Checking a New Airstrip

    In March Kars had the privilege of traveling into a remote location on our island in order to check out a new airstrip.  This particular location was accessible via a rugged mountainous road.  Kars, together with another YAJASI pilot, flew into a nearby village.  There they were joined by two others and the four of them drove dirt bikes to the new airstrip that afternoon.  The drive was intense and took almost 2 hours on dirt bike (Kars said in a car, it would have easily been double the time and quite uncomfortable!).  This is typical procedure: before landing on a new airstrip, YAJASI will send a pilot to attempt to reach the airstrip first by foot (think intense hiking), by boat (along rivers) or in this case, by dirt bike.  

    Once they arrived, they walked the airstrip, checked for obstacles, measured and made a plan for how to land the following day.  Then, they returned to the village where the plane was parked, to spend the night and fly into the new airstrip the next day.  Thankfully, the airstrip was usable, despite one end having lots of ruts from pigs digging in the dirt!  Good information for the pilots to have BEFORE attempting their first landing!

    Now that the airstrip has been checked, YAJASI anticipates serving the people in this village, as they plan a celebration of Scripture being translated into their language (by local translators).  Pray for God's work in this place!  And praise God for easier access via air!

Thankful for a dirt bike and gear to borrow for the trip

Beautiful Mountain views on the way!

Measuring the airstrip length

Measuring slope of the airstrip

Walking the airstrip

Flying into the airstrip the next day

Praise God for easier transportation options with the airplane!

Faithfulness

    We see God's faithfulness clearly displayed in the lives of Syd and Nola.  They arrived in Indonesia in 1991 and have served the Papuan people for the past 30 years.  Their perseverance and dedication to serving the Lord in this beautiful land is inspiring.  Syd was one of the pilots to serve Kars' family when he was a child growing up in the remote village of Landga, which was only accessible by airplane.  Syd and Kars first communicated with each other in Indonesian (their only "shared" language at the time, as Kars didn't learn English until middle school)!  Syd was an influence on young Kars, inspiring him to also become a missionary pilot.  Kars graduated from high school in Indonesia and moved to the US to attend Moody Aviation.  He was trained as a pilot and mechanic (and this is where I came into the picture...).  God led our young family to join Wycliffe and then clearly directed that we were to return to serve in Papua.  So, when our family moved to Indonesia for Kars to be a pilot with YAJASI, Syd was one of the experienced pilots serving here and leading the aviation team.  "Uncle Syd and Aunt Nola" (as Kars called them as a kid) became our co-workers and adopted uncle and aunt to our boys.  What a joy and privilege it has been to serve alongside Syd and Nola these past 8 years.  Syd and Nola will be finishing up their time in Indonesia at the end of this year and returning to the US.  We are so thankful for their examples and the influence they have had on so many.  While we will greatly miss them, we are confident in God's plan, both for the next phase of their lives and for the team here at YAJASI. 

In order to honor the many years of flying, the team planned a special event for Syd's final flight at the end of May.  Upon returning to our airport, Syd's plane was welcomed by the airport fire engines shooting a water cannon over the taxiway. 

Above: After he parked the airplane, Syd was welcomed by the YAJASI team and more water, in the traditional "baptism" after special flights.

Above: Syd and Nola

Above: The pilots of YAJASI

Above: A time of thanksgiving and prayer for Syd and Nola