A week back in Canada

Three Hills, Alberta. A small town with a large impact. Three Hills is home to Prairie College, formerly Prairie Bible Institute, and Prairie College of Mission Aviation (PCMA). Thus, many people in full-time ministry have spent a few years in this town. Surrounded by farms and empty space as far as you can see, Three Hills has its own kind of beauty. It already felt like winter last week as fog hovered over the snow-covered ground and the wind blew the chill right through you.

Thankfully, we didn't go to Three Hills primarily for the weather. We were there to help with an aviation audit with Mission Safety International, an audit which doubles as a consult. PCMA has a long history of training pilots to serve both overseas and in the industry as ambassadors of Jesus. Over the past two years PCMA has been through a lot of changes, yet their joy and hope are overflowing. More change is happening due to a new partnership with Mission Aviation Fellowship Canada, and everyone is engaged in asking God what He has in mind for the future. We are excited with them as they ask God for direction and open doors for what He wants to do with them and their students as they move ahead.

Our time at PCMA was encouraging at we met with various staff and spouses, asking them what God is doing and how they think things could improve. We were impressed with the passion for God and commitment to excellence at PCMA and are excited to see where God is going to take them. We enjoyed the opportunity to share some of what we do at Moody Aviation that might be helpful for them. We loved hearing God stories from various people, stories of God's grace and strength in times of hardship both overseas and in Canada. Stories of amazing opportunities to share God's truth in dark places. Stories of need and provision, questions and answers, and the overwhelming grace and goodness of our Father. We left PCMA with thankful hearts for what God is doing there.

Some of the most beautiful parts of the Canadian Rockies lie between Spokane and Three Hills, and we were privileged to drive through some of them. The majesty of the Rockies was rejuvenating in its own way. We loved the hours of driving to reflect on what God is doing in our lives and in our family, particularly after the recent news of Moody Biblical Studies--Spokane closing. We were encouraged and refreshed as we processed the change in the midst of so much beauty and so many reminders of God's power.

We arrived home to a short work week and Thanksgiving celebrations. We are, quite simply, incredibly blessed to be a part of what God is doing in the world to spread His Good News! We trust you find yourself in a similar spot, awed by God.

Traveling Together

Garry and I both enjoy traveling, at least sometimes. Over the past few weeks we've been blessed to do a couple of trips together. At the end of October we went to Safety Standdown, a large industry event provided by Bombardier. The week we spent in Wichita was full of learning and inspiration as we attended sessions that centered around the theme for this year, "Learn. Apply. Share." Presenters focused on things like values, judgement, change, health, and standards. Even though I'm not an aviator, I learned a lot about what makes a safe program and the way values impact safety. For Garry, sessions reinforced what he's been learning and teaching as well as good information to continue building safety at Moody Aviation.

Safety Standdown also provided a great networking opportunity. We both heard and shared information and stories with others in mission aviation as well as those in the industry. It was great to spend time between sessions discussing how what we'd learned applies to our various programs. God is at work all over the world, and it was great to hear stories about what He is doing through aviation.

Between learning and networking we also had some time to enjoy walking along the river, eating Mexican food, and simply being together. It was a great and profitable week!

Last week we were at home in Spokane, engaged in the normal routines of our lives-- working, teaching, mentoring, and just living. Things got shaken up a bit when Moody Global announced last Wednesday that they are closing the Biblical Studies campus in Spokane. While the aviation program in Spokane will continue, the closing of Biblical Studies effects all of us. Many of our students are losing cherished friends as well as wondering how things will change for them. 

For us personally, beyond our involvement in Moody Aviation, both Kevin and Kaleb currently attend Moody Bible in Spokane. They are each considering next steps and where God is leading them from here. Our friends who work at the Biblical studies campus are out of work as of the end of the school year (June 2018).

This week we are Prairie College in Three Hills, Alberta helping with an Mission Safety International  safety audit. It is really more of a consultation than an audit, but more about that next time!