New Airstrip, New Milestone, New Faucet, and other fun updates

The updates seem to  be fewer and fewer...maybe because time seems to be at a premium these days.  Here are a few updates on the ministry and family.

The government of Cameroon has approved the use of a new airfield in Akwaya in the village of Manko. See the Needham's blog article for how this new airstrip was opened.  I have been there twice now in the plane, once yesterday for a medical evacuation, and once as you see in these pictures to practice approaches, landings, takeoffs, and departures.  It is a maximum performance field especially since more trees at the approach and departure end of the field need to be taken out.  Here are a few pictures of my first time there in the plane: 

Passing the mountains of Amanavil...notice all the landslides from last year's rainy season.

This is looking at the Manko strip from the departure point of view.  Notice the trees at the far end that have to be flown over or else flown through via a path above a stream.  You can clear the trees easily with a headwind and a less than full load. 

First landing at Manko! 

Many of the primary school kids raced over to the field. 

There are still numerous bush fires burning throughout Cameroon.  This one clouded visibility a bit until I passed by it.  The smell of smoke also fills the air. You can also determine the strength and direction of the wind when the smoke is blowing. 

Last week, I reached the 500 hour mark as a pilot.  Abby made tacos one night and a cake the next night to help me celebrate!  It reminded me of the times we celebrated with Jack and Jonnie Hunt in North Carolina after I finished my Instrument then Commercial flight training.  Abby is a great pilot's wife! 

 

Thanks to Abby and Elena for donating their time to make the cake, and thanks to Elias for donating his toy planes :) 

Abby's kitchen faucet has been a nuisance for months.  I finally got the time and "courage" to attempt to replace it and make the new one mount stronger.  It turned out pretty good. 

 

Since Elias is not in school yet, he gets to go with me to Sabga alot when I fly.  He helps me unfold the wings and prepare for my flight.  Then he spends the next few hours playing with airplane legos at Uncle Tom and Aunt Barb's house. 

He likes to sit in the plane while we push it away from the hangar down the "taxi-way."

The Needhams found the first mangoes this year, so Abby asked me to find some the next day in Bamenda. 

Uncle Jim, notice the array of Herbalife next to my healthy bowl of cereal.  Unfortunately, I am not trying to lose weight but gain it.  Anyone for a Culver's trip when we get back? 

Bum Airfield Progress

We thank the Lord for progress in the Bum airfield project.  For those of you who have followed our blog, you may know this the area where we have taken many survey and preaching trips in the last two years.  The journey there is a long arduous drive normally.  It is typically unreachable during the peak of rainy season.  The Lord has opened doors with government and traditional leaders.  Now, Yaounde officials have seen the sight and we are waiting for their final permission to begin clearing a piece of land for a new airfield.

So, going to Bum used to take a lot out of us (and my car!).  However, David and I were able to travel to and from Bum twice in one week recently since it is dry season and also because we have discovered that by flying in to a certain airstrip, most of our ground time in a car is cut down.  The first trip two weeks ago, we flew part way then rented a motorcycle from a guy near the airstrip to take to Bum.  On our second trip, the town council sent their 4x4 truck since we had government officials from Yaounde accompanying us.  Here are a few pictures of our two trips to Bum to select the site for the airfield. Thanks for praying!

Discussing with the Fon on one of the bridges over Kimbi River

 With the First Deputy Mayor and the Paramount Fon

The Bum authorities and I looking at my GPS and writing down some coordinates. 

 Left to right: the Fon of Kimbi, me, the First Deputy Mayor, the Divisional Officer, and the Paramount Fon

David and I rented a motorcycle to get to and from the airfield.  It took us about 1 1/2 hours to drive from this airfield over to Bum.  I had to get off the bike and walk once there and once back due to the steep rocky hill. 

David and I loved camping out and sleeping in a tent by the plane. 

A beautiful sunrise to welcome us for a beautiful day to fly back to Sabga.  I love the Northwest Region of Cameroon!!
The following are some pictures of our second trip with the officials from Yaounde coming alongside to see and approve what we had chosen for the airfield site:

I had a strong head-cold on the day of the mission, so I asked if Tom could fly David and I out.  The dry season haze had set in again and visibility got down to about a mile again...terrible day for flying (especially with a head cold and no auto-pilot:)  Bro. Needham did a great job and was a huge help in flying the Yaounde team as well. 

Wow, a 4x4 Toyota Hillux came to pick us up at the field!  We never touched a motorcycle on this trip!!  I am praying about getting one of those trucks! 

Checking the coordinates of the airfield site with an Air Force Colonel and the Divisional Officer of Bum. 

Lots of people present!  The people seem really excited about this "development" for their area. 

Riding in the back of truck with guys from Kimbi village.  We wanted to check out another possible airfield site the next day, but the first site is the one we ended up going with. 

The important people got to ride inside the truck :)  I had a good time in the back! 

A large sinkhole of some sort developing along one of the roads.  People believe that demons live under the ground there and are causing the collapse.  That hole is right beside the road as you can see above and also in the picture below.  If you happened to crash your motorcycle in that ditch, you would probably never be found! 

Thankful to get back to the Lassin airfield.  The visibility and wind were terrible, but we were thankful for bro. Tom's hard work in getting us all out and back home through several flights.   Mission complete!  

David and I waited in the woods drinking the last of our filtered water, eating beef jerky, and listening to preaching on my phone. 

 David relaxing, waiting for the plane to come. 

Tom preaching in Fulfulde before we left the field!