S.M.A.T.!!!

I am now officially accepted into S.M.A.T. (School of Missionary Aviation Technology)!!!!!

God has blessed this process of applying for schools in so many ways and I praise and thank Him for everything!

SMAT is in Ionia, Michigan (just 30 miles- ~50km) from Grand Rapids and I will be moving there in August of this year. The program will allow me to get my Airframe and Powerplant Aviation Mechanics License in 1 year. The classes will be Monday through Friday from 7-3pm everyday.

School of Missionary Aviation Technology

After I graduate from SMAT I plan on moving out west, possibly to Colorado or to Nampa, Idaho to gain experience and flight hours in different terrain. If I move to Nampa I would begin training with MAF and go through their application process. However, these plans are only tentative and God will show me where He wants me to go as He has done over the past 3-4 years.

Here's a little timeline of what God has been doing in my life in the past 4-5 years.

May 2009- Graduated High School.
August 2009- Freshman (1st year) at UofL- Studies: Veterinary Track.
Spring 2010- Got a C in Biology, lost interest in Biology/ studying.
Early Summer 2010- God puts it on my heart to become a pilot while I was running one day.
June-July 2010- Worked as a camp counselor at Laurel Lake Baptist Camp.

August 2011- Sophomore (2nd year) at UofL- Studies: Transitioning to Liberal Studies Major- "Missionary Aviation"- Geography minor and concentrations in Religious studies and Health Education; Flying on the side.
September 2010- Began taking flying lessons.
April 2011- First solo flight!
June 2011- Passed my Private Pilot Checkride- Official pilot now!
June- July 2011- Mission trip to South Africa and Lesotho (worked with MAF)- God gives me a heart for Lesotho.

August 2011- Junior (3rd year) at UofL- Studies: Official Liberal Studies Major- Missionary Aviation.
June 2012- 100 flight hours!
June 2012- Began Instrument flying training.

August 2012- Senior (4th & last year) at UofL- Studies: Missionary Aviation.
August-November 2012- Searching for schools to attend for earning my aviation mechanics license.
November 2012- Passed my Instrument Checkride- Officially an Instrument rated Private pilot.
November 2012- Applied to Redstone College (aviation mechanics school) in Denver, CO.
December 2012- Accepted into Redstone; visiting Else and Norm in Colorado with the whole family and a surprise visit from Koos!
January 1-15, 2013- God puts it on my heart through the wise words of family to apply to SMAT and go there instead because it is missionary oriented, less expensive, and faster (1 year instead of 2).
January 2013- Began Commercial flying training- high powered aircraft and different maneuvers.
January 31, 2013- Officially accepted into SMAT!!!

..... Future.....
February- May 2013- Earn my commercial flying license.
February- August 2013- Find more scholarships and funding for school.
May 2013- Graduate from UofL with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
June-July 2013- Travel to Africa for vacation/ visit family.
August 2013-August 2014- Attend SMAT
September 2013-.... Fly and gain experience/ hours, work as a mechanic somewhere?, begin training with MAF, and be sent out into the mission field. God has it planned out- I know it!

The plane I am flying in now for Commercial training- Piper Cherokee Arrow 28R-200

The plane I want to be flying in one day! One of the Lesotho MAF planes. Photo form Kimberly Baker (MAF Missionary)

FLY WITH CHRIST!!!
Helen

Birthday blessings!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOOS!

 

Today is my best brother's birthday! Right now he's traveling back to Vietnam after his surprise Christmas visit in Denver! God is so great and blesses us with being able to come together for the holidays and enjoy each others company.

For Koos's birthday present I decided to donate money to MAF. Currently in Lesotho they are trying to build a new hangar. The MAF team has all the paperwork finished and has the legal rights and the land to build the hangar. Now all they are waiting for are the funds.
Visit https://www.maf.org/gc/maintain-the-fleet/build-a-hangar#.UOt5m3fx9qM and check out the story behind building a new hangar. And even though Christmas is over, donating in honor of someone is a great gift for an upcoming birthday or special event. This is just one of the ways you can help MAF and the missionaries.
Let us pray fervently that the money can be raised to build this hangar so that the work of MAF can continue to flourish throughout the world! I'll keep you posted on how the project is going.

Another news bulletin: I heard back from the MAF team in Lesotho about me coming over the summer. Unfortunately, I would not be able to fly much because 1) I would need to go through the MAF acceptance phase and flight tests and 2) they are going to be short of pilots for a little while so the flights may be full often. However, I may be able to work on different projects including helping/ learning maintenance or maybe even helping build the hangar if they get enough funds before I go in the summer.
Pray that God will provide in any way so that we can further his kingdom!

Lesotho MAF base, hangar, and fleet.

Fly with Christ,
Helen