Taking A Break
We want to start by saying thank you to all those who have been praying for us. As most of you know it was an intense and stressful summer with 
the minimal staffing. We both held much responsibility within our departments at the hangar. This was a huge learning curve for both of us and we are grateful for the current opportunity to take a week long break (15-19 Nov).
You might recall that for 4 months our helicopter was down having the engine repaired. Last month we re-installed the helicopter’s engine and fuel cells. We were able to return it to service just prior to our International Chief Pilot’s arrival to do check & training with our veteran helicopter pilot Ray Finsaas and our new pilot Mike McGregor. Ray needs to be trained to be an instructor for Mike. Having a second helicopter pilot family on the field is a huge blessing. This will prevent the helicopter from just sitting during home assignment times.
Additionally we had an inspection on our King Air C-90. This is a two week project in which we look over specific areas and components of our twin turbine engine airplane. Throw in a couple of 100 hour inspections on our Cessna 206 airplanes, some various unscheduled maintenance (airplanes do break), the day to day upkeep of our ground equipment and parts room inventory and you begin to see the work load that four mechanics (three missionaries and one national) carried.
I can’t even begin to explain the matters that go through the finance department at the hanger. Andrea and Ron James (her co-worker) handle the phones, walk up customers paying to fly themselves and/or cargo, balancing accounts, scheduling fuel deliveries and paying our many bills.
We try to take two weeks of break every six months as working in a foreign culture and being involved in the spiritual battles that go along with missions work is draining. We take the time to refresh and recharge. Sometimes we take the opportunity to go into a bush location and visit with tribal mission-aries and national believers. Other times we just try to get away from it all and unwind.
No matter what our stress level, we do consider it a privilege to serve the Lord here as your extended hands and feet. Thank you.
How Great Thou Art
I (Paul) have always enjoyed singing praises to our Lord with a body of believers. If you know me very well, you know I am not musically talented/gifted. However, to be amongst a throng of Christians lifting up their praises to God Almighty is a moving experience.
We had just that experience during our Sunday service as the Bena Bridge Church joined us. These national believers shared in song for us and then we joined them in singing a few together, some in Pidgin and some in English. Oh how that did my spirit good! Our NTM congregation of international missionaries mixed with locals was wonderful. It reminded me of a future day that we are promised in Scripture where we will as one body praise God. And the frosting on the cake: we got to sing their Pidgin version of How Great Thou Art. This is my favorite song in English and to share their version of it brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you Lord for this blessing and encouragement.
Prayer:
- That we draw our strength from the Lord.
- That we be a light for the Lord daily and not get lost in all the busy-ness.
- For the national believers to stand strong & mature in the Lord.
Praise:
- For the return of our many co-workers.
- For the new laborers who have joined us.
- The insurance company has straightened matters out & are paying our claims.