Lots of Stuff Going On

Hello All,

The last week has been packed with all kinds of interesting things.
- I've had a couple meetings with different pastors
- met with government officials
- we've been trying to think up new flight routes,
- I've been flying
- getting our new hangar up to snuff as far as being current with all MAF's rules
- we renewed our drivers licenses (which included a trip to the hospital)
- a president was reelected here with polling booths next door to our house
- we got new floats for one of our airplanes that badly needed it
- we have been finishing all of our unpacking at the house
- decided not to get a second dog at this time
- getting to know neighbors
- encouraged and helped a new believer friend of ours
- and on top of all that have been shocked by bombings in the capital city.

Please keep praying for us. We are working on reintroducing our ministry to the local Indonesian churches and pastors so that we can figure out a way to better work together. Of course our number one problem is still the high price of fuel that makes it hard to do all the flights that we want to do. We feel however that there is so much potential out there for spreading the love of Christ. There are still so many more areas that could benefit from the use of the airplane.

On another note, I probably wont' blog next week because we will be spending the weekend in a jungle village where some German, Christian nurses have a clinic and vibrant ministry. It will be our first trip interior as a family so we are really looking forward to it. It might be just slightly rustic.

It's been very exciting to finally be able to use this new hangar. At the end of last week we were actually able to weigh an airplane which was something we had to do in the past to comply with the law, but was very dangerous process. This time there was nothing to it. We just jacked it up on the scales and we were done. This next week will be fun as we lift an airplane up and put the new floats on it.

We've moved back to Indonesia / Hangar Dedication

We realize that it's been a long time since we have posted a blog. Also, while we were on furlough our posts were few and far between since our lives really were not all that interesting. Now that we are back we will be trying to post a blog weekly.

We have really enjoyed having Lee and Linda Calhoun, Laura's parents, with us to help move into our new house. We are so thankful for their help, and we already miss them since they left. Lee actually took all of the pictures below.

Below you can see our new house. It took months and months to find it. Finally, one became available when some other missionaries left. The best part about it is that there is hardly any traffic and it is quiet and peaceful in our neighborhood.


When the prior family left they literally took the kitchen sink and cabinets. So, we had new cabinets built and we spent lots of time getting the faucet to work and adding knobs.


One of the many projects in recent days: the tile was broken and sharp, so I patched it with white cement. Other projects have included hanging curtains, getting the internet working, unpacking boxes, hanging ceiling fans, figuring out the water system, getting rid of a bat infestation and many other things.



I've also spent a few days getting current in the airplane again with a check pilot. As of Thursday, they set me loose to fly again passengers again.


The biggest event that happened since we arrived back was the hangar dedication ceremony. Below is our new floating hangar with the new office in the background.

The ceremony opened with us pulling the airplane in the hangar for the first time electically. It took about thirty seconds all in all. This will revolutionize our operations.






Below you can see our group right before praying and giving God all this new equipment. We want to use all this great stuff for His glory.


No dedication would be complete without a big meal.