MFI's "Missionary Spotlight":
showing the people who are sharing the
Gospel in the West Indies
April/May Spotlight - The Don and Jo Beldin
Missions Aviation Complex
"This Is The
Lord's Doing, It Is Marvelous In Our Eyes." Psalm 118:23
In 1964, Don Beldin founded Missionary Flights International, as an air arm
to Bible-based missions that were serving in the West Indies. MFI has
grown into a full-service ministry in support of these missions.
Currently, over 700 missionary families, serving in Haiti, the Dominican
Republic, and the Bahamas, use MFI's services. They receive mail, cargo,
and other supplies that are essential to their work.
MFI never enjoyed an all-encompassing facility during its 42 years in West Palm
Beach.
On April 1st, MFI began the next chapter in its history, serving the Lord
from its new home in Fort Pierce.
MFI's new home, located at the St. Lucie County International Airport in Fort
Pierce, Florida, is truly an answer to many years of prayer. The main
hangar is large enough to house all three DC-3's, as well as MFI's two smaller
aircraft. Instead of being forced to maintain the aircraft in the harsh
Florida sun and wind, mechanics are now able to work more comfortably and
efficiently, out of the elements. Instead of a six mile drive from the
warehouse and office to the planes, everything is under one roof.
Some more of the many advantages of this new facility are: the ability to check
in cargo for immediate shipment to the mission field, and the second-floor,
long-term storage facility for parts.
The advantages of having all of MFI's operations under one roof are clear to
see. Missionary mail is now delivered directly to the MFI complex, instead
of to a Post Office box located miles away. Cargo is checked in, weighed,
and loaded directly onto the planes. Larry Campbell, chief of maintenance,
now has his own office, with a view to the planes that are under his care.
MFI's staff now enjoys a spacious office suite, that is also large enough to
serve as a waiting area for passengers on flight mornings. In addition,
there is a large kitchen/break room to be enjoyed by all.
On flight days, outbound passengers are now able to park right outside the
building, quickly check in their baggage, and then board the plane. The
waiting area is only a short walk to the main hangar.
On April 4th, MFI took to the air with its first DC-3 flight to leave Fort
Pierce for the mission field. It was the culmination of MFI Founder Don
Beldin's dream for the past 42 years. It was also the answer to the
prayers of the MFI staff, as well as MFI's supporters, and the missionaries that
MFI serves. Indeed, "This Is The
Lord's Doing, It Is Marvelous In Our Eyes." Psalm 118:23
From the humble beginnings of one man and a small twin-engine airplane, the
Lord has guided Missionary Flights International through 42 years of "standing
in the gap", providing an air arm for missions that are serving the Lord in the
West Indies.
MFI's "Missionary Spotlight"
shows how different
people and different missions organizations have answered His call, and through the ministry of MFI, have
gone forth to share the Gospel. As MFI begins operating from our
new home in Fort Pierce, we rejoice in the Lord's blessings and provision
throughout the past 42 years. In all that MFI is called
to do in His service, to Him be all the glory!
