Mission Aviation work could be described as the “circulatory system” for global missions. Even with the presence of commercial airlines, there are places and people who live so remotely that they need the supplies & connection that can only be delivered through bush pilot flying. This week Paul Hadfield describes his multi-leg trip and how the ministry of aviation is both a joy and a necessity for ministry in the Arctic.
Paul writes: “The highlight of last month included a series of flight and pastoral care based ministry trips that kept me out and about for several days. The initiating trip was at the request of three ladies from Wasilla Christian Church who requested that we fly them from Wasilla/Anchorage area out to Norton, Alaska for ministry work.
The Norton Sound is an inlet to the Bering Sea and is known to be a boundary area where predominantly the Inupiat and Yupik people have lived for centuries.
After dropping the ladies off in Golovin I was able to fly next to the villages of Nome, White Mountain and Buckland for ministry stops and refueling. Additionally, I was able to fly a minister to Selawik to visit a group of students he’s connected with through his ministry work with their Bible Camp. God’s work through him was obvious as the kids and their parents warmly welcomed him upon arrival. I was happy to deliver him to this village for the furthering of his on-going work with them.
God gave us amazing weather for flying and I didn’t have to make any changes to our plans. I really enjoy using the skills I’ve acquired in flight to bless and serve others in ministry. I want to do more work and flying like this. I am most energized when I’m flying to and from villages delivering people to do ministry and spending time with them myself. ” -Paul Hadfield
Paul’s words remind me this week of a quote from the iconic film “Chariots of Fire” when Eric Lidell is being reprimanded by his sister for not serving God in a more traditional role…Eric replied “I believe that God made me for a purpose. But He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.” May we remember this week to accept the way God has made us and lean into those skills and traits as our framework for ministry and service for God.
Psalm 139:14 says “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
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