Glastar Fund

This Christmas we received a few gifts toward the purchase of the Glastar in Cameroon (see previous posts). This was perhaps the most creative way we received money for the plane (from Jessica and Andy). Please continue to pray that the money will come in soon for this tool that will be used to reach the forgotten in Africa.

Surprise Delivery!

We were able to pull off a surprise visit to the Sanderlin homestead the day after Christmas. The winter ice cancelled plans to rent a plane and fly out, so we drove instead. This is Elena and Grandad shortly after he walked in from work seeing Jessica and who he thought was Ella, but instead found out it was Elena!
This is a our traditional Sanderlin siblings picture...I didn't want to be the first one to ruin the tradition by not showing up! Sorry we made you delay the gift exchange, Jim!
Grammie and Grandad with all their grandchildren...Wyatt, Ella, Elena, and Mia. Next year all the grandkids may be running around...then try to catch them all for a picture!
Thanks for all the food, Mom ... awesome cake, Andy! Jill, I mean the Giant Peach, was here as well. Chris preached last night at Believers Baptist on Revelation 3:14-22...good message Chris. Good to see you all!! Happy New Year!!

Christmas Day

We had three Christmas celebrations on Christmas day in Ann Arbor. Abby, Elena, and I had our own time together in a prophet's chamber early in the morning. Elena enjoyed eating the wrapping paper more than the present inside.
We then went to Abby's parents' house for a brunch and more gifts. We always have a great time with them. Elena's grandma, grandpa, aunts, and uncles all enjoy good times with her.
Lastly, we went to Grandma Gardner's house and had Christmas with Abby's grandma, Uncle Ron, Aunt Diana, Ryan, and Nick. We were blessed again this year remembering Christ's birth amongt our family.

Humility's Finest Hour

We are so thankful for the time spent with family and friends at Christmas. What a Saviour who would humble himself for our sake! There are so many Christmas hymns that take part or all of a stanza from Philippians 2, a chapter dealing with the submissive mind. The Philippian church was struggling in the area of unity (4:2). Paul takes chapter 2 of his letter to plead with them to look to Christ for true humility. He first desires the humility that is so lacking in their church (v. 1-3a) by saying "fulfil ye my joy." He then defines humility for them in verses 3 and 4, "...in lowliness (humility) of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but also on the things of others." What better time to practice humility than at Christmas as we endeavor to meet the needs of loved ones through gifts and service to them. Paul then in verses 5-11 shows the greatest demonstration of humility in history...when God became man. The birth of our Saviour at Bethlehem was perhaps humility's finest hour. And not only did Jesus make himself of no repuation in his first hour of life, but he lived a life of humilty and humbled himself in his final hour as he died on the cross for our sins. May you and I bow our knee to Jesus Christ the Lord and humble ourselves to each other as we have the mind of Christ (v. 5), the humble, submissive mind..."to the glory of God the Father."

Finished for 2006...planning for 2007

I preached for the last time in 2006 at Ann Arbor Baptist Church on Christmas Eve. Deputation has gone well so far, and we are at about 20% of our needed support before we leave for Cameroon. We are still planning a survey trip for July of 2007. We hope then to spend a month with the Needhams in Cameroon as we look for a place to base our ministry and take part in the current ministry they have. We are busy right now sending out more information packets and making phone calls to pastors. Please pray that we fill up our schedule for 2007 with the churches the Lord would have for us.

December Schedule...

We are currently in Ann Arbor, Michigan for the Christmas season. At the beginning of December we had a meeting in Lima, Ohio, where my brother Jim is music pastor. We enjoyed staying with him and Mrs. Williams. Mrs. Williams is familiar with the ministry in Cameroon as she stays in contact with Ellen Doyle, a missionary nurse in Cameroon who often ministers in the bush country through the Needham's aviation ministry. Thank you for the lodging for almost a week!
We stayed with Abby's parents for a week and are now in a prophets chamber in town. We have enjoyed meeting new pastors and getting the word out about the open doors in Cameroon. We attended the Christmas Contata at Ann Arbor Baptist Church last night. The music was a blessing, and Pastor Hirth preached a clear gospel message.
Have a merry Christmas...we'll post more pictures later.

Glastar Sportsman in Progress...

We were able to spend a week in Oshkosh at the end of November and see the new Glastar Sportsman under construction. This is Tom Needham's new airplane, which Lord willing will soon be in service in Cameroon. It is the next size bigger than the Glastar taildragger that he is currently using. You may remember the Glastar taildragger is the plane we desire to purchase from Bro. Tom to use in Cameroon as we work with his family to preach the gospel. You can contribute to our ministry by helping us purchase the Glastar, the funds of which will go to help the Needhams finish building the Sportsman. Thank you all for your prayers for the aviation ministry...it truly enables the word of the Lord to have free course, to move swiftly in the bush country of Cameroon.

Thanksgiving 2006

"O Give thanks unto the Lord;for he is good:because his mercy endureth for ever." I am very thankful for the family in which I was born. Abby, Elena, and I were able to spend Thanksgiving with my family this year. Because of Bible College and Seminary it was the first time I made it home for Thanksgiving in 7 years! The whole family was there as you can see as well as Jim's new fiancee, Jill Zajac from Chicago. They went to school together in college, and we are thankful for the future addition she will make to our family. Also, you may notice the addition of two new babies to the family this year, Elena Sanderlin and Audella Wredberg. Also, there is the addition of several goats...the family just keeps on growing!! We will miss them all when we go to Africa and are thankful for any time we can get together. Thanks, Mom and Dad for the spiritual heritage you have passed down to us! May we all rejoice in God's blessing of family this year!

First Southern Tour Complete

We are back in the Midwest after spending the month of October and most of November down south. We had deputation meetings in North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The pictures are of us in climate and culture training as we prepare for Africa. We realized once again how different the South is from the Midwest. We really enjoyed our time there, and we are so thankful for all the friends we were able to see again. We look forward to going south again!

IFR: Head in the clouds now legal!

Thank you to all who prayed for us in the month of October. I passed my written exam with a 97% and the checkride (oral and flight test) on the second try on Friday November 3, 2006. I am thankful for this milestone that has been completed. Elena slept through the night (usually from 10pm to 7am) every night in October, so that made it easier on Abby during the day. We really enjoyed our time with the Hunts and the dedication they had to see us through in such a short time. In celebration of the victory they cooked a steak dinner for us, and we had a great evening with them and Pastor Wingard and his wife from Calvary Baptist in New Bern. We left for Florida a few hours after the checkride...nothing like savoring the moment :)

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!