More Texas

Sessions continued today at IAMA until noon.



John Egler from Mission Safety International shares an accident report




Al Meehan of Wycliffe/JAARS simulates a hostage taking situation in a Muslim country with tips on what to do or not do. Also tips to avoid danger.



The group went out to eat at a restaurant in Kilgore.  Many of the derricks are still there.



A quick stop in Texarkana as we straddle the state line



We are in Texas

Rena and I are in Longview, Texas at the 40th annual conference of the International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA).  Each year IAMA schedules two and a half days of meetings to discuss matters of mutual interest to organizations that make up the mission aviation community.

LeTourneau University is host this year and we meet in the Abbot Aviation Center of the University's School of Aeronautical Science at the Gregg County airport.

In 1966 through 1968 I was a LeTourneau College student and completed the Aviation Technician Course.  One of my aviation instructors was Mr. J.C. Harder who taught hydraulics, sheet metal structures, and wood, dope and fabric.  He was also a flight instructor and taught me to fly.  J.C. has been at the IAMA meetings and it is a real treat to spend some time with him.

J.C. Harder and me

One more story:  J.C. played the trumpet and had a lot of nice trumpet duet arrangements of hymns.  He would choose a trumpet-playing student to join him and do trumpet duets in churches around the Longview area.  I was one of his trumpet duet partners during my time as a student.  (You can understand why it is special to see him again.)

Attack Robin

If you come to our house, the back door is best these days. It appears we have a very protective Robin who has taken up residence! There is no doubt that Spring is here.

The Project is Finished

Welcome Heather and Caroline

Tuesday evening found a group of lively MMS ladies gathered at Dana's house.  Lots of chatter and laughter could be heared - which is usually the norm when us ladies get together. The occasion was to welcome new MMS wives, Heather and Caroline. Heather and her husband, Andy, are from Scotland and Andy is here for the apprenticeship mechanic's program. Also here for the same training is Caroline's husband, Ben. Ben and Caroline are from MO. Both ladies are very busy mothers of preschoolers.


Heather Swanson and Caroline Fisher




Dana, Sherry and Mary have a chat

  

Jess and Laurie chat with Caroline and Heather



New Hangar Door Is Installed

In just eight months, $140,000.00 was given to repair the original hangar and provide additional tools and equipment for MMS Aviation.  God supplied through the gifts of many individuals, some businesses, and a few foundations to meet this need.  Here are some pictures of what's happening to the original hangar MMS Aviation built at the Coshocton County Airport in 1978.  We call it, "Hangar A".

Work began a couple weeks ago.  The original hangar doors were"unskinned" and removed.  Blue tarps made a curtain to keep rain out while the new door was installed.



The construction crew quickly altered the face of Hangar A.



It rained early this week which stopped work outside, but there were some things to finish inside. 



Last Friday the green siding was put on the door and yesterday the crew finished the front of the building.

As soon as the siding was done, work on the roof began.  About a third of the roof was replaced by the end of today.  Stay tuned for more blog posts (I'll show what that big door looks like when it's open).  We're grateful for all who gave and encouraged us in this project.