A Little on Courage

I have never seen myself as having courage in great quantities.  If I were to describe myself with respect to courage; I would use words such as timid, shy, introverted, cautious and reserved.  And even when I seem outgoing, it is not my natural tendency and not comfortable to me.  I don’t like making new friends and talking to people I don’t know. I hate conflict and confrontation and I don’t like being the center of attention.  I’d rather sit in the corner.  Since I don’t feel like a courageous person; I think that I why I have admired courage in other people.  So often I have prayed for courage.  That I might be bold in sharing my faith or that I would have the courage to be obedient and to go and do what God has called me to.  Some truths have recently become clearer to me. 

Number 1: Jesus said “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” (John 15:7) 

Number 2:  “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6). 

                God is slowly answering my prayer and doing good work in my life and I trust He will continue until Christ comes for me.  I believe one reason I cannot see courage in myself is because I possess too much pride.  Pride is often considered a good virtue.  Many times someone can seem courageous, but behind it lies pride.  I have this strong feeling that I have to prove myself.  I don’t like to talk to people or go new places because I don’t want to look like “the new person” or like I’m completely lost or even like I don’t know what I’m doing.  I will struggle with something for hours before I will finally ask for help.  All because I have so much pride that I don’t want to admit I can’t do it myself.  This makes me persistent, yes, but not courageous.  As I learn to humble myself in a new place and with new job, I can finally see some courage in myself.  1 Peter 5:6-7 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

                Courage and bravery usually involve some sort of personal sacrifice.  We call our soldiers brave because they give up their lives, families, and security to defend our nation.  I moved away from everything I knew and stepped out in obedience.  I have been called brave and courageous many times these past few weeks.  People can’t seem to believe that I came all the way out here for a new job when I’m only 23.  It surprises people that I can live here where I have no family and don’t really know anyone yet.  It surprises people I meet that I can walk into a new church by myself and just put myself out there.  I’ll let you in on a secret.  Every new situation I’m in scares me to death and I’m in new situations every day.  But I really have no choice.  I must be bold in order to survive in a new place. Shouldn’t our daily lives be like that?  If we obey Christ we need daily courage to walk by faith.  Amazing things can happen when you “put yourself out there” and allow God to work.  I love the quote from the book If you Want to Walk on Water You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat By  John Ortberg -- "For someone who wrestles with worry and doubt and yet still obeys, trembling but trusting-- that is true courage."

My hope and prayer is that I continue to learn humility and God daily gives me the courage to follow him wherever He may lead me.

Finale

My time at JAARS has come to an end.  Please keep me in your prayers as I determine what comes next.
Please enjoy my newsletter and send me your address if you would like a hard copy or e-mailed file.
Abel Air JAARS Newsletter
 I want to say a huge thank you to those who have been so persistent in praying for me and keeping up with this blog and what I've been doing these past few months.  God truly blessed me in more ways that I could have ever imaged and you were a part of that.  Thank you!

Life Comes at You Fast.

Sometimes so many things start happening that you get caught up in the excitement.  I am really enjoying just living life in the last three weeks I have here.


Firstly:  Two new pods came.  These pods will be used in our GVT (ground vibration testing) on the PC-6 as well as be put into service in Indonesia. For the past week I have been drilling, riveting, and assembling these babies and I have callouses on my hands to prove it. They don't look like they would take to long to get them ready but it is deceiving.  All the doors had to be hinged and hung.  The latches had to be installed and holes had to be drilled in the fiberglass for every rivet and latch.

Secondly:  The Kodiak left for Moundridge, KS.  In Kansas it will be fitted with a ferry system and head straight to PNG from there.  I really considered stowing away and enjoying a weekend at home but couldn't figure out how to get back to NC.  It would be a little unexpected to end up in PNG.

Meet My Friend

I have the privilege of sharing a basement with Amanda Wulff while I'm living here in Waxhaw.  She is an amazing blessing to me.  I could tell you all about her but I've decided to invite her to write a post herself.

Good afternoon,

Thank you for sharing Andrea with me these last few months. She has been SUCH a blessing to me in so many ways and I will be sad when she leaves. The last few years I have been teaching Kindergarten so have had many people to talk to throughout the day but since this is "the year of transition" I have enjoyed having Andrea to talk to at nights and random times of the day.

Andrea has asked me to share about my joining Wycliffe Bible Translators to be an elementary teacher. Since she has been living at JAARS we have talked about this many times and she thought it would be good for you to hear how God is working.

My parents have been with Wycliffe Bible Translators for 30 years and have served in Colombia and Papua New Guinea. My father is an aircraft mechanic (hence the quick connection ;) and my mother has done a variety of jobs usually associated with accounting. Growing up as a MK (missionary kid) I was quickly introduced to the world of missions. God revealed to me a passion for the lost and those who are poor. At age eight I was determined that I would grow up to be a missionary teacher (or a singer/artist...). Since then God has been gradually revealed his plan for my life...and as I am sure you understand, continues to do.

In high school I was put into a situation where I was completely in charge of a second grade class. The teacher in charge had apparently been put in that position, though lacking ability, because there was no teacher available. Walking into the class that day I found quiet students with glazed over eyes and an overwhelmed and tired teacher sitting at her desk. When I asked a student what had happened she said “She came in to the classroom, threw up all over the floor then sat down and we haven’t done ANYTHING!” I promptly began to teach the lessons and left that day knowing that I wanted to be a teacher. Later I would find out I was gifted as a teacher but at that moment I wanted to teach so that my students could say "Yes, I DID have a teacher who knew what she was doing, cared about me, and taught me to love Jesus!"

Over the last few years my heart has been aching for missions. As I continue to walk in obedience with him, he showed me that it would be best if work in the states for a few years. Though this was not as appealing as graduating from CIU (Columbia International University), a missions school, and jumping on the mission field, I see now how beneficial it was. God has challenged me as a teacher (through difficult classes, students, and administration), has shown me how to be dedicated in my walk with him, and has slowly developed a realistic view of career missions.

On a trip to Papua New Guinea two summers ago to visited my family. I was given a glimpse into what my life would look like as a single missionary woman and as a teacher. Returning I knew it was time for me to pursue Wycliffe. Though I did not feel a specific call to a country I knew two things: 1) I wanted to join Wycliffe Bible translators 2) I wanted to teach in a place that needed me.

Time seems as though it has flown since that summer. In December I completed my application for Wycliffe. February I had my intense interviews. March I was accepted as a member of Wycliffe and was given an invitation to teach in Papua New Guinea. June, July, and August I was trained as a cross culture teacher and attended the Wycliffe new member orientation. Since then I have been speaking to people about what God is doing in Wycliffe and through me.

Did you know that there are nearly 7000 languages in the world? Or that there are 830 known language in Papua New Guinea alone and only 200 of them have a translation in process. The rest of these languages do not have one verse in a language they understand!

God is faithful! He is the one who provides and He is the one who has called and will direct my steps. I am so glad I am not on this journey alone and so thankful for those who are walking with me.
My goal is to be in Papua New Guinea by the middle of January. In order for this to happen I need people to come along side me and partner with me. People can partner in whatever way they are able. I have people who give to me on a monthly base (which keeps me on the mission field), people who faithfully pray, who give one time gifts, or even help in practical ways such as gift cards… every way is a blessing!  Everyone in Wycliffe is expected to raise their own support, even the president!

 Right now I have 32% of my monthly support raised. I would like to have 100% of my monthly support raised by the end of December so I can focus on packing and moving in January, as I am sure that will take some time J. The Lord’s timing is perfect and I know that when he is ready for me to leave he will have everything together.

If you would like more information you can contact me at: amanda_wulff@wycliffe.org
Or you can visit my blog: www.wulffwhereabouts.blogspot.com

Thank you for your time and letting me share. I know that you must be pretty awesome people since you care so much about Andrea!

Until all have heard,
Amanda Wulff

The Kodiak Gets a New Name

The Kodiak is preparing to leave the states!  If you have been interested and following the Kodiak at all you may ask yourself "wait, wasn't it supposed to leave a few weeks ago?"  The answer is yes, the trip has been delayed due to a fuel control unit failure.  Thankfully, it has been replaced and fixed.  Now final preparations are being made.  Such as a new name!

Ok so it gets to keep it's name but it will get a new tail number.  The Kodiak comes to JAARS with a tail number of course, however PNG has a different numbering system for their planes.  Once the Kodiak is in PNG new numbers will be put on.  These numbers aren't painted on but cut out and put on like stickers.  This is much easier to do on the mission field.  This week I help cut out the numbers for the Kodiak.  These number will be sent over to PNG in the airplane and put on once the Kodiak reaches the country and makes it through customs.  (yes, airplanes have to go through customs too.)

P.S. The new number will be P2-SIR

R.I.P Ol' Number One

This past week serial number one Helio Courier was flown to Charlotte International Airport Museum to be put on display.  This is the same airplane that I'm leaning on in the picture on the right.  If you want your picture taken with it you will have to visit Charlotte.  You lived a good life.  I'm glad you get to be preserved as part of history.

The Beast

Lately I have had the pleasure of fighting...I mean working with a wire EDM machine.  EDM stands for electric discharge machining.  Tell me how cool it is to watch and computer programed machine cut hardened steel with a brass wire only 0.01 inch in diameter with sparks.  Let me tell you...it's cool!  This machine is old and therefore very tempromental.  When everything works right it is fun to use.

 

The Beast

Did I mention that it can cut up to 8 inches of hardened steel? 

For those of you who may have trouble visualizing 0.01 inch. (that's a dime)