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.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
More than Just a Pilot
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 !
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 !
Friday, August 20, 2010
Coming and Going - People and Planes
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Follow up to Ron's post - plus
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!!!!
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!!!!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The goal was reached but now what?
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.
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.
Friday, July 30, 2010
EAA AirVenture 2010 - OSHKOSH!!
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
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