As many of you know, on March 29th of this year, a traumatic event occurred. The one and only airplane that serves the Bongolo Hospital and that is solely set aside to bless the people of Gabon, the airplane that took years of fund raising and decades of prayer, the one aircraft that my family and I looked upon as critical to our calling to Gabon, this airplane lost power during flight, performed an emergency landing (by yours truly & my friend, Egmont), and incurred tens of thousands of dollars of damage.
People have great sayings about the feeling that times like these engender... "It took the wind out of my sails"; "It felt like a sucker punch"; etc. etc. I have to admit that it really felt like all that and more. It was really hard to stop questioning God on what was going on.. then and now. There are plenty of comebacks to all the questions... "we'll know what it was all about in time"... "when we do new things for the Lord, there is always pushback"... and more. And, it's all true. We will know in time what this is all about. There is an enemy that seeks to keep God's people and God's work from succeeding.
Now, coming back from a 3 and 1/2 month furlough in the States, it
feels an awful lot like we're "climbing back into the saddle." We were "bucked off", but we're ready to get back and make it happen.
Now, coming back from a 3 and 1/2 month furlough in the States, it
feels an awful lot like we're "climbing back into the saddle." We were "bucked off", but we're ready to get back and make it happen."The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again."
Proverbs 24:16
Proverbs 24:16
So, with Gene Autry providing the theme music, we're marching on.
Since returning, here are some of the things we've been up to:
> Reconnecting with friends: We've spent time with our Gabonese friends as well as some of the expat community.
> Mobile Medical Clinic: Joe and Sam were able to head out for a day with the mobile medical clinic that is run by the national Gabonese Alliance churches. I (Steve) got to stay home and play Dr. Dad with Megan and Alace who had taken on some cold and flu symptoms.
> Civil Aviation Meetings: I'm getting the ball rolling on a few items with our aviation ministry. One, in particular, is with the construction of a hangar at the Libreville Int'l airport. Our hope is to move an already existing hangar, which our team owns, to the international airport. We are looking for favor from the airport authority to grant us room for the structure.
> Guest House Projects: Thanks especially to the Hmong district Alliance Women for their giving to upgrades and repairs at the guest house in Libreville that Alace directs. We have moved forward in the work of a rec room as well as recovering old furniture with new fabric. Our hope is to "class the place up a little" and make it a place where everyone can rest and relax from their journeys.
> Prep for boarding school: Joe and Meg are less than a week away from heading out to boarding school in Cameroon. There are some last minute details to take care of before the trip. We really covet your prayers to make sure that everything is in place and that we're set for the journey- documents / visa's / car maintenance / etc.
> AIRPLANE REPAIRS!!! Last, but not least, we are making progress in this area. We have confirmed the dates for the team of 3 mechanics from MMS Aviation- arrival Aug. 24th; departure Sep. 1. Please pray that all the logistics come together for things that need to be in place prior to their arrival.
Since returning, here are some of the things we've been up to:
> Reconnecting with friends: We've spent time with our Gabonese friends as well as some of the expat community.
> Mobile Medical Clinic: Joe and Sam were able to head out for a day with the mobile medical clinic that is run by the national Gabonese Alliance churches. I (Steve) got to stay home and play Dr. Dad with Megan and Alace who had taken on some cold and flu symptoms.
> Civil Aviation Meetings: I'm getting the ball rolling on a few items with our aviation ministry. One, in particular, is with the construction of a hangar at the Libreville Int'l airport. Our hope is to move an already existing hangar, which our team owns, to the international airport. We are looking for favor from the airport authority to grant us room for the structure.
> Guest House Projects: Thanks especially to the Hmong district Alliance Women for their giving to upgrades and repairs at the guest house in Libreville that Alace directs. We have moved forward in the work of a rec room as well as recovering old furniture with new fabric. Our hope is to "class the place up a little" and make it a place where everyone can rest and relax from their journeys.
> Prep for boarding school: Joe and Meg are less than a week away from heading out to boarding school in Cameroon. There are some last minute details to take care of before the trip. We really covet your prayers to make sure that everything is in place and that we're set for the journey- documents / visa's / car maintenance / etc.
> AIRPLANE REPAIRS!!! Last, but not least, we are making progress in this area. We have confirmed the dates for the team of 3 mechanics from MMS Aviation- arrival Aug. 24th; departure Sep. 1. Please pray that all the logistics come together for things that need to be in place prior to their arrival.
"And we know that, in all things,
God works for the good of those who love Him,
who have been called according to His purpose."
Romans 8:28
God works for the good of those who love Him,
who have been called according to His purpose."
Romans 8:28
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