Fly 4 Life

Recently Ashley and I were able to attend Airventure 2009 in Osh Kosh Wisconson. We were there to represent LeTourneau University and share what LETU has to offer to future missionary pilots. Little did we know that this would be an experience that would teach us so much about the awesome community of people involved in mission aviation.

Fly 4 Life was one of the featured themes at Airventure. The Fly 4 Life tent on Aeroshell Square told the history of mission aviation and explained a few of the areas that it supports. Besides the Fly 4 Life tent there was also the IAMA tent. IAMA (International Association of Missionary Aviation) was the organization that brought us, other schools, and many mission organizations together at Osh Kosh. Our tent was flanked by MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship), JAARS (Wycliffe), and Spokane Turbine Center, a training organization for mission pilots who will be flying the new Quest Kodiak.

By the end of the week almost 750,000 people had been to the airshow grounds and almost 500 of those people were there specifically to represent Mission Aviation. What an awesome place to be!! Throughout the week Ashley and I were able to meet people like Steve Saint, the son of martyred Missionary Pilot, and representatives from almost every mission organization that was there. We also worked in the Fly 4 Life tent and had many opportunities to share the Gospel of Christ with people who had never even heard about Jesus!! Woo Hoo!!!!

We were also able to spend time around the new Quest Kodiak 100, an airplane which was specifically designed to operate on short, unimproved airstrips in some of the most remote areas of the world. The Kodiak is an impressive airplane which has the potential to transform mission aviation as we know it.

As I begin my last year of school at LeTourneau University Ashley and I are becoming more excited every day about what the Lord has planned for the future! Airventure 2009 was a great confirmation that mission aviation is exactly where the Lord wants us and has been continuing to lead us. Please be in prayer for us as we begin to take larger steps towards moving overseas to share the Gospel in some of the most remote areas of the world.

-Pete