Today is the second time in less than a week that I've had the privilege of taking some VIP's into Mamit (one of my favorite places to go at the moment) for a visit and tour of the ministry and work being done by faithful servants there.
During the descent into the airstrip I was thinking "okay how should I make this approach as nice and smooth for the guests on board" And as I was thinking this it dawned on me why am I intentionally thinking I need to make this any different from other times that I've flown into Mamit. The verses from James 2 came to mind. I don't believe I've intentionally flown with less thought of passenger comfort and safety with Papuan's on board. But today in my mind I recognized that I was processing extra info because I had VIP's on board. Is that showing them favoritism, maybe not in actual actions taken as a same smooth flight is always our goal, but in my mind I was showing them favoritism as I put extra effort into my thought process on how to make this flight even more comfortable and smooth. This particular flight I don't believe my extra thought process resulted in any difference, but God is not about the results but rather our hearts. As I reflect on the flight, yes in my heart and thoughts I had placed some favouritism there for the VIP's on board.
So as I continue look back on today and last week's flights, I'm realizing that I have the privilege of carrying VIP's every time a passenger steps on board my aircraft regardless of race, color, social status, etc. So as I move forward a new goal for me is to not allow the "who's" on board influence how I make decisions during a flight. In practice my flights have been handled this way, it's just new mental shift that I need to take, so my heart and thoughts fit with the teachings in James 2.
I'm thankful for the times like this that I can be molded outside of fiery trials and/or learning the hard way. Lord willing this lesson will stick.
John 3:30
greg
Monday, March 30, 2015
Monday, March 23, 2015
The Grand Unveiling
Wow wow wow!!! The wait is over.
I was surprised we didn't get more guesses but for those that guessed without submitting it, here it is.
Merauke is the winner! We are all pretty excited, Isaac being the exception as he was really hoping for Wamena where his best friend is headed. We will be trying to arrange some family trips to Wamena so they can see each other throughout the year.
Merauke is a unique base in Papua as this is where our Amphib Caravan operates from. So yes a bit more training ahead as I've yet to fly anything off the water. Overall we are super excited with this assignment for many different reasons. I'm looking forward to flying the longer leg flights which are common in Merauke. We are also excited to be able to continue to live with in a local Indonesian neighbourhood in Merauke. The kids are all hoping for AC in their bedrooms, this has yet to be determined, electricity is not cheap here.
Our move to Merauke will happen likely around the end of the year. There are a few things that need to happen before we move, the main one being that there is no house to live in at this time. Next week infact the MAF construction crew is traveling to Merauke to start building what will become our home upon it's completion. Not sure how we managed to land ourselves a new house to live in for our first term, praise the Lord we'll do our best to enjoy it.
In the meantime while we wait I'll continue to fly and serve here in Sentani. Below are a couple family photo's taken next to my current ride the Grand Caravan on wheels. It's a sweet ride and can haul a ton of stuff or people which makes it a very useful tool to serve the people of Papua through transporting everything from rice and pigs to missionary families bring the Good News to the isolated people of Papua.
I was surprised we didn't get more guesses but for those that guessed without submitting it, here it is.
Merauke is the winner! We are all pretty excited, Isaac being the exception as he was really hoping for Wamena where his best friend is headed. We will be trying to arrange some family trips to Wamena so they can see each other throughout the year.
Merauke is a unique base in Papua as this is where our Amphib Caravan operates from. So yes a bit more training ahead as I've yet to fly anything off the water. Overall we are super excited with this assignment for many different reasons. I'm looking forward to flying the longer leg flights which are common in Merauke. We are also excited to be able to continue to live with in a local Indonesian neighbourhood in Merauke. The kids are all hoping for AC in their bedrooms, this has yet to be determined, electricity is not cheap here.
Our move to Merauke will happen likely around the end of the year. There are a few things that need to happen before we move, the main one being that there is no house to live in at this time. Next week infact the MAF construction crew is traveling to Merauke to start building what will become our home upon it's completion. Not sure how we managed to land ourselves a new house to live in for our first term, praise the Lord we'll do our best to enjoy it.
In the meantime while we wait I'll continue to fly and serve here in Sentani. Below are a couple family photo's taken next to my current ride the Grand Caravan on wheels. It's a sweet ride and can haul a ton of stuff or people which makes it a very useful tool to serve the people of Papua through transporting everything from rice and pigs to missionary families bring the Good News to the isolated people of Papua.
The following pictures are of my family with my future ride Amphib Caravan. The transition training will likely happen as early as this fall/winter or after our move possibly.
I also wanted to share a couple photos of the Amphib at work. The following photos I've found in the MAF photo library. In Papua this is the only amphib plane in operation. MAF also has 2 C185's on floats in Central Kalimantan. To my knowledge these are the only 3 planes in all of Indonesia capable of serving people groups living in isolation near rivers or lakes that don't have a landing strip other than the river/lake itself. It's a very unique ministry that our family will be joining in Merauke later this year. A huge thank you to all who continually stand with us through prayer and financially support of MAF, as we continue to journey forward being salt and light here in Sentani and not to far off in Merauke. Blessings from the dole clan.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
The Time Draws Near
Greetings,
Coming soon to On His Wings of Love, "The Grand Unveiling"
The time does indeed draw near for us being able to unveil our future home here in Papua. But in the mean time here is a map of Papua with the 4 possibilities so you can be placing your bets. Well maybe not but you give it your best guess. The blue is our current place of residence and the 4 red are the possibilities.
Have fun guessing, we hope to give out the answer shortly, meaning sometime this month. Blessings we wait with excitement along with you.
Coming soon to On His Wings of Love, "The Grand Unveiling"
The time does indeed draw near for us being able to unveil our future home here in Papua. But in the mean time here is a map of Papua with the 4 possibilities so you can be placing your bets. Well maybe not but you give it your best guess. The blue is our current place of residence and the 4 red are the possibilities.
Have fun guessing, we hope to give out the answer shortly, meaning sometime this month. Blessings we wait with excitement along with you.
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