Thanksgiving In The Alsace Region of France

Thanksgiving 2014 was spent in the Alsace region of France with my bother-in-law and sister who are currently living near Paris, France.  We picked a spot about the same driving distance away to spend a few days together while we're both still in Europe!

We ended up renting an apartment in the city of Munster, France...a short drive from the towns of Colmar and Strasbourg.  Both of these cities are in the well known Alsace Region of France and have great Christmas markets.  While in the region, we also visited Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg.

On our way home, we stopped into Strasbourg for a quick tour of it's Christmas market as well.  We're going to miss family and the markets over here!

The Ferguson Flyer

THE FERGUSON FLYER

Family & Friends,

If you would be willing to receive our paper newsletter 3-4 times each year, we kindly ask you send us your current mailing address by leaving a comment below or sending us a message on Facebook.  While electronic media is easy and fast, sometimes it's nice to have a piece of paper in your hand!

Pressing Forward,

Lance, Lana, Liam, Lilli, & Luis



www.pmapacific.org / Facebook / guamhq@pmapacific.org / +1 671.646.6464

A Jonah Experience?

Most of us are familiar with the story of Jonah and Nineveh from the Bible's Old Testament.  It's a story of how God told Jonah to go and tell the Ninevites to change their ways because their evil had "come up before" Him.  It's easy to merely see the account as one about how God's truth brings about repentance and forgiveness for sinful people, which it is, but what about God's intent to change Jonah's heart?  As Lana and I began to embark on our missionary journey with Pacific Mission Aviation (PMA) my brother-n-law, who is also preparing for missions in Africa, told us, "missions changes the heart of the missionaries just as much or more than the lives of those who will be affected by their ministry”.

Lana and I are finding this to be true in our own lives.  Regarding the comforts of Air Force, I often explain to people the decision to transition from the active duty Air Force into the Reserves and follow God's calling to mission aviation was/is like a child holding on to their favorite toy with all their strength.  Initially I reasoned, "I'm going to do 20 years on Active Duty to get the retirement and medical coverage, then we can do missions...it would be stupid to stop now!"  Then I began to think, "Well, I can leave the Air Force, find a full time Reserve or Air National Guard job, and still fly the F-16.  That will provide retirement and medical coverage still when I'm 43, but allow our family to settle down a little."  Sound a little like Jonah's initial response when God told Him to go to Nineveh?  He initially went the opposite direction...

Over time, God began to ease my grip on the Air Force, being a fighter pilot flying F-16s, a good paycheck, medical coverage, etc.  He is still working on our hearts to continue putting areas of our lives in His hands that cause anxiety when we think of "giving them up" or "doing without" in the future as we transition to the Pacific. He has told us in Scripture not to be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6).  Things like family being close, four seasons throughout the year, low humidity, fast internet, island fever, fresh milk and cheese (there are no cows on the islands), German bakeries, cheap gasoline (over $5/gallon on the islands), home schooling, etc. are some of the causal factors.  Luke 12:15 says, "And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions"."

Lana and I were accepted as missionaries with PMA in September 2014, and since then we have started our missionary partnership building process to raise prayer and financial support.  On November 14th, the title of the Experiencing God devotional was "God is faithful", perfect timing for us as we continue this journey and out faith in God that, "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24).  God brought the Israelites out of Egypt to the Red Sea and it seemed as though the Egyptian army was going to recapture them as they stood on the bank of the sea.  But, at just the right time God parted the Red Sea to provide a way of escape.  God's faithfulness doesn't mean He's going to show us the plan years in advance.  He may wait until what seems to us as the last possible moment so as to stretch our faith and even more, display His faithfulness!

November Already?!

Pslam 103:15 - "As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more."

The theme of the verse above is one God has brought to our minds recently as we approach our time to separate from the Air Force.  In times where we're confronted with thoughts like "leaving all the success and security of the Air Force a little crazy", God gently reminds us we're like a flower of the field, here one day and gone the next.  Jesus, help us to live in light of eternity!

The German fall festivities have come and gone and we are now eagerly looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving.  Both Liam and Lilli are enjoying AWANA at church and German kindergarten, while Lana enjoys some one on one time with Luis (four months old already)!  We will meet Lance's sister and brother-n-law for Thanksgiving in France, where they are preparing for the mission field in Ivory Coast, Africa.

The family in our traditional German clothing.

Lana and I have SO MANY things to be thankful to God for this Thanksgiving!  Here are a few that stick out:

• For three beautiful and healthy children
• God's calling to Pacific Mission Aviation  
• For those who have caught PMA's vision with us and joined our partnership team
• God's faithfulness and promise to take care of us (Matthew 6:26)
• For time with family before moving to the Pacific

As we continue in this journey, we also have some prayer requests and invite you to share yours with us by replying to this email.  Please pray that:

• God would continue to grow our faith and trust in Him (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
• God would help us to live daily in light of eternity (Psalm 103:15)
• God would continue to build our partnership team
• Lance will finish strong regarding his military duties over the next 6 months
• We'd be wise in the logistics of moving and downsizing in preparation for island life

Our "little" Luis.

Below is an updated summary of some logistical things as we transition into missions next summer.

TIMELINE:
May 2015: separate from the active duty Air Force
August 2015 - July 2016: School of Missionary Aviation Technology (SMAT)
Fall of 2016: Lord willing we'll be moving to the Pacific

ANTICIPATED COSTS: starting 1 Aug 2015
Aircraft Mechanics School (2015-16)- $24,055 
Monthly Support - $4,440
Moving costs to the Pacific (estimate)- $10,000

PARTNERSHIP:  

[PRAYER] - we appreciate your prayers and pray for our current and future partners!

[MAIL / EMAIL / PHONE] - out of sight shouldn't be out of mind, so please stay in touch!

[FINANCES] - our financial partners can begin donating gifts now (monthly & one time)!  PMA will hold current donations until Aug 2015 when mechanics school starts.  Donations are tax deductible.

• CREDIT CARD / ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER - please contact PMA directly by email for these options (guamhq@pmapacific.org).
   
• CHECKS - Contributions to support a specific person must be identified by an attached note, not written on the check.  Send checks to address below.

            PMA Mailing Address:

            Pacific Mission Aviation
            P.O. Box 3209
            Hagatna, Guam 96932              

• PAYPAL - click here

Pressing Forward,

Lance, Lana, Liam, Lilli, & Luis



www.pmapacific.org / Facebook / guamhq@pmapacific.org / +1 671.646.6464