Working at the Hangar
A few of you were aware that our aviation department here in Papua New Guinea recently was audited by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This scheduled audit is a time when they review our operations and decide if we are functioning within their guidelines.
The audit went better than ever expected! We did end up with some “findings” to fix, but we had good dialogue with the inspectors and are in the process of getting a three year certificate. (Normally we only get a two year renewal). We feel they went away with a much better understanding of who we are and what we do than ever before. We are attempting to fix the “findings” so that we can qualify for the additional year we requested. Pray we find favor in their eyes that they might grant this longer certificate.
Paul has just returned from a three day Mission Aviation Safety meeting where several mission aviation organizations in PNG discussed many topics. One of the exciting topics that seemed to get everyone going was “how can we be more integrated, yet maintain our own identity?” Aviation is an incredibly expensive endeavor and we do not want to be wasting the Lord’s resources when we can cooperate in some areas to lower overhead costs. Please understand we already do this in several ways and that this is no simple matter as each mission has its own specific focus or mission statement. We do not want to lose these identities in the process. However, serving the Lord in His way IS what we are all about. Pray we understand how to move forward with this.
Work at the hangar promises to be full speed for this month. We currently have the twin engine C-90 in for an extensive inspection and then the end of the month we have a big inspection for the helicopter. In between there somehow we have the “findings” to fix, a prop to change, a 100 hour inspection and the rest of the fleet to maintain (you know, when the pilots break stuff). :^) Pray for the aviation team as we work to maintain our fleet and provide services to folks out in remote tribal locations. Pray also to the Lord of the harvest for more laborers.
Working at Home
Phoebe is of course the center of attention once again…still. No, she does not run our home, yet. We as new parents are learning much each day. As we have said before and many of you already understand, it is amazing how the Lord can use our parenting to teach us life lesson.
Phoebe is so very close to walking on her own. She pushes a chair or bucket around if we help her get started. She is so cute about the whole process too. She pushes the bucket on the back porch a few steps and then sits down to clap. Gets up and pushes the bucket a few steps and sits down to clap…on and on this can go. Where is the video camera when you need it? By the way, she loves to clap if you didn’t notice.
We are trying to carve out time for just Paul & Andrea so we can keep a healthy marriage. We often have the hard decision between sleep or “us” time. Can you relate? Then there is the whole matter of how many things do we get involved in outside work and family. UGH!
Praise & Prayer Requests
- Praise — Great audit!!
- Pray — Heavy work load at the hangar.
- Pray— Paul & Andrea to find/make “us” time.
- Pray — Several tribal works in PNG (Biem, Hewa, and several others) are teaching creation-to-Christ Bible lessons and nearing the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Pray for continued understanding and salvation for these tribal folks.