Well the tightening up screws on the bladder tank didn't work.  The outboard tank leaked on my last long flight.  I'll be pulling it soon and sending it out and praying for a repair rather then an overhaul.

The truck has good tires on it now, and two brighter lights.  The lights aren't perfect, but I can see farther down the road, and that's a good thing.  I finally was able to afford the injector kit.  The engine had begun to run so badly, I've had to park the truck.  After two days of work, I started the truck and was backing it out of the hangar.  Long (and embarrassing) story short, I wound up outside the truck and the truck door was folded back and ruined.  Oh well.  Now I still can't use the truck. 

Greetings from North Pole, Alaska! 

We trust you had a blessed Christmas time.  We always enjoy getting all the Christmas cards, notes, and family updates from so many of you!  This year, we received a few “updates” from churches who have a part in our ministry and were reminded that, “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” Prov. 25:25

Those who follow our family and Mission Air Care on Facebook already know that our Christmas program at Manley Hot Springs went very well.  The children did great with the skit, and God's Word was preached. 

 Everyone stayed around and enjoyed a wonderful meal afterwards.  Someone said we had 41 folks in attendance!  That's a record for us.  We're grateful for the warmer weather (-18F) so that Lynn and Jeremiah could make the trip this time too.  Thank you for praying for this group of believers.  Pray the Lord of the harvest will send a pastor to shepherd these dear folks.

There was some shuffling around of missionaries in December too.  On December 21st , the day with the least amount of daylight, Earl flew the McCoy family back to their village of Unalakleet.  They had been out for a couple months, and the Youngblood family had filled in for them.  So when the McCoy's got themselves, their supplies, and belongings OFF the plane, the Youngblood's got themselves and belongings ON.  It didn't stop there.  They were flown across the Bearing Sea to St. Lawrence Island.  After the Youngblood's and their belongings were OFF the plane, the Smith family (and their belongings) got ON, and back to Fairbanks they came... on their way to North Carolina for a much deserved break.  Earl was told that this trip alone saved about $4500 in missionary funds.  There is not space enough here to include all that goes on during days like that day, but rest assured, flexibility is key.  You  never know when a plow might hit the runway lights, blow a transformer, leave a windrow of snow in the middle of the runway, just as you are about to land ...hypothetically speaking of course!

The coming year promises to be filled with exciting opportunities and challenges.  Earl will continue assisting Bro. Ronnie Starr in distributing scripture in villages, as well as our regular activities in aircraft maintenance, inspections, Iditarod ministry, and of course services at Manly Hot Springs.  Adding to the challenges will be the sad time of selling the hangar we have been working out of for the last 4 ½ years.  It has become too much of a drain on Earl's time and finances.  This is a discouraging development, but we believe we are following the Lord's leading in this matter.  Since the hangar at our house is too small for the twin engine, we are planning on selling our house as well.  We are hoping we will be able to find a more suitable situation when we come back from our next furlough.  And speaking of furlough…
 
We have received a number of requests regarding our furlough.  It has been almost four years since our last one.  However, we believe it would be best for Jeremiah to graduate high school here in Alaska first, and he is on track to finish in December 2012.  We plan on spending most of 2013 reporting to churches and visiting new ones. 

We can make all our plans for the next year, but who knows?  Maybe the Lord will call us home soon!  “What a day that will be!”  There will be more souls praising Him because of your faithful prayers and gifts.  From the Malpass family and those whom we serve, thank you.

Lord bless!

Well, all of our summer help has headed south.  Much has been accomplished this summer, and our Lord kept us safe through it all.  Praise His Name!  We are grateful for each of the folks who gave of their time and finances to serve the Lord up here.

But... hear comes winter... ready or not!  A near moose, er, I mean a near miss with a moose brought home the need to put on "moose lights" or big spot lights onto the truck.  Finding used tires and installing them is important too.  Driving 360 miles, round trip, every Sunday, mostly in the dark, to hold services in the village of Manley gives ample opportunity to see some of Alaskan wildlife up close and personal.  Where were they during hunting season!

Winter-izing the hangar so the pipes don't freeze, getting the plow truck up and running, finishing the inspection on N316AK, stocking up on firewood, constant maintenance on the plane, and catching up on all the smaller details that seem to get put off during the summer will keep up busy until... everyone comes back up in the spring!

Thanks for checking in!

I noticed that there is a large gap in time between the last time I updated this section of the web site!  It hasn't been because there hasn't been anything to report, just that I've been derelict in my roll as web site updater, I guess

Village ministries seldom grow to mega-church status, but the little church in Manley

We have been experiencing some "transient" leaks on our left, outboard fuel tank.  Sometimes it leaks, sometimes it doesn't(?)  I opened all the panels, inspected for blue stains (indicating a fuel leak), and tightened all the screws and/or bolts that are on top.  Maybe it was one or more of the cork gaskets leaking when the cold gas was put in and started expanding as it warmed up?  We'll see on one of the next flights!

Thanks for checking in!

October 2011

Greetings from Alaska!  The leaves have changed colors and locations.  They are no longer on the trees, but on the ground.  The water is getting stiff, and the smell of wood smoke is in the air.  Every year, winter arrives right on schedule, and yet, we never seem ready for its arrival.  One day, the Lord Jesus is coming back.  We know He is returning, but just not exactly when.  Are we ready for that appointment?  (1 Thes 5:2; 2 Peter 3:8-12)

Back in 2008, we teamed up with Brother Ronnie Starr to help with a ministry he has called “Operation Saturation.”  Initially,

Dear Prayer Partners,                                 August 2011

A verse often used by missionaries is, “I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4) This verse might mean a little more to missionaries in the Arctic! In the summer, there is no “night” or darkness but, when darkness does come, it brings the cold! Most outside projects and activities come to a halt. It gives a sense of urgency during the summer, and much work must be accomplished during the 100 days between frosts.

Earl has taken part in three Operation Saturation trips so far this summer. That means all villages above the Arctic Circle have complete Bibles in every home.

Dear Prayer Partners, April 2011

 News flash! Snow is deceptive. That's right! It quietly drops down from heaven, layer after layer, applying numerous blankets of pure white, giving the appearance everything is clean and pure. Then comes Spring! Temperatures rise, the layers of snow slowly evaporate and reveal the “multitudes of sin” hidden from the human eye! God told us through His prophet: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Praise the Lord that once our sins are washed by the Blood of The Lamb, they will never be brought up again! Cast into the deepest sea! As far as the east is from the west! Remembered no more!

Struggles to be Reliable

I believe we all struggle to be reliable, dependable and consistent in our daily lives.  But sometimes, the extenuating circumstances can make it even more difficult.  The last two weekends of January are perfect examples.

Sunday, January 23rd, we woke up to -53F in Manley Hot Springs. 

Dear Prayer Partners,                                January 2011

Did you make a New Year's resolution?  The start of a new year seems to lend itself to getting refocused, turning over a new leaf, or getting a better handle on our habits.  Think of it this way:  “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13,14)  God used His servant Paul to pen these words two thousand years ago, and they are just as practical and useful today. It is not fruitful to continually dwell on past achievements or failures, so why not renew our efforts to “press toward the mark for the prize” and serve our Lord in even greater ways in 2011!

“Out with the old and in with the new.”  We're not just talking about 2010 and 2011 either!