Josh and Candy Dalton Just another weblog 
"Are you sure we can make it?" This was the question of the day. And even though he was sure, I wasn’t so sure.
I have flown with my husband many times, but this was a new experience for me. He decided to take me up in the Cessna 185 to show me what he had been learning and to land on some of the training strips. Now, it is one thing seeing a nice long paved runway out the front windshield and it is quite another to see a short little dirt strip coming at you very fast. As we were descending the last few feet, I tried putting myself in his shoes.
Now, on these short, little strips, it is of the utmost importance to land exactly in the right spot every time. And if at all possible, he also must fly the route and pattern the same way every time. He must pay attention to every detail and be prepared to abort at the last minute when you see a cow or pig run down the airstrip. He must be prepared to fly whenever they need him because you never know when there will be a medical emergency and someone’s life depends on him getting there in time. He must be prepared to be unloaded on by the missionaries in the tribe who have not seen another person who speaks English for weeks. He must be prepared to encourage them. He is the grocery man and he may get blamed for not delivering the right groceries because the supply buyer bought the wrong ones. He will be carrying people’s children back and forth to school. He will be delivering God’s Word to people who have never had it in their own language. He will be taking families out to live among tribes that have never heard of Jesus Christ. He will be responsible for the lives and well-being of many people. He will have to keep the aircraft in good condition and perform the maintenance required to do so. He also has a wife, two little children, and a home to look after. He is the leader of the family, the daddy, the husband, the friend, the pilot, the mechanic, the mailman, the missionary.
As this all flashed through my mind and we safely landed on the short, bumpy dirt strip, I sat in awe of the man seated next to me. This godly man, who is willing to do what God has called him to, to use his talents to bring God’s Word to those who have never heard- is my husband.
Please pray for him as he has an awesome responsibility. Let’s just say that I’m glad it’s him and not me!
Click here to see a short video of flying on the 1100′ training strip.
