So, I'm doing a bit of research and I ran across the story of George Fisk. Come to find out, George was a pioneer in using the tool of aviation to bring health and hope to a part of the world that was known for cannibalism and head hunting! Not only that, but his work was sponsored by the same organization that sponsors our work in Gabon, about 9 decades later!
His story is pretty amazing. Here it is thanks to the archive department of the Christian and Missionary Alliance:
After years of having the plane request rejected by the Board of Managers, field director R. A. Jaffray made a final plea for what the missionaries considered a critical need:
“The Board’s reply to our pleading [concerning] the plane was indeed a grief and disappointment to us. We still believe, however, that this is the will of God for the speeding up of the work in Borneo . . . and personally I see no other solution . . . except the use of a plane of our own.”
Finally, on June 29, 1938, the Board of Managers approved the purchase of the C&MA’s first mission plane. The total cost was $20,454.59, almost $19,000 of which was personally donated by Jaffray. The new plane allowed Fisk to reach the interior in a matter of hours instead of weeks.
When World War II reached the region in 1941, the Alliance plane was commissioned by the Netherlands East Indies government to assist in emergencies. In preparation for his home assignment, Fisk had just trained new missionary Fred Jackson to operate the plane. Jackson flew numerous supply and evacuation missions for the Dutch government. Shortly after he landed at Long Poedjongan outpost, the Japanese captured the base. They ordered Jackson to fly the plane to Tarakan air base for use in their war effort.
In 1948, another hydroplane was secured for the field without hesitation. Even before the formation of Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF), The Alliance was a pioneer in the field, using planes to spread the gospel in the most remote corners of the world.
His story is pretty amazing. Here it is thanks to the archive department of the Christian and Missionary Alliance:
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| George Fisk |
THE PLANE TRUTH
In 1913, the county fair in Binghampton, N.Y., featured the “wild men of Borneo.” Witnessing the exhibit, eight-year-old George Elba Fisk felt called to be a missionary among the exotic Dyaks. Sixteen years later, George and his wife, Anna, sailed for the island, then called Netherlands East Indies. Upon reaching Borneo, they discovered there were great natural barriers blocking them from reaching the animistic people of the interior. With baby daughter on board, the young couple spent months paddling up treacherous rapids in a small dugout canoe before reaching their destination.
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| The "wild" men of Borneo |
In 1932, after several years among the Dyak and countless treks across difficult and dangerous terrain, Fisk asked the C&MA to consider purchasing a hydroplane. He was convinced that this was the most effective way to bring the gospel to the unreached of Borneo. During their next home assignment, George spent much of his own money to take flight lessons.
After years of having the plane request rejected by the Board of Managers, field director R. A. Jaffray made a final plea for what the missionaries considered a critical need:
“The Board’s reply to our pleading [concerning] the plane was indeed a grief and disappointment to us. We still believe, however, that this is the will of God for the speeding up of the work in Borneo . . . and personally I see no other solution . . . except the use of a plane of our own.”
Finally, on June 29, 1938, the Board of Managers approved the purchase of the C&MA’s first mission plane. The total cost was $20,454.59, almost $19,000 of which was personally donated by Jaffray. The new plane allowed Fisk to reach the interior in a matter of hours instead of weeks.
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| George and Anna with the Beech 17 Staggerwing |
At first, the Beechcraft hydroplane was blamed by Dyak witchdoctors for crop failure—a setback they tried to remedy with 10 days of pig sacrifices! In time, fear turned to familiarity. Fisk was able to lead hundreds to Christ and established many organized churches with native pastors.
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| Fred Jackson |
When World War II reached the region in 1941, the Alliance plane was commissioned by the Netherlands East Indies government to assist in emergencies. In preparation for his home assignment, Fisk had just trained new missionary Fred Jackson to operate the plane. Jackson flew numerous supply and evacuation missions for the Dutch government. Shortly after he landed at Long Poedjongan outpost, the Japanese captured the base. They ordered Jackson to fly the plane to Tarakan air base for use in their war effort.
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| Helen & Andrew Sande |
In an act of desperation, a Dutch official burned the Beechcraft to prevent the Japanese from acquiring it. Jackson, fearing retribution, joined a Dutch military party in surrendering at Long Nawang camp. Years later, news reached C&MA headquarters that Fred, along with fellow missionaries Andrew and Helen Sande and their infant son, were interned and later executed at the camp.
In 1948, another hydroplane was secured for the field without hesitation. Even before the formation of Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF), The Alliance was a pioneer in the field, using planes to spread the gospel in the most remote corners of the world.
More from the C&MA Archives on the Sande family: HERE
More from the C&MA Archives on Fred Jackson: HERE
George Fisk went on to speak in US churches sharing his vision for how the tool of aviation could be used as a tool to express God's love to the world. He found others that shared this passion- Jim Truxton, Betty Greene, Charlie Mellis, Nate Saint, Larry Montgomery, Grady Parrott, Clarence Soderberg, and Jim Buyers. Together they formed CAMF- Christian Airman's Missionary Fellowship, the forerunner to Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF). Today, MAF is the largest mission aviation organization with a fleet of over 80 aircraft operating all over the globe, serving more runways than any other aviation company in the world.
This was my grandfather. My dads father. My father is George E. Fisk Jr. Thank you for keeping my grandfathers story alive.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Georgette Fisk
Georgette, it's an honor to meet you and to tell and re-tell the story of how God uses broken vessels to bring Him glory! So so glad that your grandfather was obedient to the call of God... even when it meant doing things that no one had ever done before! Blessings, Steve
DeleteHello.... My name is Stephanie marshall and George elba fisk jr raised me as his own.. he was my father and I used to look at the shields and daggers that came back with grandad from Borneo.... I believe they are now at the Billy Gram museum maybe..Thanks for sharing his story.. I am 42:and it still amazes me the way it did when I was 5
ReplyDeleteAMAZING! Thank you for sharing Stephanie. God Bless You!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I spent almost 35 years in Kalimantan under the CMA. When we went there in 1976, people still remembered George Fisk. Did he really fly under a bridge? Marie Peters
ReplyDeleteMy name is Marty Moore. William Ernest Presswood was my mother's first husband. Does George Fisk have his correspondence archived somewhere? Trying to track specific dates Fisk and Presswood pioneered to Malinau in the Sesayap area in Borneo in 1931 and 1932. Was privileged to go to the Krayan area October 2023 to celebrate the 91st anniversary of the Gospel coming to that area.
ReplyDeleteMy dad was a amazing man My name is Freeman Paul fisk
ReplyDeleteMr. Steve, I enjoyed reading your article and it is certainly a story that my tribe in Kalimantan will never forget.
DeleteI see there is a family of G.Fisk, would you mind contacting me through this email- jastinmamat21@gmail.com. i would really like them to contact me. i am located where G.Fisk started his ministry, now north kalimantan.