Flying Mission 30 Yr Anniversary

Face the Nation: 140 College age youth just finished 5 weeks of discipleship and specialized training to take to the Senior Secondary Schools (High School) in all of Botswana. They will reach 50 thousand kids (in the public schools) in the next 5 weeks with Christian intervention messages of abstinence, faithfulness, better choices, and life skills in the nationwide battle against HIV/AIDS. Flying Mission partners with Face the Nation.

Scott Ziemer arrived in Botswana and will be serving with Flying Mission for the next 30 days. He has been busy with orientation, language class, and has seen one of our sponsored Orphans and Vulnerable Children programs. He teaches a 3 day workshop sponsored by Flying Mission this week.

Mike & JoAnne watching the opening football game (soccer) between South Africa and Mexico at the church we are attending. We had over 400 people come from the neighborhoods to watch the game. What a great ministry outreach.

JoAnne says "Yippee!!" for brown sugar and butterscotch chips to bake with. These came in a care package brought from the US by Scott Ziemer.

Mike speaking at the Flying Mission 30 Year Anniversary for Flying Mission. We also dedicated a King Air 200 as our newest aircraft into the FM fleet.

Outside looking into the FM hangar with attendees and Cessna 206.

Inside looking out, 2 King Air 200's on the ramp.

The Flying Mission family 2010.
(about 2/3 of mission members)

Mike's Travel to IAMA Conference

I traveled to the US for an International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA) Conference. I had great networking and relationship building opportunities with all the participants. I was able to do some recruiting, meet with donors, talk to the Quest Aircraft company, and hold a meeting with the FM board of directors for our FM United States team.

Here I am with several representatives from the attending Mission Aviation and Training groups. There are 55 organizations from around the world that make up IAMA.

After the conference I took a short detour to Colorado to visit family. Here I am with parents, Homer and Jewell.

When I landed in Denver, it was snowing! Here is Pike's Peak at Colorado Springs.

I am with sister Pam and daughter Kali preparing to go "shopping" for JoAnne who stayed home in Africa while I attended the conference. We filled 3 suitcases to take back to Africa!

Daughter-Father

Riding the "tube" in London. Their public transportation system is outstanding. I spend 2 days here meeting with our FM United Kingdom team, interviewing new recruits, and visiting a mission training academy .

Can anyone name that building behind the double-deck bus?

Meeting with part of the FM United Kingdom team, downtown London.

Outside "All Nations." A cross-cultural missionary training academy located about 50 miles north of London.
I arrived home in Botswana today after traveling for the past 12 days. The trip was a success and a very worthwhile journey for me and Flying Mission. I thank God for his grace, guidance, and safety as I traveled. I also want to thank each of you for your continued support and prayers. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Eph. 6:10.

Easter in Africa

JoAnne and I attended an Easter sunrise service in Botswana.

We got up and went to the church in the dark. He is risen, He is risen in deed!

Here we are having fun before I leave for travel the next day.

Here I am in Johannesburg Airport. I am traveling to the US for a International Association of Missionary Aviation conference in Tucson, AZ. I am supposed to travel back via London, but will have to see how the volcano cooperates next week.
JoAnne is staying in Africa so please keep us in your prayers.

Old Naledi Children's Program

JoAnne and I visited one of our sponsored children's programs in a low income area of Gaborone. Flying Mission provides volunteers who help cook, feed, and ministry to about 80 children. Many of them are orphans, vulnerable children, and victims of HIV/AIDS.

For some, it may be the only meal they get for the day. Our missionaries put on a David and Goliath skit dramatically showing the power of our Christian God. In this culture, there are many ancestral traditions and practices that compete with their belief in a Christian God.

We handed out new tee-shirts for the children.

We are standing in front of a new monument representing 3 famous tribal Chiefs.

Flying Mission Board of Directors Visit Zambia

I just returned from Zambia. I took our Flying Mission Board to visit the team and see their programs. Above we are landing at Macha, Zambia with 2 aircraft. This runway was built by he local villagers.


Kids near a fresh water well (bore hole) and termite mount in background.

Internet in the bush? Yes, we partner with LinkNet and build these containers into Internet cafes and position them remote locations in Zambia.
Mike & Board Members in front of unfinished hangar at Chilingolo.

Video shows men slashing grass, pictures, and flight above river in Zambia.

Zambia- the Rainy Season

JoAnne and I had a week of team meetings at our Flying Mission Zambia base called Chilingolo. Zambia is in the rainy season, and it rained "buckets" every day flooding villages, washing out roads, and making everything green!Banana's in Zambia. There are 500 varieties in the world.

See the leaves on this stick? It was cut off a tree and used to hold up the barrier tape, and it sprouted roots. Wow! Just stick it in the ground and watch it grow.

Young children next to their home.

Mike in front of the new multi-aircraft hangar under construction. FMZ has run out of money and short-term building crews, so the project is halted until God re-opens the door.

We have the foundation, roof, and a partial wall completed.

Here is their version of a roadside convenience store.

FMZ Team (this shows only about half of the team).

"With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."

Mark 10:27

JoAnne's 1st Birthday in Africa

JoAnne celebrated her 1st birthday in Africa.

Mike singing and playing "There is no one like Jesus" in Setswana with the Children.