Wings of Eagles

Aviation is all about acronyms. I have to admit, we love them in fact. STOL is one very good example. It stands for Short Take Off and Landing. I’m not sure who created it, because it’s a bad one. “Takeoff” is usually one word now, so why would you include the “o” in the acronym? No matter. STOL it is.

STOL is actually very important to MAF’s operations though. Without that ability in an airplane, we’d probably not be able to serve as well as we do.

The average airstrip that MAF serves in Papua, Indonesia would be around 1200 to 1500 feet long. This may sound like a long runway with lots of room, but let’s put it into perspective. Chicago O’Hare Airport has several runways, the longest of which is 13,000 feet long, and the shortest is 7500 feet. In fact, most runways have a marks on them at 1000 ft called the Fixed Distance Markings. These marks serve as a sort of aiming point. Basically, you need to be on the runway by those marks. That same distance is almost the whole length of an MAF runway.

This creates the need for Short TakeOff and Landing. A lot of factors will effect how long of a takeoff roll the Cessna 206 will have, including wing, runway slope, runway up or down grade, runway surface, altitude, aircraft weight and even humidity. Generally speaking though, the 206 can usually leave the ground in about 650  to 700 feet. As a contrast, a similar aircraft, the Piper Cherokee Six, won’t leave terra firma till it passes 1050 feet. Clearly, then Cessna 206 is an airplane made to get flying, and to do that fast. There are some special modifications that MAF installs to improve the ground roll distance. All these things help make the MAF 206 one of the safest aircraft to operate in our jungle conditions.

April Prayer Letter

Pilate asked Jesus a simple question while he was talking with Him. It’s found in John 18:38. Pilate had wanted to find out if the accusation that the Jewish leaders had laid against Jesus were true. They had accused him of being a rebel and trying to start a new kingdom. (Luke 23:2) Jesus replied that his kingdom was not of this world. Pilate asked if that meant Jesus really were a king then. Then Jesus told Pilate that He had been born to speak the truth.

Then Pilate asked the question. “What is truth?”

It’s amazing how the same question seems to haunt the human race. It can be seen everywhere you go. Much of post-modern philosophy deals with the idea that truth is subjective, after a fashion. Popular thought seems to put truth on the shelf, deeming it too difficult, or too uncomfortable to think about.

So what is it? Jesus claimed to come and speak it. He even claimed to be the Truth. But what is it?

Here is how dictionary.com defines it:

–noun,plural truths
1. the true or actual state of a matter: He tried to find out the truth.
2. conformity with fact or reality; verity: the truth of a statement.
3. a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like: mathematical truths.
4. the state or character of being true.
5. actuality or actual existence.
6. an obvious or accepted fact; truism; platitude.
7. honesty; integrity; truthfulness.
8. (often initial capital letter) ideal or fundamental reality apart from and transcending perceived experience: the basic truths of life.
9. agreement with a standard or original.
10. accuracy, as of position or adjustment.

This definition seems to be clear enough. So if truth is obvious, and fact, then why don’t we see more of it?

Perhaps it’s because we choose not to see it?

I like tools.  They are useful, if you have the right one, they make the job a lot easier.  We are headed out to Indonesia to be God’s tools in the lives of people around us.  Sometimes, though, you need to use several tools at the same time, to get a job done.  For example: When I need to remove a spark plug from an aircraft engine, I go to my toolbox and get out a few things.  First, I find my ratchet, then an extension, and my spark plug socket.  The socket is just the right tool, made to fit the spark plug and loosen or tighten without breaking it.  The extension is used to the get the socket into the tight spot where the spark plug sits on the engine.  Then I used the ratchet to get the leverage I need to turn the plug loose.  The socket represents the national pastor in Indonesia.  The extension is the MAF pilot who comes along side him, to help take him where he needs to go.  The ratchet is that missionary’s support team, and God is the technician who uses the whole team to do his work.

We are ready to go and do our part, but we need you to be the ratchet in God’s hands.  Your prayers and ministry support are the driving force behind what we do.  Will you pray?  Will you commit to give as God enables you, be that $5 a month, or $500?  Together, we can be the tools to show God’s love in places where it would never be possible on our own.

To give, please visit our MAF webpage.

Joy and I have been having a fantastic time this winter. God has really blessed us. In January we attended Mission Aviation Fellowship’s Candidacy as a married couple. I had been accepted previously as a single guy. This time, however, was for Joy’s benefit, but it was a lot of fun for both of us as we became more acquainted with the mission together, and reaffirming our calling together overseas to Indonesia. In February we have started working hard together to raise our ministry support. When I started on this path a year and a half ago, single, I never thought this process would take so many twists and turns, but I’m so glad it did. God has brought the perfect partner into my life in Joy. What a blessing she is! We have had a very eventful few weeks since returning from Idaho, and our ministry support has already reached 38%! God has been blessing us so much! As winter comes to a close, we look forward to warmer weather, and visiting friends and family as we invite people to join our team of ministry partners. Even though it’s been cold outside, we’ve been warm inside with all the blessings we’ve received.

Daniel, for both of us.