In between speaking at three churches, we wanted to make sure we could serve those who are helping us.

Painting houses, fixing cars, wiring, working in a vineyard, were some of the chores people had for us.

After our east coast excursion we headed out to New Tribes Mission Aviation headquarters in McNeal, AZ, 20 Miles north of Mexico. All of the mission pilots come here to go through extensive training on short gravel runways as well as an evaluation of their maintenance skills. New Tribes Mission Aviation services six countries with 25 airplanes. Since parts are hard to come by, or not available at all in the counties we work in, each field will order the parts through the center in McNeal. We finished our training there in five months, and had to suffer through one more sunset before our next move.

Due to problems with one of the aircraft in the Philippines, another needed to be put online as soon as possible. So this past February we jumped on the opportunity to visit our future home. I want to remind you of February. February in Alaska,

February in the Philippines,

Alaska,

Philippines,

Alaska,

Philippines.

Towards the end of our trip we were able to take an hour flight to a very remote village. What an incredible experience to land in the middle of a tribe of people who are barely out of the stone age, who know little of the world outside of their valley.

Revelation 7:9 says: After these things I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of every tribes and tongues standing before the throne and before the Lamb.

Still in the Philippines, there are over 50 remote tribes just like this that still have not heard the name of Jesus. This means there are 50 languages that are not represented in Heaven. We estimate that at our current rate that it will take over 100 years to reach all of these tribes, unless more tribal workers come to teach these people about their Creator.

We are so privileged to be able to see places and countries that most only dream of going.

We get to work alongside our co-workers towards an eternal goal. And our coworkers aren’t just those in the tribes. There are a lot of positions that need filled. Teachers, computer technicians, supply buyers, maintenance and construction personnel… And at the end of the line you’ll remember the most important role is you, the Church (or Church body). Through your support of our ministry you too are contributing towards bringing every tongue, tribe and nation to the foot of the Throne of Christ!

Now in Alaska, we jumped right into speaking in chapels and churches. Our main objective has been to finish our financial support raising. No New Tribes Missionary is in a salaried position. All of our ministry and living expenses are paid by churches and friends who have partnered with us with a desire of seeing these people have a chance to hear about their Creator and Savior.

In between speaking at all the churches or schools, we have been building decks, fixing four wheelers, rebuilding engines, laying tile, and following up with pastors and missions committees. But every once in a while, we can be found riding four wheelers or hiking.

In four more weeks, we will be back in Arizona to rebuild one of the Philippine airplanes. It should take about 6 months to tear it apart, rebuild, repaint, and ship it back to the Philippines. As soon as we’re finished Jonie and I will return to the Philippines for as long as God will have us stay there, with a short furlough every four years to visit with you all.