FFJ FACT FINDING TRIP TO AFRICA

NOVEMBER 2006 UPDATE - NAIROBI, KENYA

First we traveled to Nairobi, Kenya. We visited with Matt Olson, General Manager of AIM AIR (Africa Inland Missions) and the staff at Williams Airport in Nairobi. Williams is a smaller, non-international airport servicing local aviation agencies.

TANZANIA

Next Tanzania. We left on November 4th for Kilimanjaro International Airport near Arusha, Tanzania. Bishop Eliudi of IEO (International Evangelism Outreach) met us at the airport and graciously housed us in a two-bedroom guest house next to his home. IEO headquarters are located in the country up on a plateau at about 4,700 feet elevation. It is beautiful, a very green area close to a mountain range with Mt. Kilimanjaro in view.

We saw that he is doing a good work and could certainly use a pilot and an airplane. It was an enjoyable visit with these dear people spending time in their culture and worshiping. Though we sought God's will daily, He did not impress upon us a vision to come along side this ministry. It was not without a sense of sadness when we left. We will continue to pray for them and the work in Sakila. Bishop Eliudi and Joe are pictured here.

An added blessing of our stay in Tanzania was meeting another ministry team who spoke Sunday morning at Eliudi’s church. There was one very special member of their team, Dilo from Maputo, Mozambique. Dilo, now 23, was one of the first homeless street boys Heidi Baker of Iris Ministries took home from the streets in Maputo. At 13 he was using drugs, and stealing to support himself. Dilo gave his sweet testimony of the love of Jesus poured out on him to salvation. The service ended with prayer for the sick, hurting, repentant, etc. with many coming forward for prayer. Joe I were privileged to be there and move in the Spirit through prayer with some of them. What a blessing to pray for and see the Holy Spirit minister to these people.

The next day, a Monday, we joined the visiting team from the day before; Ray, Melody, Catherine and Dilo with an Arusha pastor for an outreach in the poorest section of the city. It was awesome but not without an introduction to some verbal persecution on a street corner before we left. While waiting, a young man approached wanting to talk about Jesus but it was merely an opening for him to attack our faith and our country. Persecuted for Jesus sake. AMEN! Our team arrive and we piled into the van and went into prayer for the outreach. We arrived at a large corner lot with people everywhere on blankets or tarps with items to sell. Pastor Joel already had a platform up and a worship team going full force with praise and dancing. The team handed out bracelets that glow in the dark and candy to the kids. A small crowd gathered and on the peripheral there were many men watching and listening. Dilo preached and again gave his testimony (in English) while Pastor Joel translated in Swahili. Men came forward for salvation and there were some healings. Dilo was praying for a little girl about 8 years old who was born deaf and mute. I laid our hands on her and prayed, not knowing what to pray for. I was talking into her ear in Swahili that Jesus lover her and she turned her head and looked at me. Dilo asked me to take her down the steps and speak “mama” and “papa” to her and I understood what the problem was. I put a hand on each side of her face and looking into her eyes I said, “mama”, which she repeated the same back to me and the same with “papa”. Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus that it pleased You to heal her. Melody then went to find her mother. Joe took the photo of mother and daughter that you see here. There were other healings as well including the woman with me below and it was just total fun and a joy to be there. We completely forgot about the earlier harassment at the hotel. What an awesome way to spend our last day in Tanzania.

PEMBA, MOZAMBIQUE

Our last week was spent in Pemba and it was a huge spiritual blessing to be there and witness more of God's power and love for the lost. Iris hosted a conference for the bush pastors and their church people during our last three days in Pemba. Trucks brought people in from the bush to be taught, encouraged, and further equipped for ministry. We attended some of the Iris classes for the students in the Holy Given Missions school. We signed up to participate with them in intercession for the conference. At the Saturday evening session we in prayer and after awhile people began to come to our area for healing. We then began to minister through prayer with staff member Richard who spoke fluent Portuguese and helped us through healing prayer. WOW! It was awesome to watch the Holy Spirit release people from bondage and pain. While Richard and Joe prayed for a man, we could see his pain move down his leg and out of his body until it was gone. Yes, it’s real and it’s powerful. On the third evening of the conference I was personally touched in a powerful way by the Holy Spirit and experienced a deep inner healing of my past. Thank You, Jesus!

Monday, our last day in Pemba, we were blessed to have a meeting with Heidi Baker and two key staff members from Canada. Don and Elizabeth act as directors in the absence of Heidi and Rolland when they travel. The meeting lasted about one and a half hours and it was an honest and open expression of ministry philosophy with questions and answers going both directions. Good stuff. It ended with a clear understanding that God is moving us toward Pemba and that there is a need and desire to have another pilot and airplane with Iris as they continue to break open new areas for Christ. Our time there went by much too fast.

Prayers of intercession by many of you and others were awesome and powerful. We were well covered and we thank God for you and your faithfulness to prayer and intercession. We are praising God and ready to move in faith as His Spirit leads us to return to Mozambique and come along side of Iris Ministries in Pemba.

Joe and Marian

"...but those who wait on the Lord shall regain new strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."

SEPTEMBER 2006 UPDATE

"May the God of peace make you holy through and through. May you be kept in soul and mind and body in spotless integrity until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is utterly faithful and He will finish what He has set out to do."

1 THES 5:23-24

New Testament in Modern English
Student Edition, J.B. Phillips

It has been awhile since we updated so here goes...

Sunday morning the 3rd of August, Joe and Marian were invited to Grace Chapel of the Valley at the East County Ministry and Arts Center in El Cajon. Several small church groups have taken over this multi-theatre complex making it a one of a kind center for Christian worship. Joe met church member, Kevin, while looking for transmission service for our truck. After sharing our FFJ testimony with Kevin, Joe received a phone call from his pastor, Pat who then asked Joe, “What did you do Kevin? I have never seen him so excited.” Joe preached and showed photos of Africa for an hour and a half! God is full of surprises. This small fellowship is big on prayer and we have their commitment to pray for us and Africa. God is so very good!

Joe spent six months working on the Cessna 150 airplane. Then in August it sold. Not only the 150 sold but about a week later the YAK 52 sold as well. How many times may one exclaim, “Praise God!” and have it be enough? Who knows! We are still praising God. Our share of the sales along with what we have in the bank is enough to install avionics in the Flying For Jesus Cessna 206 and more than pay the expenses for flying the airplane to Africa. Do we go? Not yet.

At our most recent board meeting held the 27th of August 2006 the board voted to continue to wait. The FFJ plane must go with a new engine. However, because of the AVGAS situation world wide, we must consider an engine that will burn Jet Fuel which is readily available and more affordable. Since we must replace the existing engine, it is more economical for us to install a new engine and the avionics at the same time.

Joe has been looking at doable engine conversions. Our good friend Bruce is an engine inventor and went to work in August to develop an engine conversion at his own R&D facility. There are some doable engines out there and we will continue to trust God with what is most likely the last phase of preparing to go to East Africa.

The more we look at this whole project the bigger it gets and we are reminded that this is a huge venture of faith. It is so far out of our personal reach that we might easily look at it and say, “No way.” But faith must always be tested so that our faith will grow and become a more intimate part of our total being in Jesus. Hebrews 3:4, “We have become partakers of Christ IF (caps ours) we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end...” Paul is saying in this passage much more than our personal application about going to Africa. Yet, the faith that will take us steadfastly with Him and into the heavenly kingdom is the same faith that will take us to Africa and through all of the daily circumstances in-between.

Oswald Chambers wrote, “Every time you venture out in your life of faith, you will find something in your circumstances that, from a commonsense standpoint, will flatly contradict your faith. But commonsense is not faith, and faith is not commonsense....When my strength runs dry and my vision is blinded, will I endure this trial of my faith victoriously or will I turn back in defeat....The ultimate thing is confidence in Jesus. (Heb. 3:14) Believe steadfastly on Him and everything that challenges you will strengthen your faith...” (My Utmost For His Highest; August 29, Updated Edition)

Travel arrangements have been made to visit East Africa in November. We depart San Diego on the 30th of October and return the 23rd of November. We will spend 4 days in Nairobi with Matt Olson and www.AimAir.org. Next a short flight will take us around Mt. Kilimanjaro to Kilimanjaro International Airport close to Sakila, Tanzania where we will be visiting International Evangelistic Outreach with Bishop Eliudi Issangya and his Bible school village for 9 days. The IEO website is www.Sakila.com. Then we finish up at Iris Ministries with Heidi and Rolland Baker and staff in Pemba, Mozambique for five days at the children’s center. The Iris website is www.IrisMin.com.

*Please note that you can click on each URL printed in this update to find out more about the places and ministries we are visiting and seeking God’s will for direction in how we may serve them.

Please pray with us now and as we go to East Africa in November with the express purpose of “scoping out the land”. We ask God to help us see with His eyes and hear with His ears all that is there for us to see and hear. That we do not go with an agenda other than His and His alone. We ask Holy Spirit to show us more clearly the call of our Savior, Jesus, on our lives and ministry for service to the King of Kings.

“He who calls you is utterly faithful and He will finish what He has set out to do.”

1 THES 5:24

Because of JESUS!

Joe and Marian

APRIL 2006 UPDATE

Dear Praying Friends,

"Though it tarries..."

HABAKKUK 2:3

Quick Update...

The buyer we thought we had for the 150 backed out but we are still pressing forward. Praise God that we have 18 people who want to know if it’s available. The 150 engine was finally installed as of yesterday. There are some details to take care of and then it will be ready for pre-flight and selling. We are sending out more little flyers on the YAK to airports in northern California.

Challenges...

AV GAS is at the rationing level in Mozambique and other areas. One report said that in one area of Africa emergency flights with small aircraft are being handled only by Caravans that use jet fuel. AV gas is twice the cost of jet fuel. Rolland with Iris Ministries has kept us informed of the AVGAS situation in Africa. Rolland writes, "pilots and companies all over SA are scrambling to grab what fuel they can find, loading up trucks of drums, etc." from an April 8th email.

Our board of directors (there are seven (7) members including us) agreed for now to hold off on installing avionics when the 150 sells . If God is moving us in a direction to miraculously acquire a Caravan we don't need to install new avionics in the 206.

It's possible that we could install a turbo prop for the 206. Some of you are praying in faith that God will deliver a Caravan. And God may have something totally different in mind. So, we wait on Him.

Depending on how God leads in all of this, Joe is fully prepared to take the existing airplane with new avionics and replacement engine to Africa and trust God for the AVGAS if God so leads. Having done some checking on a container we have these options open to us. As far as taking an airplane and container into Mozambique (even through Iris Ministries), means paying expensive import fees. An airplane may be taxed up to 100% of its value. Importing a container and airplane into Tanzania has been offered to us by a ministry in Sakila. The African pastor, Eliudi, has offered to help us do this in Tanzania where he has the needed contacts to import at a cost of little or nothing.

What's Next...?

We are praying about a short trip (three weeks) to visit Iris in Pemba, Moz. and Eliudi in Sakila, Tanzania. The road to Pemba may be through Sakila or Dar es Salaam. We are earnestly seeking.

OK Lord, What? Where? He may wait to answer those questions until He tells us the When. Just pray as His Spirit leads you.

As we travel this road we are being broken. For a follower of Jesus that is good news. It isn't fun but necessary to prepare us for what lies ahead. James reminds us of that in chapter 1:2-4, "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything." We have been encouraged by an E-Newsletter we received this week from a ministry (Eagles View Ministries) in Texas stating, "Many Christians feel a sense of disorientation at this time as a result of spending a season upon the 'Potter's Wheel.' We are in a time of transition which will produce transformation. The Potter's hand is molding the clay. Our responsibility is to remain yielded upon the Master's wheel. If you try to mold yourself, you will become dry and brittle and ultimately broken and remolded. Stay moist and surrendered. Emerging leaders and their ministries are enduring seasons of sifting and pruning. The refiner's fire is forging their character..." We say, "Yes!" to the Master Potter.

Our focus is on Him who is more than able and not on the circumstances. It's all about Jesus and not us. In the midst of uncertainty we can stand on the certainty of God, of Christ, our Lord, our King and the power of the Holy Spirit to make it all happen. "Is there anything too hard for the Lord?" Gen. 18:14, "God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think according to the power that is at work within each of us." Eph. 3:20,21, and in Psalms 42: 5 and 11, "Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again...my Savior and my God."

All, because of JESUS!

Joe and Marian

MARCH 2006 UPDATE

Many of you ask, “What will it be like in Pemba?” We really don’t know. But, having spent time in Zimpeto to the south, we can only imagine that the Pemba center may operate in much the same way as Zimpeto. Pemba was established three years ago and there is much new construction going on right now. To help you get an idea of missionary life and work at Pemba, we are sharing Pam’s story. Pam is a long term staff member at the Pemba center. We met via e-mail a few weeks ago. She has shared with us a couple of reports she had sent out to her friends and supporters. She has graciously given us permission to reprint one of them on our web site. Many of you will read this and immediately think, “They need Joe!” I did.

Those were also the words of Linda, Rolland’s sister, who two years ago told Marian, “Rolland needs Joe.” Read on and enjoy Pam’s report. We are confident that Jesus has plans for keeping us busy in this new “venue” of ministry that awaits us in Pemba.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ONE “LAID DOWN LOVER” OF JESUS*

*Heidi Baker’s name for Iris staff missionaries. Last week I went on another outreach into the bush. We left around 3 p.m. in 2 trucks, the trays of which each held about 50 of us, mostly black student pastors from the Bible School and a few whites. We weren't too far out of the town when the pastors started singing in beautiful harmonies. Wow! There was a magnificent sunset, out in the African bush, hearty singing - stuff that movies are made of!

Using the back of the trucks, we set up the generator, some lights and screen, then showed the "Jesus" film with dubbed Macua (the local, non-written language). The village people were thoroughly absorbed.

When Jesus was crucified, they cried, when he named all his disciples, many of the villagers repeated the names. They wanted to know more about Jesus. After the film we prayed for anyone who was sick or needed healing. Many people said they were healed that night, which was a joy to I realized there were many similarities between the Macua people and the people in Jesus' time: FISHING, and the importance of a catch for the family's food and probably livelihood; the poor have nothing material, so FAITH in Jesus is so important to them; they can't afford to go to a doctor or clinic, so when Jesus HEALS them its all the more miraculous and the thanks more profuse. A church will begin in this village very soon.

Heidi, the co-founder and co-director (with her husband, Rolland) of our ministry says: "Everything I've learned about the Kingdom of God, I've learned from the poor. And by 'the poor,' she means not only materially poor, but social outcasts, mentally disturbed, people who for whatever reason we have put on the scrap heap of society. Jesus said, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.'" Read it in the Message Bible, its awesome!

Many here are ill. About 15 of our children and some of our student pastors have leg ulcers which are getting larger and deeper. The Cuban doctor who visits the new center twice a week for a few hours said just to put antibiotic cream on them, but it’s not helping. If you're interested, it seems to be Leishmaniasis is caused from a sand fly bite. We continually pray with all our patients, children and pastors. We looked up an old medical book the other day. It said to put a pad of hot, boiled water on the wound for 10 minutes twice a day. If there are any medical people reading this who have information on treatment, please contact us, Joe and Marian, at Click for Email Address. We continue to pray for healing and wisdom.

Two of our long-term women have been very sick. One had to be air evacuated to Johannesburg and she's now on a drip for malaria and pneumonia. Both of them had to be nursed and vomit buckets emptied, with two nights of no sleep for me.

Water Update...

Over the past 10 days we've had many thunderstorms. We never get just a shower of rain. Its intense here. Leaking roofs, flooding rooms, wet mattresses, huge puddles. But this morning no water during our usual hour of water. Why? Someone had broken in to the tank room (we pipe up to a roof tank from one of our two wells) overnight and turned on the tap so the tank was empty by morning. No washing water or water to bucket flush the toilets...maybe tomorrow!

My teaching the student pastors in the Bible School is alive and going well. More and more I'm giving them time to ask questions, which has opened up many areas for us all to discuss. Last week we studied Jacob's life, so I prayed with them at the end that God would give them dreams or visions, or that they might have a special time with God, even a struggle, as Jacob had, or that God would reveal special words or verses to them. This week many of them shared quite personal dreams, some of which I believe were prophetic for the whole class. Some had dreams which they wrote out for me (in Portuguese). So there is not only a good dynamic happening in our group of about 70 year-2 pastors, but more importantly God is present with them all week and they are seeing this, a well as preparing for the Mission Schools later in the year, and getting to know my (now) 14 boys, I now have extra jobs.

The Mission school has 2 offices. I have to get them painted and arrange for furniture. This is not a straightforward task, as it may be at home. Even trying to get painters is a hassle, then being on site most of the day to check they are working is a necessity. Getting a truck and finding the furniture is the next step. Electricity is there already. Hurray! This is all on the new base, but meantime I'm project manager for another disused building on the old base. This one is taking priority. At one end of the building (which used to house all the boys), the baobab tree is through the roof of 2 of the 5 rooms, so I'm forgetting about refurbishing that half of the building for the moment. It's not my responsibility to get the tree out! This is a big task. Holes in the roof, broken double bunks out, stinking rooms cleaned, electrical sockets mended, fluoro-ceiling lights fixed, rooms painted, toilets with maggots cleaned (would you like to volunteer?), extending a wall to make 2 small bathrooms, punching in another door, buying double beds. That's just the 3 bedrooms and bathroom. This will house 2 families, one of whom is coming in less than a month. Please pray! Then there's the kitchen...nothing at all in there at present. I won't go on. I'm continuing to spend time with new long-term missionaries for orientation and pastoring. And I'm reading Heidi's Ph.D. thesis looking for particular sections to help her and her PA write a new book.

Portuguese language classes have resumed twice a week. A friend talks about being weathered here- by sickness, heat, sometimes strained relationships. Unlike in a natural family where you usually grow up together, in this big family we've all been thrown together.

We believe we're meant to be here, so that loving presence of the Father, Son and Spirit is our foundation and unity. I love your prayers. Thank you for them.

Courtesy of Pam from Australia in Pemba

Click on Pilot News for Joe's Report

FEBRUARY 2006 UPDATE: PRAISING JESUS FOR PEMBA IN 2006

We have entered into 2006 with great anticipation for God’s provision in sending us to East Africa, Pemba, Mozambique. God is clearly showing us that He is moving and we need to get ready.

In mid December, Marla, who keeps Joe’s hair the way he likes it, invited us to her small fellowship in El Cajon. She invited us to attend a breakfast on Saturday, the 7th of January. Eliudi, a Tanzanian African evangelist, would be speaking about what God is doing in Arusha, northern Tanzania. Joe met with her pastor, Bill Bledsole, the day before and had a wonderful time of fellowship with this Godly man. There were 50 people attending the breakfast with Eliudi speaking after the meal. His life of faith greatly encouraged us in our own walk of faith that God would indeed supply everything we need. Later Eliudi prayed over Joe asking God to release what ever it is that is holding us from going. We left uplifted in our spirits and planned to return Sunday morning to hear more from Eliudi. Again, he brought more words of encouragement and exhortation as he shared the ministry of training up pastors and leaders in Arusha where they have a 100 acre complex from which they send pastors out to other parts of greater Africa.

After the service there was a potluck dinner and more fellowship. While we were enjoying the fellowship of the people, a man walked up to Joe and said to him if, “I understand you are a pilot”. This man, Bruce, had just spoken to the pastor and was told that we had an airplane ministry headed for Africa. Bruce is also a pilot with a passion for missions in Africa. As Joe and Bruce conversed further and learned more about each other, Bruce told Joe that he had a Cessna 150 he hasn’t flown in five years. He is donating it to our ministry so that we can sell it and use the proceeds to help us go to Africa. Joe was absolutely flabbergasted! “Praise God!”, he exclaimed. As they spoke further, Bruce said he wanted to donate another airplane with only 50 hours on the engine. Now try to imagine Joe’s amazement. God is so awesome! As he sat down after their conversation, Joe suggested someone sit next to Marian as he was about to share this incredible news and didn’t want her to fall over. Yes, we were both amazed and excited, realizing that this would significantly help put Pemba within reach this year, 2006. We met with this godly man and his wife Monday afternoon the 30th of January. As we prayed together we thank God for this lovely couple with big hearts for the people of Africa. They have been partnering with Eliudi for 20 years in Tanzania. God brought us all together that Sunday morning.

WAIT. That word, “wait”, has been the only word from the Holy Spirit for six months and now the release is within our grasp. We don’t yet know how this will fill in the gap for us but we are confident that either way, God will provide it all; He has promised.

Now we have stepped into a state of more aggressively preparing to go. There is much to do and Joe is phoning and moving around the aviation industry talking to lots of people about our avionics needs, etc. Replacing and adding new instruments into the panel is a must for Africa. This is an important first step in preparations.

Joe has also been investigating container shipping. We feel confident now that we may commit to a 20’ container for tools, airplane parts, donation items and personal “stuff”. He has been communicating with a couple of small missionary organizations who help missionaries put together a container and do all of the “leg work” to make it happen. Yes, we expect to have room for items to bless the children and people at the Iris center in Pemba. We have a neighbor who has her pastor committed to 100 deflated soccer balls with air pumps! Joe would like to have a couple in the airplane at all times for the children when he flies into the bush. If you have something in mind, please contact me, Marian, by phone or email. Just click on the button, “Contact Us” to the left of this page.

Everyone is excited with and for us. Ministry is people and it will take lots of people, as it already has, to complete this process and then to keep it going once we are there. Right now our focus will be on the going part. Once we are there God will provide our needs. He has promised this in His Word and He is faithful when we follow Him. It’s about the “word of our testimony” as we share the faithfulness of God, His love, His provision, His grace and His mercy in our lives. It’s His “show” and He gets all the glory. It’s not about us. It’s all about Him, JESUS!

Your prayers are essential for each step of the way as we journey these final months. We have listed the kinds of things you may pray for on our link page, “Prayer Requests”. Just click on the “Prayer Request” button on the left side of this page.

As we look at the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we are encouraged and blessed to see that truly nothing can hinder the plans of the Lord. These everyday ordinary people, with flaws and gifts and issues, were called by God to take part in His plan for the nation of Israel to bring forth a Savior to this world. These stories and the lessons contained in them encourage us that nothing can “thwart” or “hinder” God’s plan for us and His airplane. We have determined to obey His Word and to believe Him “...for more than we could ever ask or think...”, because He has promised to “...supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

DECEMBER 2005 UPDATE: "FAITH THAT HAS PATIENCE"

Are you one of several who have been wondering and wanting to ask the question, “Why aren’t you in Africa?” Don’t be shy, a few have asked and it is a very good question. We have asked God the same question and not a few times. The answer? Well, there are a couple of practical, in the physical realm answers but the truth is, God hasn’t released us to go yet. When He is ready to release us, the perceived obstacles to our going will no longer exist. We are being very, very careful not “to finish in the flesh what God has begun in the Spirit”. If you want to ask, please do! E-mail or call us and we will talk with you about it.

I (Marian) have been reading The Letter to the Hebrews, Revised Edition, by William Barclay (world renowned Scottish New Testament interpreter). If you know your Bible, you will be familiar with Hebrews 11 and the writer’s focus on faith as demonstrated in the lives of several men (and a woman) of faith from the Old Testament.

On page 142 there is a segment titled, “The Adventure And The Patience Of Faith” regarding verses 8-10. “IT WAS BY FAITH that Abraham, when he was called, showed his obedience by going out to a place which he was going to receive as an inheritance, and he went out not knowing where he was to go. IT WAS BY FAITH that he sojourned in the land that had been promised to him, as though it had been a foreign land, living in tents, in the same way as did Isaac and Jacob, who were his coheirs in the promise of it. For he was WAITING for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God (capitals are mine and the story is found in Genesis 12). Barclay makes three key points:

1) Abraham’s faith was the faith that was ready for adventure.” God has called us just as he did Abraham to leave home, family, business; yet he went. Africa is an adventure and we embrace it. Abraham didn’t even know where he was going, and he still went. God has given us a destination but He hasn’t yet told us, “Go”. Barclay reminds us that, “a Christian has no right to ask where he is going.” That probably includes the “when” as well. Barclay also reminds us, “most of us live a cautious life on the principle of safety first; but to live the Christian life there is necessary a certain reckless willingness to adventure. If faith can see every step of the way, it is not really faith.”

2) Abraham’s faith was the faith which had patience.” Even when he entered the land he didn’t fully possess it during his lifetime. Yet, “he never abandoned his faith”. Barclay states, “It is characteristic of the best of us that we are in a hurry. To wait is even harder that to adventure. The hardest time of all is the time in between. At the moment of decision there is the excitement and the thrill; at the moment of achievement there is the glow and glory of satisfaction; but in the intervening time there is necessary of the ability to wait and work and watch when nothing seems to be happening. It is then that we are so liable to give up our hopes and lower our ideals and sink in to an apathy whose dreams are dead. The man of faith is the man whose hope is flaming bright and whose effort is strenuous even in the grey days when there is nothing to do but wait.” This is exactly where Joe and I find our selves today. Are any of you relating to this message? Thank You Holy Spirit for the examples of men of your calling and these words of truth straight from Your Word. Two weeks ago at an intercessory prayer class Joe and I were again reminded through the leader, as she was exhorting the class after the lesson, to “wait on the Lord”. WAIT was powerfully emphasized that night. Periodically, this word keeps coming to us and it’s wonderful to receive even this brief message to keep reminding us and encouraging us that God hasn’t changed His mind and knows that we are waiting.

3) Abraham’s faith was the faith which was looking beyond this world.” Barclay states, “No man ever did anything great without a vision which enabled him to face the difficulties and discouragement's of the way. To Abraham there was given the vision: and, even when his body was wandering in Palestine, his soul was at home with God. God cannot give us the vision unless we permit him; but if we WAIT upon Him, even in earth’s desert places he will send us the vision and with it the toil and trouble of the way become all worth while.”

God has given us the vision and we will continue to wait until He clearly tells us the how and the when. It’s for the joy and the goal set before us that we are able to wait and wait patiently.

Have a blessed Christmas!

Joe and Marian

OCTOBER 2005 UPDATE: “HERE AM I LORD ... SEND ME!”

September was a very long month without Joe around but we are pretty much back on track again. Amazingly, God is keeping Joe very busy and for that we are very grateful. It keeps him from getting impatient about our time here. We are learning to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit better and to develop more of an ear for His voice. One such event did occur during September. If you have already read Joe’s report in the “Pilot News” section of our site, you know about his going into New Orleans. This new staging area was servicing fuel for helicopters for the-multi state electrical company, Entergy. Entergy had set up a clinic for inoculating the workers for various diseases they might be exposed to in this new location. As a support person for Entergy, Joe was told that he needed to take advantage of this and he received about 5 different shots without having to pay for them. I, Marian, began to realize that this may be significant. When Joe came home he thought he was due for the second shot in the hepatitis series. Now we have been learning to look for God in unusual circumstances. So as we processed what had occurred we realized that it might be a good idea for me to get started on my series of shots. So off to the doctor’s office we went, together. God provided in an interesting way most of the shots that Joe will need for going to Africa and now it was time for me, Marian to catch up.

Some work needs to be done on the FFJ airplane. There are a few annoying small repairs that need to be taken care of. In the interest of being diligent about our own readiness for when the Holy Spirit says it’s time to go, Joe spent part of a recent Saturday taking care of two of those issues. Two down, and one to go. Thank You, Jesus!

I began to realize that if God called tomorrow I still have some things that I can do now without waiting for a “date”. God help us not to waste a minute in our waiting, but also not to get ahead of You. We need to be ready when He calls. It’s almost like waiting for His second coming. Our going to Africa is not nearly as great an event but He does expect us, as His own beloved ones, to be ready for both.

What are we to be doing in the meantime? Read Isaiah 58: 3-12. Rather than fasting food, God calls us to fast our sin, our negativity, our selves, our very lives. So we will look for Jesus in the people around us and encourage and minister to each one as His Spirit leads. We will believe Him for more and take more steps of active faith in our daily routine. In John 14:11-15, Jesus said, “Believe in Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me; otherwise, believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, you will keep my commandments.” Read through the rest of the chapter and on into chapters 15-17, wonderful words to meditate on and hear God speak.

Bless you, bless you for your love and encouragement to us to keep waiting on the Lord. Your faith speaks to us and we love you for caring and giving and praying.

Click Here to See Pemba Photos

Jesus be praised,

Marian and Joe

OCTOBER 2005 UPDATE FROM JOE...

Hurricane Katrina ... the Final Chapter

Click Here to See Katrina 2005 Photos

Joe left for Louisiana on the 29th of August driving a fuel truck for Blackhawk Helicopters to work in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Little did they know that another hurricane, Rita, would only add to the work already before them and others. We look for Jesus in everything and He was there with divine appointments for Joe.

After being dispatched to Louisiana, I recall thinking about the four days it would take to get there and all that time traveling. I recall praying all the time that I was driving. Most of the time, I was just praising the name of Jesus. I just felt a special closeness or presence of the Lord during those four days. It became so natural and it helped to keep me awake. I soon began singing my prayers to God. I enjoyed a special closeness of the Holy Spirit. I felt in my heart that I was to be a bold witness for Jesus and look for ways to witness where ever He sent me once I arrived there.

On arrival I was directed to Baton Rouge where Ken, the other team members and I stayed for the next 32 days. Normally I would get up early each morning and head to the Baton Rouge airport and would fuel the helicopter for Ken. When flying Ken wouldn’t get back until 6:00 or 7:00 at night giving me a lot of free time to seek God’s plan for me for that day. It didn’t take me long to notice that the airport was very busy with small airplanes coming in with relief supplies for the victims of the hurricane Katrina. Most of the private aircraft would be loading up with stranded families and individuals for transport flying to shelters or homes in other parts of the country. These volunteer flights were done at no charge to these people. God spoke to my heart about helping in some way.

I had made friends with the manager of the airport. As I witnessed to him about Jesus, I quickly discovered that he was a Christian. I told him I would like to help out on the ramp. He had a four trek with a trailer and asked me if I knew how to drive it. Having owned a couple of these for several years, I told him I thought I could manage. Over the next 16 days, as planes came in with relief supplies and to pick up the rescued ones, I would unload donated items into a hangar and as the Katrina victims came in I would assist them with a ride to the waiting airplanes. As these people would arrive I would ask if anyone wanted a ride to the airplane. It was like asking kids if they wanted to go to Disney land. The whole family would jump in and I would shuttle them out to the waiting aircraft. Once the pilot had everyone buckled in I would kneel down at the door and asked if I could pray for them before they left. Not one person in 16 days turned me down. One particular family I prayed for consisted of a young man seated on the right front seat with his mother and 7 year old granddaughter in the two rear seats. After praying for them, I opened my eyes and noticed the mother was crying and as she was saying thank you to me, she suddenly reached out, grabbed me around the neck and pulled me back toward her in the rear seat kissing me on the cheek. Needless to say, she pulled me off balance. As I tried to regain my composure and before I could straighten up, the little girl did the same thing; grabbing my neck and pulling me down to give me a kiss. I was so surprised and touched by this demonstration of love I almost broke into tears.

In addition, I helped unload many jets and larger airplanes with donations and individuals who had come to help. As I would help these people, they would give me tips. I declined the money but then I thought, why not give this money to the hurricane victims as they come through the airport. So when I received the tips I told them know that I would be giving all of this money to the Katrina victims. Whatever was in my pocket, the next person or family I helped to their flight after praying for them, I would then reach into my pocket and give them the tip money telling them that Jesus just wanted to bless them. How very blessed I was to do some small thing to show the love of Jesus and brighten someone’s day. Thank You, Jesus, for sending me to Baton Rouge.

My next assignment was driving to New Orleans every day with the fuel truck. This environment was very different from the airport. I was sent to a grassy area in front of a large convention center at Lake Pontchartrain where working helicopters could land and refuel. The entire center had been turned into a small city for 2,000 Entergy workers to restore the electricity to the city of New Orleans. Between fueling helicopters I made myself available to help restock incoming supplies for the workers. This gave me opportunities to talk with many men about the Lord.

One such man was Steve. From the first day I met Steve I began praying specifically for him and had asked Marian to pray for him as well. Steve and I saw each other every day. His laundry business had been completely destroyed in the hurricane and he was there coordinating the bagging and tagging of all the men’s laundry. Three days later in one of my conversations with Steve, I asked him where he was with the Lord. He replied, “My first wife was a Catholic, so I guess I was a Catholic. My second wife was a Baptist, so I guess I was a Baptist. But my third wife, to whom I am now married, is a Catholic. So I guess I am a Catholic again.” I asked him where he thought he would go when he dies. He replied that he hoped to go to heaven. “How would you like to know for certain that you can go to heaven?” I asked. He said, “Yes, I would like to know.”

At this point I gave him a Bible along with some scriptures to read. We did this every day and then we would talk about what he had read on the next day. On the third day he confessed that he didn’t understand anything he was reading but he added, “When you read it to me it makes sense.” I told him the reason for his not understanding was because he didn’t have the Holy Spirit in him to give him understanding. He asked, “How do I get the Holy Spirit?” I was then able to share with him the gospel and ask him if that was something he would like to do, ask Jesus into his heart. He answered, “Yes.” We bowed together in prayer and I led him into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Knowing he was Jewish, it was my great pleasure to introduced him to his Messiah. I was so excited I immediately called Marian to tell her that Steve had just become a new believer in the kingdom. She quickly told me that she had just been praying for Steve and his salvation. Marian and Steve were introduced and they had a good time over the phone. Steve was so excited about his salvation that he wanted to know what kind of Bible he should buy. I recommended a good study Bible and Steve told me there were a couple of stores he thought might be open and asked me to go with him. I checked to see if I could be gone for an hour or two and off we went looking and finally found him a beautiful leather bound study Bible in a Sam’s Club. Everyday Steve would read his Bible using a high lighter to mark special passages of scripture.

My joy was complete seeing evidence and fruit of the Holy Spirit manifested in Steve. We spent a lot of time between work talking and looking through God’s Word. But the time would be too short and I was reassigned to Lake Charles without saying goodbye to Steve. Before leaving this area, I had good conversations with Mike, Chris and Joe about Jesus. I pray the Holy Spirit to continue to speak to their hearts. There were many others and seeds were planted in the name of Jesus.

And then there was “Rita”. Little did we know that another hurricane would show up to further complicate things. All of sudden I was restaged to the Lake Charles airport for servicing the helicopters doing reconnaissance flights over the whole of southwest Louisiana. Ken was also doing a lot of flying in this area ferrying officials for air evaluation of this new situation.

I saw a lot of damage. The city of Lake Charles is built around a lake with many floating casinos. A very beautiful setting at one time but not now. One end of the lake looked like a floating wrecking yard filled with hundreds and hundreds of sail boats, yachts and other sea craft were piled up on top of each other.

Each day as I drove from Baton Rouge to Lake Charles I continued to praise the lord with songs and prayer daily trying to prepare my heart for the day. As I pulled into the Lake Charles airport I noticed five men plus a supervisor working the ramp area, fueling airplanes and doing other work. Throughout the day they had a lot of down time where they would sit talk. So I joined them and tried to have a conversation with them, especially about Jesus. But only one conversation resulted in getting into the Word of God with one of the five ramp men. At the end of the day I wondered if he really remembered what was said. As I drove out the gate I noticed the men, along with their boss, at a table talking. I never had an opportunity to speak with the boss because he was always running around kind of crazy, with a loud voice, barking orders at the men. But, on my final day on the ramp, the supervisor was walking my way so I thanked him for allowing us to use his facilities and I let him know that I was leaving for San Diego the next day. His response was a shock to me when he stated, “We should thank you for being here. I told my men last night when we were talking at the table that they need to listen to you because God sent you and the things you were saying was from God.” His comments amazed me.& I don’t even know if he knows Jesus or not. Certainly God can use anybody. Even though I saw him as a grumpy, boisterous and pushy supervisor, his words were like sweet incense. I believe my prayers were answered in asking God for opportunities to witness through that supervisor.

The trip home was a long one but I had a lot time to meditate over what God had done during the last month and to just praise His name for the power of answered prayer. There were so many people the Holy Spirit brought forward for me to witness to, many with no response. But seeds were planted. A great many of those I spoke with were residents of New Orleans and many of them told me they believed these storms could be God’s judgment because of the double flooding that took place in their city because of two hurricanes back to back. Please lift them up in prayer.

I see all of this as training for our future in Africa. God is continually keeping me in front of new people and has told me to be bold for Him and to speak truth in love. For those of you who know me, being bold is not normally a problem. So when God tells me to be bold it’s significant. Let’s redeem the time together as we see so many struggling, hurting, lonely and in need of a Savior who brings LIFE.

In His service,

Joe

AUGUST 2005 UPDATE: MARIAN'S TIME IN MAPUTO - PART 1

There is much to praise JESUS for. The process of preparing to go to Africa has begun. There is so much to do and so many lists to make. For now, the most we can do is to get our personal and ministry business in order and investigate the needs for the airplane and us for this move to Africa. The rest is in God’s hands. This is His deal and we wait on the Holy Spirit to put the resources together that will make it all happen at exactly the right time. We do have people in place to take care of things here in the States.

What a blessing they are to us! Praise God for our hand full of donors who continued to believe God had another plan for us. Praise God for donors coming forward to “invest” in what God is going to do with us in Africa. Pastor Larry Peltier invited us to share what God is doing in Africa on Sunday, the 10th of July. We had a wonderful reunion with Larry, Holly and many others formerly from Horizon. We now have 13 more people praying for us and a church adopting us as their missionaries to help with our support monthly.

They graciously gave us a love offering to help with this project. We left full of the joy of Jesus, and much laughter from sweet fellowship. Once we are in Pemba, Pastor Larry plans to bring a team over for a missions trip with us and Iris Ministries.

What God is Doing...

1. God has provided half the funds needed for long range ferry fuel tank(s). This is a must have for the flight to Pemba.

2. God has provided more help with monthly ground support for one year.

3. A hangar fund has been started for Pemba in the FFJ account by setting aside a percentage of what you give. This hangar must house both the Flying For Jesus and Iris Ministries airplanes.

4. Manna Relief approved us for their missionary program of important glyconutrient supplements from Mannatech at a great reduction in cost for as long as we are overseas missionaries. We may purchase a year’s supply of four basic essentials at unbelievable savings for us. And, they let us begin using them now even though we haven’t yet left.

5. Horizon Pocahontas has also been a blessing as some of the people are praying for us and thinking of different ways they can help with our call to Mozambique. It is wonderful to have two churches getting involved in God’s plan for Flying For Jesus.

6. God sent us an avionics man who wants to be a part of God’s plan for our trip to Africa.

7. Joe found someone else who is looking for a better deal on avionics. So far, the overall prices quoted here in San Diego look better.

8. God has provided new tires, a new front end shaft (soon to arrive for installation) and steering arm for the airplane.

9. Over 200 people have signed up for our email newsletters!

Joe and Ken with the helicopter spent one week in Gorman, Calif. at a CDF base forestry fire fighting. The week before, we spent four days in Show Low, Arizona. During these trips away from home, Joe had opportunities to witness a bunch! We had prayed for opportunities and God delivered. No matter what the subject, Joe brings Jesus into it. Many seeds were planted. Praise the Lord! Looks like this fire season will keep Joe busy as an unofficial chaplain until God sets a date for Africa. It's good for him to be busy and while God puts together His plan. There is a mission field where ever God takes us, and you!

We are blessed as we watch God laying the foundations for our trip to Pemba and keeping us there. Thank you, all of you, who are praying and giving to help make this a reality.

MARIAN’S TIME IN MAPUTO - PART 1

Congolate and The Garbage Dump

Last month I attempted to give you an idea of everyday life at the Zimpeto Center (Iris Ministries). This was my home for two weeks while Joe was busy up north with the conferences held by Rolland and Heidi Baker along with the Fresh Fire Team. If you missed Part 1, the story begins at the end of Part 2. This month I want to share my experiences visiting the Maputo dump and Congolate.

MINISTRY IN THE BOCARRIA DUMP

Photos, Courtesy of Iris Ministries