November 2025

Why?

“Daddy, why don’t we swim in the lake?”
“Because the lake is full of crocodiles.”
“What’s wrong with crocodiles?”
“They will eat you.”
“Why will they eat you?”
“Because you’re tasty.”
“Why am I tasty?”
“Because you eat too much chocolate.”

(finally, no more whys)

I am the father of several small, purebred Martins. Martins are great at many things. We make the best potato bread, donuts, and scrapple—but we also possess an unusually high concentration of curiosity. Small humans asking “why” is universal, but being a Martin seems to multiply the frequency.

Whyness (which ChatGPT assures me is a real word) is something we all struggle with from time to time. As an aircraft mechanic, I often ask myself why a Cessna engineer designed a bolt that cannot be removed without disassembling most of the airplane. And sometimes, at night, when the lights are off, and a camel spider sprints under the couch, I wonder why God created a giant, super-fast, hairy, pinching spider that likes to live indoors. I promise you—stepping on one in the dark is a far worse surprise than stepping on a Lego.

Life produces a lot of whys. Aviation and common sense do not always arrive at the same airport. There are countless moments in maintenance where the proper, by-the-book procedure makes sense from a safety standpoint—but still makes you ask, “Why this way?”

I remember a particular childhood “why” very clearly. Our class went on a trip to the Philadelphia Zoo. “Everyone” else seemed to have about $400 to spend on souvenirs and lunch. My parents handed me a humble twenty-dollar bill and told me to spend it wisely. While my classmates enjoyed what might as well have been lion tenderloins for lunch, I ate a sad, reheated hamburger. When they bought gold-plated snow globes, I bought an eraser.

I have absolutely no idea where that eraser is today—and I’m certain none of my classmates could produce their souvenirs either. I don’t remember what I ate, but I do remember I wasn’t hungry. My parents knew exactly what they were doing.

We serve a Heavenly Father who is far wiser than any human parent could hope to be. And yet we still find ourselves asking “why” when things happen. Our church recently focused on Job and his many whys. If anyone ever had the right to ask, it was Job.

This past year left me holding a whole bundle of whys, too. It has been painful, confusing, and chaotic. Twelve months ago, I failed a test I had spent years preparing for—an outcome that will affect us for years. It derailed long-held plans and the direction we thought God was calling us toward. No matter how many times I asked ChatGPT, it couldn’t tell me why this was happening.

At the same time, we moved into my in-laws’ basement, where they graciously allowed our children to redecorate their walls with crayon murals. As we sat through a too-cold Pennsylvania winter asking why, a gray January day brought another, heavier why.

My friend died. Suddenly. Without warning. A workplace accident. He was an amazing man and father—and then he was gone.

Some whys take a lifetime to understand; others take a year. Now, standing here in Zambia, we can see the beginnings of answers. We are genuinely happy, and we truly believe this was God’s plan all along. God knew I needed a metal shop and a car lift, only a two-minute walk from home. God knew my family needed me present during this transition—not flying into the bush for days on end. God knew I would fit into this team and that I would love the professional level of maintenance we do on these fancy flying metal boxes.

God knew. And God still knows the answers to the whys that remain.

For the lesser whys, of course, there is always ChatGPT.
For example: “Chat, should I swim in Lake Kariba?”

Quick update from the last newsletter.

My toolbox arrived! Praise the Lord, it’s not on the bottom of the ocean creating a new barrier reef. Thank you to everyone who made it possible to get this extension of myself to the other side of the globe.

I passed one of my maintenance license tests! Now I only have like 6 more to go… I failed it the first time with a score of 67.5%, but I passed it this time with a score of 70%. But, like Albert Einstein always said, “D’s get degrees.”

Evelyn turned 4! She is turning into such a young lady. She demands certain style clothes (mostly unmatching) and wants a Stanley cup. Truly, she is growing up too fast.

Maria made it safely back from the States after her brother’s wedding. I was concerned that once she had a donut from home, she would refuse to come back. But she is a good and frugal missionary wife, and since the return ticket was already purchased, she thought it rude to not use it.

Pray

Please pray for wisdom. There seems to be endless, daily-even hourly-moments where wisdom is required.

Pray for my future test. I will hopefully be taking a bunch of tests in the near-ish future and will need Divine help!

Pray for us as a family. Life is becoming a good rhythm, and we feel like Lusaka is quickly becoming home. Culture shock still hasn’t sunk its nasty teeth into us yet, so pray for us that when it does, we can cling to the Truth.

Praise

Praise for Maria’s safe travel to the States. 60 hours of solo travel with a one-year-old has never been done more gracefully.

Praise that we found a good church to attend. Makeni Bible Baptist has welcomed us in, and we truly love the community there.

Praise that we found a place for Thanksgiving! I honestly forgot that Thanksgiving was this week, but some fellow American friends have opened their doors to partake in this “fowl” smelling feast.

till next time,