Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Full Circle
One of the good things about getting OLD is that it lets you have time to look back in life and still be able to see the future. I have been with MAF a long time now and at this stage of life and age, I have the joy of seeing a long process come full circle within MAF. After many years of flying overseas I returned to MAF Headquarters to be a part of the MAF Flight Department to train the new pilots coming into MAF. Not only did I provide the technical part of flying but also had the chance to tell them my many stories of life as a Missionary Pilot. I also told them of the mistakes that I had made and problems to watch out for on the foreign field, in hope that they would remember to watch out and not make the same mistakes when they were flying on the Mission field. One special young man that I got to train and prepare was way beyond most of the new pilots that we usually get right out of college. He was always interested in what I had to say and when I corrected his flying he always tried to do better the next day. I went out of my way to share everything I could to help him in the year of training, flying in the mountains and landing on very remote jungle airstrips. Soon he and his family were off to Indonesia where I had flown for so many years and I followed his prayer letters with much interest for many years. Before I knew it - he was returning to the U.S. MAF Headquarters to be an instructor pilot just like me. I was now watching him give of himself to the new training pilots coming into MAF and he was now sharing his stories with them as I had once done with him. Yes, it has now come full circle to see the next generation of MAF Pilots going overseas for their first time - to share their ministry of aviation for those serving in the most remote areas of this earth. A ministry of telling the remote far off people that Jesus has lived and died for them too ! As I passed him the other day walking through the hanger, we saw each other and we both looked and gave a smile. A smile that we both knew the joy of training and sending out new missionary pilots. It will be a long time till he sees them coming back again and training others like himself and then feeling good about being the OLD guy in the hanger.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
"Debt Advantage" - Part II
Last week we talked about the job skills that you could gain during the years you are paying off your debt. This week, I'd like to address some other skills that will greatly benefit you in your ministry.
The area I'd like to address would be catagorized as "living skills". One way to make good use of the years during debt payoff is to work on developing a solid Christian lifestyle. What does that mean? To some the challenge is not to fall into the 'materialistic' culture mode, especially once out of college and having a job with a steady income. The tendancy is to move up the ladder a bit from those college days of scrimping by, and enjoying a bit of 'freedom' in finances, lifestyle, and enjoyment. These things out of proportion can rob you of ever getting to the field. Remember that you will need to pay at least double if not triple on your college loans if you ever want to set foot in the direction God has called you. Live on a strict budget, and learn what that looks like and how it can help you navigate your financial challenges.
Another living skill is to learn how to (monthly) balance your checkbook, and your budget book. Shop on your budget, and learn how to cut costs on meals through more 'from scratch' cooking, looking for sales, coupon shopping, shopping with lists not hunger, etc. All these will be great lesssons to use for the rest of your life.
When you have to make a larger purchase like a newer car, stereo, that desired motorbike, make a wise choice in light of your situation and budget. "Do we really need a second car, or is there a way we can make one work for the both of us?" Rather than the cool SUV, motorbike or sports car, how about a more economical gas saver type? (You'll probably ride motorbikes all the time on the missionfield anyway, you don't need it now.)
Don't forget to tithe! Just because it seems you have no extra cash and are living on a very tight budget, that does not mean you can neglect the obedience of tything. I've never seen anyone that can out give God. Give your first 10th to God and the 90% will reach farther anyway. Also, begin your savings plan if you have not already done so. Don't spend every cent you have. Leave some margin for the unexpected. That's what a budget will do for you. Stick with it.
One last thing, if not already established, develop and maintain a daily exercise routine. Walk a lot. You don't always have to drive to the corner market for the big shopping trip. Make multiple trips over several days, getting a bit of your shoppping list each time, an amount you can easily carry home. Carrying what you buy, helps keep you from impulse buying, and saves you money, plus the benefit of the exercise.
Here's to each of you that find yourselves stalled in the "debt" gap. Use it to your advantage, and learn good living skills that will carry you through, not only in this gap, but for the rest of your life.
Respectively,
Perry Pust
Your NW Recruiter
The area I'd like to address would be catagorized as "living skills". One way to make good use of the years during debt payoff is to work on developing a solid Christian lifestyle. What does that mean? To some the challenge is not to fall into the 'materialistic' culture mode, especially once out of college and having a job with a steady income. The tendancy is to move up the ladder a bit from those college days of scrimping by, and enjoying a bit of 'freedom' in finances, lifestyle, and enjoyment. These things out of proportion can rob you of ever getting to the field. Remember that you will need to pay at least double if not triple on your college loans if you ever want to set foot in the direction God has called you. Live on a strict budget, and learn what that looks like and how it can help you navigate your financial challenges.
Another living skill is to learn how to (monthly) balance your checkbook, and your budget book. Shop on your budget, and learn how to cut costs on meals through more 'from scratch' cooking, looking for sales, coupon shopping, shopping with lists not hunger, etc. All these will be great lesssons to use for the rest of your life.
When you have to make a larger purchase like a newer car, stereo, that desired motorbike, make a wise choice in light of your situation and budget. "Do we really need a second car, or is there a way we can make one work for the both of us?" Rather than the cool SUV, motorbike or sports car, how about a more economical gas saver type? (You'll probably ride motorbikes all the time on the missionfield anyway, you don't need it now.)
Don't forget to tithe! Just because it seems you have no extra cash and are living on a very tight budget, that does not mean you can neglect the obedience of tything. I've never seen anyone that can out give God. Give your first 10th to God and the 90% will reach farther anyway. Also, begin your savings plan if you have not already done so. Don't spend every cent you have. Leave some margin for the unexpected. That's what a budget will do for you. Stick with it.
One last thing, if not already established, develop and maintain a daily exercise routine. Walk a lot. You don't always have to drive to the corner market for the big shopping trip. Make multiple trips over several days, getting a bit of your shoppping list each time, an amount you can easily carry home. Carrying what you buy, helps keep you from impulse buying, and saves you money, plus the benefit of the exercise.
Here's to each of you that find yourselves stalled in the "debt" gap. Use it to your advantage, and learn good living skills that will carry you through, not only in this gap, but for the rest of your life.
Respectively,
Perry Pust
Your NW Recruiter
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Need Flight Time?
Are you trying to meet the MAF High Performance flight time requirement? Do you have your Commercial, maybe even a CFII, but your Total Time is still around 300 hours. Not enough to meet MAF’s minimum of 400 hours TT. If you are in one or both of these situations I may have some answers. Contact me at jlemmon@maf.org. Tell me what your need is and I will share with you some options.
JL
Are you trying to meet the MAF High Performance flight time requirement? Do you have your Commercial, maybe even a CFII, but your Total Time is still around 300 hours. Not enough to meet MAF’s minimum of 400 hours TT. If you are in one or both of these situations I may have some answers. Contact me at jlemmon@maf.org. Tell me what your need is and I will share with you some options.
JL
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