Everyone but Matthew traveled to Eager, AZ at the end of May for the UIMA staff conference. Bethany and Gabriel helped with teaching the younger MK’s, while Miriam and Jesse participated with their age group. Paul and I were able to refresh with our team in group meetings.
The following week saw Paul in California for the annual International Association of Missionary Aviation conference. This is a time when aviators can swap experiences and learn from each other as they are all in the business of using aviation to spread the gospel.
Matthew is attending San Diego Christian College this fall, taking the Military Aviation track. He firmly believes God is calling him to be an ambassador in the military. He is hoping to join the AFROTC as well. This is a change from the AF Academy, but with God opening these doors, the direction is clear! Matthew returns home 8/15 and leaves on 8/21, so we will have him for a few short days . . . that are filled with various appointments along with packing for college! We are thrilled with how the Lord has led him to SDCC. Thank you for your prayers for Matthew as he seeks to follow God’s plan for his life.
Faith Christian Academy has the needed teachers for this year! School started on 8/2, and with 43 students, our little building is bursting at the seams! FCA is a blooming ministry as we share Christ through the education venue! This is an exciting year for me because Cheryl K. has taken over as administrator and I am now her assistant. Many have wondered how that can possibly work; well, let me tell you . . . it is AWESOME! God has supplied abundantly through Cheryl. We work well together and she has relieved a huge load off my shoulders. Thank you for praying for FCA and for my load to lighten some. I am looking forward to getting back into the donor relations of UIMA and that part of our ministry here in Tucson.
Paul and Tony left on July 21 for Wisconsin and EAA Air Venture; the biggest air show in the U.S.! Every year UIMA has a booth where our team can share about our ministry in Mexico with those who stop by. The guys decided to tow 91T to Missionary Maintenance Services in Ohio (just a little out of the way) so they could help with some major modifications. They drove straight through and stashed the plane for a week with Tony’s parents while they attended Air Venture. Days were filled with manning the booth, connecting with other organizations and, of course, getting to see all the different airplanes! Oh, and for Paul, being totally spoiled by Dona and Clarence, our friends who hosted him!
After Air Venture, Paul and Tony picked up the plane and drove nine hours to Coshocton, OH where MMS is located. They dropped off 91T and started on the long haul home, taking turns driving through two nights and one day. We were relieved when they arrived in Tucson at 7:30 a.m. on August 3. Thank you to those who followed on FB and were praying for safety. Now we await the repairs that will allow 91T to once again return to service sharing the gospel in the mountains of Mexico.
Paul and Laurel Timblin