January 2010

Greetings from balmy Alaska!

While we have listened to the news reports bemoaning the “record-low temperatures” in the lower 48, we have enjoyed a relatively warm winter in the interior of Alaska. We haven't had as many -40 degree days as we normally do. Thank you global warming!

There were not many flights the last quarter of 2009, which allowed us to catch up on many details that fall by the wayside during the busy summer. Isn't it a wonderful feeling when you get organized in a certain area of your life after it's been unorganized for a while? You might remember, we moved from one hanger to another in August 2008 (read into that “dumped everything into piles”), started our furlough September 1^st, returned to Alaska in March, and hit the ground sprinting through the summer and fall! God was good to us and gave us good helpers who came along side and helped muddle through the summer. We should be more organized in 2010.

Thank you to each of you who prayed for us and gave special gifts through the holiday season. The extra funds made it possible for us to give gifts to others. Thank you. Christmas was a blessed time. The service at Manley was well-attended, and some who had never attended before honored us with their presence. Children read scriptures, many Christian Christmas songs were song, and the Gospel was given. Afterwards, most stayed for fun, food, and fellowship. The children received & opened gifts from a supporting church! A native man trusted Christ the next day as a result of hearing the Gospel! Please continue to pray for Betty. She was in a bad accident, but she still won't be saved.

Several who have never attended promised to start coming to church; but right after that weekend, it got cold, as in -50F cold. It has been frustrating not being able to make the 180 mile trip because of either cold or wind blowing the road closed with snow. We have to be aware of the dangers in driving this long stretch of road. Many times we are the only ones on the road. If we break down, it could become a matter of life or death.

January brought us (kicking and clawing) into the 21^st century...sort of. If you haven't checked out our web site in a while, you should. With the help of InfoTech Design, we are now “linked” into social networks, which Earl's been making fun of for a few years! Please take a moment and check the site out at http://missionaircare.org, sign up for email updates, sign up for the Twitter and Facebook “thingies,” and get caught up on all the latest news. The competitive side of Earl causes him to try and get more “friends” than Lynn has!

Sometimes, the events we think are great hindrances, are divine appointments from our Heavenly Father. Here's an example of God's timing that had eternal consequences. We had to cancel another church service because of particularly cold weather and treacherous road conditions. So, we attended services at Bible Baptist Church in Fairbanks, and Pastor Duffett preached on the wheat and tares. The Holy Spirit of God moved in hearts, and many church members went forward to receive Christ. Among those who received Christ was Earl's mom and … Lynn! Her testimony is that she felt the Holy Spirit was dealing with her about this matter for a long time, but she feared what others would say if “the missionary” got saved. Like many folks, she was trusting in a prayer she prayed a long time ago, rather than believing and trusting solely on the finished work of Jesus Christ. How many zealous, good-intentioned soul winners have mistakenly told a lost sinner, “Just pray this prayer, and you'll be saved.” Bible Baptist graciously voted to give Earl authority to baptize his mom. Lynn wants to be baptized in Manley. Earl will be baptizing her as well. What a joyful day that was! “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth”. (Lu 15:10) Shouldn't we rejoice too?!

By the time you read this, Jeremiah will be 16 years old, and the pedestrian may become an endangered species! Actually he does quite well with his driving. He is making strides in his schooling as well. He likes working with his hands, and, at this early stage in his life, he wants to be a machinist.

Prayer Requests: The dog team races are starting to pickup. Please pray for scripture distribution during the Yukon Quest and Iditarod races. We still have much work to do on Mission Air Care's airplanes, and in March we will be working on four other ministry airplanes and completing their annual inspections. Please continue to pray for souls to be impacted for Christ in Manley and that we will represent Christ faithfully.

We have been asked numerous times if Earl was going to assist in the Haiti relief. It seems that there are enough planes and pilots down their right now. It appears that Operation Renewed Hope and the brethren who are working with them are only hindered by lack of funds and government bureaucracy. Hundreds of tons of supplies are on the ground in Port-au-Prince, but lack of organization between the governments has caused gridlock.

We are praying for you. We are working hard to represent all of you who support us with your prayers and support. And please pray for God-called laborers for the villages of Alaska.