Comparisons

Playing the comparison game can get dangerous. Even us missionaries do it. (Yes, we are just like you!) But recently I (Andrea) was comparing something that the Lord used to help me see how blessed and privileged we are to come from a 1st world country.

Sunny was due any day with her second child and since her first was delivered by C-section, there was a high chance that she would need another. Thankfully Sunny lives close enough that she got to the local hospital by public motor vehicle (PMV) when her labor started. Unfortunately a C-section was needed. Welcome baby boy….my dear friend Linas’ first grandson!!

When I recovered from my C-sections I had all I needed at my fingertips — fresh linens, an endless supply of clean water, medical attention, food and even TV. While Sunny recovered most of the things she needed had to be provided for her by her family. The hospitals just don’t have the staff and are not able to supply all that is needed. Linas spent the next several days caring for Sunny and her new grandson.

When I was discharged I was wheeled to my car where Paul drove the family home. When Sunny was discharged she walked out of the hospital doors to catch a PMV which dropped her off near her home. A walk of several miles through the jungle mountains and they arrived home.

The story doesn’t end there….nor do my comparisons. The above is just a small part. Sunny and baby boy are home now and while they are improving, Sunny continues to have some issues from her surgery.

What privileges we have in our home countries! Not only do we have some of the best medical care around, but we have access to the best Healer — Jehovah Rapha (the Lord that heals) in our own language. Many in Papua New Guinea are still waiting to be introduced to Jehovah Rapha. Please not only pray for the physical needs of the PNG people but more importantly, their spiritual needs.

Up and Going

Praise God with us as we now have three Kodiaks up and going. Yes, the third Kodiak has successfully completed the acceptance process with PNG’s aviation authorities. In addition to that we have just completed the first 400 hour inspection on P2-NTK, our first Kodiak to arrive. This is a pretty big inspection and all has gone well. Soon we will be doing this 400 hour on P2-NTE. All this inspecting means we have been flying the three Kodiaks quite a bit. (This includes several medical evacuations). There have been some bugs to workout along the way, but they are definitely a blessing. Praise God with us for them and thank you for your part in all of this.

Looking back we have learned and accomplished so much in getting these new machines God has provided on line and transitioning into the new maintenance shop we need to be. To God be the glory!

Pray for us as we have much maintenance to complete to get the helicopter back up and flying. It has been grounded since May when we shipped the engine off for unscheduled work due to it making metal chips. The engine shop in Australia has determined the problem and repairs are in progress. The main rotor hub has returned from overhaul as well and needs to be assembled and installed. We plan to complete a 100 hour inspection along with all this work. As you can see we have plenty to do yet, but with two new maintenance families and one veteran family returning we should have plenty of hands for the work. Praise the Lord for reinforcements!

Praise & Prayer Requests

• Praise — All 3 Kodiaks up and going!
• Praise — Arrival of two new mechanics and their families (Mike & Kelli Bicket and Imie & Amy Mark — from our home church, South Potomac Church).
• Pray — Workload in the hangar…still VERY busy.
• Pray — Preparations and plans for our home assignment in December 2016.