One Week!

Mountain Airstrip During Joe's Standardization Flying

March, April and May passed in a whirlwind of training, packing, repacking, more packing and goodbyes. We are within a week of stepping on an airplane in Seattle to begin a 40 hour journey to Maseru, Lesotho. "How long will you be gone?" has been a common question over the past few months.  This query gives us pause because we don't quite know ourselves.  We intend to be out of the United States for a period of several years and to only return for relatively short visits for at least the next decade. 

Grace's Birthday Party at MAF housing in Nampa

Wilson Bar Airport - Flight Standardization Training

Flight Planning During Flight Standardization

Even though we have known that this is coming for a long time and have been working toward it as a goal, now that it's happening, it is a big change for us, for our kids and for our families. We will be moving to a place that does use English but also uses several other languages, one of which (Sesotho) we will intensely study and learn to speak. Regardless of the langauge, the culture is far from our own. Due to the nature of work in which we are engaging, we will see people suffering and dying. Our children will grow up thinking of Africa as home and wondering why we talk about the place we go every few years on vacation as "home." They will see their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins perhaps once a year, when either they visit us, or we visit them. Everything we own right now fits into the back of a pickup truck and will be going on the airplane with us to Lesotho. 

Aircraft Inspection During Maintenance
Standardization Training

Magneto Inspection During Maintenance
Standardization Training

Tim Helping Dad Work on his Bike

Making Memories in our Hometown

How do we feel about all of this? How can we describe feelings we don't fully grasp ourselves? Our overriding emotion is true excitement and anticipation at the privilege of bringing hope and help in the name of Jesus to isolated and suffering people in Lesotho. We know this is God's calling for our family and that the gifts and passions we have fit well with the mission we have been given. Nonetheless, we are giving up culture and country, face-to-face time with family and friends, and the comforts of life as we know it to fulfill this call. There is loss there, and the many goodbyes of the past few weeks put an exclamation point on some of what is being left behind.  

Grandpa Love!

Goodbye Hometown!

Alison Ranch, ID - Where Postcard Photos Come From!

All our stuff, Packed for Africa

Field Orientation Training at MAF Headquarters

Goodbye to these three!

Yet, the wistful feelings for the people we are leaving highlights the fact that our Creator made us for relationship. We were made to be in relationship with God, with other people, and with the creation around us.  As we have prepared to serve in this mission we have seen these relationships grow and improve.  Karen and I are so happy that we are on this journey together. We have grown much closer as we have mentally, emotionally and vocationally prepared to go. Along the way, we have also developed deep friendships with those who have encouraged us, as well as with those who think we're crazy (yes, we know you do). We also have learned to trust in God and believe in His provision more deeply as we have moved toward this mission. We have seen that our own strength is feeble and foolish and that His power is made perfect in our weaknesses, when He enables and we follow. The journey of preparation alone has made this quest worth the sacrifices it has required.

Fishing With Grandpa!

We also know that it is easier to be optimistic and passionate during the honeymoon period of this journey. We do appreciate your continued prayers for us and our family as some of the harsh realities become clear when the inevitable culture shock sets in. Even now we occasionally find ourselves on edge with big emotional reactions to mild stressors. The joys of the chaos of transition! 

Joe Gets a Break while Another
Standardization Pilot Flies

Joe's Uniform Shirts Arrived!

Together Hiking Time in Boise!

Time with Cousins!

Hiking in the Idaho Woods with Family

Our Journey Continues

The Graduate

It has been a while since a post and it is time to catch everyone up on what is in store for 2017 and share how God has been working in our lives. 

Joe finished maintenance school in December and is now a FAA certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic (A&P). This certification was the last major prerequisite to applying for mission aviation agencies.  While he was in school he was working as a flight instructor part-time.  Since August he has been working full-time at

Joe's ground students at HAA

Hillsboro Aero Academy as the ground instructor for 29 soon-to-be airline pilots from China. He teaches them a three-hour ground class four times a week, does some flight training (including progress check flights) and monitors the overall progress and well-being of the class. What he likes best about the job is working with instructors and school staff to help students to succeed and thrive.

Big Sister!!

We are expecting a baby boy this spring; due date is May 3rd. Gracie excitedly tells people that she has never had a baby brother before; it's the first time! She likes to sing the baby songs. Sometimes they are about how to be nice to our dog Spike.

Grace enjoys preschool and is learning how to write her name. She loves to do art projects. I quit my job at Old Spaghetti Factory the beginning of this year and am enjoying more time with family. It is especially nice to have weekends and holidays off.

We have applied to join MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship).They are a non-profit organization that uses aviation to bring hope and help to isolated people around the world. This means that within the next year or two our family is planning to move to another country and work/live there long-term.  

Airplane Magneto Overhaul

The first step to join the organization is a two-week technical evaluation (TE). This will be in Nampa, ID on March 12th-24th. During this time, Joe will be evaluated on his skills as a pilot and mechanic. Please pray for Joe as it is a stressful process and he does not have a lot of time to prepare beforehand.

If MAF thinks our family will be a good fit for the organization, then the next steps would be as follows: 

• First is candidacy, which happens twice a year. The next one occurs in July. Over a five weeks, we would learn more about the places MAF serves and receive basic training to assimilate into the organization. 
• After successfully completing candidacy, we will be accepted to the organization and will be assigned to one of MAF's 15 bases in six countries in Africa, Asia, Eurasia, and Latin America. 
• Over the next 6-12 months, we will seek a group of partners to support us through prayer and financial donations, during which time we will continue to live in Portland, OR.
• After that we will spend a few more months of flight and cultural training at MAF headquarters in Nampa, ID.  
• Next we would move overseas for a year of language training. 
• Finally, we would move to our location of service at the MAF base. 

Some of Joe's students touring a B-17
that visited the airport

We chose to apply to MAF after about a year of prayer and discussion in our marriage.  We researched numerous mission aviation agencies extensively, even visiting their headquarters, and eventually settled on MAF due to its reputation, its member care policies, and its support of the family. We also like the opportunity to be involved in a organization that serves holistically, helping with both physical and spiritual needs. They do this by partnering with many different organizations that bring medicine and doctors, disaster relief, education, evangelists, Bible translators, food supplies, agricultural technology, clean water projects, and more. One of the things I like is that they are very supportive of the non-flying spouse and do not have a lot of requirements on my time. This gives me the flexibility to spend more time with our kids or even pursue other opportunities.

A lot of people ask how I feel about moving overseas on this crazy new adventure and I can honestly say that I am very excited. I know that there will be sacrifices and challenges; leaving family and starting over in a

Joe's flight student Jerry after Jerry's first solo

new language and culture are not going to be easy! 

I admit that I struggle with the word "missionary" as I sometimes think of it as someone who has it all figured out. Or worse, as someone who tries to impose his or her views on others. However, I have learned that it is more about using our gifts and passion to partner with God on His mission to restore hope, beauty, justice and freedom to this broken world. God has given us so much grace and many blessings and we want to share those with others; both where we live now in Portland and eventually somewhere else far away in the world. 

View from Joe's airplane on a recent
training flight in a Cessna 206

Last summer we got to travel to the Middle East and serve refugees impacted by the war in Syria. Before going, I wondered if my story and prayers would matter to those very different from me, people who had lost so much. It was amazing to see that when I shared from my heart, it translated the barriers of culture, language and background, because it is the same God who works in the same ways all over the world. Also, by serving alongside a local organization, I saw firsthand the tremendous difference made in lives through unconditional love and respect, building long-term relationships and meeting physical needs. This is something both Joe and I believe in and that is why we are pursuing this path. 

Thank you again for your prayers and support! It means a lot to us. Feel free to ask us any questions you may have. We would love to hear your thoughts!

Work, School and Rain

The passage of time and change of season are evident here in Portland where the rains have begun.  We have been pleasantly surprised, though, how warm it stays when it rains here. Back in Pullman, the rain is often quite cold; sometimes you just wish it would snow instead of rain. In Portland over the past few weeks, the rain and clouds have been burning off by early afternoon on most days, but the locals tell us that the days of gray darkness will soon come!

Bacon and Yogurt!

Since I last posted a lot has gone on in our lives.  Karen has been doing an amazing job and getting high accolades from her managers at the restaurant where she is a waitress.  She has gotten past the steep part of the learning curve and is feeling a rhythm in her work, resulting in a significant reduction in her stress level.  She is also receiving better shifts and really raking in the tips.  She's working 4-5 evenings a week from about 5-9.  While mom is at work, Grace and I hang out until it's time for her to go to bed.  I really enjoy spending more time with her than I did a few months ago.  We are working hard on her letters and she is able to identify several letters correctly now.  We also count the stairs as we walk up to or down from our apartment.  She is a really sweet and well-behaved kid; we have been blessed amazingly.

In the latter part of September I started the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at Portland Community College. Classes run M-F from 7 am to noon.  Our apartment is less than 15 minute walk away, so I just walk back and forth to school each day.  The program is going well for me, and I am done with the first module already.  There are about 20 people in the cohort (class) and we all get along quite well, which is important since there are many group projects.  There is a substantial range in age and background among my fellow students, but most of them say, "I was always fascinated with airplanes (or helicopters) since I was a little kid."  Lots of kindred spirits! Two others in my cohort in the program are headed for missionary aviation, as well as several more in the upper cohorts.  Several of the instructors have been directly involved in mission aviation.

Weighing an aircraft with a team of students

Much of the program is hands-on work.  For example, several different teams in the class weighed an aircraft and then made a record of that weight as if it was an official record that would be used in actual service.  The program is well respected in the industry and does a great job of breaking up the massive amount of learning necessary to pass the FAA written and practical exams into bite-sized pieces.  So far I'm really enjoying the experience and I'm looking forward to each day.

During the first two weeks of classes, I was somewhat distracted by the fact that my oral/practical exam (also known as a checkride) to become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) was impending and then ongoing.  The CFI checkride is one of the most challenging in aviation because the FAA wants to make sure that instructors who are teaching people to fly airplanes are qualified, knowledgeable, know how to teach and will teach proper procedures by both word and example.  This is understandable and I'm glad that the requirements are stringent, but it does make for a long and difficult trek to becoming a CFI.  Because of this, my primary activity outside of family for three months after moving to Portland was preparing for this exam through study, lesson plan creation and actual flying of aircraft as if teaching a student.  I received instruction to this end from Aero Maintenance Flight Center in Vancouver.  I can't say enough nice things about the people there and especially my primary instructor, Theresa. The course of instruction I received there not only prepared me to be a flight instructor but also improved my professionalism and knowledge base.    

Joe has been a flight instructor for five minutes

The FAA approved examiner assigned to my checkride is notable for having extensive checkrides, and mine was no exception.  Due to my school schedule, the examiner's schedule and a maintenance issue with an airplane, the checkride took place in three different sessions spread over eight days.  The total time of the examination was over 12 hours, of which the bulk was oral questioning, followed by about 2 hours of flying airplanes with the examiner.  On Saturday, October 4, the examiner signed off that I am a certified flight instructor. 

Once I had this certification I was qualified to apply for positions as a flight instructor.  I interviewed at at Hillsboro Aviation and just received word that I have been accepted to a position as a flight instructor.  The location and hours of this job are a perfect fit.   

In summary, it is both exciting and humbling to see how God has worked everything out for our family over the past few months as we follow His will for our lives.   We are also grateful and thankful for the prayers and support we receive from our family and friends.  

In Portland!

The house shrank as I backed the van toward it!

All our stuff in the van

We have had a really busy week.  Last Saturday, some good friends showed up to help us with final packing at our old house in Pullman.  By the time the day was up, almost everything was in boxes.  On Sunday we rested a bit and said some more goodbye's.  On Monday, Karen's brother drove me to Spokane to pick up the van. Then Karen's other brother, my uncle and my mom helped us load the van (thanks, everybody!).  

The really big van. At first it looked like we would never fill it up, but somehow we managed. It was nice not to have to pack it very carefully, because we had plenty of space.  With all the help, we were done loading by early afternoon.  Our friend Ruth came over to help with cleaning and we had an empty, clean house by 5 pm.  

Empty!

Goodbye Pullman!

Karen and I decided to start the trip to Portland and make it to a friend's house in the Tri-Cities in order to break up the journey.  First we stopped in to say hi/bye to Gracie at Grandma's house.

On the road in the truck: Mt. Hood and the Columbia River

We arrived in the Tri-Cities about 9:30pm. Thanks, Michael and Lettie for letting us crash at your place! Tuesday we were off by 7 am. Grandparents and Gracie set off from Pullman in another vehicle about the same time.  The race was on: we had a 140 mile head start but we were driving the slow moving van. The drive was beautiful and pretty stress free. We arrived about around noon, an hour ahead of the rest of the crew, had some lunch and got our apartment keys.  The unpacking of the van started around 2.  
When we signed up for it, it seemed like a good idea to get an apartment on the third floor.  After about 20 trips up the stairs with boxes, that seemed like less of a good idea.  Plus, it was over 90F outside.  All of us were dripping with sweat, chugging water and Gatorade. Karen's mom took care of Gracie and we just soldiered on, up and down, up and down. We finally called off work for the evening and went to eat.  Here is the tired crew:

Heroes!

Wednesday was mop up of the last few remaining items, and unpacking. The crew left Wednesday evening.  A massive thanks goes out to my parents, Karen's mom and Karen's brothers for their help.  We could not have done it without all of you.  
We are now on our own in Portland. We have been unpacking, exploring the neighborhood, making address changes, working on resumes--all the myriad of details that surround moving.  

Gracie in her new apartment

Please know that your prayers for our move were answered; it really could not have gone any better. Your prayers are much appreciated. 
The next step for us is to get jobs. For Karen, this involves applying for a waitress job (she's already gotten her Oregon food handling permit!)  For me, this involves finishing my CFI (certified flight instructor) and then getting a job as a CFI. 

Moving This Week

The time has come. The boxes are packed (well most of them). We will be loading the moving truck Monday morning and driving it to Portland on Tuesday. The past few days have been busy ones; full of decisions on what to pack, how to pack it, what to keep and what not keep. We have been busy trying to get rid of excess stuff for the past six months but still I'm amazed at how much we have. This is the stack of boxes in the front room that is ready for loading on Monday:

The other thing we have been doing a lot of in the past few days is saying goodbye. Almost every day this past week has included a visit with a good friend who we will be seeing less frequently. Then there were the group goodbyes at work and at church. Today we had our last visit to my parents' farm, where Gracie had to say goodbye to her beloved "ba-ba's":

A big thanks to all of those who have helped us get ready to move and who helped us pack. We couldn't have done it without you. I will post an update on the move as soon as I can after we get settled in Portland. We also appreciate all the warm wishes we have received and the prayers we know you are sending up for us.