It was early one morning, and Oscar was getting ready for his day as a high school teacher in Pagwi. On his walk to the water well for his morning shower, he was bitten by a highly poisonous death adder snake. Less than an hour later Oscar began to feel dizzy, so he made a decision to go to the local health center.

When he arrived, the effect of the poison was taking hold, and Oscar was unable to speak properly or swallow his saliva. He soon began to fall in and out of consciousness.

The nurses on site called Samaritan Aviation and began to transport Oscar down to the runway. Once our team landed, they put Oscar on the stretcher inside the plane, and took off for Boram hospital.

During the flight, Oscar felt like he was beginning to die. “That’s what I was feeling”, he said, “that I wanted to die”. After arriving at the Wewak airport, we transferred Oscar into an ambulance and took him to the hospital. He was near death when he was admitted, and we weren’t sure he was going to make it.

After receiving anti-venom, Oscar began to regain consciousness. Within just a few days he had made a full recovery! Chris Cooke and his family visited Oscar while he was in the hospital, praying over him and sharing the Gospel with him. Being in care for a few days gave Oscar time to think. He thought about his life and what this recovery meant for him and his relationship with God.

Oscar views this story as an interesting testimony, and lives his life with joy. He was able to return home after a few days, and resume teaching at the high school.

“I realized I was dead, but now I am alive… Thank you to Samaritan Aviation for your support, and to those who continue to support Samaritan Aviation… thank you. May God bless you all and what you are doing.” – Oscar