Thursday, June 30, 2011

Good News!

Ah! Today is glorious new day! Why am I so chipper? Kevin and I worked really hard last night to finish our papers! 2,000 – 3,000 words later for each of us and we feel that a burden has been lifted off of our shoulders! I am proud that I finished but I am not ready to start partying yet – we still have a test to do!!! One, I must add, is going to be REALLY hard (unless you are our minister/proctor Dr. Curtis McClane, the man who has more degrees than a thermometer)! J


As Kevin and I were grunting and groaning over our papers last night, I was reminded (humbly) that this class is not a punishment but is a tool to prepare us for our lives as missionaries. Isaiah 40:3 (can’t you tell I like the book of Isaiah) foretold of John the Baptist saying “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way …prepare the way for the Lord” - the keyword being “prepare.” (This always brings to mind the song “Days of Elijah”.)
 As a frequent procrastinator, this is an often a humble lesson in my life! I don’t clean my house until someone is coming over, I don’t start dinner until I know Kevin is 5 minutes away, and I definitely haven’t done my homework on time (my paper being a great example!) So here I am “preparing” to be a missionary. This reminds me of the Redneck phrase “fixin’ to.” I am not doing it yet, but I am “fixin’ to.” My goal for the next few days is to remember that I learning so that I can prepare the way for the Lord and my prayer is that God will keep me focused on this task!

Tasha

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Preparing for Orientation

Good morning! While Kevin is off working today, I thought that I would share some of the things that Kevin and I are doing to prepare for our orientation with MAF. Orientation with MAF is two weeks long and it is held in Nampa, ID. It will begin July 11th (Kevin's birthday). After orientation, there will be a security training the following week. Finally, there will be a two week long fundraising training. So, what are we doing to prepare ourselves for this 5 week journey?

First and foremost - prayer! Isaiah 58:11 says, "The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." This has become our current prayer that God will help us on our journey. We will need His strength and His guidance. We would not be where we are today without Him.

Next, study time! MAF has asked that we read a book called "Funding Your Ministry" by Scott Morton and to do a study guide on it. The book has been a real eye opener as to how to think about fundraising. Thus far, my favorite part has to be the explanation about how fundraising is a spiritual ministry, not begging! It gives the example of how a man acted during a flood. He sat on the roof of his home during a flood and a boat came by for help. He told the would-be rescuer, "No thanks, God will save me." The boat came by three times in total before the man finally succumbed to the water and drowned. When he went to heaven he asked the Lord why He did not save him from the flood. The Lord said, "I sent you three boats!" During fundraising, our jobs are very clear and God's job is very clear and we have to realize the difference!  I am looking forward to the fundraising with my new point of view!

Third, homework! Kevin and I lack one class before we can go back. All we have to do is finish our paper for our class in Acts and take the test. This would be simple, except Kevin has been putting in double time at work. Kevin is the only person licensed to check off the planes and will be gone 5 weeks. Kevin does have a replacement, but he does not have everything needed to be Kevin's complete replacement. So, Kevin is working very hard to make sure that all of the planes on the charter will not need their annuals while he is gone. Where does that leave Kevin on his paper? No time! Bless his heart!

Finally, physically preparation! We have two cats and two dogs and a house that need to be taken care of while we are gone. We have friends Seth and Kelsey who are going to stay in our house. While I am not concerned about the care of the cats (if you own you, you understand they are independent), but I am concerned for my elderly dog Maggie. She requires medication twice a day and frequent attention. I know my friends will take care of her, but as a "mommy" I still feel bad about "leaving them."

So, as Kevin and I prepare for our journey, I am constantly praying Isaiah 26:8, that the Lord will make our path we travel a smooth one and that our journey is not a rough one! Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to finish the things here that need to be done before our next step in our journey!

Tasha

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

About Us

Special Scripture Verse: "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!'" Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)

Moved by the thought of bringing the Good News, we are thrilled to begin a new chapter in our lives by serving the One True God through Mission Aviation Fellowship. Although beautiful feet will not be the mode of transportation, wings and prayer will be! Kevin says “Even though I can’t preach like Paul, on wings like eagles (or Cessna’s) I can bring those who can!” Kevin realizes as a pilot and mechanic the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:31 ("Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God") definitely apply. By using the talents given to him, God is glorified. Through his efforts with MAF, unreached people can be reached, unloved people can be loved and the Good News can be spread - and God is glorified! He will be joined by his wife who brings even more God given talent to their team. Tasha looks forward to the opportunity to minister to children and adults alike; whether it will be through adult education or teaching biblical stories to children, she is very excited about all the possibilities. Her favorite verse has always been Psalms 30:5 (NIV) “Everyone has struggles in their lives and this ‘universal’ verse relates to many different situations, but the verse also reminds me that even though our joy might not come soon, we are promised a life of joy in our eternity in Heaven.”
Kevin grew up on a small farm in rural East Tennessee and remained there from birth through his senior year in high school. He attended Middle Tennessee State University where he earned his A&P and private licenses, and received a B.S. in Aerospace Maintenance Management. By the time he and Tasha had graduated college, they were engaged and married shortly after. He worked as an aviation maintenance technician and became the director of maintenance at an aircraft charter company but felt a calling to something more. Through opportunities given by the grace of God, he continued to earn his Inspection Authorization, multi engine, instrument and commercial license.
            Tasha grew up in the same area as Kevin and though she was 2 years ahead of him in school they got to spend a lot of time together in high school band. She grew up in a Christian home but it took the passing of her grandmother to understand the teachings of the true love of Christ to fully understand the meaning of having the Lord Jesus as her savior. She went to several colleges in the area, picking up bible credits, an associates in biology, and a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Tennessee. Once married, she worked as an executive assistant but felt a calling to something more.
Through a mentor at his church, Kevin learned of Mission Aviation Fellowship. After telling Tasha, and a lot of divine intervention, they both realized how God had pointed their lives in this direction and have embraced the role God has called them to. They picked up their remaining bible credits through correspondence with Johnson Bible College in Knoxville and look forward to beginning their service with MAF.