Giving Thanks

Here in Coshocton, Ohio November means in-climate weather. We can see snow and ice and frigid temps. This weather can affect the work we do here working on airplanes. Some projects may be hindered for a time due to the unpredictable weather.

This year has been an exception to the norm. We have had mild weather through out the fall. Temps may drop for a few days but it climbs back up into above normal temps for days on end.

What a blessing to have these soaring temps reaching 70 degrees at times and hovering in the 60 degree range for days on end. This has been such a huge blessing with the work load we have right now.

One of our biggest needs has been paint removal. These warmer temps allow for opening the hangar doors and working on projects out doors as well as being able to effectively remove paint with the pressure washer with out freeze ups and drying can occur more rapidly with hovering temps.

So we are praising God for the weather He has allowed us to have here in Ohio. Here are some pictures that show some of the work we have been able to accomplish.

Chuck is pressure washing several smaller components for the Missionary Air Group (MAG) Cessna 172

Apprentice David DeJong is pressure washing the MAG 172 fuselage

The crew was able to give the Gospel Carrier International (GCI) King Air 200 a turbine engine compressor wash to enhance its performance.

Working in hangar B with its doors open a nice treat this time of year.

Hangar C is doing paint removal. It is great to have the doors open when removing paint.

Rapid Response AIM (Africa Inland Mission) Kenya

Rapid Response

Featuring Lindsey Gray

By Laurie McClary

An exciting aspect of the MMS ministry is the short term mission field assistance of the Rapid Response Teams. These MMS teams help reduce the "down time" of an aircraft by providing extra man power for major inspections and repairs. It also provides the MMS mechanic the opportunity to experience foreign mission aviation ministries first hand.

This particular feature story is with Lindsey Gray, a pilot/mechanic, serving with African Inland Missions (AIM) located in Nairobi, Kenya. She shares her thoughts on a recent MMS’s rapid response to AIM from the point of view of the receiving organization.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a pilot-mechanic with Africa Inland Mission. I'm also currently working as the Quality Manager. Some days I fly, and some days I work in the office assisting with manuals, conducting audits, and aiding with various AIM AIR needs and projects. Occasionally when there are maintenance needs, I help as a mechanic. I've been in aviation for over ten years, and I've been serving with AIM AIR in Nairobi, Kenya, since July 2014.

What were some of the benefits of having a short term mechanic from MMS in the hangar?

It was a gift to have a knowledgeable, skilled mechanic assists us in the hangar! Terry McClary came to us with a wide range of experience that we were able to utilize and learn from. His work on the shop floor enabled us to be efficient. He also completed various projects and developed procedures that we will start implementing in our maintenance hangar.

Would you do it again? Why, or why not?

Yes, we would welcome appropriately qualified staff from MMS to our hangar. Not only did the McClary's assist in their aviation expertise, but they encouraged us in our day to day work, and spent time getting to know the missionaries and locals around them. We were really blessed by that.

What advice would you give a mission organization that was thinking of having a short termer in the hangar?

If there is an urgent need for assistance, MMS is an excellent resource to turn to. In addition, it helps those who are not yet connected with a mission organization to learn more about your organization, values and ministry. It gives potential missionary candidates the opportunity to live in the area, meet the missionaries, and develop an understanding for how you operate. The experience will surely impact them, and potentially provide a pathway for their family to return for full time service in the future.

What was one of the challenges of having Terry in the hangar?

I think the biggest challenge is that we don't get to keep him! We have benefited from his knowledge, skills, and experience. And over the past few months we have depended on his efforts. As Laurie and Terry return home to MMS, one of our biggest challenges will be closing the gap from Terry being gone.

Final thoughts?

At AIM AIR, we have truly appreciated having Laurie and Terry here for a few months over the summer. We are thankful that MMS allowed and encouraged them to come assist us! We were grateful for the way they plugged in, and spent time with us. We appreciated the level of detail and attention that Terry gave to aircraft maintenance and all his projects in the hangar. But more importantly, we are glad for them to return home to MMS and share about their experience with AIM AIR. We trust their time here will influence others to pursue missionary aviation. We hope that their adventures will be part of their conversation in telling others about Africa Inland Mission, and more specifically about the ministry of AIM AIR.

In closing:

Lindsey clearly loves airplanes and is using this love to serve an even bigger love, our Lord and Savior. It was a pleasure to get to know Lindsey and learn about AIM and their ministry in Africa.  

Lindsey, thank you for the time, thought and energy you put into answering these questions.

Vinyl or paint

When you create the details of a paint scheme so that you can identify who the aircraft belongs to, there are infinite possibilities in the creative structure on what can be done.

There are however only two ways to apply what you have designed. You can either use a designed vinyl decal which looks very nice and is easier to apply in most situations or the other method would be to paint the designed scheme right to the airplane. The second method is more labor intensive but the results can be worth the extra effort.

In missionary aviation which style you choose may be selected by the environment in which the airplane would reside in and cost effectiveness would also play a part in which way you choose.

The majority of airplanes that we modify or repair, vinyl graphics will do the job. Sometimes a project requires the painting of the details for durability and the customers we serve request that it be done this way. The current project that we are repairing for Missionary Air Group(MAG) has requested that painting the details is what is needed for this project and it is an intricate one at that.

The effort was worth the time. The crew here at MMS did a fantastic job. Here are a few pictures of the project.

 

42Q has made it to Suriname

The MAF Suriname 206 has made it to it's new field of service. It is not to often that we get to see the end result of our work as the planes we work on enter their final field of service.

42Q is heading to service

After a 21/2 year rebuild the Suriname 206 is heading to service. It is easy for us to get attached to such an extensive project. We know that the work we do here at MMS is to fix these planes for their intended purpose so that they can be used to bring the good news of the gospel to places that are remote and would be very difficult to access with out them.

42Q was ferry piloted by Sarah Morris yesterday to Florida where it will be handed over to MAF Suriname to be brought into country for service. Suriname is the only dutch speaking country in south America. Sarah is one of only four female missionary pilots. Following is a couple pictures of the departure.

Bathing the Suriname 206 with prayer and praise. It is finished.

A wave of the wings as Sarah bids farewell with 42Q and heads south toward Florida.

Oshkosh EAA 2015

Every year MMS goes to Oshkosh, WI where we set up a table in the IAMA missions tent representing one of a myriad of Christian Missionary flight organizations and representing missionary aviation as part of the whole of aviation. We are glad to be a part of this big event and grateful for the opportunity to showcase who we are.

each year about 500,000 people come to Oshkosh to watch and see airplanes doing everything from aerobatics to military past and present showing off their skills. There seems to be miles of parked airplanes to walk through and a seaplane base located south just a few miles. It is accessible by bus from the grounds doing hourly shuttles.

Here are some pictures of the event that shows some of the vastness of aviation.

Samaritan Ministries new 206 Cessna will be heading for Papua New Guinea soon.

Icon makes planes in the light sport division. This plane will fold up and fit on a trailer.

Airbus A350 is the largest jetliner in the world. At 6'2" I can stand inside the engine and not touch.

This Junkers 13 was the first metal bodied plane from 1934

This formation of war birds is a complete volunteer effort for the airshow. They pay all of their own expenses and on their own time for the show.

PT6 turbo training

This week kicks off a new chapter for the MMS apprenticeship program. The development of the training for the PT6 Pratt-Whitney Canada turbo prop engine. We have been blessed with a PT6 training aid but needed some curriculum to go with that for the apprentices to learn about these growing popular power sources for missionary aviation.

After much hard work from many different people we have started our first training class. Apprentices Aaron Hammitt and Glen Evert along with our Director of training Bob Schwartz  are being introduced to the basics of PT6 engines this week and will be working on the training aid by the end of this week. Our own Mike Dunkley is leading this training. This represents a big milestone in MMS history. This will allow us to better "prepare people and planes for worldwide missionary service".

Mike is beginning his class with student familiarization 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here they are learning the basic theory of operation 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayer partners

Prayer Partners

This particular story features Melanie Moore.

By Laurie McClary

As with any ministry, prayer is critical to MMS. There are numerous people throughout the world that pray for MMS, for both the people and the organization, every day. Here is an interview with one of those people, Melanie Moore.

How did you hear about MMS?

My sister and brother-in-law were called to serve with MMS six years ago. It has been through them I learned of MMS, its mission and its impact on the world.

How did you become a prayer partner?

My sister asked me. Once she asked the decision was easy. I knew that it was something I not only wanted to do but needed to do.

How has praying for your sister and your brother-in-law affected your relationship with them?

It has taken our relationship to a deeper level and I feel more connected to them. Praying for them makes me feel a part of their ministry. In addition, prayer provides a way that I can be 100% supportive everyday. I am thrilled when my husband and I can give financially to the ministry, however there are months when we are not able to do that. But prayer provides a way I can contribute regardless of our finances.

Do your prayers cause you to feel more connected to MMS?

Yes, but in a round about way. My connection to MMS starts with my sister and her family. Out of that relationship come my prayers for MMS. The prayer letter my sister sends out each month, the newsletters MMS provides and the stories my brother-in-law tells are examples of different means that pull me into my prayers for MMS. I find myself rooting for the planes and I see the value of what they do. But, this all starts first with me praying personally for my sister and brother-on-law.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes, I would like to tell you how my prayer life has grown the past five years that I have been praying for MMS. After receiving the prayer requests, I would make mental notes and then diligently take my “to do” list to God. On days I forgot or schedules got busy, I felt guilty and responsible for not being accountable for the commitment I made to my sister, brother-in-law and MMS. I felt connected to it all but there wasn’t much joy in it and if felt more like a weight. Then, about a year ago, I sat in on a lecture* about prayer. God spoke to my heart and my prayer life has been forever changed. Now I see my prayers as expanding God’s kingdom where He is in charge. My prayers are similar to those written in the Psalms praising God for His faithfulness instead of handing him a list of things I want done. My prayers are where God’s grace and the people or situation I am praying for meet up. Through my prayers, He invites me into the journey of both my family and MMS. This way of praying helps me stay connected but also brings a sense of joy and deepens my spiritual relationship with my sister and brother-in-law. The weight has been lifted. Even if I miss a day or two of prayer for MMS, I rest assured and trust that God has continued the work that He has already ordained.

In closing:

God tells us to pray in the Bible. It is one of the avenues God uses for a closer walk with Him. Melanie has been a prayer warrior for her sister, brother-in-law and MMS for 6 years. God has used her and those prayers to serve His purposes. Thank you, Melanie. And, thank you to the many others who pray faithfully for MMS and it’s mission.

*The lecture that Melanie is referring took place at “The Chaplain of the Week” series at Lakeside Chautauqua 2014.