January 2011 What Next? Flight Training

Having finished our cross-cultural training a month ago, what do we do now? There is a laundry list of logistical items including finding international medical insurance, creating a presentation (power point and video), choosing a data base to manage all our contacts' information, and inviting people to partner with us.

Paul and Bridget "home" in Southern Oregon.

The director of Helimission (HM) wants me (Paul) to stay current with flying. A number of you have asked how and in what way you can assist us. I will need to take my proficiency check-ride in February (happens every two years) and find a helicopter company who will enable me to fly and sharpen my skills. Training time in a little S300 helicopter is $275 per hour. My proficiency ride will take about 4 hours. Learning the type of helicopter used in Indonesia is around 5 hours at $700 per hour. These two will cost a total of $4,600. Would you consider a financial contribution to help pay for my flight training? Use the "Chip In" button in the blue box for making an online donation.

Paul at Helimission Headquarters, Switzerland.

Helicopters are expensive but fill a vital role. HM is unique in that it is the only mission agency utilizing only helicopters to help others reach remote people groups with the Gospel and medical services. This June will mark 40 years of God's faithfulness to HM's as they serve the unreached of the world. Bridget and I feel an urgency to get out there as HM is short of pilots for the amount of work at hand. Recently, Gunter Stohr, one of HM's pilots in Papua, Indonesia wrote of 80 Moi and 40 Wano proclaiming Jesus Christ as their Savior. Gunter has the privilege of serving these two people groups as well as the courageous missionaries who introduced them to Jesus Christ. A cooperative effort several years in the making. I look forward to serving with Gunter in Papua to reach the many groups who have yet to hear the Good News.

Many Wano people now follow Jesus.

We no longer have a house because it is our desire to divest ourselves of encumbrances in order to go overseas. As one writer said in Hebrews 12:1, "...let us throw off everything that hinders..." (NIV). Thank you to our CPA for guidance. We feel it is important to honor God in the whole process, including the transition. Currently we are staying with our friends, Calvin and Lorraine Granger, in Medford, Oregon. They have graciously let us use their travel trailer. It's quite nice.

Our friends Calvin and Lorraine with Paul.

If you would be willing to help with the immediate need of flight training, you can give online using the "Chip in" button in the blue box (above right) or send a check made payable to "Helimission." Mail checks to Helimission, PO Box 538, Lima NY 14485 and enclose a note saying it is for Paul Abbott. For each donation you will receive a tax deductible receipt in the mail.

Please pray: 1) The Moi and Wano people follow Christ and share Him with others. 2) God provides funds for Paul's flight training. 3) We find jobs and pay off our debts.

We are thankful for God's faithfulness and the support of our friends and family.

Serving Him, Paul for both Paul & Bridget