Rainbow Kids

Flying Mission (FM) sponsors fun and games for the village kids who live in the area. They are called the "Rainbow Kids" who come every Wednesday at 5:00 pm. It has taken almost 5 years, but they now have hundreds of children who come to sing songs, play games, and do crafts with FM missionaries. This is a great ministry outreach program for the children. Not only do they have fun, but they are being taught about the message of Jesus Christ, provided hope for the future, and see the love of the mission staff who work with them.

All Blessings From Above

At sunrise we took off from Chilongolo and flew north at low altitude to the village of Macha where we would visit a mission Hospital, and see first hand a remote village in the bush going thru amazing change. The airfield we landed at is called "All Blessings From Above." It was built by hand and took over 1 1/2 years with over 150 workers. They had to clear the land, trees, grass, and cut out a runway. They built the runway in faith hoping that an airplane would come. The first airplane to land at Macha was from Flying Mission and over 2000 inhabitants came out to see the airplane. Since then, other mission partners have joined and the community is growing and developing. They have fought back Malaria, and are now working on TB and HIV/AIDS.

Top right picture is of a government school still being operated in Macha. You can see that 1/2 the roof is missing, and no desks or chairs. The other picture (low right) shows JoAnne in a new school built by the hydroform bricks that just opened.

Romans 12:7 "If it is serving let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach"

Graduation Zambia

We did not sleep last night, so we were very tired at the beginning of the day. However, as we pushed ahead in meetings and service we were greatly encouraged and energized by the staff and nationals.

We participated in a graduation of men who had trained for 2 weeks in "Hyrdroform" brick making. These men lived in the local area but now have learned a trade for the region. They each received a diploma, hand shake, and a copy of their test grades. Afterwards we shared a traditional Zambian meal. There are over 130 of these machines in Zambia and 800 men trained to date.

We fly out early in the morning to visit a Flying Mission base in Macha, Zambia which is currently serving a 208 bed rural hospital, a malaria institute, and a vision community center.

Flying Mission - Zambia

We visited Chilongolo airstrip and saw where Flying Mission Zambia operates. They have 4 bases in Zambia including Chilongolo, Macha, Chitookoloki, and Mukinge.

Their vision is, Serving the mission, medical and church communities of Zambia through the supply of aviation and logistical services.

We had a tour, saw where they make their own bricks for construction, had a team meeting ending with a BBQ called a "braai." One picture is of a young girls choir that the office manager organized from families living in mud huts at the end of the runway. Their voices are so strong they do not need microphones. The other is of the men making bricks. They use 5% cement, 95% clay sand mix from the ground and form these 25# bricks. They are watered and cured for about a week and then ready for construction. They can make 1000 per day at 1/2 the cost of purchasing them.

It was a great day.

1 Thes 1:3 "Remembering without ceasing you work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father."

It's a new day!

Yes, after a few hours of sleep in a nice guest house we began our first day in Africa. There was a "bird of paradise" blooming outside our window. South African birds were flying by making noises like screaming cats.

We met with two couples from the Flying Mission leadership for breakfast and spent time getting to know each other during the day. They are very nice people who have dedicated 30 years each to mission service in Africa. I was impressed with their great vision and passion for the people of Botswana and Zambia.

After a day of introductions they took us to the Johannesburg Airport and we flew out to Zambia where we arrived at 10 pm local. We head out into the "bush" tomorrow.

Above we're standing with our new friends from Flying Mission, John and Yvonne Lubbe.

Mt. 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

JoAnne and I had a long day of travel. We were delayed out of Boise 1.5 hours which put our arrival time into Portland at our next departure time. But Praise God- we have much to be thankful for. A flight attendant made everyone stay seated on our arriving plane while we got off first from the back. We were met in the D concourse by North West Airline employee with a walkie-talkie who radioed ahead to the gate, and JoAnne's back held up for the "walk-run" to the gate. We were the last ones to board the flight.

Out of breath and thankful for God's grace we boarded our flight and flew 10 hours to Amsterdam, where we had a 2.5 hour layover and then flew 10 hours to Johannesburg.

We were met at the airport by Tom, John, Yvonne from Flying Mission who took us to Tom's home in Johannesburg to stay the night before travel to Zambia.

Thanks for all your prayers and support. We are exhausted from the trip, but happy to be in Africa.

Travel Day- Boise to Johannesburg

We packed our bags for our great adventure. We're also taking a few items over to a few of the missionaries in Zambia and Botswana. For example, a meat grinder, aircraft parts, shoes, and scrapbook materials. Kelsie took us to the airport and it was one of the easiest check-ins we've ever experienced.

We saw an old friend at the security check point who is also going to follow our trip.

JoAnne says thanks for praying for her back, pain level is OK this morning. PTL!

Our flights travel to Portland, Amsterdam, and Joburg. We should arrive in about 28 hours from now.

Visiting Flying Mission- Africa

JoAnne and I have been asked to come visit Flying Mission in Africa. http://www.flyingmission.org/

We leave for Africa on Friday, April 24th and will be visiting Flying Mission programs in Zambia and Botswana. We are excited about the trip, seeking God's will, and following where He leads.

This King Air 200 A2-FMB is a new addition to the Flying Mission fleet. I have flown this aircraft in the past and am excited to see it with the new paint job.

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Eph. 6:10