Summer/Fall 2004

"Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:24
"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

These verses mean one thing academically; but, when you determine to live by them and experience the joy and adventure of the Christian life, they take on a whole new freshness and meaning. When we turned our schedule completely over to the Lord, we noticed a few things. The schedule of meetings did not seem to make sense according to the way we think today. Scheduling is done to maximize efficiency and effectiveness from a business perspective. When God does the scheduling, it is done from an eternal perspective, the results can only be attributed to Him, and only He gets the glory.

While attending a missionary aviation conference in out-of-the-way Wisconsin recently, we met a missionary to the Caribbean islands who has two small airplanes. After fellowshipping for a short time, I asked him if he knew a man with the same last name as his. He said, "Yes, that is my brother." His brother had contacted AMI last year requesting help in transporting an elderly retired Bible professor who was paraplegic and required close medical attention. We were able to help him to get in contact with a man who had the appropriate type of aircraft to accomplish that flight. But there is more. The missionary pilot said his brother was moving to Tucson, AZ and was looking for a church and did I know of any good churches in the area. Of course, I was able to direct him to a good church in Tucson. This missionary pilot also gave me his location in the islands and the type of aircraft he operates and offered to be available any time we need emergency flights within his reach. I added more aircraft to our database. Praise the Lord.

Our schedule took us from a church in Arkansas one Sunday to a church in California the next Sunday: two thousand one hundred miles between meetings. Watching God at work is always exciting. When we left Oklahoma for the meeting in Arkansas, we had enough diesel fuel to make it to the Arkansas meeting and that was it. There wasn't enough money or diesel to get any further. But God said go. So we went. While in the meeting in Arkansas, a lady handed me a $100 bill. I tried to be kind and not take it, but she insisted. The church gave us a love offering that was more than sufficient to pay for diesel fuel to get to California. What we didn't know was that we would develop engine problems on the way. Several hours before reaching Albuquerque, we were only able to get 45 mph on flat ground; hills were even worse. In Albuquerque, the repair shop replaced a clogged fuel filter. The unexpected cost was $126.00. We had the $26, and added the $100 from that lady to get back on the road. God knew we would need that $100 and sent her to provide it in advance. To God be all the glory for His faithfulness.

The meetings have been tremendous as we watch God's people make themselves available to Him to be used by Him in whatever way He sees fit for the cause of missions. Christians are recommitting themselves to God and volunteering for duty. This has been an encouragement to this old soldier.

Please pray with us that God will supply our needed monthly support soon so that we may get back to the duties awaiting us in AMI. Also, pray for good weather as we travel through the northwest again this fall and early winter.

As always, the grace ofour Lord Jesus Christ be with you.