January 21, 2010
No picture, just an update. When the earthquake hit Haiti last week, the calls for help began coming in. Requests to MMS were not for food or clothing, but for mechanics. You can't just drive out to Haiti to help, you must go by air or sea. There are many mission and relief agencies based in Florida, and they became the first responders.
MMS Aviation has worked with Missionary Flights International for several decades. They operate a fleet of DC-3 aircraft, which can haul a seven thousand pound load, and they have been flying to Haiti and the Dominican Republic since 1964. If you've been following the news on Haiti you have probably seen MFI in action, since the bulk of the airlift has been done by the U.S. government and MFI. Check out their website:
Every mission agency that I know of is staffed with the minimum number of people necessary to do the work, so when disaster strikes, they are immediately short-handed. MFI is receiving many donated goods and lots of volunteer labor to sort and load supplies. What volunteers can't do is work on their aircraft to keep them flying. In response to that need, MMS is sending two teams on alternating weeks, to maintain the aircraft flying, and assist in repairs to one that is grounded for maintenance.
At the same time, I received a call from a new Director of Maintenance for another Florida based ministry, Agape Flights. His arrival at Agape coincided with the earthquake in Haiti. Now he is faced with the prospect of maintaining a multiengine turboprop that is rapidly flying off the hours to it's next inspection, alone. I know this man, he used to volunteer at MMS on his days off from work in the Dayton area. I want to help him, so I made some calls, but everyone is tapped out. Check their website at:
The very same day another missionary friend operating in the Bahama islands called to say that he had an engine failure on take-off. The Lord was good to him. He had just spent four days flying in Haiti, loaded with passengers and supplies. On the day of the engine failure he was at his home base, empty. Halleluia! He landed safely, but now he needs a new engine and help changing it.
At the MMS hangar in Coshocton we have customers that need their planes for ministry just as urgently as any other mission, so we are obliged to stay open and keep working, despite the many needs elsewhere. If nothing else, this recent disaster has once again shone a spotlight on the need for aircraft maintenance technicians in missions. There will be other disasters. There will always be need. If you, or someone you know feels a desire to serve the Lord in full time ministry, please consider putting the talents God has given you to use, especially in a practical trade.
Tim
