First Flight Back

After 8 months of not flying in our country of service, I was finally able to start flying again last week. Our organization requires multiple checks before releasing a pilot to fly after a furlough. Some of these checks include.

1.) Instrument Proficiency Check (check our proficiency flying in clouds)

2.) Flight Review (check our ability to handle the airplane in emergencies)

3.) Mountain Flying Review (to make sure we're proficient flying in confined valleys)

4.) Marginal Airstrip Check (land at one of the more difficult runways prior to flying to all other runways)

 These checks took place in one simulator flight and two airplane flights with one of our instructors on board. 

 On Friday I was released to fly operationally by myself again. I got to put all that I had just reviewed into practice as it was raining all over our island. However, it was light rain and clouds without much turbulence. The weather report from interior was encouraging, so I decided to go.

After the first hour in the clouds, I could start to see things outside.

The village I was going to had fairly nice weather and I was able to drop the translator off there.

On the return flight I had a sick patient (front center) and several other passengers, who were happy to be heading to town.

All in all it was a great first day to serve again in the interior of our island. We play a small part serving the people here, not only by providing transportation, but also making it possible for the people to hear God's Word.

Bagels

One thing I really enjoyed in America during our furlough was having bagels.  Since we cannot buy them here at the grocery store, I decided to try making my own this morning.  They weren't as intimidating as I thought!  I thought I'd share the recipe I followed, in case anyone else wants to try their hand at homemade bagels.  I'm excited to try different varieties next time.

I doubled the following recipe, which made 14 bagels
(http://allrecipes.com/recipe/220619/real-homemade-bagels/)

Who are we following?

John 10:3b-4

He calls his own sheep BY NAME and leads them out.

When he has brought out all his own,

            HE GOES ON AHEAD  OF THEM,

And his sheep follow him,

            BECAUSE THEY KNOW HIS VOICE.

From the world’s perspective, what we are doing does not make sense.  But we are not following the world.  Jesus has sacrificed all He had to win our souls.  Out of love, He paid the ransom that we needed.  So now, it only makes sense that we would follow where He leads.

The analogy of the sheep following the shepherd really stands out to me.  I don’t think I had noticed before how the shepherd is going out in front of the sheep.  The picture in my mind was usually the shepherd behind or beside the sheep…herding them in the direction he wants them to go.  But, thinking of the shepherd bravely walking in front and all the sheep following him, because they know His voice-that is such a comforting image.  We are not walking into some unknown territory or future as the leader.  Jesus is already there, in front of us, guiding us with His words of truth.  Sometimes it might feel like we are blindly walking into something…yet if we are following His leading and direction, we can be comforted to know that HE is AHEAD of us.

I want to follow my shepherd.  I trust that He knows what is best for me.  I want to know His voice well, so that when I am tempted to doubt, I can recognize His Truth and stand firm on it. 

Fun Flying

Some of you may remember that for Benji's 5th birthday Kars had the opportunity to take him along on a flight interior.

 Jozie remembers this almost on a daily basis and keeps reminding us that he wants to go on a flight with Papa for his birthday. However this year we were on the road for Jozie's birthday and so he hadn't gotten a birthday flight.

 Last week we had the opportunity to take the boys on a short flight. Jozie was thrilled to sit up front and was convinced he just needs a few more lessons before him and Benji are ready to go fly on their own.

Ready for Take-off. Jozie as co-pilot

Benji also got a chance to be co-pilot

"Ditch, Ditch, Ditch"

I wrap my hands around the controls and watch the water splash in the cabin and try to take one last deep breath before we're completely underwater. The helicopter submerges completely and rolls upside down. What was a familiar environment, is now totally unfamiliar. My vision is limited, bubbles everywhere, my inner ear is totally confused and worst of all, I feel the burning sensation of water in my sinuses.

I fight the feeling of panic and remember my training. My left hand reaches for the door lever, it should be at hip height at about mid-thigh, there it is. I pull the lever and push my shoulder into the door, the door opens. Now I feel around with my left hand. Where is the frame of the helicopter?  It should be right there. There it is, I found it. Now my right hand fumbles with the seatbelt buckle. I buckle and unbuckle my seatbelt at least 5 times a day, this should be a lot easier. Finally my buckle snaps free and I pull myself out of the helicopter and kick free. I get kicked to the head and panic slightly before realizing one of my passengers must have worked their way out as well. My lungs are burning and I'm wondering why I haven't reached the surface. One more kick and I break the surface and draw a deep breath. I see my passenger doggy paddling to my left and follow him to the side of the pool.

That's right, "the side of the pool." I'm in warm water pool in Lafayette, Louisiana undergoing H.U.E.T. (Helicopter Underwater Egress Training) with 20 oil workers. "Isn't he a missionary pilot who flies airplanes?", you might ask yourself. You're completely right, we're currently on furlough and I'm doing some recurrent training. Our organization sends pilots to the HUET training in Louisiana to prepare us for a worst case scenario of where we may have to make an emergency landing in water. The best place to do this training is in Louisiana, where the University of Louisiana Lafayette does their HUET training. Their training is primarily geared towards oil workers who work on oil platforms and commute over the gulf of Mexico in helicopters. However, the helicopter simulator cockpit is almost identical to the airplanes we fly and the gulf of Mexico is similar in temperature to the water over which we fly. This makes it an ideal training ground for us.

Besides you never know who you get to rub shoulders with. "What do you do?" and "Where?" is an excellent opportunity to speak truth into the life of an oil worker who has not yet heard the gospel.

Pictures are courtesy of my friend and fellow pilot, Tim, who did the training with me and brought his camera.