Back at Home!

 Well, I’m back home in Kentucky! I had a rough flight back. I had/have a cold which made the flight a little uncomfortable. As a result of being sick at 30000 feet I can’t hear out of one ear. Hopefully as my cold goes away I will be able to hear again.           

This mission trip was quite an experience! I had a great time in Lesotho, Pretoria, KwaMhlanga, with my family, and with friends!

Here are a few things I learned from the parts of my trip:

Lesotho/ MAF- I learned a lot about what is like to be a missionary pilot. What they do every day and how they run their program. I learned that there are several ways you can serve as a missionary pilot. In Lesotho, the missionaries fly out every day to the mountains to pick up people (doctors, nurses, patients, people who work at the clinic) as well as deliver supplies (food, blankets, etc.) I was also able to visit MAF South Africa. Their mission flying is a lot different than in Lesotho. They do not fly every day, but rather they take longer trips to neighboring countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Chad, Uganda, Namibia, and Botswana. When they plan flights the pilots will often be in these countries for a long period of time flying teams of people into different areas or flying them out if it becomes unsafe. They also deliver supplies when in need (for instance currently in Tanzania where there is a famine).

Oasis- Hospital Learning/ Care Center- Oasis was a great learning experience as well. I learned that as outsiders/ foreigners we need to teach the locals to do things themselves and then let them run the show. We can teach them sewing, cooking, baking, and using things thrown away to make new things. But once they learn these skills we need to step back. The greatest gift is teaching- the teaching of the gospel and of skills that the people can use to support themselves- not money.

MCDC/ Mukhanyo- The community needs the love of Christ and the best thing to do is to start a relationship with them by visiting them, sharing the gospel, and caring for them. This will encourage them to trust in you and to create a bond between the two. The kids also need love. A lot of them are orphans or have tough living conditions and family problems- but all they want is for someone to care for them and to be the strong foundation that they can build their life on (Christ).

Children playing at Mukhanyo Christian Academy (MCA)

This trip has been an amazing journey. I am in the process of organizing my pictures and they will be up shortly on my facebook so that you can follow along visually with what I have been writing.

Thank you all for supporting me on my trip and for reading my blog. Continue to share the gospel and share what God has been doing in your life!

Fly with Christ,

Helen