AVIATION- Time to Fill Our Tanks Again!

 About every 18 months of AMB-Gabon flight operations, we burn through 16,000 liters of aviation 100 low-lead fuel, known as "Av-Gas.

We're down to just a handful of drums remaining and have put in our order.

There are three main parts to the purchase of a batch of 80 drums:

PART ONE: Buying & Shipping the Av-Gas

PART TWO: Import Costs

PART THREE: In-Country Transports

 THE GOOD NEWS: 

PART ONE PAID FOR!!!

(....thanks to strong operations and generous donations)

THE CHALLENGING NEWS:

Due to the current international situation, PART ONE was about $9000 more than last year!

Meaning...

WE NEED YOUR HELP with the next two parts...

ESTIMATED NEED:  Approximately $20,000 USD.

Note: The AMB Gabon team, notably, our business agent, Amos, works VERY hard with our Alliance church leadership to ask the government and port agencies to exonerate us from any possible fees since we are a non-profit, public charity. So, we pray that the costs will not be as much as $20,000 (or over), but they have been in that ballpark in the past.

Thank you for considering this important investment and teamwork!

HOW TO GIVE:

This year, our giving options are only through the Things Above Project, 

which is the 501-3(c) non profit that is registered as "Elevation Squad Inc."

Use the QR codes or Paypal below or send a check as follows:

Make check to "Elevation Squad Inc.", in the memo put "Av-Gas" and send to:

Things Above Project
c/o York Alliance Church
501 Rathton Rd.
York, PA 17403

THINGS ABOVE PROJECT

RETREAT: First Guests!

After several weeks of getting our feet on the ground, our first guests started to arrive in early in June. We had worked really hard to prep for these moments!

Out with some old furniture...

Our goal is to prepare a place of rest and comfort for those that come to us seeking peace and care.

In with the new furniture!

Voila! A comfy living room.

We also created a fire-pit area.
(used before the drought)

With a little work, we got the fountain 
working after years of un-use!

CLICK HERE to see the fountain in action!

Groundskeeping is a MAJOR component of life here. 
For every 3 hours of mowing I (Steve) seem to average 
about an hour of mower repair! (exciting update coming in this 
department! Stay tuned!)

FINALLY... The day came... a family of 5 serving in ministry and looking for rest. It was our pleasure to welcome them with a good, all-American meal of burgers and dogs!

(grill also used prior to drought!)

Come and Feast! Everything is Ready!

As we prepare the manor house, we think of all who will come to seek God's peace and care here. Already, in the last 8 weeks, we have received over 35 guests from 5 countries- most of those for multiple nights! 

Our free retreat center, "Ar Poull", is only possible through your support!

To invest in this critical, rest and resiliency work, please consider 

a financial gift by clicking here. Thank you!!!

   

To receive email updates, sign up in the right column.

RETREAT: FIRES & DROUGHTS!

NOT in the Danger Zone, but in the Red Zone!

AFP/Getty

Our hearts break for many in the Gironde (near Bordeaux) region of France, about a 5 hour drive south of our retreat location. For almost two weeks, a mega-fire has been raging there, fueled by heatwaves and drought. It has forced over 200,000 residents to evacuate. As of this morning, we're thankful to hear the fires are getting under control.

Several of you have reached out to check on us. Although we are not near any of these major fires, we are in a drought- there has been many weeks without significant rain. The authorities have us in a "red" caution- limiting water useage, no outdoor BBQ's, and the like. 

Just inside the front gate; mid tree trimming.

We've also had 3 significant heatwaves. Here, in the manor house, the retreat center we operate, we live on the third, and highest, floor. Well, let's just say that we've verified that heat does, indeed, rise!!! A couple of nights it was a bit much and we went down to the first floor to sleep on couches.

The exterior walls of this manor house, built in 1613, are almost 3 feet thick! Being in Brittany region, the house is mostly like a refrigerator. On hot days, you simply step inside and feel the coolness! In the rooms with rock floors, on about day 3 of the heatwaves, they start sweating! Thank the Lord for dehumidifiers and fans that help control the moisture.

We're told that this year is a more extreme "El Nino" weather year, so there may be a couple more heatwaves. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers! You are welcome to reach out to us anytime. We are so encouraged by the teamwork.

Our free retreat center, "Ar Poull", is only possible through your support!

To invest in this critical, rest and resiliency work, please consider 

a financial gift by clicking here. Thank you!!!

    

To receive email updates, sign up in the right column.

Aircraft Refurb Update - N207FD

It's time for an update on the refurbishment of our Cessna 207- the first aircraft of our program at the start many years back. Our friends at MMS Aviation have pulled it all apart, leaving no stone unturned, to find all the issues and repair them... doing some upgrades along the way!

Photos and Notes from project lead, Chris J:

The floor is nearly completed.
Every rib under the floor had to be fabricated-
there were no new or used ribs to be found.
This took a very long time- removal one,
fabricate the rib and then re-install
while keeping the plane in tack. 

The pilot's door lower hinge was broken &
 the door was repaired once before.
(You can see the previous welding repair in photo)
We removed that repair and fabricated a flush patch
 then installed a serviceable hinge.

(Empty engine bay. Nicely refurbished!
Engine removed for overhaul)

The engine mount plate on the firewall was cracked.
We removed it & replaced it with one we 
fabricated ourselves.

 

The fuel strainer is installed after a repair
was completed in the tunnel section. 
(This is above and behind the nose
gear, looking up)

  

The new fuel bladder on the left wing was installed.
 The Flint tanks (additional tanks at the tips
of both wings) have been ordered-
delivery estimated in 3 weeks.

Thank you MMS Aviation!!!

They are a training hangar, preparing new mission aviators

and aircraft for service all around the world!

They only charge us for parts and material...

labor is free! They are such effective

collaborators with our work for

many, many years.

To receive email updates, sign up in the right column.

To help keep our aircraft flying,

please give through

Things Above Project's

PayPal link below:

THINGS ABOVE PROJECT

Henrica Update - Making Strides!

 

Most days, you'll find Henrica, our 
trainee from Gabon, at the JAARS hangar,
at her desk, studying hard for her FAA
mechanic exams. She's passed two already!

At times, she is also getting hands-on 
experience, helping maintain and repair
JAARS mission aircraft.

She's also making friends with others
who are getting trained to be sent out to
show God's love through the tool of 
aviation, to places all around the world!

Especially of great encouragement is the
"LIMA" group - Ladies In Mission Aviation.

The JAARS organization (in North Carolina) has
been a great partner with our Gabon program. In 
fact, there is another JAARS pilot/mechanic and
his family, from America, looking into coming to
join the Gabon team! In this pic, you see a loaner 
car that Henrica can use to run errands and get to 
her exams. 

Other supporters are nearby to check in with Henrica.
Here are our other Gabon pilot, Rob Peterson's
parents who live near Henrica. They have hosted
her for meals on multiple occasions and helped her
run errands! World's are colliding!

Henrica got to attend the Peterson's church in 
Charlotte- she had never seen such a large, 
arena-style sanctuary! 
Speaking of big...

Henrica has been able to engine a wider
variety of cuisine than is available in Gabon!
She sent us this picture and her text was...
"Guys, I think I saw one of the craziest
Chinese food!"

Our friend Keith, from our "Things Above
Project" NGO board popped in for a visit at
JAARS to see Henrica. 

Please keep Henrica in your prayers!

- a 3rd FAA Mechanics Exam ("Powerplant") soon

- a final series of FAA Oral and Practicals exams to follow

- hangar experience at JAARS

- returning to Gabon at the end of the year

To receive email updates, sign up in the right column.

To support HENRICA financially,

you can do so through

Things Above Project's

PayPal link below:

THINGS ABOVE PROJECT

Oasis Rest International - new sponsor

 After much investigation, prayer, conversations, 

feedback from our key supporters, 

we made the decision to move to Oasis Rest International!

Over the last several months, we've had the opportunity to meet with many of you to share this news. For others, you may have some questions, so, below, we have some responses to FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions about our move from Gabon to our work, running a retreat center in the Brittany Region of France:

1. Are you leaving the Alliance (C&MA)?

No, we are official Alliance workers on special assignment 

with oversight from the Eastern Pennsylvania district of the 

Alliance. When Alliance workers come to us for care, they 

won't have worries that we aren't "safe ears" that they are 

free to be completely open with. Our sending church, 

the York Alliance (C&MA) Church, remains the backbone

of our sending body. We are so thankful for their partnership

with us over many, many years, and helping us to discern

our new chapter of ministry.

2. Is Steve leaving the Gabon aviation ministry?

No, in fact, since February of 2024, Steve has been in more of

a "remote" role, shifting from "operations" toward "mobilization."

Steve's tasks focus on staff care, mentoring, fund-raising, and 

project oversight- all from his new base in France.

3. Who's flying the airplane in Gabon?

Since 2013, Rob Peterson has been a teammate, as a pilot

and mechanic. He and his family enjoy life at Bongolo and 

plan to be there for years to come. Other families are

investigating joining! 

4. What is Oasis Rest International?

Oasis was founded out of the Navigators ministry over 

20 years ago. International workers (IW's) were burning out 

and seeking resources. Oasis provides "sacred places" with 

"sacred faces" (trained hosts) in over 20 free locations

worldwide. 

5. Why the Manor House in Brittany?

The former hosts were retiring and the setting is so beautiful

and peaceful (built in 1613) ! The need for care is great- 

70% of IW's leave their work due to preventative reasons.

From life on the steamy equator (Gabon)
to the chilly/moderate 48th parallel (Brittany)!

6. Why shift and Why now?

Through prayer with key friends and our sending church,

we saw the Lord opening doors & sensed the invitation.

By God's grace, this new chapter allows us to leverage the

full scope of our life experiences, training, and over 3 decades

in ministry to pour into wounded and tired IW's. 

Don't worry,
"Frenchy Steve" still knows how to
connect with the youth!

7. When Can I come!

Yes! Please come and visit!

After some time to settle in and orient ourselves a bit, we 

will start receiving guests. IW's needing care are our top

priority, but we'll sprinkle in others. Our AWESOME sending

church, York Alliance, is sending a work team in October!!!

Thank you for your support!

This month, we are officially switching to support

through our new sponsor- Oasis Rest International!

Here is the link to our "coming soon" 

announcement:  CLICK HERE

Here is the link to support us 

through Oasis:  CLICK HERE

(if you'd prefer an EFT/ACH transfer, please email us

at Steve.Straw@oasisrest.org)

France! Getting settled in...

 An update from Alace!

About 4 weeks ago, we set out!
Cincinatti to Philly... Philly to Paris!
Thank you American Airlines.

Arrival at Paris!!!
All checked bags arrived!
I posted up at the curb while
Steve went to fetch the rental car.

The bags all fit!!!

Operating on a lot of adrenalin,
after a 6 hour drive, we 
made it to our new home!
The "Ar Poull" manor house.
(note: Ar Poull means "the well"
in the Breton language)

After some recovery sleep, we got to work!
Here is the "haul" from one of 
our first shopping trips- 
unloading in the Manor
House kitchen.

April 28th journal entry...
We have been sorting, cleaning and moving in.
Steve’s been doing all of that plus some yard work.
He’s been weeding and hacking back overgrowth
to exposed borders and the entrance gate. 

We started prepping our room on the 
3rd floor for painting.

Steve's been staining and sealing the 
the wood floors.

We hosted our dear friends (currently with 
Barnabas Int'l; formerly Alliance), David and 
Janet Kronbach, who run the Rapha House-
another retreat center in France. 
They have been important mentors over the
past 2 years, sharing their wise counsel,
encouragement, and blessing.

Our epic door key!

The view out our side, kitchen door, 
looking West.

From the "south lawn" looking
back at the Manor House.

One of our neighbors, Fabrice, is a 
farmer who keeps his cows in the 
fields that surround our forested area.

Our 2nd full day, we dropped off the rental 
car and took in a professional football (soccer)
match- the local team, Lorient, versus our 
favorite team, Marseille. Let's just say, the
local fans went away very happy.

We also visited a local beach- it is just an 
hour from our home! It will be a very nice
day-trip excursion for our guests.

Our first weekend, we shopped for 
some plants to bring life to the house!
The plant market was a great place to 
meet many new people! There are a lot 
of British expats in this region. 

I decorated the window sill with my 
childhood set of classic books and 
a tiny painting from my Grammy.
The bookends I picked up at a local
thrift shop for cheap! The sunlight 
shines through them lighting up 
the cool veins inside!

We are likely to regularly attend a
french-speaking Alliance
church that is about 25 minutes away, but
the first Sunday, we opted to investigate an
English speaking church much closer. It 
was very sweet... and small! We were the 
youngest people there among a total of 8
worshippers!

We hung out with some neighbors!
The wife is from England and the husband
is American! They are very helpful to us and 
we had a lovely time visiting in their back yard.

Finally after a couple weeks of hard work, 
we finally got to sleep in our own bed!!!

Thank you for your support!

This month, we are officially switching to support

through our new sponsor- Oasis Rest International!

Here is the link to our "coming soon" 

announcement:  CLICK HERE

Here is the link to support us 

through Oasis:  CLICK HERE