From Summer Busy to Winter Busy
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3: 5 & 6
I can hardly believe it’s already the middle of October! So far, we haven’t had any snow stick to the ground, although we’ve seen a few flurries here and there. Before long, we’ll be blanketed in white, and that will be a welcome sight. The snow helps brighten things up during the long, dark hours of winter.
We’ve already had freezing temperatures, and the steps leading down from our deck are becoming quite the daredevil adventure each morning! It’s definitely beginning to feel like winter is right around the corner.
As summer activities slow down, we find ourselves shifting into a different kind of busy at MARC. Ministry flights are still taking place weekly, but the maintenance hangar is becoming increasingly busy. Phase inspections, 100-hour inspections, annual inspections, and unexpected mechanical issues are all part of keeping aircraft safe and ready to fly. Our mechanics do an amazing job staying on top of these needs and keeping our aircraft in the air. In addition to maintaining MARC’s fleet, they also work on other ministry aircraft from around the state.
One project we’re especially excited about is the restoration of a Piper Cherokee that was donated to MARC a few years ago. The goal has always been to restore it for a missionary or ministry that could put it to good use, and we believe we have just the right ministry in mind: The Master’s Mission.
Since 1980, The Master’s Mission has trained and sent long-term disciple-makers to serve in Saharan and sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Mexico, South America, and Alaska. Their prayer is that God will continue to raise up men and women willing to leave the comforts of home and the security of the familiar to serve in Christ’s harvest fields.
Today, Adam and Lyndy White and Daniel and Hannah Richardson are serving communities in the interior of Alaska. We are excited to see this aircraft restoration completed in 2027 and look forward to seeing how God will use it to support the work of the Gospel throughout Alaska!
Kenny has been busy keeping up with the flight school. Recently, he welcomed a visit from the TSA to review the flight school’s records and student documentation. It’s always a little unnerving when the TSA comes to visit because you can’t help but wonder, “What did I miss?” Thankfully, the visit went great, and nothing was flagged. Yay! It’s a wonderful feeling when the proper checks and balances are in place and all the records are accounted for.
This week, the FAA is scheduled to visit MARC to evaluate the school for Part 141 certification. This would allow us to accept students using scholarships and VA educational benefits. We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to seeing how God might use it to help offset the costs associated with our ministry flights.
Kenny has also had opportunities to fill in when our pastor is away. He is looking forward to preaching again on November 1 and in December. We are thankful for the opportunities God continues to provide to serve both in aviation and in the local church.
Jocelyn has been keeping busy homeschooling Layla, helping with hospitality at MARC, and preparing meals every Sunday evening for the young adult small group we lead. She has made sure to bring a little Southern hospitality to Alaska through her cooking! LOL. We love having the opportunity to open our home, share a meal, and invest in the lives of the young adults God has brought into our lives.
Keira has been quite the world traveler lately! At the invitation of Jocelyn’s sister, she left on August 15 for Italy, where they traveled throughout the country and even explored Monaco. On August 29, they left Italy for India, where Keira has been helping with her cousins while experiencing a new part of the world.
We are so thankful she has had this incredible opportunity and are looking forward to welcoming her home on November 1. As she looks ahead to the next season of life, her current plans are to return to Florida in February to finish school in Pensacola.
Layla has been busy with her first year of high school, and she has been doing so well! Volleyball keeps her occupied nearly every day, along with her interests in digital animation and drawing.
Kenny and I continue to be amazed by the animations she creates. She has a real talent for it, and we can’t help but wonder if this might become a career path for her someday. We love watching her discover her interests and develop the gifts God has given her!
The year 2027 is quickly approaching, and we are looking forward to our upcoming time of deputation! Our current plans are to arrive in Orlando at the beginning of February so Kenny can complete his annual cardiovascular evaluations and the medical requirements needed for the FAA.
From there, we plan to travel throughout the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia, with opportunities to visit Texas and surrounding areas as well. Before heading back home to Alaska, we plan to make our way up to Minnesota.
We are excited about the opportunity to reconnect with so many of you, share what God has been doing in our family, and tell the stories of how He is leading us and working through aviation ministry in Alaska. We are grateful for each of you who faithfully prays for us and partners with us in this work. We look forward to seeing you along the way!
How You Can Pray
A reliable vehicle: Please pray that God would provide an SUV with four-wheel drive that can handle Alaska’s challenging roads and meet our family’s needs during deputation and beyond.
Deputation preparations: Pray for all the planning, travel arrangements, and visits that will take place as we prepare to be on the road in 2027.
Alaska’s ministries and missionaries: Please pray for the pastors, missionaries, and ministries serving throughout Alaska. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. We continue to hear from ministries with so much work to accomplish and too few hands to help. Pray that God would raise up more laborers to serve these communities.
MARC ministry flights: Pray for safety for our pilots and passengers, wisdom for our crews, and continued opportunities to serve missionaries and communities throughout Alaska.
Keep an eye out for our November update letter. We will have more deputation dates and details.
Thank you for continuing to walk alongside our family through your prayers, encouragement, and financial support. We are reminded time and again that God is faithful, and we are grateful that He allows us to be part of what He is doing in Alaska. We look forward to sharing more with you soon!
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