ARRIVAL IN THE US!!! CLASSES BEGIN!!!

SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED SO QUICKLY!!!

Henrica arrived at Charlotte Int'l airport- Alace and I happened 
to be in the US doing some aviation training and Alace training
new missionaries.

 

Her classes were starting in under two weeks!
With so much to do, it just seemed right to
introduce her to some American cuisine!
#priorities

We only had one more night at the training site (JAARS), 
but we made the most of it. Here is Henrica standing
underneath the Gabonese flag!

She got to sit in the cockpit of a Cessna Caravan (C208)
- one series higher than what we fly in Gabon, the Cessna 
Stationair (C207).

Henrica was asked to meet with L.I.M.A -
Ladies In Mission Aviation!

From JAARS (North Carolina), it was a road trip North
to Virginia to her host family's home and, before you
knew it, she was in class at Blue Ridge Community College!

Is that culture shock in her eyes?!? So much has happened 
in just a small amount of time for Henrica. Please continue 
to pray for learning, adaptation, good friends, and a solid
faith community she can merge into.

Two weeks into classes and Henrica got a visit of encouragement
by some of the LIMA ladies!!!

WOULD YOU PLEASE CONSIDER BEING 

PART OF HENRICA's SUPPORT TEAM?

1. REGIONAL SUPPORT TEAM- We have created 

a WhatsApp text group for those that are in and around

the Harrisonburg/Staunton Virginia area to get updates

about practical needs that Henrica will have. 

E-mail Gabon.Pilot@gmail.com to join

2. FINANCIAL SUPPORT- We are praying for those

that would support Henrica for her time in the U.S.- 

the next 10 months. We encourage you to give both

one-time and/or monthly. Share your desire to do this 

through an e-mail to Gabon.Pilot@gmail.com, and then

select a giving option below.

OPTIONS TO CONTRIBUTE:

DONATE THROUGH THE ALLIANCE (C&MA) (click here)

OR:

PAYPAL THROUGH THINGS ABOVE PROJECT (click below)

ANSWERED PRAYER!!!

 

HENRICA GOT HER 

U.S. STUDENT VISA!!!

There was a bit of drama last Monday as she got 

to the embassy and was initially told that she was 

not on the list of those that had appointments. However, she persevered and got in where she was interviewed and APPROVED!!!

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING!!!

She has said sad "au revoirs" to family and friends.

Here she is with her dear grandmother.

Thanks to our dear Libreville friends, 

she made it through the challenging traffic 

in Libreville to the international airport for her 

departure today! She has two transfers on her way 

to the destination. Please Pray for a Bon Voyage!

WOULD YOU PLEASE CONSIDER BEING 

PART OF HENRICA's SUPPORT TEAM?

1. REGIONAL SUPPORT TEAM- We have created 

a WhatsApp text group for those that are in and around

the Harrisonburg/Staunton Virginia area to get updates

about practical needs that Henrica will have. 

E-mail Gabon.Pilot@gmail.com to join

2. FINANCIAL SUPPORT- We are praying for those

that would support Henrica for her time in the U.S.- 

the next 10 months. We encourage you to give both

one-time and/or monthly. Share your desire to do this 

through an e-mail to Gabon.Pilot@gmail.com, and then

select a giving option below.

THANK YOU!!!

OPTIONS TO CONTRIBUTE:

DONATE THROUGH THE ALLIANCE (C&MA) (click here)

OR:

PAYPAL THROUGH THINGS ABOVE PROJECT (click below)

URGENT PRAYER NEED

CELEBRATE! Henrica has successfully completed her first year of online studies to become an FAA certificated mechanic through Blue Ridge Community College!!!

PRAY! For Henrica to complete the program with a second year of in-person classes (Virginia, USA), she needs a visa! We've been trying for months to secure an appointment, but have hit a wall.

Henrica's First flight with us in 2012

Background: Many of you are familiar with the story of Henrica- a young Gabonese woman who we are encouraging on her calling to be a pilot/mechanic to serve in Gabon with our organization. She was raised by Gabonese Alliance pastors in the "Hope House" home for at-risk children where my family met her as a 12 year-old who approached me and shared her aviation dream. 

Hericka, right, at Bongolo hangar, 2012

Her first touch of the controls in our Cessna 207

Fast forward to 2024...

Henricka has learned English- her 3rd language!

She has earned her driver's license and is part of the
Logistics support team in Libreville, the capital city.

Her aviation dreams are still alive! (here with her
mom, en route to Bongolo for medical care.

Please pray that a visa appointment will be given soon!

>Please consider partnering with us in this important work to SHOW and TELL about God's Love.

OPTIONS TO CONTRIBUTE:

DONATE THROUGH THE ALLIANCE (C&MA) (click here)

OR:

PAYPAL THROUGH THINGS ABOVE PROJECT (click below)

Trouble On Final Approach!

 What do you do when a palm tree is in the way of

the final approach to your runway in the rainforest?

The closer we got, the larger we understood 
the tree to be!!!

Solution?!? Call your friends! 
Aviation is blessed to be just one of the departments 
of the Bongolo Hospital. One of the other, most active
departments, is the maintenance department! 
They were so helpful to help us clear Final Approach
to the runway.

It truly takes a large team to show God's love at work. Our international team of Jesus Followers connect as parts of a body... and we thank you for playing your part as well! As we say in Gabon, "On est ensemble"- "We are together!"

Please consider partnering with us in this important work to SHOW and TELL about God's Love.

OPTIONS TO CONTRIBUTE:

DONATE THROUGH THE ALLIANCE (C&MA) (click here)

OR:

PAYPAL THROUGH THINGS ABOVE PROJECT (click below)

The Beat of a Different Drum!!!

As you may know, we have to import ALL of our Aviation fuel (known as "Av Gas"). It either comes from Poland or South Africa in a 20 foot shipping container which holds 80 drums- each 200 liters (53 gallons).

Look closely... a departing airplane appears to be striking me in the forehead!!! Yes, that is Henricka, our aviation intern, assisting me, fueling from one of our DRUMS.

 From time to time, we recoup some costs by selling the empty DRUMS. However, with much of the population suffering from lack of water service, we supply the empty drums, free of charge, to needy communities for rain water collection.

The Alliance church in the Libreville suburb of "Avorbam"
is one such church that suffers from water supply. Alace and I 
were able to worship there recently.

Our dear friend, Pastor Sangoye, leads this congregation, and 

told us that our empty drums would really bless the community

there, by collecting rain water to be used for their bathrooms.

Thank you for your teamwork! It's not about aviation... 

It's about being part of a family of believers that blesses others

in an effort to share the Love of God!!!

Did you know...
Pilot Steve used to play in a Christian rock band 
in the '80's called "The Bananaheads"?!? True story.
"DRUMS" continue to be a big part of my life!!!

Please consider partnering with us in this important work to SHOW and TELL about God's Love. If you would like to specifically assist with one of the above needs, please let me know with an email to "Gabon.Pilot@gmail" and follow the giving instructions below. Merci Beaucoup!

OPTIONS TO CONTRIBUTE:

DONATE THROUGH the ALLIANCE (click)

PAYPAL THROUGH THINGS ABOVE PROJECT (click below)

UPDATE: N207FD Refurbishment Journey!

Last June, in Africa, we loaded up N207FD, our very first airplane (Cessna 207) serving in this work in Gabon- for the start of it's journey back to the US for refurbishment. Here is the link to that story: CLICK HERE

From arrival in the US to now, we had friends in Virginia
make a T-Hangar available for storage. Now we have a
plan for the next step! 

We're blessed by two board members and some friends from 
York Alliance Church who traveled to get it loaded up
and moved.

After prayer and reflection, we've decided to fully refurbish

"Seven-Foxtrot-Delta" at MMS Aviation in Ohio!

We are so blessed that, as a small organization, with no 
"headquarters" or full time team of employees in the US,
we have a STRONG team of churches and friends, all 
volunteering to be people of blessing!

Refurbishment will be several months long and
include avionics upgrades, interior updates, paint, 
and engine work. More details to come!

Last item in is our engine!
Thank you to the team that made this all possible!

Please consider partnering with us in this important work to SHOW and TELL about God's Love. If you would like to specifically assist with one of the above needs, please let me know with an email to "Gabon.Pilot@gmail" and follow the giving instructions below. Merci Beaucoup!

OPTIONS TO CONTRIBUTE:

DONATE THROUGH the ALLIANCE (click)

PAYPAL THROUGH THINGS ABOVE PROJECT (click below)

2024 Projects & Sponsor Invitations

As a one airplane, non-profit operation, serving the faith community in a small region of the planet, we are dependent on YOUR SUPPORT in prayer, encouragement, and financially. At times, our users can make a contribution, but only by adding the subsidy funding that YOU provide, can we continue.

In 2024, our "NEW-to-us" (1981 model) Cessna 207 has started serving WONDERFULLY, but we have a list of needs. Will you pray for us and consider sponsoring one or more of the needs below as a way to collaborate with the church in Gabon? Thank you for considering this! We are so grateful.

2024 CRITICAL NEEDS:

Pilot Training (early year) - $1015 SPONSORED!

1st Quarter Aircraft Insurance - $1500 SPONSORED!

Engine Analyzer Unit Replacement - $1500

Spare Alternator & Misc. Parts - $1165

Parts Shipping - $200 SPONSORED!

Pilot Training (mid-year) - $5800 SPONSORED!

Visiting Technician for Annual Inspection & Training - $4950

Visiting Tech for Equipment Recertification - $3550

Roof on Fuel Storage Container - $2000 SPONSORED!

Generator / Solar Building Completion - $1000 SPONSORED!

INTERN On-Line Spring TUITION - $4990

If you would like to contribute to a specific item above, 

please email me (gabon.pilot@gmail.com). 

Otherwise, contributions will go to "where most needed" 

at that time. With your prayers, encouragement, 

and financial teamwork, we continue to express God's love! 

Ways you can support:

OPTIONS TO CONTRIBUTE:

DONATE THROUGH the ALLIANCE (click)

PAYPAL THROUGH THINGS ABOVE PROJECT (click below)

Bongolo Friends Update!

 From Dr. David Thompson!

Hi Friends! Next to me is a recent graduate from the nursing school

at Bongolo Hospital. During the month of June, I helped out

while some of our IW's were on home assignment. 

Many changes have taken place since June, but first I want 

to tell you that Bongolo Friends was able to provide the hospital 

with a grant of $80,000 to help the hospital order medicines for 

the coming year. This was because the government owes the 

hospital almost $500,000 in insurance payments! 

 Every year, Bongolo Hospital spends more than $160,000
on orders from Asia for medications and medical
supplies. This is one fifth the cost of purchasing
medicines and supplies in Gabon's capital city,
and allows the hospital to serve all who need help. 

Other News: Since June, IW's who have returned from home
assignment in the U.S. or are newly arrived include
Dr. Renee Valach, Dr. Wendy and Eric H. and their three children;
Dr. Zack and Jen O. (both general surgeons); the Team Leader
and nurse Amanda and IT tech Christopher E., Dr. Alicia S. (OB/gyn);
and pilot Steve S. and his wife Alace. New arrivals include
Dr. Stephen S. (Family Medicine) and Dr. & Mrs. David
S. and their two young children (General surgery).
Dr. Kristen (ophthalmologist) and Dr. Peter (general surgeon) will join the
Bongolo team May '24. Pilot Rob and his wife
Dr. Bintou P. and their son are expected to return Jan 2024. 

This amazing list does not include Bongolo's five PAACS surgery 

residents and their spouses, or the many outstanding African 

leaders serving on Bongolo Hospital's administrative team. 

Bongolo's three chaplains are extraordinarily active and have a 

deep love for patients who come, either as outpatients or inpatients. 

Their goal is to share the gospel with every patient that comes. 

Recently a man who after cataract surgery could see clearly said, 

“I just don’t have the words. I see really well, and all of my 

expectations were met. I’m just really thankful!”

Patients who hear the gospel message from our chaplains and 

turn to Jesus during their stay are encouraged to attend churches 

nearest to them, like this one in the photo. Our chaplains contact 

by phone the pastors nearest a new convert's home and encourage 

the pastors to contact them. At the hospital's joint mission/church 

board meeting in October, the chaplains' reported that during the 

previous seven months, a total of 457 patients prayed to receive 

Christ. Of that number they were able to connect 404 new 

believers with the pastors of churches nearest them, and verify 

they were "integrated."

During my visit, I learned that a church in the U.S. had shipped two large TV screens to Bongolo Hospital so the chaplains can show Christian programming in local languages in the waiting area, including the Jesus film. They hope to get that set up soon. 

Over the past 12 months the hospital has treated 23,000 outpatients and more than 3,000 inpatients. What an amazing opportunity to respond with compassion to the sick, and to proclaim to them God's good news! 

As you and you celebrate this Thanksgiving and Christmas season with your family, would you consider sending a gift of any amount to Bongolo Friends? In doing so, you will be helping us ensure that this ministry will continue to thrive. 

Please check out our website online at BongoloFriends.org, and donate online. If you have questions, call me at 530-395-6286 (I'm on Pacific Standard Time). If I don't answer, send me a text, and I'll reply asap! 

Dr. David Thompson