God, Our Protector

The Lord will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121:7-8

The one word I would use to describe our flight operations for this past year at LAMP, is tumultuous.  As much as we had prepared and tried to get things ready for our busy flying season throughout the spring, summer, and fall, there were many days where it felt like everything that could go wrong, did.

Beautiful Feet

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!

                                                                 Isaiah 52:7

It was a warm July evening. We showed up early because it was going to be their first time in the community and we wanted to be able to meet them there. We found the janitor, who had the keys to the school, and then we unlocked the school building and waited. And waited. And waited. They were supposed to be there at six, but six came and went and soon it was seven, then eight o’clock. Did they get lost? Did something happen? Maybe we had the wrong time.  Cell phone coverage is spotty in northern Saskatchewan, so we had no way to contact them.

Facing our Fears

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

Growing up, every year, there was one week that struck fear in my heart; one week that I dreaded increasingly as it approached: the week of the Speech Meet.  I don’t know about your school, but at mine, every spring, one week of the year was dedicated to giving speeches. 

Praying for Ministry Partners

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”                                                             

Romans 10:14-15

When I was 16 years of age, I first felt God calling me into missionary service.  Although I greatly struggled with that calling initially, while attending university, I committed my life to God and agreed to follow His call on my life wherever it may lead.  Since then, that calling has taken me on quite the journey over the last 20 years. 

Trust

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Picking up a Patient in Botswana

My first placement with MAF was  flying medevacs in Botswana. Since we were on 24-hour standby, it wasn’t uncommon to get a call at one in the morning to go and pick up a patient. One of the most difficult flights I had there started out this way.