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 and I, Laurel, returned from Africa on January 20. We had two days of adjustment to the crazy-life-speed here, during which time I learned that our English teacher was in the hospital. I stepped right into teaching English four hours a day (8th – 11th grades) along with my other administrative duties at FCA. I USED to think I was busy….now I know that was an illusion!

Hello from the Timblin household.

We finally had to turn on the heat! Matthew thought he was getting frostbite (it was 50 degrees outside). I know some of you are laughing! We desert people do freeze in the winters here.

Paul and Tony are repainting the hangar floor. They had this special floor paint that was purchased a while ago and was going to go bad, so the job had to be done. It’s not a simple job… everything gets shifted from one side of the hangar to the other as they can only paint one side at a time. Then it dries for 5 days and everything gets shifted again so the other side can get painted. Paul sure is glad that job is done! Now they have FOUR annual inspections that need to be completed by December! This is the inspection where the plane is disassembled, every part checked, and then put back together again! Each inspection takes concentrated effort for days at a time, so please pray for keen eyes and focus.

Furlough 2016

We left Tucson in late May to begin our summer travels. We have meetings booked in most of our churches for Sundays and Wednesdays, but we would love to reconnect with as many of you as possible during the week if you wish.

Please pray for safety as we travel… there’s some crazy drivers out there!

PRESSING AND IMPRESSIVE JOBS

Paul is performing a ground up restoration on one of our planes. Check out the scary looking picture! Guys, this means everything from the engine to the tail comes off, is taken apart, assessed, and then rebuilt or replaced with a new part! I gotta say, I am very impressed with my hubby’s talent!

Mission Aviation Day (MAD)

March 5, 2016 will be the return of MAD after a 5 year absence! This is an all day event for UIM Aviaiton. The purpose is to educate the public about Missionary Aviation. We expect around 900 people to attend! Kids activities, special speakers, exhibitors from mission agencies and schools, great food, and airplane rides (Paul will be flying all day) make it a full day. If you are interested in coming to visit and want to volunteer for the day, let me know! We are always looking for help. We appreciate your prayers as we work the next few months to make this event a success.

UIMA Happenings

Our men recently met for an intense week of aviation business meetings to discuss issues like maintenance, flights, and safety in Mexico. We are thankful for a team of men eager to serve the Lord together. Two of our guys were in a car accident on Feb 3rd. We are thankful that injuries were minor and no lives lost.

Hi there,

Check out what’s been happening in the Tucson shop with 52Q, new staff, and strategic meetings. The following is from the UIMA Newsletter…

DINNER AT THE HANGAR

The dinner was very well attended. Many of our guests were for the first time visiting and seeing what UIM aviation is all about. $8500 was given toward reaching tribal groups in Mexico! We would love to see more
monthly donors grow out of those who attended this dinner! When we fly a national pastor/leader out to a village, these monthly funds are what cover the cost of the flights. If you are feeling the Lord lead you to partner
in this ministry, please let us know.

Thank you for your prayers for safety for us as we fly into dangerous airstrips. We saw those prayers demonstrated in April when one of our team members landed hard on a remote mountain airstrip in a Huichol village. On the flight were five Huichol Indians that were returning to their village after Bible camp. We thank God that everyone walked away without a scratch, although the airplane did not fare so well.

The face of missions has gradually been changing. In the past, missions involved a Western missionary leaving their homeland to go overseas. Today, we see more and more national people becoming missionaries to reach their own people. In reality, these national missionaries are far more effective, having grown up in the country they serve. Mexican missionaries we fly for have great potential to reach even farther into the mountains with the use of the airplane. Help us expand their reach by providing critical air support. $300 covers one flight for these pastors. Would you, your Sunday School class, or youth group, consider funding a flight or part of a flight on a monthly or one time basis? At this point we see a need of 10 flights a month.