April 2024
Why Alaska?
Alaska is a very large place that faces challenges of both physical and spiritual isolation.
For Example: Things that are common for most of the US, can be hard (if not impossible at times) for Alaskans to get. Even the biggest cities in Alaska rely on tug boats to bring food up from the lower 48 and the state only has about 2 weeks of food on the store shelves at any given point. In more remote places food will typically come in every few weeks by airplane, which is expensive and if something is on the flight then it is just not avaliable as there is no other place to get it.
We serve to overcome the challenges of isolation and to give people the tools and resources to engage with the Bible in whatever way makes sense for them.
Alaska is a very large place that faces challenges of both physical and spiritual isolation.
For Example: Things that are common for most of the US, can be hard (if not impossible at times) for Alaskans to get. Even the biggest cities in Alaska rely on tug boats to bring food up from the lower 48 and the state only has about 2 weeks of food on the store shelves at any given point. In more remote places food will typically come in every few weeks by airplane, which is expensive and if something is on the flight then it is just not avaliable as there is no other place to get it.
We serve to overcome the challenges of isolation and to give people the tools and resources to engage with the Bible in whatever way makes sense for them.
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December....brrrrr 2023
Alaska: Fall 2023 Ministry Trips
Survey - Networking TripAlaska is a vast place, but many things are really best done in person. You can call, email, text, or zoom; but there is no replacement for the face-to-face meetings to build friendships and ministry affiliations. So we set out on a nearly 800 mile trip through the Kenai peninsula to meet with new friends and other ministries to dream, plan, and seek out future opportunities God may have for us!
We camped in a our pickup bed, yes it was cold (high 20's one night), but what amazing views to wake up to, and it saved money! Day By Day Journal
Praise Reports:
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Ministry Gathering in the Village of McGrath, AKMcGrath, Alaska, is a village about 200 nautical miles northwest of our cabin. It is remote; that is to say, the only way to get to the village is by bush airplane, sled over the frozen snows, or by boat along the Kuskokwim River. The meeting was sponsored by the community church in McGrath (which was a church started in the 1970s by Wycliffe Bible Translators missionaries)!
A friend from church here in Big Lake (where we live) invited us to fly in their Cherokee 6 airplane, Billy on the left and Tim on the right. We flew through Rainy Pass, and it was great for Tim to get coached from a more experienced Alaska bush pilot. Alaska missions could not exist as it does without bush aviation!
Day by Day Journal
Praise Reports:
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November 2023
Crisis Response: As people came to grasp the devastating events of the 2023 fires on the Hawaii island of Maui, the call started going out for help as Lahaina residents try to make sense of the destruction around them and to figure out what their next steps should be. States across the US have sent crisis care professionals, and now Alaska has been called upon to take its turn. So Tim and Jessica (both trained, certified crisis chaplains) are being sent into the heart of the burnt out zone to help on behalf of ABRN Disaster Relief for 2 weeks in November. (The cost of this trip is being funded through disaster relief, not our Wycliffe ministry budget) More to come!
(Image: britannica.com/event/Maui-wildfires-of-2023) Ministry Meeting: We flew out to the village of McGrath, Alaska, for a meeting of Christian families. The theme was marriage and it was a great time of encouragement and time to focus on God's working in the families.
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Missionary Life: Recently Jessica took our diesel pickup and met a MARC flight to pick up a team of sled dogs and deliver them to a missionary family.
(family blurred for privacy)
Alaska History NW Staging Route: This was the lend- lease program to get aircraft from the US to Russia and then on to the front lines of WWII. Remote airstrips across Alaska and the Yukon were set up to allow these planes to fly across thousands of miles of wilderness from one remote outpost to the next. The McGrath airstrip was used as an army base in WWII; though not a primary NW Staging route stop, it was a safe place to land in the wilderness. This is the airstrip we used on our last ministry trip.
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October 2023
Christian Life: Our bounding puppy Kenai goes with us on many (most) ministry trips. He puts up with hundreds of miles riding in the truck to jump out at a stop and start loving on people. One of our favorite memories recently was in Soldotna, Alaska, where we were letting him run around in the grass and some college kids from remote villages along the lower Yukon ran up and wanted to meet the puppy. Everyone had a great time, and the conversation soon turned to matters of Christian faith. Our puppy (4-months old) is a hard-working missionary dog!
Community Development: In most places in North America, you have a furnace to heat your home or apartment. In rural and remote Alaska, there is not an option for being on-grid for heat (we do have on-grid electricity), so we heat with wood and K-2 kerosene. A common mission repair task is stoves, stove pipes, oil tanks and such. Recently Tim took apart our wood stove pipe, swept the chimney, and installed a rain cap-all while using his firefighter skills to balance on the tall ladder. As Jessica says: "Chim-chimney chim-chimney, chim-chim chiree...all in a day's work for my missionary hubby in AK!"
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Celebrations: On our recent ministry trip, we drove through North America's longest road and rail tunnel! All it took was one click of a button find out the remarkable history of the Whittier tunnel. Just as we note remarkable accomplishments engineered and built by nations, Wycliffe Bible Translators takes time to celebrate the history and current remarkable milestones of what God is doing through the Bible translation movement each year. You're invited to celebrate this event in-person or via livestream on October 12. A personal celebration was recently hearing that the Ranmo translation team has continued drafting and will soon send us Acts chapters 1-9 for Jessica to enter in Paratext.
Discipleship: Alaska is very much a face-to-face community; it is part of the U.S., but everyone describes the rest of the U.S. as 'the lower 48,' and Alaska very much has its own culture and identify. For example, you can call, email, zoom, tweet, facebook, blog, or anything else you like, but nothing will happen until you meet a group or person face-to-face. This was the purpose of our fall ministry trip (listed above), to go shake some hands and make connections for workshops and training in the spring.
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September 2023
Discipleship: From time to time we get asked to help in a time of spiritual crisis in someone's life. We will never share the private stories of these moments but we can share a triumph recently, with a person God used us to help recently. This person overcame addiction to run into the arms of Christ and just recently started writing Bible studies to help others on the same journey!
Indigenous First Nations Awakening Conference:
We recently were at a conference for village Alaskan Christians. It was a great time and encouraging to meet pastors from villages and see what God is doing in the hearts of His people in Alaska. One theme that was repeated was waking up the giant, that is the native church that belongs to Christ in Alaska. The idea of sleeping giants is common in this part of Alaska as there is a Dena 'ina saying that Mt Susitna (pictured below, we actually live in the shadow of this mountain) is a sleep lady and her big brother (Mt. Denali) sleeps at the other end of the valley. Mighty as the mountains maybe, the creator God who makes the mountains is above all! Pray as we for the of native indigenous communities in Alaska! |
Commissioning for Alaska: The church Jessica grew up attending in Lambert Montana in a remote service (via zoom and a cell phone) officially commissioned us as missionaries to Alaska! This is a public reaffirming of our dedication and the church's commitment to the work of the Lord in Alaska.
Partnership Built!:
We recently have crossed the goal to have received pledges for our complete Wycliffe Ministry budget! We praise God for His faithfulness and the dedication of our partners in there part in God's kingdom work! Is the partnership work done? It is still ongoing we want to have a on going relationship with our partnership team to share the joys, success, challenges and trials we face in ministry. We also have a few pledges that have not been sent yet and so our monthly budget is short many of the months. |
Community Development: We recently have had several ministry projects in the Matanuska valley where we needed a trailer. We couldn't afford one so we got one from mostly a scrap rv camper trailer. It is a good little trailer (6 x16') but really the 1/8" rv tube frame is much too thin and weak and needed a lot of repair, we are saving for a heavier duty trailer.
August 2023
Discipleship: We do not stand alone.............in our faith in Christ. As Hebrews 12:1-2 says, there are many before us that likewise have lived faithful lives for Christ. In Alaska, there are a dozen or so Bible translations that have been done for indigenous first nation groups. It is this work of faith that built so much for God's kingdom, and it is this foundation of Christ that now two, three, or more generations later motivates us in working to train church leaders.
Community Development: Tim has been involved with disaster relief for 18 years now, since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Over the years, he has gotten training in a wide range of areas such as chaplain, feeding, chainsaw, forklift, damage assessment, etc.
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Building Partnership: We recently have had several ministry partners join our team, and the gap is closing to meet our Wycliffe ministry budget and be released to begin our assignment full-time. Praise the Lord for his provision through many of you! We have about $200/month remaining as of the beginning of August. We have prepared video updates for several churches lately. Let us know if you are interested in an update from us! We will have our official commissioning this month in anticipation of beginning our assignment.
Life Moment: One of our favorite places to be refreshed by God's creation here is tucked away on the peninsula among the fjords, where we also picked up a new puppy, Kenai!
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July 2023
Discipleship: My wife and I (Tim) had dinner with another missionary here in Alaska. We were discussing discipleship work on the Aleutian Islands (which, Lord willing, we hope to do next spring). A theme came up which we hear over and over again: people need to hear the Gospel and engage with it. That is to say, without a knowledge of Christ there is absolutely nothing; but just knowledge of Christ will not save anyone, they must know HIM personally as Lord. Pastors and community leaders understand this, and have asked for discipleship training to invest in their communities.
Community Development: Tim spent a day running a (rented) Bobcat T64, fixing roads, and clearing trees around the campus of Cross Country Church (Wasilla, Alaska) for Alaska Baptist Disaster Relief. We'd really like to have a loader of our own to use on projects, but we are thankful there are rental machines sometimes.
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Life Stuff: People have been asking (so is the cat), "What is the pile of metal tubes in the yard?" Well, it's a Piper airplane (PA-12), or at least the frame of one. No, Tim isn't going to restore it; but for $20, it was a good deal. If nothing else, it will become welding practice for those here learning to use a MIG or stick welder.
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Building Partnership:
We are truly blessed that so many of you have already joined us to share God's Word to physically and spiritually isolated peoples. God has amazed us with His provision of new partners this year. But before we are fully released to begin our Scripture Engagement role in Alaska, we need to expand our network of partners. If you (or someone you know: church, family, business, small group, etc.), are interested in learning more about partnering with us in providing access to the Bible for villages in Alaska, we would love to talk with you! We also have brochures we can mail you to give to those who might be interested in our new role in Alaska or partnering with our Wycliffe ministry. Missionaries in Alaska jokingly call themselves the frozen chosen! Everything we do is because the Lord provides through ministry partners, which are people (maybe not as frozen) who commit their resources to God's kingdom! By God's faithfulness to send ministry partners, our monthly need is now less than $500 a month to be fully released to start our new role together! |
Papua New Guinea: Village airstrip update
We received these photos from our Papua New Guinea (PNG) family via a phone which a colleague helpfully took out last time he was in the area. The airstrip clearing you see here was all cleaned out by hand by Indorodoro community and other ward villages' effort over several years! Pray that it will be open soon to assist them with medevacs and other needs!
June 2023
Prayer update for Jessica's dad (Dwight) passed along from her mom:
The doctor reviewed CT scans taken when Dwight was hospitalized recently which showed new and enlarged cancerous nodules in Dwight’s lungs (kidney cancer spread to lungs). The cancer has grown rapidly since a scan taken in early April. The Dr. recommended a new oral medication to replace the current cancer medication he is taking. They will stop giving Dwight immunotherapy infusions since they are no longer slowing the progress of the cancer. The new medication will not be available until approval has been granted, so please pray that the approval comes through and comes through quickly, as well as continuing to pray for healing for Dwight according to God’s will. The approval has come through and now it is a matter of waiting on the medicine to arrive. We know your prayers have sustained us through the last eight months. Thanks for praying!
The doctor reviewed CT scans taken when Dwight was hospitalized recently which showed new and enlarged cancerous nodules in Dwight’s lungs (kidney cancer spread to lungs). The cancer has grown rapidly since a scan taken in early April. The Dr. recommended a new oral medication to replace the current cancer medication he is taking. They will stop giving Dwight immunotherapy infusions since they are no longer slowing the progress of the cancer. The new medication will not be available until approval has been granted, so please pray that the approval comes through and comes through quickly, as well as continuing to pray for healing for Dwight according to God’s will. The approval has come through and now it is a matter of waiting on the medicine to arrive. We know your prayers have sustained us through the last eight months. Thanks for praying!
Pray For Alaska and Canada:
This year so far has been a rough one for some of those up north. Several wildfires are burning across the north, drawing close to several villages.
This year when the ice went out of the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers, there was significant flooding in the Yukon Koyukuk areas.
There often is no need to "re-invent the wheel." As part of our ministry, we help other missions who are already doing God's work, one of which is AK Baptist Disaster Relief.
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Redemption Station:
Click the button below to follow our progress as we rebuild a 5 acre property into a comfortable place to live and love others in the name of Christ. Here's the twist.... it's in rural Alaska.... We have limited funds, so we salvage, thrift, and look for free materials. Join us for plumbing, gardening, framing, electrical, mechanical projects, and more! |
Building Partnership (Update):
We are truly blessed that so many of you have already joined us to share God's Word to physically and spiritually isolated peoples. God has amazed us with His provision of new partners this year. But before we are fully released to begin our Scripture Engagement role in Alaska, we need to expand our network of partners. If you (or someone you know: church, family, business, small group, etc.), are interested in learning more about partnering with us in providing access to the Bible for villages in Alaska, we would love to talk with you! We also have brochures we can mail you to give to those who might be interested in our new role in Alaska or partnering with our Wycliffe ministry. As of the middle of this month (thanks to the Lord's provision through a new financial partner and additional commitments from long-time partners), the portion of our new Wycliffe ministry budget that needs met as a couple has reduced from around $1000/month to just under $600/month remaining before we are free to begin our Scripture Engagement team role! Missionaries in Alaska jokingly call themselves the frozen chosen! Everything we do is because the Lord provides through ministry partners, which are people (maybe not as frozen) who commit their resources to God's kingdom! |
Life Update (May 2023)
From time to time, something really big happens between our regular updates and so we post an in-between update!
We have arrived back in Alaska!
With over 3,000 miles traveled in five days (much of which was on rough roads), we have arrived (back) in Alaska just in time to celebrate our 4th anniversary! As many of you know, Tim was an Alaska resident prior to meeting Jessica. The trip involved driving through wildfires and several tire repairs (four, to be exact), but we have seen God's leading all the way. Thanks for praying! We are excited to serve in a role we can share as a couple, and we appreciate your prayers for joy and grace as we navigate this context together.
We have arrived back in Alaska!
With over 3,000 miles traveled in five days (much of which was on rough roads), we have arrived (back) in Alaska just in time to celebrate our 4th anniversary! As many of you know, Tim was an Alaska resident prior to meeting Jessica. The trip involved driving through wildfires and several tire repairs (four, to be exact), but we have seen God's leading all the way. Thanks for praying! We are excited to serve in a role we can share as a couple, and we appreciate your prayers for joy and grace as we navigate this context together.
Here are some previews of what's to come soon...
Building God's Kingdom
Redemption Station: By God's grace, we will be basing our life here at a cabin in the woods, which we call "Redemption Station." We named it this for two reasons: first, because of the work God does to restore and redeem that which is lost, and secondly, the work needed to restore the buildings. We look forward to making the land usable for work and inviting for anyone we host in the future. 1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV) For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed...but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
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Building Partnership:
We are truly blessed that so many of you have already joined us to share God's Word to physically and spiritually isolated peoples. God has amazed us with His provision of new partners this year. But before we are fully released to begin our Scripture Engagement role in Alaska, we need to expand our network of partners. If you (or someone you know: church, family, business, small group, etc.), are interested in learning more about partnering with us in providing access to the Bible for villages in Alaska, we would love to talk with you! Missionaries in Alaska jokingly call themselves the frozen chosen! Everything we do is because the Lord provides through ministry partners, which are people (maybe not as frozen) who commit their resources to God's kingdom! |
Building Connections:
Life does not happen in isolation; in this season, we have "hit the ground running" here in Alaska talking to missionary families who already serve here. Building these relationships helps us to understand the current needs and how we can best serve people in need of God's Word (the Bible). Building A Toolbox:
Jessica had the wonderful idea of creating a "toolbox," or a sampling of the various workshops and training resources (tools) we can offer to village teams who are working to share God's Word with their language community. So we're both working on creating that! |
May 2023
Partnership: Now that Tim & Jessica are both members of Wycliffe Bible Translators, our Wycliffe ministry budget has been updated to reflect our new needs. We are truly blessed that so many of you have already joined us to share God's word to physically and spiritually isolated peoples. God has amazed us with His provision of new partners this year. But before we are fully released to begin our Scripture Engagement role in Alaska, we need to expand our network of partners; so If you, or someone you know (church, family, business', small group, etc.), are interested in learning more about partnering with us in providing access to the Bible for villages in Alaska we would love to talk with you!
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Until All Have Heard:
Why is Bible Translation and Access Important? There are over 7,000 languages spoken in the world (as of last year) while only 3,589 languages have at least a portion of the Bible available in their language. source: Wycliffe Global Alliance, 2022 Longing for Literacy
The past several months, Jessica has been documenting (via a 50+ page paper) the literacy situation and needs for the Blafe program. Their desire for education and vernacular literacy is quite high, and many local teachers want more training. Pray that the Lord would provide this in His time! (Below is a photo from when these teachers took the Vernacular Path to English course.) |
Discipleship: There is a meme spread across the internet (it's not my creation), that is a tasteful example (using tacos) of healthy ways spouses can show love to each other.
Genesis 1:26 tells us that we are made in the image of God, and part of that gift is being able to connect with those closest to us, our spouses! This can be done in different ways, and no two people are alike!
Missionary Tech: If I say skip, you might think about jumping rope, but actually skip (tooth) describes how many cutters a chain saw chain has on it. Skip tooth chains are the most common in Alaska as they are faster to sharpen and have better control.
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Book Recommendation
This book shares the heartbeat of why we are involved in Scripture Engagement. The daughter of one of the Balangao characters in this story is a friend who led us in facilitating the first Culture Meets Scripture workshop in Morehead, PNG.
April 2023
Life Update: It's calving time on the ranch!
As many of ya'll know Jessica grew up on a working cattle ranch in eastern Montana. Due to her father fighting cancer we came back to the ranch for a few months to spend time with family and help out. Right now the herd of cows and heifers are in the middle of having babies (calves), with weather hovering below 15' F, snow, and wind chills of zero we have to go out to check the cows every hour from after dinner to early morning and immediately take new born calves in to be warmed up (the momma cow gets her baby back in the morning). In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1 |
The Road Forward: In May we will pull our rv trailer almost 3,000 miles from Montana along the Alaska Highway to Alaska. We have serviced the truck, trailer, gotten the cat vet checked (required for US pets moving across Canada), a new copy of the guide post on the way (a guide book for northern remote roads).
Engage: All new members of Wycliffe Bible Translators are required as part the onboarding process to attend a week of in person meeting at the headquarters for the mission. Here we studied, fellowshipped and prayed with other families going all over the world! It was a great time and hard to say good bye to new friends, but exciting to get sent out.
Wycliffe Bible Translators Legacy of RVs: Pictured below in the two left pictures are the founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators, Cameron Townsend and his family, with a well-used Buick car and even older RV (camping) trailer on their way to Mexico to do Bible translation. To the right is our truck and RV getting ready for Alaska. A RV trailer has always been (where roads permit) a cost-effective housing option for missionaries.
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March 2023
Bible Translation: The trial copies of the Blafe Gospel of Luke in a Bible study booklet form have been flown out to the language area as of March 8th. Pray for safe arrival of the books in the village and for fruit from their study of the Word!
Life Update: Jessica joined Wycliffe Bible Translators in 2010, and part of our next steps involved Tim applying as a member of Wycliffe Bible Translators. This included many interviews over the last year. Recently, it was confirmed that Tim has been accepted as a member of Wycliffe Bible Translators!
RV (Our House) Update: As many of you know, we have been living in a 30-foot RV since we got married in 2019, and Tim has been living in (different, smaller) RVs since he graduated from seminary in 2012. Living in an RV has made the most sense for us moving in and out of the country and around the US for missionary assignments. We do plan to build a home in Alaska in the next few years, but until then, we love our tiny (well insulated) home! Here it is at the Thiessen ranch in Montana, and Tim is just starting to get it ready for the nearly 3,000 mile trip to Alaska!
I tell people that you should not plan to live in an RV unless you are pretty handy; there is always something broken to fix, even with newer RVs. |
What is Scripture Engagement Exactly?....
A question which sometimes comes to people's minds when they hear that our role involves doing discipleship as Scripture Engagement (SE) specialists is, "How is Scripture Engagement different from simply hosting a Bible study?" There are several differences which have to do with the role involving language use and literacy components, but on a more basic level, here is a graphic to help summarize the scope of our SE role. Scripture Engagement involves removing roadblocks to the access people have to Scripture, which we are generally calling "Distribution." Activities within this domain include providing Scripture in a new language, along with literacy or audio/visual media. It can also include promoting widespread community awareness of the translated Scripture or utilizing community development to assist a particular group with a felt need so that they have the freedom to build Scripture interaction into their ordinary life. We want people in the language area to be just as aware that there is a Bible translation into their language as English speakers are aware of the existence of an English Bible (after 400+ years of SE in English)!
The actual activities which provide a means of discipleship, such as a Bible study, are included in the category of "Discipleship." But we don't want to be the ones doing the discipleship forever! So, the actual goal is to equip believers and leaders in the church and community to share Scripture with others. Providing training workshops such as Sunday School teacher training, literacy training for pastors, book-making workshops to write testimonies from area believers, holding a Culture Meets Scripture workshop or Trauma Healing Workshop, or investing in area Bible colleges and church training programs are all a part of "Equipping" local leaders and users of the translation. |
February 2023
Big News: I am so grateful to everyone who has joined us on this journey of seeking the Lord's leading, now the wait is over.........
With great joy I can tell you that Jessica and I (Tim) have been officially invited to serve as an Alaska-based Scripture Engagement team! We will attend a set of meetings in Florida in April and then we are heading up to Sterling Alaska early in May! We are still seeking partners to join us in serving the Lord's church. Since there are two of us (rather than just Jessica), we will need to have a new ministry budget in place before Wycliffe will release us to begin our assignment. So this first step into Alaska is more to get our feet on the ground and familiarize ourselves with our future context. If you know of any individual or group interested in learning more about Alaska missions, we are glad to meet and share more information in person or via video! |
Bible Focus: But let your word 'yes' be 'yes,' and your 'no' be 'no.' Anything more than this is from the evil one. - Matthew 5:37
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January 2023
Life Update: As the new year dawns, we are getting ready to deploy to our next assignment to Alaska. The details of where we live and how we will live are now pressing upon us. We will need additional partners to join our ministry team, so with a gulp we move forward trusting God who is able to provide.
Picture Above: Mule deer near D&D Hereford Ranch in Montana near the coulee where they stayed for warmth in a -20'F afternoon
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Bible Translation: In the process of getting the Bible translation assembled there are many steps along the way. These are necessary checks to make sure the end Bible translation is accurate and useful. One of these major steps is printing trial copies of the translation. In this step native speakers get to see and comment on the translation and notice any parts that stand out. We are getting ready to print the gospel of Luke in trial copies. This also involves Jessica making reports about the spelling usage and options for future work that will be done.
Discipleship: Christians are not immune to heartbreak; they are strong, but the human body does eventually break. They are brave, but do not live without fearful effects of this age. Often the people we help are facing things that are deeply personal and painful.
As part of our ministry we support pastors, church planters, elders, and others with Christian guidance, and Tim does pastoral counseling. |
Ranch Life: Theodore Roosevelt before he became the 26th president was first a cattle rancher (not too far from where our family ranches in Montana). Born in the eastern U.S., he wasn't bred or natural bent to the ranch life; he was a first considered an outcast, a misfit. He fought to find his place, but he discovered a strength and truth on the range that forever changed his life, and the future of the entire nation.
He is a man I (Tim) greatly respect, and I have found great wisdom and advice in his writings, as we are spending the winter on the ranch with family. |
December 2022
Life & Ministry Update: As many of you will know and some may not, Jessica's father is fighting cancer. It caught everyone by surprise, and we (Tim & Jessica) came to the family ranch in Montana to help out as we could. He is improving with treatments, and our mission thought it best for us to stay close to family until we leave for Alaska in the spring (Lord willing).
In the meantime, Jessica is working on Bible translation. Tim is working on Bible discipleship and exegetical materials. Both of us are helping with ranch cattle work and trips to the elevator. |
Bible Translation: Consider this... you are working on a Bible translation for an island in the Pacific ocean. Do you put the quotation (") mark before the period like you would in North America, or after the period like you would in Australia? Small details, yes-but this, along with many others, make a Bible translation usable and accessible to its end users.
The details matter and it is important to be careful with God's word both in the big and small things.
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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 9:6 Horse-Pull Finals:
In light of everything else that is going on right now for us, we went to a ranch & farm show in Regina, Saskatchewan (Canada). It was a few hours drive from the ranch but we were able to see horse pull finals with both US and CA draft teams. |
November 2022
Ministry Update: As we have been announcing we plan to move to Alaska in the spring of 2023, to serve with Wycliffe Bible translators. Together we will be working as a ministry team to engage villages with God's word, the Bible.
Prayer Request: Please pray for the Lord to help guide us to grow our partnership/ support base. Together as couple our needs are more than as a single missionary serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators. |
Bible Translation: This summer we finished the drafting and first checks on the Blafe translation of the gospel of Luke. Now comes the process of double checking details like spelling, adding footnotes and check the consistency of theological terms. It is still a large task yet to do but Jessica is working full time and is very committed to accomplish it!
Prayer Request: Recently we lost a dear friend and leader in the community, and church leader in the village of Indorodoro PNG. We both are saddened to hear of his passing and ask you pray for his community. Please pray for the Lord to help guide and prepare the process as we move towards the first trial printings of the Balfe translation of the Gospel of Luke. Discipleship: Tim during this winter has been working with the NAMB church planters to be a resource for tiny churches that need a pastor to fill a gap, this means often visiting the church but sometimes it means recording a sermon or linking via video to preach live.
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Bible Focus: On the western shores of Alaska rests St. Lawrence island, home of the Yupik people for thousands of years. Below is the story of the combined 60 years of work to translate the New Testament into the Yupik language. This is one of many projects we hope to engage with and support.
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October 2022
The Road Forward: For 12 years now, Jessica has diligently served full-time with Wycliffe Bible translators; and since we got married over the last 3 years Tim has volunteered as a Bible teacher and Pastor helping with Wycliffe projects we have done together like workshops, trainings and written materials.
So it is with great excitement, we can tell you now our intention is to move to Alaska in the spring of 2023 to follow up on 20 or so translation projects in the far north, where all or a portion of the Bible has been translated and now Tim and Jessica will be working as a scripture engagement team to follow up with groups doing discipleship, workshops, and trainings. *Please note: Tim is not a member of Wycliffe yet but is in the process of joining. Missionary Tech: Fresh water is a challenge for most of the world. In Colorado for the last 10 months or so we have been without a well or city water supply, so we twice a week use the truck and a tank to haul water up from town. It isn't dramatic but it is great way to test tools like the water pump pictured. This pump is battery powered and can be recharged by solar or the truck!
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Bible Translation: After a full summer of work, the drafted Gospel of Luke in the Balfe language is complete! Now Jessica is working to finish the details like spelling checks, cross references, word links, etc. These all have to be done to get the book ready to be used by local churches and villages.
Prayer Request: We still struggle to keep reliable communication with the village; please pray that in the coming months we can find and deploy better technology to support the Bible translation team in the village.
Praise: Last week Tim qualified as steam locomotive fireman, this means that he passed both written tests and took a road test with a examiner watching over his shoulder. He did this in the 1926 steam locomotive pictured above. After completing both tests with high scores, he was rewarded by the railroad with being entrusted to take a loaded passenger train out and running the locomotive by himself with the engineer (a fireman runs the steam locomotive and the engineer actually drives), also rewarded by getting to drive a little!
God is good, it was a childhood goal fulfilled and a dream Tim's granddad had for him too! |
Discipleship: Twice in October we drove over to another mountain town, called Leadville. There was a small church there without a pastor and Tim filled in on Sundays. It was really encouraging to both the church and us to share Christ's love.
Over the coming months to help both this church and the Colorado Baptist Association I will recording a series of sermons to be used in small churches that have a gap Sunday without a pastor to fill the pulpit. I am preaching on heroes of the faith that are not commonly heard of. Did you know Goliath the most famous giant of the Bible (David versus Goliath) was almost 7 feet tall, but David's bodyguard Benaiah overtook a giant that was 7 & 1/2 feet tall! |
September 2022
Christian Life : Growing up there was man who lived near by who did not have kids but was very important to me. He was a mechanic and I used to go to his shop and talk to him about tractors, mechanics, life, and such. He gave me so much wisdom, and guidance. Truth is he had no reason to care, but he told me once, I am here when you need someone to talk to.
We may not have a reason but we enter people's lives and have a profound impact for God's glory. The Road Forward: We as a couple feel drawn to serve physically and spiritually isolated peoples. We have big news about next year coming soon; we can say it involves us together as a ministry team working together in village settings doing discipleship and theological education in .............Alaska & the Yukon. :)
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Bible Translation: Through the month of August, there was an odd cadence in the Brown home. Tim would get up at 6:30 to head off to work and arrive back home about 12 hours later. Jessica would start shortly before Tim got home and worked into the evening (and sometimes later) with the translation team. Because of this neither of us got much free time together, but the Gospel of Luke did get finished and a good report came from the consultant check!
This means the Gospel of Luke in the Blafe language is one important step closer to being ready for the local believers to use! |
Discipleship: Is the process of drawing ever closer to Christ, to know the Lord better and better, to obey Him yourself and help others walk in this way.
Picture source: Heritage Christin School
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August/July 2022
Missionary... Now What?:
Often in the western world we get annoyed when a website takes more than a moment to load, the red light is too long, or when we turn on the water tap if there isn't immediate water we are annoyed. Though most of history and indeed the world does not have those problems, progress takes time and it is not a skill we get right all that often indeed it is a skill we often overlook.
Our aim, goal has not changed, our heart is to serve the spiritually and physically isolated, with the love and good news of Jesus Christ. We are hoping to move this winter to go to a area were Jessica and Tim can both be used in remote village ministry and we can work part of the year and be free to do ministry part of the year... |
Project Locomotive: Recently GLRR 1934 had to had its wheels (traction motors) worked on, this is a locomotive that weights 80 tons. To get the wheels out and then back in the entire locomotive was lifted by two cranes. It was a interesting job to be working on and we got it repaired and back out in service.
This last year has been really good for getting Tim qualified and experience in railroading and we think it will fit very nicely in the (near) future with missions, village work and missionary aviation..... more to come soon! |
June 2022
Missionary Tech: Water is a major consideration of people all over the world but even if you can find a safe source of water, getting power to pump water is a difficult problem in many parts of the isolated world. Of course there are reliable manual options, but when you need to move 600 lbs (75 gallons) of water everyday that becomes more of a challenge.
The solution I have been working on is using power dense lithium batteries that I can recharge off solar to store, carry and then power pumps that both make water safer, more reliable and more accessible. After experimenting with scratch built 18650 battery banks the problems are that such high power under stress can explode and do other odd dangerous things. To protect from the great majority of these problems I use a protection circuit like the one pictured above. Many tool batteries have a great onboard circuit for this purpose and with a little adjustment to my application they work, travel, and operate well.
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Outreach (Discipleship): As a couple we have been able to partner with Colorado Baptist to put to a local outreach. We are hoping to start this at the end of this month or in July. Our idea is to provide a free meal to anyone in the community that would like one (something simple a sandwich or hamburger). There are lots of people in transitions around this part of the mountains between the rafting, guides, railroad, zip lines, etc. and this meal is both a chance to provide some connection with people who may feel isolated and show Christ's love.
While not a requirement for the meal (people are welcome to eat and leave) there will be a short Bible story given after each meal, with the hopes of planting seeds of discipleship that could bloom into something that engages the culture and honors the Lord.
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Bible Translation: Jessica has been busy working with the Blafe translation team, our a very intense month of daily 6 hour meetings they were able to finish drafting the Blafe gospel of Luke. This is a milestone as it allows the book to be moved on to checking and then be printed and sent into the hands of the Blafe people who dearly need it! It also allows for the future possibility of producing a video presentation of the Gospel in the language.
The team also drafted the narrative (story) of Daniel while they were together! |
May 2022
Deep Snow And Its Almost June!
During the weekend of the 20th and following we had a late season snow storm. As I am writing this after one day of accumulation there is 14" of snow on the ground, we live at about 9,000 feet up in the Rocky Mts so its pretty interesting. But with a 4x4 truck and good BF Goodrich tires we can get through a less than smooth dirt road up and down the mountains. We keep the truck ready with fuel, water, chainsaw, ropes, tools, etc.... not just for us but ready to help anyone, not that anyone asks but a good shepherd (even of low rank) is ready to care for the sheep and fight off a wolf if necessary. Oddly we are dealing with high winds, fire danger, freeze warnings, and snow storms in the same state all at once
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To Be Blunt- I (Tim) have been struggling, for years and years, ministry is not easy (and if it is your probably not doing it right). Not that I have any dramatic character flaws (I know of) and I do love my Lord (and wife) without hesitation or question. Truth is I fought for years and years and everything came to a head in the last year, I am not as clever as I hoped, not as physically capable, even my body (senses) are not are agile or precise as I hoped; and so some dreams just can not be. The saying you can do anything is not true, you can not do anything, God can do anything but man is finite, limited, and as Jesus spoke "...The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mt26:40).
I do not know the changes ahead for me but I do know that I feel like I have a clarity that I have not had in years... for those precocious few of you that will ever read this and the most rare ones of you that are still standing by me.... I know that God does not waste lives, and that there is a purpose... stay tuned and keep praying for us. Because I will not give up. |
Bible Translation: Jessica has been working with the Blafe translation team, they are finishing up the Gospel of Luke and drafting on the book of Daniel.
Here is a photo reminder for prayer for our Ranmo friends who are at Ukarumpa working with Jessica remotely from the U.S. We have had great help with the technology and finished revisions of Luke to move onto some translation training (3 of 4 are new to the team) as we draft the first half of Daniel. We were also able to adjust schedule a bit at that transition to make it more doable for everyone's energy level. About a week and a half left before their return flight to the village. Thanks for praying!! Pictured above is the national flag of Papua New Guinea and below is the flag of Western Provence in Papua New Guinea
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April 2022
Life MomentsOn The Road Again: We are moving from the Pacific Northwest to Colorado, via a brief stop in Montana to see family and friends. Pray for us as we settle in this month and setup our RV (our home on wheels, we live in full time). We rejoice in hope as we celebrate the resurrection in a new location-He is risen!
Broken Windows & Flat Tires: The roads between Deer Lodge and Glendive Montana hold many dear memories for us. It has been on this stretch of road that I have lost more than one RV trailer tire and on this last trip (somehow) a side window on the RV was shattered. Oh well such is life on the road, but it does make you stop and thank God for the little things like a tarp and duck tape to keep you warm on a below freezing night (we got the supplies to fix the window the next morning).
Community Devolvement: I have been wanting a tilt bed equipment trailer for community devolvement projects. My father in law, gave me a 8X15 trailer that I think will be prefect! It is a rebuilding project but it is a solid trailer... oh did I mention its a original John Deere model 15 dealer trailer from the 1940's from Lund Tractor in Lambert Montana!
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What's Happening Recently?With the Global pandemic of Covid 19 making it impossible for Tim and Jessica to travel until things open up again Tim has been working bi-vocationally both in ministry and working as a trainman on tourist railroads, last fall on the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad Tim made it to the rank of fireman- conductor. This season we are in Georgetown Colorado where Tim is again working bi-vocationally as a pastor and trainman on the Georgetown Loop Railroad which is a steam tourist train in the rocky mountains that runs up clear creek canyon.
The Road Forward: (What are we doing)
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MinistryBible Translation: Jessica has received word that some of the translation team is ready to travel to Ukarumpa! They will come to the mission center (Ukarumpa) to work on revising Luke with Jessica via computer in May. Many of these revisions will be prompted by notes Jessica has been making in Paratext over the last year. This will be a busy time with non-standard hours to meet with them, but we are so happy to have the possibility available. Please pray for logistical details of the Ranmo translators' travel, technology, and a good and healthy stay at Ukarumpa.
Discipleship: Recently I was listening to a missions conference and different people where talking about how to engage the community around them with the Gospel. After thinking about what was offered it made me ponder how unique our life and ministry is. In fact I hope some of the very people we are trying to love in Christ end up reading this very update. I can't speak in general terms theses are not people I get to see in passing, these are the people I interact with daily. They see my good and my not so great as I get to see their good and not so great, I make no effort to hide my faith around some colorful situations, and just assure them that I stand for what I believe but I will treat them with the same dignity and respect even if I morally believe differently. It is in this way that i have started slowly earning the right in there minds to be heard and in those moments I offer Gods truth. I am not trying to take anything by siege, it is a Christian's duty to truthfully live out and share the profound love of God, it is the work of God to draw a person unto that profound life changing love.
The mountains near Georgetown Colorado after a snow fall this month.
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March 2022
The Road Forward- As we go forward we will be making some changes, but many things will be the same. Jessica will be continuing her work as a Bible translator, she has been working for over 10 years to translate parts of the Bible into the Blafe language for a group of people in Papua New Guinea (PNG) who have never before had any portion of the Bible in their own language. Tim helps in this project by discipling church leaders and pastors in remote villages who are now using the improved access to the Bible to impact lives in their villages. Both Jessica & Tim partner with a Bible translation group in PNG which allows us to work remotely and make trips.
We are moving for at least the next year to Colorado where Tim will be serving as a bi vocational pastor, partnering with established churches elsewhere in Colorado to start a new Christian fellowship! Tim will also be working as train crew for a local tourist railroad. This is a seasonal job and furloughs its crews over the winter, which will allow plenty of time for Jessica & Tim to travel for their missionary work. |
Missionary Tech- Since January Tim has been helping a non profit missionary aviation school. One of his jobs was to get a Cessna Skyhawk airplane flyable again after it had been stored outside not running for a while. It took a bit of work both to the engine, electrical system and radio but Tim was able to return it to the Lord’s service!
After getting it flying Tim used it to pass his flight review! Which is a check all US pilots must do every 24 months, to keep their pilots license current. Involving both demonstrated knowledge and demonstrated skill flying. Discipleship- Even though faith seems simple and indeed it is, what is not simple to understand is often how we approach faith. Consider this…..
Is your faith like a cruise ship, where all is well as long as the weather is fair, the seas are calm, the entertainment is good and you like some of your shipmates…or….Could your faith be better compared to a war tried and prove battle ship. A ship that has stood true against all types of weather and seas, who’s mission never failed even when it was tough or unpleasant, who was united in purpose with your shipmates, following one leader.
Following Christ is a journey of commitment, it’s not easy but it’s worth every moment to be loved and to share the love of God |
February 2022
Life Moment- It may seem silly to complain over spilled milk, but last year we bought this golf cart (cheaply not running), we got it running and used it a lot. Recently this golf cart was stolen from a ministry we loaned it to, we have no plans to replace it (as used golf cart prices are out of sight), but it is kind of painful to loose a valuable and helpful tool.
Bible Translation- Jessica has been looking at language and structure construction recently. While much of this isn't new by any means it is a interesting opportunity to gain valuable insights that will be important in translation.
A little peak through the tree's, metaphorically and literally! Big news to come in the next months!
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Discipleship- Jessica and Tim have both been working on discipleship materials for use in Papua New Guinea. These resources are requested by the village and written to help them deal with challenges they face and help them apply God's word!
Bible Moment- (a short excerpt from a book Tim is working on)
In Psalms 20:7 some people foolishly found false security in chariots or horses, that is to say some find their comfort and or security in things that they feel give them the advantage. In the ancient world that King David fought in the best military equipment known was to have a large number of armed men riding quickly in chariots pulled by swift horses. In fact if no other factors were involved (like a holy God) this would be a distinct military advantage that kingdoms like Egypt and Assyria did use to their deadly advantage. God is our strength, alone! Though we often and foolishly misplace our trust in things that we thing give us a advantage. |
January 2022
Missionary Life Moment- So for the first two weeks of January both Jessica and Tim came down with a pretty rough "cold". It really knocked us both off our feet and even now 2 weeks later neither of our energy is really back to where it needs to be. Thank you for your prayers and were feeling much better now!
Bible Translation- The Balfe translation of the Gospel of Luke is coming right along, it is exciting to see the manuscript getting drafted by the village translation team and seeing the next steps to get it ready for the villagers to use!
Sunset on the Thiessen ranch in Montana where Jessica grew up
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Discipleship- (This was first published by Tim in February 2019 and updated for this post, and is a continued thought from the December post.
Words of a wise friend A young man who served as a Bible teacher in the trade city of ancient Ephesus was tossed and buffered by trials on all sides by the self indulgent culture of the ancient Greek world. His mentor Paul who was also a Bible teacher, but a bit older and more experienced wrote to encourage him. He wrote to Timothy and said: "... For the Spirit of God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self- discipline..." (2 Timothy 1:7). These words of a wise friend are as valuable today as they were some 2,000 years ago when they were first written. Each day we are faced with a choice to love God more and grow in HIM or to choose to be self indulgent to temptations. In the face of these moral choices we are given as believers great power, it is a power that is beyond this world's comprehension. It is a power given of God to choose love over hate, or in other words to choose goodness (Godliness) over the temptations and wrong chances for self indulgence we face. Timothy was a minister of the gospel, a freind of Paul, but he was also just another guy who faced a choice everyday to choose love or hate, he choose love and so can we! |
Missionary Tech- For the first few months of 2022 we are helping out as volunteer staff with a missionary pilot/mechanic training school in the Pacific northwest, called Trinity Aviation Academy. Tim is working as a A&P mechanic and doing a little flying on the side! This was the school Tim got his mechanic & pilots license from and now Tim is getting to invest in other missionaries in training. They also have RV hook ups right at the hanger for us!
We call it sparky......Below is Tim's "shop built" (from a peanut butter jar lid) test fixture for aircraft sparkplugs. A aircraft spark plug should measure between 500-3,000 ohms new, this makes accurately testing plugs accurate and a repeatable process.
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December 2021
Missionary Life MomentPart of partnership with a missionary family is not just the business of what we do in ministry, it is a relationship with friends. Missionaries are real people with real struggle and real heart ache. Often times a newsletter just can not explain this so well, but one of the joys is getting to share moments of joy with our family and friends in faith. Moments of refreshment and comfort, joy and restoration to a often weary spirit.
A childhood dream come true................... I have been able to run this locomotive as a fireman, it has been a dream of mine since childhood to operate a steam locomotive, and I am now a licensed (very green) railroad fireman.
We often (and very mercifully) don't get everything we want in this life, but God is a loving, good father and what the Psalmist wrote many years ago is true and faithful even today. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)
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Discipleship & Bible TranslationDiscipleship- An important part of discipleship is investing as the Lord gives the opportunity to do so in the next set of ministers. Life and certainly ministry does not happen in a vacuum and while the truth of the Bible is firm and is not being added to. The legacy of faith that is built on Gods truth does and a minister today in a way stands on the back of those ministers God brought before.
In the Bible a young man named Timothy, from what is now present day Turkey was just starting in ministry it seems he was unsure of his age and other struggles, he found comfort and encouragement from the more experienced apostle Paul. This friendship/ mentorship is recorded in the New Testament in several books and it profoundly affected both the lives of Timothy and Paul, with Paul for example saying in Philippians "I have none like him" . Recently Tim has had the opportunity to help a new minister and encourage him in his faith, discipleship, and ministry. Bible Translation- Reposted from last month for December, If you'd like some Advent reading for the upcoming season, consider a free resource "The Weary World Rejoices" from the Wycliffe website. Just click the link below!
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Community Development & AviationAviation- In the new year we will be stopping off at Trinity Aviation Academy, which trains missionary pilots and mechanics. Where Tim will be helping as a licensed A&P aircraft mechanic and other projects around the mission base.
Community Development- One of the thing a person might not think of when you think of ministry is wheel bearings.... but so much in community development and disaster relief relies on trailers to quickly get moved out to where its needed. If the trailer breaks.... nothing gets (or very little) to those who need it in time. Repairing these trailer wheels is a skill every missionary in CD or DR needs to have, often on the side of the road with less than perfect tools. Even well maintained bearings sometimes go out like on our trailer this month, but it was a cheap but not so easy repair on a gravel parking lot.
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November 2021
Bible TranslationOne of the many interesting challenges in translation includes representing the particular genre (type of literature) of a passage. For example, the OT prophetic books often contain a lot of poetry, and Paul's writings are in the genre of a letter. Even within the more "straightforward" narrative of Luke which we are translating, there are instances of other genres, such as Mary's song and Zechariah's song.
Many cultures have ways to express different literary styles, but they may be quite different from another culture's. A common recommendation is to look at art forms such as songs for ideas of how to capture styles such as poetry (if there is no evident poetic form). When I first heard Ranmo songs, I wondered how this might work, because the songs tend to introduce a topic (Jesus, light, trouble, etc.) and sing that single concept repeatedly with different vocables (syllables of expression like o-e-a). The songs conclude with a single thought about the topic. Could this form adequately carry the information load (amount of concepts conveyed) of Hebrew poetry or Psalms? I have been able to analyze the structure to see how it might be expanded and still "sound Ranmo." I look forward to incorporating these ideas with the translation team in PNG for Mary's and Zechariah's songs. |
DiscipleshipAs requested, Tim is working on a teaching book based on the first and second chapter of Genesis. This is a project that Tim has been working on for months and it is just now time to gather much research into a working draft.
This book has a dual purpose: first, it has a narrative of creation as found in Genesis, presented in the manner that a local teacher might speak around a fire to the village. Secondly, it has an in-depth verse-by-verse study of the Biblical text, dealing in great detail to explain the creation story. This is meant for church leaders and translators who are willing to dive deeply into the Biblical text. (I, Tim, have been amazed writing it! I thought it would be simple, but the creation story has so many details in the Biblical text that often get passed over-the story is simple, but the details are not). If you'd like some Advent reading for the upcoming season, consider a free resource "The Weary World Rejoices" from the Wycliffe website. Just click the link below! |
Community DevelopmentAnd on the seventh day God rested.... one important principle of any ministry is understanding the value of rest. Few people if anyone besides Jessica got to see how the effects of 2 years of pushing to the point of physical exhaustion to try to join a missionary aviation group had affected me (Tim). I took a working sabbatical to heal and let the Lord guide. It may seem odd to say that slowing for a season speeds up things, but I can now work all day on a book; whereas a month ago, I had a stress headache after a few hours of this work.
What do I do to rest? One of the great interests (hobbies) in my life is railroading, both in terms of building models and in running full size trains. We came down to the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, where I qualified as a conductor and have been happily running trains by the sea for the last few weeks! Maybe one day I will get to operate the steam engine? |
Aviation*** New FAA License ***
Commercal Drone Pilot As we mentioned last month, we hope to bring a drone into the village setting to use for search & Rescue/ Mapping. As part of this, Tim took the required test to become a FAA licensed commercial drone pilot. It was a bit easier because as a licensed airplane pilot many of the requirements were already completed.
We haven't bought a drone yet, but both Tim and Jessica have test flown drones. It is a matter of budget and getting the right quality of drone to do the job but only spending what needs to be spent.
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October 2021
Bible Translation/DiscipleshipThis month, the Ranmo Social Organization Paper was approved, which basically is a paper in which Jessica compiled cultural observations and suggestions for working well with our local Ranmo friends and translation team. We appreciate prayers that our work permit process (which has been underway since the beginning of the year) will reach the stage of being able to submit our work permit/visa applications. There are still a couple steps of paperwork involved.
Jessica is able to attend a multi-organizational Bible Translation Conference hosted online this month, and Tim may take in some of the Scripture in Use sessions. There are almost 1,000 attendees. She is especially looking forward to interacting about topics such as how to use important cultural relationship roles (such as elder brother) and imagery shared between Ranmo culture and Old Testament (Jeremiah's tree planted by water, for example) as bridges of communication, practical ideas for how to improve alphabet design and translation committee setups, frameworks for navigating a multilingual environment when producing written materials, suggestions of how to encourage and utilize the vocational skills of local translators and consultants, and examples of how local churches and local training have been involved in translation programs around the world. |
A Note from Tim.....The plan forwardAs many of you know since the post last month I have been in a fair bit of turmoil, sleepless nights, and well...literally breaking down into an overwhelmed state. I feel so much better now, maybe not 100%, but God is faithful and good, and I am healing and rebuilding my heart, courage, and future with Jessica as we move forward in ministry!
So here is a list of questions I get asked a lot. So I thought I might share it with everyone! What's next,...are you staying in missions and do you still need supporters?
Yes, for the last two years I have been working on projects for Papua New Guinea in the areas Scripture Use, Discipleship, Community Development (farming, safe water access, etc.), and Disaster Relief. I will keep on working in these areas full time as requested by mission and community groups. What are you working on?Theological Education: I am working on drafts of 3 discipleship books for training pastors and church leaders in Papua New Guinea.
Airstrip: As it stands, our village is roughly a days journey from the closest reliable airstrip. The village has been building an airstrip for 5 years by hand, and I hope to take in equipment soon to finish the dirt work.
Water Project: I am partnering with a group called Hydromission to create safe water access for our village in the jungle. For many months of the year water is in short supply.
Disaster Relief/ Response: We hope to bring into the bush a drone with thermal imaging; this would be an incredible lifesaving tool for search and rescue. The picture below was taken by a drone in deep jungle that would be impossible to search by foot. The bright white shape is a lost person.
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September 2021
Some big news filled with joy and heartbreak from Tim
God may move a man, and it is the duty of the man to obey. I recently came up against a challenge that I could not overcome and because of a medical condition (that I was born with and have had all my life and is no real threat to my life), thus I cannot continue in aviation as we as a family was hoping and praying too. I am still a licensed pilot, who is capable and legal to fly and I will keep using my pilot’s license for God’s kingdom but I will not be able to fly for a large mission overseas and as of now it is not practical to take our own airplane into the bush.
I have in turn been offered and accepted an assignment working to teach Pastors and Church Leadership in Papua New Guinea, along with running development projects like safe water access, solar off grid systems, farming projects and more. I will be working on these both in country and remotely while in the US where I am writing books and materials the Pastors have asked for.
We plan to go back to Papua New Guinea in the spring ! when our work permits are cleared. This is delayed a bit because of world events.
As you may guess though my faith is not shaken, I am pretty heartbroken and am taking time right now to heal and get my mind focused. Thank you all for your love and support, exciting things are to come!
I have in turn been offered and accepted an assignment working to teach Pastors and Church Leadership in Papua New Guinea, along with running development projects like safe water access, solar off grid systems, farming projects and more. I will be working on these both in country and remotely while in the US where I am writing books and materials the Pastors have asked for.
We plan to go back to Papua New Guinea in the spring ! when our work permits are cleared. This is delayed a bit because of world events.
As you may guess though my faith is not shaken, I am pretty heartbroken and am taking time right now to heal and get my mind focused. Thank you all for your love and support, exciting things are to come!
Bible Translation/Discipleship
The many recorded texts of Ranmo material which Jessica finished glossing this spring have now provided her with over 250 pages of examples which she pulled out in order to analyze them for patterns! The patterns will clarify such things as how to make sure a verb is in the appropriate form to convey background information versus main events in a passage. There are many nuances which can be communicated by the verbs, including how closely the speaker is associated with the topic being discussed. As you can imagine, decisions of where to include markers which indicate this could be important to the Bible translation! This is an exciting process which she hopes to share more about in the future translation tidbits section.
Enjoy below the photo (credit: Michel Pauw, Arammba translation advisor) of some Arammba friends receiving books from the Langham Literature grant for their area Bible school.
Enjoy below the photo (credit: Michel Pauw, Arammba translation advisor) of some Arammba friends receiving books from the Langham Literature grant for their area Bible school.
July/ August 2021
Big News!
We believe after much prayer we should focus our ministry. As many of you know as a couple we serve in the areas of Bible translation, Discipleship, Community Development and Aviation. We do these areas well by God's grace and we are comfortable and qualified professionally in them. Thus we have decided not to join a larger aviation focused mission and focus on working to serve the under-served and isolated people of the Western Province of Papua New Guinea. This means that we plan to continue together the 10+ year project to translate the Blafe Bible, continue Bible teaching and literacy training. Tim seeks to continue his work in community development projects like safe water, farming projects, and building projects; as well as mentoring and equipping local church leadership. The area we serve is hundreds of miles of jungle without more than rough trails, thus we plan to use Tim's training as a pilot and mechanic to take a small bush plane into the area to both serve our needs and to be a life-saving tool, flying the sick and injured to a hospital (a trip takes a couple of hours by plane and weeks on foot).
Bible Translation/ DiscipleshipBetter together- in Kiriwa village we were teaching on the armor of God (Ephesians chapter 6). What a blessing it is to serve together and to be able to share God's love! People often try to think in terms of his and hers, but I can promise you it's much better to do things together!
This past week, we received news that the Bible school books from a Langham Literature grant Jessica submits for the Arammba Bible School have arrived in PNG. Now the books are passed on to friends who will put them on a flight out to Kiriwa. |
Community DevelopmentHow do you build anything when you can go to a store to buy supplies?
You make it, a chainsaw and a ladder and you can turn a palm tree into lumber, and lumber into a church building (Or house, clinic, etc.)!
Running a saw mill (chain saw mill) may not come to mind but it is a necessary skill for a missionary living on the frontier! I am grateful for growing up in the north Georgia mountains and learning how to saw timber. We hope to get an actual saw mill like the one pictured below, which would be a blessing to us and the community. |
June 2021
Bible Translation/ DiscipleshipJessica recently finished a cultural paper about Ranmo social structure, and a colleague consultant is reading through it. There was an opportunity to join many around the globe praying for PNG over Zoom technology. The late-night meeting was worth it to pray and hear PNG songs!
We hope to be in contact with the village again soon to hear if the dry season there is extreme as some other parts of the world.
We also appreciate prayer for recharging our energy batteries this upcoming month! |
Community DevelopmentWater is something we absolutely as people can not live without. Its been estimated that 3 out of 10 people alive today do not access to clean, safe drinking water. Out in the jungle our options are limited to collecting rain water in large drums or digging hand dug shallow wells. The above picture illustrates one of the few good options available to us for 2 men to hand bore a well. A process that takes 2 weeks in the jungle, and a process in the US that takes 15 minutes with a boring rig, like the one picture below (which is not currently feasible to use in the village).
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AviationIts all in your fingertips......
The above pilot is serving with MAF- Lestho, and is demonstrating well, that even on short final to land there is no need to have a heavy grip on the controls, in fact a firm grip will be bad. The human body has about has a range of about 7% that it does not notice, so if a man can push a lever with 100lbs of force, he can be pushing the controls (lightly say 5lbs) and not even know it! So its important to have a light touch, say a thumb and a finger to make sure you are not putting in stray inputs.
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May 2021
Bible Translation The Ranmo team is working on the last four chapters of Luke, while Jessica prepares the Luke materials in Paratext for a village check and consultant check. She is also working on a cultural paper and analyzing Ranmo grammar.
As we consider whether or not to travel to PNG this fall (due to travel restrictions/rising COVID numbers there), we just received news that at least currently it is possible for language workers to travel to villages in various PNG provinces as essential workers, with many precautions taken before and after travel. |
Community DevelopmentKinder Goats- We bottle feed and weened two Buckling goats to experiment with a relatively new breed that combines the small meat goat breed of a Pygmny and the larger milk producer breed of a Nubian. This is a relatively new breed and we think they are a good fit for remote villages.
The goat on the left is Butterscotch and the goat on the right is Blaze. They are both very gentle and seem very suited for the adventurous life in the remote bush. We got them at 3 weeks and will keep them until there eating grain and not just milk. We hoped to keep them longer but the camp we live it wasn't willing to allow 2 small goats.
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AviationSometimes in life things come easy and sometimes they take real work. The kind of work where you lose sleep and take on stress. The modern culture seems to hate this kind of work but I am convinced that it is the measure of a man to see what he does when everything goes right, but what will he do when things struggle or get of course.
I have learn so much this year and gained skills to make me a safer pilot. Pray for me as the Lord teaches and guides me forward towards HIS purposes!
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April 2021
Discipleship
A recent article on the Wycliffe website talks more about some of the discipleship we get to do in PNG through Culture Meets Scripture (CMS) workshops, the most exciting part being the privilege to see how God speaks through His word!
Jessica has been enjoying getting to help out at AWANA clubs on Wednesday nights, and one Friday afternoon she got to spend the afternoon meeting with one of her T&T gals at her home to meet her family and catch up on sections for the year.
Tim has been putting his brainstorming efforts into a book about Genesis/origins for the next village trip, as well as coming up with another book addressing the aspects of prosperity gospel which surface in the area we serve. Jessica will adapt, format, and translate these into Ranmo for study booklets for our next trip. |
Ranmo Bible Translation
It's that time of year again! After Jessica finishes preparing tax forms each year, she gets to do more pleasant paperwork. There is a district Bible school in the neighboring language group to Ranmo, and their training program for local pastors receives books through a Langham Literature grant each year. Jessica is the liason to discuss needs for the upcoming year, order the books from the U.K. to the U.S. which then travel on a sea freight container to PNG and then on a flight to the Bible school several months later. This year, there is a helpful book by her college Hebrew professor which will be part of the lot! Supporting this Bible school is a joy and privilege to watch as local pastors equip new pastors and send some as missionaries into outlying areas!
Praise God that we are back in radio-to-email contact with the translation team, and they are continuing to add team members! Pray for God to provide a clear path to have a consultant check of Luke toward the end of the year in PNG. It would be neat if the check could happen near the Bible school so that Tim could be teaching sessions there while Jessica is involved with the consultant check. |
Community Development
Sago is a traditional food of Papua New Guinea. It is the pulp of a sago palm tree worked with water and the starch is made into a paste, some say similar to a dumpling. It is a common food in the bush (jungle) in our particular area it is a savored feast food but in most of the country it is a staple food in the common home.
For the last month, we have been able to raise two bottle-fed goats, which are a breed developed here in Snohomish County, Washington state. They are called Kinder goats, a cross between Nubian and Pygmy goats, which makes a nice milk/meat combination breed. These two are named Butterscotch and Blaze. We think raising goats may be a good community development project in PNG eventually, and for now we are enjoying watching their antics from our dining room window!
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Aviation
Flying the LOC 34 Instrument ApproachIn clouds so thick you can see nothing outside of the airplane a few miles to your right there lies the rough Cascade Mountains and the cold north Pacific sea to the left. In front of you is a strip of safety 100 ft wide and it is the only place you can land safely.
By tuning the aircraft radios into radio signals a pilot can let themselves down blindfolded through the clouds with accuracy and safety to the narrow strip of earth the runway is on. I have been receiving advance training to fly just such approaches to landing. |
March 2021
Discipleship(Not my pictures)
Truly it has been said that our God is the God of wonders, today I was reminded of that when I got the amazing chance to flying a Zenith 701 airplane out to search for a Orca Whale Calf (Baby), we found the calf swimming slightly north of Cammon Island, happy and healthy.
From the 147 pslam David wrote: Praise the Lord ... you great sea creatures and all ocean depths… that do his bidding...
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Ranmo Bible TranslationPray for us to find a new way to keep in touch with our PNG village team and family in the coming months, as Safu was the radio contact before his recent passing. Also pray for the country of PNG with the recent increase in COVID cases.
Jessica has been busy finishing up the texts mentioned in February, and they are now all labelled and ready for analysis (to better understand the grammar and structure of Ranmo). Several of these texts predictably included hunting stories with repeating themes. One of them, however, was told by a woman and featured much more of her emotional experience during the hunt. There are many nuances of the language to be discovered in the months ahead! |
Community DevelopmentA chainsaw is a tool that is used often in community development projects. It can accomplish much work, but can be deadly if it is used incorrectly.
The above graphic was publish by Cornel University and is a great guide to the different cuts that it take to carefully cut a tree down. If a person follows this plan and with the right training even a large tree can be cut down and very accurately dropped in a chosen direction.
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Aviation Stage two complete.... while at training at Missions Aviation Training Academy students have to pass ongoing and periodic checks to continue training. These are test flown with a examiner pilot and test the agility and skills of the pilot flying, you will not move forward in training until you pass each stage.
This wasn't a easy milestone for me and took many many hours of near suffering to work out, and as my wife will attest many late nights, trying hard. |
February 2021
Flying Video!My friend Nate who I am training along side of flew this trip a few weeks ago and it is a great taste of what training at MATA is like. (yes the music is Hebrew and Nate is from Israel.)
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Ranmo Bible TranslationThis month Jessica's goal is to finish assigning grammatical labels to 40 remaining (of 86) texts (stories recorded from Ranmo friends). This will help with the grammatical analysis necessary to refine the translation and provide insights into overall literary structure for future genres like Paul's epistles. This analysis takes many dedicated hours of computer work in linguistic fieldwork software called FLEx.
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Community DevelopmentWork at Warm Beach Camp, which is a Christian Bible camp and conference center we help out with is going well. We trade 20 hours of labor a week for our RV spot (rent).
Among many things I operate this New Holland L 218 skid steer loader for the camp, mostly moving logs from trees that have to be cut down.
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Aviation0Don't worry its way more confusing than it looks.....
They say a instrument rating is the first "professional" license a pilot earns and I can understand why now. The above 7 positions have to be flown with in feet to be acceptable over a area of 100 square miles... and everything is done blindfolded with out even a map, only a radio needle to guide you! |
January 2021
DiscipleshipA Short Story About Fishing...
I can remember with lovely detail my mother taking me fishing when I was very young. It was new and different and holding the slimy wriggling fish was a bit strange at first. No doubt being from north Texas mom could have caught fish all day and given them to me, but she waited until I finally caught one of my own. The experience was more valuable then the reward of the fish dinner that was to come. That is how it is with God, God doesn't need us, but chooses to include us to let us learn and grow. So next time you are struggling just remember that our Heavenly Father is at work and the experience is often just as important as the reward.
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Ranmo Bible TranslationIt is with heartbreak mingled with joy that I have to write our friend, family member, co worker in the Lord (translator) went home to rest with Christ. Hearbreak becasue of how we love this family and joy because we know as II Cor 5:8 puts it
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. |
Community DevelopmentJanuary 13 2021 a gale force storm blew in off the north pacific ocean. This storm had stronger winds than many hurricanes. Many trees came crashing down, power was lost for a few days and to even get out it took a backhoe and chainsaw!
What followed was a few days of chainsaw work helping the folks around us recover.
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AviationReturn to Flight
(Radio Cracks) : Arlington Traffic 1-1-Foxtrot final runway 34, full stop Arlington Starting in January I have been flying every week with a focus and drive to get my commercial lic. in 2021! The flight school MATA where I am now is much more precise than anything I have ever done flying and its a bit of a learning curve but with Gods help its going!
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December 2020
Discipleship Ministry* Big News*
a new ministry partnership! (part of the year, when were not overseas) Warm Beach Christian Camp While we are in WA in 2021 for missionary aviation flight training, we will be helping the camp with ongoing maintenance needs they have.
This is a awesome opportunity to use the talents God has given us to bless others and fits well with our needs in this season of ministry.
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Ranmo Bible TranslationPlease pray for Safu, our village neighbor and close family member (Jessica's nakum: brother-in-law, Tim's nan: Sanggara clan brother) who is receiving treatment in the tuberculosis ward at Daru hospital (several days' trip from the village). His wife Ella and several children are needing to keep the gardens worked and pay school fees for the year while he is away.
He is the member of the translation team who sends us messages via radio, and he also leads worship at the church and leads his family in regular nightly worship and devotions. Most of our village friends are very observant and helpful, and he is especially so (grabbing a hammer to build a handrail when he sees us tottering on the steep staircase).
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Community DevelopmentThis week we traveled a few hundred miles to pick up airport seats for Pacific Missions Aviation, we hauled them in our horse/ stock trailer to Seattle where they will be combined with many other thing from tires to building steel in a 40ft container that is being sent to Micronesia with much needed supplies for their ministry.
Yeah.... it didn't fit and I had to haul 2 of them suspended by straps in mid air... it worked though it bent the metal on the trailer a tiny bit. |
AviationGetting Back to Basics
"you wouldn't try to be a pastor only going to Sunday school to learn the Bible... aviation is kind of like that too, Tim" - Dary after 300 hours of flying I've gotten comfortable in some ways, for example I know enough in most every case to look at the weather reports and determine if its safe to fly or not. There are 10 or so weather tools I know and use, but there are just as many published I don't use often and I am sure I don't understand in detail (enough to read but not enough to get every nuance or detail included). So I have committed myself to reviewing the basics and chasing down all those slight details that most pilots will never notice or know to miss.
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November 2020
MT, ID, WA
We are in eastern Montana visiting family for a few weeks and then we are moving to WA to start with Missions Aviation Training Academy to finish Tim's aviation training!
We are in eastern Montana visiting family for a few weeks and then we are moving to WA to start with Missions Aviation Training Academy to finish Tim's aviation training!
Discipleship MinistryOur cat, Chessie, dressed up as the children's sermon object lesson (named "Catbraham") tracing the story of Abraham's journey of faith. He then sat through the entire adult sermon, too!
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Ranmo Bible Translation An SD card with book introductions and translation notes for Acts, Genesis, and Daniel 1-6 was recorded by Jessica in Ranmo language and will hopefully make its way to the team on a November 10 flight to a nearby airstrip.
Please pray for restored health of our village family member and translator/worship leader Safu, who is recovering in a regional hospital from several weeks of illness followed by injury. |
Community DevelopmentWater is pretty important... without it nothing much happens. It is also pretty hard to get fresh, safe water in many parts of the world including the village in Papua New Guinea that we work in in the dry season. We have started looking into working to be trained to install wells. Which is a exciting possibility more to come soon!
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Bible Application MomentAre you subject to Mistakes?
Yes... If a man revered and respected as a gunieus, statesman, inventor and author fell victum to a mistake,.. what chance do you or me have? Intelligence, logic, reason, checklists, procidures can help to minimize risk, and make the out comes of life far more predictable but in themselves alone they are not enough, else there would not be such a thing as user error, or a self inflicted accident. The answer is we have every chance in Christ alone. The apostle Paul put it very bluntly and clearly to say, "I can do all things throught Christ who stregthens me." (Phillipian 4:13). Where our ablity in ourselves is spent, then we rely on Christ not in somthings but in all things. |
October 2020
Up Coming Church Visits!
Oct- 3- 2020, Small Group, East Chain MN * Oct- 18- 2020, Christ Tabernacle Church, Hermosa SD (Rapid City SD area)
Oct- 25- 2020, Circle Evangelical Church, Circle MT
Oct- 3- 2020, Small Group, East Chain MN * Oct- 18- 2020, Christ Tabernacle Church, Hermosa SD (Rapid City SD area)
Oct- 25- 2020, Circle Evangelical Church, Circle MT
Discipleship MinistryIn the fall we have been visiting churches and Tim has been preaching on these visits.
Tim is also working on a book for use in the bush (remote) western province of Papua New Guinea. This book is explaining the origins of man and to help village pastors and church leaders explain in a culturally relevant way the 7 days of creation found in Genesis, not changing or simplifying only giving the tools to help define. |
Ranmo Bible Translation Right now we are struggling due to technical failures of equipment and the challenges of COVID-19 to maintain communications with the national team in the village of Indorrodorro, Papua New Guinea where we work.
Please Pray: That the village is safe and that we could hear from them soon! |
Community DevelopmentYou flip on a light switch and it turns on but why.......... well because there is a large power grid behind it that makes it work. Where we work in PNG there is no power grid and we have generate our own power, we do this in the village by using solar!
Picture from: https://www.indiamart.com/energwiselabsllp/solar-system.html
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AviationTo go overseas there are two pilot skills I (Tim) need to become skilled in, the first is Instrument flying. Which literally means flying a airplane blindly either in the clouds or with a blinder on! But the training is coming along nicely. I have been flying both in real life and a professional simulator that is available for missionaries to train in!
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September 2020
MN,SD, ND
Were moving... to Arlington, WA, to get the last two remaining pilot qualifications
Mark Twain once wrote, “Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work.” My greatest desire is to be lightning that God uses to accomplish great things for the Lord's kingdom. To echo the great pioneer missionary William Carey, in a hundred years I do not want people to remember the man that once was, but I want them to know the God who is that sent the man to serve and love them. To know God and to make him known is the banner that I and my wife have chosen to fly, and together we do our best to make decisions based upon prayer, God’s word, and wise counsel, to live out this choice.
Based on this: even before I was married, I obtained a single-engine land pilot’s license and then further trained and got additional pilot endorsements to fly high performance airplanes (201 HP+), as well as endorsed to fly complex airplanes (retractable landing gear, for example). With this new license, I spent the next few years flying when I could and working as a mechanic’s assistant on aircraft. In time, I was able to earn my own aircraft mechanic’s license—which took almost 6,000 hours of shop time to earn, 3 separate written tests, several hours of oral questions with a FAA examiner, and 5 hours of practical test projects with a FAA examiner watching! With this new air-frame and power-plant aircraft mechanic’s license and the pilot’s license, I had started helping where I could serving with Missions Aviation Fellowship (MAF) short-term in the U.S. Then after getting married, I helped both MAF and Wycliffe Bible Translators (JAARS) short-term in Papua New Guinea. After serving overseas, I have no doubt about the need for missionary aviators and pastors to go to the most remote areas. After prayer and meeting with mission organizations, I and my wife felt led to consider two possibilities: we return to Papua New Guinea to the Western Province or we would do similar work with tribal peoples in the far northern Pacific Northwest (Alaska and the Yukon), or a combination of these places we love. Soon I will be entering a new season where I will be attending Missions Aviation Training Academy (MATA) in Arlington, WA, to get the last two remaining pilot qualifications I need to become completely qualified to serve in either of the two fields (PNG or Alaska/Yukon) with any mission. Those qualifications are an instrument rating and a commercial pilot license. I started this journey into missions aviation in 2012, and it has been slowed by the suicide of my father, the collapse of a missionary training group I was part of, and a myriad of other small heartaches. Now with my wife by me, I am ready to make the final push to complete the training to get me to the mission field, as a pilot-mechanic with a pastor’s heart. Jessica and I want to combine our talents to serve together as a ministry team, combining Bible translation/discipleship, aviation, and pastoral work. This is a tall order, but we believe that God has created all HIS children to serve HIM with a specific set of talents and gifts suited for a unique situation. Starting in October of 2020 (while my wife will continue as a missionary under Wycliffe Bible Translators), I will be using World Outreach Ministries (WOM) as a home office service to handle my support and tax requirements.
Mark Twain once wrote, “Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work.” My greatest desire is to be lightning that God uses to accomplish great things for the Lord's kingdom. To echo the great pioneer missionary William Carey, in a hundred years I do not want people to remember the man that once was, but I want them to know the God who is that sent the man to serve and love them. To know God and to make him known is the banner that I and my wife have chosen to fly, and together we do our best to make decisions based upon prayer, God’s word, and wise counsel, to live out this choice.
Based on this: even before I was married, I obtained a single-engine land pilot’s license and then further trained and got additional pilot endorsements to fly high performance airplanes (201 HP+), as well as endorsed to fly complex airplanes (retractable landing gear, for example). With this new license, I spent the next few years flying when I could and working as a mechanic’s assistant on aircraft. In time, I was able to earn my own aircraft mechanic’s license—which took almost 6,000 hours of shop time to earn, 3 separate written tests, several hours of oral questions with a FAA examiner, and 5 hours of practical test projects with a FAA examiner watching! With this new air-frame and power-plant aircraft mechanic’s license and the pilot’s license, I had started helping where I could serving with Missions Aviation Fellowship (MAF) short-term in the U.S. Then after getting married, I helped both MAF and Wycliffe Bible Translators (JAARS) short-term in Papua New Guinea. After serving overseas, I have no doubt about the need for missionary aviators and pastors to go to the most remote areas. After prayer and meeting with mission organizations, I and my wife felt led to consider two possibilities: we return to Papua New Guinea to the Western Province or we would do similar work with tribal peoples in the far northern Pacific Northwest (Alaska and the Yukon), or a combination of these places we love. Soon I will be entering a new season where I will be attending Missions Aviation Training Academy (MATA) in Arlington, WA, to get the last two remaining pilot qualifications I need to become completely qualified to serve in either of the two fields (PNG or Alaska/Yukon) with any mission. Those qualifications are an instrument rating and a commercial pilot license. I started this journey into missions aviation in 2012, and it has been slowed by the suicide of my father, the collapse of a missionary training group I was part of, and a myriad of other small heartaches. Now with my wife by me, I am ready to make the final push to complete the training to get me to the mission field, as a pilot-mechanic with a pastor’s heart. Jessica and I want to combine our talents to serve together as a ministry team, combining Bible translation/discipleship, aviation, and pastoral work. This is a tall order, but we believe that God has created all HIS children to serve HIM with a specific set of talents and gifts suited for a unique situation. Starting in October of 2020 (while my wife will continue as a missionary under Wycliffe Bible Translators), I will be using World Outreach Ministries (WOM) as a home office service to handle my support and tax requirements.
As a reminder of changing seasons, enjoy this poem which Jessica wrote during her first furlough in 2015.
August 2020
MN, SD
First this summer has been oddly hot and humid for MN, with temps often in the 90'+. We have been doing well Jessica working everyday on the Ranmo Bible translation and Tim has been both gaining experience both in flying and as a mechanic. Were are amazed at the Lords grace and we have been loving our joinery and the experience of getting better prepared to serve the Lord of Lords!
It has been one year next month that we have been at Proclaim Aviation Ministries focusing on aircraft mechanical experience, our time here has been challenging in so many ways, we both have grown closer together and Tim has gain a new set of skills and abilities to use as a missionary aircraft mechanic. We desire tho to return to the frontier, or that is where the help is needed most. So we have big new coming up soon, that involves us moving our lives back to the remote mission field, long term. The time is right and we are now pulling up our stakes and getting ready to move, already the first of the equipment has left Minnesota! More to come in a few weeks.... but it means were going maybe back to the jungle or tundra.
First this summer has been oddly hot and humid for MN, with temps often in the 90'+. We have been doing well Jessica working everyday on the Ranmo Bible translation and Tim has been both gaining experience both in flying and as a mechanic. Were are amazed at the Lords grace and we have been loving our joinery and the experience of getting better prepared to serve the Lord of Lords!
It has been one year next month that we have been at Proclaim Aviation Ministries focusing on aircraft mechanical experience, our time here has been challenging in so many ways, we both have grown closer together and Tim has gain a new set of skills and abilities to use as a missionary aircraft mechanic. We desire tho to return to the frontier, or that is where the help is needed most. So we have big new coming up soon, that involves us moving our lives back to the remote mission field, long term. The time is right and we are now pulling up our stakes and getting ready to move, already the first of the equipment has left Minnesota! More to come in a few weeks.... but it means were going maybe back to the jungle or tundra.
Discipleship Ministry
Sometimes you have to seemingly move a mountain in front of you, but sometimes the smallest pebble that you kick out of the path can do a mighty amount of good. James 1:27 says this, that “Religion that is pure and undefined before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James reminds us that it is often not the few big heroic moments of your life that will define you, it is the smaller moments that you choose what is good and right before God that will keep you pure and right as a Christian because of Jesus in your life. |
Ranmo Bible Translation
Prayer Request This year the translation team for the first time ever was given access to a device to email with Jessica. There have been technical difficulties since and we would ask you to pray that God works out the issues or send the right person to help, when we can not (because of covid-19 travel issues). |
Community Development
Aquaponics Its all about the fish..... God in HIS masterful plan made nature to balance itself out. One solution to dramatically improve areas of low food production is a system called aquaponics.
Where fish are kept in a tank and then plants are grown using the water from that tank. The fish produce waste (fertilizer) and the plants use that fertilizer to grown and purify the water for the fish. It allows for a tremendous amount of food to be grown in a small space and a reliable source of meat to be kept as well. |
Aviation
Its time to get ready for my next pilot's test! A instrument rating. Fly the missed approach 29, track R-0287, to LUCEV 13.1 DME, hold and fly the ils 29 approach....... sounds confusing huh now add to it the fact that you are flying this all blind in the clouds at 140 mph! This tho is a necessary and required skill for missionary pilots to be able to safely fly even when the weather unexpectedly turns poor. |
June/ July 2020
MN, SD, ND, MT
It has been said that the most powerful things in life happen in the day to day, which is the season we are in. its not the exciting overseas pace, nor the thrill of the frontier, but it is the slowly building pieces that God is sewing together in our lives, relationships, and ministries. We know we are getting what we need and getting ready for the next frontier.
It has been said that the most powerful things in life happen in the day to day, which is the season we are in. its not the exciting overseas pace, nor the thrill of the frontier, but it is the slowly building pieces that God is sewing together in our lives, relationships, and ministries. We know we are getting what we need and getting ready for the next frontier.
Aviation
The cone of confusion... or other wise known as a propeller protector, is a tool used to very accurately figure out the exact location of the internal parts of the engine so the exact correct moment when the fuel should explode in the engine cylinder can be set. Its a handy tool, but it take 6 steps to use it and each step builds on the correct result of the last. So if your new to it and get off on step 2, then by step 6 it really can be the cone of confusion.
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Community Development
You would certainly think that going into a big home store you could find any version of a tool box you might want or at least you could order online anything. Not so, though I have a larger drawered tool box in the hanger with my tools, but I needed a nimble, off road, big tired, service cart I could move between buildings and then drag across a Christian camp or youth ranch to fix anything from horse trailer wheel bearings to rebuilding a cabins plumbing system of pipes. My answer was to take a old bed frame and wagon... and weld me a proper service cart for my needs...... |
Ranmo Bible Translation
Jessica is working everyday pressing towards getting a useful and meaningful translation of the Gospel of Luke in the Ranmo language. In this she is working on the mechanics (the grammar & discourses features) of the drafts of Luke to make them natural and accessible. Prayer Requests
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May 2020
MN, SD
The missionary life is hard often and in ways you might not expect. It is something that we both face away from family over the years and choosing to go, as the words of the hymn by S. Sundar Singh often ringing in our ears. "... The world behind me, the cross before me; No turning back, no turning back. Though none go with me, still I will follow;..."
The missionary life is hard often and in ways you might not expect. It is something that we both face away from family over the years and choosing to go, as the words of the hymn by S. Sundar Singh often ringing in our ears. "... The world behind me, the cross before me; No turning back, no turning back. Though none go with me, still I will follow;..."
Discipleship Ministry
The cost of discipleship is great but the cost of not making disciples of Christ is devastating.... Please watch this clip and consider what you are doing to make disciples in the life... maybe you go make disciples or maybe you help support those who are already going? |
Ranmo Bible Translation
Jessica has been working on a project that is exploring the relationship between location and verbs in Ranmo. This is important because it affects the way the Bible is translated and how things are explained. The local translation team is drafting Luke 19 this month! |
Aviation
It is our hope to move back overseas in 2-3 years and fly for the Lord. To do this Tim is working to gain the technical proficiency as a pilot and aircraft mechanic. Every 30 months at least, most pilots in the US have to take what is called a flight review. Its a combination of doing classroom work and then flying with a certified flight instructor and demonstrating your skills as a pilot, demonstrating you are safe and competent to act as a pilot- in- command (PIC). Mine was coming due so I took Jessica flying and 1.1 hours latter I had a new check off for another two blissful years of flying for the Lord! |
Community Development
In late 2017 Jessica started working with the village of Indorrodo (were she translates) to build a airstrip for bush planes. Making it much easier for medical help, supplies, and missionaries to get to the village. She did this by helping measure off 900 meters and getting them some hand tools. In 2019 Tim started to help as well and made a plan for the airstrip and helped the village layout the site as well as training them on dirt work. Just a few weeks ago the airstrip finally became visible on satellite images! |
April 2020
MN, SD
Overall we are well, but with the onset of sickness into the US we are struggling to maintain our partnership. It is only because of our faithful partners in ministry the Lord provides that we can do what we do, would you prayerfully consider partnering with us or sharing our information with others?
Overall we are well, but with the onset of sickness into the US we are struggling to maintain our partnership. It is only because of our faithful partners in ministry the Lord provides that we can do what we do, would you prayerfully consider partnering with us or sharing our information with others?
sDiscipleship Ministry
A simple question I have been asked more than a few times is: Why Missions? The answer is God's love; my go-to answer is built around a list of Bible verses as evidence; this isn't wrong, but I wanted to try to explain it a different way that might be useful to start the conversation. So...when the mountain beckoned I came, when the wilderness opened its grandeur to me I wandered and wondered wrapped in the tapestry and majesty of the wilds....... |
Ranmo Bible Translation
Sadly we received news of a death that affects our translation team in the village, please keep the village of Indorodoro In your prayers. We continue to draft Luke chapters 17 & 18. Please also be in prayer as we try to plan for having a consultant come to look over the new translation work. This is a critical step in checking and getting a new section of the Bible ready to publish. |
Aviation
As of the start of April the hanger has only been operating for 3 days of the last 3 weeks for me. It is really tough to be sitting around when our heart is to get the skills needed and then get back overseas as quick as we can. To make use of this time I enrolled on a online based instrument ground school for pilots, which is a necessary step and a good use of a other wise slow time. |
Community Development
From the previous update I shared we are looking at new systems for chain saw sharpening to share with the guys in remote places. it needs to be tough, reliable, and simply. With out a lot of consumables that would be hard to get if not impossible overseas. We looked at the power-sharp system by Oregon. Which promises a sharp chain is seconds. I think it could work but uses special chains and bars and wont work on any other bar & chain, also it uses wet stones that need replacement. So for the moment were still taking out filing kits with a raker gauge and angle gauge to do it by hand. Not as quick but it will sharpen any saw and wont wear out for years. |
February- March 2020
Due to sickness we were delayed in updating, we are much better now but it was a rough few weeks.
MN
Discipleship Ministry
Sometimes I write about Gods glory, sometimes about God's truth. I have had the opportunity to be used of God. Preaching in churches, ministering to those in need but rather then that I would like to share one of the most powerful things I have ever been taught, outside of the Bible itself (though this principle is from there) I heard from a old cowboy. Para-phrasing from memory he said If it is in your power to help someone or a animal you should, a man is only a man who is good and loving to others, and he is good to others because God loves and is good to him, saving him and becoming his Lord. |
Ranmo Bible Translation
Were very excited that the Ranmo Bible Translation deep in the jungles of Papua New Guinea sent their first email ever! In December of 2019 we left a Iphone SE with the translation team, recently they sent a man on a 30 mile trip through the bush to reach a data repeater at a government station airstrip. They were then able to connect and email Jessica all the way around the world! The message had both translation material that would have been months latter to get any other way and they sent a personal messages. |
Aviation
A aircraft magneto is a small box on the back of the engine (gasoline engines), on side gets turned by a gear on the engine and the other has wires that run out to the spark plugs, it is the device that causes the engine to run and the fuel to ignite at the right time. One project that mission boards love to use to test the skill of new applicant mechanics is being able to find there way around the rather sensitive inter-workings. One interesting fact is the black cylinder in the right picture has two coils of copper wire in it, the first is wound hundreds of times, the second is wound many thousands of times!
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Community Development
Chain saws are a important too for both Disaster Relief and Community Development. One of the most important maintenance jobs for performance and the safety of using a chain saw is sharpening the chain. Sharpening chain saws is well a art........... if its done right, it is simple and done often makes a chain saw cut perfectly. Though there are so many ways to get off, like holding the file wrong and thus changing the angle of the chain saw tooth, or setting the raker (guide before the tooth) too high or too low, each causing a different but significant problem. Below is a diagram of a chain saw tooth and the 5 different measurements that need to be considered to get a perfectly sharpened chain. We are testing new systems too make sharpening easier out in the bush. More in a few weeks!
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January 2020
MN
Discipleship Ministry
Sometime another brother in the Lord says something and it so wonderfully brings forth a truth that embodies what discipleship ministry is, and the below message is one example "David Platt explains that since God purposes to make his name known among all nations, he loves us in the greatest way possible: by giving us Himself. This is a love that calls forth a life of worship and devotion. This a love worth singing about: “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy” (Psalm 67:4)." |
Ranmo Bible Translation
The Ranmo Bible Translation is moving right along with Jessica working through back translation and tackling some of the ongoing semantics of the project. There was a radio message received from the village and they report progress on the translation drafting by the translation team in the village. |
Aviation
Right now in the hanger there a few planes we are working on, and it is really awesome to gain experience and skill from guys that have spent so many years overseas. |
Community Development
A word about the cold..... one of the important tools that we use while in the US is our pickup. The lord has blessed us with a ¾ ton diesel truck that is awesome for hauling both our RV and fro projects. Though in the cold you have to take precautions such as using electric heaters to keep the oil warm when the nights get too -10. As well as using the right amount of #1 diesel fuel, rather than #2 diesel fuel which is what is available at most gas stations. |
October- December 2019
Overseas Report: Papua New Guinea
UPDATE at a GLANCE
Discipleship Ministry
We enjoyed teaching as a ministry team on books we had written and translated in the fall. One Sunday afternoon included teaching on the nature of God versus other spirit beings, and another session with the translation team gave handy helps on how to understand the Bible’s context. Tim and Jessica along side other colleagues help teach a workshop at Kiriwa called Culture Meets Scripture. Around 75 participants from 3-4 language areas found many areas of their life about which they would like to dig deeper into God’s Word, so pray for continued desire and insights as they explore! Topics addressed included initiation, the local creation legend, rain-making magic, and marriage exchange system. |
Ranmo Bible Translation
The Ranmo Bible translation team working with Jessica, and with occasional help from Tim was able to work through the 16th chapter of the gospel of Luke during this visit. The translation team plans to draft the remaining chapters of Luke 17-24, meeting together the last week of each month. Then they will email a picture of the translation to Jessica in the States. This is their first time to use email, and they hike 20 miles to send it. They appreciate your prayers! |
Aviation
While in PNG we visited Missions Aviation Fellowship in Mt. Hagen, PNG. Our visit gave us a picture and hopeful possibilities of a dream we would like to see together involving flying in the same province as the village while continuing the ministry already established there. While there Tim worked in the maintenance hanger on several projects like splitting a PT6-114A turbine engine, and modifying DH- 6 engine stands to work with the new fleet of Cessna 208 airplanes flown in country. |
Community Development
Peanut Test Planting- In February on our last trip, we gifted some peanuts to the village, which they planted in a test plot. 8 months later, it has proven to be a great success with 4 crops grown and another standing crop. They also increased the test planting area by about 300 new plants grown from previously harvested peanuts for seed. This will provide the village another source of protein for their diets and soil enrichment for better farming practices. The local rats are also quite interested in the stored peanuts (which happened to be in our bush house). :-( Airstrip Development- The Indorodoro airstrip is coming along well, with roughly 50 x 400 M cleared of 50 X 1,000 M. This is great progress-especially because it is all done by hand without even a tractor or truck! Student Coaching- Working with recent grade 12 graduates and current grade 11 & 12 students, Tim coached them in areas of mathematics, problem solving, and reading comprehension. This will help encourage and prepare these students for future opportunities. |
September 2019
MN
UPDATE at a GLANCE
Discipleship Ministry
Bible studies on the topics of Spiritual Warfare, God's Character, and Biblical Heremenuctics have been drafted in English by Tim and now Jessica is working on translating them to Ranmo. These are topics requested by the pastors in western province of Papua New Guinea. |
Ranmo Bible Translation
Last month we shared about a notebook containing the draft of Luke 10 had gotten lost in the shuffle of flights out of the jungle. It has since been found but was mistakenly sent to the wrong person, so we still need prayer that it makes it way to us, but praise the Lord it has been found! |
Aviation
After a long long time on the road my tool box is now resting in a hanger. It is a great feeling to get going at Proclaim Aviation Ministries, though the struggle is real when someone at the last hanger still has my 7/8 socket! :( On a great note, I found a resolution to a struggle I was facing with FAA paperwork, more to come soon! So hopefully in the spring I am looking forward to flight training! |
Community Development
This update I thought I would just talk about my chain saw, not that we use it alot in MN, but I keep it running and sharp in case of a storm and the like one big tree were to fall.. :) I guess my thought is this wither you have a little or a lot you are tasked before God to be ready to use it for HIS glory, so keep things in your life sharp and ready to use. |
August 2019
UPCOMING: WA, ID, MT, SD, MN, GA
Upcoming Church Visits/ Speaking Engagements. Please come say Hi!
07/31/19Mt. Highway Baptist Church
Spanway, WA @ 6 pm |
08/04/19Reconciled Baptist Church
Morton, WA @ 8 am Reconciled Baptist Church Randal, WA @ 10:30 am |
08/25/19Hull Baptist Church
Hull, GA @ 11 am |
UPDATE at a GLANCE
Discipleship Ministry
Walking on a dock in the harbor in Tacoma WA, I saw a group of teenage guys climbing just about anything they could to get higher to jump into the water. I smiled and jokingly said what a great idea it was to climb a piling that was already falling into the sea. They were surprised and were happy to be the center of attention, laughing they agreed it wasn't a smart idea. I took the chance to give them a little advice. Telling them ask two questions: Could I?, Should I? They all laughed and understood the wisdom, in this world where lots of fathers or missing or not engaged in parenting, I think it is awesome when ever I get the chance to model what a Godly man should be. |
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UPDATE at a GLANCE
Discipleship Ministry
We just finished the 2019 summer camp season and it was awesome to invest in the students as well as our fellow staff. We also took a course that was focused on partnership development, and sharing the work the Lord has given us. It was a great opportunity to work on skills and become better at telling about our part in missions and the great commission! Another highlight was stopping for a few days at Blazing Hope Youth Ranch, in Middleton, ID, where I have served before. We enjoyed a few days of rest, vising friends, working with the horses, and helping the ranch out with a few odds and ends.
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Aviation
Recently we stopped by the Mission Aviation Fellowship- US headquarters in Nampa, Idaho; where I previously served as a intern in the hangar doing mechanical projects and such. It was wonderful to visit friends and to meet with the mobilization department and consider what the next 5 years and beyond could look like for us as missionaries. Pictured below is a new Cessna Caravan delivered to serve in Papua New Guinea this year. |
Community Development
Well, really, Discipleship Ministry for the community. Plans for our next trip into the jungles of Papua New Guinea are going well. We plan to leave in October and we will be working on projects like the airstrip and agriculture improvements to the soil conditions. Also we are preparing for a number of workshops we hope to teach during this trip, please pray for us as we prepare for workshops on:
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QUESTIONS from PARTNERS:
When an airplane takes off, does the temperature outside affect it?
Yes. The colder it is outside, the better the performance you should expect to see. That is, you can take off in a shorter distance and climb out quicker.
Tim? Why are there pictures of elephants in your update?
Because the Carson & Barnes Circus came to Sydney, MT, and we decided to go see the circus with our family and little nieces. |
What is the difference between indicated, calibrated, and true airspeed?
When we are talking about airspeed, we mean a measure of the forward motion of the airplane through the air--like a speedometer in a car...sorta. This is measured by comparing the pressure difference between two air sources: one in the forward air flow (ram air), and one in the relatively calm air on the side of the airplane (static air). Just simply reading the gauge (to the left) is the indicated airspeed (IAS). However, since the air is thinner the higher you fly, it is necessary to calculate the true airspeed (TAS). This is calculated to compensate for the thinner atmosphere the higher you fly. For example, at 10k feet your actual speed is about 20% faster than indicated. Finally, the calibrated airspeed (CAS) is your indicated airspeed adjusted for imperfections in the aircraft systems. |
June 2019
Eastern Montana Bible Camp Bloomfield, Montana
Update at a Glance
Discipleship Ministry- For the month of June we are serving as camp missionaries with Eastern Montana Bible Camp and traveling to share with churches about our work in missions, many of which have invited me to preach as well.
EMBC (the camp) is a awesome chance to invest in students and to share what the Lord is doing in Bible translation and missionary aviation around the world. We are here for about a month and each week invest in a new group of camper through discipleship and actives that allow the students to experience aspects of missions. Often we offer two different experiences and let the students choose based on their interests, for example Jessica may offer a hands on activity exploring Bible translation and the same day I am offering a hands on activity that has to do with missionary aviation. |
Aviation- Over the last few weeks I have been teaching weekly lessons on aerodynamics (Burniele principle, using a great simple white board sketch even middle school students understand.. a professor at Emery Riddle shared with me), a flight simulator hooked to the projector for everyone to see and mechanical lessons like teaching kids to use a a vernier micrometer to measure the thickness of a aircraft part (which a 6th grader correctly measured as 0.034")!
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Community Development- We are getting ready for our next PNG trip this fall. Jessica has been a amazing guide in showing me the people, culture and challenges before us.
Recently I talked to a farmer who grows sugar beets, who has been to PNG, Sugar beets are a very unique crop that require exacting control of water and soil to produce the highest yield of sugar, in this area of Montana that can reach a astounding 20%! While sugar beets would not grow in the village we work in, the ideas are applicable to crops like Yams. I will be trying out some of his suggestions in the near future! |
Bible Minute - God's love is a topic that is vast and quite honestly English or any human tongue is too narrow in scope and woefully incapable of fully capturing or expressing the love of God. Thought God gave His children a precious gift in making Himself relatable to mankind in Jesus Christ, who though He was fully God, also took on Himself all that it is to be fully man. ( John 14:9 Jesus said to him... The one who has seen Me has seen the Father...).
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Rest, Fun, & Adventure- Dawson Co. Fair: We took a few hours off from the camp and our other ministry obligations to go to the local fair. We got to see things like turkey races, look at new John Deere equipment, look at FFA exhibits and attend a PRCA rodeo! It was great fun and some yummy fair food too like tacos in a bag, cotton candy, and lemonade in a cup shaped like a boot!
May 2019
Genesis 24: 4
This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh.
Big news on May 12, 2019, I got married!
Since we have been on our honeymoon, taking time to do some flying in northern Idaho to fulfill currency requirements for me and to enjoy the amazing Rocky Mountains .
this update will be brief ..... praise God it is our honeymoon
This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh.
Big news on May 12, 2019, I got married!
Since we have been on our honeymoon, taking time to do some flying in northern Idaho to fulfill currency requirements for me and to enjoy the amazing Rocky Mountains .
this update will be brief ..... praise God it is our honeymoon
Update at a Glance
Discipleship Ministry- This month was more learning than teaching.
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Aviation- After being overseas I got myself current again as a US pilot to carry passengers. I also got checked out and approved to rent a airplane based in northern Idaho. God is great and I felt so close to my Lord flying with a calmness of hearing my Lord’s voice.
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Community Development- The load of equipment I mentioned last month arrived in the remote village of Indorodo, Papua New Guinea. It’ was immediately put to work and the airstrip is progressing.
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April 2019
Yes I have a bad hair cut, it was not intentional and my hair promised me its try to grow as quickly as possible!
GA, TX, CO, SD, MN, ND, MT
Recently people have told me how wonderful they though my life was, traveling so much. God is good and it can be fun but the life of a missionary is that of change, late nights, and trying to hold on to anything that gives us a little consistency in our day to day. Its certainly not vacation and it is hard work, but the cost of the Gospel is worth it all. We are visiting our supporters on our way back to Montana getting ready for our wedding in May.
Recently people have told me how wonderful they though my life was, traveling so much. God is good and it can be fun but the life of a missionary is that of change, late nights, and trying to hold on to anything that gives us a little consistency in our day to day. Its certainly not vacation and it is hard work, but the cost of the Gospel is worth it all. We are visiting our supporters on our way back to Montana getting ready for our wedding in May.
Update at a Glance
Praise- In April we were able to get a much needed improvement to our RV (that I have lived in for years and we both hope to live, travel and work in after we are married). The previous RV was a 1995 Prowler 22ft, that had a plethora of problems. We were able to get a 2009 Sundancer 32ft (with a slide out)! God is so good and we are so grateful!
Discipleship Ministry- During April we will be sharing with churches and I will be preaching a few times and sharing Gods truth! We are also working on a requested book that the pastors in the village (Jungle of Papua New Guinea) would like me to write them as a resource on spiritual warfare. Additionally I am always looking for talking points and have had great opportunity to reach out with evangelism.
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Community Development- A load of hand equipment made landfall in Papua New Guinea recently and we received by missionaries in Unkrampu, to be put on a flight outbound for the jungle. Among the items on this flight were a chain block, a spool of heavy rope, etc. which are critically needed for the construction of the airstrip in Indorodo. I also met with a dealer for Hudson forestry equipment and got updated on band saw mills, it is my hope to take a portable saw mill out to the village, which would help so much. Thou I have no idea how, when or if this is possable.... mostly its a issue of about $5,000 that we cant afford nor could the village.
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Aviation- Between missions assignments I have been busy as of late I have been pretty busy getting ready to take on new projects this summer. On the to do list is working on Miss Montana a C-47 in western MT as well as a few smaller maintenance projects around eastern MT. These serve two purposes both to build experience I need as a missionary aviator and to bring in some income to help fund our mission work. I will be visiting Proclaim Aviation Ministries this month with Jessica and be getting to meet everyone and get a taste of the work that is to come in the next two years. I also plan to rent a 172 in Montana and get myself passenger and night current again after being out of the country.
Praise Report- My mom's family is from Texas & Oklahoma, and recently my aunt Martha got the surprise of the year, or so she says when I got her church in Texas to help me surprise her with a unannounced visit. it was great to stop and encourage her we also vised and encouraged a few friends from cowboy church. Along with visiting the SIL mission center in Dallas.
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March 2019
PNG- Australia- US
After 2 months in country we are traveling back to the US (planning to return in October 2019 to PNG). It has been a great time and the Lord has shown us so much. We will be visiting churches in Georgia and Texas, I am writing this out of country and plan to as time and internet connection allows publish a summary of our first PNG trip together soon.
Airstrip Checkout - AYA: is a dirt runway in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, near the SIL center of Unkarumpa. It is sloped and a one way strip, with landings on the up slope impossible due to terrain. It is about 4,500 feet long and at about 5,500' MSL, it is serviced by SIL, MAF, and New Tribes Missions.
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Project Plane (Helicopter) - P2-SIH: is a Bell 206 L3 serving in Papua New Guinea for Bible translation. SIH was built in 1989 and after over 3 decades of service the serviceable time life for the engine has been flown out and it is time for a new engine (its been replaced several times before too). Many places in Papua New Guinea are very remote and many villages are on rugged mountain ridges and there is no other way to reach them.
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Expedition Wildlife: After 8 weeks of pretty much around the clock stress on our way back to the US we stopped to visit a few of the local animals on display for the tourists. It was really fun to hang out with some real 'animals' ….. lol, and a great stress relief.
February 2019
Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea
After getting back form 4 weeks in the bush (jungle) we are spending another 4 weeks at the SIL base called Unkarumpa, Jessica is working on language things and generally packing for our upcoming new season of life after our wedding and I am volunteering (basically full time) with SIL aviation. It has been really challenging learning to balance the needs of a family and the long hours that aviation requires. I have learned so much in this time about faith, family and life... not really the aviation lessons I was expecting but life moments that are just as valuable. During this time I am support so many missionaries who fly on SIL flights and investing in other missionaries and national workers who God places in my path.
Airstrip Checkout - AYDU: is a paved airport on the island of Daru located in Papua New Guinea. It is a little over 4,500 feet long with no slope of significant obstacles. It has service by a local airline and missions like MAF & SIL. The major consideration is that locals often cut across the runway and provide obstructions.
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Bible Minute - When Timothy a young minister was being buffered and tossed by culture of the ancient Greek port city Ephuesus, his mentor Paul wrote to him and encouraged him. Among his wise words he wrote "... For the Spirit of God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self- discipline..." (2 Timothy 1:7). This is such a valuable statement both in the days of the ancient Greek world and even today. A coach I remember from high school used this verse often saying, ' Christians are called to be meek, but that is not the same as being weak'. Of course if my weakness will bring glory to God I am very willing to accept it, but in the face of moral choices or the act of choosing love or hate we are given the power to choose love ever time, because it is love the glorifies God. Timothy was a minister of the gospel, a student of Paul, but he was also just another guy who faced a choice everyday to choose love or hate (ie. To love God and others or at the furthest extreme to choose hate and have a unhealthy amount of self focused love.
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Project Plane - P2-SIR: is a Quest Kodiak 100 serving in Papua New Guinea for Bible translation. A common issue (not typically a critical one, just a matter of convince typically) for Kodiak's across the globe is the electric rudder trim quits working in flight and on our trip back from the village that is exactly what happened. It was a simple fix done in the hanger at SIL and the plane was sent back out a few days later to fly again after the rudder was removed, a troublesome part was repaired and everything was put back together.
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Village Trip: Indorodo, Papua New Guinea
January- February 2019
December 2018
GA
For the month of December I am in Hull GA, taking a month of fur-low, getting ready for overseas and meeting with churches. A little big thing happened too and I asked Jessica to marry me! I am also trying to become a expert on peanuts which I am going to take to village in PNG to help with nutrition and soil chemistry.
November 2019
MT SD AZ WA ID
What a difference a month makes! I have been adjusting to life not on the Alaskan frontier and getting used to a even stranger new adventure............. having a sweet heart............. yes I know I know I know, but God is great and I am trusting HIM. I have been wrapping up the harvest for 2018 and took time off to go visit friends in Arizona for a week of much needed rest and got to even see the Grand Canyon! I have been able to work on relationships for the kingdom of the Lord and have done some flying for ministry. I completed a bi-annual flight review (a 2 year check up required by law for pilots with a flight test)... the guy asked me to land as short as I could, so I landed N94HJ a 172M in about 400 feet.... the guy just smiled and said yea your a mission pilot. :) Big Big Big News is on the near horizon! Stay Tuned
October 2019
Skagway AK Juneau AK Frazer BC Carcross YT Eatonville WA Savage MT
I just recently left Alaska for the season when my job ended for the winter. I traveled through Washington State and Idaho to eastern Montana where I am visiting a missionary friend who is on medical leave from Papua New Guinea and I am working for her father on thier Ranch- farm (mostly running a JD 9610 combine harvesting wheat & safflower).
Likely I will be heading to Papua New Guinea this spring to serve short term as a aircraft mechanic and agricultural specialist as sort of MAF on loan to Wycliffe!
I just recently left Alaska for the season when my job ended for the winter. I traveled through Washington State and Idaho to eastern Montana where I am visiting a missionary friend who is on medical leave from Papua New Guinea and I am working for her father on thier Ranch- farm (mostly running a JD 9610 combine harvesting wheat & safflower).
Likely I will be heading to Papua New Guinea this spring to serve short term as a aircraft mechanic and agricultural specialist as sort of MAF on loan to Wycliffe!
Airstrip Checkout - PAJN: is the international airport in SE Alaska, in the city of Juneau winch is the capital of the state of Alaska. I include this because it is not overly complicated (but isn't without complications) and the city of Juneau AK is cut off and only accessible by aircraft or ships, there is no railroad or highway to the rest of the world! The runway is paved a little under 9,000 feet, and there is a water runway in a man made lake next to the main runway. There is a high volume of aircraft of all sizes (including airliners) that use the airport, and the weather on the Lynn Canal can be unpredictable, especially because of the turbulence cause by the glaciers.
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Bible Minute - (By Billy Graham) Bread of Life: In John 6:48 we read that Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” Jesus had just fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fishes. They were all excited and thrilled over the great miracle that had occurred, [but] Jesus was talking about something more important than social needs. Bread in the Scriptures is a symbol of spiritual life.Man has an inborn hunger for God. He cannot be satisfied with anything less than God. God alone can supply the bread which satisfies the inner longing of your soul and the hunger of your heart. . . . The Bible says that He is the Bread of Life
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August & September 2018
Skagway, AK Frazer, British Columbia Carcross, Whitehorse, & Dawson City, Yukon Territory
First I apologize for not being able to update everyone promptly, I have not had the best data connections since I got back to Alaska. After a summer of serving with different ministries in the pacific northwest, waiting on paperwork to clear for my next assignment, I felt called to return to Alaska. Reasoning that if I had to wait somewhere, I would much rather wait somewhere on the frontier where I am needed! It has been wonderful getting back and feels like I came home, I am continuing the work last year I started and additionally serving with a local church in town working with youth. I have made myself available as a aircraft mechanic and am currently working on a few airplanes that belong to Christians involved in ministry.
Long term I plan to finish my last training as a missionary pilot- mechanic in the lower 48. I have great option open to serve with several mission groups including Missions Aviation Fellowship long term and am seeking the Lord on the net step when I come back from Alaska before freeze up (or before the rivers stop flowing because of ice), the latter part of October.
First I apologize for not being able to update everyone promptly, I have not had the best data connections since I got back to Alaska. After a summer of serving with different ministries in the pacific northwest, waiting on paperwork to clear for my next assignment, I felt called to return to Alaska. Reasoning that if I had to wait somewhere, I would much rather wait somewhere on the frontier where I am needed! It has been wonderful getting back and feels like I came home, I am continuing the work last year I started and additionally serving with a local church in town working with youth. I have made myself available as a aircraft mechanic and am currently working on a few airplanes that belong to Christians involved in ministry.
Long term I plan to finish my last training as a missionary pilot- mechanic in the lower 48. I have great option open to serve with several mission groups including Missions Aviation Fellowship long term and am seeking the Lord on the net step when I come back from Alaska before freeze up (or before the rivers stop flowing because of ice), the latter part of October.
Airstrip Checkout - PAGY: is a airport in SE Alaska at the top of the Lynn Canal in the town of Skagway Alaska. It is a paved runway that is 3500 feet long and is open to the south into the Lynn Canal but in very close proximity to the surrounding terrain, high winds, turbulence from the ridges and glaciers are common. A non standard pattern must be flown on approach and on departure you must fly the valleys.
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July 2018
Middleton, ID LaCross, WA random WA, OR, and ID
July started off busy we hauled 3 trailer loads of horses to the 4th of July parade in Middleton Idaho for a group of kids & youth from Blazing Hope Youth and Family Ranch! It was a great parade with over a thousand contacts handed out for the ranch! It is really great to see in the face of so many vices in this world to see kids captivated by the simple joy of horses and enjoying the comfort and rest that Christ brings into there lives!
As far as the long term goes for me, at the time of writing this (July 7, 2018) I am in eastern Washington State working on the wheat harvest. I am staying with a missionary family who served in Russia and whom I consider a second family to me (I am also in this season submitting myself to there discipleship and taking this opportunity to be invested in). In the next few weeks when we get the crop in this year I am going to go back to Alaska to continue my ministry in the far north. I plan to return as I did last year in the fall, and plan to attend flight school to finish my training :) as a missionary pilot- mechanic (I have mission assignments lined up)! I love the far north and consider it a honor that I get to go back to continue the work of the Lord I started serving in last year!
July started off busy we hauled 3 trailer loads of horses to the 4th of July parade in Middleton Idaho for a group of kids & youth from Blazing Hope Youth and Family Ranch! It was a great parade with over a thousand contacts handed out for the ranch! It is really great to see in the face of so many vices in this world to see kids captivated by the simple joy of horses and enjoying the comfort and rest that Christ brings into there lives!
As far as the long term goes for me, at the time of writing this (July 7, 2018) I am in eastern Washington State working on the wheat harvest. I am staying with a missionary family who served in Russia and whom I consider a second family to me (I am also in this season submitting myself to there discipleship and taking this opportunity to be invested in). In the next few weeks when we get the crop in this year I am going to go back to Alaska to continue my ministry in the far north. I plan to return as I did last year in the fall, and plan to attend flight school to finish my training :) as a missionary pilot- mechanic (I have mission assignments lined up)! I love the far north and consider it a honor that I get to go back to continue the work of the Lord I started serving in last year!
Blazing Hope Youth & Family Ranch: Excerpt from the ranch website..."Our mission is to glorify God as we build relationships with children and their families in order to help them to develop and mature through the use of horses. We purpose to do this by teaching them to care for, feed, exercise, ride and respect both horses and people. We turn no child away and never charge the children or their families. The important work ethic is taught as each child participates in the maintenance of the horses they love. We excel in loving relationships with each child as well as having fun. Blazing Hope is a safe, positive and happy place where children are given hope. Ours is a day program with children coming for 2 to 3 hour time periods. We are a community service provider for Ada and Canyon County Juvenile Probation Departments providing guidance, and help for troubled teens.
June 2018
Idaho & Oregon
Since the start of May I have been waiting for paperwork to clear through committees and for the Lord to open the doors for my next assignment as a missionary pilot-mechanic. In the mean time I wanted to be useful for the Kingdom of God, so I am working at Blazing Hope Youth & Family Ranch, helping the director who is like a grandfather to me. I am ministering to hundreds of children a month sharing the gospel and love of Jesus Christ, supporting and loving so many families God brings to the ranch, as well as teaching many children how to ride & enjoy horses. One really neat example was this week I was able to teach a young teenage boy who is from the DRC in Africa and a MAF missionary kid!
Blazing Hope Youth & Family Ranch is a wonderful ministry and I am honored to be part of it, tho I am not loosing sight of the mark, and I am actively working to seek out the next post as a missionary pilot & mechanic I have received one offer and am waiting on another by the end of June and plan Lord willing to accept one or the other by early July!
Either way I refuse to waste my time in waiting and the Gospel must go forth.... even as a cowboy for Christ for a bit!
Since the start of May I have been waiting for paperwork to clear through committees and for the Lord to open the doors for my next assignment as a missionary pilot-mechanic. In the mean time I wanted to be useful for the Kingdom of God, so I am working at Blazing Hope Youth & Family Ranch, helping the director who is like a grandfather to me. I am ministering to hundreds of children a month sharing the gospel and love of Jesus Christ, supporting and loving so many families God brings to the ranch, as well as teaching many children how to ride & enjoy horses. One really neat example was this week I was able to teach a young teenage boy who is from the DRC in Africa and a MAF missionary kid!
Blazing Hope Youth & Family Ranch is a wonderful ministry and I am honored to be part of it, tho I am not loosing sight of the mark, and I am actively working to seek out the next post as a missionary pilot & mechanic I have received one offer and am waiting on another by the end of June and plan Lord willing to accept one or the other by early July!
Either way I refuse to waste my time in waiting and the Gospel must go forth.... even as a cowboy for Christ for a bit!
Bible Minute - The Cost: In the words of Billy Graham... "Salvation is free! God puts no price tag on the Gift of gifts—it’s free! Preachers are not salesmen, for they have nothing to sell. They are bearers of Good News—the good tidings that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3). Money can’t buy it. Man’s righteousness can’t earn it. Social prestige can’t help you acquire it. Morality can’t purchase it. It is, as Isaiah said, “without money and without price.”God is not a bargaining God. You cannot barter with Him. You must do business with Him on His own terms. He holds in His omnipotent hand the priceless, precious, eternal gift of salvation, and He bids you to take it without money and without price. The best things in life are free, are they not? The air we breathe is not sold by the cubic foot. The water which flows crystal clear from the mountain stream is free for the taking. Love is free, faith is free, hope is free."
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Expedition- Retracing The Past: My grandfather (who was at one time a prospector/ miner) told me when I was young, that we know the Bible is completely true and reliable, and that God made everything we see in this world in a orderly, predictable way. So the study of the earth (geology) and the study of God (theology) if done carefully and correctly will agree with each other. One of the great pioneers of modern geology was the frontier minister Thomas Condon, who in the 1860's explored the area in what is now Oregon, around the Crooked and John Day rivers and scientifically documented one of the most important fossil depots ever located. While I do not agree with everything Condon believed in, he wrote very accurately and succinctly: "The Hills from which these evidences were taken...were made by the same God who made the hills of Judea, and the evidences are as authoritative. The Church has nothing to fear from the uncovering of truth.” .
I undertook to retrace some of his expeditions and specifically I set out to study the geological intrusion of native copper into existing strata. This was a trip of vacation, exploration, and a chance to investigate a scientific mystery. In short I did find what I was searching for and had my find confirmed by US Department of the Inter Geologists..... more to come after I sort my findings....
I undertook to retrace some of his expeditions and specifically I set out to study the geological intrusion of native copper into existing strata. This was a trip of vacation, exploration, and a chance to investigate a scientific mystery. In short I did find what I was searching for and had my find confirmed by US Department of the Inter Geologists..... more to come after I sort my findings....
May 2018
Idaho, Oregon, & Washington State
Man makes plans but God orders your steps......
I am in a bit of limbo this month, my internship has ended and I am in the process of clearing paperwork for the next step. It is uncomfortable, scary and well not much fun to just be waiting, but please read the Bible Minutes and let me share with you what the Lord has taught me about waiting. So far in May I went to Washington State to meet with churches, missionary families and to visit the Doorman family who are a second family to me. While in Washington State I worked on a few airplanes and flew a good bit and got to fly a C-172 I rented to fly a missionary, my friends Bryan's C-150 and Dave's (friend, mentor) PA28-140. I also helped the doorman family out with their harvesting business and we moved a John Deere 9600 hillside combine which had been stored for the winter. Back in Idaho, I have moved my trailer out to Caldwell Idaho and I have been working full time at Blazing Hope Youth Family Ranch, I hope soon to be accepted at a new mission and starting my next missionary assignment.
Man makes plans but God orders your steps......
I am in a bit of limbo this month, my internship has ended and I am in the process of clearing paperwork for the next step. It is uncomfortable, scary and well not much fun to just be waiting, but please read the Bible Minutes and let me share with you what the Lord has taught me about waiting. So far in May I went to Washington State to meet with churches, missionary families and to visit the Doorman family who are a second family to me. While in Washington State I worked on a few airplanes and flew a good bit and got to fly a C-172 I rented to fly a missionary, my friends Bryan's C-150 and Dave's (friend, mentor) PA28-140. I also helped the doorman family out with their harvesting business and we moved a John Deere 9600 hillside combine which had been stored for the winter. Back in Idaho, I have moved my trailer out to Caldwell Idaho and I have been working full time at Blazing Hope Youth Family Ranch, I hope soon to be accepted at a new mission and starting my next missionary assignment.
Bible Minute - Take Joy in Waiting: ....lets face it waiting is not easy. We live in a culture of faster connections and in many cases seemingly instant gratification. Though the Bible is filled with quite the opposite, many times men of God waited years to see the fulfillment of what God was doing in their life. Paul for example spent years in Arabia (Galatians 1:17) before he started his ministry. Moses was 88 before he spoke before Pharaoh (Exodus 7:7), and so on.... Truth is God does not look at time the was we do as Peter put it: ...you must not forget this one thing my dear friends, A day is like a thousand years to the Lord and a thousand years is like a day. (II Peter 3:8, Psalms 90:4). God is not interested in our timelines as much as God is lovingly pursuing our whole hearts, to make us into the person that God created us to be. So as for me and I pray you too.... take the advice of Isaiah, ...but those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; hey will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. God is a loving father, a dear friend and our mighty utterly holy God of eternity, trust him and know Gods best awaits for His beloved children. So you may ask where do I start? by accepting and obeying Jesus as Lord.
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Airstrip Checkout - 73S: is a airstrip in eastern Washington State on the Idaho border (literally), it is paved and is 2,200 feet long but seems much shorter as it is nested deep in the surrounding hills and I would say its practically more like 1800 feet usable. The runway is pavement with limited markings and some of the taxi ways are gravel. The day flew in the was a tractor right on the side of the runway I really had to think quick to avoid with my wing tip.
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April 2018
Nampa ID
This is the last mouth of my internship at Missions Aviation Fellowship and it has been a life changing experience. I have grown so incredibly much professional, spiritually and personally; and it is supremely hard for me to leave the warmth, safety and environment of Missions Aviation Fellowship. It is my hopes to return to Missions Aviation Fellowship as a carrier missionary, but I must complete the last bit of my pilots training first and be able to pass the technical evaluations. I have been able too meet quite a few pilot mechanics from the program in Haiti and have started praying about the possibility of serving there long term. My internship is now ending and as I consider the next few months I will be going at the suggestion of Missions Aviation Fellowship to spend a few months with a different missions board as my next assignment before returning to MAF.
This is the last mouth of my internship at Missions Aviation Fellowship and it has been a life changing experience. I have grown so incredibly much professional, spiritually and personally; and it is supremely hard for me to leave the warmth, safety and environment of Missions Aviation Fellowship. It is my hopes to return to Missions Aviation Fellowship as a carrier missionary, but I must complete the last bit of my pilots training first and be able to pass the technical evaluations. I have been able too meet quite a few pilot mechanics from the program in Haiti and have started praying about the possibility of serving there long term. My internship is now ending and as I consider the next few months I will be going at the suggestion of Missions Aviation Fellowship to spend a few months with a different missions board as my next assignment before returning to MAF.
Bible Minute - Take Joy in the Fleeting Moments: ...for a moment today.... I looked up from my work and for only a very fleeting second before my mind grasped reality and the door closed, I was reminded of those times of innocent love and blissful joy when nothing else matter in the world but I was warm, safe, loved, maybe sipping on a tasty treat and the people I loved most in the world were near me....... you know I believe that's what heaven must be like, joy for evermore.... Im so eager to know what true love and joy feels like, but I am ever more eager to share that love to a truly hurting world.
They will no longer hunger or thirst and the suns heat will not beat harshly down on them. For Jesus who is at the center of everything will be our loving Shepard (father) healing every pain and will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Revelation 7:16-17 (paraphased |
Airstrip Checkout - MYL: is a airstrip in the Rocky Mountains of central Idaho, located in the town of McCall. The airport is paved and is 6,500 feet long and host small planes as well as medium sized business jets. It is really a gateway city to the Idaho back country and is a lovely town. The airport is in a valley and has towering mountains on all sides, and because of this pilots are advised if at all possible to land from the south and take off to the south. It is also recommended to check the runway for big game animals such as elk and deer which often are on the runway.
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Object Lesson - Instrument Approach: Often when the weather is not the greatest around a airport it is necessarily to fly by the instruments and not just what you can see out side the windows of the airplane to safely descend to the runway, sometimes like in this example this even brings you below the surrounding mountains! To the left is the "plate" or chart the Federal Aviation Administration issues to guide pilots into McCall Idaho. (RNAV GPS 34), which is a approach I have used in training to practice on. As pilots we learn to trust what is written on the chart to keep us safe and on course, how true it is even in life that we must follow a guide to stay on course and safe, that guide is the Bible, Gods completely true, and reliable guide for keeping us on course and safe!
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March 2018
Nampa, ID
*The helicopter pictured to the far right was flown by my father and was a picture taken in the back yard of the house I grew up in as a small child.
God is great and things continue to go well at Missions Aviation Fellowship, I am learning so much as a mechanic and I am feel like I am progressing as a pilot. Recently I have been focusing on the flight side of my internship and have been flying a few times a week, I have been working with Civil Air Patrol Cadets and teaching them basic mechanics. It has been great to both invest and be invested in.
*The helicopter pictured to the far right was flown by my father and was a picture taken in the back yard of the house I grew up in as a small child.
God is great and things continue to go well at Missions Aviation Fellowship, I am learning so much as a mechanic and I am feel like I am progressing as a pilot. Recently I have been focusing on the flight side of my internship and have been flying a few times a week, I have been working with Civil Air Patrol Cadets and teaching them basic mechanics. It has been great to both invest and be invested in.
Bible Minute - The Sheltered Place (excerpt): ... In life we all love those moments when in darkness we see a light piercing the dark that guides us towards home, that sheltered place where we feel safe and protected. The thing about a light house is though it can not save you in and of itself, no matter how bright the light shines into the night, it only marks the way, it cannot reach out and physically save a ship in trouble many miles out to sea. Just as a Christian we can not save anyone but rather use our light to point them to Jesus Christ who is able to save! It is all about Jesus and what HE does in our lives, not our own strength. The war is over, we’re at peace with God because of the supernatural rule of God in our hearts. (Romans 5:1 )
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Civil Air Patrol : The Nampa Composite squadron of the CAP operates both senior (adult) and cadet (student) programs ranging from search & rescue, to counter terrorism, to supporting local law enforcement, and aerospace education among other programs. Recently I brought the cadets to the Missions Aviation Hanger to have some hands on learning experiences in aircraft riveting, turbine power-plants, gasoline engines, and flying a professional redbird simulator.
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Project Plane - N4918U: is a Cessna Stationair (TU C 206 G) serving in Nampa Idaho and is part of the US based training fleet used to train new pilots and do reoccurring training. This plane was in for a broken directional gyroscope, and upon inspection we found out the vacuum pump was wore out as well, some new parts and 18 unicorn.. I mean 18 uniform went back to the skies briefly, before a new issue came about with the fuel system, and so the adventure continues (as of writing this 3-19)!
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Airstrip Checkout - 502: is a airstrip in sw Idaho, it is paved and is a bit over 2,200 feet long. It is mostly used for crop dusting ag planes, and is located in a strong farming area. There is right traffic landing to the south and there often is loose gravel on the runway along with the ever present tumble weeds crossing the active runway.
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February 2018
Nampa ID
My time at Missions Aviation Fellowship has been really good, but really lonely. My skills as a pilot and mechanic are growing but God is also stretching me as a missionary in a place (Nampa ID) that is very much different that anywhere I have lived before If all goes well I hope to test to be approved as a MAF mechanic in April and then finish my flying to join MAF in 2019 as a full pilot mechanic.
My time at Missions Aviation Fellowship has been really good, but really lonely. My skills as a pilot and mechanic are growing but God is also stretching me as a missionary in a place (Nampa ID) that is very much different that anywhere I have lived before If all goes well I hope to test to be approved as a MAF mechanic in April and then finish my flying to join MAF in 2019 as a full pilot mechanic.
Bible Minute - The Power of Praise: In II Chronicles 20, the armies of Judah where facing the armies of the Ammonites and the Moabites, in a seemingly impossible battle to win. Their solution was to send singers out in front of them praising God with the words of Psalm 136: Give thanks to the Lord, for His faithful love endures forever." In the moment when the praise started the Lord delivered Ammonites and Moabites to Israel and they were ambushed and defeated. When you face a struggle great or small, never forget the power of praise!
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Project Plane - 9 Q-CMP: is a Cessna grand caravan (C-208) serving in Kinshasa, Democratic People's Republic of Congo. A few years ago a fire truck backed into gate that hit the tail of this airplane which ruined the tail feathers of the airplane, the elevators were beyond saving but the horizontal stabilizer finally made its way back to MAF head quarters in Nampa Idaho, and was rebuilt with the removal and replacement of literally 1,500 rivets by hand! ,Now it will fly again and is ready to go anywhere in the world when those fire trucks go on attack again!
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Airstrip Checkout - 1U3: is a packed gravel and tar runway SW of the Snake River, in Idaho, it is about 2800 feet long and has a 5% grade towards the west dropping off into a canyon and creek. It is a good introduction to flying by MAF standards and is a airstrip that I go too both for practice and a airstrip that is used in training. (in this picture I am flying N8025E in this picture, the 'chicken hawk' from last months Project Plane)
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January 2018
Hull, GA Pensacola FL Nampa ID
A few weeks of rest and investing in family after 15 months on the field as a missionary. It was great to see my family and spending a little time on the beach in rest and reflection. I also was a able to fix things around the house for mom that add up when I am away for a while.
A few weeks of rest and investing in family after 15 months on the field as a missionary. It was great to see my family and spending a little time on the beach in rest and reflection. I also was a able to fix things around the house for mom that add up when I am away for a while.
Bible Minute - Joy in a Fleeting Moment: for a fleeting moment today, I was reminded of innocent love and blissful joy when nothing else matter in the world mattered but I was warm, safe, loved, maybe sipping on a tasty treat and the people I loved most in the world were near me....... much like what heaven must be like, joy for evermore.... I am so eager to know what true love and joy feels like, but I am ever more eager to share that love to a truly hurting world. Revelation 7:16-17 (paraphased): "They will no longer hunger or thirst and the suns heat will not beat harshly down on them. For Jesus who is at the center of everything will be our loving Shepard (father) healing every pain and will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
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Project Plane - N8025E: is a Cessna skyhawk (C-172) serving at the MAF US headquarters in Nampa Idaho. This airplane is used for training and time building for current MAF pilots and MAF staff (like interns). It is lovingly called the 'chicken hawk' because it is the smallest Cessna MAF US operates. In January it was time for the yearly inspection and the airplane was due for some serious maintenance. I was able to work with a pilot- mechanic who has 9,000 hours flying in Indonesia to accomplish this, it was a great experience digging further into a Cessna than ever before and I have been learning so much and the mighty chicken hawk flies on!
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Airstrip Checkout - S66: is a airstrip along the Snake River in Idaho, it is paved and about 2900 feet long with runway lights. It is a bit narrow and you approach the strip from both directions over the Snake river, there are trees near the approach path to the south and a highway bridge to the north that should be considered. The winds especially down the river from the south can be quite dangerous and the landing may not be practical.
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December 2017
Nampa Idaho Hull GA
Life at Mission Aviation Fellowship is great and I am really starting to feel much more confident as a mechanic working on larger engines. Below is the story of working on one of the largest Cessna single piston engine planes out there. I have really been enjoying the culture of MAF and want to explore long term service with the organization. I will be in Georgia for Christmas and taking 3 weeks of rest as it has been 14 months since I have visited my family.
Life at Mission Aviation Fellowship is great and I am really starting to feel much more confident as a mechanic working on larger engines. Below is the story of working on one of the largest Cessna single piston engine planes out there. I have really been enjoying the culture of MAF and want to explore long term service with the organization. I will be in Georgia for Christmas and taking 3 weeks of rest as it has been 14 months since I have visited my family.
Project Plane - HHMAF: is a Cessna Staitonair (C-207) that serves in Haiti, After years of flying on the island of Haiti this 1982 Cessna 207 was very tired, and worn out. Both the air-frame suffered from years of salt air and the engine was worn out from thousands of hours serving the people of Haiti in often rough conditions like after hurricanes. Rather than meeting the end of its life however HH-MAF was flown back to the US and given a very extensive new lease of on life such as a new IO-550 engine, propeller, instruments, and new metal parts. It was a honor to work on this plane and have a part in getting it back to Haiti where it is dearly needed.
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November 2017
Nampa Idaho
This was my first month at Missions Aviation Fellowship as a aviation services intern. It has been a very humbling experience, in the first few weeks the instructors have been testing me and finding out where my weaknesses are as a mechanic. The results of this test have determined the kinds of projects they have me work on and its been challenging but such a amazing opportunity and I have been learning so much! I have also been working with a ministry partner in eastern WA and I was able to visit this family and fly their Cherokee 140, along with inspect a few project airplanes for them. I am loving life and I feel at home serving with MAF, though one thing that came as a surprise was understanding that MAF operates not as a ministry alone but as a airline that has Christ centered into its mission and vision.
This was my first month at Missions Aviation Fellowship as a aviation services intern. It has been a very humbling experience, in the first few weeks the instructors have been testing me and finding out where my weaknesses are as a mechanic. The results of this test have determined the kinds of projects they have me work on and its been challenging but such a amazing opportunity and I have been learning so much! I have also been working with a ministry partner in eastern WA and I was able to visit this family and fly their Cherokee 140, along with inspect a few project airplanes for them. I am loving life and I feel at home serving with MAF, though one thing that came as a surprise was understanding that MAF operates not as a ministry alone but as a airline that has Christ centered into its mission and vision.
Airstrip Checkout - La Cross: is a private airport in eastern Washington State that dates back the 1920's, though it is charted as 1491 feet long usable there are varying landing options on two large grass runways, though they are not maintained fully and it depends on conditions where the best landing location is. The pavement that is there is rough and demands diligence, along with the gravel drive way that cuts roughly north to south on the main runway. It is used by crop duster and owned by a amazing missionary family...... to use please contact the owner.
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October 2017
Skagway Alaska- Juno, Alaska, Petersburg, Alaska- Ketchikan Alaska- Washington State
I have now traveled down to the hanger in Washington State where I have been storing my tools, while in WA I attend the Murdock Vision and Call leadership conference, with the other MAF interns and over 120 other ministry intern mostly form the pacific northwest. I am doing some much needed preparation for the next season of ministry, while investing in other ministry students at Trinity Aviation Academy. I start with Missions Aviation Fellowship on November 1 and I am so excited!
Airstrip Checkout - 2W3: this airport is in western Washington State and is 3,000 feet long with a bit on a slight slope rising to the north. The cascade mountains rise to the south and east making departures straight out departures limited to higher performance aircraft, the north end of the runway drops off sharply to a creek and the south end faces rising terrain. There is also about 1500 feet of usable grass to the east between the runway and the gravel road.
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September 2017
Skagway AK Frazer BC Carcross YT
Slowly as fall comes upon the land of the north I am starting to pack and get ready for winter, I really want to attend a internship with Missions Aviation Fellowship because I think it will be a good use of the winter and a great opportunity to prepare me for the next step of ministry. Either way Skagway AK shuts down over the winter and there is not housing or work that can be done so I must leave for the winter. More to come.....
Slowly as fall comes upon the land of the north I am starting to pack and get ready for winter, I really want to attend a internship with Missions Aviation Fellowship because I think it will be a good use of the winter and a great opportunity to prepare me for the next step of ministry. Either way Skagway AK shuts down over the winter and there is not housing or work that can be done so I must leave for the winter. More to come.....
2017 Project Klondike Report
*almost 20,000 miles traveled in remote Alaska and NW Canada
Gospel shared in the first nation communities of the North
Many hours of pastoral counsulling
1 funeral service
10 prayer services
3 men mentiored
*almost 20,000 miles traveled in remote Alaska and NW Canada
Gospel shared in the first nation communities of the North
Many hours of pastoral counsulling
1 funeral service
10 prayer services
3 men mentiored
August 2017
Skagway, Alaska Frazer, BC Carcross, Whitehorse, & Dawson Yukon Territory
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most life changing, captivating and powerful thing I know of in this world. I have seen it time and time again change lives and change families! This summer has not been the land side of success I had hoped for but little by little what it has been is a mission to discover the people, places and ways of the north. I have seen lives changed and many times when God's love shown in a place where only darkness had been before. I consider this time a success because know beyond a shadow of doubt I do know this great land and I do know how to navigate it for myself and others.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most life changing, captivating and powerful thing I know of in this world. I have seen it time and time again change lives and change families! This summer has not been the land side of success I had hoped for but little by little what it has been is a mission to discover the people, places and ways of the north. I have seen lives changed and many times when God's love shown in a place where only darkness had been before. I consider this time a success because know beyond a shadow of doubt I do know this great land and I do know how to navigate it for myself and others.
June- July 2017
Skagway, Alaska Frazer, BC Carcross, Whitehorse, & Dawson Yukon Territory
The internet connection is really a challenge in the far north for me and I admit to not nearly writing as much as a I should! The work continues to go well and I have had the opportunity to speak with peoples from native groups like the Selkirk, Han, and Tagish as well as many people from all over the world! The Lord seems to always work in HIS truth and gives me great moments to share the Gospel and HIS love! I have made a few mistakes but I find as long as you are willing to be slow to speak and quick to listen (oh and offer a peace gift like a block of good cheese) these people are willing to help you understand the unwritten ways of the great land (or that is the far north as they call it).
The internet connection is really a challenge in the far north for me and I admit to not nearly writing as much as a I should! The work continues to go well and I have had the opportunity to speak with peoples from native groups like the Selkirk, Han, and Tagish as well as many people from all over the world! The Lord seems to always work in HIS truth and gives me great moments to share the Gospel and HIS love! I have made a few mistakes but I find as long as you are willing to be slow to speak and quick to listen (oh and offer a peace gift like a block of good cheese) these people are willing to help you understand the unwritten ways of the great land (or that is the far north as they call it).
May 2017
Skagway, Alaska Frazer, BC Carcross, Whitehorse, & Dawson Yukon Territory
After crossing thousands of miles of wilderness I am finally starting to lay solid ground work for the future of the ministry in the north west. Recently I was promoted to the Highway program with my company, which means that I will be driving much longer trips deep into the interior . I have been doing a lot of discipleship work and pastoral counseling. More to come soon but I am pulling 9 & 10 hour tours along with ministry and honestly I am normally too tired to write much more, thanks for you prayers!
After crossing thousands of miles of wilderness I am finally starting to lay solid ground work for the future of the ministry in the north west. Recently I was promoted to the Highway program with my company, which means that I will be driving much longer trips deep into the interior . I have been doing a lot of discipleship work and pastoral counseling. More to come soon but I am pulling 9 & 10 hour tours along with ministry and honestly I am normally too tired to write much more, thanks for you prayers!
April 2017
Skagway, Alaska & NW Canada
What a encouraging month! I have been very very busy investing churches, I joined the fire department (both to serve the community and to build community relationships) and I did pass a Alaska Commercial Driver Licence Test. God is blessing me and I am really getting connected to the community. A young man from South Dakota will be assisting me this summer as a missionary, arrived in Alaska safely. Finally I have been appointed a blue hat for Alaska Disaster Relief, and I will be training the first Disaster Relief team in SE Alaska in a few weeks.
What a encouraging month! I have been very very busy investing churches, I joined the fire department (both to serve the community and to build community relationships) and I did pass a Alaska Commercial Driver Licence Test. God is blessing me and I am really getting connected to the community. A young man from South Dakota will be assisting me this summer as a missionary, arrived in Alaska safely. Finally I have been appointed a blue hat for Alaska Disaster Relief, and I will be training the first Disaster Relief team in SE Alaska in a few weeks.
March 2017
Skagway, Alaska
I have been busy recently laying the ground work for project Klondike , meeting with pastors, and being available for the seasonal workers who are starting to flow into Skagway. I am focusing on identifying the specific needs of the kingdom in the area and prayerfully seeking how to meet them.
I have been busy recently laying the ground work for project Klondike , meeting with pastors, and being available for the seasonal workers who are starting to flow into Skagway. I am focusing on identifying the specific needs of the kingdom in the area and prayerfully seeking how to meet them.
February 2017
K2W3- Eatonville, WA
In February I am working to finish things with the school I earned my ratings with, instructed some student mechanics and I am working on airplanes for hire to save up money to travel back north!
In February I am working to finish things with the school I earned my ratings with, instructed some student mechanics and I am working on airplanes for hire to save up money to travel back north!
January 2017
This January I am preaching through a 5 part sermon series in a church in Nukko Lake British Columbia. I will be leaving for the lower 48 at the end of the month to take care of business before leaving for Skagway AK.
December 2016
December has brought on many more opportunity to make connections with native peoples and I have been in my spare moments helping out with the central BC railroad museum.... this month I have give well over 150 kids rides on the mini train shown above, while it is not a 'typical' approach to evangelism it is a wonderful opportunity to connect and minister to families.
November 2016
Nukko Lake/ Prince George, British Columbia Canada
- I am serving a residential counselor for a men's ministry and helping a church transition between long term pastors. My focus is also on first nation peoples and I am working to build relationships with tribes in the north in the hopes of building in some small way future church leadership.
- I am serving a residential counselor for a men's ministry and helping a church transition between long term pastors. My focus is also on first nation peoples and I am working to build relationships with tribes in the north in the hopes of building in some small way future church leadership.
A few pictures from my travels from Georgia to BC, Canada
October 2016- Nashville, TN USA
I passed my A&P, I am not a fully licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic. God was with me in a mighty way and I am so fully of joy.
I will be leaving October 20 for the north west!!!
I will be leaving October 20 for the north west!!!
September 2016
Hull GA USA/ Nashville TN, USA
I am scheduled to test for my full Aircraft Mechanic Lic on October 6 and I am preparing for that test.
I will be Lord willing arriving back in the northwest full time in October of 2016.
I am scheduled to test for my full Aircraft Mechanic Lic on October 6 and I am preparing for that test.
I will be Lord willing arriving back in the northwest full time in October of 2016.
August 2016
Prince George BC Canada
Camp just finished and I have just spent 3 weeks in British Columbia seeking out the Lord's will, I have been brought on as a staff counselor or Sonrise New Beginnings which is a Christian residential recovery home for men in Prince George, Canada.
Camp just finished and I have just spent 3 weeks in British Columbia seeking out the Lord's will, I have been brought on as a staff counselor or Sonrise New Beginnings which is a Christian residential recovery home for men in Prince George, Canada.
June- July 2016
Ila GA, USA
For the 2016 camp season I am serving with Camp Maranatha, of Ila GA. Which is a non profit Bible camp for children.
For the 2016 camp season I am serving with Camp Maranatha, of Ila GA. Which is a non profit Bible camp for children.
May 2016
Hull, GA, USA
We know this world that we presently find ourselves in is filled with endless wonderful things but yet it is flawed in many ways, Romans 8:22 says it well to describe creation as groaning in pain for what is yet to come. Recently I experienced what many would consider one of the sharpest pains of this life, that is the loss of a parent without warning. Further, to add to the sharpness of my pain, it was on a sunny morning when I was searching for my father, that I discovered he had lost a many year battle with failing health and had taken his life. In times like this I am reminded that a minister must be a minister to his family first. I write this to share with you my heart and plans. I am not stopping or changing the plans for my life. My call and the path that the Lord has set before me has not changed. I will be in Georgia for a season taking care of family business, but I will also continue with the last bit of my aviation mechanic training. I intend to invest in local ministries and continue to work as I have been doing for the last year. I have detailed plans, goals, and such to share with anyone who would like more information. Please pray for me and my family in this time.
We know this world that we presently find ourselves in is filled with endless wonderful things but yet it is flawed in many ways, Romans 8:22 says it well to describe creation as groaning in pain for what is yet to come. Recently I experienced what many would consider one of the sharpest pains of this life, that is the loss of a parent without warning. Further, to add to the sharpness of my pain, it was on a sunny morning when I was searching for my father, that I discovered he had lost a many year battle with failing health and had taken his life. In times like this I am reminded that a minister must be a minister to his family first. I write this to share with you my heart and plans. I am not stopping or changing the plans for my life. My call and the path that the Lord has set before me has not changed. I will be in Georgia for a season taking care of family business, but I will also continue with the last bit of my aviation mechanic training. I intend to invest in local ministries and continue to work as I have been doing for the last year. I have detailed plans, goals, and such to share with anyone who would like more information. Please pray for me and my family in this time.
March 2016
Columbia, SC USA
I am helping Kingdom Air Corps rebuild two airplane engines, one of Alaska and one for the Free Burma Rangers of Thailand.
I am also doing flight training with legendary Alaska bush pilot Dawune King.
I am helping Kingdom Air Corps rebuild two airplane engines, one of Alaska and one for the Free Burma Rangers of Thailand.
I am also doing flight training with legendary Alaska bush pilot Dawune King.