June 18th was our 27th wedding anniversary and reminded us during our engagement we shared a common desire to be missionaries, Paul to fly and Bridget to teach. This is our third application to serve overseas. We know this is the right time to go because so many pieces are falling into place and only the Lord could orchestrate them.
Paul was inspired to be a pilot when flying with his dad as a youngster and in college reading Nate Saint's biography, "Jungle Pilot", by Russel T . Hitt. During World War II Saint trained as a mechanic and flew with the Army. After the war he and his wife became missionaries. Maybe you saw the 2005 movie "End of the Spear" About Saint and the martyred missionaries to Ecuador. Paul recently reread Saint's biography. He was struck when he came across these words "... the Lord called me from aviation to Himself, and now He has sent me back to aviation for Himself." Paul was an army helicopter pilot and left aviation in 1991 following the Gulf War. Last year after a physical and flight training and flight training he became current.
In June 2009 we first contacted Helimission. After our meeting with the International and North American Directors in November, we set a goal for ourselves to be out of debt and Paul flying with Helimission. Then we listed some steps to take toward that goal. Since December we have checked off:
- Write newsletters and develop a support team.
- Paul keep his certificate current.
- Purchase passports and airline tickets.
- Summer job for Paul, landscape?irrigation maintenance at Emigrant Lake Park.
- Register for August Candidate Training Camp (CTC) in Switzerland. Thanks to all our supporters who together paid for our fees.
- Get rid of stuff. A friend taking all our furniture. Any remaining will go in another friend/neighbor's garage sale.
- Register for Fall 2010 semester at Elim Bible Institute in Lima, New York. Anyone want to donate a lap top computer?
- Lodging between leaving our house and CTC. The O'Quinns invited us to stay with them.
The Lord gave us this dream years ago and we realize He has been preparing us for this season of service.
Our three children joined us in June for the Gallinger Family reunion at Silver Greek Falls in Oregon. We celebrated Bridget's dad, Joe's 88th birthday and her sister, Margorie's 60th birthday. Left to right are Joy, Kelly, Joe, Margorie, Lance, Bridget, Paul.
Pray as we:
Sell our house. Pay off debt. Raise funds. Find lap top for school. Pack for our trips. Store family keepsakes. Visit Paul's Family.
In His service,
Paul & Bridget
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