Indonesia 2006

Indonesia De-Briefing - Very successful mission! - Part 1

2006-09-15T17:26:00.000-07:00

September 15, 2006 - Friday 5:26pm (EST) - Titusville, FL - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

Since traveling to Indonesia in late June and early July, the Air Mobile Team has traveled back to Haiti. We are looking into possibly making an emergency trip to Lebanon during this fragile cease-fire. In late September (exact dates not published for security reasons), we will return to Haiti again bringing in life-saving water purifiers. As always, we need your prayer and support. Now, on to the Indonesia report.

The following Indonesia report captures the highlights of our recent amazing journey to a devastated earthquake zone and right to the mouth of a very active volcano, Mount Merapi. Part 2 of this report details the training of an incredible "First-Responder Water Relief Team"! Enjoy our report!

When Air Mobile decided to return to Indonesia in response to the devastating earthquake of May 27th and potential eruption of Mount Merapi (the world's most active volcano!), we did not know exactly what we would do upon arrival. We just knew that we had to get as close the "ground zero" as quickly as possible! Like so many disasters, our team was determined to listen very carefully to the Lord for close direction. We were not disappointed!

Upon arrival into Jakarta we immediately went into meetings with ministries that had Vortex Voyagers TM . We were able to upgrade and repair their Voyagers TM. It was a joy to meet Eddy Rubles and see Charles Ham with Hope Worldwide again.

The next day, we flew to the town of Solo, Indonesia in Central Java. This turned out to be the ideal location for our mission. Solo is equi-distant from Jogja and Mount Merapi. Jogja was the ground zero of the May 27th earthquake that killed 6000 and left nearly 1,000,000 homeless. We had the privilege of meeting Jim Karl, President of TEARS International. Jim is bringing in vital relief through another good friend of ours, Dan Carpenter of World in Need. Jim shared about a desperate need for clean water on Nias Island for a hospital specializing in eye operations. Air Mobile met the need with 2 Vortex Voyagers TM!

Over the next week and a half we traveled between Jogja and Mount Merapi every day. Several days we visited both locations in the same day. On one such commute between the two locations, we were eye-witnesses to a dramatic pyroclastic blast from Mount Merapi. This is a horizontal explosion that sends 3000 degree gasses out at 500mph! It was a stunning event!

On these deployments, we were able to assess the damage areas and seek out areas of desperate need for water. We were also able to identify ministries / organizations that were doing work that would complement what we were doing with water purification.

We met so many wonderful people. The Indonesian people are no strangers to disaster. The amazing thing is how well they cope with these horrific disasters and conditions. I'd like to tell you one story that so touched our hearts and demonstrated the wonderful spirit of these precious people.

We had already been to Jogja and now we proceeded to Bantul, a suburb where the devastation was particularly severe. Barbara had noticed some intense digging and activity in some rubble on the right hand side of the road and wanted some photos. We stopped the vehicle and she jumped out to capture what was happening with her camera.

While waiting in our vehicle, my eyes just trailed off to the left and behind a partially collapsed wall, I noted a make-shift tent city. As I scanned the area, I noted a small bird cage made of fine bamboo with a delicate design. The bird cage was hung on a stick in front of a tent with cardboard and scraps of material piecing together living quarters. Suddenly, I noted puffs of water coming out of the little bird cage. The little bird would dance and flutter with each puff. I tried to figure out what was happening. I could only see the upper 2/3's of the cage. After a long gaze, I realized what was happening. The tent dweller had obviously evacuated with their pet bird. The puff of water was by a spray bottle (I could not see that). They were misting their pet bird. Cindy and I just sat there and marveled at how well the Indonesians take care of their pets.

We turned and saw a small foot bridge crossing a canal leading into the tent city. Cindy was soon on the bridge speaking her broken and limited Indonesian. She knew how to ask if there was a need for clean drinking water. It came out like, "do you "want" clean drinking water?" The women on the bridge all said "want want want" with great enthusiasm. In other words, yes we really need clean drinking water in here. Soon we had a Vortex Voyager TM pumping clean water in their village.

We filled every vessel in the little make-shift village. While there, we met the lady on whose property this tent city had sprung up. She had had a lovely home. Now, there was nothing but rubble. She and her daughter were the gracious hosts to these desperate people. The children played and the women were cooking. Some were attempting to wash clothes in the water from the very contaminated canal.

During our process of pumping clean water, the men began to come "home". They were the same work crew that Barbara had photographed earlier. The entire atmosphere was just sweet. We had the opportunity to speak and share with these precious people. I am reminded of the verse of scripture spoken by our Lord Jesus when He said, "I was thirsty and you gave me to drink". The disciples asked Jesus, "when did we ever see you thirsty?". Jesus answered, "When you give water unto the least of these, you give it unto Me". That is exactly what we are doing. Bringing clean water to desperate people. Now that is not just hearing the Word, but doing the Word or better yet, demonstrating the Word of God. The spirit of the Lord was so strong in us that day as we simply obeyed His commands.

Just 2 kilometers away from this tent city was the regional headquarters for the Indonesian Red Cross. We later selected the Red Cross as the recipients of two Vortex Voyagers TM, knowing that the many little tent cities such as this one would be cared for. We traveled out with Red Cross teams and found other such desperate locations. We trained an excellent crew and have the satisfaction of knowing that the Red Cross will operate the Vortex Voyagers TM with excellence.

Though we have worked beside the Red Cross for years, this was our first opportunity to actually donate Vortex Voyagers TM to them. Now the Red Cross will be able to see first-hand how capable a machine the Vortex Voyager TM is. You might ask, why don't they just buy the Vortex Voyagers TM. Well, at the deployment level of the Red Cross such decisions are usually not made. The Red Cross is huge, world wide organization with many levels of bureaucracy. Now, however, they have Vortex Voyagers TM working in the field. We pray that one day, the Red Cross will order many Vortex Voyagers TM!

Please continue reading this report with the details of how we found, qualified, trained and donated Vortex Voyagers TM to an excellent team on Mount Merapi, the world's most active volcano. This deployment is without question, one of our most exciting ever! PART 2 follows.

Joe Hurston
President - Air Mobile

PS - Here's a sneak preview of the Part 2 of our report! A very mobile Emergency Water Response Team trained and in place at Mount Merapi!!

Indonesia De-Briefing - Very successful mission in the shadow of Mount Merapi! - Part 2

2006-09-15T17:25:00.000-07:00

September 15, 2006 - Friday - 5:25pm(EST) - Titusville, FL Report submitted by: Joe Hurston

This is a continuation of our overview of our recent mission to Indonesia. This portion of the report explains how Air Mobile identified, trained and equipped a dynamic "First-Responder Water Relief Team". Now, this team is actually working the region of Indonesia that was devastated by a powerful 7.7 earthquake and tsunami. The death-toll is rising (655 Confirmed dead and hundreds more missing). We are so thankful that we are able to dispatch a team so quickly. Your support and prayer help make this happen. Now, here's the rest of the report.

Our mission to Mount Merapi turned out to be one of our most rewarding deployments ever. The Air Mobile Team, Joe, Cindy and Barbara, headed straight to Mount Merapi (the world's most active volcano) on our first day in the region after departing Jakarta, the capitol of Indonesia. As we approached the mouth of the smoking volcano, we expected to be stopped by the officials and warned not to go any further. It never happened.

When we arrived in Solo Valley, just in the shadow of the volcano, we didn't know a soul. We stopped and soon we were speaking with Marcos, a tour guide for Mt. Merapi. His English was passable and next thing we knew, we were driving to the very last village on the southwest side of the volcano. In other words, you could get no closer to the mouth of Merapi. I must admit, we were all a bit apprehensive about getting so close to the world's most active volcano.

As we rolled into the village in a cloud of volcanic ash, it was the faces of the villagers that struck me. These people had recently returned to their village after a rather violent eruption that had killed two people just on the other side of the volcano. After spending several days in make-shift evacuation camps, these people opted to return to their homes. This is all they have ever known.

Many families had lived on this volcano mountain for mulitple generations. Besides, their animals and crops needed care. The volcanic ash had covered everything. We noted farmers in their fields attempting to save their crops by delicately brushing or gently washing the ash off their crops. In their minds, what else could they do?

The media had described these as the "defiant" ones who refused to leave the mountain. Could it blow at any moment? Yes, it certainly could. As we began to speak to the residents, we found interesting responses. Some believed the "holy man" that assured them that nothing would happen. Of course, the same "holy man" had told the residents on the other side of the mouth of the volcano that nothing would happen, yet, 2 people were burned alive by the hot gasses that blew out the side of Merapi. Of course, this volcano has only had 2 major eruptions in the last 75 years. Yet, the signs are pointing toward another major eruption.

We debated among ourselves about the plight of these precious people. One thing was for sure, they were not going to leave unless the lava was flowing right at them, or so it seems. What were we to do? After careful prayer and looking in their faces and watching the joyful antics of their children and the determination to live in the midst of great danger, the Air Mobile Team decided to develop a "First Responder" team capble of bringing clean water to them before the volcano blows and after, if the residents are fortunate enough to get out alive.

One scene that particularly touched our hearts was seeing a group of village girls preparing seedlings for the next crop. This just demonstrated the determination and the will to live and move forward in the face of adversity and danger.

Over the next week we journeyed to Mt. Merapi nearly every day on various missions. We met the head of the Merapi Guide Club, Sony. We met his wife, children, parents and numerous friends and co-workers. After careful review, we chose Sony to lead our "Air Mobile First Responder Team". We trained our newly formed teams on several different occasions.

In our training sessions, we used the actual river that was along the main evacuation route. This very river my soon be the life-saving water source for hundreds or thousands of evacuees fleeing the erupting volcano.

In addition to the Merapi Guide Club, we added another fine organization to cooperate with us on the First Responder Team, The Rebana Foundation. This Foundation is an extension of the Baptist Church in Indonesia. The Rebana Foundation is doing quality relief work all throughout Indonesia. Dr. Suroso, of the Rebana Foundation met with us on our final day. He and his associate were also trained on the operation of the Vortex Voyager TM and introduced to Sony and various members of the Merapi Guide Club. All seemed to hit it off quite well. Our team is coming together.

We are so pleased that now, we have in place a first class, highly capable first responder team in shadow of the world most active volcano. We truly thank the Lord for giving us the privilege to reach out to these vulnerable people.

This very mobile, capable team is able to bring life-saving water to help these precious people in the event of a catastrophy such as a major volcanic eruption. We also now have the ability to give clean water every day to those in need in various locations. We praise God for our team of "mountain climbers" (the Merapi Guide Club) who know the territory extremely well and are willing to serve and the Rebana Foundation standing firmly with us!

Should Mount Merapi have a major eruption, the U.S.Air Mobile Team will return to Indonesia immediately to assist our Indonesian Team in the disaster! We pray Merapi does not blow!!

Many of you who are reading this report have prayed for us and supported our efforts with your support and love. We truly thank the Lord for you!

Sincerely:

Joe, Cindy and Barbara (The U.S. Air Mobile Team!)

PLEASE CONTINUE TO READ DOWN AND SEE JUST HOW THIS WHOLE OPERATION CAME TOGETHER. IT'S QUITE A STORY OF GUIDANCE AND GRACE FROM OUR LORD!

Air Mobile Team back in the U.S. - Debriefing report coming! - Definately, Mission Accomplished!

2006-06-28T02:53:00.000-07:00

June 28, 2006 - Wednesday 5:52am (EST) - Newark, NJ - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

After an incredible 19 hour NON-STOP flight from Singapore to New Jersey, the Air Mobile Team is back in the U.S. tired, but ready to go again!

Due to a lot of storms in the Northeast, we were unable to catch a flight back to Orlando last night, so we'll be arriving in Orlando around noon today. It's so good to be back in the U.S. The Mission that we've just accomplished was just amazing.

The Air Mobile Team literally went the mouth of an active volcano and set up an emergency water team. We also brought clean water to areas of great need.

We'll put together an in-depth debriefing report in the next 24 hours. Gotta run catch our flite. God Bless!

Joe, Cindy andBarbara - The Air Mobile Team

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! The Air Mobile Team enroute - Heading home!

2006-06-27T09:43:00.000-07:00

June 27, 2006 - Tuesday 9:47am (Singapore Time) - Singapore Airport - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

A good flite from Jakarta to Singapore - we just landed. We have less than an hour and not a good internet connect (can't download photos). Our last day in Indonesia was amazing. We successfully trained and deployed our team of Mt. Merapi tour guides and they are in place in the shadow of the volcano. They understand that in the event of a disaster, they are to provide pure water to evacuees. Also, is the understanding that they are to provide pure water as needed in their community. During our time in Indonesia, we witnessed several dramatic events from the volcano. There are 70,000 people at risk in the volcano region.

When we get back to the states, we'll post a number of excellent photos depicting the culmination of our mission. Again, so much has been accomplished and we truly thank the Lord Jesus for being with us each step of the way.

Well, we have to run and catch a 19 hour NON-STOP flight to New York then work our way back to Orlando and home. Thanks again for your love , prayer and support!!

Joe, Cindy and Barbara (The Air Mobile Team enroute to the U.S.)

July 27, 2006 - Tuesday -5:40am (Indonesia Time)- Jakarta, Indonesia - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

The Air Mobile Team is about to board a flight to Singapore then the long, long flight home by way of New York, then Orlando. We'll be back in our office on June 29th. We have had an extremely successful trip. Will write more from Singapore and try to put up a couple of photos. Wow, so much has happened and above all, our Lord has moved mightily on this trip. God Bless! Gotta run catch our flight.

Joe, Cindy and Barbara (The Air Mobile Team!)

PS - Read down for amazing details of an amazing mission. We accomplished a lot on this trip. The Lord has truly been with us. Joe

Air Mobile deploys Vortex Voyagers with the Red Cross and Deploys rescue team on Mount Merapi - Busy Day!

2006-06-26T07:03:00.000-07:00

June 26, 2006 - Monday - 7:03am (Indonesia Time) - Solo, Indonesia - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

Yesterday, it was back to Bantul, the hardest hit area of Indonesia from the May 27th earthquake. This was our 4th trip to the region. While enroute to Bantul, we had a clear picture of Mount Merapi off to our right. We kept observing it on the 2 hour drive. About an hour out of Solo, we saw a major event. Suddenly, a very fast moving, cylindrical "cloud" came rushing down the face of the volcano. It happened so fast we didn't have a chance to grab our cameras. We knew something terrible had happened. We also knew that we had to return to Mount Merapi after we finished in Bantul. Going to be another long day. (We found out that the cylindrical cloud is called a pyroclastic flow - a gas cloud with temperatures reaching 600 degrees and travelling at hundreds of miles per hour!)

We arrived into Bantul right on time and immediately set up the training for 3 Red Cross workers. We had already been out in the field with the Red Cross team operating out of this area and had absolute confidence that these Red Cross workers would reach into the most desperate areas and bring life-saving water. This is also the first opportunity that Air Mobile has worked this closely with the Red Cross. Though we have crossed paths hundreds of times over the years, these Vortex Voyagers TM were first that the Indonesian Red Cross has received. We were very grateful for this. The Red Cross representatives received the units with great thankfulness and excitement at the possibilities that the units will afford them.

Upon completion of the the training / deployment in Bantul, it was back to Solo with Mount Merapi off to our left. We watched it very closely and saw continued activity. We phoned our team on Mount Merapi and they verified that a major lava flow had occured on the South side of the Volcano. Our team is located on the north side. Our team leader, Sony, assured us that no one lived where the major flow had occured. We were thankful, yet pressed all the more to get up to Mount Merapi and complete the training with Sony and his team that afternoon.

We arrived at Mount Merapi yesterday afternoon and continued our training with Sony and his team preparing for our final presentation and training scheduled for today. They are extremely perceptive and will be excellent team members. We got to our hotel late again.

We will be coordinating our Mount Merapi First Responder team with another team of men operating out of Jogja from Rebana Foundation, a group affiliated with the Union of Indonesian Baptist Churches. We have already worked with their organization in the past. We feel confident that this cooperation will work very well for this "Life-saving" first Responder team strategically located in the shadow of the world's most active volcano. There are over 70,000 people in harm's way from this volatile volcano!

Just a quick update on what our team did on Saturday, June 24th; I flew to Surabaya and brought 3 Vortex Voyagers TM to Jim Karl's nephew, Michael. Michael saw the value of the Vortex Voyager TM and requested one from his uncle who works with TEARS International. Jim is on Nias Island and desperately needs clean water for the eye hosptial that his organization started. Indonesia has an amazing network of airlines that provide inexpensive and efficient transportation to all of the country. So I flew to Surabaya in the morning, trained Michael and was back in Solo by mid afternoon.

Meanwhile, Cindy and Barbara became very concerned about the mudslide victims on Sulawesi. They tried to get a flight, but it was impossible since the flights go only once a day at 6AM. They also presented the Vortex Voyager TM to numerous medical organizations. That evening, we demonstrated the Vortex Voyager TM here at the hotel by drinking fish pond water after it passed through our "miracle" machine. Many at the hotel were very impressed with the unit.

Well, our support team from Rebana Foundation has just arrived, we're quickly finishing our breakfast. We'll be heading back up to Mount Merapi this morning for our final training of our team there. Then this afternoon, we fly to Jakarta. We will overnight there and catch the 6:20am flite out to begin our long journey home.

Will attempt to give final photos and report on the Mount Merapi deployment this afternoon. God Bless!!

Joe, Cindy and Barbara (The Air Mobile Team in Indonesia)

Air Mobile Team back to Bantul - Training Red Cross on the Voyager

2006-06-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

June 25, 2006 - Sunday - 7:51am (Indonesia Time) - Solo, Indonesia - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

The Air Mobile Team is heading back to Bantul this morning to deploy a Vortex Voyager TM with the Red Cross. After viewing the areas devastation shown to us by the Red Cross on our last trip there, Air Mobile has decided to place a unit with this team. As you may recall, Bantul is one of the hardest hit areas of the May 27th quake that killed nearly 6000 and left approximately 1,000,000 homeless. We are so blessed to be able to reach into this area of desperate need. Water is urgently needed everywhere.

Will write more this evening and tell you all about yesterday. Also, Indonesia is still very volatile. Today there was a 6.2 quake in Sulawesi, the area of Indonesia that has had terrible flooding and the death toll from that is 250 and rising. Again, Air Mobile is in the right place at the right time. Thank you again for your love, prayer and support!!

Joe, Cindy and Barbara (The Indonesia Air Mobile Team)

Air Mobile Team back to Bantul -

2006-06-24T17:53:00.000-07:00

Back to Ground Zero - Bantul - pump a well dry - then return to Mount Merapi--Long Day!

2006-06-23T12:55:00.000-07:00

June 23, 2006, Friday 12:56pm (Indonesia Time) - Solo, Indonesia - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

Yesterday began with an early departure from Solo to Bantul, about a 2 hour drive. Bantul was the hardest hit district of Indonesia in the devastating quake that killed over 6,000 and left nearly 1,000,000 homeless. Our first meeting was with the Red Cross and a wonderful volunteer named Chanti. Our plan was to visit a very hard hit district that lacked clean water. As we drove through the rice paddies and down the narrow dirt roads, the evidence of the quake was everywhere with whole villages completely flattened.

We arrived at the village of Pranti in the Imogiri district. Every structure in the village had been either severely damaged or completely destroyed. We searched and found a well. We noted that the well was either very deep or nearly dry. We would soon find out our answer. Often, earthquakes dramatically disrupt water sources.

The villagers immediately began coming to our location to see the foreigners and the strange little machine. Soon we were pumping very clean water and drinking it before their eyes. Our audience was shocked! The buckets began to appear. We set up 2 Vortex Voyagers TM because the vessels kept coming. The faces of the villagers indicated hard working, determined people trying to put their lives back together. Just gazing into their faces keeps us doing this!

Things were working very well. We were planning to spend the next couple of hours meeting the most basic of needs, clean water. We noticed the bucket coming up from the bottom of the well began to have more and more mud. Soon, we realized that we were at the bottom of the well. With regret, we had to shut down. The villagers were disappointed. The earthquake had likely damaged the well.

We headed back to the Red Cross Headquarters. Though we had been unable to fill all the vessels, we gave a tremendous demonstration to the Red Cross on the Vortex Voyager's TM amazing ability to purify the most contaminated water. We agreed to get together to discuss future deployment plans.

We then headed back to Solo to replenish our supplies before heading up to Mount Merapi (an hour and a half drive). We were going to attend a most extraordinary event. The local guides had planned a fund raiser for the locals to assist the earthquake victims in Bantul. We were so moved by their heart to help their countrymen, we had to attend this event. We were not disappointed!

The head of the Merapi Guide Club, Sony, met us. Sony had done a superb job of putting this event together. The crowds were beginning to come. The atmosphere was festive. We saw where the young men were being prepared for the presentation. The costumes were stunning and the seriousness in the dancers was evident. This was a huge event and it was clear, being a native dancer was a high privilege.

The dance unfolded like a grand story of past battles against impossible odds, filled with victories, courage, valor and defeat. The music was stunning. The dancers moved in synch with precision and grace. All of this taking place in the shadow of Mount Merapi for the purpose of raising money for earthquake victims far away. Our hearts were so touched by the evening.

At the end of this day, we had determined that we would be able to work very well with this group. We then headed down the mountain back to Solo. A long, but very fruitful day.

Today has been spent in meetings, phone calls, planning and getting our equipment ready for the next deployment. Many pieces to this complex puzzle of saving lives are coming together with the awesome help of our Lord! Will write more later.

Joe, Cindy and Barbara - The Indonesian Air Mobile Team

PS - PLEASE CONTINUE READING TO SEE HOW THIS INCREDIBLE MISSION HAS BEEN UNFOLDING!!

Air Mobile Team back to Mt. Merapi - In the shadow of a Volcano!

2006-06-21T20:39:00.000-07:00

June 21, 2006 - Wednesday 8:26pm (Indonesian Time) Solo, Indonesia - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

It was back to Mount Merapi today. Yesterday, while we were in Jogja (the hard hit earthquake region), Mount Merapi was spewing fire and lava. Today, as we approached the world's most active volcano, things were a bit quieter. We were glad for that. This also enabled us to get very close to a small village less than 1.5 kilometers from the mouth of the volcano.

We met Sony, a volunteer from the region who has been very active in Search and Rescue and assisting in evacuations. Sony is a very experienced tour guide who knows Mount Merapi better than most anyone else. We began training him as a potential First Responder team member equipped with the Vortex Voyager TM.

Before we arrived at the village, we set up a Vortex Voyager TM in a small river and left Cindy to run the operation. Meanwhile, Barbara and Sony and I proceeded to the last village before the volcano. Enroute to the village all of the crops were covered in volcanic ash! So was everything else. The very air was filled with this destructive ash.

Once we arrrived at this last outpost before Mt. Merapi, we found precious and determined people endeavoring to live their lives with this powerful volcano at their back-door. One might ask, why don't they just move? As I looked into the faces of the men, women and children in this little village, I seemed to gain more insight into their plight. This is all they have ever known. They, their parents, their parents parents and so on have lived on this land for many, many years. From time to time, Mount Merapi acts up, as is happening now. The people have run several times from Merapi within the last few months. They come back as soon as things calm down and tend to their crops and animals.

Our goal is to set up an Emergency Response Team to help these people escape when things get hot. And hot they become very quickly. We are hoping to establish a team that, among other things, can provide clean drinking water on a moments notice from any source.

That is the reason we set up a Vortex Voyager TM in the stream just outside their village to demonstrate the Vortex Voyagers TM ability to pump very clean water instantly. Cindy did a superb job of filling their vessels as Barbara and I pressed to the closest point to Merapi from the last village.

Tomorrow, we travel back to the Jogja region to meet with the Red Cross to discuss our ideas and plan of an emergency response team equipped with Vortex Voyagers TM for the Mount Merapi area. As you can see from our reports, we're moving pretty fast and seeking the best way to get the Vortex Voyagers TM into "Life-saving" positions. As I seem to say every report, "it's been a long day, need to get some rest". So, signing out for now. Will write more tomorrow. God Bless and THANKS for your prayer and support!!

Joe and the Air Mobile Team

PS - Before going to bed, I found this story about Mt. Merapi.
It is dated TODAY - JUNE 21, 2006 - AIR MOBILE is in the right place at the right time!

Hot gas, debris rumble down from Indonesia's Mount Merapi; lava dome at risk of collapse

(AP) -- Indonesia's Mount Merapi sent avalanches of searing hot gas and debris roiling down its scorched slopes Wednesday, as a scientist warned the peak's fragile lava dome still posed a threat to thousands of villagers.

The 9,700-foot volcano has been at a near-continuous state of high alert for seven weeks, forcing the evacuation of thousands of villagers in a government designated danger zone.

More than half a dozen avalanches Wednesday morning carried gas and volcanic debris 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) down the peak's flanks, Subandrio, a government scientist who used only one name, said Wednesday.

Magma has swelled into a volatile 300,000 cubic meter dome on the southern crater, he said, and there is a likelihood that the lava dome will collapse, causing an avalanche of the hot gas and volcanic debris trapped within it.

The government has ordered the evacuation of all residents living within 7 kilometers (just over 4 miles) of the peak, but says it cannot force them to leave or prevent villagers from returning to check their houses and crops. Hundreds have refused to go.

Another possible threat is posed by rain forecast for coming days which could wash millions of metric tons of built-up ash and rock fragments down Merapi's steep slopes in powerful mudslides.

Two people died last week when hot gas traveled 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) down the mountain on Wednesday.

Searing gas clouds killed more than 60 villagers in 1994 and more than 1,300 people died in a a major eruption in 1930.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

This news is brought to you by PhysOrg.com

Air Mobile returns to "Ground Zero" and gives clean water to thirsty victims!

2006-06-20T21:43:00.000-07:00

June 20, 2006 - Tuesday 9:43pm (Indonesia Time) - Solo, Indonesia - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

In our last report, the Air Mobile Team was heading to Jogja, Indonesia, an area devastated by the earthquake several weeks ago. We had a very productive day demonstrating / training different organizations on the Vortex Voyager TM (Samaritan's Purse, Food for the Hungry and the Cooperative Baptist). However, we ran out of time before we could get into some of the devasted areas to actually pump clean water from the contaminated wells for the refugees. We ran out of light and had to return to our base in Solo.

Today, Tuesday, we headed back to Jogja. We penetrated deeper into the destruction zones and found the Red Cross in the suburb of Batul. We demonstrated the Vortex Voyager TM to the leaders there and they are extremely interested in getting the Vortex Voyagers TM into all 17 affected disaster areas. They will be discussing these possibilities with their management and get back to us.

We then began looking for some hard hit areas and found a small tent city surrounded by rubble and destruction. Cindy asked the ladies at the entrance to a small, make-shift community if they needed clean water. In her limited Indonesian, she asked if they "wanted" clean water. They repeated again and again, want, want, want. In other words, yes, they really wanted / needed clean drinking water. Within minutes we had the little Vortex Voyager TM pumping very clean water from the very contaminated well. Soon, the water bottles began to appear and we began filling them. We filled every container that this community had!

It's difficult to explain the feeling of doing this. Something so simple as giving a cup of clean water to desperate people is one of the most rewarding things imaginable. This simple act of kindness and concern for their needs so clearly demonstrated God's love for them! Our Lord is so good to put us into this position. You have helped to send us here with your love, prayer and support!

Tomorrow, we head back to Mount Merapi. Our plan is to put a couple of Vortex Voyagers TM into position to help the residents of the that volatile mountain/volcano to have clean water instantly as they flee the volcano when it rumbles or erupts.

It's been a long day. Better close out for now. Will write tomorrow evening when we return from Mount Merapi. God Bless and thanks again for your love and prayer!!

Joe and the Air Mobile Team

Air Mobile Team arrives at Mt. Merapi!

2006-06-18T16:22:00.000-07:00

June 18, 2005 - Sunday - 10:21pm (Indonesia Time) - Solo, Indonesia - Report Submitted by Joe Hurston

We are in the shadow of Mt. Merapi, the world's most active volcano. We arrived into Solo on Saturday night after a one hour flight from Jakarta. Our mission in Jakarta was successful with the training of two team leaders of earlier deployments. We were able to upgrade their Vortex Voyagers TM and do some repairs to get the units up and working in top order. Both organizations work in the Sumatra region and on Nias Island.

Upon arrival at Solo, we were immmediately met with the smell of Volcano in the air. Mt. Merapi is rumbling and could potentially blow at any time. We then met with Jim Karl of Tears International (an organization that has worked mainly on Nias Island and Northern Sumatra). Now, after this last catastrophic earthquake and increased volcanic activity, they are deploying resources and teams in this region of Java island.

This morning, we attended church in Solo and we were all blessed by the worship and love we found in this precious congregation. Then we headed up to Mt. Merapi. We were able to drive within 3 kilometers of the actual mouth of the volcano. We ended our drive to the volcano at a small village. The people in the village are constantly on the look-out for volcanic activity and often have to flee their homes. This village had just returned from an evacuation after the volcano's last blast that actually killed two people just on the other side of the peak. We left the volcano and headed back to our base in Solo asking our Lord what and how we could help.

Will write more tomorrow.

Joe and the Air Mobile Team

Air Mobile Team on the ground in Indonesia!

2006-06-17T02:32:00.000-07:00

June 17, 2006 Saturday 2:27am (Indonesia time) - Report submitted by Joe Hurston

After a Non-stop flight of nearly 19 hours from Newark, NJ to Singapore we literally ran to our connecting flight into Jakarta, Indonesia. Once on the ground in Jakarta, our baggage did not all arrive. We patiently waited for the 3 remaining Voyager Voyagers TM to make it on the next couple of flights. Meanwhile, we bought a cell phone and have local Indonesian number and spent the next couple of hours lining up meetings, trainings and upgrading Vortex Voyagers TM in the field.

Our internal clocks are completely tumbled. There's an 11 hour time difference and our bodies hardly know if we're coming or going. There is definately something to "jet-lag". From the time we arrived at the Orlando International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, we have gone nearly 40 straight hours before laying down in a bed. Now, that's a long day!

Tomorrow, we fly to the Volcano region and press into the hardest hit areas. There are reports of an increase in bird flu and potential outbreak of tetanus in the region. There were several fairly strong earthquakes today in another region of Indonesia (Sulawesi Island) and this further demonstrates the tremendous instability of this area known as "The Ring of Fire". We are so blessed to be able to come here and help during this difficult time.

Meanwhile, another Air Mobile Team member, Cherie Hurston (my daughter) is on the Amazon River deploying Vortex Voyagers TM on Mission River boat that goes to isolated and needy areas. Cherie left on June 10, 2006. Please pray for her as she serves our Lord in that region.

Well, we have a full day tomorrow, better get to sleep. God Bless You and thanks again for praying for us as we trek deep into this region of suffering!

Joe and the Air Mobile Team

Air Mobile enroute to Indonesia - Mount Merapi rumbling!

2006-06-14T21:43:00.000-07:00

June 14, 2006 9:43pm (EST) - Newark Airport - Enroute to Indonesia

The Air Mobile team (Joe and Cindy Hurston and Barbara Walker) is about to board a Singapore Airbus 340 and fly 19 hours to Singapore. That's a long NON-STOP flight! From Singapore, we'll be on the ground a couple of hours, then to Jakarta. We have back-to-back-to-back meetings scheduled upon arrival with agencies that we have worked with during the tsunami. It's very good to be returning to Indonesia. Though, we have many, many sad memories of the last time we were here. The tsunami was the worst disaster in modern history. Our heart goes out to the Indonesian people.

As we monitor the news on Indonesia, it appears that Mt. Merapi, the world's most active volcano is showing signs of a major eruption. Just hours ago, huge clouds of super-heated gases nearly enveloped a near-by village. This is the reason we sense such an urgency to get to the region and offer life-saving water to those that are fleeing this volcano.

Just a quick note; we, at Air Mobile want to thank all of those that attended the Air Mobile Indonesian Briefing last night (June 13th) at the Air Mobile Headquarters in Titusville, FL. Thanks for taking the time to come and pray with us and thanks for your gifts toward this critical mission!

We'll write once we get settled into Jakarta. We'll only spend a day in Jakarta before proceeding to the volcano region. As always, thank you for your love and prayer!!

Joe and the Air Mobile Team