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December 20, 2005
THE BLESSING OF "CHRISTMAS BAGS FOR HAITI"
December is the month for celebrating
Christ's birth and sharing Christmas gifts with our friends and family.
For MFI, Christmas began several months ago with our Christmas Bags for
Haiti project. With the help of hundreds of families and many
churches in the United States, MFI shipped over 6,000 Christmas bags to
Haiti for the school children. Besides the gift bags, thousands of
Creole Bibles were also sent down in the shipping container. On
December 1st, MFI transported a work team to Cap Haitien to deliver the
gifts. Enjoy the pictures below that share some of the excitement
among the children in Haiti.
Click on any of the thumbnail photos to see
them full-size. Your year-end giving to MFI would be a real
encouragement to us right now, and it can easily be done "On
Line". May the Lord give each of you a wonderful New
Year.
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After arriving in Cap Haitien, the shipping container is transported to a missionary dorm facilty and unloaded.
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Organizing the gift bags by age group and gender takes place first.
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Local Haitian pastors come by to pick up gift bags they will distribute through their churches.
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Additional bags are given to pastors so they can reach out to neighborhood children who aren't part of their church.
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Included in the gift bags are Creole versions of the Books of John and Romans.
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The work team prepares for a trip to a local school.
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Included are gift bags for the teachers, too.
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Gift bags are given to the children, one class at a time.
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After each child in the class has a bag, they are allowed to open them up and look inside.
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Waiting patiently.
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The kids were just as excited to see what their friends found in their bags.
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Christmas joy in the eyes of a child. Thank you to all who gave.
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December 1, 2005
CHRISTMAS FLIGHTS BEGIN FOR MFI
As the last of the bothersome hurricanes
glide off toward the North Atlantic for their final whirl, Missionary
Flights International is shifting gears from hurricane relief flights to
Christmas flights. The daily deliveries of Christmas gifts for the
mission community are beginning to bulge our warehouse walls. We
have already sent a full 40 foot container load of children's gifts to
Haiti, and now our DC-3's are taking off two at a time from Palm Beach
International, on their way to the mission community in Haiti and the
Dominican Republic. A third plane is delivering Christmas gifts to
the Bahamas this week. Even though our staff and volunteers are
working long hours to accomplish the task of delivering Christmas
supplies, we feel it is a privilege to serve others. Even as the
Christ of Christmas gave His all for us, we are determined to follow His
call by sharing our lives and helping others. Thank you to all who
have been a part of the MFI team this year. Your gifts and prayers
of encouragement are special to us. If you would like to help buy
some airplane fuel for Christmas deliveries, please click on the "On
Line" giving link and help out the MFI general fund.
Let's make our combined Christmas effort a wonderful experience for
thousands of children on the mission field.
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October 31, 2005
TRAVELING ON A WING AND A PRAYER
MFI literally travels on a "wing and a prayer." We depend on
strong wings to support the airplane in flight, and the prayers of His
people to keep them in the air. Every 2000 hours, the FAA requires
that MFI remove the wings and inspect them for corrosion and wear.
A work team from Missionary Maintenance Services in Ohio traveled to
Palm Beach International to assist the MFI mechanics in the removal and
reinstallation of both wings. Soon, the MFI turbine DC-3 will be
back in the air for missions with strong wings and daily prayer.
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October 28, 2005
THE LITTLE TREE AND MFI SURVIVED WILMA
As you can see from the picture below, the little tree in Dick Snook's
yard survived. It is a little beat up, but still intact to grow
another day. The MFI airplanes and staff also survived Wilma. We
returned the MFI airplanes and all of the families back to PBIA the
day after Wilma whistled through Palm Beach County. The MFI office
survived without any damage, but some of the staff houses did receive
shingle damage. Some staff houses had to resort to blue tarps again.
The MFI office is up and running even though we must generate our own
electricity. The power will be off for several days. The car lines
at the local gas stations are over a mile long with a two to four hour
wait. MFI was able to purchase two barrels of gasoline from a local
ministry that had a large reserve. We are doling the gas out to our
staff 5 gallons at a time to keep our home generators running. The
mission cargo is beginning to flow again and MFI will be back in the
air for missions on Tuesday, November 1, 2005. Thanks for your
prayers. Your "
On
Line" giving will help MFI offset the expenses of fleeing from
another hurricane.
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October 22, 2005
FLEEING WILMA
Hurricane Wilma is beating up on Cancun,
Mexico, but her next stop is South Florida and MFI. The planes are
all gassed up and our houses are all boarded up. At about 10 a.m.
Sunday morning we will be winging our way to Gainesville, FL to a safe
harbor. We have 14 rooms reserved in a motel to house all of our
staff families. We will stay for two days or until Wilma has moved
on. Tomorrow, please ask your churches to pray for us as we scurry
away. Below is a picture of President Dick Snook's house with the
windows covered and his stand-by generator on the front porch.
Notice the little tree in the front yard that is all roped down to try
to save it from 100 mph winds. Pray that our staff houses, as well
as the little tree, look similar when we return home.
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October 11, 2005
THE MFI RELIEF EFFORT GOES ON
Even though it has been over a month since hurricanes Katrina and
Rita hit the Gulf Coast, MFI continues to send relief supplies to the
region. Just last week, we sent another 40,000 pounds on a semi
trailer. The supplies were delivered to four locations that
desperately needed cleaning supplies. Nearly half of the load was
Clorox, so the supplies were greatly appreciated. The pictures
below show the last two semi trailers being loaded with hurricane relief
supplies.
Besides helping the hurricane victims, MFI continues to meet the
needs of the missionaries in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Christmas is coming, and the Christmas cargo and letters are beginning
to flow to the mission field. MFI is involved in a "Christmas Bags For Haiti"
project. The project is similar to the Christmas shoe box effort
but we use bags. Last year we sent over 4000 bags to the Haitian
children. We are praying we will exceed that amount this year.
Your "On
Line" giving will help MFI provide a wonderful Christmas for
thousands of children in Haiti.
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September 12, 2005
MFI HOME AGAIN...TO RE-GROUP
On Sunday, September 11, the MFI turbine DC-3 returned
to West Palm Beach after spending three days in the "war-zone" of
Katrina. The team onboard from the Hobe Sound Bible Church spent
endless hours from sun-up
to sun-down removing trees from housetops, passing out food and baby
supplies, and giving encouragement to the overwhelmed victims. We
also passed out 50,000 pounds of supplies from the back of a semi-truck.
On Sunday morning when the DC-3 took off from Hammond, LA for the return
flight to Palm Beach, there were some happy but very tired people
resting in the cabin. Our MFI flight crew was part of the
three-day work
team, and they also came home excited that they were able to
help the hurting people in the Gulf Coast region. Remember to go
to our "On
Line" giving menu and help us buy fuel for the "Gulf Coast Relief"
deliveries. There is another 40,000 pounds in the MFI warehouse
waiting to be delivered to Louisiana and Mississippi. The flow
must not stop.
The following pictures show more of what has happened on the Gulf
Coast, and how MFI and local church volunteers were able to bring some
relief and hope to those in need.
Click on any of the thumbnail photos to see
them full-size.
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September 9, 2005
FROM HAMMOND, LOUISIANA TO ST. ELMO, ALABAMA:
MFI BRINGS RELIEF AND HOPE
MFI continues to
bring relief to the Gulf Coast. On Wednesday, a 53' trailer was
donated for MFI's use, loaded with over 40,000 pounds of relief
supplies, and sent ahead to St. Elmo, Alabama. On Thursday,
MFI's Turbine DC-3 flew to St. Elmo to meet the trailer, and transported
a large group of volunteers to help with the cleanup effort and supply
distribution. Half the group stayed to help in Alabama and eastern
Mississippi, while the rest flew on to Hammond, Louisiana. Many
families in need, and those with homes that suffered major roof damage,
have been blessed by the hard work of the volunteers, and the work
continues on Saturday.
The following pictures show a little of what has happened on the Gulf
Coast, and how MFI and the Lord's people are "bringing a cup of cold
water" in the name of Christ.
Click on any of the thumbnail photos to see
them full-size. If you would like to help in MFI's Katrina
relief effort, you may give to MFI
"On
Line" for "Gulf Coast Relief". To bring items to the MFI
warehouse, see our lists in the September 4 and September 1 updates for the
critically needed relief supplies.
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September 6, 2005
THE MFI DC-3 ARRIVES IN GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI
On Monday (Labor Day), the MFI DC-3 flew
to Gulfport, Mississippi to restock our empty rental truck. The
truck crew had delivered all 11,000 pounds of relief supplies to the
hurricane victims and was in need of restocking. On Tuesday, the
MFI DC-3 did another restocking flight back to Gulfport to reload the
truck for a second time. We are so grateful for the wonderful
outpouring of love and support we have experienced from you, our MFI
friends. See our lists in the two previous updates for the
critically needed relief supplies. If you are too far away to
help in dropping relief items at the MFI warehouse, you may give to MFI
"On
Line" for "Gulf Coast Relief". Fuel for our DC-3 costs us
$3500 per trip. Due to the urgency of the Katrina Crisis, MFI will
"Stand in the Gap" for those in need.
The following pictures show MFI's DC-3 on
the ramp in Gulfport, pilots and volunteers unloading the plane into the
truck, and the pilots, truck drivers, and delivery crew...tired but
rejoicing!
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September 4, 2005
MFI BEGINS HURRICANE RELIEF DELIVERIES TO GULF COAST
MFI has picked up the ball in South
Florida to help the Gulf Coast. We have begun to collect relief
items, and in fact, there is a truck load of supplies arriving in
Mobile, Alabama at noon today (Sunday). Eleven thousand pounds of
supplies arrived at our warehouse on Friday and Saturday morning (see
photos below), so we loaded a 26 foot truck and it headed out. MFI
is open on Labor Day to accept relief supplies. In addition to
the items listed in the previous update, durable children's shoes are
greatly needed. We expect the planes to begin flying to the
Gulf Coast on Tuesday. On Thursday we will fly a survey team to
Hammond, LA to investigate the damage. A local church plans to
send a work team to that area every month for the next 6 months to help
rebuild families' lives. You may be too far away to drop off
supplies, but you can go "On
Line" and make a donation to MFI "Gulf Coast Relief" to help us pay
for fuel for the deliveries. Thanks for your prayers and gifts.
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September 1, 2005
MFI PLANS HURRICANE RELIEF FLIGHTS TO GULF COAST
Last year, Missionary Flights assisted in
the hurricane relief effort to Grand Cayman (see photos below), Grenada,
and the Bahamas. This year, MFI is planning to provide
hurricane relief to the Gulf Coast. Even though trucks can deliver
supplies to most of that area, there is a need for aircraft to help
cross some of the bridgeless rivers and waterways. As relief
supplies arrive in our warehouse, we will load the planes and turn them
north toward the New Orleans area. Pray that our pilots will have
a strong witness and testimony of God's love to those in need. If you
would like to help with fuel cost, please click on our "On
Line" giving link and go to "Gulf Coast Relief" on our pull down
screen. All donations are tax deductible. Items may also be
brought to the MFI warehouse. Critically needed items include:
disposable diapers and baby wipes, canned food, dried foods (powdered
milk), toothpaste, soap, laundry detergent and Chlorox bleach, and some bottled
water. Larger items that are also needed are: generators,
chain saws, and tarps.
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August 26, 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA MISSES MFI
Hurricane Katrina threatened MFI, but did
not hit us. As a precaution, we flew our aircraft about 100 miles
north along the Florida coast to Vero Beach. Hurricanes are
unpredictable and Katrina was no exception. She came ashore about
40 miles south of PBIA, then turned southwest to the Miami area.
By the time the storm hit South Florida, our DC-3's were safe in Vero
Beach. We plan to retrieve the aircraft over the week end and
resume our flights to Haiti on Tuesday, August 30th. Thank you for
your prayers.
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August 10, 2005
SECOND DONATED HELICOPTER SOLD!
MFI has sold the 2nd donated helicopter!
The Sikorsky S-62 will be used in Alaska. Currently the MFI
mechanics are busy accomplishing the annual inspection. After the
inspection is complete, a pilot from Alaska will arrive in West Palm
Beach to fly the helicopter to its new home in Anchorage. We
praise the Lord that the helicopter will be used to do search and rescue
work at its new home in Alaska.
The
following pictures show the interior of the Sikorsky S-62, MFI's
mechanics doing its annual inspection, and a brief flight test. Click
on any of the thumbnail photos to see them full-size.
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August 1, 2005
VOLUNTEERS BLESS MFI
Like any non-profit organization,
Missionary Flights International relies on volunteers to help us with
our ministry. Locally, we have several volunteers that help us
several days a week. They help sort mail and load the planes.
Recently, a youth group from one of our supporting churches in Leon,
Iowa came to MFI to help us for a week. They were a great group and
accomplished a lot of work for us. They helped load the planes,
painted some of our ground equipment, and flew as flight attendants on
our flights to Haiti. Their work was a great encouragement to MFI
and our ministry to missions.
If you have a youth group or an adult group that would like to work with
MFI for a week, let us know. There is always plenty of work to do.
Thanks, Pastor Pat and the Leon Bible Church, for a job well done!
The
following pictures show how volunteers continue to bless the ministry of
MFI. Click
on any of the thumbnail photos to see them full-size.
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Our regular volunteers faithfully pitch in to sort the mail for the 700 missionary families MFI serves.
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Regular volunteers also help out with the loading of planes on afternoons before a flight day.
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Many hands make light work. Members of the Leon Bible Church youth group helped load the MFI truck before it headed to the airport.
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Some of the youth group members helped load N300MF before last Thursday's flight to Haiti.
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Pastor Pat and a youth group member acted as flight attendants on the Turbine's Thursday flight to Cap Haitien, Haiti.
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After MFI staffers removed the rust from a maintenance work stand, youth group members spent an afternoon repainting it.
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A fresh coat of paint included even the hard-to-reach areas!
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Many thanks to all of the team from Leon Bible Church!
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July 25, 2005
HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS FOR MFI
Even though it is very early in the
hurricane season, two named storms have already threatened Florida.
Before hitting the Florida Panhandle, Dennis stirred up trouble for Cuba
and the surrounding Islands. Last year, during hurricane season,
MFI was called on to fly relief supplies to the Cayman Islands.
The call came again this year and MFI transported two DC-3 loads of
heavy duty tarps to cover roofs damaged by Dennis. The First
Baptist Church in Grand Cayman has become the hub for hurricane relief.
The tarps MFI flew to the Caymans will be distributed to their neighbors
to the north. The photos below show the loaded tarps aboard
N400MF, and the unloading in Grand Cayman.
A special thanks to all who pray and give to the
ministry of MFI. Your "On
Line" giving is greatly appreciated and will keep MFI up and flying
to help victims of hurricanes this summer. Thanks!
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July 12, 2005
KEEP PRAYING!
As you know, we have been having a serious
struggle attempting to maintain our presence at the Palm Beach
International Airport. As of this date, nothing has been settled
regarding a home for MFI.
Currently, MFI is engaged in on-going negotiations with the Palm Beach
International Airport. We are attempting to lease an existing
cargo warehouse on the airport (See photos below). Some progress
is being made, but there is always another issue that arises from our
talks. The latest issue is insurance. Even though MFI has
liability insurance, the airport requires much higher limits than MFI
has in our policy. The new premiums will greatly increase our cost
of operation. As our insurance agent assesses the new
requirements, please pray that the cost will not be beyond our ability
to pay. Pray that the Lord will provide the funds to cover all of
the extra cost that MFI must endure to establish our new home.
On a more positive note, MFI and the East
Coast of Florida did not have any damaging effects from Hurricane
Dennis. We flew to Haiti and the Bahamas while Dennis beat up on
the Gulf Coast. We praise the Lord that he protected our homes and
our aircraft during the recent storms.
We must admit that the past few months have been a major challenge for
MFI. The staff and the board have been earnestly praying for
direction for our ministry. We will be grateful when the
challenges we are facing are all behind us and we can better serve the
mission community in the West Indies. Concerning our struggle for
a home at the airport, we are grateful that God promises that, "This too
shall pass." In the mean time, while negotiations are going on,
MFI continues to provide the critical air support necessary to sustain
our 700 missionary families. Our DC-3's are still winging their
way to the mission field with men, women and supplies. We
constantly and consistently need your prayers, your gifts, and your
encouragement more than ever before. Until the next update, KEEP
PRAYING! Please
CLICK HERE to give "On line".
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