MAF Recruiting Blog

What we love about MAF Candidacy*

2011-07-22T13:04:00.003-06:00

We love:
That candidates are excited to be here...we are excited to see them!

Watching candidates bond with each other and form community,knowing some of them will become family to each other on the field.

Seeing two-year old toddlers (MKs to be) becoming buddies and running around MAF.

Hearing how God led individuals and couples - opening the door for them to use their talents through MAF.

Feeling the energy in the building with young families here.

The zeal and conviction of God's call to share His love with the nations.

Observing a wonderful mix of confidence (God called me to this!) and trepidation (will I fit, pass, be approved?).

Watching as candidates work out their personal call, desires, perception (often in regard to geographical assignments) alongside MAF's direction and leadership through the candidate committee.

A chance to role play some fun scenarios along with about 50 MAF staff, giving candidates a taste of overseas life.

These weeks are good times - and soon these candidates will go out and invite friends, families, and churches to partner with them to share the love of Jesus Christ with isolated people.
Just as we at MAF HQ are part of the process of sending them, they also need those who will stand with them financially and in prayer as they go.

*Candidacy - the two week non-technical assessment and training classes held prior to accepting new MAF member staff. Technical evaluation is completed prior to candidacy.

Fly Right to Bring Light, Live it to Bring it!

2011-07-13T15:57:00.006-06:00

In reading through Brother Lawrence's "The Practice of the Presence of God" lately I've been challenged to think through my daily walk with God and how much I tend to ignore Him, especially when life is hectic and busy. Brother Lawrence challenges us to consider Him in every aspect of life. Today in reading the 'Tenth Letter' I was again challenged with these words. "Pray remember what I have recommended to you, which is, to think often of GOD, by day, by night, in your business, and even in your diversions. He is always near you and with you; leave Him not alone. You would think it rude to leave a friend alone, who came to visit you: why then must GOD be neglected? Do not then forget Him, but think on Him often, adore Him continually, live and die with Him; this is the glorious employment of a Christian; in a word, this is our profession, if we do not know it we must learn it."

The ministry of a Christian, and of an MAF pilot, is to live the Light of Christ before all men. How you do your work in your workplace, wherever that may be, must be in a way that reflects who Christ is. So often we get tied up in what we feel must be done and the hurdles in getting that done often make us miss the opportunities that Christ has given us to 'shine His light'. The challenge for me is to not put myself first (get in front of that next car, beat that person to the checkout counter, etc, etc,) but take the opportunity to talk to people in line, give them the spot, let them go ahead of you, and in so doing, "die to self" and let Christ be glorified. I've also seen that this attitude helps me stay in check about how 'pushed' I am by my agenda, deadlines, and expectations. I'm very slowly learning to relax and enjoy the ride that Christ would have me take, rather than be pushed by the high paced expectation of the 'American life'.

On a recent survey just started by MAF I saw one reponse concerning "What is the hardest adjustment when going to another culture?" as being "coming home.” I resonated with that because of the pace of life and the priority on relationships that we experienced in the Indonesian culture. It’s a piece we currently really miss while serving in the US. Since our mandate from Christ is to reach 'people' from every tribe, tongue and nation, it's important that we put other people as priority before ourselves, and listen to our creator who will give us daily opportunities to share our faith, if we'll just stop running so fast in, and around, and through the crowds of poeple around us.

Even as an MAF pilot, we can blow our chances to share Christ with our business, or we can step back and let Christ show us those opportunities He alone wants to give us.

Bible? Why Bible?

2011-07-09T10:24:00.006-06:00

Believe it or not, I've actually heard this question from someone who was interested in joining MAF!

You see, one of the requirements to join MAF is that a candidate (both husband and wife if married) must have 12 hours of college level Bible credits (or equivalent Bible training). Some Missionary Aviation organizations don't have this requirement, but I for one am glad that we do.

Because it's not about airplanes - well at least not primarily. Our FIRST name is Mission while our MIDDLE name is Aviation. And to me that's the right order. We are all missionaries FIRST and then Pilots (or Mechanics, or Teachers, or Computer Specialists, or Business & Finance folks, etc.).

And to be a good missionary, to be an authentic incarnational presence of Jesus, you have to have a good grasp of the Bible. You have to understand that we were Created, that we Sinned, and that God has a magnificient plan to Reconcile all of us back to Himself through the Person and work of His Only Son, Jesus Christ.

Not only do you have to have a good grasp of the basic doctrines of the Bible, you also have to be able to explain those to someone else - to be able to clearly share the gospel message (by your life and actions, to be sure; using words if necessary). Now transfer all that to a second language! If your knowledge and understanding is a bit shaky in your mother tongue, what will it sound like in Spanish (or French, Russian, Indonesian, etc., etc.)?

I also tell prospective candidates that even if you never go to the Mission Field, formal Bible training will prepare you to better live the Christian Life in a God-honoring way, will deepen your faith, and will exercise your mind.

So those are some of the reasons why we require the Bible credits. If you have any questions about that I'd be glad to talk to you - just drop me a line. Until then, happy studying!

2011-06-22T09:14:00.005-06:00

SMAT opens new facility.

Last Friday, June 17th, I had the privilege of being at SMAT (School of Missionary Aviation Technology) for their ribbon cutting ceremony officially opening the new facility. The new building was made possible through grants and donations. Part of the plan in the move from Lowell to Ionia; the new facilities will enhance safety and allow for greater expansion of both the maintenance and flight training programs.

Several recent alumni are now serving with MAF. We look forward to the continuing excellence and God fearing attitudes that SMAT graduates bring with them. SMAT offers both flight training and A&P training. The A&P program is a one year program that runs from August to August. For more information visit the website at http://www.smat-aviation.org/

Vision Trip ?

2011-06-13T13:37:00.002-06:00

Some of you may not know that MAF sends out a lot of college students each summer to vist many of the MAF Bases overseas. Some of the colleges are even requiring it for the student to graduate. The Vision trip is a chance to see MAF in action and up-close. Students will get to spend two weeks with a MAF family on the foreign field of their choice. Some of the countries visited this year are, Indonesia, Mexico and Africa. The student will get to see what a MAF pilot does everyday and how they live as a family in very remote areas of the world. There may be projects around the MAF Base that you can help with or even get to help with the MAF aircraft. The students will get to make one or more flights on a MAF aircraft and get a great cross-cultural experience by visitng one or more of the villages interior. So far, the students returning from their trips say, it is something they will never forget ! For MAF, we hope they will return to MAF after graduation to be MAF pilots themselves someday. MAF's travel department will provide the airline tickets, Visa needs for the country you will visit and MAF will also provide an account for you to use when raising money for you trip. If your supporters for your trip would like to send their money to MAF, we will provide them with a tax-deductible receipt for their gift to you. You will also get a weekly computer readout of how much money came to your account and who was the sender so you can write them Thank-you notes. Your supporters are a very important part of your trip. Note only do they give gifts of money but they will pray for you too. This also sets up a relationship that you can have later on when you join MAF and they may become your full time supporters during your ministry with MAF. I have had some of the same supporters for over 30 years. They become like a family to you and follow your ministry through your many years of serving overseas. During your two week trip, the Lord may use this time to confirm your service as a Missionary Pilot or may even close the door and direct you to another ministry. Next summer, come see-feel-taste missions in action and see close-up how God is using the Airplane and Communications to take God's Word to the most remote places of the earth. Come see how we help make possible that Missionaries and their families can stay for long periods of time in very remote jungles and mountains, and even good education for their children too. So, hope to see you next summer on a MAF Vision trip !!

Blessings, Capt Hook

MAF as Family

2011-06-02T15:55:00.005-06:00

MAF and a family have a lot in common. In a family we have our favorite cousins and crotchety old uncle, a close brother and one who thinks so different from us that we wonder how we could be in the same family. Well, that is how it is in MAF. We have learned to respect and appreciate each other and yet may still have disagreements. We don't give up on one another however, since we are family. Relationships are the key to effective ministry, even in a technical mission like MAF.

I am often asked what MAF is like since it is the largest mission aviation organization out there. Some wonder if they will get lost in a larger organization and not get to know one another.

I have always said we have the best of both worlds - big enough to be a great resource for the field operations, yet our field programs are small enough that each staff has an impact on how the program runs. And, like a family, we rely on each other and learn to trust and accept each other.

This whole family thing is especially clear to me today as I returned from a funeral of one of my aunts. Our family got together and we focused on what we have in common and not what made us different. We appreciated each other in all our uniqueness and were able to encourage each other with love and care, because we are family.

MAF is like that too, not perfect but we care for each other.

Graduation time!!

2011-05-27T13:23:00.001-06:00

GRADUATION!!!

Tis the season for many to graduate. This time in your life is one that's mixed with celebrations for training accomplished, goals reached, and in some cases, the end of formal schooling!! But like most changes in routines and schedules come the challenge to re-establish our most important routines, the ones that maintain our most important relationships. I know for my wife and I, even vacation interrupts our devotion routines, and it’s hard to maintain those routines. However, it is very important to quickly establish new routines as things change in our lives so that those times with our Heavenly Father, our spouse, and close friends does not wane. The bigger challenge as I remember it for this time of graduating, is that you are probably leaving a routine that is established by school schedules, and moving into a time when you have more control of your schedule, but that schedule could also change more frequently than usual as you move ahead. My challenge to you is to make sure you do not lose the critical routine of spending quality time with your Lord each morning, so that you stay centered on what is important for each day. Make it a priority, no matter what you think your day is going to demand of you. Time with the Lord will help you maintain a correct perspective on whatever the day will bring your way.

God bless each and every one of you graduates! God has great plans for you, so let Him lead the way. The journey ahead is full of His promises. Jer 29:11 (NIV) “for I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” As our pastor’s summer theme is: God is Here, He is in charge, and He has a plan. Stay connected to Him so that your plans are in line with His plans!
Perry Pust

2011-05-12T08:57:00.000-06:00

The unexpected – Few things happen in life the way we plan. Sometimes things can go really bad. Recently my wife and I were headed to Florida for Sun N Fun to be part of the team representing MAF. We also had plans to visit friends along the way. Headed south, from Michigan, that first day we were looking forward to warmer weather and a trip we knew we would enjoy. Just on the south edge of Lexington, Kentucky roads were good and traffic not to heavy. Another hour or so we would stop for the night. I woke to the sound of tires squealing and the edge of the highway approaching rapidly. We were headed down off the road at highway speed and nothing ahead looked very inviting. Sherry had swerved, surprised by what was in front of her and we were already experiencing a significant change in plans.

God did protect us and watched over us. We didn’t walk away unhurt but we were able to be dragged away as I like to put it. We ended upside down and hanging from our seat belts. We spent five days at the University of Kentucky hospital. Sherry now has a plate and nine screws in her left wrist along with an air cast for her broken right ankle and foot. That’s the price the driver pays for having something to hold on to. I got knocked around pretty good and spent the rest of that day mostly unconscious.

All that to say the last several weeks are not what we had in our plans. We have had to focus on healing, doctor’s visits, and caring for broken and bruised parts. Where was God in all this? He was right there watching over us the entire time. One of the first things Sherry remembers is the man who was one of the first on the scene. He was off-duty or retired police or EMT. He knew what to do and what not to do. We were well cared for at the hospital, even got to share the same room, and God had people in place to meet every need we had. In a place where we knew no one, we had visitors, even flowers. We experienced being taken care of by God and His family, our family.

Walking with God is not just trusting Him for the things we know. It is more about trusting Him for the things we don’t know. How do you react when life doesn’t just throw you a curve ball, it smacks you in the chin because you can’t duck fast enough. The process of preparing for missions will probably include a few curve balls. God simply wants us to trust Him. It is reacting by turning to God and saying God I need you. Help me with the changes, and help me to trust You for everything.

Pilots and Debt

2011-05-04T10:11:00.002-06:00

As a recruiter for MAF I get the same question over and over and a very important one too! After all the education and flight training to become a Missionary Pilot, how do I pay off all of this debt to be able to go and serve the Lord on the mission field ? I wish MAF had enough money to pay off every one's debt to get you into MAF right away ! But as we all know that Aviation is about the most expensive thing we can do ! I have been a pilot with MAF for over 35 years now and when I came in I was just back from Viet Nam and the military paid for all of my higher education and all my flight training. I left college debt free. Not all of us are in the same place. I have no great words of wisdom to give you but I have seen during the last 35 years the ways the Lord makes it all happen and no story is the same. Each of our MAF pilots could tell you a different story on how the Lord gave them the money to pay off their training debt. I feel the money part is the easy part for the Lord to do and provide - The hard part is to find his children that are willing to give up all and serve Him. Becoming a MAF pilot is a long process. When you get older like me you will look back and see, it was not so much about finding the money to pay off the debt but the process and growing in your relationship with the Lord that He used to build your faith and trust in Him. Our relationship with the Lord is really more important than getting to the field and flying that airplane. But - guess what - when you have that relationship, the money comes in and you are flying everyday in some of the most remote places on earth. I have no idea on how God will provide what you need to get here. But I have seen 35 years of Him making it happen. Capt Hook

Does Dramatic = Radical?

2011-04-29T10:07:00.012-06:00

Recently, I received an email from someone considering a change in his career. He said he was increasingly discontent with his comfortable life and the status quo. He and his wife feel God may be moving them to live out their faith in a more radical way. Could MAF be the way God would use them?

When he said they had an increasing disdain for comfortable living, I thought, "Have we got the place for you! Come right on down!" But, at the same time, I was following a discussion on Radical Christianity on two blogs. (see below)

What is radical?
Is living on the edge of the jungle to fly in support of national pastors, missionaries and needy villagers radical?
Is living in an urban community to show Christ's love radical?
Is working in a ministry for less pay than I could make elsewhere radical?
Is 'living a quiet life, minding my own affair and working with my hands' (I Thessalonians 4:11) radical?
Is raising prayer and financial support radical?

The dramatic kind of radical is sometimes easier than the day-to-day, faithful kind of radical, particularly for someone with an adventurous streak.

No doubt God 'calls' (another discussion for another day) some people to lead lives that look quite different from the normal American life. It is a step of faith and even radical to move out of our comfort zone and give up normal expectations. MAF certainly needs people called to serve in this way.

But, for each of us, our call must be deeply rooted and growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because even lives that seem radical become daily in between the dramatic. And it is here that our love shines and our faithfulness witnesses to those around us of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. And THAT is truly RADICAL.

Sky Jethani: Redefining Radical

Demythologizing "Radical" Christianity

Change

2011-04-18T14:08:00.002-06:00

Have you ever heard the saying that goes something like this: The only thing you can count on never changing is that things will always change? Just today two more candidates are beginning some of those changes as they enter the Technical Evaluation (TE) at MAF headquarters. Their life from here on out will be full of changes, some of which are, living on support, travelling a lot, selling houses and other possessions, moving, learning new languages and cultures, meeting hundreds of new people, moving again, meeting yet more people, and all the while trying to maintain somewhat of a 'normal' family life. Pray for those that transition from 'home life' to 'missionary life' and all that goes into that transition. There is one thing we can truly count on not changing, and that's the Love, Care, Protection, and Provision from our faithful Lord, among many other things that HE alone can provide for us. Life is a journey, sometimes with many turns, but with Christ it's quite an adventure and worth the ride!

High Performance AC & a Servant's Heart.

2011-04-11T10:18:00.004-06:00

Last Thursday I visited Liberty University again. I usually try to attend their monthly LAMP meetings (Liberty Aviation Missions Potentials) which start at 6pm on the first Thursday of each month. This time I arrived early wanting to talk to someone concerning putting an MAF 206 on lease back at LU.

I started on campus and had a wonderful talk with Mr. Ernie Rogers, the person who pretty much got the whole Liberty Aviation program going and who is now the Assistant Dean for Academics. Since the program has grown so big it has been split into Academics and Operations (as well as a third division of an Aviation Maintenance Training school). He suggested I speak with Mr. John Marselus, the Assistant Dean for Operations, whose office is at the airport.

A short 10 minutes later I was sitting in Mr. Marselus' office beginning to broach the subject when he was informed of a LU Seminole declaring an emergency and landing. So he invited me to accompany him down to the ramp to see what happened.

Come to find out Alex (a student I know) was on his Multi-engine Checkride. The Designated Examiner was actually a good friend and former MAFer, Tim, who shut down one of the engines to do single engine operations. Unfortunately after multiple tries the engine would not restart so they cut the checkride short and landed uneventfully. It was good to see Tim again even though the circumstances were not the best and everyone was thankful for a safe outcome to a potentially dangerous situation.

After a few minutes on the ramp we went back upstairs, and I did get to talk to Mr. Marselus about the 206. We are currently looking at various options and all involved hope this will work out as a 206 will be a positive addition to the LU Fleet.

Later that evening I attended the monthly LAMP meeting and got to hear two students (Rick Warner and Tracey Baker) share about their spring break ministry trips to Trinidad and India respectively. It's a real joy to be working with so many students who aren't waiting to get to the mission field to begin doing ministry! And that heart is shown in so many who are preparing to be missionary pilots.

It was said to me by recruiters back when I was in training and it is still true today: If you're not serving here, you won't be serving there. Just because you move to a different country won't make you a missionary. It's really a matter of the heart.

So my question to you is: If you're thinking about Missionary Aviation - what's your heart attitude and where are you currently serving the Lord?

Blue Skys always seem to follow the worst storms

2011-04-02T04:18:00.002-06:00

It is now Saturday morning and the effects of Thursday's tornado and strong winds is a memory. Yesterday as we cleaned up the mess in the tent at SUN N FUN, I wondered how everything would get back to normal, or at least how long it would take. I was amazed how quickly life seemed to return to normal. The day was beautiful, blue sky, gentle breeze, temperature about 77 and people out enjoying a sunny Florida day. Except for some debris from trees that had yet to be picked up, you would hardly have known what happened the day before. We have had the opportunity to talk with many people as they pass through our booth area and share what God is doing through the ministry of MAF. We also can invite those daring enough to try and fly into one of our most challenging airstrips. We have a flight simulator that was donated to MAF and the airstrip was added to the Microsoft simulator software so the people get to actually try and land on this airstrip in Kalimantan. Some are remarkably successful. As a recruiting department, we want to share the love of Christ to the people who visit us and represent HIM well to those who don't know HIM. We also want to encourage those who may be desiring to do the minstry of missionary aviation by sharing what God is doing now in MAF and how they can be involved. It is a great mix of evangelization and counseling. Please pray for us while we are here.

Tornados and Sun N Fun do not mix well

2011-03-31T14:40:00.006-06:00

Wow, what a day. The MAF recruiting team is here in Florida at the annual Sun N Fun event in Lakeland. Today was a bit more exciting than we needed it to be. Around 12:30 we had the experience of holding down our tent as a huge storm came through with high winds. There could even have been a tornado near by as several of the vendor's tents were mangled and so far about 40 aircraft damaged. Some of the aircraft right next to our tent were flipped over.

Several missionary aviation missions are here to talk with people and expose the aviation public to what we do around the world. The Lord protected all of us as no one was injured. One of the missions however did have substantial damage to one of their helio aircraft. Please be praying as there have been several vendors who have lost a lot as their aircraft were severely damaged in the storm. In a day or two I will post some of the pictures of what happened here at Sun N Fun.

Emphasis on more than Pilots

2011-03-01T06:30:00.006-07:00

Recently I went to two of the same missions conferences that I went to last year (Liberty University and Missions Fest Lancaster) but with a different emphasis on my part. I have no problem getting pilots and mechanics to stop by my booth – our very name attracts them! But few who walk by know that MAF is also looking for teachers (and computer specialists and administrators and folks with business and finance skills too).

So to remedy that situation I changed my display board to focus more on teachers by covering my main MAF logo with a sign that said "TEACHERS" and that seemed to have the desired result! At Liberty I talked with many Education majors but two in particular come to mind. Interestingly they are both named Kim and one wants to do her student teaching at a missionary school overseas while the other wants to come teach with MAF after she graduates. Would you join me in praying for the Kims as they seek God’s leading for their future? Thanks!

My time at Missions Fest Lancaster (www.missionsfestlancaster.org) was also quite beneficial as to contacts with teachers. In fact one fellow I spoke with had been a teacher and left that profession to pursue aviation. In our talks I explained what MAF’s requirements are for not only our mechanics and pilot/mechanics, but for teachers as well. After our discussions he committed to praying which direction God would have him go in order to serve Him better.

I have quite a few more trips planned this spring and while most are aviation focused, a few will be specifically looking for teachers. So if you know a teacher who is interested in serving the Lord teaching Missionary kids, (or anyone else who will meet our various needs) please have them contact me (bbehal@maf.org) or our Teacher recruiter – Crissie Rask (crask@maf.org). Thanks! (Can you tell we have a high need for teachers this year?)

And if you get the chance, come visit us at the many places we'll be. Just check the calendar on our main recruiting page - www.mafrecruiting.org!

El Dorado, KS (KEQA)

2011-02-15T18:53:00.004-07:00

February 26th - Plans are coming together for the last weekend in February. For those of you who would like to meet, ask questions, or just talk, I will be at the airport, KEQA, on Saturday 2-26 from about 9am to 4pm. I plan to be in the area arriving on Friday and leaving Monday for Salinas, KS.

El Dorado, KEQA is about 30 miles east of Wichita, KS. If Saturday doesn't work but you would like to meet email me at jlemmon@maf.org and we can try and set up a different time.

John

New presentation on "How to Join MAF!"

2011-01-31T13:07:00.002-07:00

Check out this link for a "Steps into MAF" presentation.
http://prezi.com/oszw0m8q16vr/how-to-join-maf/

Post Schooling - in the "Debt Gap"

2011-01-31T13:00:00.003-07:00

When recently asked what should be some of the priorities in life as one continues to prepare for service as a mission aviator after formal schooling is done, here was my answer.
One of the main things you can do is just to continue to work out your routines, (especially in any move after school) for your special get-a-way time with God each day. As you well know that on the mission field and life in general there are always so many things to do that our time gets eaten up if we don’t prioritize our time with God. As you re-establish your routines in a new job, new living place, new church, you’ll be challenged to prioritize your time wisely. Start right away with a God moment routine that is meaningful to you. Not as part of a to-do list, but as a necessity to life, just like you prioritize eating food to stay alive. This is an esencial part of staying healthy spiritually on the mission field as well as at home. Can you feed yourself spiritually and stay strong? Going to a foreign language church will not do it for you! Very few churches in your own mother tough can do that for you. We all need more regular nutrition than once a week. I would also seek out other peers, or even mentors spiritually to meet with once a week. That may be at work, or connected to a local church, but make it intentional and a priority. You’ve worked very hard on the technical at school, now is the time to learn how to live that out in a more normal living situation of work and life. That’s your next “homework” assignment!

How’s that for a sermon? Stay connected to God and you won’t lose the vision/passion He has placed in your heart!!! You're needed on the field so don't let life roots settle too deep! See you at the MAF front door soon! :-)

Praises in the New Year!

2011-01-25T10:54:00.003-07:00

It's been great to see God's hand at work these past couple of weeks. Where do I start?

On Jan 20th we had the joy of ushering 10 couples and 1 single gal into MAF service. This is one of the largest ever January candidate classes in MAF history, so we are so grateful to the Lord for sending us these co-laborers in Kingdom building through MAF. Welcome on board you all!! Recruitment must be paying off!

Secondly, as my wife and I were tending our booth at Mission ConneXion NW in Portland this past weekend, we met up with a gal who is dating a young man who is wanting to go with Heli Mission as a helicopter mission pilot and had many questions about calling, God's leading, etc. My wife had such a similar story that it really resonated with her and was a connection only God could have made for this young lady. God's timing is perfect, and he does bring others into our lives at just the right time. As a friend once said, God is never late, but also rarely early! It's perfect and brings us joy!

Also, at the Mission ConneXion event LaNnae and I won the two day get-a-way drawing for mission representatives attending. LaNnae had just said during the week leading up to this event that we should plan a get-a-way, so I had looked for some places and had not yet found one, and then we won one! Again, God's timing is perfect and brings us much joy!

Many students we talk with get frustrated at the slow progress towards the goal of serving as a mission aviator or MAFer, often frustrated with debt, or the money to pay for flights, etc. In the bigger picture, we often see that these delays for what ever reason are often, but not always, times that God needs to build into us the character, the patience, the endurance, that we will eventually need to serve Him well. Rushing ahead w0uld shortcut our growth and leave us wanting or lacking on the field. Maturity is also a virtue for missionary service. Let God have His way with you, even in the timing of all that's ahead for you.

We love sharing our story with anyone, and are thrilled at how He uses us to encourage and give perspective, and in the process is still at work in our own lives. What a great God we serve!

Christmas Missions

2010-12-30T13:48:00.002-07:00

I grew up in a small town, where Santa came on the train (my uncle) to the town square and Christmas music played from the courthouse tower. Never in my wildest dreams did I think of Christmas deep in the jungle of Borneo or that is where I would spend many Christmas times to come in my life ! No snow, just Heat and lots of it. Nothing felt the same about Christmas in the jungle, yet for one thing. That birth, the Son of God, in the heat or the cold, I still had those same feelings. I missed all the traditions that I grew up with but no matter what country I was in or what language or Hot or Cold, Christmas was still about the Christ child. The whole reason that I and my family were sweating on Christmas day in the middle of the jungle. It was just as good and now that I was out there serving as a missionary pilot it even made it better. My kids, its all they know growing up and their memories are of Christmas in the jungle and nothing like mine growing up. We took the airplane out to the missionaries bringing gifts from home and my wife's cookies too. That C-185 made a great sleigh.
Christmas is Christmas no matter where you are in the world. Hope your Christmas was Christmas wherever you are this year. Capt Hook

Is Missionary Aviation still needed?

2010-12-16T14:49:00.003-07:00

It is asked everywhere I go and it is a very legitimate question "Is Missionary Aviation still needed?" Before someone applies to a school, changes careers, or leaves a good paying job to go back to school, it is good to know if what you want to do is needed and you have a place to go when you graduate.

The quick answer to that question is YES! I have been in recruiting now for over 15 years and I have never had to tell someone that met our requirements and qualified through our technical evaluation that there was not a place for them. One of the limiting factors for us in our ministry is the lack of personnel to accomplish the work.

Pilot/Mechanics and Maintenance Specialists are needed all over the world on our programs, as well as with other missions. We want to continue to encourage people to move forward in this niche of Christian missions that allows people to use their specific gifting and talents in aviation for the glory of God. If you love aviation and you love Jesus, what could possibly be better? Now you know you are needed.

Have great Christmas as we celebrate our Lord's earthly birth.

Recruiting or Guidance????

2010-12-10T15:46:00.002-07:00

From the Recruiting Department, we often reflect on the fact that we are not traditional "recruiters" that are trying to get anyone and everyone into the organization. As I tell "recruits" frequently, "Getting you into MAF is God's job, not mine!" We see our job more as guidance counselors, helping you with determining if MAF is the 'fit' for you, what a good training plan might be for service with MAF, encouragement along the way, and to make sure you're getting all the required 'stuff' into your training plan.

There are so many great organization out there that one could serve with, and sorting that out for you is one of the tough issues. We're here to help and to point out some other options if you're not sure MAF is the way to go for you. Our main objective is to help you move towards what God has called you to do and we in no way can pretend to know what that direction is. God will make that clear in your own heart and mind. That passage in the Bible that talks about the "peace that passes all understanding" comes to mind here! You will experience that peace when you know it's right for you to go with a specific organization. Just because MAF is the largest with the most opportunities does not mean it's for you.

Contact your local recruiter and learn more about MAF, options for training, and hear their stories of service within MAF and our working relationships with many other organizations!

2010-12-01T16:11:00.002-07:00

As I sit here at my desk this cold, snowy morning planning another recruiting trip it seems as if I just got back from one. :) The week before Thanksgiving I did a whirlwind trip (1700 miles in 5 days) where I had lunch and dinner with a different recruit each day (sometimes breakfast or afternoon coffee too) where I visited 2 colleges (and drove past 3 more that I didn't have time to stop at) and got home worn out.

And it would be easy to sound like I'm complaining but I'm actually thankful. In fact, one of our family traditions before our Thanksgiving day meal is to go around the table before we eat and say what we're thankful for. We actually went around 4 times this year (it's great to have adult children!) and one of the times I mentioned that I am thankful for the work the Lord has given me to do.

You see, I remember back when I was first investigating what being a missionary aviator was all about. I had lots of questions and not many answers. And I wasn’t even sure where to go for some of the answers. But I also remember a few "older" folks from various mission organizations patiently answering my myriad questions. And if they didn’t have the answer, they would find out for me.

I also remember how God used those answers and those people to direct me into the ministry He had for our family. So when I am tempted to self-pity God always reminds me of how He is in control and that He can use "even me" to help young men and women get to the mission field.

One of those young people has been talking to me for about 2 years. It seemed as if there was a roadblock in the way of his heading to MAF. But a conference call later all was cleared up and he is actually doing his Technical Evaluation this week (that’s the fastest I’ve ever seen it happen, and can only say that it’s DEFINITELY a God thing since it usually takes a minimum of 6 weeks to get a TE scheduled!).

Another was a young man that I’d never met before but have been corresponding with via email for 6 months. The only time I could fit into my schedule was breakfast. The young man is in A&P school which starts at 7 so we got together at 6 to answer all the questions he had.

I could write about each person I met with, but I think you get the idea. Sometimes I get jealous and wish I was 30 years younger so I could go do what these folks are just heading into. But then I remember what one of the Godly men who mentored me along the way used to say: “God’s timing is ALWAYS perfect – not often early but NEVER late!”.

As we go about our daily tasks, let’s all remember that HE is in control and He is always on time.

Brian, for the recruiting team

Full Circle

2010-11-17T13:04:00.002-07:00

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.

"Debt Advantage" - Part II

2010-11-04T14:02:00.003-06:00

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

2010-11-02T21:44:00.003-06:00

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

The Debt Advantage - Part 1

2010-10-29T11:35:00.002-06:00

Most students headed towards missions these days end up with debt that needs to be paid off before they can be accepted into the mission agency of their choice. More and more this is the case, and the debt is most often seen as a barrier or hinderance that sometime, more often than not, stops them from ever reaching their goal of missionary service. I recently listened to a webinar regarding this called the Debt Advantage. Let me share some of the highlights of this seminar in three parts over the next three weeks. If you're in this catagory, or will be, take heed!

So you have some time in which you will have to pay off debts. How do you navigate this successfully with out getting "off track" and never making it to the field? (Many do, so pay attention!) One of the first things is to remember that if you have been following God faithfully during your training phase, going to the school He has lead you to, then debt might also be part of that plan, not that God looks favoriably on debt, but in our American school system, debt is almost ineffitable as schooling has to be paid in full on the schools time table, not yours in a four year degree program. So, how can you best take advantage of this time in which you are paying off those debts? Since debt is part of your journey, you must seek God's plan in how to best use this time. Getting to the mission field must remain primary in your focus and goals, but just like training took time, so will debt reduction. Just like you maintained focus throughout your training, you will have to also remain focused, probably even more so during this phase, because life itself will take on more challenges to stay focused. In the past four years or so of training, the curriculum and school schedule kept you on track, but now it's going to be more up to you to stay on track and make the best use of this time. Your #1 priority during this time is to set yourself up to make the debt go away as quickly as possible. To do this, you will need to seek out the best paying job you can find and budget yourself to make at least double payments if not triple on the school debt after your living expenses. You cannot pay the minimum and ever get to the field. Some criteria for your job should be one that is not overly stressful as it will rob you of energy to stay focused and involved in ministry and other training options I will mention later. Do not work on Sunday so that you can regularly be involved in and participate in Church, building relationships and gaining ministry experience that will later benefit you on the mission field. Look at your current job as your current mission field and training ground for such. Here again let me emphasis that this in itself can easily become a distraction thinking that this current ministry is your future ministry, when in reality it's just the training ground for your future ministry. Stay focused on God's call on your life, and use this time to fully prepare and get some good experience.

More next week on more advantages to the debt payoff time period!

Perry Pust - MAF NW Recruiter

2010-10-14T10:45:00.005-06:00

SMAT (School of Misisonary Aviation Technology)

At SMAT This years A&P class is well underway. Their one year A&P program runs from August to August. Construction of their new Office, class room, and lab facilities also began this past August. The new facility will be a great home for the A&P program. It will also free up current hangar space for the flight training department.

SMAT offers a one year A&P program as well as flexible flight training. You can check out their website at http://www.smat-aviation.org.

Have you seen any fruit

2010-10-04T14:33:00.002-06:00

Every Wed is Chapel Day here at MAF headquarters in Nampa, Idaho. But this Chapel Day was very special for me as a MAF pilot. We had two missionaries that spoke to us and shared a film about the arrival of the New Testament in their own language. These two missionaries had served many years on the island of Papua. A very remote village by the name of Korapun with a one-way airstrip on the side of a mountain in a small valley in Indonesia. MAF has served these missionaries for over 30 plus years. I was one of the many MAF pilots that made many flights into that airstrip to provide the food, supplies, a hydro-electric water system to make it possible to use a computer and have electric lights at night and so much more over those many years. During 15 of those years the missionaries were translating Gods Word into the language of the Kimyal people of that valley. 15 years of hard labor so that they now have and can read His Word in their own language. I am just a pilot/mechanic but I am also a part of the Body of Christ and todays Chapel brought into focus all that we do as an aviation ministry within MAF and world-wide Missionary Aviation.

Each of us in the Body of Christ have a special gift and ours is a very technical one but MAF has been a very important part in bringing Gods Word to the Kimyal people today. A eternal gift to them. As tears ran down my checks, I truly understand the need for all the parts to work in that Body, yes even pilots and mechanics. The years of training, raising support, living in a different cultural and language, seperation from our families in the States for long periods of time, yet all of that and more was worth every minute to see the faces of the Kimyal people as they looked and understood for the first time the Word of God in their own language. We have always had the Bible in our language to read and I even have over seven translations in my own home to reference ! Do I think each time I open Gods Word what a wonderful gift we have, is it the same joy I see on the faces of the Kimyal people on that DVD ??

Not only I have now seen one New Testament completed in a life time but have news of another in a different part of Indonesia that I flew for many years ago ! That's why I am in MAF and if I could, I would do it ALL again. Capt Hook

Don't Crash and Burn - Situational Awareness

2010-09-30T10:29:00.009-06:00

Pilots have the mantra, "Aviate, Navigate and Communicate!" or, "No matter what happens, keep flying the airplane".
Lack of Situational awareness is a major factor in aviation accidents. Loosely defined it is the ability to monitor the environment, assess changing information, and take action based on the complete picture.

Despite an interruption, a distraction, a fire, a woman delivering a baby in the back of the airplane - you cannot become distracted to the point you neglect airspeed and altitude.

This principle has some great cross-application in our spiritual lives as well. A biblical and heart-felt understanding of who I am in Christ is critical for spiritual situational awareness.

If I don't have this grounding, and daily commitment to live in God's grace, my assessment of life's irksome issues, troubles, and hurts - or even blessings, gifts and joys - can quickly become skewed. I tumble on one side into stress, anxiety, striving, comparison, jealousy. Or, on the other side, into pride, complacency, or selfishness.

I can zero in on the crisis and forget the big picture. Or, I can step back, look around and walk in truth. I am a new creation in Christ, part of a body of believers, called to share the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ, blessed with gifts to use for God's glory, engaged in spiritual warfare, running a race, born again to a living hope and an inheritance which is eternal...

Situational awareness is a constant discipline in a good pilot. Let's have an even greater commitment to spiritual situational awareness - based on God's word - in our daily lives.

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 1:9&10

Recruiters . . . . . . Everywhere

2010-09-24T15:03:00.002-06:00

Laughter, sarcasm, ribbing, and serious discussion all happened this week as the recruiters got together. Our semi annual meeting for the recruiting department lasted 4 days and included 5 full-time recruiters and one half time recruiter. It also includes our very detail minded administrative assistant that helps keep everything straight.

You may not realize it but we try and have someone available in different parts of the country so they can be responsive to those of you who need answers. Brian Behal is in the Southeast, John Lemmon is in the Midwest, Perry Pust is in the Northwest. The other 3 are located at our HQ in Nampa, ID and cover the Southwest and Northeast.

We meet together because it is important for face to face time as co-workers and we feel the same way about the need for face to face time with people who are interested in knowing more about MAF. Email and phone calls can only go so far and then you just want to sit down and talk with someone who knows and has been there. All the recruiters have been there and done that in terms of serving overseas as a pilot/mechanic.

Give us a call and maybe we can stop by and visit with you. God bless.

What are we looking for?

2010-09-16T15:49:00.002-06:00

The issue came up recently that made us aware that many folks out there get mixed messages about what MAF is looking for and how to join up and help. To help clarify that a bit, I thought I would address some of those issues in this blog.

MAF is always and will always be looking for more qualified Pilot/Mechanics who meet our requirements in ratings, time, experience, and who have a passion for ministry, not just flying. Even though we do state that we have a pilot only requirement, the options to place you into our ministry as a pilot only is very limited due to the fact that we then have to have someone to place with you who can do the maintenance. That really limits the options, therefore we do highly prefer the pilot who has his maintenance license as well. We can place about as many P/M combo poeple as we can get. Remember, we want people with a passion for ministry, as our mission is to minister the grace and provisions of Christ our Savior to the many around the world who do not have hope. The aircraft is one of our tools, but you personally are much more of a tool if placed in God's hands, through MAF.

Another problem we run in to is the expectation that MAF will be pursueing you, recruiting you into the organization. Although we do have our recruiting department, we function more like a guidance counselor department, helping you determine whether mission aviation is what God would have you do, and if MAF might be the avenue He wants you to use to serve Him. We are not trying to drag anyone into the org that God has not specifically lead our way. This will demand that you are the one that pursues service with MAF. We are here to assist you with questions, tips, helps, as needed, but we want to see commitment, perseverance, and pursuit as you seek the avenue God has for you to serve Him. In other words don't sit on the sidelines and wait for us to call. This is your life, your service, your future, and it's up to you to follow God in the direction that he has called you. It's not our job to convince anyone to join MAF. That's God's business and we draw the line in that area of playing God for you in your life. We do need many more people to serve in MAF and are looking for those that God is directing our way. Can we help you along that line? YES!

For further info, see our web site and/or contact one of us recruiters. We'd love to pray with you and help you process what it is God is asking you to do.

Respectively submitted,
Perry Pust
NW Recruiter

2010-09-14T12:02:00.002-06:00

It's hard to believe the summer is over (well not officially since the first day of fall isn't until 23 Sept.). It seems that each fall I am busier than the one before. That might have to do with the fact that I've got more recruits I'm working with although my friends say it's because I'm getting older!

Since 20 Aug I've already been to one fly in (Smoketown, PA), Liberty University twice, and crammed in 2 weeks of vacation to try and get ready for all my upcoming travels. Thursday the 16th I leave for Raleigh, NC (I'll be visiting folks on the way down) and Saturday I fly out to MAF HQ for the fall week of our semi-annual meetings. I'm already planning my October and November trips and even have a couple of options for December. If you'd like me to stop by and see you, please drop me a line. Thanks!

And even though it's been a VERY full summer, it's been one of the most productive in terms of recruiting that I've had. Our Technical Evaluation slots are all filled up for this October as well as for next April. At our meetings we'll be discussing how we can get some more slots for folks who want to do their TEs, since that seems to be the choke point in the process.

And I know I'm not the only recruiter who is feeling swamped. As I talk with the other two remote recruiters they too seem to have more on their plates this year as well (of course they're older than I am!).

So as you think to pray for MAF, please pray that we recruiters will make good decisions about time management and which recruiting opportunities we should participate in and which we should let pass us by. Thanks!

Until next time...

Brian - SE Recruiter.

2010-09-01T13:15:00.002-06:00

Are you available?
That was a question I was recently asked. The AWANA program at church had lost several men to Job changes. It does not fit my schedule well but I can help plug some holes. It is also a chance to help some young person better understand the Bible, Who God is, and the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. I don’t have to go half way around the world for this. I just have to show up.

Ministry sometimes is more about showing up, being available, than what we actually do. Remember it is God’s Spirit that is at work to change a heart, not our eloquent words, or our strong argument that convinces someone they need Jesus. When we show up we bring a new dimension into their lives because Christ lives in us. It’s true we need to do our best but just showing up can sometimes be the best thing we can do. So, where do you need to show up? I will be adding AWANA to my schedule.

Remember climbing in the pilot seat of an airplane, traveling half way around the world, joining our IT or LT staff, signing on as a teacher or manager; there are all kinds of jobs that need to be done, but in the end it is more about showing up where God wants to touch someone’s life. Make yourself available. Train the best you can, read and study God’s word, but don’t get so bogged down you can’t show up where God needs you now.

More than Just a Pilot

2010-08-24T09:27:00.005-06:00

As part of the MAF Recruiting Team I get letters and e-mails from pilots that come from all walks of life and backgrounds - airline pilots, military pilots, corporate pilots, and pilots that only fly on the weekends for fun. We all love to fly and many have flown everything from pistons to jets. I took my first airplane ride 48 years ago and still get the same feeling when those wheels leave the ground as I did back then many years ago. Those of us that fly have been given a special gift. Many that write to me each week say, they would like to use that gift for something really important in life. Some discover this much later in life than sooner !

Some of us use the airplane to make money, some of us use it for fun and adventure during our life time. MAF pilots use the airplane to change lives in over 30 countries around the world. When I was in the MAF training department, I always told my new missionary pilots that they must be some of the best pilots and mechanics to be a part of MAF but if they only came to fly for fun and adventure, than they were in the wrong place for the wrong reasons.

The airplane is a special tool to get Gods Word out to those that have not heard His name. During my many years flying overseas, I saw some of our pilots come home early saying they had landed and mastered all the very short airstrips and it was lots of fun and lots of adventure but now its boring and just a lot of hard work. So they came home looking for new adventures. We are all pushing that piece of metal through the sky, so are we doing it for adventure or do we really care about those people we put in the airplane ?

Sometimes it is a hard thing to do. They look bad, they smell, they rub pig grease all over their bodies and have bones in their noses or do not wear clothes. Do we care enough about them to change their lives for eternity. MAF pilots are some of the best pilots and mechanics doing a very technical job everyday. Their flying and maintenance is their Ministry. They take that big piece of metal and use it to change peoples lives for Christ. Yep, I have more fun and adventure than I can take in a lifetime !

Coming and Going - People and Planes

2010-08-20T12:57:00.004-06:00

Here in the Recruiting corner of MAF HQ we are all about people coming and going.

Coming for technical evaluations, interviews, candidate classes, orientation. Going - to the next stage - perhaps fine tuning technical skills, paying off school debt, gathering supporters, leaving for the field.

At the same time, someone new is calling to investigate whether MAF is where God will use their passion and skills. Recruiters are communicating with candidates and leadership on the field, coaching, encouraging, prompting (especially to get that paperwork piece done!)

Across the street on the hangar side, candidates are working alongside mechanics and flying with instructor pilots as they are evaluated and simultaneously learning about MAF's culture and methods.
Airplanes are being refurbished, a lease for another airplane is finalized, two aircraft are en route to field locations - one from Nampa to Haiti, another in the midst of a move from Indonesia to Africa. The latter is stuck in the Maldives, awaiting a supply of aviation gasoline before making the last leg of the trip!

This week a family returning from a season overseas shared about their work - they expressed it as a tool to clear the stony field in order to plant the seeds of the Good News. They shared of the joy in discipling a young believer. They also expressed their grief in the loss of co-laborers whose lives were taken in a hostile land.

We remember when they came through the doors as candidates, and are encouraged by their faithfulness, and share in their grief.
That is why we are here - to enable people to work in God's field, clearing the obstacles, softening the soil, planting the seed, watering ---and some to harvest.

Follow up to Ron's post - plus

2010-08-11T11:30:00.002-06:00

As Ron said below, it does take a real commitment and knowledge that God has called you to do mission aviation to be able to stick it out for the long haul through the necessary training, and also for any length of field service.
I'm reminided of this as my wife LaNnae and I celebrate 30 years of marriage. This also takes a real commitment, and the knowledge that God has put you together to hang in there and stick it out through the rough times as they come, and they will. God has faithfully been walking with us all these years, not that we have always kept him in first place, but we are continueing to learn how to walk in the presence of God daily and it sure does make a difference in how you approach each day.
Last night we were able to share with a men's group. This event included a great steak dinner for which we were grateful, but the most fun was to speak with a young junior in high school who attended the first time last night, and hear me speak of MAF. He's had a strong interest in aviation, and God ordained this meeting to help direct him to MAF. Much like my own story. It was a joy to see how God had orchestrated this meeting. It reminds me that every day is orchestrated by God, and we need to keep our eyes open to his working around us. For those that are in the midst of their training to become MAF pilot/mechanics some day, keep looking for God in each of your days. He's there, wanting your full attention and faith, that he will see you through to the goal he has placed in front of you. Unlike Ron, :-), don't wonder what's next, because with God each day can be an adventure.
Our church has the theme this and next week of "live the mystery" which to me means, look for God around every corner and see what He's up to, then get involved in what He's doing. If you're focued on serving overseas, don't let yourself forget to serve Him today and every day. That should be a patern of our every day. God bless you all!!!!

The goal was reached but now what?

2010-08-10T10:47:00.001-06:00

It is hard to believe that for all those months of training, the event is now past. This past Saturday was my first trithalon and it gave me a real purpose for getting in shape but now it's past, now what? Without the goal sitting out in front of me, the need for training is much less inspiring. Motivation is so key in us accomplishing our plans and goals.

Serving our Lord in a full time ministry like MAF is something only God could put in someone's heart. It takes resources (money, time, prayer, blood, sweat and tears) and perserverence to accomplish the goal of getting the requirements needed to be a member. Many spend years in the process of doing what God is calling them to do. Knowing that God is the source of our motivation to serve, keeps us going over the long haul. We do however need the encouragement of fellow participants along this journey. Please communicate your vision and goals to others so they can both hold you accountable as well as encourage you along the way. Get to know others who are headed in the same direction and encourage them as well. Knowing you are not alone in this makes a huge difference over the long haul. Believe it or not, the MAF recruiters are here to offer that encouragement and counsel so you can stay focused and moving in the right direction.

By the way, I finished last in my age group but I did finish, which was my goal. I also promised myself that I will do better next time and have thought through how I might be able to do that. I have a year to train and will be taking a long term perspective on acheiving my goal. God bless as you do the same.

EAA AirVenture 2010 - OSHKOSH!!

2010-07-30T19:46:00.009-06:00

How does one begin to describe the largest aviation event in the world? If you've never been here words can't do it, and if you have been you, you already understand it!

This years' AirVenture has been different than others in recent memory because of the crazy weather. On Friday, 23 Jul Oshkosh received over 5 inches of rain. That turned much of the grounds into lakes and any aircraft that had not arrived before the rains were asked to wait and come in on Sunday. Many aircraft diverted to Fond-du-lac or Appleton airports with others going to the many smaller fields that surround Whitman Field. Other folks stopped enroute or didn't even leave their home bases.

The same fate was true of heavy campers and all mobile homes. Because of the soggy conditions, anyone arriving after Friday morning was not allowed into Camp Scholler. Because of that one saw all paved roads and almost every parking lot in the area filled with folks waiting for the OK to get set up in their normal spots.

This didn't slow MAF down from setting up our display, but it did affect the airplane we were to have on display. More about that in a bit.

The main theme of this year's AirVenture is "A Salute to Veterans" and one of the events is the celebration of the 75th year of the Douglas DC-3 (the military version is known as the C-47). MAF is celebrating its 65th year and to celebrate that we went back to our roots. The very first airplane used by MAF in mission service was a cabin class Waco, flown in Southern Mexico by our first pilot, Betty Greene.

As this type of plane is actually quite rare, we began a search for an owner who would be willing to "lend" us their plane to be on display at our tent. Due to the faithful efforts of Rob and Teena Ray, who attended various Waco club functions, Terry Chastain along with his daughter Terri, flew this beautifully restored Waco (see picture above) to Oshkosh and parked it at our site.

They had originally planned on arriving on Saturday but delayed a day due to the weather. They left on Sunday as we were told that "show" planes (ones on display on the vendor sites) would be allowed to land.

After getting close and trying to come in they were told they wouldn't be allowed in so detoured to a local airport. Finally on Monday they arrived and we got them parked on our site. The picture above is of Jack Erdman (an MAF Advocate) reading about the Waco from the banner we installed in front of the plane.

There's another story about the plane having to leave early, but you'll have to contact me directly to get those details!

We continue to be amazed at the people the Lord brings by the MAF tent. We have made many great contacts and had the chance to share our faith with a few as well!

And as always, the MASA folks have done a great job of feeding and housing us. We certainly couldn't be here without their help.

So THANKS to all who have helped make this year's AirVenture another wonderful success!

Until next time,

Brian

Internships: A great opportunity for seeing MAF in action

2010-06-30T10:10:00.003-06:00

Last week was a fun week for us in recruiting as we had 3 people to go through our Intern Orientation before heading out to the field to work with us in Indonesia. The couple is preparing to help in Kalimantan, Indonesia where he will be working as a mechanic. The single woman is going to Papua, Indonesia to help in our IT work there. Their internships are about 7 weeks overseas and then the one week here at our Nampa, ID headquarters preparing them for this experience. They had their eyes open to the work that MAF is doing around the world as well as getting some real practical cross cultural preparation which included some language training. I look forward to the time they will be making application to MAF to join as career staff.

Internships can be of varying lengths depending on what the schools may require and we are open to working with these students. It does mean having to raise your own support to do this but that is also a part of what becoming a missionary is all about. Our IT intern is already writing a daily blog and I am enjoying seeing all she is learning.

As a recruiting department, we want people to fully understand what is involved in being a missionary with MAF, the internship is a great start.

Oshkosh and other summer events

2010-06-23T12:30:00.003-06:00

Summer is here and so are our busy schedules. Keep an eye on the calendar on our MAF website and you can find out where your local recruiter will be. Big events of this summer will be the MAF run Brigade Air camp on July 5-10, the Arlington Air Show in Arlington, WA on July 7-11, and then the Oshkosh Air Show July 26 - Aug 1st. August will also be a time when my wife and I will make a trip to visit in the San Francisco area, so let us know if you are in that area and would like a visit or MAF presentation. Pray for all the recruiters as we travel around the country on our busy schedules, for God's protection and also for God directed encounters with those that He is calling towards mission aviation service, whether it be aviation, IT, business management, LT, or volunteer work. We would love to connect with you at any of the events, or special appointments when we're in your area. God bless you all and may you find Him active around you and inviting you to engage in His work.

Ecuador Vision Trip 2010

2010-06-21T08:11:00.003-06:00

Well we've been back for 2 weeks now and I believe I'm finally caught up. This was actually the best Vision Trip I've been on, partly due to the make up of the group and partly due to "refining" the trip from feed back from previous participants. It also helped that the WX in Shell co-operated so we could fly out to the Jungle on our first full day there. That takes a lot of pressure off since that's one of the primary things we want to accomplish. And the final reason was we had a wonderful place to stay while in Shell (thanks Tracey!!). I've actually already booked the place for next year's trip - let's hope they're still in business. :)

Of course the trip started out with a bang as both the American Airline flights from Miami to Quito were canceled due to Volcanic Activity. I later found out that neither Continental nor Delta canceled their flights so I did a bit more investigating. Come to find out that the Tungurahua Volcano did erupt and the ash all blew to the west, covering (and closing) the Guayaquil airport. Since American uses GYE as their alternate for Quito they had to cancel the flights b/c they didn't have an alternate available (check out the Instrument flight rules in the FARs regarding alternates!). Neither Continental nor Delta use GYE as their alternate so they were both OK to fly to Quito (UIO).

As I called around trying to find hotel rooms, I quickly realized this was Friday night of Memorial Day weekend. Our Travel Agent couldn't find any rooms at a hotel that had an airport shuttle either and I was beginning to wonder if I'd have to rent a van as well as get some hotel rooms.

But having been stuck overnight in Miami a few times before due to American Airlines issues, I remembered that AA put me up in the Wyndham. And one of those times I actually filled out the paperwork to become a Wyndham "By Request" partner. So I called the Wyndham (who our travel agent had already tried but was told they were sold out) explained the situation, gave them the magic number (actually they had to look it up b/c I didn't even have it with me!) and voila, 6 rooms! It's really true that hotels (and airlines) give preference to their "regular" guests!

We ate a quick (expensive) meal and got to bed early since our flight was scheduled to leave at 6am. A 4 am departure for the airport got us there in plenty of time and I learned something new....TSA doesn't open the screening lines at MIA until 4:30. At least we were near the front of the line! :)

After boarding it looked like we were all set to go. I figured we'd arrive in UIO at 9am (local) and only loose a couple of hours from the schedule I had planned for Saturday morning. But "Plan B" wasn't to be as we experienced a "bag pull".

For those of you who have never had that joy, let me explain. According to International regulations (probably due to the Pan Am Flight 103 - Lockerbie, Scotland experience) checked baggage is not allowed to travel if the passenger who checked it is not on the flight. Well 4 people had checked in Friday afternoon with checked baggage who didn't show up Saturday morning. The pilot guessed they were local Miami folks who didn't want to bother with having to get up early, etc. So we were held up until the baggage handlers (who are paid by the hour) unloaded all the bags from the holds one by one looking for the "offending" ones. The Captain (who obviously had been through this before) said it should take 30 - 45 minutes. I don't think he'd been through it before in MIA b/c our "efficient" baggage handlers took over 2 hours to find the missing bags.

Now you might have read about the new regulations concerning passengers "stuck" on the tarmac. After 1 hour the airline has to provide food and drink. So even though we were going to get breakfast once we were airborne (Internationally they still feed you!) we each were offered a granola bar and glass of water. We later were told by the cabin crew that the new regs don't apply if you're still sitting at the gate (that's how new the regs are - even the airlines aren't sure what they say!).

At sometime after 8:30 we were actually airborne and on our way. And for one of the very few times that I can remember, I slept sitting up on an airplane. I have slept a few times when I've had a front facing window, but usually have real problems if it's a side facing window. :)

We arrived in Ecuador just fine with all our luggage (but later found out that there were items missing from the luggage) and started our trip 5 hours behind the schedule. So after moving on to plan C (and D and E) it ended up being a wonderful trip.

I won't give too much detail so as to not spoil the surprises for anyone who might read this and then participate in the coming years. If you do have any interest in finding out what Missionary Aviation looks like up close and personal, consider going on one of the many Vision Trips that MAF offers each summer (we usually go to Kalimantan, Lesotho, Ecuador, and other places as well). Just contact your local recruiter or the MAF recruiting department directly at recruiting@maf.org.

To-Do List

2010-06-09T19:45:00.002-06:00

MAF HQ is starting family conference today. That means if you need something from the office in Nampa you probably won’t be able to reach anyone before Monday. You can probably leave a message if you know the extension. :-) The recruiting extension is 1663.

One of the things that might be on the to-do list for those of you who are pilots and don’t meet the minimum requirements to schedule your technical evaluation is to find a way to build some flight time. If you have your commercial pilot’s license and the instrument rating contact me, John Lemmon, jlemmon@maf.org. MAF was donated a Mooney M20J and for the immediate future it is available to those needing to complete the requirements of 400 hours total time, including the 50 hours of high performance time. It is dual only and MAF will count up to 25 hours towards the 50 of HP time. The airplane is located with me here in Jackson, Michigan, not at MAF HQ in Nampa. Contact me if this could be of help to you.

JL

The MAF Application - from the Recruiter Side

2010-05-28T13:34:00.003-06:00

I love it! I love reading the written application from candidates coming into MAF.
I suspect, (and recall from my own experience) that filling out the application is a long and nerve-wracking process. But, reading them is like watching 'cardboard testimonies - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ - if you have seen some of those.

Each application is a story of God at work. Each candidate has learned about God's love and grace through Jesus Christ, and is living and walking with God. There are stories of how a person has changed the course of their life with God's help - walking away from patterns that would have kept them trapped. Others have grown with encouragement and support from their earliest years, and made their faith personal and are now eager to use their talents to serve God.

For me, it is a praise and worship time as I read and thank God for His amazing work, and for the people He calls to MAF. Our candidates as well as MAF will use the application process to help discern God's leading. Candidates will continue to grow and serve - and many of them through MAF - using their gifts and skills, sharing the love of Jesus Christ so that others may be physically and spiritually transformed.

Did I mention I love being in on the story?!

Should you train for a triathalon?

2010-05-21T13:26:00.002-06:00

There I was eating some potato chips when my daughter came in from work and said she was going to start training for a marathon with a friend. I kind of laughed because I thought no way would she follow through. Then I thought about my own efforts to get into shape and how I always seemed to let it slide. I am not sure why (maybe the Lord) but into my mind popped the idea of training for a triathalon. It kind of excited me. All of a sudden I had a reason to train and get into shape. I did however have to walk out the door and go to the gym to start. I have stayed with it now for over a month and am still enjoying the training (swimming, biking, and running). The event is August 7 so hold me accountable to it.

What does this have to do with MAF and recruiting? I have talked with so many people over the years who would love to get involved with missionary aviation and MAF. The concept is great and motivation is good but the next step is doing, getting started. The requirements are not easy or simple (bible training, flight and mechanics licenses) but they are doable. You need to get started and keep the goal in mind and not just the obstacles. Myself and the other recruiters are all here to help you get to where God is wanting you to be. Why not take some bible classes to just get things started. I will be glad to start holding you accountable to what you think God may be leading you into, just let me know. The other recruiters will too, just like they will with me and the triathalon. God bless.

Alaska Aviation Trade Show

2010-05-07T10:40:00.003-06:00

I had the privaledge of attending this years annual Aviation Trade Show in Anchorage Alaska on May 1-2. We had many good conversations/contacts at the booth and a lot of interest in MAF. Lots of people came by and said how great it was to see MAF at this event this year. I ended up giving out all of my pilot/mechanic brochures and general brochures. It was also exciting to share the work of MAF around the world to those who had never heard of MAF before. There should have been around 20,000 people that attended this event, but I have not heard any reports of the latest results, but for MAF this was a busy, full event with some great support shown for what we do. We're looking forward to the follow up responses from those that had specific interest in serving us or with us. We hope to return next year as I got to meet some of my recruits for the first time after e-mailing and phone calls. There's nothing like a face to face contact!

Sun N Fun 2010

2010-04-27T07:23:00.002-06:00

MAF had the privilege of participating in the Sun N Fun fly-in from 13-18 April in Lakeland, FL. We hadn't participated since the mid 80's and were asked to come back by John Burton, the president of Sun N Fun. He saw the Fly for Life exhibition at EAA AirVenture 09 (Oshkosh) and wanted a similar representation at SNF.

Of course we wouldn't be able to participate at Oshkosh each year if it wasn't for the Mission Aviation Support Association (MASA) who provide housing, transportation and meals for our time there. And the same would have be true of our time in Florida.

But in God's providence a MASA-FL group formed, headed up by John Hoke and ably assisted by Rob and Teena Ray - International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA - who led the Fly for Life project at Oshkosh 09). We were wonderfully cared for by 9 local churches who provided meals and transportation while members of the churches hosted us in their homes. I believe I put on 5 pounds over the course of the week!

Since this was MASA-Florida's first time to run an operation, Lee and Debbie Smoll, head of MASA-WI drove down and were invaluable in giving counsel and help to John Hoke. (If you get a chance, ask them about the miracle the Lord did in keeping them safe in what could have been a life-ending accident.)

To me this was just another example of the Body at work, each part coming together to make the whole successful. No one part could have done it by itself, but as each did its part, we evidenced the unity of the Spirit and I believe brought Glory to God.

Besides MAF there were 3 other mission groups represented: Indigenous People's Technology and Education Center (i-tec), JAARS (Wycliffe Bible Translators Technology arm) and New Tribes Mission Aviation (NTMA). We 4 shared a feature tent (40x40) situated on a prime display lot (75x75).

New Tribes had their first Kodiak on display which attracted LOTS of interest. JAARS had both a Helio Courier and Robinson R-44 helicopter and got to do Helio demonstrations in the airshow a few days. And i-tec showcased their flying car - The Maverick in another corner of the lot.

During the 6 days of the airshow we got to speak with a lot of folks who had no idea that aviation could be used in missions. It's always a pleasure to thank the many supporters of MAF who also stopped by our tent. In addition we had many opportunities to speak about MAF in local churches.

The Lord blessed us with a great group of folks working the MAF corner of the booth and we bonded together really well as a team. Besides myself there were 2 other recruiters - John Hook and John Lemmon. We were also very fortunate to have 2 furloughing pilot/mechanics help us out - Dan DeSalvo and Danny Hulls. They brought a freshness and excitement that only comes from recently being on the mission field. If you wanted to talk to someone you could just call out John or Dan and have a pretty good chance of getting an answer. :)

We are even now in the planning stages for Sun N Fun 2011 which runs from 29 March - 3 April. If there's any way you can make it, I'd encourage you to put it on your calendar. Next year will be bigger (more mission groups) and better! And please join us in praying that the Lord would once again be Glorified by our efforts. Thanks!

The Work Goes on - Here and There

2010-02-04T11:08:00.003-07:00

MAF pilots, mechanics and logistics managers continue their vital work in Haiti.

This week in chapel, MAF pilots Brian Shepson and Scott Channon talked about their work in Haiti over the first weeks the Kodiak was there. One of their first flights carried patients suffering with untreated closed fractures to an outlying hospital/clinic. These patients had not yet been treated because their injuries were less critical than those with open fractures. One of the men had a fractured femur which had not even been splinted. He was in severe pain as he was lifted into the airplane - imagine if he had had to endure a ten hour ride over a rough road - IF he had been able to find a ride.
Follow updates via www.maf.org or become a 'fan' of MAF on Facebook.

Ron Hilbrands - our able manager in recruiting - leaves tomorrow to assist with logistics at our hangar in Port au Prince. So far, over 550,000 pounds of supplies have been moved by MAF, along with over 2,000 passengers. That is a lot of coordinating, scheduling, assisting with paperwork, unloading and reloading and just plain hard work. Ron will be keeping that going.

At the same time, the normal functions of MAF continue here in Nampa.

The instructor pilot seminar is in progress with pilots from programs around the world here to refresh their skills and learn from each other.
Our newly accepted candidate class is preparing to begin gathering their ministry partners.
We are planning for summer vision trips for aviation students.
Last but not least: Teachers Needed! MAF specifically needs two elementary teachers for Kalimantan, Indonesia (perfect for two friends, or a married couple who are both teachers!) and one teacher for Nabire, Papua, Indonesia.

Crissie Rask

MAF at work in Haiti

2010-01-20T19:53:00.003-07:00

MAF is hard at work in Haiti. For information on MAF’s involvement check out this link http://www.maf.org/news/earthquake-haiti-2010 to our MAF website.

Today, Wednesday 1-20, MAF dedicated one of the new Kodiak’s and it left Nampa, Idaho enroute to Haiti. With Avgas supplies running low the turbine powered Kodiak and increased load capability will be a big boost to relief efforts.

Although our piston fleet has been doing a number of flights to outlying areas, the supply of AvGas is a concern. This morning there was a three-day supply on hand.

The Kodiak’s progress can be followed at: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0D1PXJl3qUEr3JnlFt9jYrAhIK3fcdFYC

Email is flooded so we ask that, except for family, you not email staff in Haiti for now. The ability of headquarters to communicate with staff there is critical.

Please pray for:
A safe trip for the Kodiak.
Rest for our guys in Haiti. Enough breeze to get rid of the mosquitoes for a few hours so they can sleep.
A solution to the AvGas problem.
Wisdom for leadership as decisions are made on how to proceed.

Thanks. Never stop praying.

For Recruiting John Hook is in San Diego this weekend at the Misson Conference at San Diego Christian College. He will be traveling Monday to Letourneau for the Mission Conference there. As always you can find links to connect with us at http://www.mafrecruiting.org/.
JL

Biggest January Candidate class in a long time

2010-01-15T13:41:00.001-07:00

The apartments are full and children are everywhere. As I write this, the candidates are on a field trip to visit a Buddhist temple and an Islamic center. We have pilots, mechanics, several teachers, an administrator, a finance manager, a speech therapist, plus many others all here for our January Candidacy. This week and next are big weeks for all these folks as they meet with the Candidate Committee of MAF and final decisions are made about where they should be assigned for service. For many, this is the culmination of many years of preparation for service. It is exciting for them and for MAF as we anticipate how they will be such a blessing to the programs they go to.

Some may even be assigned to Haiti because of the devastation we recently witnessed. Haiti will be in recovery and rebuilding for years to come and MAF will play a big part of that. Candidacy is fun time as we see the new MAFers take their place in our organization. Pray for a long and fruitful ministry for them.

Urbana update

2010-01-11T10:45:00.008-07:00

Thanks to those of you who were praying for the 5 of us at Urbana 09 (Ron, Brad, Crissie, Pam & me). There is a reason Urbana is geared to the college age crowd (the first Bible study started each morning at 8:30 and the last one ended around 11 pm each night!)

It was a wonderful time of spiritual feeding and we had a lot of folks stop by the booth asking for information about MAF. Because of our new display we had more Teachers and Business/Finance folks stop than I ever remember. It was a good thing Crissie was with us to answer all the questions!

We also had quite a few IT/LT folks stop and again, I'm thankful that Brad was part of the team so he could fill them in on that side of the operation.

One neat experience is that a fellow stopped by the booth just to tell us thanks for a couple of flights we had done for his family. A little background is needed to fill in the details as to why this was significant.

In one central Asian country where we serve our only single engine airplane had been out of service for a while. Thankfully a Kodiak (our first one ever in Mission service) had arrived just a short time ago and was able to fly his siblings into the area where his folks were serving a few days before Christmas. Without the plane it would have been a long trek taking quite a while.

A few days later (Christmas day to be exact) his dad experienced a massive heart attack and the plane was able to fly him out to medical care. Without the Kodiak being able to extract him quickly the doctors said this fellow would have certainly died which would have affected the ministry efforts quite significantly.

If I'm not mistaken that's the first life saved by a Kodiak in mission service! I'm so thankful to be part of an organization (MAF) that is dedicated to serving those on the mission field.

Another neat "coincidence" is that the group this fellow worked with was in the booth next to ours at Urbana so we got to hear some of the other details about the situation as well!

Please continue to check back frequently because from now until May is a busy time for various mission conferences. I know Perry will be at Mission ConneXion NW this week so if you're in the Pacific NW be sure to stop by and say hi to him.

I'm scheduled to be at Liberty U for their MC from Feb 14-18 and then MissionFest Lancaster (PA) from Feb 19-21. Of course you can always check the calendar on our webpage (www.mafrecruiting.org) for the latest travels. If you see me somewhere along the way mention this blog and I'll give you a special gift!

Brian (SE Recruiter)

Year End reflection and URBANA

2009-12-30T16:09:00.003-07:00

This has been an awesome year for recruiting for several reasons. First of all we have seen a real increase in those headed to MAF with both of our candidate classes for this next year with more candidates than usual. MAF has experienced very little decrease in giving throughout 2009. This past year was also highlighted with the US's largest air show highlighting Mission Aviation and Humanitarian service by general aviation. That gave us a lot of great exposure and opportunities to share why we do what we do. We want to thank all of you for your prayers, support both financially and in personal contribution of time and talents, and for your trust in what God is doing through MAF. You have helped make this past year a great year in MAF. We also Praise the Lord of the Harvest for bringing us more workers for the harvest fields. It truly is a privledge to serve HIM. May God continue to challenge you, grow you, and show you HIS majesty, grace, and love through the New Year. Blessings, Perry Pust

Pray for the recruiting gang and others that have gone to represent MAF at the Urbana conference. Pray that God would work in the hearts of the students attending this year, that they would hear the voice of God, seek His direction for their lives, and come away knowing more of what God has created for them to do for HIM.

Christmas at MAF

2009-12-22T11:25:00.005-07:00

Today in recruiting I am watching a few snowflakes add to the dusting we got overnight, and remembering celebrating Christmas, as most of our MAF families do, in another country and a tropical climate

I love the Christmas emails from other parts of the world. Reports of ministries – discipling new believers, a New Testament ready to print in another language, plans for a TB facility to help tribal people get the nutrition and consistent medication they need to heal. MAF is part of all these ministries – carrying people and stuff, but also sharing the Good News for all People – that Jesus came to be a Light to those (all of us) who were walking in darkness.

MAF's first Kodiak aircraft made its first operational (real work!) flight in Central Asia - the pilots who made the flight were pretty excited to have that privilege, but they were quick to point out that many, many people poured their efforts into getting it on the field. Another Kodiak is nearly at its destination of Kalimantan, Indonesia, and one more sits in the hangar across the street waiting for better weather to start the cross-Pacific flight.

Right after Christmas, a team from recruiting will fly to St. Louis to participate in Urbana 2009-'a place for college students to see, hear, and respond to God?s global mission'.

There are about 16,000 students registered for this missions conference, held once every three years. Brian and Pam Behal, Ron Hilbrands, Crissie Rask and Brad Rhoads will represent MAF with a display in the exhibition hall - talking with students about opportunities to use their skills and talents through ministry with MAF. PRAY for the conference – for many to clearly hear God’s call to serve Him in some of the needy places of the world. If you aren’t going, the URBANA website is still a great way to learn about Missions. www.urbana.org

It will be an exciting and appropriate way to follow Christmas and to welcome the New Year.

Christmas Blessings!

Kodiak arrives in Central Asia

2009-12-16T16:23:00.002-07:00

This is a festive time of the year. Christmas is always a reminder of why we do what we do in MAF. Jesus is focus for all that we do and at this time we reflect on all that he is. Christmas is also a time of giving and receiving gifts and that also reminds of of God's gift to the world. One of our Central Asia programs received a blessing of a new Kodiak and a second Kodiak is due to arrive in Indonesia in 4 or 5 days. The third Kodiak will leave as soon as it gets good weather for the trip. Pray for good weather flying weather and for endurance and safety for the pilots for these long ferry flights. A trip in a small aircraft half way around the world is not to be taken lightly. These aircraft will be a huge blessing to the people that get to use them. We have a 4th Kodiak in the hanger getting ready for its ferry flight and a 5th one to be delivered to us right after the 1st of the year. We have much to give thanks for and pray with us these aircraft bless many people.

2009-12-03T07:54:00.001-07:00

It seems someone is always on the road somewhere. Brian is traveling through, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi this week. I just returned from visits to Indiana State University, University of Illinois, Purdue University, and late evening Pizza in Chicago before returning home. MAF will also have a booth again at this year's Urbana conference which means you will find several of our recruiters in St Louis, MO between Christmas and New Years.

Email and phones are always available but if you have ever felt you would like to sit down and talk with someone from MAF get in touch with us. You never know when we might be in your area. We want to get to know you and you to know MAF. You can find contact information at www.MAFrecruiting.org under Contact Us. My email is jlemmon@maf.org.

You can also just pick up the phone and call 1800-FlysMAF. Ask for the recruiting department and they can track down whoever you need.

Blessings to all and stay safe this Christmas season.

JL

Moody Spokane and URBANA 09

2009-11-20T11:49:00.002-07:00

It has been just over a week now that I have been back from the Moody Missions Conference in Spokane, WA. Perry Pust and I had a good chance to talk with many of the students about what MAF is doing around the world. Moody is about a 6 1/2 hour drive from where our headquarters is here in Nampa, ID. There continues to be a lot of interest in serving with MAF and missionary aviation in general.

The recruiting department is also gearing up for the huge mission conference called URBANA which is being held in St. Louis, MO this year. The event happens every 3 years and is hosted by Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. Last time we were there, there were 20,000 students and 450 mission organizations there. If you have a chance to go, it is a life changing event. Check out the website at www.urbana.org. Maybe I'll see you there. It is from Dec. 27 to January 1.

Home again, home again....

2009-11-11T19:29:00.004-07:00

Well I'm finally catching up after being on the road for 3 weeks. I left home 18 Oct on my way to Jacksonville (FL) University's Career Day. I spent 3 days in the JAX area then headed south to Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne where I spoke to their Aviation Fraternity as well as their InterVarsity group.

If you ever want to know where one of us recruiters are you can check the Google Calendar on our home page (www.mafrecruiting.org). We try and list every event we'll be at so you can come visit us.

The last week of my trip was spent visiting the Baptist College of Florida (Graceville), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach), Hobe Sound Bible College (Hobe Sound), and 3 recruits in the Tampa Bay area. While at ERAU I had the blessing of sharing my faith with about 5 muslims, 1 agnostic and 1 mormon. I also got to talk with quite a few folks who had no idea that aviation was being used in missions. I've been studying lately in John Chapter 4 and 5 about sowing and reaping and fields white unto harvest so it was a good application of that!

My next trips are to NC later this month and then TN, KY, MS & GA in early December. If you're reading this and would like me to try and visit you, please just drop me a line at bbehal@maf.org.

I do enjoy the traveling part of my job and getting to meet so many different folks who are interested in missionary aviation.

After Christmas I'll be attending Urbana (InterVarsity's tri-annual missions conference - see www. urbana.org) from Dec 26-31. If you're interested in any type of mission work that's the place to be! Come look us up and tell me you found out about it on our blog and I'll give you a little gift!

NW Recruiter travels again - Salem

2009-10-20T15:11:00.003-06:00

For any of you in the Salem, Oregon area, I will be hanging out at Corban college all next week for their mission conference. Please stop by if you can. I'd love to talk to you about MAF, opportunities, and generally try to encourage you in some way!! :-) Help me fill in those less than active times while I'm hangin.

Perry Pust
360-606-9559

2009-10-15T10:25:00.002-06:00

Word this morning from the Kodiak crew was that weather and Icing conditions across the Midwest would keep them from making the stop at SMAT. Weather is forcing them to take a more southerly route probably stopping near Indianapolis before continuing on to the South Cleveland area.

I am off to Kankakee, Illiniois and Olivet Nazarene Univeersity. I will be back to Holland, Michigan on Saturday. JL

2009-10-14T14:11:00.000-06:00

Those in the Michigan area might already know one of the MAF Kodiaks will be in Holland, Michigan on Saturday. It will also be at SMAT Thursday afternoon about 2:30pm weather permitting. It will be making a short stop on its way to the Cleveland area. It will be in Kidron, Ohio at Stoltzfus Airfield for an open house Friday evening. Friday AM it hopes to make a short visit to MMS Aviation at the Downing airport in Coshocton, Ohio. Saturday it is back to Holland, Michigan and then down to Indianapolis, Indiana for Sunday afternoon.

I hope to see some of you in the next few days. I will be at SMAT on Thursday in Ionia, Michigan. Then down to Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois on Friday for a missions day, and then back up to Holland, Michigan on Saturday for the Kodiak open house from about 2 to 5pm. If I am not out of gas :-) I will try to make it to Indianapolis also. We might even get a few pictures posted. JL

Picture of Kodiak in Seattle

2009-10-08T11:26:00.001-06:00

As I promised, here is a photo of the crowd viewing the Kodiak during the Seattle tour. A very nice crowd indeed! Several flights were done for major contributors for the Kodiak project and a very nice demo flight by Paul Bergen amidst sky jumpers and lots of other flight activities going on that day.

Mission Fest Seattle

2009-10-07T11:14:00.001-06:00

Mission Fest Seattle was last weekend with thousands in attendance. Our booth was quite busy with not only interested candidates, but also those finding out about where the Kodiak was going to be on display on Sunday. I had about a dozen conversations with potential mission candidates, and then helped at the Kodiak event that had over 150 in attendance. An impressive flight was also done by Paul Bergen, demonstrating what this aircraft can do. Significant donors got to go along with him on these flights, plus one recipient from the drawing. Praise the Lord with us for the great support, interest, and trust we have from the many that pray and give to our ministry.

Pictures coming!

LAMP

2009-10-01T05:43:00.000-06:00

You might think of light when you see the title, and I am in a Bible Study Fellowship (www.bsfinternational.org) class that is studying John this year (see John 1:4,5,7,8,9) but that's not what I'm referring to here.

LAMP stands for Liberty (University) Aviation Missions Potentials - as in folks who are potential missionaries or who want to serve in Missions. They have a monthly meeting the 2nd Tuesday of each month and Oct. 13 I will be their main speaker. I plan on showing them a new MAF DVD from Paul College and speak to the 3 main things MAF looks for in a recruit.

Those would be Technically Qualified (meets our minimum standards in the area of expertise (Flight, Maintenance, Avionics, Teachers, Learning Technologies, Business & Finance, Administration each have their own set of standards).
This is the easiest to measure but probably the least important of the 3.

The second is Spiritual Maturity. MAF (as does most missions) requires a certain number of Bible Credits to join). Bible credits are one way of measuring Spiritual Maturity but we also ask for a Pastor's reference and we try to gauge this level through conversations both with the candidate as well as people who know the candidate. This area is harder to measure and is also more important.

The third area is Moral Integrity. Is the person who they say they are. Do they walk the walk rather than just talk the talk. Do they live up to their Biblical beliefs even when no one is watching. Is their public and private (thought) life pure. Probably the hardest to measure but the most important of the three.

So as you remember me between now and Oct. 13 would you pray that I can communicate these 3 ideas with clarity so those attending will understand? Thanks!

And as you think of the 3 areas, would you examine your life and see how you measure up. God wants each one of us to be quipped to do the best job we can both in our careers, in our ministry, but more importantly in our relationship with Him.

Grace and Peace
Brian

Upcoming BIG event - Mission Fest Seattle

2009-09-23T15:56:00.000-06:00

MAF will be among many mission agencies represented at the upcoming Mission Fest Seattle. We hope that you can come and en joy this event with us, and visit us at the booth. The event runs from 4 pm Oct 2nd through 8 pm on Oct 3rd. Check out their web site for more details at www.missionfestseattle.org and at least stop by to say HI! See ya there. Perry Pust - NW Recruiter. 360-606-9559

2009-09-23T15:35:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone. Last week our domain name www.mafrecruiting.org expired. I contacted the registrar to renew it. Well after 3 attempts over 6 days no success (long story). Today I registered the name mafrecruiting.com (notice the dot com instead of dot org) so the website can be accessed now as www.mafrecruiting.com or click on the JOIN link on the main MAF.org web site.

sorry for the inconvenience.

We all got together

2009-09-22T10:23:00.000-06:00

(men: Brian Behal, Perry Pust, John Hook, Ralph Dawson, Ron Hilbrands, John Lemmon

women: Crissie Rask, Karlene Stehling, Carol Lehman, Danielle Scholten)

After a week of meetings, we were still able to smile for the camera. Twice a year, all the recruiters get together to meet and strategize and just have fun together. We have a great team that covers the U.S. WE have 3 recruiters who live regionally away from our HQ in Nampa, ID(Virginia - SE Region, Michigan - Midwest Region, and Washington - NW Region) ID and 4 who work out of the HQ in Nampa.

2009-09-15T11:47:00.000-06:00

Moody Aviation flight students arrive today for tour of MAF. They are advance flight students doing training in the back country of Idaho.

2009-09-15T11:38:00.000-06:00

Recruting meetings going on this week. All the recruiters are here in Nampa, Idaho.

All Church Clark County picnic

2009-09-05T08:26:00.000-06:00

today we're joining the all church picnic at the Pearson Airport Museum with an MAF booth. We're hoping to see or have nearly 10,000 people there. Come and bring a picnic lunch and join us. Vancouver, WA!!!

2009-08-28T13:11:00.000-06:00

The ramp is full in front of the MAF hanger in Nampa, Idaho. Last Friday MAF took delivery on its 3rd Kodaik (#20 from the factory). Here you see 3 Kodiaks, 3 Cessna 206 and 1 Cessan 182.

The 3 C-206s are based in Nampa for training. The Kodiaks are headed for Asia and the 182 will be going to South America.

2009-08-12T11:25:00.001-06:00

This week is Graduation week at the School of Missionary Aviation Technology (SMAT) in Ionia, Michigan. I plan to visit there tomorrow as well as be at Graduation on Friday. SMAT is one of the few schools in the country where you can obtain you A&P license in one year. Classes run August to August.

This year sixteen are graduating and next years class I am told could be as many as 20. Plans are being made to break ground on the new classroom building sometime in September.

Midwest Recruiter

Oshkosh Afterthoughts

2009-08-06T19:11:00.000-06:00

Well EAA's AirVenture 2009 has been over 4 days now and I think I've finally recovered! I spent a few hours Sunday Night and all day Monday driving back to Blacksburg, VA. Having Pam along made the trip go much faster. It's so much nicer (especially for the recruits!) when she can travel with me.

I spent Tuesday unpacking, going over materials and business cards I'd received as well as cleaning out my inbox (it's under 500 now!).

I took Wednesday off to help move our daughter into her new apartment and today is my first day back to the daily grind. Hard to prioritize after 8 days of Airplanes! Now to fill out the forms and reports (the job's not over until the paperwork is done....)

If you get a chance, check out the International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA) website at www.iamanet.org. There you can find a lot of info about this year's airshow as well as a podcast featuring our flight simulator (Podcast #7).

This morning got an email from my boss asking if I want to help ferry a 182 down to Ecuador at the end of the month. I have a lot of trips planned between now and the middle of Sept. when I have to be at HQ for our semi-annual recruiting meetings so am struggling whether to go on this trip or not. I sure would hate to miss the opportunity....

If you're reading this after the Aug 10th deadline, write me and ask what I decided to do!

Day 5

2009-07-31T12:30:00.000-06:00

MAF's display has heavy traffic today. Here is a picture of MAF Advocate and Alumni Mike Roarke talking with a visitor at the MAF tent.

2009-07-29T12:25:00.000-06:00

The Kodiak is a big hit. Brian Shepson is busy showing guests around.

2009-07-28T16:06:00.000-06:00

Nice sunny day today. We had a lot of visitors to the MAF tent. The big attraction yesterday was the White Knight, launch platform for space ship 2. (pictured above) Today on the flight line was the new Airbus 380, the worlds largest airliner, I will post pics later.

2009-07-27T12:45:00.000-06:00

We are here at Oshkosh and it is really exciting. I don't mean the airplanes (yes they are exciting to see) but I am referring to the people here. There are 30 mission organizations and over 400 missionaries, mostly pilots, here to talk to the public about what we do in mission aviation. Pray for us as we have conversations and divine appointments. Here are a few pictures of the opening day.

Aviation Camp

2009-07-16T11:13:00.000-06:00

Wow! Did we have fun! And learn a lot about God's work around the world. Mission Aviation Adventure Camp was held in Cascade, Idaho. This is the first one in Idaho and it was a great experience for everyone involved. We had 11 students attend the camp, one from Washington State and 2 from Montana. The remainder of the students were from the Bosie area. The students had flights everyday (weather was nice) and ground school. Activities in the afternoons included building balsa wood models, canoeing on the North Payette River, swimming and playing games. One night we had a wonderful time around a huge campfire. Christian Zimmerman made a special appearance and spoke about his aviation experience along with being hijacked. He is currently teaching English in a University in China.

2009-06-01T11:22:00.000-06:00

From May 20-22 two of us recruiters attended the annual IAMA (International Assoc. of Missionary Aviation) conference at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Brian Behal and I (Ron Hilbrands) represented MAF there and had good time connecting with other mission groups and schools that train specifically for missionary aviation. There were over 80 attendees there and Liberty did a great job of hosting all of us. Next year the event will be at UIM (United Indian Mission in Tucson, AZ. MAF will be hosting the conference next in 2012 here at Nampa, ID.

At the conference we heard from all the groups as to what was happening in their organiziation and how the economy was affecting them. There was discussion and a presentation on safety and security training for missionaries. We also discussed the major changes involved in moving toward turbine aircraft. IAMA is always a great place for networking. There was also a lot of talk about how IAMA and missionary aviation will be highlighted at the EAA Airventure in Oshkosh.

MAF Kodiak # 2

2009-06-01T10:58:00.000-06:00

While visiting Moody Aviation in Spokane I took the short drive to Sandpoint, Idaho to tour the Quest manufacturing facilities. It is very impressive to see how far they have come in a short time. Here is a picture of the next MAF Kodiak. It is in stage 5 of a 6 stage process. Each stage takes 10 days to complete. This Kodiak, #17, should be out the door in less than 20 days.

Moody Aviation Graduations

2009-06-01T10:50:00.000-06:00

I traveled north to Spokane to attend the commissioning service for the Moody Aviation students on Friday May 29, and the graduation on Saturday May 30. It was a very nice ceremony. This was my first time to see the Spokane campus. I arrived early Thursday morning and participated in the chapel at 6:45am. MAF has 5 staff on loan to the Moody Aviation program. Three of the families have passed milestones in service. I was privileged to present 5 year service award to Gene and Jen Arnold, 15 year service award to Dan and Jodi Appleby and also Bruce and Wendy Devries. These families have been doing an excellent job in mentoring the next generation of missionary pilots and mechanics.

Great New stuff in MAF

2009-05-06T16:52:00.000-06:00

Regina Manley directed MAF’s first US Story & Oral Strategies Workshop in March. 17 representatives from 9 different organizations wrestled with seeing life from an oral communicators perspective. We made 3 tracks available that could be taken independently or in various combinations – Instructor’s Workshop, Practitioner’s Workshop, and an Oral Strategies Seminar. Read more at www.maflt.org/node/108

The folks that Regina trained in biblical story telling last January at the Mayan Bible School in Huehuetenango, Guatemala are now training 3 pastors’ wives to reach Tztujil (Mayan language) speakers. They ask prayer for “Demonstrating the Simply The Story method of story telling and coaching the ladies in discovery of God's word for themselves.”

MAF's first Kodiak will be visiting the Vancouver, WA-Portland, OR area May 23rd and 24th. You're welcome to come and see it at the Pearson Airport near the museum. See pictures on our main web site http://www.maf.org/

Liberty University LAMP Meeting

2009-04-24T09:12:00.000-06:00

I went to Liberty on 21 April to attend their LAMP (Liberty Aviation Missions Potentials) meeting. I went over early and availed myself of a "Discovery Flight" in the Schweizer Helicopter (300 CBi) as an early (late?) birthday present. Had a great time and am trying to justify how to do more of that!

At the meeting Tim and Rebecca Ingles with New Tribes Mission presented their work with the Wano tribe in Papua, Indonesia and the Ingles' heavy reliance on Missionary Aviation (both fixed wing and helicopter) to accomplish their task.

I then showed the newest MAF video which was produced by CTN's All Over the World (see http://www.aotw.tv/) about MAF's work in Kalimantan. Afterwards Tim and I answered questions.

LAMP meets regularly throughout the LU Academic year. See the Facebook Group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=47283539099 for more information.

My next trip to LU will be for the annual IAMA conference (International Association of Missionary Aviation - see http://www.iamanet.org/). Each year IAMA rotates where their meetings are held and this year LU is the host.

I'm also in the final stages of planning my annual Vision Trip to Ecuador for prospective Missionary Aviators. That trip will be from 29 May - Jun 7.

After that the next big trip on the calendar (see http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=v3svo8c4i91jgs2amrfpu2oo6c@group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Los_Angeles) is our annual Oshkosh AirVenture trip. This year the theme at AirVenture is Fly 4 Life and will feature Mission and Humanitarian Aviation. If you have even the slightest opportunity to attend I encourage you to do so.

Hoping to see you then!

2009-04-24T09:11:00.001-06:00

The orientation classes started this week. The class did a chapel on Wednesday and told about how God meet them during their fund raising time. These are always are favorite chapels.

2009-04-15T15:10:00.000-06:00

Exciting to see new staff returning from support raising to begin the final phase of training before going overseas. They begin non-tech orientation on Friday. Two weeks. Then the pilots begin 6 weeks of flight and maintenance.

March Recruiting Meetings

2009-03-20T11:10:00.000-06:00

Today we discussed plans for Urbana 09. Getting excited about what the Lord's going to do in December!

MAF BOARD is meeting this week

2009-03-20T11:03:00.000-06:00

This week the MAF US board is meeting and today Larrie Gardner gave a Chapel.

2009-03-19T16:48:00.000-06:00

MAF Kodiak #1 (#11 from the factory)

2009-03-19T16:36:00.000-06:00

Here is the Kodiak just as it arrived at our hanger in Nampa, Idaho.

Kodiak Arrival in Nampa at MAF headquarters

2009-03-19T12:03:00.000-06:00

Here is John Boyd, MAF-US CEO, receiving the keys to the Kodiak.

MAF Kodiak arrives today!

2009-03-19T07:59:00.000-06:00

Standby. In just a few hours the new MAF Kodiak aircraft will be arriving at MAF Nampa. I will post pictures later.

Learning about social networks

2009-03-18T15:02:00.000-06:00

The MAF LT (learning technologies) team gave us a seminar on using facebook, twitter, yammer etc....

Regional directors

2009-03-18T10:27:00.000-06:00

Yesterday we had a good meeting talking with Regional directors. They shared their vision for the future and that includes more staff needs.

Advocate Wing

2009-03-18T10:25:00.001-06:00

The MAF Advocate Wing is a group of volunteers who help promote MAF in their churches and other appropriate places. Connie Shepson is the manager of Advocate Wing and shared with us in our recruiting meetings about what they are doing. They currently have 25 Advocates and growing. Advocates have given 75 presentations to over 9000 people in the last 6 months. Yeah for the Advocates!

Meetings....

2009-03-17T11:05:00.001-06:00

We are in meetings as we speak

Meetings....

2009-03-10T10:06:00.000-06:00

Today is the second day of safety seminar given for regional directors and staff development. It seems to be going well. I will get some feed back from the attendees later.

Meetings and more meetings

2009-03-09T10:59:00.000-06:00

This week at MAF in Nampa, Idaho we have lots of meetings going on. The regional directors from all around the world are here. It is a time for them to reconnect with one another, plan and strategize for the future and report to the Board of directors. The office staff always look forward to the chapel times when the regional directors share what God is doing in their part of the world. We will have 2 chapels this week to fit in all the reports, Wednesday morning and Friday morning.Publish Post

New Kodiak coming....

2007-01-15T11:23:00.000-07:00

The latest word is that MAF will receive its first Kodiak March 18th. It has been in flight test. The dedication ceremony held at MAF offices in Nampa,Idaho will be held on May 2nd.

Come Fly with us.

2007-01-14T18:40:00.000-07:00

We have the technology

2007-01-14T16:57:00.000-07:00

We just need to figure out how to use it! :) I'm thinking the calendar will work well for us.

Starting out

2007-01-14T16:27:00.000-07:00