Meet and Greet in Belize
On Wednesday, June 8th, I had the opportunity to go with two pilots from Harvest Aviation to Belize to deliver supplies/cargo to the missionaries and to assist in two meet and greet meetings for the missionaries. This was my first time to Belize, other than landing at the Belize City airport with a quick turn around to the States.
En-route to Belize with Supplies
Harvest Aviation has been seeking to expand their missionary air support ministry in Belize. The goal of the meetings was to inform the missionaries in Belize of Harvest’s service of delivering supplies/cargo. One meeting was held at the Old Belize Restaurant in Belize City on Thursday and the second meeting was on Friday in Belmopan. On Harvest’s behalf, I made contact with the AMA Missions and 15 of them attended the meetings.
Miss Nancy Introducing herself at Belize Meet & Greet
Meet and Greet in Belmopan
God’s Leading Hand
The past couple months has been significantly challenging due to sudden and unexpected changes that affected my missionary pilot/mechanic training. In the past several months, doors begun closing for me to continue the apprenticeship at Harvest Aviation. I wondered why God was allowing this to happen and what was going to be the next step. Since mid April, God has opened and closed doors, drew me closer to Him through the trial of uncertainty of the future and provided outstanding opportunities. In a matter of 5 weeks, I have moved from Harvest Aviation in Wauchula to Carter Aircraft in Sebring Fl, to continue my aircraft Air-frame & Power-plant apprenticeship training.
On Friday, April 22nd, I got a call from Mitch Pennington(My Instrument Flight Instructor) saying that he spoke with the owner of Carter Aircraft(a commercial aircraft maintenance shop in Sebring FL) about the possibility of me working in his shop as an apprentice. The owner learned of my goal of making it to the mission field to serve as a pilot/mechanic and was open to me working in his shop learning the trade. So I met with the owner the following Monday morning, and the opportunity appeared to be suitable for the both of us. But it didn’t flow that easy afterward. The open door to work as an apprentice at Carter Aircraft opened and closed 4 times, in a 2 week span. During those 2 weeks, God used those circumstances to draw me closer to Himself. Once again, I had to fully trust God and surrender myself to His will. I am thankful I trusted Him and did not try to force doors my way. I am immensely thankful that we have verses from God’s Word like Proverbs 3:5-6 to receive direction from. Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
On June 1st, I began working at Carter Aircraft(which is located on the Sebring airport), as an apprentice, in a paid position. Yes, paid position! It is very unusual to get a paid position as an aircraft mechanic apprentice. This paid position will surely help pay for Missionary pilot/mechanic training costs! This is a huge blessing from the Lord!
The mechanic apprenticeship training program I am doing consists of working on aircraft under supervision for 4,800 hours before I can apply and take the Air-frame & Power-plant Maintenance license tests. 4,800 hours converts to 30 months working on aircraft. At Harvest, I completed about 30% of those hours. The plan is to work at Carter Aircraft for 2 years, then take the Air-frame & Power-plant Maintenance tests.
Carter Aircraft Hanger
Consequently, I have moved from Wauchula to Lake Placid(located 15min from Sebring) and again God has provided a place for me to live. I am currently living at the Tower of Hope property. Ian & Ruth blessed me with allowing me to live in their 1975 motor-home until they return in September. We’ll see where God directs me to live once Ian’s return in September. The living situation there is a little challenging. My living quarters are in the motor-home, the restroom is a flushing toilet outhouse, and the shower is in a shed. God has an amusing way of preparing me for the mission field. It is a great blessing to be able to live there during the week!
“Home” at Tower of Hope
Next Step for Pilot Training
Since earning my pilot instrument rating in March, I have been busy flying on weekends to build flight hours for the next step for my advanced pilot training. I am currently at 200 hours of total flight time and I need 250 hours before I can take the Commercial pilot’s license, which is the next step in pilot training. Lord willing, I will be receiving this training from Mitch Pennington (who taught me the instrument rating) and we hope to complete this in December in his Piper Comanche aircraft.
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