A plane from Ukarumpa was dispatched. However, bad weather set in over the village. It looked unlikely
that the plane could land. However, just as all hope was gone, God opened a small patch between the
clouds, allowing the plane to land. Due to the bad weather, only a short time was given to load Vonnie,
Walt and Kerry. In the same way as the plane had gotten in, the Lord opened a small patch of clear sky
where the plane was able to take off. They flew back to Ukarumpa, where the medical staff was able to
stabilize Vonnie, who was in a near-coma situation. In the morning, Vonnie was taken by plane to the
Lutheran Hospital in Madang for better treatment. There, she improved and returned to health.
A lesson was learned through this hardship. Walt noted in a letter home that commitment to Christ was
more important than their service.
Within a short time after Vonnie’s return to full health, the Steinkraus family returned to the states for
their furlough.
44 | P a g e