Gabon Plus...

Plus what?!?

Along the journey, Alace and I have seen doors open, allowing us to serve in ways that compliment or expand the work we're doing.  Case in point, with your help, we started up the aviation work in Gabon (our primary work), but along the way, other tasks and opportunities ("Pluses") came along- field leadership team, national church liaison, guest house management, dorm house parenting, national aviation club, shipping container logistics, and more. We are in just such a "Plus" season:

23rd Anniversary on 31 July!

Plus... Recruitment Component!
Our work in Gabon will grind to a halt unless we lay the ground work for additional teammates to join the work.  We now have the opportunity to join the Missionary Air Group (MAG) effort to recruit and train up mission aviators with a new, apprenticeship model- the first of its kind!  MAG is staffing the program to have primary training at the North Carolina base, and components of the advanced training on site at the international bases of operation (Gabon, Guatemala, and Honduras).

Plus... Equipping Nationals!
On top of the apprenticeship model that we will look for transferability to developing countries, we have been asked by the national church leaders (C&MA) in Gabon to provide first responder and flight nurse training.  Since MAG has similar training already in Spanish, our main work will be translating it and then implementing it.  We are so excited about this and can't wait to see it all come together!  The training will most likely take place at a new base near the capital city, speaking of which....

July work at PK-27, in Gabon, ramps up!

Plus... New Capital City Landing Strip!
For the first 5 years in Gabon, our work was based out of the international airport in Libreville.  There was only one runway for a relatively busy airport and, although there were many hangars, we couldn't find a home and had to park the aircraft on the ramp, exposed to the punishing elements.  Now, with the progress that the national Alliance church is making at their PK-27 social works campus, just outside of Libreville, they are ready to move forward with the planned airstrip on the property.  Our Gabonese church family has many participants in the building activity at the site and are ready to receive a team to assist in the development of the airport in the summer of 2017.  We are excited to hear that a team leader has already stepped up to the plate!  Once this landing strip is in place, we will no longer have to deal with the headaches of landing at the international airport!  Would you like to participate?  Email me at Gabon.Pilot@gmail.com

Plus... Guatemala and Honduras!

MAG President, Sean Donnelly (L), and I meet with
C&MA church leaders about future training plans.

MAG has other bases in Central America where they are developing teams to continue their programs that have been operating there for years.  They have asked Alace and I to provide leadership in skills development for teamwork and aviation- things where Alace and I are able to share our experience and expertise.  We will start making regular visits to those sites, on top of Gabon, to serve those teams and help them thrive.

Plus... Training & Recurrency!
I, Steve, have added some great experience in the last couple years in the area of leadership, management, and administration.  However, it has kept me out of the cockpit, so it is time for recurrency and upgrading my flight instructor ratings.  MAG has training aircraft at the base in Burlington, NC, so we'll settle in for this phase, as we continue to stay on top of Gabon and the other bases.  Our address there is:  3209 Stonypointe Dr., Greensboro, NC 27406.

As we make the transition into these expanded roles, there is a blend of emotions- excitement and some trepidation.  We ask for your prayers as we continue with your support and teamwork, to be good stewards of the work that we are doing.  Thank you for joining us on this "plus-sized" journey!

Please consider joining our prayer and funding team!

CLICK HERE for more info.

Bongolo Hangar Fuel Storage

In December of 2005, when Alace and I visited Bongolo for the first time, we toured the airport near the hospital.  It was a 5-year-old grass/gravel/dirt runway with a 4 year old hangar that had all been prepared, in faith, that an aviation program would one day be based there.

It was impressive to think of the faith that the Bongolo Hospital team had at that time, led by Dr. David Thompson.  He was our tour guide that day and told us that, actually, the team had put out calls for aviation support since the mid-1980's!  Talk about perseverance!!!

Today, thanks to the many that have supported this work and those on the front line, the hangar still stands, better than ever!  In the summer of 2013, with the arrival of our second pilot/mechanic (Rob Peterson), we decided to move the program to be based in Bongolo.

We had worked hard, since 2007, to get the program up and running- based out of the capital city of Libreville, where there was no hangar for our hard-working Cessna 207.  It was important that we had this time, as I spent much time in and out of the offices of the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Health, Civil Aviation, and praying with the national church leaders of the C&MA.

Better than ever?!?

In the summer of 2013, with Rob lending a hand, we replaced the hangar door support structure with a new span of wood, cut at a local lumber yard.  This was no simple task!

Other updates and organization have happened under Rob's excellent care- the latest of which is a new home for our fuel drums in a shipping container we purchased and set beside the hangar.  Enjoy the photos:

Thanks to the Bongolo Hospital maintenance crew for their great help on this project!  More pictures to follow when the container is moved onto the forms and the fuel drums are in their home.
Thank you for your teamwork!

Wings For Africa

The Alliance national church in Gabon has broken ground on the PK 27 project that will be home to many social care programs run by our Gabonese colleagues.  It will also feature a landing airstrip and hangar.  Now, along with the US-based facilitator of the project, E4 Project, we are brainstorming what kind of educational opportunities might flow out of the aviation program to equip nationals.  We invite you on this journey!  Here is more info, via video...

If you are having issues loading the video below, please go to this website: https://vimeo.com/169423859

Wings for Africa from Stephen Straw on Vimeo.

Bongolo Hospital Needs

Year after year, dedicated supporters of medical missions at Bongolo Hospital make and collect items to be sent, via shipping container, to Gabon.  I have actually been in Gabon, when these containers are being processed at the port, unloaded, and put into use.  Be rest assured that ALL ITEMS are used to bless those that come seeking health and hope in a very remote part of Africa.  Our Gabon team of international workers are so blessed to have this teamwork.

Thank you for considering joining in the provision of the current needs at Bongolo.  The next shipment will depart Cleveland, Ohio (ARK Transport), September 1st, so it's a good idea to get the word out now.  Details are below.

Here are some urgently needed items at this time:

  
A.  Centrum (or similar with all the trace minerals) multivitamins 
-  Needed for Adults and, especially, for children (not "gumball" shaped; but the chewable ones).
-  Note:  "Equipping the Saints" (www.etsusa.org) sells "Vine Vites for Kids"- 1000 chewable tablets @ $18.95/bottle (must buy a case of 12 bottles). 

B.  Benadryl tablets (not capsules)
-  Generic is OK

C.  Artificial Tears 
-  like Systane or Generic 

D.  Covers for Delivery & Operating Room Tables
-  See instructions below**

E. Sterilization Wraps

-  See instructions below*

F.  Vision Glasses
-  new reading glasses & glass cases
-  used eye glass frames & used glass cases (either you or they will remove the present glass) 
-  disposable pen lights for eye clinic
-  Note: there are ideas on making glass cases on the internet
-  Small toys or stickers for kids who come to the eye clinic.

G.  Medical Supplies
-  Interosseus needles
-  Chest Tubes- sizes 10-16 and adult 30-40
-  Chest tube draining systems

H.  Medical Apparel
-  long white lab coats
-  new or slightly used scrubs sizes small to medium (right now there are enough of the larger)

-  children’s patient gowns (see patterns on Internet:  LINK 1 ;  LINK 2
-  reusable underpads (34" x 36")
-  Note:  see websites like www.allegromedical.com

I.  Inexpensive “sippy cups”

J. hand towels new or slightly used (no white ones please)

*NOTE:  If you think you have useful items that are not listed, please call Coleen Lofgren (218-245-2706).

HOW TO PREP YOUR BOX:

1.  PACKAGE SIZE LIMITS:  The packages should be no larger than a total of 72 inches (length + height + width) unless you have special permission.  Please limit different types of items to 3-4 per box and put each type of item in it’s own plastic bag for easier sorting at the hospital.

          

 2.  E-MAIL NOTIFICATION:  Please e-mail Gabon’s shipment coordinator, Linda Chae at linda.chae@att.net and a copy to me, Coleen Lofgren coliemark@gmail.com with the following information: 1.  Church and address; 2. Contact’s name, phone number and e-mail address; 3. Total number of boxes sent.  
          
3.  LABEL EACH BOX!!!  Please label each box by letter and numbers, for example, if your church is in Plain View, Iowa and you’re sending 2 boxes, you might choose PVIO#1, PVIO#2.  Please include the two letter state abbreviation in your label as there are a lot of churches with similar names.
          
4.  BOX LIST:  Each box/container should have a list of contents.  All contents should be categorized in one of the following categories:  PERSONAL EFFECT; MEDICATIONS;  MEDICAL EQUIPMENT; or FOOD.

     
5.  PAYMENT FOR SEA FREIGHT:  Calculate the total cubic feet of all of your boxes/containers and multiply by $15.  Send this amount to:  C&MA Finance Dept., 8595 Explorer Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.  On the check memo write "Bongolo Hosp. Med Supp./Shipping acct. no. 09037-4340."

GET ITEMS TO SHIPPING CONTAINER:
NOTE:  SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 DEADLINE!!!

1.  SEND YOUR BOX:
        WHERE TO SEND:  Send the boxes to : ARK Transportation c/o Gabon Shipment Bongolo Hospital, 17830 Englewood Drive, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 by September 1st, 2016

          

OR...

2.  FIND A COLLECTION POINT:

-  State College, PA  ~  Contact person, Dick Straw, email:  drs9mjs@aol.com

-  Lewistown, PA  ~  Contact person, Judy Brown, email:  Judy.Brown310@comcast.net

MORE TO COLLECTION POINTS TO COME!

*NOTE:  We are currently looking for individuals or churches that would be willing to be a collection point and then be responsible for transport to ARK Transport, located near Cleveland, OH.  If you are so very kind as to do this, please contact Coleen Lofgren or myself (gabon.pilot@gmail.com).

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

* STERILIZATION WRAPS:  
Finished sizes needed are: 12” x 12”, 24” x 24”, 36” x 36”. 48” x 48”.  You can make them out of gently used cotton and cotton/polyester material, sheets or old tablecloths (don’t use flannel- it is too loose a weave).  Preferred colors are blue, green or white solid (others accepted though).  To make them, cut the material 1/2” larger than the size wanted.  They are to be double thickness, with the seams on the inside.  After sewing the two pieces of material, turn it inside right, then sew a seam about 1/2” around the entire square and then an “X” from corner to corner.  this way, when they are washed, they will stay in place.  Questions?  Call Coleen at 218-245-2706.

** DELIVERY & O.R. TABLE SHEETS:
Use flat sheets twin or full size, any color, out of cotton or cotton/polyester. Fold sheet in half so it is 48” x 66” (twin) or 48”x 81” (full).  Sew or Zig-zag around the entire doubled sheet, including the folded side, close to the edge.   Then measure half way down (33” or 40.1”) and sew across the sheet.

OUR WHOLE TEAM THANKS YOU FOR YOUR TEAMWORK IN BLESSING THE PEOPLE OF CENTRAL AFRICA!!!

Gabon PK27 Project Ground Breaking!

On June 19th, the Alliance church of Gabon had the ground breaking ceremony of the PK27 Project just outside the capital city of Libreville!  This property will be the home of a social works campus that will include a hospital, children's home, widow's home, career training, primary and secondary education, airport and hangar facilities.  More than half the population of Gabon lives within 40 kilometers of this campus!  A huge industrial complex is in development stages only 2 kilometers away.

For those of you who have followed our journey, you will recall some early stories about this God-sized project in 2012 and 2013.  It seemed that it was WAY TOO BIG of a dream, but, we have seen some really awesome things on this journey.

This project is being led and executed by the Alliance national church in Gabon.  Half the finances will come from the churches in Gabon and the other half from partnerships.  If you are interested in getting behind this effort, I will be posting the information sometime soon.  For more information, please visit the webpage of the partnership coordinator, E4 Project:  CLICK HERE

These pictures come thanks to partners organized by E4 Project.  If you or your group are interested in partnerships or a vision trip to Gabon, please contact me (gabon.pilot@gmail.com) or E4 Project (info@e4project.org).

Quick July Update

A few news and notes from our world:

Meeting with Gabon C&MA Church
leaders.

> Praise the Lord for a unanimous decision of the delegates to the Gabon C&MA national council meetings to re-elect the entire national leadership last week.  Since our partnership in Gabon is driven by and with these leaders, it's nice when we have the same people in place.  More than that, however, this team of leaders in Gabon are Godly men and women that we really enjoy working with and being friends with.

> Sam, our youngest, will soon transition to college (and life) in San Diego.  Please pray for him.

> Please pray for the inter-church committee in GABON working to advance Bible translation in the nation.  They are making partnership decisions and setting plans.  Our aircraft has served these efforts already and are looking forward to more of this Kingdom-building work!

Pastor Jacob MOUELE, far right, Gabon C&MA Director
for Internatonal Partnerships

> Please pray for the national Gabonese church's "PK-27" project. A social works campus with a landing strip for our aircraft! They just had their cornerstone laying ceremony!

Pastor Victor NDOUKOU, national church President, at the June 19, 2016 Cornerstone laying ceremony.

Sam- Our Grad!!!

Our third kiddo has done it!  We're so proud of Sam!  2016 graduate of Rain Forest International School, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Here's Sam at the front entrance of the RFIS campus, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Our handsome young man!

The evening of his graduation held at the Catholic University in Yaounde.

The alumni soccer match, the day after graduation, with brother Joe (far left), and 3 or the 7 children from our friends, the Carlson's.

Sam's graduating class- all 13 of them.  The morning of graduation at the Senior Breakfast with their families.

Sam with his buddy, Nathan.  Sam and Nathan will be moving into an apartment together in San Diego (USA) and starting their college classes at a local community college.  Neither has an idea of what they would like to focus on in their studies, so this will be a good time to take some cheaper classes, have a job (Nathan's family has a company there), and ease into life in the US of A.

Please pray for these guys!  Keep in touch with Sam at his email:  epicthesam@gmail.com

We especially thank the ladies at State College Alliance Church (PA) who have sponsored Sam throughout his years in Africa with birthday wishes, Christmas gifts, and lots and lots of encouragement and prayers.  This has really blessed Sam... and his parents!

MAG Special Assignments

In my last blog, I detailed the work that lies ahead for me to get "back in the saddle" and ready for flight operations.  While I'm working at this task, our new aviation team, Missionary Air Group (MAG), has asked that Alace and I pitch in.  Here is an overview of what those roles will be at this small, but rapidly growing, organization:

Chief Pilot:
I've been asked to give oversight to all MAG flight operations- Gabon, Guatemala, Honduras, and the US!  This means policy setting, writing operations manuals, pilot flight checks, and lots of traveling.  At this time, MAG has at least one aircraft in each of the countries listed, and plans for more.  Wherever they have an aircraft, you'll typically find at least two pilots and their families.

The SIL Cameroon Aviation Team!

Team Care:
As you know, Alace is studying for her degree in counseling (Liberty Univ. online) and is now officially a Junior!  I like to tell people I'm married to a college Junior.  Anyways... MAG has asked Alace to put her people skills to work, serving their teams at each of their bases.  This will range from personal, one-on-one time, as well as workshops and team building for every age.  Steve will pitch in as needed- this is an area that we are really looking forward to develop.

Flight Training:
MAG has been asked to develop a mission pilot apprenticeship program- the first of its kind!  This is in response to a CRITICAL NEED of the industry- a shortage of missionary pilot/mechanics trained and ready to go to the field.  Many of the young people that catch the vision of serving in this field go for their training, but our saddles with working off a load of debt that comes along with it.  MAG's model will be a DEBT-FREE training, where private funds carry the trainees through to the end and then right on to the field.  This is an exciting program!  The first candidates arrive at MAG near the end of 2016.  MAG would like me to assist in a portion of this training when the candidates move through to the advanced stages.

This is an exciting chapter for Alace and I.  We see that the Lord has directed our journey to include experiences that lend themselves to these roles.  Additionally, these very roles are the ones that our maturing work in Gabon desperately need, or it will be soon struggling to continue.  Up to now, our Gabon work has not had a recruiting and training piece.  Without additional personnel ready to take up the work, all the years of preparation and launching of AMB will not be able to continue.

We look forward to continuing on this journey with all of you.  Your support, in prayers and finances, are still critical for us to continue.  We would also love to hear from you regarding your current chapter of life and what we can do to share in the adventures.  Please reach out to us at gabon.pilot@gmail.com or acatherine72@yahoo.com.