Flying For Jesus Pilot Joe Vaine

Wednesday, August 11th, at 7am Marian dropped me off at the Pemba airport so I could prepare the airplane for our four day conference in the bush.  Our first stop will be Quelimane airport and than a 45 minute drive to the Iris Nicodala base returning that afternoon and continuing on to the Beira airport with another 45 minute drive to the Iris Dondo base for a two day pastors conference.  Then on Friday we will depart for Blantyre, Malawi, landing at Chileka International for immigration and customs and then on to Bangula, a short 30 minute flight south to the Iris base, for one last conference before returning to Pemba on Saturday.
 
    Our weather this morning was not what I hoped for; there was a 25 knot wind with gusts up to 40 knots and overcast conditions.  I checked the in-flight and arrival airport weather conditions and Quelimane was forecast for overcast conditions and rain but with a 2,000' ceiling that made landing there do-able "IF" things didn't change. So onward we go with Jesus!

    Our passengers this morning were Heidi Baker, co-founder of Iris Ministries, Georgian Banov, founder of Global Celebration and Dilo, an adopted son of Rolland and Heidi Baker who will be our conference translator.

    Lift off this morning was at 8:31 am into a very brisk headwind that continued all the way to Quelimane.  Enroute headwinds ranged from 14 - 40 knots extending our arrival time by 30 minutes.  The 361 mile flight took 3-1/2 hours, 2 hours of that flight was in IFR conditions and rain.  Needless to say our pax were quite happy to be on the ground although no one complained of our flight conditions.

    However, during this leg of our flight, Georgian looked quite uncomfortable and did a lot of "squirming" in his seat.  I asked, "Georgian, is everything good?" He said, "Oh yes, can you tell me when we will arrive at our next stop?"  We were at 8500' and one hour out of Pemba so I pointed at the GPS and said with this headwind our ETA at Quelimane is showing another 2 1/2 hours.  He said, "OK", but I noticed he kept looking at the GPS for the balance of the flight.  When we arrived at Quelimane, Georgian headed for the nearest bathroom like a world class sprinter and later asked, "Is something wrong with your GPS?" I asked him why and he said, "As I was watching the ETA on the GPS it showed 1 hour 37 minutes remaining, then a few minutes later it said 1 hour 42 minutes remaining and a couple minutes later I looked again and it said 1 hour 45 minutes remaining?"  He asked, "Why was the time going in the wrong direction?  It was driving me crazy.  I had to go so bad and the time was increasing instead of decreasing and I didn't know how much longer I could hold on."  We had a good laugh as I explained the ETA is based on the airspeed and during that time that he was looking at the ETA the headwinds were increasing which slowed our airspeed and increased our ETA at Quelimane.

    Georgian is a very special guy and has a great sense of humor.  He kept all of us laughing throughout the trip as he repeated this story again and again to those we came in contact with.  Georgian has been serving the Lord in his worldwide ministry since 1985, doing more than 300 services a year.  He is an accomplished violinist, playing wherever he goes—even in the bush—where I watched villagers, hearing a violin for the first time, stand in awe as they listened to his music.  Georgian is based in Harrisburg, PA and his ministry is Global Celebration.  If you would like to know more about this servant of God, visit his web site at www.GlobalCelebration.com.

    After arriving at Quelimane, Heidi, Georgian, and Dilo went to the Iris base in the village of Nicodala to minister while I stayed behind in Quelimane to prepare for the next leg of our trip.  So, as I was taking care of all the necessary paperwork at dispatch, I phoned Beria for weather briefer.  The report was no surprise with rain, overcast and high headwinds.  What I didn't know was that this flight was going to be a "Night Flight".

    By the time our group returned from Nicodala and got out to the airplane it was already dark, I mean Africa Dark!!  I started my take-off roll at 6:10 pm into very dark conditions.  All of my senses were on "high" alert as we rolled down the runway with my eyes trying to catch everything at once.  And then, just before lift-off, I noticed my panel lights were out!  It's too late to abort, we're committed, so we lifted off with no visual on the panel but I did have the runway lights for my horizon, but just then we went into the clouds and it got real dark and bumpy.  I grabbed my flashlight to shine on the panel one gauge at a time so I could stabilize the airplane, and then started my search for the electrical problem.  While searching for the problem, I needed to bring my light back to the panel several times to insure we were in level flight.  I finally discovered the problem; the circuit breaker under the yoke had popped out so I re-set it, and "Let there be light"!  As the panel lights came on there was a huge sigh of relief in the cabin—"All is well."  Thank you Lord!

    We then continued to our 8'000' flight level and at 110 miles out I radioed Beira tower for current weather conditions at the airport.  The weather report was favorable but their mention of "controlled grass fires" around the airport concerned me.  At 40 miles out we descended through the clouds until we reached 2000' AGL and 10 miles.  I radioed the tower again, "Beira tower N734NQ, 10 miles, 2000', on approach to runway 12".  The tower responded by saying, "Descend to 1000', cleared to land runway 12."  I descended to 1000' and while following my GPS to the airport I could clearly see the fires and smoke but no runway lights!?  As we all looked intently for the runway lights, I radioed the tower, "Beria tower 4NQ, do you have the runway lights on?"  Response: "Affirm."  Just then we all saw the runway lights come on...we were 3 1/2 miles out from touchdown.  FIRST, I trust in the Lord and the ability He has given me, then I TRUST in the instruments that God has provided in His airplane and finally, I LISTEN and DISCERN what the tower has to say.  AAH...Africa...never a dull moment here!!!

    Friday, August 13th, I awoke to dark and overcast conditions in Dondo, but this was no surprise because it had rained several times during the night and more was expected for today.  The Pastors conference the night before was attended by more than 2,000 people, and God had His way with several healed through prayer.  But the highlight of the evening came when a young girl came up to the platform to testify.  This was her story:  She had lived in a wheel chair until two years ago when she came to a conference where Heidi was speaking.  When asked who needs prayer for healing she was wheeled forward and Heidi prayed for her.  She did feel the power of the Holy Spirit come upon her that night but she still could not walk.  Because of that one night's experience she "believed" and did not give up hope.  But this night she WALKED up to the platform with normal legs to give testimony how God healed her completely over the last two years.  This was a beautiful testimony for all to see and believe!
 
    So, on this morning, I got an early start to the airport to prepare for our international flight to Blantyre's "Chileka" airport in Malawi.  Rolland and Heidi Baker were my pax this day and we were headed for the Iris Bangula conference just 35 flight minutes south of Chileka.  Chileka is located in a mountainous region of Malawi and the airport elevation is at 2,550'. But next to the airport is a huge mountain that rises to 7,000' making it a real challenge in cloudy conditions.

    We had an 11:06 am departure time out of Beira into overcast and rainy conditions.  The tower cleared us outbound on runway 12 until reaching 2,000' and then to resume our own navigation.  At 1,000' we were already in IFR conditions and we stayed there until we got on top at our 9,000' flight level.  The weather forecast I received for Chileka prior to departure was for marginal conditions until 3 pm and then things deteriorated after that.  At 9,000' we had a nice tail wind for a change and moved along quite well.  Rolland was at the controls since leaving Beira and IFR flying is his game (he loves it).  As we sailed along on top of the clouds, it was IFR as far as we could see.  So we started discussing our options for our arrival at Chileka.

    I started calling the tower at 60 miles out but the big mountain was blocking our transmission until reaching 20 miles inbound.  We received a favorable report but preferred not to do an IFR descent through the clouds because of all the mountains and our unfamiliarity in the area.  So we were looking for a nice big hole in the clouds—why not!  So we prayed and 3-1/2 miles out we found just what we were looking for.  We descended out of 9,000' in VFR conditions and arrived happy and on time at Chileka.  We could see that the weather was closing in on us so we made haste to take care of customs, immigration, dispatch and refueling and were back in the air in one hour.

    Our final leg today to Bangula would only take 35 minutes so we stayed under the clouds and went around the mountains.  As we approached the dirt strip at Bangula we could see several rain squalls in the valley.  We missed a few and went through a few, and there in the distance as we broke out of a small cloud, was our destination landing strip.  I came in low to check out the area and could see the Iris Bangula trucks off to the side of the runway awaiting our arrival.  On one of the trucks they held up a large flag so I could see the wind direction (thank you Mo!).  So, I set up for landing and on final I could see 1000's of people lining the runway.  We landed and taxied up to the parking area where we were "mobbed" by an estimated 6,000 people.  The crowd was so excited and pushed toward the airplane until they were about to touch it when the police, who Mo (Iris Director) had hired, picked up sticks and then the crowd settled down.  In this culture when someone picks up a stick you move or get hit, everyone from the youngest to the oldest understands this.  Finally, all settled down and I got a great snapshot from the top of a truck of this massive crowd around the airplane...what a rush!

    After the police guards were in place, we left the airplane for the Iris base for a short break.  The evening conference was already underway so after our break we made our way to the conference where 8,000 people had assembled.  After Heidi gave her testimony of the Great God we serve she called for the sick, the deft, blind and the demon-possessed to come forward as we prayed.  So many people came forward that we were mobbed at the stage.  All the missionary's and pastors started praying for those who were crying out to God for healing.  We do not know how many were healed that evening but what I can confirm is what I witnessed that 8 deaf and 2 blind people were healed as we laid hands on them and cried out to God.  We do not know how many received Jesus that night, but I saw more than 1000 hands go up when Heidi called for those who wanted salvation.

    The most exciting thing for me was when a mother brought up her young baby whose legs were like rubber and could not stand.  Heidi grabbed both legs and started praying.  As she prayed, the legs went firm and strength came to them.  Heidi put the baby down and the mother started crying as she watched her baby stand for the first time.  It doesn't get any better than this...this is how the Holy Spirit has chosen to reach the lost in Africa.  As we seek Him with ALL of our heart, He Will do His will through us.  His delight is in our willingness to do His will.

Because He lives,

Joe

Monday June 21st, 7am I departed Pb airport for the M... bush strip just 45 minutes west.  There I will meet Brad Salyer, a seven year African missionary veteran who is now living here with his wife Jennifer and five boys, ages two to eight.  The boys names are; Kanon, Gunnar, Magnum, Remington and Colt. Even though they are from the western USA, their names have nothing to do with guns and each one has a story behind the name. But that's another story, or stories?  Well, Brad and I have been searching for old bush landing strips that we could renovate and put to use for the Lord.  Today we will inspect three airport sites that are deep in the bush and close to several villages that have never heard the gospel.

So after arrival at M..., I taxied to parking, secured the airplane, hired two guards to keep hands, feet and noses off the airplane, and then Brad and I headed out to inspect the first site.  As we drove we prayed, "Lord this is Your plan, and we are just showing up to see what You are going to do today. May our step of faith be aligned with your plan today to find the landing site You have already selected."

Shortly after arriving at the first site we knew we would like it because it was close in and flat.  But several of the villagers also liked it as well and built their houses in the middle of the runway. So, on to the second location.  As we pulled on to the second location I said, "Ah.....Lord, surely You have picked this one". It was a flat pasture for 600 meters with no trees and low lying grass as far as you can see. But what's this perfect piece of land doing here so close to the village?  So off to the administrators office to see if this was the "Chosen" piece of land we were looking for.

As we sat in front of the administrator, we described the piece of land and how we would like to use it as a landing strip.  But the administrator didn't smile. He said, "That land floods in the rainy season (Brad had told me at the site it has never flooded) and you would need to pay a lot of money to improve the roads there, plus give money to the farmer who lets his cows graze in that area." Brad had also filled me in to expect the administrator to do this kind of thing in order to see if we had lots of money to spend. So I replied, "No that won't work for us."   But then the administer brighten up and said there was another spot that was a landing strip many years ago and if I could get the company who has that land to let us use it that he would approve it as well.  For sure I could see he didn't want to "lose a bird in hand" because it would mean a lot to have a landing strip near his village without having to pay for it.  So we thanked him for his kind offer and assistance and said we would take a look at the site.

God does work in mysterious ways...it just so happens that the third site we had on out list was the same site the administrator told us to go look at...hmmm! So off we went to look at the third site.  As we arrived all we could see was ten foot high elephant grass.  It had been twenty-one years since the last airplane departed this runway and no one has touched it since.  But it's doable, so we drove the length and it was flat with no trees.  At this point we decided to pray as we drove back to the companies office in M...  Our plan was to go to the office as the "Kings Kids"  and ask for the director of the company and request free use of their runway. Hey, why not!  So that's just what we did. The director came to the waiting area and invited us into his office.  We presented our case for the Lord and the director said, "Go ahead, you can use it. I will even give you a letter of permission to make it official."  WAIT! That was to easy! Is anything to difficult for God?

We thanked the director for his kindness and headed back to the M... airport for my flight back to Pb.  On my flight home, I reflected on the events of the day and how God uses events and people to do His will.  What an awesome pleasure to serve a God Who loves to work in and through our lives.

Mighty is He!

Joe

MARCH 31, 2009 UPDATE FROM JOE...

Joe

NMAY 5, 2009 UPDATE FROM JOE...

Palma

Joe 

Thursday, November 19th, Rolland Baker and myself did a mid-day departure from the Pemba airport to Nampula on the first leg of five days of conferences.  Heidi had taken sick that day and was unable to go, so we pressed in knowing many were waiting on this conference that had been planned months in advance.  We were greeted at the Nampula airport and briefly taken to our overnight accommodations and then we were off to the first conference.  The church here had a tin roof and the walls had holes in them but the people came dressed in their best even though they were some of the poorest in the city.

It was a huge night for this church because Iris Ministries had donated the money to buy 48 shiny new bikes, each one with a mirror, bell, air pump and luggage rack.  They were all inside the church and lined up in front for the entire congregation to see.  As each pastor's name was called they would come up to claim their dream of a life time. Each pastor was photographed and congratulated as they proudly walked away with their prize possession. Each one had been proven faithful as they walked 100's of miles each year to reach those for Christ, but now with a bike new territory would open up.

The evening continued with Rolland as the guest speaker. As he spoke, many began to weep. He then called for the desperate who wanted a deeper walk with the Lord to come forward. The front of the church was filled with those who were poor in Spirit, weeping as they sang together. Then several of us missionaries walked slowly through the crowd laying hands on each one, praying for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit. One of those was Antoinette, a 23-year old young missionary lady from the Iris base in Lachinga, Mozambique.  She had noticed a young girl about, 13 years old, crying with her eyes closed as she sang. So Antoinette walked up to her and gently placed her hand on the girls head and whispered in her ear, "Jesus is touching you".  The girl was immediately thrown to the ground with a violent force and thrashed around with her face to the ground. She than jumped up and started to run for the door but Antoinette grabbed her head with both hands and again spoke about Jesus into her ear. I stood by in amazement as the girl sank slowly to the floor. I put my hand on the girls shoulder and started to pray for her as Antoinette continued to minister to her until complete peace had returned to her. Than Antoinette helped her to her feet, walked her outside, washed the dirt from her face and gave her a drink of water.

Antoinette later explained that she has seen this happened many times in the African church.  This young lady was one of three teenagers that was delivered that evening from the clutches of a demonic spirit.  Antoinette has an identical twin sister. They were born in Spain where they lived for 10 years before moving to Australia with their parents for eight years. The family than moved to Mozambique at the call of God on the lives of the twins to serve as an affiliate ministry base with Iris Ministries and settled in Lichinga where they are directors of the Iris base there.  The twins vision became a family reality.

Friday, November 20th, 9:25 am. We departed Nampula for Inhambane with three passengers, Rolland, Fred and Fernanda Barros, pastors from Curitiba, Brazil. Their church is called, "The Evangelical Church in Curitiba, Brazil".  They have 3,000 people who attend there with 430 cell groups that meet weekly. The church's vision is to send missionaries into all the 10 countries where Portuguese is spoken. This is the fourth year that this incredible couple has come to preach in Mozambique.  What an honor it was to serve the poorest of the poor in Mozambique with a couple with whom love is their life style.

Our two hour flight to Inhambane was in rain and IFR conditions.  It was great to have Rolland up front with me. He just loves this kind of flying weather. One of our missionaries visited Rolland while he was recovering in Germany from his recent illness. They asked Rolland, "Now that you have recovered from a two year illness what one thing have you missed the most?"  This was his replay, "I miss flying upside down in thunderstorms the most!"  That's Rolland, but I think he was kidding!

We had to set up our own approach into Inhambane because there weren't any services there. Using the terrain page on the Garman 530 we descended and broke out at 1,000' with about a three mile visibility and rain. Because it had been raining for three days in this area, we knew it would be difficult to get to our final village destination of Maliani in the district of Homuini. By the time we were picked up at the airport it was just getting dark and we had an hour and a half drive yet into the bush to get to Maliani. As the rain continued to pour down, we made our way through the windy road in the bush with mud holes and fallen trees in one of the darkest nights I have yet to see. Talk about spooky!

We arrived at the conference site close to 8:00 pm and even in the dark I knew these people would be the poorest I had seen yet. The church building had a corrugated tin roof and with bamboo walls up to four feet high. To handle the extra people for the conference they had put up plastic tarp roofs that kept most of us dry if you were not under one of the many holes in the plastic.

Because we were their guests, they honored us by escorting us up to the front of the church, so we weaved our way through the nursing mothers, youth and men, all in their native dress sitting in the dirt, to waiting chairs just for us. Pastor Surpresa and Pastor Jose were already ministering to the group as we arrived. These two godly men have testimonies that even move the Mozambican people.

Pastor Surpresa is the National Director of Mozambique for Iris Ministries and has been part of this ministry for 24 years. He speaks 15 languages. Before coming to know Jesus he lived in a dirt floor mud hut in the bush near Beira. Both of his parents were witch doctors and one night a young Surprisa was warned in a dream by the Lord to leave immediately or he would be killed. He woke up from his dream and, believing it to be real, he left that night and went to Maputo.  He found out a week later that both parents were killed that night. In wandering the streets of Maputo he found Iris Ministry and received Christ in his heart. Surpresa has favor with both the Lord and men.  Remember, in the Bible it says, "...that Jesus increased in favor with both God and men."  We can too as we walk as Jesus did.

In February 2008, while Surpresa was in Israel speaking at a conference about the Holy Spirit,  a Catholic Bishop heard him. This Bishop invited Surpresa to come to the Vatican to speak to 80 Cardinals, Bishops and Priests on the Holy Spirit. Within two and a half months Surpresa was at the Vatican just opposite the Pope's house at a three day conference speaking on the Holy Spirit. Surpresa is one of the most incredible mighty men of God that I know. He can preach in the ivory towers one day and the next day be in the dirt in the bush with the same fervor for the Lord.

Pastor Jose is another mighty man of God. Before coming to Christ he was a radical gangster living in Maputo. He would organize groups in Maputo to go into Johannesburg stealing cars, lived in and out of prisons and countries. He came to know the Lord in 2000 but is still remembered today as one of the most notorious gangsters ever in the Maputo area.  God has given Pastor Jose favor as well, he has encouraged many in his old gang to come to Christ including one who is now a pastor in South Africa.

Sunday, November 22nd, at 12:04 pm we departed Inhambane with Rolland, Fred and Fernanda in rain and IFR conditions for the two hour flight to Beira. As we neared Beira I radioed the tower for weather information. They responded by 1800' scattered, 3,000' scattered and 8,000' overcast.  Not bad, but as I started my instrument approach things didn't change!  At 450' AGL we broke out under the overcast layer.  After landing I radioed the tower and reported the REAL weather conditions over the airport not so much for the towers information but there were several other aircraft on approach to the airport and they would now know what to expect. Too many times the air traffic controllers will read a weather report that's up to 4 to 6 hours old to a pilot rather than look outside and that makes things very dangerous.

The four of us were picked up at the airport by Jon, the Dondo base director, and driven to the base. As we arrived there we could hear worship music coming from the church as the service had just started.  We were checked into our quarters and then we all proceeded to the church for the evening service. Rolland gave a stunning message on, "The sin of Witchcraft", and then he gave an invitation for those to come forward who wanted to repent and lead a pure life. About 50 came forward and Rolland along with Fred, Fernanda and Pastor Mario from Beira started praying for these desperate souls as I was photographing what was expected. Than without warning a teenage girl was thrown to the ground right in front of me. She began to holler and scream as she thrashed about violently on the dirt floor. You can't mistake this kind of demon manifestation, the body is thrashed so quickly and violently in a way that would be impossible for a human to do no matter how hard we try.

Several pastors laid hands and prayed for deliverance in the name of Jesus and within minutes she was calm and free from the evil that had held her. As the pastors continued to pray for those that came forward, another demon manifested itself.  This time in a 50 year old women. Suddenly she was thrown to the floor in a rage knocking everyone down in her path. Another woman who was with her tried to control her but she was repeatedly knocked away. Then two others joined her trying to hold the women down to keep from her from hurting herself but to no avail. No one could hold her down.  This was a strong demon. I looked around and Pastor Mario was near. I called him over and as soon as he saw what was going on he placed both of his hands on the woman's head. As soon as he touched her and started to pray the evil spirit tried to throw him off but the power of the Holy Spirit in Mario was so strong the demon had to submit and within five minutes the women was calm and peaceful.  As Mario turned to walk away he calmly said to me, "She's delivered."

As the service was about to end, four women in the church came forward to present a gift to the four of us; Rolland, Fred, Fernanda and myself.  They had each of us stand next to each other and they came forward and to wrap a kapulana around each of us to honor us for coming to their church.  As the music played each took our hands and danced with us in the style of their culture. When the music stopped each women kissed us on both cheeks and then a hug. Such an honor from the poorest of the poor I will never forget

Monday, November 23rd, Rolland and I departed Beira for the four and a half hour flight to Pemba in rain and overcast conditions.  We had left Pastors Fred and Fernada at the Dondo base.  They stayed to minister for four more days before returning home to Curitiba, Brazil.  What a pleasure it was to be able to minister with this godly couple.

This is Africa. God has burdened our hearts for ALL of them.  Thank you for not forgetting them in your prayers.

We are going home for a break, leaving Africa, December 3rd and returning to Africa, February 18th.  If you would like us to come to your church, home fellowship or house to learn more and why God is doing these things in Africa let us know. It would be a pleasure for us to be with you, let us know soon as our time in the USA will be short.

GOD is GOOD!

Joe

OCTOBER 25, 2009 UPDATE FROM JOE...

Africa's Continuing Adventure

It was 4:55 am on Thursday, the 22nd, when I started my take-off roll into a dark and cloudy African morning. The thunder, lightning and rain had continued on through the night, but at this early hour it had lightened up a bit here at the Wonderboom airport in South Africa. As I pushed the throttle forward, Iris's 206 Cessna took a while to come "alive" but we were at 4,500' with a fully grossed airplane. So I kept  the nose low only gaining 150' per minute as I slowly turned left while the stall warning squawked intermittently as if to say, "I don't want to do this".
 
After departure, I needed to stay under Jo'berg's TCA (Traffic Control Area) for the first twenty minutes of flight at 6,500' AGL (Above Ground Level) then after clearing their area I was able to proceed to 9,500' flight level as I headed for Polokwane, S.A. At this point I am flying over a huge valley called the Lowveld area with total darkness beneath me and a ring of mountains around me. But as I continued on my Northeast heading, a familiar site of the early morning sun peaked over the eastern horizon. First, just a small orange slit, and then a glow, then a huge orange ball to bright to look at as another day appeared over the African savanna. Awe Lord, I can NEVER tire of this. Alone at 9,500', dark as it can be, and the sweet hum of that engine...YES!!!
 
I had departed Pemba, Sunday, on a commercial to flight to Jo'berg so I could return the Iris 206 to its base in Pemba. But things don't always go the way you think they might, especially here in Africa. Our flight was scheduled to leave Pemba on Sunday at 1:50 pm with a quick stop in Maputo, Moz. and then on to Jo'berg, S.A. arriving at 6:20 pm. I arrived at the airport on time at 12:00 pm noon and waited until 1:30 pm to be told the airplane would be "delayed". No problem, these things happen, right? After another hour we were given a 5:00 pm arrival. OK, that works!  So, Marian picked me up and we went for lunch. After returning to the airport at 5:00 pm we were told 6:30 pm for sure. At 6:55 pm it finally arrived. At 7:45 pm we were on our way to Jo'berg...so I thought. But before arriving in Maputo we were told we were going to spend the night there. There goes my schedule! Well, we arrived at Maputo at 10:30 pm, from there all the Jo'berg passengers had to carry or drag ALL their luggage about a MILE to a bus that was to show up sooooooon. Eventually it did, so off to the hotel we went arriving at 12:15 pm. I finally walked into my room a little before 1:00 am and just crashed on the bed. The 5:00 am wake-up call was more like HUH?! WHAT'S THAT?
 
We got to drag our luggage back to the bus again and these buses do not have luggage compartments. That's a modern thing, but you get to find a seat for your luggage. By 7:00 am we are off to the airport and we get to go through customs and immigration again...if you're counting that's three. Every time you go TO or FROM the airport you get to say HI to the friendly agents.  We got airborne at 9:00 am and arrived in Jo'berg at 10:30 am and it's back through customs and immigration. Than you get to watch everyone's luggage but yours. "Oh, the last one, it's here!" I finally walked out of the airport terminal in Jo'berg at 12:00 pm noon to meet my friend Peter. What day is this anyway?
 
After a one hour and ten minute flight the little 206 arrived at the Polokwane airport under hazy sky's at 6:05 am.  After landing I refueled for the long flight to Beira, looked up customs, immigration and dispatch and was back in the air at 7:15 am with NO inspection!  Thank you Lord!!
 
The flight to Beira was smooth with an arrival time of 10:59 am. I pushed against a hard head wind the entire distance and on arrival all the agencies seemed to be too preoccupied to inspect the airplane, no complaint here! I was airborne at 11:47 am and as I climbed back up to 9,500' flight level I just praised the Lord for open doors and getting the cargo through AGAIN. In addition to that, I found four people that wanted God's written Word. For a Mozambican to receive a brand new Bible in Portuguese is like finding a treasurer. They just grab it with both hands with a huge smile on their face saying thank you.
 
I arrived in Pemba at 4:15 pm, 11 hours and 20 minutes after departing Wonderboom, South Africa this morning, wiped, tired and drained but full of God's Spirit. Truly, He got me through with the cargo AGAIN!

We serve an AWESOME GOD!

Joe

OCTOBER 5, 2009 UPDATE FROM JOE...

Soaking in The Lord

It was 1:50 pm on October 2nd when Rolland Baker and I landed at the Pemba airport on a commercial flight from Jo'burg. We had taken a commercial flight one week earlier to Jo'burg to fly the Iris 206 back to service in Pemba. But after three days of obstacles we decided to retreat after being told it would be a minimum of two more weeks before the airplane would be ready to fly. Hey, what's up with this?! During our stay in South Africa Peter Wheeler, Rolland and I fought the good fight with officials and work on airplane in order to return the Iris 206 to Pemba. We started each day with prayer and went out as "The Mighty Trio". But by Wednesday, "The Mighty Trio" didn't feel quite so mighty. Then Peter said, "Hey, I know where there is a "soaking" meeting tonight, let's go!  This is a meeting where you listen to praise music, close your eyes and just spend time enjoying the Lord through worship. So off to the meeting went the not so "Mighty Trio" hoping to be refreshed. But what happened in that meeting I did not expect. As we were sitting with our eyes closed the Spirit of God came "Alive" in Rolland and at about that same time the pastor of the church came up to greet him. As soon as Rolland touched the pastor, he was on the floor by the power of God. At that point all the eyes in the church were on Rolland as he walked over to a man and touched him on the shoulder. In an instant he was on the floor, and than another, and another, and another until more than 20 people had been touched by the Spirit of God, including Peter and me. The pastor who was now sitting on the floor proclaimed in a loud voice to his congregation, "God is in the house!"  Wow!!!  Again God allowed me to witness His Power, and it was completely unexpected. I remember it being a joyful and peaceful time, but most important of all, the three of us walked out of the church that night completely refreshed and the cares of the week had vanished. YAY GOD!!!
 
What my eyes had witnessed was that every person that Rolland touched simply went down by the power of the Holy Spirit. There were no words spoken and most of the time no eye contact. But what blessed me the most was to see Rolland back and alive again. Now, for me to watch Rolland in full awareness and the power of God, was a treat beyond comparison.
 
Back in Pemba, we deplaned the commercial flight and I went directly to dispatch to file a flight plan for Topuito, two hours to the southeast of Pemba. I had promised my MAF friend Dave that I would pick up Dr. Pim and Dr. Ida this same afternoon and return them to Nampula today, but because the commercial flight was late arriving at Pemba, I knew I would be cutting it close getting back to Nampula before night fall. After checking out the FFJ 206 I taxied out and departed at 2:45 pm into a hazy, smoky African afternoon. This is the time of year the farmers burn their fields for spring planting, so most of this flight was in one to two mile visibility conditions.
 
At 4:45 pm I arrived over the small mining village of Topuito. I did a low pass over the airstrip, conditions looked good, so I went in for landing. Both doctors were waiting for me as I taxied up. We greeted one another and Dr. Pim said, "Hey Joe, wouldn't it be better to spend the night here in the camp rather then flying the bush at night?" I looked at my watch, it was now 4:50 pm and night fall would catch us just about half way to Nampula. Hum..."Done!" He said, "I will pick you up in an hour and we will have some dinner together." Hey, now were talking. I had missed lunch.
 
Dr. Pim got a room for me in the mining camp with lights, bathroom, and a shower. Am I living in style in the bush or what?! Dinner that night was also at the camp with a buffet meal guaranteed to add 5 lbs. if your were not careful. We had great fellowship during dinner and I was able to find out a little more of how these two doctors minister here. Little time is spent in the camp most of their care and ministering is in done in the bush throughout Topuito. Now Dr. Pim is no slacker, as soon as we finished our meal he said I will pick you up at 5:00 am, we'll have a quick breakfast in the camp and be at the airplane at 5:30 pm. He's my kind a guy!
 
We were airborne at 5:45 am Saturday into a beautiful African morning. We actually got to Nampula before the tower opened, but as we were on short final the tower personnel showed up and cleared us for landing. As I reflect back on this trip, I can't help but praise our Lord for His peace, His blessing and covering over me. I knew I was late, a head wind slowed me down a little more and with IFR conditions you must stay on your toes. So I must say, I was on Full Alert! But with God you are NEVER late because His timing is ALWAYS perfect. Everyday He shows me I can trust Him more than the day before.
 
BECAUSE HE LOVES US

Joe

SEPTEMBER 6, 2009 UPDATE FROM JOE...

Mueda Outreach

Thursday, September 3rd, we departed for Mueda with three Mozambican Pastors; Jose, Carlos, and Chico, for an outreach in a very difficult area of Mozambique.  Mueda is a 50-minute flight to the Northwest of Pemba but very difficult by car, taking up to six or seven hours through some very rough country.  It is also the area were the "10-Year War" started in 1964.  The Maconde people are known in Africa to be some of the hardest to live with, so it was no surprise to me that the Lord sent us here.
 
Mueda's population is 25,000.  All live here with no electricity or running water.  Their only source of water is rainfall so the people here put up "rain catchers" and have large cisterns to hold the water through the dry season.  The town had a generator but that quit working several years ago and was never repaired.  It also has a hospital building but as I mentioned in an earlier report there is no medical staff or equipment so you are truly on your own and a long way from help in an emergency.
 
I descended over the town to check out the airstripm and because it is the only pavement in the area, that's where all the people were walking, riding their bikes and hanging out.  On my downwind I buzzed the strip at 200' and BINGO...clear runway!  As I brought the airplane in for landing I could see kids hiding behind bushes just wanting to get a peek.
 
As soon as we stopped we had no less than 2,000 people surrounding the airplane.  We were not going anywhere...I hope they are friendly Lord!  Within minutes, a group from the church showed up singing praise songs and clapping their hands while many in the crowd joined in taking the edge off any tension.  After greeting the people, we pushed the airplane off the runway into a clearing, hired three guards to keep the kids from making the airplane a jungle gym and packed our gear into the church.
 
After setting up our tents, we heard a chicken squealing as if he were about to die...he did...lunch!  We had shima and, of course, "chicken".  The flavor was quite good but a little "gritty" because they cook outside in the dirt and the wind blows... you get the picture.
 
Next, Pastor Carlos and I starting setting up for the evening outreach.  We located bamboo poles and hung up the two sided screen, set up lights, speakers, projectors and a generator, and within two and a half hours we were ready to go.
 
As the evening turned to night, dark clouds rolled in and an easterly wind started to blow but we were not going to let that spoil what the Lord had planned tonight!  We gathered together for prayer and asked for the Lord's will to be done this night.
 
Even though it was a cool and windy night, 350 – 400 people showed up for the Jesus movie.  When the invitation was given, 75 people raised their hands to receive Jesus in their hearts.  Now that is huge in this Maconde village, so Pastor Jose spent much time ministering to the "new ones in Christ".  The look on their faces told me this was real, Mozambican ministering to Mozambican; that's the way it should be.  There was nothing phony here.  Thank you Lord for allowing me to witness it all!
 
On Friday morning, I was awake at 4:00 am and ready to roll.  So I peeked outside and, OH...wet and cold!  A heavy dew and fog had blanketed the area as if to squash what happened last night but, not in your life—we have a new day and things to get done.  By 5:30 am we were packing the airplane and the church assembled to say goodbye, and then we all prayed together.  After prayer, one of the pastors came over and presented me a kapalana, sandals and a hand made wooden "panella", a pot for making shima (boiled flour) for Marian, and two "live chickens"!  What an honor, my heart was really touched.  These were rich gifts given sacrificially from this very poor community.
 
The African bush is raw and real.  I can't help but wonder how so many people live without electricity and clean water but they are the people of the land and God has made a way for them as well as any of us.  These people are content where they are and most will die within 50 miles of where they were born, and so God will send us to them to bring the GOOD NEWS of JESUS.
 
Thank you for being there, for praying, for not forgetting the lost souls of Africa.
 
Because HE died for US,
 
Joe

AUGUST 12, 2009 UPDATE FROM JOE...

Emergency Medivac "Mueda"

It was Sunday, August 9, at 11:45 am while in church that I received a call from the Director of SIL in Nampula.  One of their Wycliffe translators in Mueda, seven and a half driving hours to the north of Pemba was in trouble and needed immediate emergency help.  B and R and their four children have lived in Mueda for 16 years translating the Bible into the Makonde language.  Mueda is a village of 25,000 people located NW of Pemba.  It has a hospital building but no equipment or doctors to staff it.  B's condition was serious as he had a pituitary tumor and needed to get to Johannesburg for surgery, but this was not going to be easy.  The Medivac insurance flight would not leave Johannesburg until a doctor confirmed B's condition, and they would only fly in daylight hours.  My job would be to fly to Mueda and return Bengie to Nampula for evaluation at the hospital there so that the Medivac airplane could be brought in from Johannesburg.  Sounds simple...not on your life!  This is Africa and nothing is simple here.

At 1:52 pm, I was airborne with Dr. A and all the equipment we could gather on such short notice.  The only thing I knew about Mueda was from my "Airport Directory", with it's Latitude/Longitude, it's elevation at 2789', that it had an old abandoned military airstrip, and one little side note that said, "Beware of people on runway and crowding aircraft. Dangerous"!  Hmmmm, think we need to PRAY!

We were over the runway in only 45 minutes and, sure enough, the runway was crowded with people. So, I did my BIG AIRPLANE scare trick and "it worked" as the people scattered.  R, B's wife, was waiting for us and drove Dr. A to the house to bring her husband back to the airplane.  Unfortunately, it took 1-1/2 hours and I had more than 2,000 people crowding around the airplane.  Have you any idea what's it's like to be the only white guy in the crowd?  After an hour of trying to keep the mob off the airplane, a lone police officer showed up but the crowd didn't listen to him.  Finally, Dr. A shows up with the patient and five bags—5 BAGS!  After laying the 6'-3" patient on the stretcher with the doctor next to him and R in the right front seat, where are we going to put five bags?  After a hopeful recovery of B, this couple needed to go on to England and they had no other way of getting their bags to South Africa. I guess that is why God gave us this 206. Some how I got it ALL in and we were still within legal weight limits.

The crowd was still around the airplane refusing to yield their ground.  So, I asked the policeman to clear the area around the prop.  He did so quite easily after picking up a big stick.  I had a plan; I started the engine with 1/2 throttle and the roar of the engine was like a shot out of a gun!  All I could see were heals and butts heading for cover...the runway was now CLEAR FOR TAKE-OFF.

Lift off was at 3:58 pm and I ascended to an IFR altitude of 9,000'.  Dr. A continued to monitor the patient for potential pressure problems from the altitude.  At altitude, we encountered a 12-knot headwind showing our arrival time at Nampula at 5:52 pm.  Conditions were mostly cloudy and as the sun went down things got dark very quick.  I was in contact with the Pemba tower shortly after take-off, and after one and a half hours of flight, they handed me over to the Nampula tower.  The conversation went like this: "Nampula tower, 734NQ 50 miles out, one plus three, three hours endurance. Arrival Nampula, 5:52 pm. I have a patient in critical condition."  Tower response:  "4NQ continue approach and descend to 5,000."  I descended and at 25 miles out, I called the tower requesting "lower" for landing.  Response: "4NQ, I have BIG problem, NO RUNWAY LIGHTS! Circle over head at 5,000'."  After circling for five minutes, Dr. A said, "Joe you've got to land or we are going to lose the patient!"  I immediately called the tower and asked, "Nampula tower, what is the status on the runway lights? Our patient is critical!" Response: "I don't know!"  At least he was being honest.  "Ok, Nampula tower, I need for you to get six to eight cars on the sides of the runway immediately!" (NO RESPONSE) "Nampula, do you copy?"  Response: "Yes I copy, I copy!"  Five minutes later there were two fire trucks on both sides of the runway, but they were facing each other.  "Nampula tower, please hurry I need six to eight cars on the sides of the runway and they need to face south—down the runway—not at each other!"  At this point, I had been circling for 15 minutes and my good MAF friend W, who was on the ground, had just grabbed his hand held, turned it on and heard my last transmission.  He ran into the dispatch office and told them, "Joe needs help. Can the doctor and I take a couple of cars out on the runway to assist?" Response: "Yes, go ahead!"

By the time W and company got on the runway, we had been circling for 20 minutes and I was directly over the runway checking everything out.  All six cars were in place and we had not stopped praying inside the airplane.  The tower had allowed me to descend to 3,000' and I was about to turn down wind to do a low pass when the runway lights came on.  Inside the airplane all you could hear—in unison—was, "PRAISE GOD!"  Then the runway lights went out! Immediately, the cry went out, "NO LORD! Turn the lights on!"  By this time I am 1,000' AGL (above ground level) still going downwind and even with the threshold when the lights came on again.  I didn't wait and DOVE for the runway praying, "Lord, just let me get the wheels on the ground while the lights are still on."  We finally touched down to a huge jubilation in the airplane and an even greater celebration on the ground as we taxied to the parking area.  And, yes, the Lord kept the runway lights on!  The doctors stabilized the patient before moving him to the waiting ambulance.

By the time the Medivac airplane showed up the next morning at 10:00 am, the patient was stable and doing much better.  Before leaving Nampula that morning, we prayed and thanked our Heavenly Father for going through this ordeal with us.  He never left us alone and He covered us with His protection ALL THE WAY!

God Is SOOOOOOO Good!

Joe

Marian dropped me off at the Pemba airport for a flight to Malawi. It was an incredible African winter morning with clear skies and an 8-knot breeze out of the south. As soon as I arrived I went about my preparations for departure. Start-up was quick and clean as the engine broke the morning silence. It was now 7:00 am so I radioed the tower for taxi clearance with "no response".  No surprise. So, I checked the windsock and than back taxied runway 17 for my run-up. Just as I finished my run-up the tower came on the air, "Good Morning 4NQ". I gave them the departure information and within seconds, I was rolling down the runway. I pitched the nose skyward and was off the runway in less than 800'. With just the pilot aboard the old 206 felt like a rocket, well, in my dreams anyway. My climb out was at 800' - 900' fpm @ 98 knots reaching my 8500' flight level in just minutes. I will cover the 360 miles to the Blantyre airport in 2hrs and 53min. I must first enter the country through Blantyre, then clear customs before proceeding to my final destination which is the community of Bangula, another 33 minutes to the southeast.

Blantyre is a mountainous town of 600,000 at the 2500' elevation where they get plenty of rain so everything is green in this farming community. I spotted the airport at 16 miles out, and followed the towers instructions for landing. On arrival, I searched for dispatch, customs, etc. but there were no signs so I went on an office search until a guy said, "This is dispatch". From there he directed me to the next office and on to the next until I completed all the paperwork necessary.  AH, Africa!

On my departure out of Blantyre, I was required to circle left and come back over the airport (left 360) to clear a 4000' mountain that was next to the airport and in my path for Bangula. I continued southeast another 15 minutes over beautiful cultivated land and than a sudden drop off into a flat plain of desert like terrain—Bangula straight ahead.

At 15 miles out I spotted Bangula and its airstrip—well it's not really an airstrip but a 200' x 2000' piece of land that was purchased by Iris to use as their airstrip when going to Bangula, and it works! The problem is that everyone uses it to get from the houses on one side to the houses on the other side. Well, this day was no different, and as I approached the landing area, there were at least 50 people on the runway. I don't have a horn, but I have an idea. Let's do the low-fast approach again—surely they will get the idea. They did; they went running like a rhino was bearing down on them! I brought my monster around one more time and eased it down the grass/dirt runway to a waiting crowd of about 100 people all wanting to look at this big giant. I was greeted by Mo, the Iris Director, and Matt, who heads up construction at the base.

David and Joanna Morrison, affectionately called "Mo" and "Jo", came to Bangula from Canada in 2003 with their three children, now 9, 11 and 13 years old. They are the directors of the base that has 53 children, ages 2 months to 15 years. They also have a Bible school with 50 student pastors that live there while in school. The children that live there come from families that have lost both mother and father, and have no living relatives that are able to care for them. This needs to be proven first before they accept a child here at the base.

For the student pastors, overseers take their applications and go through a selection process to accept those who are really desperate to go into God's service. They also have a primary school here for the Iris kids plus a few from the outside as space permits.

In addition, they have a food program for the most vulnerable, the elderly, and the grandmothers with orphaned children, the crippled, the blind and the sick. These are all given a monthly food subsidy to keep them from starving.

They have also started a farming program called, "Farming God's Way". That is, no plowing or burning in order to not disturb the natural soils eco system. The food will be used to feed the children here at the base.

Finally, the fish farming ponds will be ready by November to feed the base and the programs already in process. The balance of the fish will be sold to the village to help pay for up-keep of the ponds. When completed, the ponds will produce 500 lbs. of fish per month to feed the hungry in this part of Africa.

Did I say these people were busy!!! They have plans to expand with additional buildings to house another 50 children. Needless to say, God is blessing their obedience to Him.

I brought Mo and Jo back to Pemba on Monday so they could teach in the Harvest Mission School for the rest of the week. I will be returning them and their family to their home in Malawi on Saturday. Then, on Monday, June 22, I have an 11-hour run to South Africa for repairs on both airplanes. Please keep Mo and Jo, as well as Marian and me, in your prayers. Great headway has been made against the enemy this year and he will do anything to slow us down or stop us. We covet your prays on our behalf to block those advances.

In His service,

Joe
 
JUNE 1, 2009 UPDATE FROM JOE...

When God Comes to the Party

The 1st of June started with the most powerful of God's supernatural healings since we came to Africa. Here was Randy Clark and his team with Global Awakening Ministries, David Hogan and his team with Freedom Ministries, and Heidi Baker and her team with Iris Ministries, all preaching in the bush and God's power was unleashed. But this was a different outreach because there were two PhD's along, one in neuroscience and the other in religious history. Both are professors at a large research university in the United States. They came equipped to test those who would come forward for healing through prayer. For blindness, they had eye vision charts and each person that came forward was tested before prayer and again after prayer to verify the healing that took place. For hearing, they had an audiometer to detect the faintest sound the patient could hear prior to prayer and than retested them after prayer to verify what actually took place. After seeing the test results, I asked the doctors what their explanation was for the healings and this was there answer: "The data is what it is, we tested before and after and the only difference was PRAYER. We watched the whole process; the results are what they are."

Here are some of the results that hundreds of people witnessed:
 
Blind Woman: She was tested on the vision chart and could not make out the big "E". To the amazement of everyone watching, God opened her eyes through prayer. Retesting verified the healing.

Deaf Mute: He had been in this condition since birth, not even able to hear loud sounds. But as he was prayed for, a smile came over his face and all watching knew what had just taken place. He was checked out by the doctors and the healing confirmed.

We love to see healing miracles! But, on this night in that village, and because of the healings they just saw, even greater miracles occurred; 50 people gave their hearts to the Lord.

On another day, there was a conference in Numuno but the nearest grass strip we could get into was Montepuez, about a two-hour drive away. So, I took the first group in at 10:00 am and the second group at 3:00 pm. While waiting at the airport, one of my passengers, Timothy, said he got a Word of Knowledge through a pain in his left side. Now there were only four local people standing around at the airport so he asked them, "Who has a pain on their left side?" Two of the four said they had pain on their left side. So, he prayed for them both and told them to do what they could not do before. They moved their bodies around and said the pain was gone. Then another man that was standing there said he had a pain in his head and described a migraine headache, so Tim prayed for him and then asked him, "How is the pain now?" and  the man replied that it was a little better. So Tim prayed again and the pain was completely gone.  Well, there was only one guy left and he didn't seem to have any problems, but all four of them saw what God had just done and were willing to receive Jesus into their hearts.

On day two of a two-night conference at Numuno, God's power was on the move. More reports:

An old lady who could not move her body (likely tormented by demons) was set free through prayer and got up and started dancing.
 
A blind lady, sitting in her yard, got her sight restored after receiving prayer and she then received Jesus into her heart.

Various other people gave up their witchcraft and burned all their fetishes.

A 14-year-old girl, who had not eaten, drank, spoken, walked or gone to the bathroom for two months began to do all of these within an hour of prayer. Her parents repented and destroyed their witchcraft alter. After seeing the 14-year-old girl healed, the neighbors asked for help to tear down their huge alter.

A baby that was very sick and would not eat immediately began to eat after prayer.
 
Various others were set free from their illnesses.

A man with a growth on one eye began to see through it.

After this incredible move of God, hundreds more received Jesus into their hearts.

June marks the start of the 2-1/2 month Harvest Mission School at Iris in Pemba, with more than 100 students enrolled for the summer session. Evangelists and seasoned missionaries come from the nations to speak to the students in the school and then go out into the bush with the students to practice what they preach—and it has not been boring! I never tire of seeing or being involved in these events when God shows up and manifests His power over evil.

We serve an AWESOME GOD!

Joe

MAY 27, 2009 UPDATE FROM JOE...

God's New Prop

Tuesday, May 20th. It's only been two weeks since my last return from South Africa but the FFJ 206 is finished and it's time to return it to the Lord's service in Pemba. Show up at the airport was 4:00 am as normal, but this time the guards smiled and let us in the gate. That's a good start! Start up was at 4:50 am and with no tower personal on duty yet. I just taxied out to the departure end of the runway for my run-up. Halfway through the run-up I noticed that the runway lights came on and than a crackle on the radio with a, "Good morning 734NQ." My response, "Good morning Pemba tower. Ready for departure, south bound, flight level 085, Beira, 1+2 aboard, 7-hr.—33 min. endurance, current Q-N-H please." With a 12 knot head wind we were off in 800' and within minutes were over the vast African bush gripped in the early morning darkness.
 
Besides my light cargo load I was happy to have two passengers along to keep me company and awake at the same time. Kent, originally from Georgia, was one of the first missionaries here at the Iris Pemba base. He came here in June 2003. He speaks fluent Portuguese, has worked in just about every department here at Iris starting out purchasing food for the kitchen, then in charge of outreach, went to Cape Town to do sea trials and receive the Iris outreach boat, and finally in charge of and received the new well drilling equipment. Andrea, his wife to be, came here from Brazil two months after Kent's arrival and three months after that they were married. Things happen quickly here in Pemba!
 
Annalie, one of our Pemba nurses, has been here since October 2007. Before that she was based at Iris in Maputo for almost two years. She worked in the baby house and oversaw the care of the HIV positive kids. Annalie grew up in South Africa in the eastern Cape where she did her nurses training and after that she went to England for six years to practice hospice nursing. After leaving England she went to Maputo to begin her missionary service.
 
Our flight to Beira was slow due to strong head winds but we finally touched down after five hours of flight at 10:00 am. After going through our normal agencies and giving out seven Bibles we were back in the air at 10:50 am headed for Polokwane, S.A. 390 miles away.
 
In and out of Polokwane and finally on our last leg for Lanseria one hour and 15 minutes away.  We touched down at 5:00 pm. The next four days would be busy do a test flight of the FFJ 206, start repairs on the Iris 206, and, of course, "shopping."
 
 Well, my time in Lanseria was short but anointed by God. When I walked up to the airplane I noticed that there was a new propeller installed!?  Before leaving Lanseria two weeks earlier and returning to Pemba,the prop man told me he needed a $5,000 deposit before he would order the prop (total $9,750) but when I got back to Lanseria the new Hartzell prop was already installed on the airplane. So I went to Aiden, the prop man, to thank him and try to work something out to pay him. When I got to his hangar he said, "Come on up to my office." We sat down and he started filling out some paperwork and than handed me all the documents on the prop and said, "It's paid for." I was stunned and all I could say was, "Praise God!" After I got my composure back, I asked Aiden, "I have only met you one other time. I am blessed by what you are doing, but why would you do this?" He said that God told him to do this and that he was just being obedient. I didn't even think he was a Christian. The first time I was with him I shared what God was doing in Pemba like I have done with everyone I meet here. But, he didn't seem to respond or care.  However, I did ask him where he was with the Lord. He said he doesn't talk to people about their faith and he didn't think his faith was anything special. I assured him that if he had faith as small as a mustard seed he was a blessing to God, and that what he had just done took more than a little faith. I asked him if I could pray for him there in his office and he readily accepted, so I prayed asking God to bless him abundantly both personally and in his business for his obedience and listening to God.
 
You know, God never ceases to amaze me—even with the airport manager being hard-nosed, and unwilling to pay for their part of the claim, and after there having been a legal opinion rendered by the insurance attorneys stating that the airport is fully liable for the incident—God brings forth an incredible blessing in the midst of this situation.  I am so much at peace with this I can't believe it!

Saturday morning, May 16th, my friend Peter met me at the airport with a full cargo of sound systems for four of the Iris bases. Oh Lord, sometimes I feel like Brother Andrew the Bible smuggler. Lord, please close the eyes of the custom agents so we can get this precious cargo through to the bases that need it so much. My trip back to Pemba would take two days; first going to Chimoio delivering their sound equipment and then on to the Dondo base not too far away. After spending the night there I will head for Pemba with the balance of the sound equipment for two more bases in the area.

Later on, Marian told me that in Romans 12: 13, Paul is beseeching the brethren and exhorting them to do good works within the body in many ways, one being "...distributing to the needs of the saints." She said this passage jumped out at her. How I enjoyed her telling me and with excitement that I was living out this call to meet the needs of the saints here in Africa.
 
Let me finish by saying that what I have written about is no small miracle. Those of you who know us, KNOW that we don't ask people for anything. I believe it's not biblical to ask anyone but God.  No where in the Bible does it say we are to ask "people" for our needs. Marian and I pray daily to our heavenly Father asking Him only to meet ALL of our needs. So when God delivers a brand new Hartzell propeller at the exact time it is needed in Africa from someone who does not know me, why then should that be such a big surprise? That's why we serve Him. That's why we love Him; because He cares for His kids. Draw close to Him and He will draw close to YOU.
 
Praising our Lord from Pemba Mozambique,

Joe