASE SCENARIO!

2005-11-10T06:31:00.000-08:00

November 10, 2005 6:31am (EDT) - Titusville, Florida - Air Mobile HQ - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

The reports this morning concerning Pakistan are dreadful. Now, the threat of rain falling on the entire affected areas. This is a bad combination, it's like throwing gasoline on a fire! THEY NEED CLEAN WATER!

Thu Nov 10, 2:10 AM ET

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan (AFP) - United Nations officials have warned that widespread rain in Pakistan's quake zone could be disastrous for their struggle to contain an outbreak of acute diarrhoea in squalid tent camps.

There have been at least 200 cases and possibly as many as 750 at one camp for homeless quake survivors in Pakistani Kashmir, amid fears that it could be cholera, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF said.

She added that there were more than 30 camps throughout Muzaffarabad, all of which could be affected and most of which lack adequate sanitation and water supplies.

"If there is rain it will escalate the situation," she told AFP. "The hygiene situation is terrible in the camp, there is open defecation, kids are playing around -- it is quite a mess."

Air Mobile is on STAND-BY to depart immediately with 50 Vortex Voyagers TM(150 Voyagers TM would follow in short-order). The only thing holding us back is funding. To date, we have presented this project to the Rotary Club in Houston and Pakistan, various Pakistan Government Agencies, mulitple Pakistan Business Groups, the office of U.S. Congressman Tom Feeney, the President of the Unitied States, George W. Bush and you, who read this report.

Having been there (ground-zero in Pakistan) last week, we know first-hand how the Vortex Voyager TM can save lives IMMEDIATELY! The portable unit (20 pounds - briefcase size) sets up in 3 minutes and can draw from even the very diarrhoea infected water and purify it to rehydrate very ill patients - THUS SAVING LIVES! We can place these units in the infected tent-cities and in the most isolated regions of Pakistan (via helicopters). We can train the villagers on the operation and use flexible solar panels to power the units. Remember, we have aleady done this successfully last week! Our Air Mobile team strategically placed 6 Voyagers TM and the immediate response was: "WE NEED 200 VOYAGERS TM IMMEDIATELY, BEFORE THE WINTER SETS IN". Now, today, they are dealing with the outbreak of water-borne diseases and rain!

NEVER have I seen such a perfect fit of technology to overcome life threatening situations. Please pardon my passion as I write. Let me give an example. If you saw someone in a burning house and you had a way to get them out to safety wouldn't you do everything in your power to do it? That's exactly what we are going through right now. That is why we even appealed to President Bush. By the way, at the very moment that we were making our appeal to him yesterday afternoon (11-09-05 at 1:50pm edt), he was making a speech encouraging Americans to give toward the relief effort in Pakistan due to the urgency of the situation!

We are at the point where we are praying for a MIRACLE! We simply need to get over there and start placing these 200 units in the most infected and isolated locations. The Pakistan Officials have offered us air-support to place these units in the "Hot Spots".

Again, we thank you for taking the time to read this report. PLEASE pray that we are successful in this LIFE-SAVING MISSION!

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile

POSSIBLE CHOLERA BREAKING OUT IN PAKISTAN CAMPS! TIME IS RUNNING OUT! WE MUST ACT NOW! SECOND APPEAL TO PRESIDENT BUSH BEING MADE!

2005-11-09T05:13:00.000-08:00

November 9, 2005 5:13am (EDT) - Cocoa, Florida USA - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

Yesterday we reported that disease was breaking out and early this morning several top headlines confirmed that Possible Cholera outbreaks are beginning to appear in camps throughout Pakistan.

Wednesday November 9, 09:09 PM (Pakistan time)

Possible cholera outbreak in Pakistan quake camps

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan (AFP) - Hundreds of earthquake victims in Pakistani Kashmir have acute diarrhoea and doctors are investigating whether they are cases of cholera, the UN World Health Organisation said.

Aid workers are urgently trying to improve water supplies and sanitation at the cramped refugee camps where the survivors fell sick in the devastated regional capital Muzaffarabad, WHO technical officer Rachel Lavy told AFP.

"In one camp we visited yesterday there were 55 cases of diarrhoea and there are so many spontaneous camps that we believe there are hundreds of others," Lavy said as she headed to one of the camps.

The United Nations has repeatedly warned it is racing against time and a shortage of international aid cash to prevent a possible second wave of deaths from disease, cold and hunger after the October 8 disaster.

"The WHO is saying that even if the laboratory diagnosis is not confirmed, these cases should be taken as seriously as if they were cholera," said UN spokeswoman Amanda Pitt.

WATER-BORNE disease is a major threat to lives in Pakistan. The death-toll could sky-rocket if agressive measures to provide clean water in these crowded camps and isolated locations are not taken immediately!

Air Mobile is ready to depart as early as this Friday, 11 November with 50 Vortex Voyagers TM and another 150 to follow in short order. We are racing against time and thousands and thousands of lives hang in the balance!

Today, we are going to make a second appeal to President Bush on this urgent matter. We must not sit by and watch this disaster unfold when WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! Pakistan desperately needs our help!

Last week while we were in Pakistan, we went to one extremely isolated village and literally had the Vortex Voyager TM pumping very clean water in less than 3 minutes! These portable water purification units SAVE LIVES!!

We'll report more later today. GOD BLESS YOU and thank you for your prayer and support!!

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile

Actual Letter Sent to President George W. Bush - Second request for assistance - Sent via Fax on November 9, 2005 at 2:54pm (EDT)

November 9, 2005

Dear President Bush:

Mr. President, this is my second request for immediate funding / assistance on a critical project to help the Pakistani people after the terrible earthquake of October 8, 2005. Our request is for funding 200 Vortex Voyager TM water purification units with battery/solar power at $3000 per unit. Please forgive my persistence in this matter; however, we believe that we have the ability to save many lives if we act quickly. The death-toll of 87,500 may double rapidly!

Since our first request, dated November 7, 2005 (attached below), there has been an outbreak of, what is likely, CHOLERA in many camps throughout the affected regions of Pakistan. I personally led a team that successfully deployed 6 water purification units in devastated areas of Pakistan last week. The bottom line is; that for a relatively small amount of funding, we can save thousands of lives. The best way to treat cholera is with clean water. A man can dehydrate in about four hours. If clean water is not readily available, death will occur. We have been assured of full logistical air-support to place these units in the disease outbreak “hot spots”. In my first communication to you, I included documentation showing this support.

For brevity in this communication, you may go to our website at www.airmobile.org or you may click on Air Mobile team back from Pakistan! Click Here to see running journal.

Later today, I hope to be interviewed by CNN. In the past, our relief efforts have been covered by ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, HD-Net World Report, PBS, BBC and CNN and also published in several major newspapers.

Mr. President, having been to Washington many times I know full well the beaurocratic maze. Time is not a luxury that we have in Pakistan. Sir, I plead with you in behalf of thousands that may die. I have been doing relief work of this type for 27 years. I know that we can help in this critical situation. We are prepared to return immediately upon receiving funding for these 200 units. Here are all of my numbers for 24/7 contact.

Office: 321-267-7726
Cell: 321-544-7757
Home: 321-504-7611

I hope to hear from you soon!

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston
President – Air Mobile Ministries

Air Mobile Ministries is a 501C-3 Faith-Based Non-Profit Organization established in 1984.

Pakistan Snows Falling - 6.0 Earthquake shakes the region, Disease breaking out! - Appeal letter written to President George W. Bush

2005-11-08T06:48:00.000-08:00

November 8, 2005 - Cocoa, FL 6:56am (EDT) Report submitted by Joe Hurston

After our last report, dated November 5th, a 6.0 Earthquake shook the region where we had just delivered water purification units. We know that the very precarious road to the village was damaged. We are so thankful that we placed 2 Vortex Voyagers TM in that village as we just knew that even the slightest quake would cut those precious people off.

A further headline this morning is that disease is breaking out. Much due to water-borne disease. The tragedy of all of this is that we can do something about it! This disease is PREVENTABLE with clean water. Air Mobile stands ready to go. We have the Vortex Voyagers TM ready to ship. We simply need the funding.

Yesterday I made a personal appeal to President Bush (see letter below). While visiting with a prominent leader in Orlando, Dr. Florence Alexander, I told her all about our journey to Pakistan and our urgent need for funding. She immediately picked up the phone and called the White House. I must admit, I was taken back by her boldness. Soon we had a phone number, fax number and points of contact. Within an hour, a letter was written and sent directly to President Bush. I know how busy our President is, but we are crying out for over 1,000,000 people in extreme risk. We have answers and solutions for some of their desperate problems! We must do all that we can! Please pray that our leaders will listen!

As these stories develop, we will report to you. PLEASE continue to pray for a miracle so that we can get back to Pakistan to help!! THANKS AGAIN for your prayer, love and support!

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston

ACTUAL LETTER SENT TO PRESIDENT BUSH

November 7, 2005

Dear President Bush:

Mr. President, this is an urgent request for funding for 200 water purifiers that are desperately needed in Pakistan. The water purifiers are unique in that they can purify water in remote, isolated areas. The only requirement is a fresh water source. Virus and bacteria are immediately rendered harmless. A final filtration and the water is ready to drink or store. The Water Purifier, called the Vortex Voyager TM, is manufactured in the United States of America by Cartridge Source of America, Inc.

My team and I have just returned from Pakistan after spending 8 days successfully deploying six of the portable water purification units to the most devastated areas affected by the October 8, 2005 earthquake. The units are portable, weigh only 22 pounds and are easily deployed. Approx. 30 gallons of contaminated fresh water can be purified each hour by each unit. Rechargeable battery packs and solar panels are furnished to power the units when electricity is not available. We have deployed these proven units around the world in the tsunami region (Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka), Kenya, Africa, Haiti and most recently in New Orleans, Beaumont and Orange, Texas.

While in Pakistan (October 28 to November 4), we were the guest of Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool (see attached newspaper article) who offered to assist us to deploy these units via helicopter. We also met with the Federal Minister of Health, Dr. Mohammad Nasir Khan. I have attached a formal request letter from General Abdul Qadir Usmani, Vice Principal of the Army Medical College for Immediate deployment of 200 of these Vortex Voyager TM water purification units. General Usmani (a medical doctor and former Federal Minister of Health) requested these units be shipped immediately before winter sets in the mountains.

I am personally prepared to deploy with the first 50 units this Friday, November 11th. The balance of 150 will be shipped within the next 3 weeks. The first snow falls have begun and people are trapped. A significant earthquake occurred Sunday, November 6, 2005 further bringing further damage and dilemma to the region. Clean water is essential to life.

I am aware of your pledge to help Pakistan. Safe drinking water is their most desperate need. Many people are suffering and dying because of the contaminated water they are drinking. Your immediate assistance with funding will help us to save many lives! Each unit cost is $3000. The immediate need is for 200 units. The total cost is $600,000 plus shipping. The overall need is 2000 units within the next six months. Thank you for your consideration in this urgent matter. God Bless You!

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston
President – Air Mobile Ministries and Cartridge Source of America

Air Mobile Ministries is 501C-3 Relief Organization established in 1984. Cartridge Source of America is a Small, Minority Owned business based in Titusville, Florida.

First Pakistani Snow Fall Coming - Over 1,000,000 AT RISK!

2005-11-05T11:41:00.000-08:00

November 5, 2005 - 11:41am (EDT) - Grafton, MA (It's a cool story - Read PS below for details)- Report submitted by Joe Hurston

Snow Predicted in Pakistan Quake Zone

With aid budgets drained by disasters elsewhere and appeals falling on deaf ears, Relief coordinators now have to tailor quake relief to the money available, said spokeswoman Amanda Pitt.

"We are very worried there could be another wave of deaths, because of disease, cold, lack of shelter and unsafe water."

This headline appeared today. The death-toll from the Earthquake of October 8th in Pakistan, where over 2000 mountain villages were flattened, may well exceed the devastating December 26, 2004 Tsunami! Over 1,000,000 are at risk in the Pakistan/Kashmir Mountains as winter approaches.

Air Mobile just successfully deployed 7 Vortex Voyagers TM on our first mission to Pakistan. Our team landed in the U.S. last night. Now we plan to return as early as next week with 50 more Vortex Voyagers TM (the first of 200 Voyagers TM). We are coordinating the Vortex Voyager TM deployments with Forward Medical Teams. All agree that getting clean water into these areas is vital. Time is of the essence! The Pakistani Government is offering to Air Mobile the use of helicopters to strategically place these Voyagers TM. Our major problem now is funding. The people of Pakistan need a miracle. We need help! We need your prayer!

The U.S. media has basically dropped the Pakistan Disaster. As I am writing this report, the disaster is still unfolding! The logistics of reaching the affected people are huge. We have been to some of the most devastated areas within the last few days, and from personal experience, the task is daunting! I thank you for taking the time to read this report. PLEASE take a moment and pray for these precious people that are suffering so greatly. We are so thankful that we can do something to make a difference in some lives. With your help we are able to do this. God Bless You!

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile

PS - Yesterday (Friday) As our Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 777 descended out of 38,000 for JFK, the on-board Ground track showed us right over Boston - Worcester, MA. Cindy, my wife and Peter, my son, are in Grafton right outside of Worcester with family (Cindy's sister, Debbie, recently passed away). I was scheduled to fly from JFK to Orlando. Not today! Upon landing, a quick flight adjustment and I jumped on a Greyhound to spend the weekend with Cindy and Peter. I've been asked to speak at the Chapel at the Mill for Pastor Ernie White who led Cindy to the Lord 33 years ago. It was a good spontaneous decision to re-direct my flight schedule!

Until next report.....Joe

Death-Toll likely to be much higher - Just back from "Ground Zero"

2005-11-04T10:34:00.000-08:00

UPDATE - November 4, 2005 - Just a quick note enroute from Pakistan currently in-transit through Manchester, England. Will be back in the U.S. tonight. Will write a full report after a good nights sleep. Thanks for your prayer!

Earlier Report from Islamabad, Pakistan - As we rumbled down the narrow trail that used to be a mountain road, Ahktar shared what happened to him on the morning of the the terrible earthquake. First came the cataclysmic shaking that roared like a thousand trains. Rocks began falling everywhere, screams of terror and seeing the houses collapsing before his very eyes. The huge shattering shaking just kept going on and on. More rock slides, bodies frantically being pulled out the rubble then suddenly came the storm. It was like no other storm Ahktar had ever experienced, filled with punishing hale, howling wind and more shaking and more rocks falling. Ahktar described the scene of dead bodies with hale striking them, children screaming, then more shaking and finally in blind panic he just began running and pleading with God to save him. He knew it was the end of the world.

Ahktar led us to our destination, the village (his home) of Devli Jabbar located at the extreme tip of Pakistan on the Kashmir border. The four hour drive there was harrowing. The road in places left us a mere six inches on each side with towering boulders precariously balanced above us and a sheer 1000 foot drop off on the other side. What appeared to be smoke on the side of the mountain ahead of us was actually rock slides. The earth is still shaking. So was our team as we proceeded to Devli Jabbar. There are times when you just realize that it could be all over in a flash. Several times, we considered jumping from our vehicle.

This was our second Vortex Voyager TM deployment of the day (the first being in a large tent city). After the grueling journey, we decided to leave 2 Vortex Voyagers TM with the village, knowing full well that even a minor after-shock will likely take the road out, completely isolating this village for months. As we entered the village, children laughed and followed us like we were leading a parade as we trekked the final half mile. We saw graves everywhere. A simple mound of earth to the size of the victim. It was chilling. I remembered as we were driving here, we passed a small clearing on the side of the road. There were 3 little children, perhaps 5, 8 and 11, just kneeling beside a grave about the size of their mother. The image is burned in my brain and heart. Look, over the years, I've seen a lot of disasters, but I never get used to it. The grief and suffering literally permeates the air. We trained 2 village leaders on the operation of the Vortex Voyager TM and Sahib will follow up on the deployment. The simple joy of bringing clean water to these precious people is overwhelming. We must do all that we can to help!

As the day wore on, the air got progressively colder as we all realized that winter is coming. It's likely going to be a harsh winter, as it's early for it to be this cold. TIME IS RUNNING out for so many. Well over 1,000,000 are homeless. Usually, the nomadic Pakistan mountain dwellers migrate down from the upper elevations as winter approaches. That has all changed with the October 8th quake. In many areas, passages are blocked and people are trapped. We must get clean water to them. What a privilege it is to be here at this desperate time and be able to lend assistance in this massive disaster.

After what we've witnessed with our own eyes and speaking with Relief leaders, the Death-Toll is expected to be higher, much higher! We have several crucial meetings with strategic leaders. Dan Carpenter with World in Need (WIN) has been instrumental in arranging these meetings. Dan worked with the Houston Rotary, who sent us to our "champion", Shezhad Amed of the Lahore, Pakistan Rotary. These guys are CONNECTED! They are helping us to reach our goal to deploy 200 Vortex Voyagers TM here in the mountains of Pakistan before winter!! We need a miracle to do this. Please PRAY! Will write more tomorrow. I'd better run for now. God Bless each of you! Thanks so much for helping us to help these precious people!!

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile

Good Morning - Heading to the Pakistan mountains!

2005-10-31T05:09:00.000-08:00

October 31, 2005 5:09am (Pakistan Time) - Islamabad, Pakistan - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

We've been up since 3:00am preparing for our trip into the mountains. I slipped away from the team, caught a motorcycle down to an internet cafe' so that I could get this quick report off to you before we depart. We will escorted by members of the military and key medical officials. Our strategy is crystallizing, yet the actual Vortex Voyager TM deployments today and tomorrow will truly establish show us where to go and how best to be used to save lives!

The sense of urgency is increasing in us all as winter moves closer. It's hard to imagine over a million at risk, but that is the situation. We had meetings yesterday that left us speechless. The heart of the Pakistan people toward those in need is inspiring. They simply need help in this massive disaster.

I've been following the news on the relationship between Pakistan on India and it's very encouraging to see them working together on border crossings on this huge disaster. Our Lord will so often use these tragedies to bring people together. Our prayer is that true peace is established between these two great countries!

Our next communication will likely be on Wednesday evening when we return from the mountains. God Bless You and THANK YOU again for your prayer, love and support!!

Sincerely:

Joe and the Air Mobile / Win In Need Team

Winter is coming - More than a million at risk!

2005-10-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

Migrating to lower ground before winter!
October 30, 2005 - 9:52am (Pakistan Time) Islamabad, Pakistan - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

The sobering message we are getting is "Time is running out" to bring help into the hard hit mountain regions of Pakistan. Winter is coming and so many need help in the mountains. Yesterday, (Saturday) was like a whirlwind. The day began with a demonstration of the amazing capability of the Voyager TM to leading members of the Islamabad Rotary. The Rotary has been so much help to us! We then met with leading members of World Aid Foundation (a group of Doctors). They truly embraced the immediate need for the Vortex Voyager TM in the disaster areas that have been hardest hit. It was clear that clean water will prevent the outbreak of epidemics!

Then we were given strategic relief information concerning the entire earthquake area. This will certainly help us to immediately deploy the 7 Vortex Voyagers TM in the most needed areas. My biggest regret is that we don't have more Vortex Voyagers TM! My prayer is that we will be able to deploy at least 200 units before winter sets in!

We depart at 6:00am tomorrow morning for several hard hit areas in the mountains. We will spend several days in the mountains. Again, I can't say how appreciative we are for the help we have received from the Rotary, the Governor's office and various others in obtaining strategic information for very successful deployments.

This disaster is huge! It is a logistical nightmare. Everyone we met are working nearly round the clock and doing all that they can, yet we know that winter is coming and so much remains to be done.

Meanwhile, Hurricane BETA is pounding Central America this morning. We're monitoring Beta closely. Wow, disasters just keep coming!

Christian is still coordinating our next Haiti deployment. Air Mobile is really stretching these days! We are just glad that we can be used to help people in critical need! Your prayer and support help us to do this! THANK YOU!!

This will be my last report until we return from the mountains on Wednesday night, unless....we find an internet connection up there. I have found connections in the most extraordinary places. Need to run to another meeting. God Bless!!

Sincerely:

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile

Air Mobile in Islamabad - Met with the Governor - Headed to "Ground Zeros"!

2005-10-29T07:48:00.000-07:00

October 29, 2005 - 7:58am (Pakistan time) - Islamabad, Pakistan - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

After 30 Hours of travel, 3 hours of sleep, a flight from Lahore to Islamabad, a meeting with the Director of all Relief Operations for Pakistan, the Vice Principal of the Medical College, then....a tremendous meeting with the Governor. The question asked to us was "What can we do to help you?" What a day!

Dan Carpenter with World in Need had arranged these meetings. Our Rotary connection, Shehzad made these incredible contacts. Joe Polozola gained great experience in helping to set and demo the Vortex Voyager TM. Together, our team really worked well together. The Pakistan Officials whom we have contacted have been so willing to help us to help in this terrible disaster.

Today our meetings continue. The Governor showed us the areas of greatest need. Our goal is to get the Vortex Voyagers TM into the hands of those who can make the difference between life and death. We will continue to work on the logistics of getting there.

Soon we will heading into the mountains. We feel the temperature beginning to drop here in Islamabad. Winter is coming. Over 1,000,000 are at risk. This is our mission. I will endeavor to get another update out this evening. God Bless You and thanks again for standing with us!!

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile

PS - Yesterday, we experienced another 5.5 earthquake. Our work is cut out for us. Thank you again for your prayer!!

Just arrived in Lapore, Pakistan - Death-toll may be higher - Had cameras stolen - Pakistan officials handle it very well!

2005-10-28T06:24:00.000-07:00

October 28, 2005 6:27am (Pakistan time) - Governor's Guesthouse - Lapore, Pakistan - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

We just arrived in Lapore, Pakistan after 30 hours since we left Orlando. We're tired and look pretty rough. We were met at the airport at 3:30am by a representative of the Rotary Club and the Governor's office. Talk about a great reception, even at 3:30am. These folks are wonderful.

When we landed earlier at Karachi, Pakistan, someone on the plane took our digital and video camera right out of the over-head baggage area. When I went to get the bags, they were just gone. Now listen to this. I was brought straight to the Pakistan Airlines (PIA) Captain who had just flown us 9 hours from Manchester. Instantly he brought me to the head of security of the airport. PIA did all that they could. Their concern and professional manner of dealing with this was great. Within 15 minutes, we had a witness who saw the theft and believe that we have his address.

I've forgiven the person, but it would be nice to get the camera gear back. It is worth well over $1000.00. You know, the Word says that all things work together for the good to those who love God, those the called according to His purpose. As a result of this unfortunate episode, we have met so many precious Pakaatanis. They are so blessed by our coming to help and so sorry for the theft. Yet, the story is still unfolding. We're asking our Lord to really work on the thief and change his heart.

Well, better go shower. Have just a few hours to sleep before going to purchase some camera gear. Then we drive to Islamabad to meet the Governor this evening at 8:00pm. Our goal is to get the Vortex Voyagers TM into the most needed places. We believe that this is the first of many journies to this beautiful, but suffering country. This is a precious opportunity to help!! Will write more from Islamabad tomorrow. God Bless!!

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile

A Quick Note from the Houston Airport enroute to Pakistan!

2005-10-26T19:04:00.000-07:00

October 26, 2005 - 7:10 (CST) Houston International Airport - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

Just landed in Houston from Orlando. Flite went well. Joe Polozola and I just linked up with Dan Carpenter of World In Need (WIN). We're eager to move on with this mission.

Been reading about the problems of distribution back in Florida. Disasters bring out any flaws in our well laid plans, that's for sure! I'm instructing our office in Titusville to do anything that we can to help!

Read another headline a few moments ago. If aid does not get to Pakistan quickly, the death-toll will double! Some say the death-toll could reach 100,000 and that could double!!

We'll be flying into Lahore, Pakistan. We have incredible open doors there to bring life-saving water to the most devastated areas! Tonight, we fly to England then to Karachi, Pakistan. On Friday morning, we'll arrive ready to serve. I pray we're able to get some sleep on this long flight.

Thanks again for your prayer, love and support. Will write from Pakistan. God Bless!!

Joe Hurston

An Amazing Door Just Opened Into Pakistan!! - Air Mobile - going to "Hard to Reach Places"!

2005-10-25T15:53:00.000-07:00

October 25, 2005 - 3:53PM (EST)Titusville, FL - Air Mobile HQ - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

Hurricane Wilma came through Florida yesterday so fast and did serious damage and regrettably several lives were lost. Yet it could have been so much worse. So many heeded the evacuation order. Even with good preparation, Officials are struggling to get relief in quickly.

Last night I received an amazing call from Dan Carpenter, President of World in Need (W.I.N.). A tremendous door just opened in Pakistan for us to get to the hardest to reach areas following the 7.8 earthquake (the worst disaster in Pakistani history). Death toll will likely exceed 100,000 Over 3,000,000 survivors are in dire jeopardy and help is needed immediately.

Both Dan and I sensed that NOW is the time for us to head to Pakistan. A long story short....we are flying to Pakistan tomorrow evening (Wednesday, October 26th)! We knew that we needed one more team member quickly. Earlier in the day, while Hurricane Wilma was racing through Florida, my dear friend, Joe Polozola had called. Nearly 30 years ago, Joe introduced me to Jesus. Well, I called Joe back last night and asked him if he would consider coming to Pakistan with us. His immediate answer, Yes, he would pray about it. By this morning, Joe and I met. He's joining us! Wow, our team came together just like that.

Today has been jammed with all the details that usually would be spread over a couple of days or even weeks. Visas, tickets, thermal underwear, extra satellite phone, beef jerky, etc. etc. Tomorrow afternoon we depart for Pakistan with at least 7 Vortex Voyagers TM! Our goal is simple, deploy the Vortex Voyagers TM to relieve helicopters from flying bottled water. The helicopters can then fly food, tents, blankets. Winter is coming. Help is so desperately needed there. We need your help to assist us in this LIFE SAVING mission!

While our Air Mobile Team is in Pakistan, another Air Mobile Team headed by Christian Hurston will be preparing to deploy 20 Vortex Voyagers TM in Haiti. We are so thankful that we have the capability to reach so many "Hard to Reach Places"!! We could not do this without your help!!

We'll do our best to communicate with you from Pakistan. PLEASE remember us in your prayer. God Bless!!

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile

Wilma Slamming Florida! We're experiencing her at Air Mobile HQ!

2005-10-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

October 24, 2005 - 10:24am (EST) - Titusville, FL - Air Mobile HQ - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

The eye of Hurricane Wilma is just exiting the East Coast of Florida near West Palm Beach as I write this report. We are a bit north of the track, yet there have been multiple tornados in our immediate area. Winds and rain are gusting in excess of 60 mph.

We have staff building Vortex Voyagers TM at this hour. I want to thank our faithful staff for braving the storm to come and help us prepare Vortex Voyagers TM for these disasters! The photo below was taken moments ago.

Of course, the Vortex Voyagers TM that we are building will be deployed as needed! We have our motorhome ready to go anywhere in the state of Florida if needed. Wilma came ashore as a level 3 Hurricane with 125mph winds. That is a strong hurricane, but....this is not Florida's "first rodeo"!

Florida is prepared! Governor Bush and the State, County and Local governments in coordination with FEMA are right on top of this storm!! We are so thankful that Hurricane Wilma, though a very strong storm, decreased from THE STRONGEST ATLANTIC STORM IN RECORDED HISTORY! The "dust" will be settling within the next few hours and we will see just what the situation will be. Air Mobile stands ready to go wherever we can be of assistance!

I was just on the phone with Dan Carpenter of WORLD IN NEED (WIN). He checked to see how we were faring through Hurricane Wilma, also, what our Pakistan plans are. Read our 10-22-05 report for more about WIN and Dan Carpenter.

Just after the call from Dan Carpenter, John Canada also with WIN arrived to pick-up a Vortex Voyager TM. John, in conjunction with Trinity Assembly of God in Orlando, FL just raised the funds for a Vortex Voyager TM. John has a vision to be ready ANYTIME, ANYWHERE to help those in need. What a joy presenting the Vortex Voyager TM for this man of God with a heart to serve!!

Christian, my son and I were just speaking about our upcoming flight to Haiti. Tropical Storm Alpha just tore right through Haiti. We don't if there have been additional fatalities in Haiti. At any rate, Air Mobile is going back to Haiti within the next two weeks.

In the meantime, we're hunkered down riding out Wilma! Please remember us in prayer. We'll attempt to get another report out this evening after Wilma has moved through Florida and passed abeam us here in Titusville. God Bless!!

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile

Juggling Disasters! Wilma slowly grinds over Mexico - Tropical Depression ALPHA near Haiti!

2005-10-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

October 22, 2005 - 3:09pm (EST)-Titusville, FL - Air Mobile HQ - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

Hurricane Wilma is slowly hammering the Yucatan Peninsula. We pray for those in her path! Here in Florida, we watch, prepare and pray! Take a look at the satellite loop above. Just south of the Dominican Republic/Haiti is another storm of note. If it grows, it will be named ALPHA. Our upcoming mission to Haiti takes on new significance! We will be bringing 20 Vortex Voyagers TM into Haiti within the next 2 weeks. If you scroll down to our report dated 10-21-05, you will find more details on the upcoming Haiti Mission.

PAKISTAN - Meanwhile, the situation in Pakistan becomes more grim and desperate by the hour! I just read this headline: "TIME RUNNING OUT FOR PAKISTAN QUAKE VICTIMS"! Our team for Pakistan is coming together. Yesterday, I confirmed that Dan Carpenter with World In Need (WIN) will be joining our mission to Pakistan. Recently WIN donated one 53 foot container filled with water filters to Air Mobile Ministries! These water filters will greatly enhance the performance of the Vortex Voyager TM. Only our Lord knows how many tens of thousands of gallons of water these supplemental water filters will clean. We, at Air Mobile would like to express our deep thanks to WIN for this precious gift of life.

As our "juggling" these disaster missions become more clear, we will let you know. God Bless You and THANKS again for your prayer and support!!

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile

WATCH - PLAN - WAIT and always....PRAY!

2005-10-21T08:43:00.000-07:00

October 21, 2005 - 8:43am (EST)Titusville, FL Air Mobile HQ - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

Air Mobile has 3 missions on the plate right now - Hurricane Wilma, Haiti and Pakistan. All are urgent. Hurricane Wilma can potentially strike very close to home. We all know how hurricanes bobble, duck and weave. We're praying for Wilma to find some very cold water and just collapse!!

We are monitoring Wilma very, very closely. As I write this report, Cozumel and Cancun are being hammered by Wilma. We must pray for those in her path! Yesterday, Air Mobile made an appeal to Governor Bush requesting DIRECTION AND CONTACTS! In this phase of disasters, it is extremely difficult to get anyones attention, even when you have the Vortex Voyager TM!!

Having deployed these "miracle" water purifiers at absolute "ground-zeros" around the world following the greatest disasters in modern history such as the tsunami, 9.3 earthquakes, Katrina, Rita etc., etc. Air Mobile knows how powerful and effective this tool is. The challenge is transmitting that message to the authorities!!

So, what do we do? We keep making Vortex Voyagers TM. Our plant here in Titusville, FL is building Vortex Voyagers TM by faith! We don't have any orders or committments for these units at this time. Yet, we keep marching forward, knowing that the Vortex Voyagers TM save lives.

As Wilma follows the course she will follow, Air Mobile stands ready to deploy at least 20 Vortex Voyagers TM IMMEDIATELY!

In the meantime, the Air Mobile team, led by Christian Hurston is preparing to go to Haiti to deliver 20 Vortex Voyagers TM to needy and desperate communities. This Haiti deployment has been in the planning stages for nearly a month. The Harris Rosen Foundation of Orlando, FL is funding these 20 Vortex Voyagers TM. Thank God for Harris Rosen. Actually, Air Mobile in conjunction with the Harris Rosen Foundation is planning to make monthly missions to Haiti delivering 20 Vortex Voyagers TM per month for the next year!! That is another crucial reason that Air Mobile is in need of an aircraft. The absolute best way to get the Vortex Voyagers TM and supplies into Haiti is by private aircraft. Please trust with us for the provision for this critical tool. Feel free to contact me personally and I will give all the details on our aircraft requirements.

PAKISTAN - The news is absolutely heart-breaking! The death toll is likely to exceed 100,000! Tens of thousands of the survivors are very vulnerable to disease as a direct result of bad drinking water. Currently helicopters bring in water to desperate areas. Water is heavy! Pakistan and International organizations are making desperate appeals for help with drinking water. I plan to personally lead the Pakistan Team. We are currently seeking funding for a minimum of 10 Vortex Voyagers TM. I have already received a pledge to pay for my personal airline ticket to Pakistan. Again, the need for drinking water in Pakistan is LIFE AND DEATH! We must do what we can to help!

At this moment, we must wait on Wilma before we depart. Thank you for your prayer and support!!

Joe Hurston

Hurricane Wilma headed for Florida - Oh no, not again!!

2005-10-20T09:34:00.000-07:00

October 20, 2005 - 9:35am (EST) - Titusville, FL - Air Mobile Headquarters - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

Now, it's personal (again)! Several days ago, Air Mobile had made the decision to go to Pakistan, but that mission is being delayed to a lady (she's really no lady) named Wilma. More about Pakistan a bit later in this report.

Yesterday (Wednesday, 10-19-05), you may have heard that Hurricane Wilma entered the record books as the most powerful storm in Atlantic History! I flew relief to Jamaica during Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 that held the previous record of 888mb (barometric pressure). Wilma broke that record with 886mb and had winds gusting over 200mph. Most projections have Wilma coming to Southwest Florida near Fort Meyers / Naples. By the way, we're praying for Wilma to collapse!

Immediately, Air Mobile went into action. An additional 20 Vortex Voyagers TM are being built and a "war-room" footing was engaged. It just so happened that we were hosting Ray Denkewitcz, the President and CEO of Vortex Corporation. Our planned meetings were completely interrupted by Wilma. We also had Tom and Steve Flaim with us. You may recall that Tom and Steve are working very hard to help get Vortex Voyagers TM around the world. Man, did we have some "horse-power" around that table yesterday.

Soon, we had a plan to contact Governor Bush and request funding for Vortex Voyagers TM and access into "Ground Zero" once Wilma reached Florida. Our deployment vehicle will be our 35' motorhome. This vehicle will carry at least 10 Vortex Voyagers TM and up to 20 Vortex Voyagers TM as the needs unfold. This amazing "package" will provide up to 500 gallons per hour of very pure water from very dirty water. The motorhome also provides sleeping and living facilities for our Air Mobile team. Our simple plan is to "stalk" the hurricane, staying just out of range of the winds. As soon as the disasters areas are cleared for relief, we'll rush there with the capability of providing a significant amount of clean water immediately.

Let me give you a quick snapshot of just what 20 Vortex Voyagers TM can do. 500 gph amounts to 4100 lbs of water every hour. On a 12 hour shift of pumping water, the 20 Vortex Voyagers TM will generate 6000 gallons or 49,200 lbs of water. That exceeds the capacity of 1 fully loaded 5000 gallon water tanker truck. THAT'S JUST THE FIRST DAY! Every day after that, the 20 Vortex Voyagers TM will exceed a fully loaded tanker truck of water.

ALSO, the 20 Vortex Voyagers TM could be deployed into 20 different locations, AT THE POINT OF NEED! If we compare the water from a tanker truck, the truck must first get into the location, not always easy after a disaster. Then the recipients must get to the water tanker. What are we saying? The Vortex Voyager TM deployment is far superior.

Now the 20 Vortex Voyager TM Deployment plan is just the tip of the iceberg. We at Air Mobile and Vortex hope to see many Vortex Voyagers TM deployed both RE-ACTIVELY, but more important, PRO-ACTIVELY! Please pray that our Lord gives us favor with Governor Bush on this plan!

What about Pakistan? The death-toll will likely exceed 100,000! Disease is breaking out due to the lack of clean drinking water. Prior to Wilma, I had planned to lead an exploratory team equipped 10 Vortex Voyagers TM to the most needy areas of Pakistan. We still plan to go. In between weather reports on Wilma, I am working on flights, team members, survival equipment, warm clothing, etc. etc.

Oh, one other thing, we are planning to deliver 20 Vortex Voyagers TM to Haiti before the end of the month. Barbara Walker, our on-site Caribbean Representative along with the Harris Rosen Foundation (who has funded these Vortex Voyagers TM!) have secured 20 recipients in Haiti who have immediate need for clean water. That Air Mobile Team will likely be led by Christian Hurston. Cherie Hurston will likely accompany Christian on the Haiti Mission.

Well, as you can see from this "newsy" report, we at Air Mobile are extremely busy. WE NEED YOUR PRAYER, LOVE AND SUPPORT!! Do not hesitate to contact us if you can help or have any questions. God Bless You!!

Joe Hurston