January 2022

above: Aria “helping” daddy rake leaves

The decade after the end of the world

With the dawning of the year 2022, it has now been ten successful, not world-ending years after those ancient Mayan calendar makers wrongly thought the world would end (losers). With any new year, there will be vows made that will most likely be broken. For example, gym memberships tend to spike in January as people seek a healthier lifestyle. Many of my New Year’s vows for a healthier lifestyle are normally broken by the end of the New Year’s party with my third slice of cake.

A new year is also a great time to reflect on the previous year and on how God led. 2021 was an exciting year filled with many opportunities here at MMS Aviation. In February, I finished my required weekly knowledge testing, which freed up time at home. In April, I was able to join a team of professionals from MMS and travel to “Flying Mission Zambia” in Lusaka, Zambia. While there, we aided in the installation of navigation and autopilot equipment in two of the mission’s aircraft. The equipment we installed will streamline both the flight and maintenance sides of aircraft use, and most importantly, it will make the mechanics and pilots less grumpy, and flights safer.

2021 was also the year I got to overhaul my first aircraft engine from beginning to end. This was a large project and was considerably harder than it first appeared. My previous experience of overhauling was on lawnmowers where a few extra bolts at the end of the project really didn’t matter, but MMS claims that airplane engines “need all their bolts” so my attention to detail was forcibly higher. The memory of firing up that engine for the first time still brings a smile to my face. Knowing that the engine I overhauled is now used on an airplane that is providing transportation to and from specialized hospitals for sick children and adults, brings an even bigger smile to my face. Because in the end, airplanes are just shiny, and sometimes stinky tools that we use to provide Christ’s love to the world.

2021 was also the first time I was pilot in command of one of these flying lawnmowers. In June we drove down to Missionary Air Group (MAG) in North Carolina for a short visit. We will be moving to North Carolina later this year to begin flight training there. Our trip in June was a chance for MAG to see who we are, and just how much more insurance they will need to get for their aircraft before we arrive. While there, I flew three different times, white-knuckle piloting one of the slowest and easiest-to-fly aircraft in the world.
So, what does 2022 look like for the Martin family? Studying, testing, moving, and goodbyeing. 2022 is going to be our hardest year yet. I have six large tests later this year, intermixed in that will be Evelyn’s cleft palate surgery, and packing up and moving. We will be moving to a new town, and new job and will have to find a new church family, as I start training to “drive” something that is alien to everything else I have ever “driven”. So yeah, I am a little nervous… But I am surrounded by my amazing wife, and three great children, and I am confident in God our rock. So, bring it on 2022, I am excited to see how God leads, because He doesn’t break any New Year’s vows. Now, where did I put that cake…

Here is a quick update about the end of Nov, Dec, and the beginning of Jan.

Fall has come and gone and with it the last chance to enjoy outside activities without frostbite. We were able to go and use our zoo membership probably for the
final time in late October. Though we discovered the zoo is less fun when the polar bears are shivering.

Freddie is part of a homeschool co-op here in Ohio. We are really excited to hear about what he is learning, and the interaction with other children is also a big bonus (don’t wanna make him into a homeschool weirdo! [sorry homeschool weirdos])! He did a great job at his Fall program, but whenever we made eye contact, he waved fervently, so most of the program I did not look at my child.

I passed my EMT class! I am now a fully registered Ohio EMT! Thanks for all the prayers, because this class was way harder than I thought it would be! I am looking forward volunteering and using this training in our local area, and eventually overseas.

Below is a timeline of the next 12 months. A lot of people have been wondering how things are going, and what our next year looks like, so here are the highlights.

Pray that we can connect here in our community of Coshocton. There is a lot of broken relationships and broken homes. Pray that Evelyn doesn’t have any setbacks before surgery. Her cleft palate surgery is a minor one, but still scary knowing things can go sideways. Pray for me as I begin studying again. The big mechanic tests are still ahead of me, and I will be studying hard again starting in the next few months.

Praise that I passed my EMT tests! This course was way harder than I thought it would be! Praise for safe travels over Christmas. Praise for the opportunity to be here. I think often of the sacrifices people are making to allow us to be here repairing Christ’s flying tools.

 Till next time,