AIRWAYS President’S Weather Report THIRD QUARTER 2014 He Other Day I Was Asked, We Are Proud of How Far We Publisher “How Are Things Going? I See Have Come
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The Official Voice of Adventist World Aviation VOL 20 | ISSUE 3 THIRD QUARTER 2014 AWA: We’re on a mission! A Special DVD for You: Pathfinder Plane Storysee p. 13 INSIDE: Missionaries to Wisconsin p. 8; The “Yellow Pathfinder Plane” p. 10 PRESIDENT’S WEATHER REPORT: AIRWAYS President’s Weather Report THIRD QUARTER 2014 he other day I was asked, We are proud of how far we PUBLISHER “How are things going? I see have come. We have developed Adventist World Aviation AirWays is available free of charge that AWA has come a long flight aviation programs at three to interested subscribers. T way in the past several years. How academies in North America— PRESIDENT/CEO are you holding up?” Heritage Academy in Tennessee; Ric Swaningson [email protected] That’s a loaded question, I thought Blue Mountain Academy in DESIGN CONCEPT to myself; and my mind drifted Pennsylvania; and Thunderbird Bond Design through the complex narrative of Adventist Academy in Arizona. Adventist World Aviation. In addition, we are developing LAYOUT & DESIGN Matt Brunson From its inception, Adventist new mission aviation projects in Seminars Unlimited, Keene, Texas World Aviation was established Nicaragua, Argentina, and Brazil. PRINTING as a supporting institution to the We have also added new staff to Seminars Unlimited, Keene, Texas Seventh-day Adventist church help with the daily administration of EDITOR Pat Humphrey ASSISTANT EDITOR Charlene West Our growth has been absolutely amazing as we PROOFING C. H. York have allowed God to guide us along the way. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tom Chapman, Chairman Lloyd Jantzen Ric Swaningson, Secretary family. Its mission is a worthy our projects. CONTACT cause; yet, with any worthy effort Our growth has been absolutely Send all inquiries or change of comes pain and sweat equity; amazing as we have allowed God to address notices to: Adventist World Aviation AWA is no different. All of our guide us along the way. However, 9323 West Greenfield Avenue missionaries, workers, volunteers, you have played a major role in West Allis, WI 53214-2733 Phone: (414) 226-5195 staff, and friends work hard to making it all possible. The wind E-mail: [email protected] keep our ministry functioning—it under our wings is provided by Website: www.flyawa.org is not without push. AWA is like an you—our donors. God offers His MISSION STATEMENT aircraft—it requires wind beneath its blessings from above and you have Adventist World Aviation exists to provide aviation and wings; otherwise, we fall from the provided the ground support. communications support to those sky! serving the physical, mental, and An aircraft requires ground spiritual needs of the unreached and My answer was, “Man, you are support to get airborne—planes forgotten peoples of the earth. right! We have come a long way.” don’t just fly without help. The A&P ADVENTIST WORLD AVATION The following Bible verse mechanics keep the plane airworthy; is a 501(c)3 nonprofit missionary- sending agency. Funded by private comes to mind, which has given controllers provide the air traffic contributions, AWA enables us encouragement and strength to control; and flight service provides missionaries to reach the unreached around the world. further our work. In Isaiah 40:31 updates on the weather conditions. IN CANADA (ESV) we read, “But they who In addition, a plane needs fuel Please send donations to: wait for the Lord shall renew their to make the journey, and some AWA Canada 1281 Highway 33 East strength; they shall mount up with military aircraft are even refueled Kelowna, B.C. V1P 1M1 wings like eagles; they shall run and while in the air. It is panic time BN 84364 2166 RR0001 not be weary; they shall walk and for a pilot who feels he or may not STOCK ART Dreamstime Stock Photography not faint.” have enough fuel to arrive at their 2 AIRWAYS | THIRD QUARTER 2014 www.FlyAWA.org PRESIDENT’S WEATHER REPORT: CONTENTS destination. means and landing for tomorrow Just as an aircraft depends on with the level of what we have ground support, AWA depends received today. We ask our In this issue: on ground support; our donors Heavenly Father for His blessings and supporters are the ground on the moment and pray for increase 4 support. As AWA expands into new in the future. This way, God gives Mission Reports: territories, we realize we need larger us what is needed. “fuel reserves.” Yet, at times I wonder, “Are we The Grapes are Blossoming; Pilots never plan a flight with eating the chicken?” Harvesters Are Needed minimal fuel—it is not smart. Extra Thank you for your continued in Alaska fuel is always onboard for the “just support; thank you for helping us Spreading Hope In Palawan in case” situations. If there is no be good stewards for God; thank The Yellow Pathfinder Plane fuel, pilots don’t fly. As president of you for your prayers; thank you AWA, I would never expect one of for the “fuel” that keeps Adventist Advancing God’s Kingdom our pilots to fly with minimal fuel. World Aviation operating without Making Disciples for Jesus In our ministry we also want to endangering our missionaries! A Beacon of Light for operate with “enough fuel onboard.” People in Distress When we feel our “fuel” is short, we halt the journey until the needed resources are made available. We plead to our “ground support” for 20 help in providing the “fuel” we need Ric Swaningson, president/CEO Flight Safety to continue the journey. When I was young, I remember 22 my father telling me, “Ric, when Planned Giving you begin working, make sure you budget appropriately; just because you have money today, you may 23 not have it tomorrow—when you In Memory and In Honor need it. It is like the farmer who purchased a hen for eggs. Then, one Cover: day he decided to eat the chicken; AWA’s aircraft, such as now he had no resource for more the Pathfinder Plane II, eggs. It became, ‘chicken today and are on a special mission to feathers tomorrow.’ ” serve humanity by relieving I remember laughing at this suffering and providing statement, which needs no speedy access to medical explanation. But I immediately care for people in crisis. understood my father’s advice. I These acts of compassion in learned from my earthly father to far-reaching places of the plan ahead for the future and live world are made possible only through the kindness and today in the present. generosity of AWA’s donors. We operate AWA with that same philosophy, to operate within our www.FlyAWA.org THIRD QUARTER 2014 | AIRwaYS 3 The Grapes Are Blossoming; Harvesters Are Needed in Alaska hat can be said about the needs of Alaska? from the Bible to reveal the great controversy that When I think of the answer to this takes place in every home. The problem is that we W question, it is difficult to keep my focus only need more missionaries; the harvest is plentiful, but on our mission post in Shungnak. There are about the laborers are few. 250 villages in Alaska, and probably less than ten of Our goal, with God’s help, is to reach more these villages have heard the three angels’ messages. people and be able to connect with the nearby It will take more willing people to go into the many villages in our region, which is about 12 villages. remote areas of Alaska. We continuously think of new ways to make In our village of Shungnak, we communicate Kingdom friends with those around us. Some of locally with VHF, as well as travel from village to our methods include conducting gospel concerts village making public announcements. Recently we and sing-alongs in family homes in various villages heard multiple requests for prayer from a nearby nearby. Occasionally, this means flying with the village being haunted by ghosts. People who have AWA mission pilots to get to where the people are. passed away have been “seen” walking around the We also use our snowmobile in the winter, when it village. Even in our village, we have had similar is too cold for the plane. Frequently, we are asked reports and problems at the clinics and in the to preach and participate in the worship services of villagers’ homes. other churches, which gives us the opportunity to When we have the opportunity, we share the truth make new friends and work with their children. 4 4 AIRWAYS | THIRD QUARTER 2014 www.FlyAWA.org ALASKA REPORT Several children enjoying their Sabbath School Program As of now, each week we have three different Shungnak, as well as Ambler and Kobuk. There are Bible studies that we give; we hold Sabbath School no Christian schools in our region; many parents programs for the children and a separate program will send their children away to receive a quality for the adults; and each Monday night we conduct a education. We have spoken to many parents, who program for the youth. desire a Christian education for their children, and During the winter months we are able to work would rather their children live at home. Therefore, with more consistency, as the people tend to stay we are now beginning to make plans for this project. indoors more. Hopefully, this winter we will be able We know that it will be difficult, and have costs and to expand our work into more homes, making new needs that we are not yet aware of and not able to relationships. predict. Yet, we know that a Christian education will Our plans to help grow our work beyond Shungnak not only impact the children, but also the families include utilizing our aircraft more.