We came to N’Djamena the other day via a MAF flight. Now, that we’re here, we’re meeting with a doctor to sort out the next best steps for Sahara. On an encouraging note (we need those), the doctor listened to her heart and said her vitals are good. So we’re going to run a calorie test with lots of formula to see if she can put on some weight before making the final decision to evacuate her and Sonja out of country.

The flight from Iriba to the capital occurred in the only plane presently flying of MAF’s two-plane fleet, the 12-13 passenger Cessna plane (on the left below).

We were off and waved goodbye to our desert town of Iriba for the next month.

The kids absolutely loved the flight.  Sonja set them up in their seats and it was all smiles as we made the three hour flight to the capital, a journey that normally takes us two days when we drive all the way across Chad.

I don’t think anyone enjoyed the flight more than Nehemiah.  The MAF pilot, David, let him move up and ride co-pilot for the majority of the flight.  He was able to put on the headphones and mic in order to talk with David.  He taught him about all the controls on the plane, let him ask questions, and even let him give us our marching orders for being seated before we landed (check out the video).

Pilot Nehemiah from Broten Family on Vimeo.