In Oct. 2017, Dr. Brad Martin began working on transportation arrangements for an ambulance, a fire truck and a tanker truck. Since that time, a myriad of events took place including a variety of mechanical issues with the vehicles, technical difficulties with the application, the addition of three more vehicles for Nicaragua (including an unexpected tractor) political unrest, bone chilling temperatures, vehicle title issues and worst of all, the sudden death of Dr. Brad Martin. Perhaps it is a shipment that will go down in W/NP history as one of the most challenging. W/NP volunteer (Bob) summed it up accurately, "..It all boils down to the notion that anything in life worth doing is rarely simple.”
That being said, Brad would have been elated for the arrival of the 6 vehicles to Nicaragua on January 12, 2020. This could not have happened without the effort of many people including the Ken Hundemer and Jim Bailey team from the Denton Program who coordinated the airlift, Dan Peterson and Johnson Towing that worked through the night in record low temps to haul the vehicles to MSP, SMSgt Justin Kessler, Superintendent for 27th Aerial Port Squadron at the Minneapolis Air Force Base who graciously worked with W/NP until a window of opportunity opened up to move the vehicles and utilized their drill weekend for training in preparing and loading of non-standard vehicles, (he commented, “We appreciate it as well. Not only are we getting outstanding training but the cause makes it extra special.”), the 60th Air Mobility Wing and 22nd Airlift Squadron in CA and the list could go on and on as there were so many others who stepped up to the plate and helped out in ways they could.
This humanitarian shipment was a fine example of collaboration among many, and an opportunity for a variety of people, businesses and organizations, including government and non-government, to come together for the good of others. Thank you everyone and all of you who help support the work of W/NP!
Great photos and coordination Maria! We are super thankful for the collaboration with Furia Santa Center, a ministry that works with recovering addicts and gang members. In the United States, “rehab” facilities are easily accessible and most families provide support to their loved ones while in recovery. In Nicaragua, where families struggle to provide the basic needs to survive, a family member with an addiction or gang association weighs down the already struggling family. Young men come to the center ashamed and with no sense of self-worth. At Furia Santa, they learn of God’s redeeming love and mercy. The men also learn vocational skills to provide them with the ability to secure a job when they leave the center.
Photos update on the project in Esteli at the Gotita de Amor building. Maria has coordinate some fabulous food for the amazing workforce from Project Hope, we sure appreciate their expertise, hard works and help to make these improvements to the fence and building areas. More photos and info here.... www.facebook.com/colibriiniciativaarte.esteli
This one’s for you Brad! Once again a beautiful C5 from Travis AFB touches down in Managua today, this time with 2 ambulances, 3 fire trucks, and 1 tractor from Wisconsin for W/NP Firefighters United! The gathering of vehicles and the transport has been years in the making, and we are grateful for all the people from California, Texas, South Carolina, Minnesota, Virginia, Nicaragua, Wisconsin (and probably a few other places too) that have come together for the good of others. Thank you everyone - it's a team effort!
"...We would love to see it (turnout gear) go to good use as it’s in good shape with lots of life left in it." replied Turner, a lieutenant with Elk Mound Fire District.
We really appreciate the Fire Departments throughout the state sharing with each other about the connections Wisconsin has with Nicaragua. It takes a team and we thank all who help with the transport and shipping preparation, in this case, Chuck Hill, W/NP Board Member from Eau Claire.
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