FIRST WINTER TRIP TO BLOODVEIN FOR PATHWAY CAMP MINISTRIES

There she is in minus 29 Celsius soaked cold, waiting for our first trip North - to Bloodvein - 1.5 hr flight north of Winnipeg Manitoba.

On bord Rick and Eliz Greer from Pathway Camp Ministries and 250 lbs donated books for the school - once we arrived and put the books on a big table, the teachers asked if Santa Claus delivers early this year.

It was pretty cold in the airplane - outside minus 22 inside despite heater on - not much warmer.

BACK ON WHEELS FOR THE WINTER SEASON

Click on the pictures to enlarge



Here some pictures made during the swap from amphibs to wheels

Two eyebolts holding the whole plane

Done - back on the ground safe and sound




Installing the engine pre-heaing system







and a new regulator - ready to go

MISSIONTRIP TO PAUINGASSI FIRST NATION

Again, with the same two members from Interlake Christian Community Church, Randy Schrock and Abe Wall, we flew to Paungassi First Nation, which is a fly-in community about 1.5 hrs north/east of Winnipeg by small plane - in summer accessible only by floatplane - so it was perfect to have the floats.





It's not only to have the option to land on water at the desired destination, as well as enroute, you have just a safer feeling to have floats underneth, due to the area we are going, has a lot of lakes - each one is a potential landing "strip" in case of an emergency.

No meetings had been planned - we want to be open for the Holy Spirit to guide us with visiting the people.
Some of them were known to Randy and Abe from previous visits, other's were people we were asked to go to.
We had a wonderfull time in spending time together, to encourage one another and having the opportunity to pray.

Another opportunity to share the Gospel was a visit at the radio station, where Randy and Abe spoke to the community.





This empty teacher's house was generously made available four us.

Winston and his sister provided food for us - thank you so much for your hospitality.

Our flight home from Pauingassi to Gimli

C-FGOD on floats flying to the ICYA (Innercity Youth Alive) wilderness camp

Click on this link to lern more about Inner City Youth Alive (http://www.icya.ca/about/index.html).
Since I heard from ICYA (which stands for Inner City Youth Alive - a registered, non-profit ministry that works with youth in the north end and core area of Winnipeg, our city's most needy neighbourhoods)
Click on the pictures to enlarge
I want to see their wilderness camp at Gem Lake which is 29 NM NE Lac Du Bonnet), to figure out, whether there would be a possibility for me to volunteer.
Soon after, I received a phonecall from Del Fast, the father from Camp Program Director Jordon, asking whether I could fly two elderly supporters (his mother in law and his dad) to the camp, because they won't be able to walk 2 km trough the woods. Nice planning - thanks to God, now I had a reason to show up at the camp.
There is also a cottage on a nearby island, which is used for the boys during night, when they have mixed gender during a camp.

Here some pictures from the camp.









A picture from our flight back to St. Andrews - this huge "garage door" was on course

MISSIONTRIP TO GOD'S RIVER FIRST NATION

Click on the pictures to enlarge

With two members from Interlake Christian Fellowship Church near Arborg MB (which is a 1.5 hr drive north of Winnipeg), we flew to God's River First Nation (3.5 hr flight by small plane) from Friday 18th till Monday 21th to attend their 10 day Revival Meeting to encourage and have fellowship with our brothers and sisters from the North.
We came back blessed and overwhelmed with their love for us.

God's River's radio station was meeting point for the evangelists from 3 different First Nation communities to broadcast the evening meetings.

It was a wonderful and blessed time with about 4 hrs church-time every evening. Two black Evangelists from "New Life Ministries" Georgia were there too, with an incredible message to share - One of the highlights were: "Don't gamble with your soul".
You won't believe, that the shorter one is 75 years old, the other is 50.

I had the opportunity to share out of my life, how Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, turned my life around and guided me out of my self-confident lifestyle.

I also presented the Overcomers Outreach Program (http://www.overcomersoutreach.org/)
OO provides Christ-centered recovery support and fellowship for those, whose quality of life has suffered due to problems such as difficulty in relationships, codependency, addiction any kind, eating disorder,gambling, obsessive/compulsive behavior and others.We are looking forward to establish regular meetings in a approved OO format to provide anonymity, safety and accountability of the group.
Fellowship in Recovery

Reconciliation to God & His Family

Education about Chemicals & Addiction

Edification through Faith in Christ

Dedicated Service to others

On Sunday, we celebrated a double baptism (a young couple from this community) done by Marcel Okemow (Pastor of the local Apostolic Church) and one of the Evangelist from Geogia.


The birds were on the ground on Monday, so why should we take off - so we went 30 minutes by boat to an abandoned camp to evaluate how it could be restored to hold Summer Bible Camps.
On the way back to the community, the out-border made a big buzz and jelled for oil - the only one we had, was Canola oil for the moose meat and potatoes we had at the camp. The engine quit and we became a play-ball to the elements water and wind. But thank God, another boat came along with some motoroil.

We had a great flight home, as you can see with all the lakes, the amphibs are THE safety factor in case of an engine failure.
You also recognize the round earth shape at the horizon.

PATHWAY CAMP MINISTRIES TO BERENS RIVER FIRST NATION

Rick and Elizabeth from Pathway Camp Ministries (http://www.icmsgo.com/pages/pathway/pathway_01.html) - also with ICMS - had to be flown to Berens River First Nation on SEP 16th for review of this years summer camp and discuss the possibility and logistics of new programs.

See blog from JUL 24th and AUG 10th

C-FGOD ON A SPECIAL MISSIONTRIP TO EAA AIR VENTURE AT OSHKOSH - MMS Field Report #4: Thursday At Oshkosh, Cessna 185

As mentioned in Field Report #1, the amphibious Cessna 185 that MMS restored for ministry in Canada is participating in this year's AirVenture.

The airplane's previous owner had the misfortune of landing the airplane, on water, with the landing gear extended from the floats causing the airplane to flip and incur severe damage. Edgar, the missionary who purchased the airplane as scrap, heard about MMS Aviation and asked if we could help him restore and repair the airplane for missionary use in Canada. We said we could and shortly after that Edgar towed the damaged and disassembled airplane up from Texas to our hangar facility in Coshocton, Ohio.

Edgar and the Cessna 185 arrive at MMS.

The airplane undergoing restoration and repair at MMS.

After restoration in Ohio and missionary service in Canada, here's the 185 moored at the AirVenture seaplane base.

Edgar and friends getting ready to fly.

The seaplane base viewed from the air.

Missionary airplanes, like missionary pilots and mechanics, come in all shapes and sizes. Some are better suited for one type of work than another, some better suited for one environment than another, and each having different capabilities by design or God's gifting as best meets the mission need.

C-FGOD ON A SPECIAL MISSIONTRIP TO EAA AIR VENTURE AT OSHKOSH - MMS Field Report #1: Monday at Oshkos

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

MMS Field Report #1: Monday at Oshkosh

While Monday started bright and clear in Oshkosh, an afternoon thundershower did move through the area creating some challenges for schedules, activities, and transportation. The report from our team is that everyone is doing well and is fully involved.

IAMA Tent & MMS Display
The majority of the mission-related displays are going to be featured in the tent sponsored by the International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA).

IAMA tent before display set-up.

Here's our display inside the IAMA tent.

Cessna 185 Restoration Reunion
Several years ago, MMS finished a complete restoration of a crash-damaged Cessna 185 for missionary use in Canada. The airplane came with amphibious floats which also needed to be repaired and restored. It was a long, labor-intensive, yet rewarding project that has allowed Edgar S., the missionary pilot, to effectively meet ministry needs throughout the region surrounding Lake Winnipeg.

Edgar flew the plane down to AirVenture with his wife, Gisella, and friend, Karl.

Edgar's, MMS restored, Cessna 185

Edgar, Gisella, and Karl at their display tent at the seaplane base.

Zambian Reunion
Another reunion took place as well. Two years ago, Tim and Scott G. traveled to Zambia, Africa to assist Jacques, a missionary pilot, make repairs to Cessna 206 he operated in Congo. They formed a great working relationship and weren't sure they'd ever have the privilege to meet up with Jacques again in this life. But who did Tim and Scott bump into Monday in the IAMA tent? That's right, Jacques!

Scott, Jacques, and Tim.

Behind The Scenes with MASA
Michele is busy working behind the scenes as part of the Missionary Aviation Support Association's (MASA) effort to handle the logistics required by caring for the 400 or so missionaries who've traveled to Oshkosh for the event. Michele helped with registration and is responsible for helping make sure that all the missionares are fed. I believe she helped oversee more than 1000 meals on Monday in the MASA tent.

Michele organizes registration materials.

Stay tuned and check back often for additional AirVenture updates and field reports!

PATHWAY SHUTTLE TO BERENS RIVER FIRST NATION

Two more staff members from Pathway Camp Ministries had to be flown into the Fly-In community of Berens River, located 280 km north of Winnipeg.




Click on this link to learn about Pathway Camp Ministries (http://www.icmsgo.com/pages/pathway/Pathway_news_01.htm)

FLY 4 LIFE

One of the big themes this year at Oshkosh was Mission- and Humanitarian Aviation under the Logo: FLY 4 LIFE - check this link:
http://www.fly4life.org/

GOING TO OSHKOSH WITH A MEANING
our trip to Oshkosh - the largest Airshow worldwide - followed an invitation from MMS (mmsaviation.org) being part of their presence as training facility for airplane mechanics preparing for their ministry with flying Mission Organizations worldwide.

We were at the seaplane base as a display for the restoration work MMS had done to our float-plane and had also the opportunity to present the Ministry this plane is now able to do with several Mission Organizations operating into Fly In communities of Northern Manitoba



Our wonderful hosts Bobbie and Keith:



talking to Chad, a MAF pilot, operating a Cessna Caravan Amphib in Bangladesh

READY TO GO - TO OSHKOSH

After lots of paperwork, electronic filing for border-crossing, flight-plans for Canada and the US and weather-briefing, we are ready to go





THIS YEAR IS THE MOST IMPORTANT YEAR FOR MISSION FLYING

MISSION and HUAMNITARIAN AVIATION IS ONE OF THE THEME in 2009

look it up here:
http://www.iamanet.org/category/iama-news/

and here a virtual tour through the Fly4Life tent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvOdjaL-k4Q

C-FGOD will fly on amphibs to the Oshkosh Seaplane base to represent MMS (the organization rebuilt C-FGOD and amphibs after flip-over in saltwater) and the Ministries we are connected to in Northern Manitoba and Ontario like Pathway Camp Ministries, Pentecostal Church of Canada, Northern Mission Service out of Winnipeg and others

see MMS here
http://www.mmsaviation.org/