Back to School

Today was my (Jeff) first day at Middle Georgia Technical Institute (MGT) in Warner Robins in pursuit of an FAA - Aircraft and Powerplant License (A&P). An A&P license allows me to maintain, inspect, and return aircraft to service as airworthy, and is a requirement for missionary pilots. I have already completed 2 quarters toward this goal at Middle Georgia Aviation in Eastman. You may ask - "How is it you were in Eastman, and now WR?" Good question; one which deserves an answer, but that would be "back-blogging"; is that allowed? Stay tuned... Anyway, attending class full-time, I anticipate completion in five more quarters, taking the FAA exam in August of 2009. Going back to school, where the average student age is 18-20, has been rather challenging (...in many ways). MGT requires that I purchase tools, and that's gonna be really tough on me...snap-on, craftsman, SK, or Matco? It's a guy-thing.

It's Home Depot Day!

For us the first Saturday of the month means a trip to the Home Depot for their Kids Workshop. Today the kids made birdhouses (...with a little help from Dad). Whitney showed more interest in testing out the JD tractors. All the hard work left us famished and longing for what has now become our favorite "dog" joint, Nu-Way.

VBS...They Brought their Pennies

Our church held it's annual VBS last week. Over 700 kids came and 100 decisions for Christ were made. Every year the children are challenged to bring a missions offering. It is a contest between the boys and girls to see who can bring the most money by dollar amount and by weight. The kids brought their money but made sure to stop by the desk of the "money changers" in the back of the temple. Their bills and coins were traded for rolls of pennies. The kids really got motivated and overwhelmed everyone by bringing $5187.48! Before VBS started the staff began to pray about to whom they would give this offering. They were interested in a missionary that the kids could get to know and see. The Holy Spirit led them to us. They invited us to go and meet the kids and they learned about missions and about what God has laid on our hearts to do. One kid about 8 years old recognized Jeff in the hall and said, "Hey you are the pilot who is going to fly Jesus in a plane to people who have never heard about Him before!" It was so encouraging to see the kids (and adults) get so excited about missions.