Most of you know that we have been praying for the past few months that the Lord would show us our next step, since things did not go as planned with us going to New Tribes Mission this August.  We met with an MAF representative, and through that we discovered that we did not feel that we fit into MAF, and also that we had more questions for NTM.  So we scheduled a meeting with the regional New Tribes Mission representatives. 

Monday’s meeting with Ken and Cindy West revealed to us so much more than we had hoped and prayed for.  This couple felt called to Indonesia when they were about our age and served the Lord there in a tribe for 21 years.  We also have felt drawn to Indonesia since we started exploring locations for service in mission aviation.  We had many questions about Indonesian culture—how perfect that God put these New Tribes missionaries to Indonesia just an hour away in Spartanburg, and here they were sitting on our couch, ready to answer our eager questions.  We had questions about everything.  What is the food like there?  They said it’s like a cross between Thai and Indian!  (two of our favorite kinds of food!)  Interestingly, Mrs. West also has a seafood allergy, just like Elizabeth, so we were able to have that question answered right away: she said most Indonesian dishes are chicken or beef, unless you live in a coastal area.  Praise the Lord!

They told us many other interesting things about Indonesian culture, and answered questions about what life is like for missionary pilots on a day to day basis.  Some of our more important questions had to do with NTM philosophy in certain matters, and in all regards, their answers solidified the feeling we already had, that New Tribes is a good fit for us.

We are ready to wait as long as it takes for New Tribes to have a need for Jamin’s pilot and mechanic skills.  If the Lord changes our direction once again someday, we are ready and open for His leading, but for now, we feel that He is opening our hearts with great joy to the prospect of serving Him under New Tribes’ leadership and in the country of Indonesia.  For now, we are absolutely happy and content to serve Him here in Shelby, North Carolina.  It’s great to know that we’re not the ones in control because we are sure to get into things over our heads.  God is the only one who can prepare the way and prepare us at the same time so it all comes together in perfect cadence.

It's been awhile since we've posted an update.  Jamin's been working on the Cessna 206 that's going to Honduras with Harvesters (check out Compass' website for more on that).  Last week he started installing a fuel step and handle on each side of the airplane to make it easier for pilots to climb up to put fuel in the wings where the fuel tanks are.  Lord willing, he'll be finishing that project in the next couple days and moving on to more things that need to be done to prepare that plane for service. 

The good news is that Compass now has the 206 that they own up and flying again.  One missionary candidate was able to use it last week to prepare for his flight evaluation with MAF, which he'll be taking this week.  Greg has been here at Compass with us, and would surely appreciate your prayers this week as he and his wife undergo the scrutiny of the staff at Mission Aviation Fellowship and also have a chance to evaluate the organization to see if it fits with their vision for service.

We are still looking forward to attending such an evaluation with New Tribes Mission next January.  We have looked into some other organizations, but none seem to fit so well with how we feel called to serve the Lord.  We will be meeting next Monday, (a week from tomorrow) with a regional representative from New Tribes who can hopefully answer any lingering questions we have about their operations and philosophy of service.

Meanwhile, Jamin had to drive to Augusta, GA today by himself to speak at Bethany Bible Chapel.  Esther had a bad case of the flu that she got over only yesterday, still with a really stuffy nose today, so we had Sunday school at home this morning.  Jamin left at about 5:30 this morning and only just got back at midnight after getting caught in some bad traffic.

This past weekend we went to share at a chapel in North Augusta, SC.  I (Jamin) was a bit worried before we left because we had some snow and then freezing rain the day before, which left the driveway and roads rather icy.  So our first issue was whether we were even going to try to make it to North Augusta (I’m not the type to take chances).  Thankfully, after evaluating the situation, I determined that we could make it out of the slippery driveway and we were on our way.

After stopping for some supper, we made it safely to the chapel where we met up with our host family, who we followed around the block to their house.  Our host had grown up in Zaire, and was the daughter of a missionary lady that Jamin knew from his time living there as a kid.  This kind lady chatted about similar experiences living in Africa, and even provided us with a welcome gift of chocolates and other goodies.  Esther had lots of fun playing with her pet miniature poodle and putting a baby-doll to sleep in a “crib” (which was actually a wooden serving tray), before going to bed, and everything seemed to be going very well as the rest of us retired for the night as well.

I woke up at 5 in the morning, not to Esther wanting to get in bed with us to snuggle, or Jaren crying for some attention, but to an upset stomach.   I proceeded, for the next 3 hours, to make religious journeys to the porcelain goddess and kneel before her throne.

Eventually, after everyone had already left to go to the meeting, I was able to take a Dramamine and rest a bit.  Fifteen minutes before I was supposed to give our presentation, I got out of bed and got dressed . . . talk about cutting it close.

Even when I got there, I wasn’t sure I had the strength to do both meetings: the presentation and the sermon.  I decided I’d do one and see how it went.

I began the presentation, and after minor technical difficulties, arrived on the other side with a VERY dry mouth.  Although my queasiness was beginning to return, I decided to tackle the sermon, so long as I had a glass of water.

Finished it up, and immediately sat down.  More than one person commented on how pale I was looking, and although many people appreciated the message, I refused to shake hands with what few people who offered; for their own good.

I was unable to socialize, even though there were many people who were very interesting to talk to and I would have loved to get to know; but my strength had been used up.  We made it back around the block to our host family’s house and while everyone else ate and talked, I went straight to bed.

Woke up and was able to socialize a little, including watching a home video of myself as a 2-year-old in Africa.   You never know what "dirt" host families will have on you!  The granddaughter of the missionary lady I knew in Africa had visited Zaire for awhile and helped teach my sisters and babysit me as a child.

After a few chuckles in an otherwise bleak weekend, and after another Dramamine for the road, we loaded up the van and drove home.

I’m amazed that I was able to do what I did, but I know how I hadthe strength to make it for just those two meetings: it wasn’t mine.

I can’t boast in myself, because I had nothing to do with my stomach settling down just in time.  I can’t say I had the strength, because I didn’t.

Instead, my strength came from the Lord, and so I will boast in my weakness, and in HIS strength.

The sliver of the setting sun grew as it rose on the horizon.  The little plane swiftly left the ground heading westward toward home.  It was as though we hung suspended on nothingness in the calm of the evening air as street lights begin to twinkle between tree branches beneath us.  The gentle purr of the engine made me drowsy like the warm vibrations of a washing machine on spin cycle.

How fortunate I am to be born in this century, into this privileged country, and to be the wife of a pilot.  To have the opportunity to hop in a little airplane that fits our family just perfectly and go fly halfway across the state for free!

Jamin often flies for random reasons.  This time someone left a suitcase at JAARS in Waxhaw, so Jamin was given the task of retrieving it and getting it to them.  Given the beautiful weather and the simplicity of the task, I asked if we could come along.  But there were other motives too...

We had heard earlier in the day that Samaritan's Purse's Kodiak had been at JAARS, so we thought we might have the opportunity to see it and even get some pictures with the celebrity. :)

God worked out the timing perfectly, and we got pictures.

Like Esther said, it was a black Kodiak, not a purple one.  Heh.  Hallelujah.

We touched down in Shelby just in time considering Jamin's night-currency.  Home just in time to get the kids supper, baths, and in bed.

Ah.  What a lovely day.  It makes me almost forget the crayon that got eaten and drooled all over Jaren and the carpet, the beard shavings on the bathroom sink, the poopy sheets on Esther's bed, and the other routine trappings of this mommy's life. 

I'm a lucky woman.

A pilot friend told me: you don’t realize just how much stress you’re under until the checkride is done.  Right now it feels like a burden has been lifted from my shoulders, and I didn’t even know how heavy it was.

As with any test, the preparation is most of the work.  I’ve been preparing for this for years (literally).  With multiple delays due to scheduling conflicts, aircraft unavailability, insurance, maintenance issues and weather cancelations; it has taken me much longer to get this than originally anticipated.  However, God has been faithful and I’m now commercial pilot, with no debt.

As with any checkride, preparation is ongoing all the way up until you’re with the examiner.  There’s always more to know or a more recent weather report; but at the same time you have to balance that with getting rested the night before so that your performance is good and your thinking clear.

The night before the checkride was not ideal.  The kids woke me up at least twice, and then I had to get up early on top of that.  God was gracious, though, and I wasn’t over-tired despite the lack of adequate sleep; just stressed.

Went out to the airport and did the preflight as well as double-checked that I had everything for the checkride and then tried to start the engine.  I say ‘tried’ because I was unsuccessful due to the cold (16° F).   Eventually we got external power hooked up so that it would crank easier, and that time it started up on the first try.

These delays were before I even met the examiner, who was waiting for me in Asheville (about 35 minutes flight away).  I arrived five minutes late (not ideal when you’re trying to make a good impression), but he wasn’t impatient and was not upset about five minutes, like some people would be.

One small thing that eased a lot of tension was that he didn’t have any pens to take notes.  He had to go ask a receptionist to borrow one.  If the examiner wasn’t completely prepared, then how could he possibly intimidate me?  This was just one way that God helped alleviate some stress.

The oral went very quickly, even though it lasted about an hour and a half.  Unlike some examiners I’ve heard of, he wasn’t probing to find weak points and then asking every detail about them, which makes you feel completely stupid.  Instead he simply made sure you knew your stuff, and if you did, he moved on.

With the oral out of the way, it was time for the flight portion.  I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day: the wind was calm on the ground and only 5 or 6 knots at altitude, it was so clear that you could see at least forty miles away, and not a hint of turbulence.

We ended up doing most of the maneuvers in an area where I had been doing my solo practice work, so the familiar terrain and landmarks eased even more tension.  The stable air meant that the upper-altitude maneuvers were very gentle and benign, making it a comfortable ride, even when doing steep turns at 55° bank.  With those done, we then went to Rutherfordton to do pattern work, which is another familiar airport.

Once again, the weather could not have been better.  The calm wind meant that the approaches were stable and consistent, meaning that the soft field landing was a piece of cake, and the power-off accuracy landing was planted right on the money.

With everything done and performed to standards, we flew back to Asheville, landed after a regional jet took off, and then proceeded to finish the paperwork, which finalized in him shaking my hand, congratulating me on my new certificate, and handing me the piece of paper which says: Jamin Peck, Commercial Pilot.

We are so relieved and thank God that he has brought us past this milestone in His perfect timing.

Sometimes God lets us believe things are going to happen the way we foresee them only to "pull the rug out from under us" at the last moment.

We found out not long after our last blog post that we are actually NOT going to Arizona for a TE this year.  We received a phone call from Jeff Werley at NTM Aviation, in which he kindly broke the news to us that New Tribes Mission is starting to head in a different direction with their aviation program, and hence need fewer pilots than in former years.  As a result, they will only need 2 new pilots each year.  Jamin would have been competing with 4 other pilot/mechanics (all with more experience and flight hours than he has) for those two slots.  Jeff suggested that we try to come next year, January 2011, to the evaluation, or that we even explore other options for service with other organizations.

Naturally, we were disappointed to hear that our path to the mission field has yet another bump in it, but we were not discouraged or doubtful.  We have perfect confidence that it is God alone who has permitted this, and it is He who allowed us to live all of last year in ignorance of how our plans would change at the last minute.

We had hoped to share this news in conjunction with some good news: that Jamin had at last obtained his commercial license.  Alas, he still has that hanging over his head, but we hope that the next few weeks will result in final success!

Our plan for now is to stay at Compass until next year's opportunity with New Tribes, unless the Lord directs us otherwise.  This means we will transition along with all of the other permanent staff and missionary candidates to being on full support.  This is our first time stepping out completely "on faith", but we have had practice already, being on partial support for the last two years.

We appreciate your prayers for us as we actively seek to follow God on the twists and turns He makes in our path.

Working on a newsletter soon . . . don't forget to sign up to receive one on our contact page.

Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to make things happen, obstacles pop up out of nowhere, and we're left wondering what went wrong.

Jamin is under the wire now, trying to finish his commercial flight training before our scheduled trip to Arizona to interview with New Tribes Mission in January.  They require him to hold his commercial ticket before they can formally invite him to a TE (technical evaluation).

He began this training around this time last year, with plenty of time to spare, but the plane was unavailable for several months, and then insurance had to be renewed.  Now weather and scheduling have delayed him even more.  Today we found out that he has to fly a long cross-country in addition to many hours practicing complicated (and very taxing) maneuvers.  With a head cold, he really just can't do some of the steep spirals and rapid descents because the pressure in his sinuses becomes too great for concentration.

He really has to complete his commercial training in the next two weeks, or we will be forced to change our plane tickets to go to the April TE (if there are still openings).  We pray we don't have to.  Our will is that things go as planned.  Sometimes God has other plans, but we would pray that our faith in His hand would not waver no matter the outcome.

Please pray with us for the following:

1) That Jamin would be able to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge quickly.
2) Beautiful flying weather in the next 2 weeks.
3) Maintain the airplane in good flying condition.
4) Health and safety.
5) Instructor availability.

We appreciate so much your partnering with us in prayer.  May God gain the glory for working out His plan in us.

It's always an adventure to travel to a new place each weekend to meet new people who are interested in learning more about our role in mission aviation.  We often have no idea what they will be like and how we will relate to them.  We always look forward to the adventure because we know God has a hand in putting us with people who are not only hospitable but also friendly and so helpful with our two little ones and interested in mission aviation.  The folks at Albany Gospel Chapel were no exception.
 

This weekend, the adventure was enhanced with a chance to fly to our destination.  We were able to use Compass' Cessna 172 to fly to Albany, which decreased a 6 1/2 hour drive to just a 3 hour flight!  We were met at the airport by an elder from the church who had a car for us to use while we were there and who led us to the home where we would be staying.

Our host family, the Wilkersons, were so sweet and generous.  We enjoyed a lovely meal with them on Saturday night after arriving and stayed up talking until we told ourselves we must get to bed to get some rest before Sunday.  Mr. Wilkerson had been a recreational pilot in past years, so Jamin found an instant friend.  Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Mrs. Wilkerson got along doing the dishes together and chatting about cooking and mutual friends.  When we discovered they had only been married 3 years (same as us), it was fun to share stories with them about how we met our spouses.

At the chapel, we enjoyed making many new friends.  After Jamin spoke in the morning, we all enjoyed a covered dish meal after that, Jamin shared about mission aviation by giving a slide-show presentation.

After the presentation we got to talk to several people, including one man who had dreamed of being a missionary pilot but couldn't due to health reasons as well as a young boy who is very excited about airplanes and just couldn't wait to go up and meet the pilot!  We were glad to give the boy a first-hand look at our plane.

Our sweet time together was so brief because of the distance we had to cover in returning home.  So we said our goodbyes, and trusted that God would take care of us all as we went our different ways.

We hope that our time together, though not long, will somehow have a great influence.

Jamin is on his way towards meeting another requirement prior to joining New Tribes Mission's aviation department.

He has started an intense time of flying and studying. In just the last three days, he has covered more than 500 nautical miles of flying to 11 different airports.

Although there were multiple set-backs and delays in the process of resuming this advanced flight training, we know God's timing to be perfect.

One of the delays was maintenance-related, and with a new propeller on the aircraft the guys at Compass double-checked that the plane was good-to-go.

Jamin then hit the training hard, with a two hour flight to re-familiarize myself with the aircraft and its systems.

The Cessna 182 RG is owned by Harvesters International Mission, and Compass has had a wonderful relationship with them over the years.

Although Compass owns multiple aircraft, it is more economical for Jamin to get this particular training in Harvesters' airplane, which gives one platform from which to get both 'high performance' and 'complex' experience.

Jamin's instructor, Pete Wing, is a veteran missionary pilot, who flew in western Africa and now continues to serve the Lord by training future missionary avaitors.

Although it would be possible to obtain commercial flight training from any number of instructors in the United States, it is impossible to put a price-value on his real-life experience of flying overseas.

To some it might only be one more step towards a great goal, but it can be a lot of fun, too!