Back from Oshkosh
What a week! Seven days at Oshkosh Airventure 2009 began with a fellowship meeting with the mission aviation folks from all over the world. Being a part of the planning group for the Fly4Life theme at Oshkosh this year, I was aware of what to expect regarding the presence of missionaries who fly and the exhibits of aircraft and displays. However, actually walking among the planes that have seen thousands of landing in jungle clearings and mountain tops and hearing the testimonies of their pilots was a true awakening for me. Steve Saint was there with his “Maverick” flying car to be deployed soon to the mission field. Gracia Burnham’s story in book form and public presentations about her captivity by terrorists were chilling, but uplifting. The spirit that the missionary authors brought to the Author’s Corner permeated the entire room all week.
Area churches organized by the Mission Aviation Support Association supported over 400 missionary fliers with food, housing, and transportation. It was a tremendous outpouring of ministry by God’s people.
God was clearly at work throughout the week as hundreds of thousands of aviation enthusiasts were influenced by the first class representation of mission aviation. For many, this was the first time they had ever thought about how flying contributes to the Great Commission. Pray that those half-million people who got a glimpse of missionaries who fly will be drawn into a closer relationship with the Lord and will be part of an increased level of support for that ministry.
If you have been considering mission aviation as a personal calling or an opportunity for personal support, please respond to this post. I would be glad to refer you to the right person or organization.