Above: One of my many trophies
MAN
I am not a hunter. To those that know me, this is not a surprise. I like the concept of hunting; being alone in the woods, holding a gun, quiet, still. But I find myself quickly bored, wondering where the deer are. It seems like I can be wearing a full camo ghillie suit with every scent blocker/adder known to man, set up a decoy deer holding a Valentine card saying “be mine”, and still have less luck than a car going 50 mph with its horn blaring.
Once my buddies asked me if I would like to go hunting. My testosterone/ego answered “of course yes” even though my inner lazy man complained, howbeit lazily, “bro just stay home and eat chips.” So the day arrived, and I honestly was excited. My buddy let me borrow his gun, an 3030-9mm-470-something. Hanging out with buddies, carrying a gun, hiking in nature, this was manly, manly, manly. I was on the crew that would drive the deer towards the other armed manly man. This was great UNTIL we reached the never-ending briar patch. You may think, “big deal wimp it was just a few briars”, and early into that day I would’ve agreed, but after several miles and severe blood loss my opinion changed. Halfway through I wearily vowed to plow through if for no other reason than to see my family once more before I succumb to the wrath of the briars.
There is great pain in this world. Violent men in South Sudan have caused tribal warfare in that country for years. Millions are displaced from their home, over 400,000 dead, innocent people were and still are massacred. In 2020 there were an estimated 6 million people facing severe food insecurity due to the fighting, flooding, and lack of infrastructure.
The Light shines brightest in the darkness, and South Sudan is a place filled with pain and loss. Impassable roads, thieves, and road blockades set up by militant groups make road travel dangerous. Organizations I will not name fly to these areas to bring supplies, doctors, and the hope of the Gospel. This is no youth group mission trip; in 2020 nine aide workers got killed in South Sudan. Christ did not call us believers to walk an easy trail, and there will be briars, potholes, and men with machine guns. But He is faithful, and I pray often for the mission pilots, doctors, and the people of South Sudan.
Quick update about the end of December, January, and the beginning of February
So…. we are adding to our flight crew! Maria and I are expecting our new bundle of joy in September. Maria is sicker with the third one, and the food cravings are more intense and unpredictable which I find fun; Maria less so. Right now the baby is hungry for straight carbohydrates, and the baby gets what the baby wants! We are really excited, and let me go on public record predicting it is a boy.
Recently, an airplane that I worked on last year got picked up from MMS. The plane belongs to a ministry called “Flights for Christ”, and it will serve in Haiti. Violence and a lack of infrastructure makes travel in Haiti difficult. I installed some large bush tires and helped in the upgrading of the avionics. With those big tires, he will be able to get into some of the more neglected parts of the country and deliver medical aid to those most in need. Before he left he flew a pattern that spelled out “MMS” on a flight tracker. This is next-level nerdy and I love it!
Our “little” boy Freddie turned five in January! Sometimes I still feel like my teenage years weren’t that long ago, and then I am reminded that Freddie is now closer to 16 than I am. Maria made a Blippi cake, and if you don’t know who Blippi is, you are blessed.
Prayer
Pray for the people of South Sudan. The warfare there is brutal, and I can’t imagine the pain and hopelessness.
Pray for Maria and the children as she enjoys the ups and downs of growing a human. She is a great mother and I am grateful for our children’s sake, the roles are not reversed.
Praise
Praise for safety during our Christmas travels. Miles and miles, cries and smiles, joy and cheer, will repeat next year.
Praise that the health of the MMS staff has been restored! Covid affected some worse than others, but we praise God to all be back at work.
Till next time,
Flyin' Bryan 
Your updates are so very enjoyable to read. This one is great as usual. And congratulations on growing your next child. I hope the morning sickness and crazy craving will soon pass for Maria. Thank you for remaining faithful and obedient to God’s call. We continue to regularly pray for you here at JAARS.
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