The New Guy (airplane)

Kalimantan Quest Kodiak, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

What does every isolated jungle village need? A red and white MAF airplane and lots of mutt dogs of course. The aircraft in the back is one of the reasons I am going through training in Spokane, WA. This photo was taken on the island of Kalimantan, Indonesia; our future home. Take a peak at this blog to read about the pilot who took this picture.

I can't say for sure if and/or when I will be flying this aircraft, but I will no doubt be helping to maintain it and others similar to it. While my brain has been overloaded with great information and training since last week, I can already see the value of this in-depth maintenance training and how it will come in to play when we arrive in Kalimantan.

Hands on Training

Turbine Engine Training Cell, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

After a hard week of learning the ins and outs of a PT6A engine, we were able to get out the training engine today and make a bunch of noise. This test cell is the same engine used on a Cessna Caravan. I will be operating this engine numerous times over the next few days to learn proper starting techniques, engine adjustments and diagnostics. It was pretty thrilling to start this big turbine today and smell the jet fuel burning and feel the thrust tugging at the chains anchoring the test cell to the ground. If these engines are not operated and started correctly they like to throw pieces of molten metal out of their sides and in turn bring the airplanes down that they are attached to. Thankfully, when they are treated with care and respect they are some of the most reliable engines in the world.

Airport Exploring

Helio Courier on Floats, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

After class today, I set out with a classmate to find the Felts Field water-port. It is illegal to land a float plane on public water in Colorado (I think) so you don't see float planes very often. After a little searching we found the nearby section of the Spokane River that is used by the local float plane fleet. It was very beautiful.

I have one more day of class going over the current curriculum of intense turbine engine know how. I have Sunday "off" and I'm looking forward to it. I am extremely grateful for this training but there is only so much a brain (at least mine) can take before it needs a rest.  Then on Monday I'll return for 2 more weeks of class. 

Training

Northern New Mexico, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

They say that a good pilot never stops learning...the same can be said for a mechanic as well. Despite the picture above of the Southwest from our nice weekend trip, I am in Spokane, WA now undergoing some maintenance training for turbine aircraft. Although we are just scratching the surface so far it is very interesting and informative.

Oswald Chambers had a good word today. "If you do not cut the moorings, God will have to break them by a storm and send you out. Launch all on God, go out on the great swelling tide of His purpose, and you will get your eyes open...Beware of harking back to what you were once when God wants you to be something you have never been."

Flower Pickers

Picking Wild Irises, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Late yesterday evening, I took my two oldest curtain climbers with me on the four wheeler to go see how a pasture full of wild irises was blooming. Turned out that they were blooming fairly well, however there are a few less blooms this morning as both of my girls returned home with handfuls of flowers for mommy. I tried to get some pics of Brooklyn, but she is so engrossed with dancing and being in fairylandia I cannot get a good shot of her while she is still. Maddie was a little more mesmerized by the flowers and the beautiful evening scene.

Per Request

Denver Zoo, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Before I am ousted out of the family for not sharing any recent pictures, here is one from our recent trip last weekend to the Denver Zoo. We had a great time and came home exhausted. There are more pictures from our recent days on my Flickr site.

This morning we are making a quick trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park with the goal of being back home for lunch. We still have plenty to get done in the next two days before I head off to Spokane, WA for three weeks to attend some training at Spokane Turbine Center.

Please keep upholding the visa process to Indonesia with us. We haven't heard any recent news and therefore do not know if any progress has been made yet.

Road Trip

Spring on the Spanish Peaks, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

We are needing to get some vaccinations for our move to Indonesia. Since we live in the sticks we are unable to get everything we need here in our small rural area. Therefore, we are driving two hours to get current with our vaccinations, then we are driving 3 more hours to Denver to spend the weekend there with my parents and sister. It should be lots of fun, and unbeknown to my girls we are going to the Denver Zoo tomorrow. We try to limit how much time the girls know ahead of time about a fun trip like this because they incessantly keep asking when we are going and how long it takes to get there. All they know is that we are getting shots today. It will be fun to see their surprise when Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Rachael are all waiting at a hotel in downtown Denver this afternoon.

Spring?

Valley Springtime, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Lately, trees and grasses and such are trying to emerge out of their winter slumber and turn into some sort of green shade. It is a slow process at 7500 feet above sea level. Usually, by the end of May, the lilacs are blooming and most flora has it's start into summer. Only a few more weeks to go!

Yesterday, Becca and I took a quick road trip and we were awed by the beauty we saw as we crossed the mountains to our destination. On the way home, we were even more astonished as four inches of heavy wet snow had fallen and even more was coming down on that same pass. Cars and semis were sliding all over the place and you never would have known that only hours before we crossed that same pass on dry roads. Spring in the Rockies is very volatile and can change quickly.

On a side note, Becca recently got done with another prayer letter which can be seen by clicking on the "May 2010" link on the right side. Have a great weekend everyone!

My Cowgirls

My Cowgirls, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

It was his fault...grandpa casually mentioned something about riding the horses and he didn't hear the last of it until he saddled them up. After our mothers day lunch, Brooklyn and Madison rode all over the property on Brodie, and then Brooklyn went all over the country with grandpa riding Jose. Both girls love to be around the horses and mules. In a few more months, they will be talking about different kinds of animals most of which cannot be ridden.

The Rubber is Hitting the Road

Medano Pass Sunrise, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

We have been so busy lately it is hard to know what month we are in. When did May get here? Anyway, from this weekend on, we have something scheduled to do (at least I do) clear through to July. This morning we had a yard sale, thus eliminating all things that we won't be able to ship to Indonesia. It is a great feeling to have that off of our shoulders. Now, we need to build crates and pack them for a sea shipment, although we just found out that the wood has to be heat treated to eliminate any "clingons." So, that will probably be another trip to "somewhere" where we will take our crates, because where do you get wood heat treated when you live in the middle of nowhere?

For those of you who pray for us...please remember to lift up the Indonesian visa process. There are numerous families, us included, that need visas to be in Indonesia, and they are having trouble obtaining them for some unknown reason all of a sudden. Right now, to make our July departure date, that is all that is holding things back.

The Mennonite Flyer

Field Trip, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

This morning, I made 6 short flights with a group of elementary students and their teachers from a local Mennonite school as part of a field trip for them.  It was a lot of fun to see and hear the reactions from some of the kids. I could tell that for many of them, what they were seeing was really altering their paradigm of what the world should look like. This was the first time in any type of aircraft for many of them. Thankfully, we had great weather and very little wind.

Fright Instruction.

Downtown Denver from 9000ft., originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

I still have the privilege of flying with a few flight students, and today found us flying north into Denver's busy airspace. This was the first time that my student had penetrated this class of airspace and he had a great time...as did I. We landed at an airport in north Denver (KBJC), had lunch overlooking the runway, and then flew 2 hours south back home. By afternoon, the smooth air of Winter had been replaced by the turbulent air of Spring and Summer due to convection, or the heating of the earth's surface. After a long flight of bumping along as a flight instructor, I begin to get a little green from just sitting while my lunch is tossed around my stomach. Thankfully, everything stayed where it was supposed to be, and I regained my land legs shortly after coming back down to earth.  When I am the one flying and manipulating the controls, I NEVER feel sick, but as a spectator I get a bit queasy sometimes, although it has never ended in losing my cookies.

Borneo Bound

For the last several months, we have not known the exact location of where we will live and serve after language school.  This morning, we heard that leadership decided to send us to Kalimantan.  It is the bigger island, in the upper middle of the photo.  We will probably be living in the town of Tarakan (see yellow pin).  The other yellow pins are the other locations of where MAF serves in Indonesia.  We will be arriving at the end of July into the town of Salatiga, also marked by a yellow pin which is on the island of Java.  We are excited to have received our assignment now, although it will still be over a year until we get there.

Right now, we are trusting God to bring in the remaining 19% support for our monthly needs, and 68% support of our one time amount.  We also need our visas to be approved before that time in order to leave for Indonesia.  Everything is turned in, we are just waiting for approval, which last we heard was taking between 3-4 months.  Thanks to all of you who are joining us in prayer through this process.

Delicate Arch

Arches Nat'l Park, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

A week ago today, my family and I hiked 3 miles to see the famous Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. It is worth the hike and my little people did great. They made it the whole way there and back without hardly a complaint. Due to it's "celebrity" status, there were a lot of people already there enjoying the view, as we did for about 30 minutes. The person under the arch is not one of us, I just included him here to get a sense of scale. The arch is very large.

On a MAF note...We will be heading north in a few hours to spend the night in Buena Vista, Colorado in order to speak at a church tomorrow. We will be sharing in both the morning and evening services. Thank you for those of you who have been praying for us as we raise our support in order to serve in Indonesia . For those of you who do not know, we are a little over 80% of our monthly giving (thank you everyone), and praying to have the rest wrapped up in the next few weeks. Currently, we are making plans to leave for Indonesia in the middle of July. We still have a LOT to accomplish before that, but so far, things are really falling together.

Black and White Sunrise

Sunrise Barnscape, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

On our way to Moab last weekend, I captured this scene just as the sun was coming up. Upon arriving in Moab a few hours later, we were glad to have left the snow country behind for the warmer sandstone desert. I have been driving by this barn next the the highway since I was a boy, and I finally had the time to pull over and get a picture. We were only 20 minutes into a long days drive at that point, and upon pulling over Brooklyn and Madison asked if we were already at our camping site. Unfortunately no, which led to the famous arrival question for the next 5 hours.

Moab Trip

Colorado River Campsite, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Our time this past weekend in Moab, Utah was great! Some of the landscapes in that area truly do leave you breathless and in awe of our Creator. It was a great time of relaxing and being with family. We all slept well in the tent and in the back of the car since we were usually tired from hiking all day and traveling to various sites in the Moab area. I don't know that I have ever met anyone that has truly seen this part of the world and regretted it. The huge rock formations, giant cliffs, and breathtaking canyons make you feel really small. As Becca posted on her blog, I did take a lot of pictures, and enjoyed every minute of it. Some of the best ones of the whole trip can be found by clicking here.

Camping Trip

Wolf Creek Snow Machine, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

While looking at the snowy picture above may leave you wondering if we are going camping in the snow...the answer is no. However, tomorrow we will drive over the nearby Continental Divide, still buried in snow, and continue heading west into Southeastern Utah, where this very snow is now feeding the Colorado River and all it's tributaries. We will make camp somewhere in the Moab area, and take 4 days to explore the area's national parks and local wonders of creation. Our oldest two girls are ecstatic to say the least, and mom and dad are feeling similar. The weather forecast looks great, and we are hoping to enjoy a totally different landscape that is already free of winters grip. Of course, stay tuned next week for more pictures and stories.

Until then, let us remember our awesome Prince of Peace, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorned it's shame, and then rose again and sat down at the right hand of the Father. Thank you Jesus for your indescribable gift of salvation. Happy Resurrection weekend everyone!

Perspective

Wolf Creek Pass Summit, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

This past weekend we drove up to the Continental Divide near our home to see all the snow. As spring begins to arrive, this winter wonderland will soon be on it's way to the Pacific Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico...if the farmers and cities don't take it first.

One of the other reasons to drive there was to take some pictures of the huge amount of snow, because, despite our distaste for all things winter at the moment, we know that a year from now we will be missing the seasons, what it is to see your breath, and shiver as snow runs down your back. So, a year from now we will be able to look at these pictures and be in awe that the place we will be living in, and those that we have experienced before are all on the same planet. Crazy!

Spring Flying in the Rockies

Poncha Pass at 12,500 Feet, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of taking a "quick" one hour flight north to Eagle airport, aka, Vail and back. The scenery was stunning as usual in Colorado, but I sure couldn't turn off the "fasten seat belt" sign. Due to the high winds in the mountains (over 50 MPH), it was very bumpy. In pilot speak, it was continuous light, occasional moderate...referring to the level of turbulence. Nothing particularly unsafe about it...just painful against the seat belt.

I am grateful my camera lens has an image stabilizer built into it. While this picture looks crisp and in focus, it wasn't due to the smooth flight. I was getting tossed all over the cockpit trying to get this picture and others (the autopilot was "flying"). Thankfully a few pictures turned out okay.

A Different Landscape

For My Friend in Burbank, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

This past week found us traveling to and from Eastern Kansas. While most of our time there was dominated by cloudy skies, temperatures were still warmer than we were used to in Southern Colorado. Spring has definitely arrived there as the grasses and trees were beginning to turn green. I didn't have a lot of time to get off the beaten path and take photos, but we did go for a "Sunday Drive" after I spoke at church. Being that the church we spoke at was in the middle of the country already, we just took the long way home and enjoyed hearing the old history of rural Kansas from Grandma. What a life she has lived, as well as those of her generation. We even saw the old outhouse still standing that almost claimed the life of my mother in law, who at the time was a small and scrawny little girl. But that is another story!

And Clyde, if you are reading this, I took the above photo, and a few others thinking of you now living in the Southland.

Standing Alone

Colorado Eastern Plains Winter, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Sometimes, when you are serving God in the way that you believe He has called you it may leave you feeling isolated and alone at times. Of course, He never leaves us, nor forsakes us and He is worthy to be trusted with every atom of our being.

Trying to explain to people sometimes why we are missionaries, and why we would want to willingly leave the "comfort" of the USA often falls on deaf ears. Usually, when someone asks that question, they don't really care to hear the answer. However, every once in a while, someone asks that question of us, because they feel God moving in their life in a similar way to what He has called us to. I was recently reminded of something I read in My Utmost for His Highest that sums it up better than I can.

“We are not told to ‘walk in the light’ of our conscience or in the light of a sense of duty, but to ‘walk in the light as He is in the light. . .’ (1 John 1:7) When we do something out of a sense of duty, it is easy to explain the reasons for our actions to others. But when we do something out of obedience to the Lord, there can be no other explanation—just obedience.” Oswald Chambers

Cannon MAF Video

Some of you may have already seen this video either in one of the churches we have visited or in your home. I thought I would go ahead and post it here on the blog as well. The video is basically a photo slide show of our time with MAF in Latin America and what the future may hold in Indonesia.

Springtime in the Rockies

La Veta, CO. Downtown, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

A few weeks ago we battled icy roads and snowy mountain passes to get to the small town of La Veta to share at a church. Although the going was slow, we love the opportunity to travel to the places we do because it is so beautiful. We try to travel with enough extra time to be able to stop and smell the roses when we see the chance to do so. Although we are tired of cold temperatures, we are trying to enjoy them and "soak" them up knowing there will be a day soon enough where we wish for the very thing that we cannot have...a cold day.

The Dust Begins to Settle

Sandhill Spring Return, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

After a crazy few days of moving, speaking, traveling, and what not, we are finally starting to get a routine back. We are thankful that everything has gone really well up to this point, and the girls are weathering this change like veterans. Now, we are back to the MAF fires as we continue to cast the vision that God has for us to others, and excite them to be part of something with us that is bigger than all of us. What a privilege!

Transition Number ?

Tomorrow we will be leaving our current house for another.  We were able to rent out our house very quickly and now we have to be out by this coming Friday.  Needless to say, this week is a little busy as we try to pack and sort and move all of our things.  We are still very active preparing for churches and casting the vision that God has for us with MAF as well.  If you are interested in hearing my "presentation/sermon" from this past Sunday, click on this link, and go to the bottom of the page and click on the "Faith-Sean Cannon" link.  Too busy to write or post much else until the dust begins to settle..maybe next week. 

MAF News

Harrison Ford and MAF, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Our newest prayer letter should be hitting your mailboxes the first part of March, but it is already available online. Click here to read it.

Also, Harrison Ford and MAF recently worked together...click here to read about it.

On a side note, support raising is going well, (we're at around 50% right now) although next week it might slow down a little.  We have been able to rent our house, but we need to be out in 7 days.  Next week will be busy.  Thank you for your prayers!

Snow Circles

Snow Circles, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

This is what crop circles can look like in the Winter. Pretty soon, as Spring begins, these circles will be bare dirt and they will begin to give of their precious topsoil to enhance the Great Sand Dunes National Park due to the crazy winds that are sure to start in a few weeks.

Flight to Midland, TX

Sunrise on the Plains, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

As mentioned, I had a flight to Midland, Texas this past Saturday. In order to get this sunrise picture over West, Texas I had to leave my home base at 4am. I then flew to 07V, aka Cuchara, Colorado to pick up my passengers. When I arrived over 07V to land at 4:22am the runway lights wouldn't come on. Long story short, I was able to identify the runway well enough on my third (and final) attempt in order to land in the dark. If I couldn't have made out the runway environment on my third pass I was going to turn around and go home and go back to bed. The moon was not out on Saturday morning, so the surrounding darkness was impressive. But, once I was on the ground the takeoff in that kind of darkness was easy and we were soon on our way to Midland, enjoying 35 knot tailwinds and landing 30 minutes ahead of schedule. Of course, on our return trip the same day, I paid for our quick trip to Texas with those same strong winds now on my nose. Twelve hours later, with our business in Texas wrapped up, I landed back at my home base of Alamosa and went on a hot date! I love flying.

Ingenuity in Haiti

Third World Aircraft Re-Fuel, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

We received this picture recently of the Kodiak re-fueling in Haiti. Sometimes you have to be a little creative when the fuel truck doesn't show up, or is broken down.

I should be flying off to Midland Texas tomorrow if mother nature cooperates...pics to come of course.

Fish out of Water

Eagle Airport (aka - Vail), originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

I had the privilege of flying to Eagle, Colorado (Vail) yesterday. It was a great, sunny, winter flight, with huge blue skies to match. This was my first time into Eagle airport and I did feel a little out of place. I think I was the only aircraft on the field that was powered by pistons instead of turbines. I think I counted 7 Gulfstreams, 1 Boeing Business Jet (B737), numerous Lear Jets, and countless Cessna Citations and many fancy turboprops. On top of all this fancy private traffic, the airlines also bring in skiers during the winter. Delta, American, and Continental all had their Boeing 757's shuttling flatlanders back to Texas. This is a very small airport tucked into a small mountain valley, so the presence of so many large and fast airplanes kept me on edge trying to keep an eye out for them as I landed and departed.
As I was taking off to head south back to Alamosa, I did follow a most peculiar arrangement of flight. An Aviat Husky (similar to a Piper Cub) was doing formation flying with a Gulfstream for air to air photos. When I asked the tower how that arrangement worked the pilot of the Husky chimed in and said "this is a fast Husky" and the pilot of the Gulfstream followed suit and said "this is a slow Gulfstream." It seemed to be working fine, although I'm sure both aircraft were at their airspeed limits, one on the bottom end and the other on the top.

Haiti Relief Photos

Haiti Relief Photos, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

I recently received a few photos from the MAF effort in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. Not surprisingly, the news media is not covering the earthquake recovery as much now, as more "important" news has taken it's place. However, the recovery and aid is still in full swing, and will be for years to come. Click here to see more of the pictures from Haiti.

It Ain't Right

It Ain't Right, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

It could be worse though...right?

Instrument Practice

SLV Under Clouds, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

After church this afternoon I was able to take an instrument student and go cloud punching in his Piper Cherokee and "shoot" some instrument approaches. I usually stray far from clouds in the Rocky Mountains with small aircraft in the winter, but the conditions were just right to safely fly in the clouds today and gain some real world experience for my student. I love popping out on top of the clouds; leaving the dark and cold world underneath and then emerging out on top to a beautiful, blue, Colorado sky. The temperature at 12,000 feet was -3c and at 7,500 feet at the airport it was -6c. These temperature inversions are common in the San Luis Valley, especially in the winter. Put a little moisture in the mix and it makes for fog. Unusually, this fog didn't burn off in the morning, but has hung around all weekend. But there were no complaints from me, any excuse to commit aviation is always welcome.

Wolf Moon

Winter Moonrise, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Taken last night, this full moon is the brightest we will see in 2010.

Finally Winter

Sledding Trip, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

We have had winter's temperatures for months now, but we are finally getting the snow. It sure does make for some beautiful landscapes. And our Suburban does some great donuts too!

Evening Photo Shoot

Fresh January Snow, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

By mandate of mama, I took Madison out for a photo shoot yesterday evening as the sun was setting. Even the 10F temperatures didn't seem to slow her down much or keep her from talking non-stop. But, I still treasure these times, because I have been told that a day might come that she wont even talk to me at all...

Kodiak Arrived Saturday, Already Hard at Work

New Kodiak Recently Arrived in Haiti, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

The MAF Kodiak arrived in Haiti this past Saturday, joining the 3 MAF aircraft that were already serving there since long before the earthquake.  In these pictures, the MAF crew is loading up 4 patients that need specialized surgery for their limbs.  The hospital in Port au Prince cannot facilitate this type of surgery at the moment, so these patients were taken from PaP to another hospital more inland.  Continue praying for the country of Haiti and all those that are living and working there.  

New Kodiak Recently Arrived in Haiti, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Sledding Trip

Sledding Trip, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Yesterday, the weather finally improved enough to go and enjoy some of it's "fruit." Our nearby mountains received 48" of snow this past week and we thought we should go make a sledding trip. Presumably, next January we should be living in the tropics, so this was a memorable trip. We had a great time as a family and brought along our niece as well as Daddy Ben. The little people were a little overwhelmed since they tended to sink in the snow that was deeper than they were tall. As long as they stayed on the "sled bench" they didn't suddenly disappear into the deep white powder. Even our crazy dog had a blast, while he pretended to be a rescue dog.  Click here to view a few more pictures.

A Time of Fasting

More grasshoppers, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Today was a special day for Becca and me. We concluded something this morning that we had never done before. Together with our church, we started a 21 day fast to begin the new year, on new years day. Most of the church, us included, performed a "Daniel fast," meaning we only ate fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The effects on our bodies were amazing. We were both surprised by the amount of energy we both had, and even the way we both felt and were able to think. It's not to say that is was easy, and oh boy did we miss our coffee. But, the amazing design of the body adapts and compensates quickly, and we were over our caffeine jitters in a few days. We also missed sweets something fierce, but the atmosphere that entered our family due to it's lack of sugar was nothing short of stunning. While our children didn't participate in all aspects of the fast with us, they did go almost entirely without sugar for 3 weeks. The change was obvious.

We learned a lot during this fast both on the spiritual and physical side of things. I don't think we will do something like this again soon, although we may make it a "tradition"every year to begin it this way. It was a good was to realize all the areas that "old man flesh" ruled our lives, and we beat him back with a big nasty stick, or banana...or something like that.

Tracking the Kodiak to Haiti

Here Comes the Snow, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

I mentioned it on Facebook, and thought I would here as well. You can track the MAF Kodiak that is going to Haiti by clicking here and here. This is very neat technology, and with the tailwinds the Kodiak is getting, it is about 100 knots faster than a Cessna 206, that is impressive!

MAF Haiti Update

Eastern Sangre de Cristos, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

This email was received yesterday from an MAF staffer on the ground in Port au Prince, Haiti...

"Can you believe it has been 6 days since a massive earthquake hit Haiti? 3 days after the earthquake MAF was involved in a massive relief life line that continues to this day.

So much has happened. MAF is coordinating logistics for Missionary Flights International and other organizations. The last flight of the day was a real blessing. 26 orphans were flown out along with their escorts to meet their new parents tonight. These children were already adopted, but the earthquake stopped the process. The new families are quickly getting down to Fort Peirce to meet their new children. What a blessing to be a small part of loving and serving those with such great needs. I was also reminded of the great cost of serving and the uncertainly of life on this world. We flew out the deceased body of a Missionary Doctor that had been serving in Haiti. Short stories from the 8 flights we facilitated today - flying in over 78 critical relief workers, doctors, surgeons……….so needed… and flying 70 out, including the orphans. . 5,000 lbs of cargo.

Last evening, David Hoffman arrived got the GATR VSAT system up and running - helping Operation Blessing connect and send some of their video work. We desire to serve and enable as many as missions and aid agencies as possible, so today the GATR was moved to the World Concern office. This will serve as a communication center for many of our partner agencies – WR (World Relief), WC (World Concern), FH (Food for the Hungry), MTI (Medical Teams Intl), CRWRC and many others. One of the office rooms will be set up so numerous other agencies can be served with this communication support service. What a blessing to be able to provide rapid email and data service to enable those responding communicate well.

Yesterday we helped, with our partner MFI, fly in 63 surgeons, nurses and doctors along with their medical equipment and supplies.

Tomorrow there are numerous other flights. One interesting thing is we have a fork lift coming and MAF will facilitate the arrival of a C130 and help with the logistics of the cargo at our hangar. MAF helping with a C130 flight J"

Keep praying for the people that live in and work in Haiti!

Old Homestead

Old Homestead, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

One of the old settlements we happened upon this past Sunday while driving home from a church engagement.

America's Bird

Bald Eagle, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

While driving home yesterday afternoon from a speaking engagement at a church north of us, we decided to take the back roads home and see some areas of Colorado that we had never been to. Our time at the church went great, and the drive home was stunning. We were able to see numerous old homesteads which made us wonder what life must have been like all those years ago. This time of year we also get a lot of Bald Eagles in our area, and we were fortunate to come across this one as he perched in a dead cottonwood tree, looking for lunch.

A New Arrival

Qwest Kodiak, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.
 
The MAF program in Sentani, Papua, Indonesia welcomed a new addition to it's fleet this week.  The Qwest Kodiak is a revolutionary new bush aircraft that will play a huge role in how mission aviation develops in the future.

Checking out the Kodiak!, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

While we were at MAF HQ back in October, the airplane seen in both pictures, N58NH, was waiting for the weather to become favorable in order to make the long flight to Indonesia.  Just a few weeks ago, after waiting for months, N58NH left from Idaho to Alaska, and then south over the Pacific Ocean en route to Indonesia.  While we are still waiting for our base assignment in Indonesia, it is possible that N58NH and I might meet up again!

Mt. Sneffels Wilderness

Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

I took this photo last spring while I was flying between Durango, Colorado to Montrose, Colorado. I had never seen the Mt. Sneffels Wilderness area up close and I was impressed to say the least. It is an area that seems to pop up out of the surrounding plateaus and prick the sky with all of it's rocky jaggedness.

HAITI UPDATE: The latest news from the MAF crew there is that MAF is evacuating nonessential staff to Florida with enough pilots left behind to keep the 4 aircraft based there flying. The plan was to evacuate the staff today, but their ride home to Florida, a Missionary Flights International DC-3, had to land in the Turks and Caicos because the Port au Prince airport was closed to any further traffic while they were en route. The PaP airport is too full to accept any further aircraft and only had enough jet fuel to provide for those that are already there. Keep praying for all those in Haiti!

January Prayer Letter

Old Car, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Our latest prayer latter is out. Click here to read it.

Daily Photo Project

Rustic Barn, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

While I am a little late to the party, I am going to join my wife and attempt to post a photo(s) everyday. I can already see some roadblocks to this occurring on a daily basis, so I think realistically this will be an "almost-daily" photo project.

On a side note, we have had a few people ask about the earthquake in Haiti and our MAF staff that live there. All expatriate MAF staff are accounted for and safe, although the whereabouts for some of the national staff is still taking place. They still have not been able to make it to the airport to assess potential damage there. There has been some damage to the homes of a few MAF staff families. Ultimately, Haiti has months if not years ahead of it in rebuilding and reconstruction. Please pray for the people of that country and the role that MAF will play. No doubt MAF will play a vital role in getting relief to some of the isolated places surrounding the capital city and the rest of the island.

Give it Up

Great Sand Dunes NP, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

"We seem to think that God wants us to give up things! God purified Abraham from this blunder, and the same discipline goes on in our lives. God nowhere tells us to give up things for the sake of giving them up. He tells us to give them up for the sake of the only thing worth having - life with Himself." O. Chambers

Commiting Aviation

Short Final to Blanca Airstrip, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Recently, I have had the pleasure of having some flight students; a few private pilot victims, and an instrument pilot are my current pupils. Yesterday, I took my student to a local dirt strip for his first landing on something other than asphalt. He seemed a little hesitant to take an airplane onto a dirt surface (they almost always are) but afterward he expressed his joy and began calling dirt runways his friends. I have always felt that dirt makes for smoother landings anyway. Having the blessing of making the occasional flight right now is nice since most of our work is occuring  in our home "office." After a time of not flying, I begin to get ground sick and the only way to cure it is to commit aviation.

Happy New Year!

Los Sangres Through Rio Grande Wetlands, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

As our family looks forward to this coming year it is always fun for us to speculate where we will be a year from now. Usually, in retrospect we are sometimes surprised but always blessed by it. Presumably, we will be in the final stages of our language training in Java, Indonesia.  Until then we have a lot to accomplish and we look forward to it all. Solo Dios sabe!