A hundred people helped themselves to the platters of grilled salmon, transported from the rivers of Alaska to Longview, Texas for the special occasion. Their surprise and delight brought a smile to our faces. This was the Kingdom Air Corps’ dinner of appreciation for those LeTourneau University students, faculty, alumni, and friends who have worked closely with us for many years. We were in Texas last week, participating in LeTourneau’s annual mission conference, known as “Go Week.” Many missions, including JAARS, MAF, Wycliffe, and more were represented and the networking among missionaries was refreshing. It was good to see old friends in the Lord’s work, and to make some new ones. But our primary interest was in interacting with the students, themselves, particularly the aviation students. Several flight students who had already done some training at Kingdom Air Corps stopped by to see us. Some hope to return to Alaska for further training this summer, or to be flight instructors for new private pilot students. LeTourneau University sends two professors and two classes of aviation mechanic students to Alaska every summer to complete an on-site course in Aircraft Inspections. They work on our airplanes under supervision, preparing the aircraft for their annual 600-nautical-mile flights to the Brooks Range of mountains, north of the Arctic Circle, where we hold our annual Brooks Range Bible Camp for native children and teens from the surrounding villages.
Most of these mechanics, many of our flight students, and several dozen friends attended this appreciation dinner. After the meal, we recognized Fred Ritchey, Dean of the College of Aviation & Aeronautical Science at LeTourneau, thanking him for his continual support of the LeTourneau/Kingdom Air Corps summer classes and opportunities to interact. Then, we had the privilege and blessing to award a $10,000 Kingdom Air Corps scholarship to one of our mutual students—Nathan Jaffrey, who attends LeTourneau University during the school year, and works with Kingdom Air Corps each summer. Nathan is a hard-working, determined pilot and aviation mechanic, who has dedicated his life to serving the Lord in missions. We are grateful for our KAC staff and volunteers who coordinated this memorable event, notably Dan Swenson, and Gabe and Amber Johnson.
We also want to recognize a distinguished couple who now work behind the scenes, continuing to support and house us during this annual mission week: Dr. Alvin O. “Bud” Austin, President Emeritus, LeTourneau University, and his dear wife, Sammie. We can’t count all the delicious meals they’ve served us over the course of roughly 30 years! As a former university president, Dr. Austin is responsible for initiating many of the relationships we have with the university that have matured and flourished over the years.
The Lord has blessed us in so many ways with capable, hard-working missionaries, prayer warriors and supporters! He provides all that we need and though we’ve tried, we simply cannot outgive the Lord—he keeps on multiplying and returning to us blessing upon blessing! I’m reminded of the truth of Psalm 23:6, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.”