Going to TUR
The day dawned bright and early with lots of excitement. Usually when Kars leaves on an early flight, he rises and slips out of the house without anyone else waking up. Today was different. The boys were up early, filled with energy, because this time we all were going on the airplane with Kars as our pilot. Adding to the excitement was the fact that we were going to be flying our friends, the Beck family, back into their village and staying with them for a few days. Although Kars and I had both been to their village home, this was the first time for our boys to see where their friends live!
Kars left for the hangar before us to prep the plane and get everything ready for our departure. I loaded the boys and our overnight bags into our car and swung by the guesthouse where our friends April and her three kids had been staying. They had come to town so the kids could do their annual testing at the school, while Ryan, their dad, had stayed behind in the village for the week. He was anxious to have his wife and kids return after his week alone, caring for their home and pets.
We loaded up their bags and supplies. When they come to town, they have to get almost everything they need to live, as there are no stores in their village….think about everything you’d need if you couldn’t go shopping for a month … or three … . This time they didn’t have tons of stuff, as they knew they’d be coming back out to town in less than a month for their annual conference. One unusual thing we took along was two little ducklings (which once full grown are known for protecting against snakes, a scary part of living in the jungle.)
After arriving at the hangar and unloading the car, we took the kids to the bathroom since there are no bathrooms in little planes! Then we waited for Kars to signal that he was ready for us to load in the plane.
Everyone was excited, including the Beck kids, who rarely have visitors come to their house and village. As town residents, we have so many things we can take advantage of, like the privilege of having friends over for dinner or for playdates whenever we want. Living in a remote village that is only accessible by a small airplane does not allow the Becks this luxury.
My husband started up the plane and we taxied to the end of the runway. Maybe it’s because I am the daughter (and now wife) of a pilot, but whenever I take off, whether I’m in a small plane or a big airliner crossing the ocean, I get emotional. Today was no exception.
As we took off and I looked out over our beautiful tropical town tucked next to “our” mountain, I felt the tears coming.
In that moment, all those years of schooling and training, all the years of working hard to help pay for Kars’ expensive flight school, all the steps it took to get our family from America to the opposite side of the world—all of that came into focus …
THIS is why we did it!
So that the moms, dads, kids, families, single missionaries, all those who have dedicated their lives to sharing the gospel with every people group, even in the most remote, inaccessible locations on the edge of the world … CAN GO! So that they can live and serve in remote locations, with assurance that although there is no hospital nearby, an airplane can get in and pick up their families, in case of an emergency. So that they are able to come out to town for school testing, supply buying, and much needed breaks. Having access to an airplane and having trustworthy, safe pilots reduces the stress of their lives here. Hopefully our service to them increases their longevity and therefore the potential for God’s Word to be shared with all the people groups where they serve. What an honor it is to serve these fellow workers for Christ, helping do our part in building God’s kingdom, even here on our remote island in Southeast Asia!
Would you like to join us for a short tour of the village we visited?[/vc_column_text]
Missy and her husband, Kars, live and serve in Papua, Indonesia with their two sons. Follow them at: http://kronemanlogbook.blogspot.com.
