Holding Short

Hold-Short Line

I taxied my friend's Cessna 172 up to the hold-short line, the line separating the taxiway from the runway that must not be crossed until you are cleared for takeoff. I looked over to my son, Ethan, sitting in the right seat and said over my headset, "Son, we can't do this. If they catch us, they will put me in jail! I do not have a pilot's license." Then I woke up. Weird dream, I thought...what did I have for dinner? I dream often, but I hardly ever remember any of the dreams by morning. This one was different. The dream about almost flying would not leave me. I thought about it daily for weeks.  Finally, I told Elizabeth about the dream and said, "Honey, I think God is trying to tell me to learn to fly." I was nervous approaching the subject with her. I did not know what she would say. You see, my brother-in-law (Elizabeth's brother) Mark was a pilot and was killed in a tragic crash of his private plane in 1999. That is another story for another day of how God can turn tragedy into triumph.  Elizabeth without hesitation said, "Go for it!"

I took my first flying lesson the very next week on a cold January day of 2011... on December 18th, seven weeks ago I graduated from Liberty University's School of Aeronautics with my FAA Mechanic Certificate with Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) ratings in hand. Of course a lot transpired during those three dots: leaving my position with Renewanation; earning my private pilot's certificate; selling our house in Roanoke, VA of 15 years and moving to Lynchburg, VA; soaking in 1900 hours of instruction in one year of A&P school; and other leaps of faith.

Two weeks ago, my family and I drove up to Coshocton, OH for a week-long evaluation with MMS Aviation. MMS, which stands for Missionary Maintenance Services, is an amazing ministry which has served over 100 organizations which utilizes aircraft. Since 1975, MMS has been preparing planes and people for worldwide missionary service. They train apprentice mechanics and offer real-world maintenance experience for those who already hold their licenses. Maintenance is performed in their three hangars in Ohio and Rapid Response teams are deployed all over the world to respond to a maintenance emergency. All maintenance is performed free of labor charges to the missions organizations. The evaluation went well and MMS invited us to join their team. After praying over the decision for a couple of days, we said YES! Below are a few pictures of my work during the technical evaluation. 

Measuring valve stems and guides

Laying out sheet metal for circuit breaker panel

Closing up the "patient" after sealing gas tanks

As I performed my work, I felt compelled to pray over the airplanes. I know that the missions organizations must be chomping at the bit to get them back in service. Aircraft are critical to missions work. Did you know that in many parts of the world, a minute of flight can save a missionary an hour of ground travel?  What can take days by foot or river, can take minutes by air.  Not to mention that sometimes ground travel is simply not an option due to terrain, terrorists, or time. For many missionaries, the airplane is the only means of transportation in and out of their village. I have learned over the last year just how critical the need is for qualified pilot/mechanics. Every mission organization that I am aware of that utilize aircraft are asking the Lord of the Harvest to send out these workers into His harvest. The ministry of MMS Aviation is crucial. I am honored and humbled that God would ask me and my family to join them.

As a missionary family we will now begin the journey of building a team of those who want to be involved in what God is doing in and through us by supporting us with their prayers and finances. Our move to Coshocton will be up to God's timing.  Until then, we will continue to live in Lynchburg while I complete my necessary flight training (currently working on my Commercial Pilot's Certificate) and building my flight hours. In aviation speak, we are holding short and ready for takeoff.

To learn more about MMS Aviation, visit www.mmsaviation.org