Colette

In February, our niece Colette became deathly sick while in Africa where my brother-n-law Justin and sister Jenna were serving as missionaries.  Over the course of three days and many miracles later, they arrived in Paris, France after a medical evacuation.  Praise God for His watch over her!  There were multiple times they thought she was gone, but it wasn't her time to go.

My mother really wanted to be with Jenna in Paris, but the thought of traveling internationally alone was a frightening thought.  Thought he encouragement of Lana and her mother Gabi, I offered to accompany my mom to Paris - I was able to get approval from SMAT and knew I'd just have to make up the school missed at a later time.  One particular phone conversation with my mom ended with, "Pack your bags, I'll be by to pick you up at 1200 tomorrow."  The situation was that serious and the thought of asking "what if" down the road was a terrible thought.  "What if Colette doesn't make it and we didn't go?"  There was no other option.  In less than 24 hrs we were on a flight to Paris.

We were so encouraged to eventually hear the news that Colette would make it and without any brain damage - something that was highly likely based on what her body had been through.  THANK YOU JESUS!  The improvement she made in the course of the week we were there was amazing.  She was stabilized enough and the local church helping to the point I was able to take my mom to seem some Paris sights...probably a once in a lifetime opportunity.

There remain a lot of unknown for Justin and Jenna, but for now we rejoice that Colette was spared by God's hand!

The Joy Of Flying

Flying has always been something I've enjoying doing since I started my private pilots license in 2002, but never had I taken family or friends up with me.  I didn't stay current during my years in the Air Force, but now I have the opportunity to enjoy "slipping the surly bonds of earth" outside of the military flying.  Who would have thought it would be 8 years into marriage before Lana and I had our first flight together!

Liam and Lilli both enjoy flying too, and I hope to take them many times on mission flights in the Pacific...we'll see if they'll let me be their flight instructor someday.

The Ferguson Flyer - This Is The Year!

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THE FERGUSON FLYER
JANUARY 2016

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Click here (English) or here (Deutsch) to read our January newsletter.

Pressing Forward,

Lance, Lana, Liam, Lilli, & Luis

Reserve Time

With mechanics school going on, I've had minimal time to complete my Reserve duty for fiscal year 2016.  So, that means I had to spend a week in December in Tampa, FL to get some of it done - sadly over Christmas so we could maximize time with family over the New Year.  I will fly back to Tampa within a few days of graduating from SMAT since graduation is 23 Aug and the fiscal year ends 30 Sep.  No complaints about the weather in Florida though!

One of the reservists I work with has an airplane near the base, so we take to the skies any chance we can.  He also flew F-16s, so formation flying with a buddy of his is pretty standard.  The airport he stores his plane at is right next to downtown Tampa - great views from the air of the skyline and Tampa Bay.

A&P General Written Test

Mid December, we wrapped up the first phase of my airframe and powerplant (A&P) training here at the School of Missionary Aviation Technology (SMAT).  I'm enjoying learning the mechanics side of flying and look forward to using my FAA qualifications to help Pacific Mission Aviation starting next fall.

The year of training is broken down into three phases: General, Airframe, & Powerplant.  At the end of each phase is a written FAA test, and the Airframe and Powerplant phases also include an oral and practical (O&P) exam administered by an FAA examiner.  Both of these O&P exams will take the better part of a day to compete.

I applied and was approved to take the written test early just to stay ahead of things - can't complain with a 100%!  Most A&P programs are two year programs and the SMAT program is one year, so things are packed together.  2016 is just around the corner, the year we leave for Micronesia!