Participants: Narrator: Charlene West/Ric Swaningson
Series Code: OTG
Program Code: OTG000024A
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00:01 Hi, this is Charlene West.
00:02 I'm the Director of Project Development 00:04 for Adventist World Aviation. 00:06 Growth is something 00:07 that Adventist World Aviation has been involved with 00:09 for more than 20 years. 00:11 As we go 00:13 into the un-entered areas of the world, 00:15 we're wanting to grow and expand the areas 00:18 that we're able to go into to help 00:20 spread the message of Jesus' love 00:22 faster into these hard to reach areas. 00:25 So we're constantly trying to get more airplanes in there, 00:28 to get more missionaries in there, 00:31 to get a bigger and better infrastructure 00:34 to help us become more effective 00:37 as we share Jesus around the world. 00:40 We are here at Oshkosh, 00:42 where we have been showing the Pathfinder plane 00:46 that was built here by the Pathfinders in 1999 00:50 at the Oshkosh International Camporee 00:52 during this time, 00:54 and we were able to have that Pathfinder plane here 00:57 after it has been in service for many years since 1999. 01:02 It is so exciting to see how with all of the... 01:06 with the work of the Pathfinders, 01:07 the work of our missionaries, 01:09 how Adventist World Aviation has been able to get, 01:12 be expanded 01:13 and to get into other parts of the world 01:15 and to become more effective 01:17 as we continue to serve Jesus in these many countries. 01:41 Adventist World Aviation is proud to mentor 01:44 and use youth worldwide 01:46 to help spread the message of Jesus Christ. 01:49 Dating back to its very beginning, 01:51 AWA has had the burden 01:53 to teach and involve young people 01:56 in Mission Aviation. 01:58 Adventist World Aviation has had partnership 02:01 with the Pathfinder Youth Club 02:02 of the Seventh-day Adventist Church 02:04 for many years now. 02:05 Their history dates back over 15 years 02:08 when AWA first had the vision 02:11 of involving youth in Mission Aviation. 02:14 Introducing young people to aviation at an early age 02:17 opens countless doors of opportunity 02:19 for their futures. 02:21 In 1998, 02:22 the Pathfinders joined efforts with Adventist World Aviation 02:26 in restoring a Cessna 182 02:29 to be sent to the mission field. 02:31 Over 465 Pathfinders 02:33 were able to help restore the plane 02:36 and be exposed to aviation. 02:38 The plane was completely disassembled 02:40 and modified to suit bush operations. 02:44 Thirty nine different Pathfinder clubs 02:46 worked together 02:48 alongside professional mechanics, 02:50 as they unitedly worked 02:52 to restore and refurbished the plane. 02:55 Another major contribution 02:56 the young volunteers were able to make 02:58 was at the 1999 Faith on Fire Pathfinder Camporee. 03:03 Here a collection was taken up 03:05 and the Pathfinders were able to raise funds 03:07 to finish the Pathfinder plane to get it up in the air. 03:11 In their honor, 03:12 the plane was painted the Pathfinder colors 03:15 and even named after them. 03:17 The Pathfinder plane was delivered 03:18 to the mission field of Guyana on December 5 of 1999. 03:23 The Pathfinder plane has been busy 03:26 serving in Guyana 03:28 saving lives physically and for eternity. 03:31 The Guyanese see the yellow plane flying 03:33 and associate it with the love of Jesus. 03:37 Adventist World Aviation is all about growth. 03:40 We are wanting to grow 03:41 the mission fields that we're in. 03:43 We're trying to grow 03:44 the number of planes and missionaries 03:46 that we have into service. 03:48 We are here in Oshkosh, 03:50 here where we part of our growth 03:52 is the Pathfinder plane that was actually here in 1999, 03:57 where the Pathfinders were able to work on that plane 04:00 and help us to get that plane into service. 04:03 And it has been into service ever since that day. 04:06 And here this week 04:08 at the Pathfinder Camporee here in Oshkosh, 04:11 that plane has been here 04:12 where the Pathfinders who were here 04:14 can actually come up and touch it and see it 04:17 and hear stories from the mission pilots 04:19 that have been flying that plane since that time. 04:22 We had a lot of fun being able to tell the kids 04:25 about the yellow airplane, the Pathfinder airplane. 04:28 And one thing that's so exciting about this 04:30 is that it is the Pathfinder airplane, 04:33 it's their airplane. 04:34 And, so I was able to tell several different stories 04:37 about the things 04:39 that this airplane has been doing down 04:40 in Guyana, South America, 04:42 and they are really excited to be able to see 04:44 this is their plane that they had put together, 04:46 that they had sponsored, 04:47 and it was fun to tell them the stories 04:49 about the work that it's been doing. 04:52 Also just telling the younger kids, 04:54 you know that this is their airplane 04:56 and the things that it was doing, 04:58 just to see their eyes light up 04:59 and just because they had no idea 05:01 the awesome things that an airplane can do. 05:04 Adventist World Aviation had a long-standing partnership 05:07 with the Pathfinders that's going back, 05:10 I think close to 15 years. 05:12 And that has proven to be a great way 05:15 to encourage young people to get involved 05:17 and to see the results of their work 05:19 and their contribution with the Pathfinder airplane 05:22 out there serving. 05:23 That is a great way to get young people involved 05:26 all across the world, actually, 05:30 because the Pathfinders are everywhere, 05:32 and we see that logo recognized on the airplane 05:34 in all sorts of places that we go. 05:36 Aircraft, November 81708 05:40 was born here at Oshkosh. 05:44 It was funded through the Pathfinder program. 05:46 It later was painted the Pathfinder colors. 05:48 It's become known as the yellow plane, 05:51 the yellow Pathfinder plane. 05:53 It's served many years. 05:54 Several years ago, that plane was here. 05:59 The kids actually worked on that plane. 06:01 It was put into service. 06:02 Literally it had saved thousands of lives 06:05 and if you go beyond that, 06:06 it has served tens of thousands of lives 06:08 because of the spiritual connection 06:09 that it has made. 06:11 After its many years in service, 06:13 the Pathfinder plane was due for maintenance and upgrades, 06:17 so it was returned to the United States. 06:19 Once again, 06:21 the International Pathfinder group 06:22 stood up to the challenge, 06:24 and again offered to help assist restoring their plane, 06:29 so it can be put back into the mission field 06:31 as soon as possible. 06:34 This year Adventist World Aviation 06:36 once again joined partnership 06:38 with the Pathfinders at the 2014 Camporee 06:42 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. 06:44 At this last Pathfinder Oshkosh Camporee, 06:48 Adventist World Aviation proudly displayed 06:50 the mission Pathfinder plane for all the youth to see. 06:54 Pathfinders were able to see, 06:56 touch and hear 06:57 about the work this plane was doing 06:59 in Guyana. 07:00 Mission pilots stood by the plane 07:02 and recounted to thousands the great work this plane did, 07:06 and how the Pathfinders were largely responsible 07:09 for the existence of this plane. 07:11 All this fueled young Pathfinders 07:14 and encourage them 07:15 to actively get involved in restoring 07:17 and getting this plane back into the skies. 07:21 This year at Oshkosh, 07:22 Adventist World Aviation offered an aviation honor. 07:26 We had three stations, 07:28 the first one was a flight simulator 07:29 that you could go to, 07:31 the second one was a ground school, 07:32 and then the third station 07:33 was where the kids could come out here 07:35 and see a real mission airplane that's been in service. 07:39 And we were able to tell them all kinds of stories 07:41 of how God has been using this airplane 07:43 to reach the people in Guyana, South America. 07:45 Pathfinders who came to the AWA tent 07:48 to complete an aviation honor 07:50 and learn about Mission Aviation. 07:53 But even more exciting than this 07:56 was that they had the opportunity 07:57 to see the original Pathfinder plane 08:00 once again. 08:01 This plane was flown home from Guyana 08:04 for some much needed refurbishments and updates. 08:07 It was flown to the Camporee 08:08 and displayed for the Pathfinders 08:10 to once again reunite with the plane 08:13 they helped put into the mission field. 08:16 The Pathfinder plane was proudly displayed 08:19 for all of the Camporee to see. 08:21 Laura LaBore, 08:22 one of the mission pilots who flew the airplane 08:25 in service in Guyana for over 10 years 08:28 was also present to share stories 08:30 about what a wonderful tool this airplane has been 08:33 in the mission field. 08:34 Thousands of kids crowded around 08:37 as they eagerly listened to the stories Laura told them 08:41 about this plane's work in Guyana. 08:45 One of the goals of Adventist World Aviation 08:47 has always been to inspire youth 08:49 and expose them to the joys of aviation. 08:52 The new aviation honor 08:54 is just one of the ways of introducing aviation skills 08:58 to new young perspective pilots. 09:00 Adventist World Aviation is passionate 09:03 about introducing young kids to aviation opportunities. 09:07 The aviation honor allowed thousands 09:10 to get a glimpse of what it takes to be a pilot, 09:12 and even more importantly, 09:14 expose them to the world of Mission Aviation. 09:18 The kids were able to get hands-on training 09:20 as they flew simulators, 09:22 and learned from the experts in their ground school. 09:40 Adventist World Aviation has a large burden 09:43 for getting youth involved in aviation. 09:46 Not only teaching them about aviation, 09:48 but also letting them experience the joys of flight. 09:52 AWA as well as Thunderbird Academy 09:55 have partnered together 09:56 to develop an aviation training program 09:59 at a high school level. 10:01 Young students can begin their Mission Aviation training 10:04 while still attending high school 10:06 at a decreased and affordable rate. 10:09 As part of our growth in our ministry, 10:12 we have also got aviation program 10:15 in Thunderbird Academy, 10:17 which is located in Scottsdale, Arizona. 10:20 Adventist World Aviation is pleased 10:22 to be working with these academies 10:24 to be able to expand 10:27 into a network of young students 10:29 that could possibly go into Mission Aviation service 10:33 into the areas of the world that we are working. 10:36 I have young children 10:37 and I have had the opportunity of traveling with them 10:40 around the world for mission programs. 10:42 And there's no better mission 10:44 to have than those right at home. 10:46 We forget that our kids in our schools 10:50 are our mission field. 10:51 And there's no better place for me 10:53 to use my skill in something that I enjoy doing, 10:57 and seeing the satisfaction 10:58 that the children have in learning 11:00 how to develop these skills 11:02 and eventually use these skills 11:04 to further the cause of the Lord 11:06 around the world. 11:07 We can have a school in an Adventist Academy 11:11 that is such an awesome experience. 11:12 It's such an awesome opportunity 11:14 to be able to have a training center 11:16 in our own Adventist Academy, 11:18 where we can start youth at the age of 14 years old, 11:21 and train them all the way through 11:23 until they're 18 years old, 11:25 to obtain their, you know, their private, 11:27 perhaps even their instrument. 11:29 Then we're partnering with schools 11:30 like Andrews University to continue their education, 11:33 maybe in theology, maybe in nursing, 11:35 you know, they can continue their education. 11:38 So it's extremely important 11:40 to have our flight training schools 11:42 in primary education. 11:44 We are here to build relationships 11:46 for the long-term future with youth here. 11:48 So, Erik, tell us about our involvement, 11:51 how this all came to be 11:53 with Adventist World Aviation in Arizona? 11:56 This is an exciting story. 11:57 One word, God has definitely had His hand 11:59 in the entire process. 12:01 While I was working up at summer camp, 12:02 someone told me that there had been a gentleman 12:05 who wanted to donate an airplane 12:06 to Thunderbird Academy, 12:08 but the educational superintendent 12:09 had turned it down because he says, 12:11 what are we going to do with an airplane? 12:13 And I, of course, heard about that. 12:14 And I started in aviation in high school, 12:17 went on to get my mechanics ratings, 12:19 flew down in the mission field, 12:20 and doing foreign missions and working on aircraft. 12:23 And after a few years ended up coming back 12:26 and working for the Arizona Conference, 12:28 got into Youth Ministries. 12:29 And one of the questions the president asked, he says, 12:32 will you be able to stay away from the airport? 12:33 Now that was a valid question, 12:35 because our office sits on short final 12:37 right at the end of this airport. 12:39 And I said, you know, I think I can, 12:40 I'll try really, really hard, I'll do my best. 12:43 And that lasted for about 9-10 years. 12:48 And when this story came about, 12:50 and I went to the educational superintendent, 12:51 I said, "Listen, 12:53 who donated the airplane and why did you turn it down?" 12:54 He says, "Well, what are we going to do 12:56 with an airplane?" 12:57 I said, "We'll start a flight school." 12:59 He said, "Well, I have no idea how to do that. 13:00 Is that something you could do?" 13:01 And I'm, you know, crazy enough. 13:03 I said, "Sure, let's start a flight school, 13:04 get Thunderbird Academy, 13:06 get our students back up in the air." 13:08 Because we've had a rich heritage in the past. 13:10 Many missionaries have come from Thunderbird Academy 13:13 in the field of aviation. 13:15 And so I said, you know, 13:16 we just start this back up again, 13:17 we need to give kids the desires of their hearts, 13:19 give them their wings, 13:20 but then let them use their talents for God. 13:22 So as I started on this process, 13:23 contacted Floyd Hanson who donated this airplane. 13:27 And I said, okay, now that we have the airplane, 13:30 how do we start a flight school 13:31 because we had this little glitch 13:33 called insurance. 13:34 And, you know, 13:35 without going into lots of details, 13:37 it just wasn't possible for us 13:38 to be able to own and operate this aircraft. 13:40 So I would lay awake at night for many hours, 13:42 and I would say, "God, 13:44 how are we going to start this flight school? 13:45 You brought us an $80,000 airplane, 13:47 how do we get the kids flying?" 13:48 And I tried different, lots of different options. 13:52 And about that time, 13:53 I was sitting in front of my house, 13:54 sitting in my jeep saying, 13:56 "God, what are we going to do?" 13:57 And all of a sudden, 13:59 I get a phone call from the president, 14:00 Rick Swanson, 14:02 president of Adventist World Aviation. 14:03 He said, "I hear you're starting a flight school 14:05 and I just wanted to let you know, 14:06 is there anything I can do to help?" 14:08 And that to me was a miracle. 14:10 And I jokingly said, 14:12 "Well, you could own our airplanes 14:13 and insure them for us." 14:15 And I had no idea where that would take us. 14:17 And here we are two and a half years later, 14:19 with a flourishing flight program. 14:21 We have two airplanes, we have a fuel truck. 14:23 We have a flight instructor, 14:25 and a beautiful relationship 14:27 where I'm the project development director 14:31 for Thunderbird Academy with Adventist World Aviation. 14:34 And the amazing thing is, 14:36 is if you were to go 14:37 get your pilot's license somewhere else, 14:39 you're going to be spending 14:40 anywhere between 10 to $15,000. 14:42 But with the type of aircraft we have, 14:44 if you do in our two-seater, 14:45 you can obtain your pilot's license 14:47 for 2500 or in the 172, 14:49 the four-seater for around approximately $4,000 14:52 and these numbers are, you know, a third to, 14:54 they're unheard of, you know. 14:56 And, you know, 14:57 one of the problems that we face today 14:59 is that aviation keeps getting more and more expensive, 15:01 you know, gas prices go up, insurance goes up, 15:03 the cost of parts go up. 15:06 And, you know, the abilities that our kids have 15:09 to be able to fly 15:10 have just shrunk so drastically 15:12 that it makes it almost impossible. 15:14 Well, you know, of course, 15:15 I'm a certified airplane mechanic 15:17 and I donate my services. 15:18 If the student comes to Thunderbird Academy, 15:20 well, they're already paying tuition 15:22 so they don't have to pay for the instructor 15:23 and so, that is gone. 15:24 And, of course, 15:26 with the donation of a fuel truck, 15:27 we're able to buy fuel at costs, 15:29 which enables us to get the airplane up in the air, 15:31 you know, that's the most expensive part, 15:32 putting gas in it. 15:33 You know, we've all been to the gas pump 15:35 and we know the gas has just gone crazy. 15:36 Well, aviation fuel is no different. 15:38 So God has blessed in many ways. 15:40 We have airplanes, we have fuel truck, 15:42 we have a flight instructor. 15:43 We have a beautiful relationship 15:45 with Adventist World Aviation. 15:46 And the exciting thing is, 15:47 is that once kids come to Academy, 15:50 Thunderbird Academy, 15:51 they are able to take on the desires of their heart. 15:54 And in the process, 15:55 we're able to turn them on to ways 15:57 that they can use their passions, 15:59 their hobbies for God and for ministry. 16:01 And what we hope to do through this 16:02 is we'll expose kids to foreign missions, 16:05 through short term mission trips, 16:06 let them see the airplanes in action in the mission field, 16:09 and be able to help them obtain all of their ratings up 16:11 through commercial 16:13 so that by the time they graduate, 16:14 not only will they have the ability to fly, 16:17 but they won't have the debt that a lot of our, 16:20 you know, expensive flight programs have, 16:22 they're able to go right straight 16:24 to the mission field and be able to fly. 16:26 When you say what is the future look like? 16:27 Well, hopefully lots of pilots head 16:29 to the mission field. 16:30 But also 16:32 one of the exciting things is that 16:33 we're looking at doing 16:34 is inviting Adventist World Aviation 16:36 onto the campus of Thunderbird in a more in... 16:40 I guess you could say in an intense way, 16:41 because we'd love to be able to build 16:43 a large hangar, 16:44 be able to provide housing for missionaries 16:45 through small apartments, 16:47 to be able to have a maintenance center 16:49 so that we can maintain the aircraft 16:50 to keep the cost down. 16:52 But when missionaries come back 16:53 to have their planes refurbished 16:55 just like the one behind us, they have a place to stay, 16:57 and at the same time be able to share stories 16:58 on the campus of Thunderbird 17:00 to get these students in excited, 17:02 energized and get them motivated 17:04 to go to the mission field. 17:06 Also through the process 17:07 of being able to have maintenance facilities 17:09 at Thunderbird Adventist Academy 17:10 will enable us to be able to have students 17:14 do an apprenticeship program underneath a mechanic. 17:16 So they could get a vocation as well. 17:18 Yes, by the time they graduate, 17:20 not only will they be able to receive 17:21 all their ratings, 17:22 but they will also be able to obtain, take, 17:25 go get their AMP certificate, 17:26 so they can actually work on their planes in the field. 17:29 So what we're hoping to do is be able to train pilots, 17:32 get on their certificates, 17:34 all the way through their commercial ratings, 17:35 be able to get them their AMP certificates 17:37 and one other exciting opportunity 17:39 that we have is we've also started 17:41 a CNA program at Thunderbird Academy 17:42 starting this year, 17:44 and they'll also be able to get 17:45 that medical training that they need. 17:46 So if we don't have nurses and doctors 17:48 that are able to attend to those needs, 17:49 they'll have some of the basic trainings 17:51 to be able to assist the pilots, 17:53 or I should say the people 17:55 that are already out there in the field 17:56 before they get them into the hospital. 17:57 So for me, I'm excited 17:59 because it's giving young people 18:01 their passions. 18:02 It's connecting them to ministry 18:04 and it's also spreading the gospel 18:05 through means of aviation, 18:08 and getting the gospel to go to the entire kingdom. 18:11 It doesn't take long before a generation tapers off. 18:16 And if we're not careful, 18:18 you know, the diminished capacity 18:19 of our church to be able to support 18:21 missionaries infrastructurally. 18:24 Not financially so much as infrastructurally, 18:26 we don't have that, it's going to go, 18:27 so we need to take a desperate interest 18:29 in our young people right now. 18:31 We need to take an interest in children, 18:34 learning how to fly, 18:35 and you know, 18:37 so Adventist World Aviation recognizes that 18:39 so we have schools, we have mission projects, 18:41 and we have the Great Commission before us, 18:43 "Go ye therefore into all the world, 18:45 teaching them about our Jesus Christ 18:47 because He is coming again." 18:50 AWA is blessed 18:52 with dedicated staff and instructors 18:54 to operate the Thunderbird Aviation Program. 18:57 It's clear to see 18:59 that the youth training program at Thunderbird 19:01 is making a big impact, 19:03 introducing young students to aviation 19:06 as part of AWA's growth and expansion 19:09 as they prepare for future mission pilots. 19:12 Students are more than excited for the opportunity 19:15 as they learn a useful skill that will change their future. 19:19 Adventist World Aviation realizes 19:21 the youth are the future of mission aviation. 19:24 Therefore, they are focused 19:26 on providing countless opportunities 19:28 to involve young people, 19:29 whether it be 19:30 a full two-year flight training program, 19:33 earning a Pathfinder honor 19:35 or working alongside an AWA mechanic, 19:39 Adventist World Aviation 19:40 wants kids involved in their work. 19:43 Thunderbird Academy flew a few of their students 19:46 from Phoenix to Oshkosh 19:49 to work with Adventist World Aviation 19:51 and promoting their aviation program. 19:54 These students work in the AWA tent 19:57 as they pass on their aviation knowledge 20:00 to their peers. 20:01 Thousands of young Pathfinders pass through the tent 20:04 and they are exposed and introduced 20:06 to the world of airplanes and flying. 20:09 The Thunderbird team is passionate 20:11 about sharing their knowledge 20:13 to their peers and inspiring thousands. 20:16 Adventist World Aviation is serious 20:18 about involving young people in aviation. 20:21 They aim to teach and inspire young students 20:24 to fall in love with the work of Mission Aviation. 20:28 Having training programs for youth 20:30 falls perfectly in line with the goals of AWA. 20:34 We're happy to have Derrick Heisey 20:36 on our team as our CFI, CFII, 20:39 clearly he is well qualified, 20:41 one of the best flight instructors I've met. 20:43 Derrick is working with us now. 20:46 One of the things that we want to accomplish 20:47 at our schools 20:49 is getting kids involved in the aviation early. 20:52 If they wait, you know, we want to encourage them 20:55 to go to places like Andrews University 20:58 and other universities that teach aviation 21:01 but the thing is 21:02 if we can get 21:04 their private pilot's license accomplished, 21:08 even their instrument rating, 21:09 and perhaps even possibly their commercial rating, 21:12 if we can get them to Andrews University 21:14 before they have those, 21:17 or after they have those ratings, 21:19 then the cost of education diminishes drastically. 21:23 They can focus upon their bachelor's degree, 21:25 maybe in theology or nursing or even get an AMP. 21:28 So there's exciting things that they can do 21:31 while they're there and reduce the debt load 21:33 because that's one of the things 21:34 that we're looking for is number one, 21:36 getting our young people interested in flying. 21:38 It's just an amazing opportunity. 21:40 As a young kid, 21:41 I always read these stories like Sabbath school 21:44 about missionaries traveling the world. 21:46 And I think that is an amazing opportunity 21:48 like knowing those particular sets of skills. 21:50 This is amazing opportunity, 21:51 like how many kids can say I graduated high school 21:55 with my private pilot's license? 21:56 You know, one of the really exciting things 21:58 about what we offer here 22:00 at Thunderbird Adventist Academy 22:01 through Adventist World Aviation 22:03 is exposure. 22:04 So many kids, as you grow up, myself included in that, 22:09 you go to the airport and you go on an airliner. 22:12 And you see the captain, 22:14 you see the first officer walking down 22:15 and you look up to them. 22:17 You watch movies or you walk around, 22:20 you see someone in a military outfit. 22:21 That's just what you see. 22:23 Those are the people that you're looking up to, 22:24 but we don't see those missionaries. 22:26 That's one of the wonderful things 22:28 about our partnership 22:29 with the Adventist World Aviation 22:30 and Thunderbird, 22:32 we're exposing people, we're exposing young adults 22:36 to missionaries into Mission Aviation. 22:38 And as people get exposed, 22:40 you saw how those dreams started to shift. 22:42 The Mission Aviation was not on their mind. 22:45 And as they were exposed to it 22:47 through Thunderbird Adventist Academy, 22:48 it became on their mind, 22:50 it became a passion of theirs 22:51 that forever will change the course of their life. 22:54 As you've gone through this year 22:57 in the aviation program, what... 23:01 Well, how have your dreams developed 23:03 on what you want to do 23:05 with flying in the aviation program 23:07 that you're receiving that Thunderbird? 23:09 All right, so as a kid, 23:11 I had no idea what I wanted to be 23:13 when I grew up, sorry. 23:14 And then when I entered this program, 23:16 like new windows opened in my life, 23:18 like so many opportunities, 23:20 like, just like revealed itself to me 23:23 like it could, it's life changing, 23:25 like you'd spread the gospel with this plane, 23:28 like, it's amazing. 23:30 I was thinking of going into the medical field 23:31 and then like right after 23:33 just like start being a missionary pilot, 23:34 which would be amazing, traveling the world, 23:36 doing the stuff you love and helping people 23:38 and spreading the word about God. 23:39 So yeah, this program has totally changed 23:41 the course of my life and my future, 23:42 so forever thankful. 24:00 As the week of Oshkosh Camporee comes to a close, 24:04 thousands of young minds learned of the art of flying. 24:09 As they visited the tent, 24:10 they were able to get hands-on experience, 24:13 but they were also once again 24:15 able to be a part 24:16 of putting the Mission Aviation plane 24:18 back into the field. 24:20 This year, 24:21 Pathfinder leaders pledged to donate 24:23 50% of the offering 24:25 to further the work of Mission Aviation. 24:28 As Sabbath came, 24:30 offering buckets were passed 24:31 into the hands of each Pathfinder. 24:34 Dollar after dollar was placed into the bucket. 24:37 After a week of learning about aviation, 24:40 the Pathfinders were once again excited 24:43 to be a part of putting their airplane 24:45 back into the field. 24:47 The funds collected from Oshkosh 24:49 were donated to the refurbishment 24:51 of this Pathfinder plane. 24:53 Pathfinder stepped up to the plate 24:55 and actively participated in making sure 24:58 that their airplane was able to return 25:01 to the mission field. 25:02 Now many people say, "Well, why don't you just go and buy 25:03 a brand-new airplane? 25:05 Wouldn't that be cheaper?" 25:06 Well, a new aircraft would cost 25:08 somewhere in the neighborhood of about $250,000 25:11 to purchase an aircraft that's equipped like this 25:14 and then add to the additional equipment 25:16 that we have on, 25:17 the equipment that we need to make it work, 25:19 we would probably dump in another 100,000 25:21 so we're well in excess of what we need. 25:23 We can refurbish this aircraft and make it even better 25:26 than it would come from the factory 25:28 with $110,000 from tip to tail. 25:30 And so we're asking the Pathfinders to join in 25:33 on just that. 25:34 After the Camporee aircraft November 81708, 25:39 the Pathfinder plane was flown back 25:41 to the AWA maintenance headquarters 25:44 to go through the refurbishment process. 25:47 Thanks to all the volunteers, 25:49 students and Pathfinder partners. 25:52 This airplane underwent a total transformation. 25:57 It was completely stripped down to its shell and being rebuilt. 26:01 So it can once again be returned 26:04 as a useful tool to God's mission field. 26:09 We want to just keep aviation at the front 26:13 because it is so important. 26:16 As you've heard me say a number of times, 26:19 that there are places in this whole world 26:22 where you can't go by a boat, 26:25 or you may take a boat 26:27 there take you many, many hours. 26:29 You can't walk, 26:30 there's not enough days in the week to walk. 26:33 And we're in the day 26:34 when aviation fills a great bill. 26:37 We've got to do the work of ministry 26:41 in a different way today 26:43 than it's been done in the past. 26:45 I'm speaking with 80 years behind me. 26:48 We've got to keep improving. 26:51 And one of those ways is for you and me 26:54 to get behind aviation ministry. 26:58 Whatever it takes, wherever we're doing it, 27:01 and do it to the best of our ability, 27:04 first quality, safety, 27:06 all of this employed in place and our pastors, 27:11 our teachers, our Bible instructors, 27:13 our doctors, our nurses 27:15 can get out and give the help where it's needed. 27:18 In some of those places, 27:19 we can only get there by airplanes, people. 27:22 So brothers and sisters, 27:24 you watching this film right now, 27:26 may I encourage you to please think seriously, 27:30 Jesus is coming. 27:32 And He's going to come soon. 27:34 And I want Him to come, the sooner the quicker. 27:37 Yes, I believe that. 27:39 And I want to take what little God has given me 27:42 and I want to give it to the finishing of the work 27:45 and aviation ministry has got a big place in my heart. 27:51 And there are a lot of young people 27:53 standing out here right now listening to me, 27:55 who'll be pilots tomorrow. 27:58 I want them to have the best training, 28:01 the best preparation 28:04 so that they can do God's work in the safest possible way. 28:09 Thank you for your support, your prayers, your dollars. 28:15 And you and I, some of you my age, 28:18 some of you a little older, some of you younger, 28:20 hey, let's get busy, seriously finish God's work, 28:25 as He would have us finish it. 28:27 And may God bless you. |
Revised 2020-07-23