First Flight!

It was only a matter of time before Elena made it to the sky. I'm thankful that I was able to be her first pilot! Abby sat in the back and kept an eye on Elena, but Elena slept soundly the whole way from New Bern to the Outer Banks. On the way I practiced more instrument flying with Jack Hunt in preparation for the check ride coming up. We landed at First Flight airport in Kitty Hawk and enjoyed looking at the Wright brothers memorial. Then we flew to a nearby airport on Roanoke Island where we found a Subway nearby for lunch.
Aviation has come a long way in over a hundred years, and we look forward to using this tool to take the gospel to people in Cameroon who need to be saved. There are villages in hard to reach places in Cameroon asking for preachers and someone to start churches. Please pray that we finish the aviation training we need and that our family will be able to get to the mission field soon. Elena had her first flight today, and we pray that we will be able to take our first flight in Cameroon soon. Please continue to pray for funds for the plane we desire to buy in Cameroon.

Time's fun when you're flyin'

Isn't that supposed to be "Time flies when you're having fun"? Well both have been true this month at Canaan Airbase in New Bern. Actually due to high winds and turbulence yesterday and my waking up sick this morning Elena and Abby haven't been flying yet. These picture are when bro. Hunt and I flew home to Canaan Airbase for lunch before doing some more instrument flying practice. We all hope to take a trip to First Flight Airport where the Wright Brothers memorial is located.
Please pray that I would do well on the written exam on Friday or Saturday this week (October 27 or 28). Also, please pray that I would pass the Instrument checkride (oral and flight test) early next week.

Elena on her purple throne!

My friend, LeighAnne, gave me this chair for Elena before she was born. The first time Sam and I put her in it, we just laughed and laughed. She looked so cute! She turns her head and follows me as I walk around the room and talk to her. When she gets tired, she begins to resemble a bobble-head as she tries to hold her head upright. I don't leave her in it too long usually, but she seems to like it. It was created by some orthopedic doctors, and is safe for a baby that can't sit up yet on their own. She is developing some stomach muscles too, as often I watch her try to sit from a reclining position. She hasn't even tried to roll over yet though.

Deputation

Just wanted to update all our family and friends on our deputation progress. As of now, we still just have four churches supporting us as well as several individuals. We are praying for fifteen to take us on for support before our survey trip in the spring. We appreciate each of you who has given so sacrificially. The Lord has blessed us and met our every need! Thank you so much for your prayers!

Despite Sam's busy schedule, we have been presenting in as many churches as possible. This past weekend, Sam presented the ministry and preached at a small church in Benson, and then on Sunday night we visited a very large church in Raleigh that is praying about taking us on for support soon. Wednesday night Sam preached at Calvary Baptist in New Bern where we are staying. We have greatly enjoyed fellowshipping with many like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ! We also trust the Lord is using us to challenge and encourage them in the area of missions. Please pray with us that the Lord will open up many more opportunities to present our ministry to Cameroon. Thanks so much!

Sam and Elena at the hangar

Despite all the studying, we took time for some R&R and some yummy (that's for you, mom :) grilled hamburgers at the hangar. Flight instructor, Jack Hunt, did an excellent job grilling for all of us! Elena enjoyed exploring the plane with her daddy.

Elena sleeping

Basically, the only time she sucks her thumb is at naptime. I think it's adorable! She's been sleeping through the night pretty consistently since she was 2 and 1/2 months old. . .thanks to babywise and plenty of prayers :)

Sam learning on the flight simulator

I decided to add a few pictures to the blog since Sam is busy studying much of the time. He has been working diligently on his instrument rating since we arrived last week. I'm so proud of him! I think he feels overloaded at times since it is so much to digest at once. Please remember him in your prayers. . .thanks.

Elena bath time

Elena enjoys her bathtime! I get tons of smiles and splashes. Here she is "lounging" in her bath robe and slippers after her bath.

Trailer and Training

We have spent over a week in New Bern, North Carolina and love our surroundings! For the month of October we will be based here on the property of Mission Aeroservices with Jack and Jonnie Hunt. Our trailer is located about 150 feet away from the 1,800 foot runway. The Lord opened the door for me to train with bro. Hunt for my instruement rating. Jack Hunt is a missionary pilot here in the states who trains missionary pilots going to foreign fields. They have been such a blessing to us in this last week (please see the new link for more info on them). Abby has been busy with Elena and catching up on other things while I am down the lane studying and flying. I have preached four times in three churches so far, and we praise the Lord for the fellowship and opportunities to present our ministry to Cameroon, Africa.

Ann Arbor or Bust!

The collage speaks for itself! Elena was introduced to the Burtt family and the Ann Arbor Baptist Church family. We had a great time with everyone!! Looking forward to Christmas with you all!

Meeting in Columbus, Ohio

After presenting our ministry in Portsmouth, we headed north to Columbus for a Wednesday meeting. This meeting was significant in a few ways. This is the church where Uncle Ben and Aunt Kay Gillilan are located. This is my dad's oldest sister. Uncle Ben is the Pastor, and we enjoyed getting to know the people at New Beginnings Baptist Church. Also, this was the first church to take us on for support, so we enjoyed finally meeting them all and thanking them in person. Thank you!

Sam returns to birthplace...Portsmouth, Ohio

The Oshkosh Sanderlin family have been part of the missions conference at my Grandad Sanderlin's home church, Temple Baptist in Portsmouth, Ohio. We have enjoyed the time with Pastor Gowdy and those who knew Granny and Grandad Sanderlin as well as my dad. We gave an extended testimony in Sunday School, and tonight we presented our future ministry in Cameroon. Elena and Abby have enjoyed seeing Portsmouth for the first time and hearing about Grandad's influence in Temple Baptist and Portsmouth.

Lima "Dean"

We enjoyed our overnight stay with Jim in Lima, Ohio last Friday. He is the new music pastor at Calvary Bible Church and teaches music in Lima Christian Academy. You're doing great, Jim! Here are some pics of Jim and Elena.

Elena meets Audella

Elena is no longer the newest baby in the Sanderlin family. We met Audella Kate Wredburg on Friday as we passed through Sun Prairie, Wisconsin on our way to Ohio. Here is a good girl cousin shot with Grammie Sanderlin. Mom and Dad (Jessica and Andy) are doing well!
See you guys later.

Back from the Bahamas

The trip to the Bahamas is now over, and I've never been so glad to see Wisconsin autumn weather! What a trip! We were able to help missionaries Dave and Sharon Spangler with some projects around their house as well as help in some of their ministry to the children on Current Island. Praise the Lord for safety in the flight. Terry Rushing is a fantastic pilot, and I was glad to be learning more as his co-pilot. We can now pray better for the Spanglers as they preach Christ to a forgotten people on Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas. This will probably be my last trip as co-pilot for Wings for a long time as we will be full time on deputation for a while. Abby and Elena looked great when I came back, and we were so glad to see them!

Elena meets Grandpa and Grandad for the first time!

Last week on Sunday, August 20, Elena was able to meet her Grandpa Burtt and Grandad Sanderlin for the first time all in one day! Here are some pictures of the day. We had a meeting in Rockford at Memorial Baptist Church that day where Abby's family was able to stop in. Then we drove home to the Quad Cities to visit with my family for a few days. We had a great time and always enjoy the Illinios steak on the grill and fresh sweet corn!! Nice goats Mom and Emily!!

Africa Update...Glastar Taildragger

Abby and I are currently on deputation raising support to help the Tom Needham family in Cameroon Africa. We have been praying for an airplane to use for planting churches in Africa. Well, there is a plane available, and now we need to raise the money to purchase the plane. The plane is the Glastar Taildragger that Tom Needham has been using since 2000 in Cameroon. He is going to build a newer and bigger plane called the Sportsman 2+2 from the same company. He would like to sell us the other plane, and so we would use them both in Cameroon. It has been said that a missionary with an airplane can do what three missionaries can do without an airplane. It is possible to do three times the work of the Lord with an airplane! Please consider what you may be able to do to help us purchase this plane. All Donations are tax deductible and may be made to
Wings as Eagles
3030 Witzel Ave.
Oshkosh, WI 54904
and designated for Sanderlin's Plane in Cameroon.

Africa update...Cameroon

We just wanted to thank the Lord for answered prayer in regards to our trip and long term plans for Africa. Recently the Lord has made it clear that we are to go to Cameroon to assist the Tom Needham family planting churches. He uses a variety of methods to reach people including medical evangelism, aviation, summer camp, training nationals, Scripture distribution, and much more. The picture here is of Tom with his plane out in the interior villages with the children. We are excited to have this clear focus of Cameroon and will take a survey to there next Spring. Please visit our website www.wyldewood.org/wae and click on my name for our latest newsletter.

Lots of Family Visitors

There have been many people who have come up to see us since Elena was born. Send us some pictures if you want them up on the site. Abby's mom and Mary along with Tina and Adam were up here the day after Elena was born. Abby's Mom and Mary stayed and helped Abby when I flew back to Texas to finish the missions trip...thank you! Jim came up with Emily (Juanita to Jim) and Jill. Jim is starting a new phase of life as he becomes music pastor at a church in Ohio. He will also be in charge of visitation and teaching music in the Christian school. We'll see you all soon!

Uncle Bill visits Elena

It was good to have Uncle Bill visit all the way from Texas! Actually, he was up in the area for a pathology meeting, but we were glad he decided to come up to Oshkosh for a visit. We went out to Kodiak Jack's for a big "Texas size" steak and then to church for the flight camp service on Wednesday evening. It was nice to see you. Come again soon when you're up this way :)