Thank you for being interested in the mission in the Philippines.

Let me introduce you to PAMAS.

PAMAS –Philippines Adventist Medical Aviation Services

PAMAS is a faith-based, volunteer-driven organization, which strives to speed the mission of the Adventist church to carry God’s love to the world through the use of aviation and medical ministry. PAMAS was inspired by Gospel Ministries International and is made possible solely through God’s provisions and donations.

We currently have one helicopter located in southern Palawan. As God has opened doors for expanding the ministry, we are already in need of more aircraft. By faith we are planning for another helicopter to serve the large island of Northern Luzon. We are also in need of an airplane to service all the islands of the Philippines.

Our goal is to speed the spread of the gospel to the unreached and remote areas of the Philippines by providing air and medical support to established SDA missions/organizations (as well as unentered areas as opportunities arise). These remote missions sometimes have medical clinics, churches, and elementary schools that greatly benefit from the air-support. Others have just one or two lay workers trying to play the role of teacher, nurse, and pastor, and they too greatly appreciate the medical teams, consultations, and aviation support we provide.

Besides assisting these missions with transportation of supplies and missionaries, we also provide medical evacuation, and transportation of Bible workers to remote areas. We coordinate with medical workers to provide mobile clinics to areas without medical care.

Without the helicopter, villagers or missionaries too sick to be cared for in the mountains have to be carried out to the hospital. This involves backbreaking work, hauling the patients over steep, treacherous trails that can take hours to days. The helicopter cuts a multiple-hour hike into mere minutes, which in some situations can make the difference between life and death.

PAMAS’ ultimate desire is to uphold the gospel commission Jesus has called us to, and reach the world with the great news in these final days.

Q. How did PAMAS come to be?
A. Dwayne Harris, a volunteer pilot/mechanic who brought the donated helicopter to the Philippines in 2007 was inspired by David Gates (with Gospel Ministries International) to start this ministry. A year later, he married Wendy Harris, a missionary nurse in Palawan, and they have been developing the PAMAS mission ever since. Andrey Mershalov, a pilot from the Ukraine, answered God's call with his family and came to help fly in August 2009. He is now trained in mountain flying and is handling the flights in Palawan as Dwayne and Wendy expand the work to Northern Luzon.

Q. How many missionaries do you have?
A. We currently have two helicopter pilots and their families, and one fixed-wing pilot and his family along with multiple support staff including 5 singles. (13 total staff including 2 children). Support missionaries help with medical work, Bible studies, children's and Muslim ministries as well as maintenance of the vehicles, helicopters, housing, and grounds etc. They also help manage the finances or whatever needs to be done. Everyone pitches in with medical teams and mobile clinics that we frequently host.

Q. How do the missionaries support themselves?
A. All PAMAS missionaries in the Philippines serve gladly as volunteers. They receive no salary, and their basic needs are supported through donations (or sometimes self-supporting small businesses). They are happy to sacrifice in a small way for their Lord who gave all for them to have eternal life and a hope for the future.

Q. How can I be a volunteer with PAMAS?
A. The best way is to fill out an application with GMI(www.gmivolunteers.org) and also contact us directly telling us your interest. Your application will be forwarded to other GMI projects so that even if your skills are not needed with PAMAS at the time, there may be other opportunities for you elsewhere. You can access the application form through this website

Traveling/Visa requirements

http://travel.state.gov
/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_999.html

Religion

http://en.wikipedia.org
/wiki/Religion_in_the_Philippines

Living expenses: would be around 100USD-150 USD/ month /person.

Airfare to Manila:

1200-1500USD/roundtrip you may use www.kayak.com to check on the prices.

Immunizations:

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov
/travel/destinations/philippines.aspx

Please understand that as a volunteer you are required to cover your cost of living and traveling and that there will be no financial help from the mission. Missions are sustained by donations, so you are encouraged to have your own way of financial sustenance.

God’s call:

At last but not least your divine calling is the most important step.

John 4:35,36       Say not ye, There are yet four months, and [then] cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.