It Really Works!

We had talked about how we really missed garden ripened tomatoes. Since our tiller went out of commission a few years ago, we gave up putting in a garden. Frequent summer trips also made it difficult to keep ahead of the weeds. When I (Rena) saw this item at our local discount store I couldn't resist the idea of fresh tomatoes again. As it started to grow however, the poor plant kept trying to grow upright instead of upside down. We wondered if the stalks would break off as the tomatoes started to grow. But you can see from the picture that the weight of the tomatoes has pulled the tomato vine downward gradually. So now we can have our fresh tomatoes - yum! Now we just need to keep ahead of the raccoons!

Back Home and more updates

We are happy to be back home from Wisconsin and are settling back into our routine. The MMS blog has more updates on the trip to Airventure in Oshkosh. Be sure to check it out.

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