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