Three Years Later

    It was recently bought to my attention that I have not written a blog post in over three years, since before I left Canada! I sincerely apologize for this, and I will endeavor to do better. I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you, but I will do my best. I have found that living in Congo uses up most of my mental space, leaving me with little capacity for all the stuff I used to do. It's worth noting that I do have a half-written blog post in that I started drafting, but never finished. Sorry about that.

    So what does one write after a three year absence?

Celebrating a friend's birthday

    I don't know. I don't feel that I should write and update on what I've been doing. It's been too long, and let's be honest, you can read my newsletter and follow my Facebook if you really want to know what's been going on. (I also have an Youtube channel if videos of my flights are your jam... Though I don't post to that very often either.) After significant deliberation, of approximately 10 seconds, I think I should write a reflection on the lessons that God has taught me over this time.

The moment you take a photo
All the kids come swarming

    God is Lord over everything, and His timing and plans are always better than mine. Shortly before I left Canada, MAF had to evacuate our longtime base in Nyankunde due to militia fighting, moving to the nearby city of Bunia. Now, for those who are unfamiliar, Nyankunde is a small village on the side of a large hill (some may call it a small mountain, but they are wrong. Trust me, I'm a B.C. boy, I know mountains). Our base there has a gorgeous view of the valley; it is quiet, peaceful, and one of the prettiest places I've ever been. Bunia is a city of over a million people, not far from Nyankunde (I have a video of the whole trip). The sound of mosques and churches accompanied by the constant roar of traffic is the soundtrack of everyday life. Dust clogs the air, and the view out my bedroom window is a cement wall. Suffice to say, we were all eager to return to Nyankunde as soon as the security situation improved.

My pets also make life nicer

    But that was not to be. Instead it was decided that the security situation was unlikely to improve over the long term and so we would be starting a permanent base in Bunia instead. The disappointment was palpable. But as I always say, "it is what it is", and so my colleagues and I made the most of our new lives in Bunia. Blessedly, I found myself a great community of people my age and my season of life with whom I became very close. Along with the various ammenities in the city, like a tennis court, a pool, and plenty of restaurants, I was able to build a social life and find much needed recreation. 

    I would not have had these things if we had moved back to Nyankunde; the small village just doesn't have that many people or facilities. Though I wanted to return to the objectively much prettier village, God knew that it would have been much harder to live there in the long run, and so closed that door for us. And I know that my colleagues feel the same way about the decision that was made.

A plane full of missionaries

There are many refugees in Bunia

    Now, I should also address the elephant in the room. I know I said I wouldn't do an update on this post, but anyone who follows my social media or newsletter knows that I've had a few rough patches with my health. I suffered complications after my appendectomy that were incredibly painful, and I suffered extensive 2nd degree burns in a welding accident. I have spent more time on bed rest in the past three years than the entirety of my life before moving to Africa! Any one who knows me knows that I don't like being inactive. I need to be doing stuff, to feel like I'm accomplishing something, and so bed rest was... hard (I know, no one likes bed rest, I'm not that special in that regard). A lot of my time was spent wondering why in the world I ever thought moving to the Congo was a good idea, especially if I'm going to be spending so much time not doing the work I came to do! Add to that all the other challenges of living overseas, and I've often questioned my calling to be here and wondered if I shouldn't just throw in the towel and go back to Canada. But every time God has reminded me that "[His] grace is all [I] need.

The kids are often excited to see the planes

[His] power works best in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). And, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5).

    I know that God called me here, and though it is hard, though it is painful, though it is discouraging and frustrating, I know that God has not released me from this service. And so I will continue to serve for as long as He has me here. As we all should, in whatever work God has given us to do.

    And who knows, maybe I'll remember to actually write blog posts along the way.

    Maybe.

The Beauty of an African Sunrise

One Challenge Down

 So let's start with the big news: I now have 100% of the support I need to go to the DRC!
I can't express how excited I am, and how humbled I am by God's provision during this time of support raising.

It hasn't been easy, though to be honest the pandemic has made things hard for everyone. But God is sovereign through it all, and He has been working in my life. I encourage you to look at your life and see where He has been working.

So now that I have my support raised, what next?
I will be going to the MAF headquarters in Idaho on April 22nd, I will spend about a month and half there, doing cultural orientation and my technical standardization. On June 5th I will fly from Idaho out to Africa, Lord willing. Once in DRC I will spend two weeks getting myself settled and recieving orientation in country.

The bins I will pack my stuff into.
I didn't realize how big they are!

 It would be easy to relax now that I have all the support I need, and I certainly am planing a brief vacation in a couple weeks, but between now and when I leave in April I will continue to fundraise. Though I have 100% of my support, I would like to raise extra to make sure that I can stay overseas long-term. Of course, if you would like to contribute, you can click here for my webpage. I will also be working hard at preparing all the details of moving overseas, such as packing all my stuff together. Fortunately, when I left Red Lake I sorted through my stuff and was able to figure out what I was going to bring with me then. So all I have left to do is pack it all for transport.

I am so excited to be in this final step of preparation for the field. It has cer
tainly been a long road, and I look forwards to what God will be doing through my ministry in the future.

To November

 Welcome to November. Five years ago last week I left BC and moved to Manitoba to start my career as a pilot

 If you've ever sat down with me or heard me talk about my experience and preparation for ministry, you've probably heard about my time flying in Manitoba and Ontario, so I won't go into depth about it. But everytime I talk about it I'm amazed at how God has been working.

Last time I was living in BC I had just finished college and was trying to find work and start my career. Now, half a decade later, I'm back; but this time I'm building up my support team and getting ready to head to the DRC and serve with MAF. In many ways, things are the same, but also completely different.

It was five years ago that I left BC, but only one year ago next week that I signed on the dotted line and joined MAF. I'll be honest, I'm not where I thought I would be by now, but I don't think any of us are. It's been a crazy year, but God has proven Himself faithful again and again. So many missionaries that I have talked to have shared how the support they need to do their work has continued to come in through this pandemic, and how people are even more willing to support during this time. It is so encouraging to know that God is on our side, is it not?

And again, God is working. Last month I announced that my outgoing fund was passed the 100% mark. It has continued to grow as God has continued to be faithful: my monthyl support passed the 2/3 mark last week, and is already well on its way to the 3/4 mark! Thank-you so much to everyone who has so generously supported this ministry, I can't express how grateful I am!

The Drive

 As mentioned in my last post, I am no longer in Red Lake.

Good-bye Ontario!

Last week I had breakfast at Tim Horton's with a couple friends and then drove the 3057 kilometers back to my hometown of Kamloops. Well... I took a few days to do it, but it was still a pretty long trip!

Before I left, my car had some... issues... We fixed them, but I was a little worried about going into such a long trip. But, praise God, everything went fine. The worst part of the trip was all the wind while I drove through Saskatchewan. My car is a box on wheels, and so is pretty succeptible to wind; add the canoe on the roof, and the crazy strong winds made for a white-knuckle drive across the prairies.

All packed and leaving my appartment

I got to visit with so many friends and supporters, it was so encouraging to see everyone! And the drive along the trans-canada is so beautiful!

I am happy to be back in my old stomping grounds, though I am sad to leave Red Lake. But I'm excited to see what God does during this time as He continues to provide for my financial support!

Speaking of which... Shortly before leaving Red Lake my outgoing fund smashed through the 100% mark! Praise God! It is now sitting pretty at 109%. Thank-you to everyone who gave so generously! For those who are wondering, all the excess gets split between my first 48 month term, and treated like a monthly donation. So if you want to bless my ministry through a one-time donation, you still can, and it is greatly appreciated! (Click here to go to my ministry page and set-up your donation online).

Kicking Horse Pass. My favorite spot along the Trans-Canada

Thank-you again for everyone who is praying for my ministry, and/or supporting it financially! I appreciate all of you! If you're new and want to get involved, the link above will take you to my webpage (or click here) or get in touch with me directly!

On Leaving. Both Planned and Unplanned.

 Welcome to September.

It feels like more than a month since I last wrote a post.

August was... interesting...

I started the month off with quarantine after having traveled to the states. While sitting at home, wishing I could leave, I dreamt of camping and was planning a weekend trip. Then on my first day of freedom, I looked out the window and saw a collumn of smoke. Within a couple hours the fire grew and moved towards town. I fuelled up my car and packed a bag.

I went to spend the evening with some friends, but a few minutes after arriving we were given an evacuation notice. So off we went. We spent the first night at a church in the next town over, and then spent the rest of the week camping at Blue Lake Provincial Park. Guess I got my camping wish.

I had a great time with my friends, talking about life, going for walks, and wondering when we would be allowed home. Honestly, by the time we were able to go home, part of me wanted to stay!

There was some uncertainty. We didn't know how long we would be there for, we didn't know what we would return home to, but we found comfort in God's faithfulness, knowing that He will neither leave us nor forsake us.

And now I'm looking towards a new uncertainty. I will be leaving Red Lake, the town I've called home for three and a half years, at the end of this month. I will be driving back to Kamloops to stay with my parents until I have finished support raising and am ready to go to the DRC. As excited as I am to spend time in my old stomping grounds, I am sad to leave my friends here.

But God is constant, He is alwas with me, He promises that He will never leave nor forsake His people. And I know that I will return to Red Lake, even if its only to visit. So I look forwards to God's continuing faithfulness, whether through literal fires, or through the metaphorical fires, through change and uncertainty.

Please pray for me as I prepare to leave and plan the trip. If you live between Red Lake and Kamloops, let me know, I would love to stop for a coffee while I'm driving through!

And of course, if you aren't already, please prayerfully consider supporting my ministry. I would love to tell you more about what I will be doing with MAF in the DRC, so do get in touch!

On Seeing Friends and Risk

As I write this, I am in quarantine.

Don't worry, I'm fine. I spent last week in Idaho at the MAF headquarters in Nampa, doing safety and security training, and now that I'm back in Canada I have to quarantine for two weeks.

My trip was fun, and I learned a lot. But I don't really want to talk about that here, if you see me in person I'll tell you the stories.

Between classes I got to spend some time with the other students from my January orientation class (my last trip to Nampa). It was great to catch up and hear how they've been doing, and so encouraging to hear stories of how God has been working in their lives.

I also got to spend some time with the new program director for east DRC (where I will be serving). It was super encouraging talking to them, and learning more about serving in Congo. I also got to "meet" the two new Cessna Caravans that are headed to east DRC and that I will eventually be flying. I can't wait for that day!

As a result of the training I did, I've been thinking alot about my responsibilities, both as a pilot and as a missionary; we spent a lot of time talking about risk annalysis and management. Throughout my career as a pilot, I've done quite a bit of risk management, but now, looking at the "type" of flying I will be doing, I have some new things to think about. 

We talked about John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (ESV) quite a bit. But of course that doesn't mean I should be cavalier about taking risks. It's a lot to think about, and one of the excercises we were given was to think about our own theology of risk, and think through what risks are part and parcel with obedience to God.

It's heavy stuff, and I don't have an easy answer. Honestly, I don't think I have an answer yet.

Sorry, no tortured metaphor this time around.

Yet Another Slightly Tortured Metaphor

Time continues along. Suddenly its July, and the heat as I write this is suffocating.

June was a good month for me; the past few months have been challenging, but God has proven Himself faithful. I have been making plenty of calls, connecting with supporters new and old alike, and my monthly support level passed the 50% mark!

As travel opens more and more, and we have more freedom to gather, I have started planning more trips to visit friends and family. If you would like to meet, or even have me come speak at your church or small group, let me know!

The houseboat after her maiden voyage

I've been helping a friend build a small houseboat for some time now, and on Canada Day we launched her. It was a very exciting feeling as the trailer slowly backed into the water and the boat floated away. And as the motor started up and we motored off, I was pretty darn happy to say the least.

But that has nothing to do with my ministry. However as I think about it, I think it makes for a good metaphor.

I've been working towards serving God through aviation for about a decade now, and the excitement as I signed on the dotted line in November was in some ways very similar to the feeling of launching that boat.

But the houseboat isn't done. She isn't much of a houseboat. She's more of a pontoon platform with the shell of a cabin on top. No bed, no table, nothing. I spent the night aboard; sleeping on the wooden floor was not terribly comfortable.

Likewise, though I have joined MAF, I'm not on the field just yet. I still need to finish the preparations. God has been so faithful, bringing people into my life who are comitting to pray for me, and to support financially, I can't wait to see what He does next, and I can't wait to see the house part of that houseboat completed.

All that to say, if you would like to support my ministry, whether through prayer or financially... do get in touch.

And I'm sorry if that metaphor kinda fell apart towards the end.