OPTIONS TO CONTRIBUTE:
DONATE THROUGH THE ALLIANCE (C&MA) (click here)
OR:
PAYPAL THROUGH THINGS ABOVE PROJECT (click below)
Easy come, easy go.
OPTIONS TO CONTRIBUTE:
DONATE THROUGH THE ALLIANCE (C&MA) (click here)
OR:
PAYPAL THROUGH THINGS ABOVE PROJECT (click below)
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! |
OPTIONS TO CONTRIBUTE:
DONATE THROUGH THE ALLIANCE (C&MA) (click here)
OR:
PAYPAL THROUGH THINGS ABOVE PROJECT (click below)
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!!! |
OPTIONS TO CONTRIBUTE:
DONATE THROUGH THE ALLIANCE (C&MA) (click here)
OR:
PAYPAL THROUGH THINGS ABOVE PROJECT (click below)
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. |
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. |
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!!! |
OPTIONS TO CONTRIBUTE:
DONATE THROUGH the ALLIANCE (click)
PAYPAL THROUGH THINGS ABOVE PROJECT (click below)
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. |
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! |
OPTIONS TO CONTRIBUTE:
DONATE THROUGH the ALLIANCE (click)
PAYPAL THROUGH THINGS ABOVE PROJECT (click below)
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.
DONATE THROUGH the ALLIANCE (click)
PAYPAL THROUGH THINGS ABOVE PROJECT (click below)
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! |
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
If you missed our Thanksgiving update, you can see the full version by clicking this link:
Here is a preview...