CHIEF INSPECTOR PAPERWORK DETAILS

After spending yesterday giving a few horse riding lessons (one very excited rider even got to move from the riding arena to riding on the trail), today has been a paperwork day for Dennis and I both. For me, the last few days of the month are spent paying bills, finalizing aircraft project invoices, sending them to Team Leaders for review, then sending out statements to the ministries, or local pilots, who own the airplanes. Dennis has been working on two paperwork projects of his own today. Repairs have just been completed on the tail wheel of a Stinson 108. This airplane landed at the local airport (next door to us). We were asked to repair the airplane. The fun part for the mechanics is repairing the plane. The "not as much fun" part is doing the log book entries and any FAA paperwork that might be required. Part of Dennis' day has been spent on the work order and logbook entry. Recently, Dennis has been generating "proof of experience" files for each MMS staff member. This will come in handy as experienced mechanics are matched with those needing experience on various projects. Dennis was surprised to find that he has worked on 52 different types of certificated airplanes, and 6 types of experimentals. Amazing to see the variety of experience MMS offers to apprentices and ministries alike. Time to leave the paperwork behind, go home, pet the dogs, check the weather to see if we can finally get the hay cut, and ride a horse.

TENNESSEE VACATION

It's been five or six years since we have had a vacation that was not project oriented (house repair, hay, etc) so our trip to Tennessee was a special time. Dennis and Anna had fun "hanging out together" and riding rides at Dollywood. Ethan had a great time, and won the first place medal, in the chicken race at Dixie Stampede. But, our favorite time of all was visiting with Garland. We had rebuilt his airplane when Dennis and I first came to MMS Aviation 21 years ago. Our son spent 2 summers working on Garland's camp in Canada. This was the first time they had seen each other for 16 years. What a great reunion and wonderful time of fellowship. It was a good reminder to us that it is the people who are reached through these planes that are so important and that is why we do what we do. And guess what - he even let me ride his horse.

MMS' Newest Graduate

It's been a long "road" for Shawn. He is the 70th person to complete his training at MMS. Shown here during his training with Dennis (blue shirt), Shawn spent 5 years gaining experience at MMS. An officer in Air Guard, Shawn was dispatched twice for overseas "tours of duty" during his apprenticeship. Today, perseverance paid off. Shawn received his FAA A&P license to work on airplanes. Soon, he and his family will move to Florida to begin service with Harvest Aviation, serving missions in Florida, Central America and the Caribbean. We don't always understand God's timing but we know He is always faithful and accomplishes His purposes. It's a privilege to serve Him.

Meet Cherokee and Danielle

Today is Tuesday (riding lesson day). Time to pull out jeans, boots, cowboy hat and spend some time with the girls. Cherokee is my energetic, sometimes unpredictable, but fun-loving Paint gelding. Danielle is my oldest riding student (both in age and number of summers taking lessons). We have a great time together.

Danielle's grandfather is the founder of MMS Aviation (the ministry Dennis and I have been serving with for 21 years). That's not why I give Danielle riding lessons, but it is how I met her parents years ago. Danielle's grandfather (Jim) was a missionary airplane mechanic in Bolivia with JAARS (support arm of Wycliffe Bible Translators) when God gave him a desire to train other missionary airplane mechanics so they would have "hands on" experience before serving on an "overseas field". MMS is the "fruit" of Jim's vision, and the many hours of work it took to bring it to pass. In 1986, Dennis and I made a trip to N. Carolina to visit Jim (who had returned to service with JAARS at that time) and shared our desire to use our technical skills to serve the Lord. Jim's example and encouragement strengthened our commitment to pursue mission service. You can learn more about MMS and "meet" some of the people involved in this ministry by "clicking" the link on this blog site. God is faithful!

Anna Turns 7

What a great weekend we've had. My sister, Marilyn, and her husband, John, came Thursday night. We spent a day in Amish Country, and John & Dennis spent an evening at a bluegrass/country/gospel music "jam", then we all went to the Fireworks Display in Coshocton. Pearl Valley Cheese in Fresno was Saturday's highlight. It was great to have them here. Friday night, Adam's family joined us for the Fireworks Display, pizza, and a day of family fun on Saturday. Sunday it was time to head to McConnelsville to celebrate Anna's seventh birthday (where do those years go?). All the cousins had fun just being together. Now, we're back to work - fixing airplanes for missions and paying the bills (even missionaries aren't exempt from bills :-). God is good!

HONDURAS 206

While I was spending 5 hours in Senior Management Team meetings today, downstairs in Hangar B the repairs were underway on the Honduras 206. This plane was brought to MMS for a 1,000 hour inspection. Often we find a lot of corrosion in airplanes that are often used for flights over the ocean. Once the inspection began, it became clear this airplane needed much more work done than anticipated. While this situation can become very frustrating (for our MMS work schedule and the owner who wants his plane back in service as soon as possible), the plane is providing valuable training to MMS apprentices and interns as it is now being rebuilt for mission service in Honduras. Each missionary at MMS raises their own financial support team, allowing us to provide free labor for all missionary airplane repairs.

Horse Tuesday

Tuesdays are always fun around our place. I take that day off from my normal accounting responsibilities at MMS to give a few free riding lessons. It's a great way to provide another Christian adult mentor in a young girl's life. Our patient Haflinger mare, Brenda, helps me teach Rachel and Ruth-Anne the fundamentals of horse care and riding. Both girls did a good job navigating the "obstacle course". Lots of hugs and encouragement on those days.

Today, it was back to MMS to "close the books" for another month, print out Board reports and begin July's work. For Dennis, it was time to meet with the FAA (Federal Aviation Admin), and review what is happening at MMS. He had a great review, was mentally exhausted and took me out to lunch to help "clear his head". Hmmmm, maybe I ought to call the FAA and ask if they can review his work more often :-)