Busy at Airventure

We are being taken care of by the wonderful dedicated people of the Missionary Aviation Support Association (MASA). In our newsletter, we mentioned that the number of missionaries at this event was much larger than last year, (from 85 to an anticipated 250). It turns out that there are more than 400 this year. We have been eating in four shifts for each meal and that has worked out well. Area churches have been providing and serving meals, which has been quite an accomplishment for all of them.

Eating inside the tent

Sign on the meal tent

The focus of our time here has been between two tents. The IAMA (International Association of Missionary Aviation) tent houses displays from many different mission aviation organizations. MMS has a display in this tent. I (Rena) have worked shifts at this tent.

Dave Shelly stands in the entrance of the IAMA tent

Dwight has been working shifts in the "Fly-4-Life" tent. There are a number of large poster-like banners that tell the overall impact of mission aviation around the world. Missionary and Humanitarian flying is a feature of Airventure this year. This tent is in the main display area for the whole event.

Dwight speaks to a visitor in the "Fly-4-Life" tent.

First Day at Airventure

Today I (Dwight) talked with a lot of mission representatives I've known over the years, renewing acquaintances. I met several mission aviation folks for the first time. It was quite a day of networking.

Tomorrow I have duties in the main mission aviation display, so Rena and I walked around and rode trams to get an overview of the place. One plane that caught our attention was a yellow Douglas DC-3.

Many pilots and mechanics personify the planes they fly and maintain. The paint scheme on "Duggy" helps give this DC-3 a happy personality.

After a sunny morning, afternoon thunderstorms made an appearance, which added some challenges to getting around the grounds.

Indian Food Surprise

We're on our way to Oshkosh, WI to attend Airventure 09. Leaving our home at at 8:00 AM, we were in eastern Indiana at lunchtime. A billboard along I-70 advertised Indian food and the decision where to eat lunch was easily made. At the intersection of I-70 and Indiana Highway 3 is this restaurant--not something you'd expect in what seems like the middle of nowhere. The food was good and the proprietor was a Sikh gentleman from Punjab State, India.

It finally arrived

While at work I (Rena) took this picture because it caused some excitement when it arrrived. Keith has been leading this project for several months (in cooperation with the designer, Tammy who also designs the "GroundCrew publication) to get this table top display made in time for the Air Venture fly-in at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. You may remember that we explained the importance of Air Venture (in our newsletter) and the participation of mission aviation agencies at this event. Ten of us will be representing MMS at Air Venture July 27 - August 2nd. Please pray for safety as we travel, and for wisdom, grace and stamina at the event. Dwight will have several speaking engagements during that week.

Dwight and Keith

Climbing Part 2

I (Dwight) didn't climb the tower today. The fellow from the wireless broadband company, who is much younger than I, did all the climbing.



He first put the antenna on the tower at the point indicated by the arrow (below). The signal was weak, but was there. He felt if the antenna could be installed about ten feet higher, we'd be OK. Fortunately, he had some ten foot sections of pipe on his truck and one of them did the trick.



The installer was up and down the tower about five times. I told him it looked as if he'd climbed two or three towers in his career. He replied that it was more like two or three towers per day! It made me pretty happy he was doing the climbing because I have some really sore muscles in my left leg from my trip up the tower yesterday to take the unused TV antenna down.

I already had holes drilled throughout the house for the wire to run to the computer, so the installer was soon setting up the computer for high-speed Internet.

Climbing

So just why did Dwight and Jason climb up on the roof and the old TV antenna tower today? Check back with us tomorrow evening to find out!

Dwight climbs up while Jason holds the tower steady

The Pennies in My Pocket

The other day I pulled the coins out of my pocket for no apparent reason and looked at the dates on the five pennies that were there. I thought of significant events of my life that happened in the year each penny was minted. They are:

1968 - I obtained my FAA mechanic certificate.

1974 - Rena and I married.

1975 - We attended Wycliffe Bible Translator's jungle camp training in Southern Mexico.

1976 - After Spanish language school, we arrived in Bolivia in August of that year.

1995 - Our Daughter, Jen, graduated from high school.


There you are, part of my life's story defined by the pennies in my pocket.

Coming and Going

At MMS, those of us who have been on staff for a number of years try to get used to the departures of apprentice families as they move on to the ministries God has called them to. While we are excited about the God's leading in their lives, it is always hard to say goodbye. Three families will be leaving us this year. One family is Gertjan and Glenda Kamphorst We had a fun evening with them last week. Rather than explain it, check out Keith and Karen's blog on the subject. http://missionariesmuttsandstuff.blogspot.com/2009/07/kamphorsting.html

Also, we are excited about a new couple accepted for training. They are Richard and Ashlely Whittemore. They will join us as soon as their support has been raised. You can check out their blog as you pray for them. Journey to the Field

Chanelle's 10th Birthday

Last weekend Chanelle celebrated her 10th Birthday in a big way. Being a milestone birthday, she invited many friends. We thank the Lord for her life and her sweet personality. God was so gracious in restoring her to us five and a half years ago when we almost lost her to Meningio Encephalitis. She is vibarant and healthy today.

Chanelle (2nd from the right)

The whole group ready for a hayride