I find that when I talk to people about what we’re doing, some confusion still exits. I don’t like confusion and I’m sure you don’t either so let’s pick up all our little ducks and gently set them in a row, just the way they’re supposed to be. I’m an apprentice at MMS Aviation right now getting experience working on airplanes. At the same time, I’m also logging the amount of maintenance hours required to qualify for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Powerplant and Airframe tests. These tests, if completed successfully, will give me the certificates that legally allow me to work on certified airplanes. These certifications are necessary because mission organizations require them. Once I reach 4,800 hours of logged maintenance time (about 2 1/2 years), I can take my exams with the FAA. Once I pass those, I’ll be a certificated Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic. Only then am I qualified to join an organization that uses airplanes.

Currently I have 1,800 hours of logged maintenance time and am 1/3 of the way through the MMS Aviation apprenticeship.

It’s going well and I’m gaining confidence with different systems of an aircraft. I love what I do! Each and every day I get to work in the hangar is a blessing. I’m expecting to take my FAA exams around January to February, 2022.

MMS Aviation is a mission organization but they do not send missionaries overseas.

They are based in Ohio and work on missionary aircraft there. They do not charge mission organizations any labor charges and this saves the mission field millions of dollars every year. They do occasionally send a work team overseas to assist in fixing airplanes on site (these are called Rapid Response trips). However, MMS only trains missionary mechanics for service with other organizations.

What the mechanics do or where the mechanics go after they graduate is up to the mechanics so once we’re done with our training, we need to find a sending organization to join.

We’re trusting God to lead us to the organization where we’ll fit and have the most impact on the world. Our heart is to get involved in reaching unreached people groups with the hope of the Gospel.

How long do we hope to serve on the field?

Keeping in mind that the longer we serve, the more effective we become, we would consider it a unfortunate to come home within several years after we start. We want to be involved in mission aviation all our lives if God allows us that pleasure. This isn’t a short term missions trip. Right now we’re building the foundation for the rest of our lives.

We’re never planning on getting done with “this missions thing” unless of course we reach a point where the world no longer needs missionaries.

I’m not anticipating that anytime soon.

Originally I was also planning on going to Missionary Air Group after I was done at MMS Aviation to get pilot training. After getting a professional diagnosis of my color blindness and reflecting on the needs in the field, I have determined that flying airplanes will be an expensive distraction from the gifts that God has given me. Instead, I’m focused on becoming a Maintenance Specialist. I’m no longer planning on doing the pilot training.

I hope that all makes sense!

Continue to pray for me as I prepare to be the best Maintenance Specialist I can be, all for His glory.

And I can’t sign off without thanking all the supporters out there who are giving to us financially so we can get this training and be well prepared for service on the field.

Thank you for believing in us and thank you for making God’s call on our life come to fulfillment! We couldn’t do it without you.

From a little hamlet in Ohio,

Josh S.

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