Mid-Tour Update

We are really enjoying all the connections that we are making on the road!  I don't know how many times I've either said or heard the phrase- "WOW!  It's a small world!"  I'm convinced that the connections we know about are actually just a fraction of the greater connections that exist and are used to be a part of BLESSING others around the globe.  

By the end of this week we will have driven over 9200 miles just in 2015 alone!  We're really getting to know the interstates in and around PA.  If you ever need a traffic update, just give us a buzz.

Did you read Alace's terrific writing on the subject of our tour?  Click here to read it

So, our hope is that, as we share stories of what we've been up to, people are seeing what God is doing around the globe and consider their part in being "in the game".  Of course, we are also looking for people to partner up with us in prayer and financial support, to sponsor the project in Africa.

Here are some other news and notes...

ALACE:  ... has been accepted into an online study program to complete her college degree in counseling- something she feels passionate about to serve the needs of international workers.  Please pray for the details to work out so that we find the funding needed and she can start for the fall semester.

SAM:  ... got his driver's license!!!  We see much less of him around the homestead... hmm... funny how that works.

JOE:  ... is planning on doing a bunch of summer studies, here in York, PA, so that he can free up time for a 6 month internship in Africa for the second half of 2016.  

MEG:  ... is loving NYACK College (New York Academy for Cool Kids... ha ha) and has even taken on an honors level course in her studies that will hopefully lead to a MASTERS in Social Work by the summer of 2019!!!

STEVE:  ...the health issues of 2014 are in the rear view mirror (viral encephalitis, malaria, gallbladder attacks), and he has passed the "First Class" FAA Medical examination last month!!! 

Thanks for your prayers and partnership on this journey!

Church Visits and Thin Places

My wonderfully writing wife, Alace, has just written a great piece about our last speaking engagement this past weekend, for a mission conference.  Please click HERE to read it:

http://alacecatherine.blogspot.com/2015/03/church-visits-and-thin-places.html

Bible Translation Support

In a previous post, I shared a bit about how AMB, the aviation ministry, is expanding to support Bible Translation and literacy projects in the region.  Here is a picture and update shared from our chief pilot, Rob:

In December, Pastor Jean-Marc flew with me to Libreville to

teach a class on Paratext, a

 Bible translation program, to 2 language teams. There are

 other language groups that are also interest in starting

 translations too!

Loose Wires & Quick Thinking

Sometimes, very small things can have a HUGE impact.  In scripture, the third chapter of James outlines this with a description about the very small rudder that, although very small, can guide the course of a very large ship.

Back in January, some teammates based at Bongolo, the Hofman family, were ready for a trip on the AMB aircraft up to the capital city of Libreville where they would have a short layover before connecting to an international flight.  

As Rob tried to start up the engine, he had some difficulties.  He asked the passengers to pray as he quickly went into troubleshooting mode, knowing he had a tight schedule to keep to make the connecting flight.  

So, while the passengers patiently waited and prayed in the hangar, he eventually found that no voltage was getting to the fuel pump.  Upon closer look, he found the very small thing that was holding up the flight- a loose ground wire to the fuel pump.  We just barely had enough wiring on hand to make the fix.  

They made the trip to Libreville, arriving at 2:48 pm for their 4pm departure!  

We are blessed to have the great skill of our Chief Pilot, Rob.  

This situation outlines why it is key to have pilots that are also mechanics that serve in mission aviation.  Often times, in remote areas of the world, resources and teammates are in limited supply.  

Highly skilled pilots who are also equally qualified mechanics are the backbone of the mission aviation world that keep programs running and serving important ministries, like those of the Gabonese C&MA church and the Bongolo Hospital.

A Lengthy Evacuation

On Saturday, January 31st, while on home assignment here in the US, I received a call from Gabon.  It was Dr. Renee, one of the international workers serving at Bongolo Hospital.  For four (4) days they had been trying to execute a medical evacuation (medevac) for a short term worker that had fallen off scaffolding.  Thanks to a great connection via Skype, I was able to get the story from Renee.

Lavon was working on the roof of this mission house, the "foyer", a building
we use for group events.  This is a picture from 2010, when the US
Ambassador to Gabon paid a visit along with the Deputy Chief of Mission.

The injured man, Lavon, has served annually at Bongolo, on short term trips, for many years.  He and some friends partner with local workers to do some of the larger projects that are a bit too much to handle for our maintenance team that handles the day-to-day stuff.

He was working on the roof of the foyer, on a scaffolding and fell 5 foot to a hard, concrete surface.  His pain was intense and his ability to move was very limited.  Bongolo Hospital cared for him, but soon realized that he would need to be evacuated.

Unfortunately, our normal tool for evacuation, our trusty Cessna, was parked in Cameroon and our chief pilot and myself were both out of the country attending a training course in North Carolina.  So, plan B is typically transportation by car to the capital city- sometimes up to 10 or 11 hours!  Well, Lavon was not able to go over the bumpy route- air evac was the only way.

Gabon teammates, Barry and Paul, taking Lavon from Bongolo to the
pickup site.

Renee and other hospital leaders started reaching out to their connections, but were running out of options.  So, by the time I received her phone call, 4 days after the fall, there was still no solution.  Thankfully, I had my trusty iPhone 3 with all my Gabon contacts.  I put them in contact with an agriculture company as well as a union of helicopters serving the oil companies out by the coast.

Ultimately, ALMOST A WEEK AFTER his fall, he was being loaded into a mission vehicle and driven to a soccer field near the hospital where the Gabon military had dispatched a helicopter.   They took him to the capital city of Libreville where he stayed at a hospital there for an additional 2 WEEKS (!!!) before arrangements were made with a commercial airline to evacuate him from there back to the US, and eventually to Indiana where he lives.

I'm pleased to report that, following successful surgery to fuse 3 vertebrae together, he is at home resting.  Upon arrival in Libreville, a hospital there, thought to be one of the best in the region, did a CT scan and said there were no broken bones.  However, back in the US, it was discovered that he had, indeed, broken his neck in 5 places!

Please join us in praying for Lavon's complete recovery and a return to Bongolo for many years to come!

This event highlights one way that our aircraft plays a critical link in supporting the Gabon team.  Thankfully, our aircraft will be back in action soon.  Thank you for your prayers and support!

March Update

Click this link to read our March update:  CLICK HERE

Snowstorm Thor... my apologies (maybe)

So, a year ago, Alace and I were in Cameroon checking out all the Facebook photos from our friends in the "Snow-pocolypse" or "Snow-mageddon" back in the US.  It was then that we prayed for a similar experience for the coming year when we would be in the US for our home assignment.  It's been 7 years without a winter for our family!!!

 Well... I think our prayers have been answered!  Here are some photos from the day around our house, next to a church...

So, for you kids enjoying the "snow day", you're welcome.  For all of you hating the snow and inconvenienced... soo sorry!!!

Adopt-A-Prop 2015

(Download the PDF file below)

FEB 25 UPDATE!  One Blade Sponsored!  Thank you Community Alliance Church of Bloomsburg and Danville!  

AMB GABON AdoptAProp2