Kroneman LogBook: June 2017

The day dawned bright and early with lots of excitement in our house. Usually when Kars leaves on a flight early in the morning, he rises and slips out of the house without anyone else waking up. Today was different. The boys were up early, filled with energy, because this time we all were going on the airplane with Kars as our pilot. Adding to the excitement was that we were going to be flying our friends, the Beck family, back into their village and staying with their family for a few days. Although Kars and I had both been to their village home before, this was the first time for the boys to ride along and see where their friends live!

Kars left for the hangar before us, so he could prep the plane and get everything ready for our departure. I loaded up the boys and our overnight bags in our car and we swung by the guesthouse where our friends, April and her 3 kids had been staying. This time they had made a trip to town for the kids to do the annual testing at the school. Ryan, their dad, had stayed in the village for the week. He was anxious to have his wife and kids return after a week alone, taking care of their home and pets. We loaded up their bags and supplies (they have to take in almost all of their needed supplies to live, as there are no stores in their village....think about everything you'd need to take if you couldn't go shopping for a month...or three...). This time they didn't have tons of stuff, as they knew they'd be coming back out to town in less than a month for their annual conference. One thing we did get to take along this time was 2 little ducklings (which once full grown, are known for protecting against snakes, a scary part of living in the jungle).

After arriving at the hangar and unloading the car, we took the kids up to the bathroom (no bathrooms in little planes!) and then waited for Kars to give the signal that he was ready for us to load in the plane.

Finally it was time to go! We loaded into the plane. Our youngest had the privilege of sitting up next to his Papa, as the "co-pilot".

April and I sat in the back with the other 4 kiddos around us. Everyone was excited for the trip, including the Beck kids, who were excited for visitors to come to their house and village. I know that there are so many things that I take advantage of having, as a resident of a town, as opposed to a remote village. We have the privilege of having friends over for dinner or for playdates whenever we want...but living in a remote village that is only accessible by small airplane does not allow this luxury.

My husband started up the plane and we taxied to the end of the runway. Maybe it's because I am the daughter (and now wife) of a pilot, but whenever I take off in an airplane, whether it be a small plane or a big airliner crossing the ocean, I get emotional. Today was no exception.

As we took off and I looked out over our beautiful tropical town tucked next to "our" mountain, I felt the tears coming.

In that moment, all those years of schooling and training, all the years of working hard to help pay for Kars' expensive flight school, all the steps it took to get our family from America to the opposite side of the world...all of that came into focus...

THIS is why we did it!

So that the moms, dads, kids, families, single missionaries, all those who have dedicated their lives to bringing the gospel to every people group, even in the most remote, inaccessible locations on the edge of the world...CAN GO! So that they can serve here. So that they can live in remote locations, with the assurance that although there is no hospital nearby, the airplane can get in and pick up their families, in case of an emergency. So that they are able to come out to town for school testing, supply buying and much deserved breaks. Having access to an airplane and having trustworthy, safe pilots reduces the stress of their lives here. Hopefully our service to them increases their longevity and therefore the potential for God's Word to be brought to all the people groups where they serve. What an honor it is to serve these fellow workers for Christ, helping do our part in building God's kingdom, even here on our remote island in South East Asia!