First Steps-The Inquiry

December 2009

Over the last few months Bridget and I have been getting acquainted with an organization known as Helimission. Helimission is s non-profit foundation utilizing helicopters in remote locations to: support mission groups, provide medical evacuation, deliver medication to remote bush clinics, provide assistance in relation to natural disasters. If you have been following world events, it will be no surprise that they are busy.

After inquiring and filling out a lot of paperwork, we met the Helimission director, Simon Tanner, and the North American representative, Ben Dodzweit. It was a good way to learn more about each other. After meeting periodically for three days, everyone was in agreement Bridget and I should continue the process of moving ahead, with the goal of serving in Helimission somewhere in the world.

To back up, time wise, we have had a desire to do something different for the last year or more. In fact, before learning about Helimission, I spent some savings and time to become current again in helicopters and obtained a passport. We have always enjoyed our missionary friends and felt enthusiastic about their endeavors. Wherever we have lived we have been involved in various ways. Now being empty nesters, Helimission might be an overseas opportunity for us. So far the doors are opening and by faith we walk through them, with our eyes wide open, educating ourselves as to the opportunities available.

I, Paul, would serve in a pilot capacity and they were quite enthusiastic about Bridget's administrative, teaching, and publishing capabilities. Whereas this letter is not a notice in respect to an official assignment somewhere near the equator but is more informal in respect to the direction we are considering. Our children, Joy, Kelly, and Lance, think this a great thing for Mom and Dad and something tells me they weren't very surprised.

Join us, please, in praying about this with us. So far it seems to be a good fit. We need to: sell or rent our house, eliminate some business debt, attend cross-cultural classes at a Bible school in New York, and participate ina candidate training camp at the headquarters inSwitzerland (the founder of Helimission, Ernie Tanner, is Swiss).

We would like to keep you posted as His purpose is revealed. Perhaps you have some thoughts on this!....Please feel free to share them with us, we would love to hear from you. Helimission can be found at: http://www.helimission.ch/default_e8.htm (English language version)