Brinkman Adventures

Beachglass Ministries: You're listening to the Brinkman Adventures and this is part three of Dangerous Waters.

In our last episode, Jack, Michelle, and a small team flew from Nome, Alaska, and crossed the Bering Strait to Russia.

Anna: Hello, here's a bag for you. Take whatever you want. Fruit, vegetables, flour, sugar. I don't believe this. I haven't had an orange for years. Why are you doing this?

Jack Brinkman: You say and you do. It's easy to say, but hard to do. I believe what you say because you do.

Dave Cochran: Barb! I spent all night reading my Bible. In the middle of the night, I decided to follow Jesus.

Anna: Oh, Dave!

Beachglass Ministries: The team spent the next two days interacting with the townspeople who filled the theater for the evening meetings. Many gladly accepted the good news they heard. God indeed blessed the trip to Lavrentiya.

Now, as they return home, their plane approaches Saint Lawrence Island, which is between Russia and the US in the middle of the frigid Bering Strait. This small island is owned by the United States. Here, they will get their passports stamped and then continue on to Nome, Alaska.

The team is almost giddy with excitement. They've had a great trip and they're almost back to their home.

Jack Brinkman: Folks, make sure you're buckled up. We'll be landing in a moment. Send your passports forward and Bob will collect them. Customs agent is named Herman Christensen and he's a real character. He's been here as long as I can remember. Barb, you still have mine in your purse, don't you?

Barb Cochran: Yep, have them both here. Love your picture, Dave. You have that twinkle in your eye.

Dave Cochran: He was probably thinking about you, Barb. Actually, the guy taking my picture looked something like a circus clown, only he wasn't trying to. I was trying not to laugh.

Barb Cochran: Anybody know what day it is?

Jack Brinkman: It's Saturday, Barb. You just wake up, sweetie? No, it's Friday. We crossed the International Date Line back there. We get to relive Friday.

Barb Cochran: Whoa, that's pretty cool. Wish we could relive the past few days.

Jack Brinkman: We've got some turbulence here. It's windy in this part of the world. Hang on, we're about to touch down. Here we are at Saint Lawrence Island. Here comes faithful Herman on his four-wheeler.

Herman Christensen: Hey there, old man, where have you guys been?

Jack Brinkman: Russia, the town of Lavrentiya.

Herman Christensen: Well then, welcome home. I'll need to stamp your passports.

Jack Brinkman: Here's all of them.

Herman Christensen: Mr. Cochran, for a 70-year-old, you're looking mighty pretty in this picture.

Dave Cochran: That's not mine, that's Michelle's. Mine's underneath that one.

Herman Christensen: Oh yeah, this guy looks old. Yep, that's you. Hey, while you're here, anyone in there need to use the restroom? I can run you over with the four-wheeler. I don't mean run over top of you, but you know what I mean, right?

Michelle Brinkman: I think we can make it the rest of the way. I'm fine.

Herman Christensen: What's with all the gas cans up and down the aisle? You folks aren't smuggling anything, are you?

Jack Brinkman: Just Russian air. Those are empty five-gallon cans. Russian fuel is hard on our engines, so we bring our own fuel over.

Herman Christensen: Yeah, no laws against carrying Russian air. Don't look too comfortable, though.

Michelle Brinkman: Hey, that plane over there, it looks just like ours.

Herman Christensen: Yeah, that there plane's piloted by Phillip Hey. He looks like a grizzly bear.

Jack Brinkman: I've met him. Nice guy.

Herman Christensen: Yeah, he's running late today, probably the first time ever. He's never late. Well, I'm done with you all. Have a good trip back to Nome, okay?

Jack Brinkman: Thanks. Nice meeting you. Good luck. Okay folks, buckle up. Here we go.

Barb Cochran: Look at the gas gauges. They look like they're below half. Why didn't we fill up?

Jack Brinkman: This isn't a long flight. We'll be fine. I'm taking a nap back here, you all. Wake me up when we arrive, okay?

Beachglass Ministries: As Dave drifts off to sleep, Barb has a bad feeling. At this very moment, several hundred miles away in Homer, Alaska, Susan Brinkman puts Ian and Isaac to bed.

Susan Brinkman: You boys had fun today. You're going to really sleep great tonight. And tomorrow we get your daddy and Michelle back. Ian, what's wrong? Is something bothering you?

Ian Brinkman: Mom, can we pray for Dad and Michelle right now?

Isaac Brinkman: Yeah, how about we pray for them?

Susan Brinkman: Okay, boys. Do you want to start, Ian?

Ian Brinkman: Sure. God, please help Michelle and Dad right now. And please protect them and don't let anything bad happen to them.

Isaac Brinkman: And God, help them be okay.

Susan Brinkman: Lord, watch over Jack and Michelle with your angels and help these two boys to sleep well tonight so they can have a fun day tomorrow with their daddy and older sister. Amen. Love you boys, see you in the morning.

Ian Brinkman: Thanks, Mom. Love you.

Isaac Brinkman: Goodnight, Mom.

Michelle Brinkman: Dad, look at the water down there. We must be thousands of feet up and you can still see the whitecaps.

Jack Brinkman: You're right. You can see the pattern of the waves. The wind must be coming from that direction. It looks like steel.

Michelle Brinkman: What's going on up front? Bob and the pilot keep tapping those round gauges.

Jack Brinkman: Those are the fuel gauges. It looks like we're running a bit low. We should be fine. If you look out ahead, you can see the mainland. We're almost across.

Michelle Brinkman: Dad, I think that engine on my side just stopped. Look, the propeller's barely spinning. We're still over water. This can't be good.

Jack Brinkman: Yeah, this is a little scary. The other engine's running fine, though. We can make it the rest of the way on one engine. Anchorage Center, this is Six Sierra Foxtrot on 133.3.

Anchorage Center: Number Six Sierra Foxtrot, go ahead.

Jack Brinkman: Fuel indicators were apparently off. We've run out of fuel on one tank and are descending now toward Sledge Island. I'm not sure how much fuel I've got left in the other one.

Anchorage Center: November Six Sierra Foxtrot, Roger. Do you declare an emergency at this time?

Jack Brinkman: I believe I will.

Anchorage Center: November Six Sierra Foxtrot, state souls on board.

Jack Brinkman: Seven.

Michelle Brinkman: What did he just say? I think he's declaring an emergency. Dad, did you hear that?

Jack Brinkman: Our pilot's calling just to be safe. The other engine's running fine. Why don't we pray? Father, help our pilot make good decisions and keep the other engine running strong. Keep us safe, Father. Oh no!

Michelle Brinkman: Dave, wake up! We've lost our engines!

Dave Cochran: What?

Michelle Brinkman: Dad, I'm scared.

Jack Brinkman: Anchorage Center, our fuel just went out.

Anchorage Center: Understood, fuel has gone out at this time. You're descending into where at this time?

Jack Brinkman: We're about two miles short of Sledge Island. Folks, we may need to make an emergency landing.

Michelle Brinkman: Dave, what do we do?

Jack Brinkman: People, we've got to pray like never before.

Dave Cochran: Oh God, no, please! I don't want to die! I'm only a kid. I want to grow up and get married someday. Lord, this is exactly what I was afraid would happen. You knew my fears. Why this? Why, God? This doesn't seem fair. Please, God, do a miracle and start that engine.

Michelle Brinkman: Dad, we're getting closer to the water. The waves look so big.

Jack Brinkman: Michelle, if we crash in the water, we're going to hit hard. Even if you're hurt, get out. Just remember, honey, I love you and God loves you. Don't ever forget that, no matter what happens.

Michelle Brinkman: Daddy, I love you too. Give me your hand.

Jack Brinkman: Bob, tell them we'll all exit out the emergency door in the back. Listen, we're going to exit out of the emergency door in the back. Flat approach so we don't force the nose in. If we dig in, this plane will come apart. Speed, 90 knots. Oh Jesus, we need you now. Hang on, Michelle. Hang on everyone, here we go! We're going to hit! Is everybody okay?

Michelle Brinkman: I'm fine.

Dave Cochran: I don't know, Daddy. My legs feel funny.

Jack Brinkman: Your seat broke free and you hit Tam's seat. Can you move your legs?

Dave Cochran: Yeah, I think so. My leg is stuck under this seat.

Jack Brinkman: I'm coming, Barb. We're going to push against the seat in front of you while you pull your leg, okay?

Barb Cochran: Dave, I'm scared. The water's coming in.

Jack Brinkman: Pull, Barb!

Barb Cochran: I can't move! It's not helping!

Jack Brinkman: Got it. Thank you, God. Okay, I'm opening the door. Everybody grab an empty gas can. Water's coming in fast. Dave, Barb, go. Come on honey, let's go. Go ahead, Tam, jump. Michelle, it's our turn, let's go.

Michelle Brinkman: Daddy, I'm scared. I can't.

Jack Brinkman: Mr. Cochran, Bob, go ahead of us. Let's go! Okay Michelle, I'm going out and then you jump to me. Like in the pool when you were little, remember? I'll be there to catch you, okay?

Michelle Brinkman: Okay, Daddy. It's cold!

Jack Brinkman: Okay honey, jump to me. Come on out. Why is she opening the other door above the wing? Michelle, what are you doing? She's going out onto the wing. She's crawling out onto the back of the plane. Michelle, what are you doing? You're supposed to stay with a capsized boat!

Dave Cochran: That's not a boat, it's going to sink! Front is tipping down! She needs to get off!

Jack Brinkman: Michelle, the tail's going to hit you! Jump now!

Michelle Brinkman: This water is so cold! My legs are cramping, Dad!

Jack Brinkman: Lay back like this. Hang onto my arm. Now kick your legs with me. Let's get away from the plane.

Michelle Brinkman: It's sinking. There she goes. It floated about a minute.

Jack Brinkman: How are you doing, girl?

Michelle Brinkman: It was cold at first, but now I can't feel anything.

Jack Brinkman: Cross your left leg over mine and lock arms with me. Okay, now put your other arm over your gas can and keep your hand in the handle. I'll do the same with mine. See, that works good. Are you comfortable?

Michelle Brinkman: Comfortable? We're floating in the middle of the ocean.

Dave Cochran: Dave! I'm drifting apart! I'm trying to get to you! I can't seem to swim! Barb, I'm sorry! Come on, Barb, don't give up! Hang on, don't let go! You can do it, Barb! There you go, girl. Good. Mr. Cochran, you okay over there?

Dave Cochran: A little cool, but I'm okay. Remember, no one, not even Satan, can snatch us from God's hands. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. Where did I go from thy spirit, or where shall I flee from thy presence? If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead me and thy right hand shall hold me. This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Barb Cochran: I don't know about that one, Bob.

Beachglass Ministries: As our friends struggled to stay afloat in the 37-degree water, another plane makes its way over the sea towards Nome. This is the airplane they saw earlier on the Saint Lawrence Island runway. It is piloted by Phillip Hey.

Air traffic controller in Anchorage reaches him by radio.

Anchorage Center: 4666, go ahead.

Phillip Hey: 4666, I have an aircraft in difficulty that is attempting a landing at Sledge Island. I wonder if it might be possible for you on either a VFR or an IFR clearance to deviate over to the top of Sledge Island on your way into Nome and let me know if you can spot the aircraft on the beach. I see something going to the water off of Sledge Island. I thought it was a whale. We're about four miles off of Sledge and it looks like there is splashing in the water here also.

Anchorage Center: 4666, just understand that you can see wreckage in the water and it appears that there also is some sort of splashing in the water near the wreckage.

Phillip Hey: There are two people in the water and wreckage.

Anchorage Center: 4666, Roger that. Thank you much, sir.

Beachglass Ministries: As Phillip Hey circles above our friends, their bodies grow colder. In this temperature, survival beyond 20 minutes is unusual. Seconds count. Phillip helplessly watches them struggle below and also watches his fuel gauges edge towards empty.

The survivors look tiny and are hidden among the countless waves. If he leaves, they will never again find these people. Meanwhile, Anchorage Flight Control Center places a call to Blue Sky Helicopter's pilot John Wright. He just finished dinner with his family and is about to leave the house.

John Wright: Man, I don't know. I don't have rescue equipment. I don't have floats, just skids.

Anchorage Center: John, you're the only option we have. Right now a plane is circling the crash site with a visual on at least three survivors. These people will certainly all die if you don't go. Please, would you at least give it a shot?

John Wright: Okay, I'll do it. Call the Nome Fire Department and get the strongest guy they have to meet me at the hangar. Also, call my mechanic Harry Sammick and have him come. His number's in the Nome directory. I'll have the bird fueled and ready when they arrive.

Anchorage Center: Thanks, John. We'll make the call.

John Wright: Harry, thanks for coming. Hop in.

Harry Sammick: You bet, John. Here comes another guy.

Sam: I'm Sam. I'm an EMT with the fire department. They asked me to help.

John Wright: Thanks for coming, Sam. Get in. We'll talk in the air. Okay men, thanks for coming. Sam, what's in the bag?

Sam: Seven body bags. And I'm hoping we won't need those.

John Wright: They've only got 20 minutes in this water. They've been in that long already and it's 20 minutes from here to Sledge.

Sam: Let's pray for a miracle then.

John Wright: Blue Sky, do you copy?

Anchorage Center: This is Blue Sky Helicopter, go ahead.

Phillip Hey: Blue Sky, this is ARA helicopter. We were conducting a geological survey near Nome and heard what's going on. We just cut loose our equipment and our en route to assist. We don't have floats, but we'll do what we can. We figure we're about 25 minutes from Sledge.

John Wright: Got it, thanks. More help the better. We'll see you at Sledge.

Phillip Hey: Roger, Blue Sky.

John Wright: Good, it sounds like we'll have a second helicopter to assist. Guys, helicopter water rescue normally uses a long rope and a basket which we don't have. We'll be very close to the victims in the water.

The downforce of air from our rotors could push them under. If our tail rotor hits a wave, we could crash. Sam, are you okay with crawling out on the skid to grab them?

Sam: I can do that.

John Wright: Harry, you help Sam from inside.

Harry Sammick: Got it.

John Wright: You were right, Sam. It took us about 20 minutes.

Sam: There's the plane circling, but I see nothing in the water.

Harry Sammick: I do! There's a bunch of stuff floating with people hanging onto it! They're waving! I can't believe it, they're alive!

Sam: There are two people together at our three o'clock, about 200 yards out. Head that way and I'll get ready.

Harry Sammick: Okay, come around. Starboard side. We're right above them. Straight down. Lower. Can you get lower?

John Wright: I need to watch the swell. I'll try to dip between the waves.

Sam: Sir, grab my hand! Take the girl! Her legs are cramping! Michelle, grab his hand!

Michelle Brinkman: I can't!

Jack Brinkman: We're too deep, Daddy! I got you! Up and out!

Sam: Okay, sit on the skid next to me. I got you. Now reach up. He'll help you in.

Harry Sammick: Got her! Go back down for the guy!

John Wright: We can't right now! You see those big waves? There's someone 30 yards straight ahead. I see him. Okay, here we go. Going down.

Sam: Sir, grab my hand! Get Barb! Get my wife first! She's over there! I can't hear you! Grab my hand now! Okay, up! Lost him! Try again! Grab! Lost them! I can't! Hang on! Have him lower the skid into the water! John, can you lower the skid underwater?

John Wright: Never done that before. I can try.

Sam: You did it! The skid's just under the water! Put your legs over the top of the skid! Good! Up, up, up!

Harry Sammick: Harry, grab him! I have him! Pull yourself in, sir! John, there's a guy over there floating face down.

Sam: Shouldn't we go for survivors first?

John Wright: No, let's get him. He's 50 yards out. I need you out on the skid for this one. He's not going to be able to help us. Oh no, that's our pilot. I don't think he made it. Okay, down, John. This big wave! Too heavy! Can't get a grip on him! You two inside, grab that short rope! Hang onto an end! Give me the loop! Okay, I have it. Going to try to put it around him and hook his arm. Harry, hang onto me! Don't let me go in! Okay, we have him! We have the rope under him! Pull that rope and don't let it slip! I have him over the skid! Up! He's coughing! He's still alive! We're not going to get this guy inside. Go to the island. We'll stay out here and hang onto him. ARA helicopter, do you copy?

Phillip Hey: Roger, we're approaching the scene.

John Wright: We have three survivors on board and are taking them to the top of Sledge. We'll come back and assist as soon as we offload these three.

Phillip Hey: Roger, Blue Sky. Oh man, look at that. There's three people hanging onto one skid. They're going to ascend to the top of the island like that. That's got to be 700 feet up. Tim, you ready for this?

Tim: As ready as I can be. I'll open the door and I'll get in position. Got a survivor straight ahead. Here we go. Okay, lower, lower, lower. Ma'am, you'll need to let go of your gas can.

Barb Cochran: Okay.

Phillip Hey: Bruce, she's getting pushed under by the wind from your rotors. I can't reach her. Go lower. Okay, I have her arm. Swing your leg over the skid.

Barb Cochran: I can't!

Phillip Hey: Bruce, I can't get her in. I'm going to try to hold her with my legs. I'll need to get further out on the skid. Okay ma'am, I'm going to grab you with my legs. Try to hang onto me. Bruce, I have her! Up, slowly! This isn't going to work. I'm heading for the island. Hang on, Tim.

Barb Cochran: Oh Jesus, please help me. Oh Jesus, please help, help! Oh, I believe.

Michelle Brinkman: Michelle, how are you doing? I'm afraid for my dad. He was struggling when the helicopter came. But he made me go first. What am I going to do?

John Wright: That's tough. Keep praying, Michelle. Mr. Cochran, you need to stay with us.

Dave Cochran: Where am I?

John Wright: You're on top of Sledge Island. Remember we crashed? A helicopter rescued us and dropped us off here.

Dave Cochran: Where are the others?

John Wright: The helicopter's looking for them.

Dave Cochran: That's a different helicopter and the doors are open. They're landing. That's Barb lying in there. No, she's not moving.

Harry Sammick: Sir, we need you and the others to load up quickly.

Dave Cochran: That's my wife in there. Is she all right?

Harry Sammick: She's conscious, but she needs to get to the hospital. Let's get you three loaded up.

Dave Cochran: What about the other people? There's three more out there. We can't leave without them.

Harry Sammick: We've got them. They're all on Blue Sky helicopter and they're on their way to Nome.

Dave Cochran: Are they all alive?

Harry Sammick: Yes, they're all alive.

Dave Cochran: That accounts for everyone! Praise God! Everyone's been rescued! Thank you Jesus! Oh daddy, thank you Lord! Mr. Cochran, wake up.

Dave Cochran: Hey, where am I?

Harry Sammick: Mr. Cochran, everyone's been rescued.

Dave Cochran: Huh? From what?

Beachglass Ministries: John and Bruce pushed their helicopters to the limit as they sped to Nome. Upon arrival, the hospital staff skillfully treats each one for hypothermia. Barb is the coldest of the seven. Her core body temperature had dropped to 90 degrees.

Doctor Thomas decides to keep her overnight just to be safe. Before releasing the other six, he gathers them together in Barb's room. This is the first time they've all been together since the crash. There are many hugs and tears. After giving them a couple minutes, the doctor addresses the group.

Dr. Thomas: Folks, you lived well beyond the limit for people in 37-degree water. You made history today and you should all consider yourselves very lucky.

Dave Cochran: I believe it was more than luck.

Dr. Thomas: Yes, it was.

Jack Brinkman: Think about it. The plane that spotted us just happened to be late and then it flew over at the exact time and place.

Michelle Brinkman: And the weather was perfect. If the wind was coming from the other direction as it normally does this time of year, the waves would have made rescue impossible.

Dave Cochran: Mr. Cochran, you just happened to throw those empty cans in. Without them, we would have been sunk.

Barb Cochran: And your landing. There were five-foot waves and you put us down at 90 miles an hour. The plane should have broken up.

Jack Brinkman: With all due respect, doctor, I don't think luck saved us.

Dr. Thomas: I'll admit it does seem like someone had his eyes on you. There's also a family here who is quite anxious to see you. Send them in!

Ian Brinkman: Dad! Susan! Kids!

Susan Brinkman: Am I ever glad to see you! They sent a special plane for us. I'm so glad you're okay. Michelle, honey!

Michelle Brinkman: Mom! Dad, we prayed for you. Yeah, God listened.

Isaac Brinkman: I saw a moose. He had two babies. They was so cute.

Harry Sammick: We have another special visitor.

Herman Christensen: Hello travelers, Agent Herman Christensen. Good to see you. They told me you'd be hiding out here in the hospital. I gotta say I can think of a couple warmer spots in the world to go for a swim.

Beachglass Ministries: What an incredible trip. God not only used our friends to bring the good news of his salvation to the Russians in Lavrentiya, he also saved the missionaries from almost certain death in the Bering Sea.

Kids, are you scared of something? Perhaps you know someone who is sick or you're in the hospital yourself, or maybe you're scared that something lives under your bed. Whatever it is that you fear, remember that God is bigger. He'll help us through whatever struggle we face.

When we've given our hearts to him, he is always with us and will never leave us. You've been listening to the Brinkman Adventures, a brand new audio series. This story is called Dangerous Waters.

To download a copy of Dangerous Waters or to purchase a CD of this story, visit our website, www.brinkmanadventures.com. Do you want to read a detailed account of this rescue? Would you like to know what the real Dave and Barb Anderson have been up to since their rescue?

Would you like to send them an email? If so, then you need to visit our website, www.brinkmanadventures.com.

Jack Brinkman: Kids, this is Jack Brinkman. The Bible says that once all the nations on earth have heard about Jesus, he will return. So let's join together in sharing this good news and bring back our king.