Newest Activity Report 2005 Mission Activity Report Previous Report
4 January, 2005 - WFC ministry support trip to Waco.
11 January, 2005 - WFC ministry partnership trip with CHICO. Monte team drove with Travis Caywood to Laredo, Harlingen and Quemado, TX for several food/beverage deliveries to Christian food pantry ministries delivering some 120,000 #s of relief to Gods children!!
14 January, 2005 - Return from south TX food delivery.
15 January, 2005 - “Third Sat Fellowship” hosted by the Snyder’s at Gloryland Ministry headquarters!! Thanks Ron and Sue for all your love and support to the work of Jesus. Ya’ll are awesome!!
21 January, 2005 - WFC ministry support trip to Waco. WFC prayer meeting/fellowship. Maintenance on Snyder’s Mooney. Flew to Edinburg, TX to conduct ministry flight training with World Harvest Family Church minister Kenneth Carpenter. Returned with Pastor Max Boggs of WHFC on Sun., January 23 to WFC Board meeting. This meeting was a formalization of ministry partnership between WFC and Max Boggs/World Harvest Family Church/training Center. We have definitely sensed a “Devine Connection” in the parallels and desire for ministry aviation for the propagation of the gospel of our Lord Jesus. What a great day for the “tapestry of Gods Love” to be further woven together!
24 January, 2005 - Monte flies Pastor Max Boggs back to Edinburg, TX. In “Mercy bird”.
2 - 5 February, 2005 - WFC training mission is launched in “Mercy bird”, the Snyder’s Moony to Edinburg, TX. WFC mission coordination minister Monte E. Michael is blessed to serve Galeana, Mexico missionary Glenn Wied and World Harvest Family Church minister Kenneth Carpenter in their endeavors to become private pilots in the service of our Lord Jesus. Over the course of 4 days, approximately 24 hrs. of ground and flight training was accomplished in Kenneth’s Cessna 150. Formally WFC director Albert Chrismans airplane, the sturdy trainer is continuing service as a ministry aviation-training tool.
6 February, 2005 - Monte is called out to fly back to south Texas to retrieve local area minister/evangelist Cody Leger and his mother Lynn and friend Cynthia from McAllen, TX. Cody had been ministering at Baptist Temple church in McAllen and their motorhome had developed mechanical problem. WFC board member Phillip Hull quickly realized we could save Danny Leger 22 hrs. of driving to rescue his family and so on a rather dark and rainy night we were successful in this mission of love. Thank you Lord!
8 February, 2005 - WFC ministry trip to support Gloryland Ministries director and WFC ministry aviation student Ron Snyder in maintenance on his Moony “Mercy bird”.
9 February, 2005 - WFC ministry trip: same as above.
10 February, 2005 - WFC ministry trip: same as above.
11 February, 2005 - WFC ministry trip: same as above.
12 February, 2005 - WFC ministry trip: same as above.
14 February, 2005 - WFC ministry trip: Galeana Mexico Missionary Glenn Wied met Monte at Wings to train in N3988U “Gracie Bird”. 5.5 hrs. of ground and flight training was accomplished and Brother Glenn is getting closer to “solo” flight.
16 February, 2005 - Wings for Christ is called upon to assist Pastor Ken Stone and his wife Susan in their ministry efforts from 1st Baptist Clayton, TX and their own mission ministry “Ebeneazer Missions International”. This particular mission was to once again assist in the Stone’s evangelism education efforts in Acunia, Mexico. Just across from Del Rio, TX, this particular mission involved WFC transporting the Stone’s and their 8 yr old daughter Hanna in the time saving “Mercy Bird” Mooney N9543M. Missions minister Monte Michael was blessed to report on WFC ministry activity to the Church before the flight out to Del Rio. A return transport flight was accomplished on Sat. the 19th with Monte delivering Pastor Ken back to Carthage by 5Pm in a timely fashion for him to study and prepare for Sundays sermon. Our Good Lord raised the weather back in Waco for Monte to get in safely as the weather came up to minimums just 10 minutes before arrival. This unforecasted dilemma found Monte calling out to Jesus, the One who calms the sea and as advertised, the cloud bases came up to 300 feet! Thank you Jesus!
21 February, 2005 - Waco Christian Fellowship Pastors Robert Henderson and John Rambeau called on WFC for transport to the new ministry center under development in Branson, Mo. The overnight trip culminated the next day with both men blessed by the use of Mercy Bird. Instrument conditions prevailed for this flight but we were up to the task as Ron and Sue Snyder’s airplane performed flawlessly!!
26 February, 2005 - Monte was blessed to serve Missionary Glenn Wied on Sat. as he stopped in at WFC HQ Waco to train in Gracie Bird. We got a lot accomplished toward Glenn’s Private that day.
28 February, 2005 - WFC is dispatched to Laredo, TX to pick up Pastors Kellie Hein and Bill Waldrop of Rio Grande Missionary Help. Off we, (Monte and passengers) flew into the wild blue yonder to the searing heights of Potoe, Oklahoma!! Once there the pastors were able to share their mission needs with area churches in a missionary conference. We returned without problem the next day. They were blessed with the speed and delivery of WFC service and thanked the WFC family for our ministry.
2 - 4 March, 2005 - Already in the Rio Grande Valley WFC Ministry Coordinator/ Instructor Pilot Monte Michael works with World Harvest Family Church flight dept. and their C-150 to continue the private pilot training of WHFC minister Ken Carpenter and Galeana Mexico Missionary Glenn Wied. Much more was accomplished toward their private pilot ratings!
7 March, 2005 - WFC is pleased to welcome Michael Cates as our newest ministry student pilot. WFC volunteer instructor pilot Al Hoekstra worked with Michael in an introductory flight. Later this same week Monte was able to help also. Welcome aboard Michael!
8 March, 2005 - WFC ministry pilot Monte Michael receives an emergency call out from Rick Caywood/Chijuajuan Connection director; Ricks fulltime truck driver Ron had a serious fall and broke his ankle. Monte flies out to Temple, TX to pick up Rick and Ron’s wife to fly them to Del Rio, TX. Upon further logistic and medical consultation it was determined that our aircraft would be too small for Ron to comfortably travel so they went on in Ricks van to rescue Ron. Please pray for Ron as he convalesces for the next several months. Please pray for finances for Rick Caywood as he honors the salary expectations of this sweet Christian family and finally pray that WFC would receive the needed larger Aircraft in order to respond to medical transport needs like this as they arise.
14 - 15 March, 2005 - Waco Christian Fellowship Pastor Robert Henderson and his wife Mary call on Wings For Christ for another transport mission to Branson, Mo.; Monte is blessed to serve this sweet ministry couple as they consult with area builders to remodel the ministry center that our Lord gave them to reach the tourists of Branson with the Gospel and Healing ministry of our dear Saviour Jesus Christ. This trip provided another time and energy saving ministry to our friends at WCF and in the words of Pastor Robert “it preserves the anointing” that he needs to minister with freshness and power!
Roberts’s wife Mary added that she “could sure get used to this!” in reference to the speed and savings of ministry air travel. Thank you ministry partners for answering the call of Jesus to help get the Gospel preached!
Ministry Note: The reader may recall in our November 2004 report that we mentioned Mexico Pastor Tony and Fedelia of Ciudad Victoria. Pastor Max Boggs of World Harvest Family Church in Edinburg informed Wings for Christ of the sad news that Pastor Tony was involved in a fatal auto accident. His wife Fedelia was also injured as she was thrown free from the vehicle. Please pray for this fine ministry family and especially for Fedelia and their teenage son. Fedelia has already pledged to take up the ministry/pastorate of the Victoria church plant and by all accounts is doing just that as of May 2005!!
22 - 25 March, 2005 - Monte flies Mercy Bird to “the Valley” to work with Missionary Glenn Wied. After more hard work and prayer Glenn soloed the World Harvest Family Church trainer Cessna 150 into the airport traffic pattern at Edinburg International Airport. He does a great job and upon landing his CSCFI Monte Michael produces a pocketknife and deftly but carefully relieves Glenn of the back of his shirt according to old standing aviation tradition!! Way to go Glenn!!! While there Monte works with new friend and Missionary Victor Crawford of The Harvest is Ripe Ministries of Raymondville, TX. Victor has a rich history of missionary work in Mexico and other places and now wants to renew his CFI certificate and help in the ministry pilot training ministry with Wings For Christ and WHFT of Edinburg!! Welcome aboard Victor!
26 March, 2005 - Monte fly’s Mercy Bird back to WFC HQ and Gloryland Ministry HQ in Waco, TX. For some needed R&R and maintenance. Monte drives home to Franklin.
29 March, 2005 - Monte drives to WFC to assist Gloryland Ministries Director and WFC Student Pilot Ron Snyder on Mercy bird, the venerable Mooney, on some maintenance issues.
30 March, 2005 - Monte returns to WFC to help Ron Snyder with solo cross country preparations and send him off on same! Ron returns in great style and success!
31 March - 2 April, 2005 - Wings For Christ is called out for special ministry in East Texas. 1st Assembly of God and other area churches of Corrigan, Texas have been in a 22 week revival during which, to date, over 600 people have been Born Again and/or made life changing decisions for Christ! This weekend services are to be held partially by evangelist Cody Leger of Harvest Laborer Ministries. Cody and his co-minister Jody Rogers of Groveton, TX asked WFC to come over and conduct prayer intercession flights over the communities of the revival area. Monte prepositions Mercy Bird of Gloryland Ministries to Lufkin, TX municipal airport for an 8 am “go time” the next day. Friday the 1st is a wonderful day long and into the night campaign of intercession and spiritual warfare for the people of East Texas.
Monte flies approximately 6 hrs. with people from many different churches as they whip the devil up one side and down the other!! Many lives are touched and many are saved in the Corrigan High School gymnasium below the wings of Mercy bird during this important outreach!! Thank you Jesus!!
6 - 12 April, 2005 - Monte takes Mercy Bird, Ron and Susan Snyder’s Gloryland ministries Mooney to Edinburg, TX for ministry partnership training with Dennis Pendergast, Glenn Weid, Victor Crawford and Pastor Max Boggs of World Harvest Family Church, Edinburg Texas. During this busy time of primary, instrument, CFI, and multiengine recurrency training Monte logs approximately 23 hrs. with these ministers that use the tool of aviation to spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; the One whose anointing breaks every yoke the devil has in his arsenal!!
15 April, 2005 - Monte travels to WFC and TSTC to reposition Mercy Bird to WFC after we are able to donate $300 love offering to the Snyder’s to fix the distance measuring equipment on the Mooney! Praise the Lord!
19 April, 2005 - WFC is called to service once again for Waco Christian Fellowship in order to transport Pastor Robert Henderson to Branson, Missouri for a one day trip. Pastor Henderson compliments WFC service by stating, “The time WFC saves me preserves the anointing on my ministry and helps me arrive fresh to do the work of the Lord.” We’re honored to help you Pastor!!
23 April, 2005 - Monte flies out to Monroe, La. to retrieve someone precious to him. Sandra Michael, Monte’s love is out east in crawfish country at a ladies retreat with Susan Snyder. They are out there under the ladies mentoring ministry of Dr. Clarice Fluitt and Sandra had to be transported back for hospitality ministry to Harvest Laborers as Cody Leger was coming to Franklin, TX to preach this weekend!
26 April, 2005 - WFC provides night training to Ron Snyder. Monte enjoys this time with Ron as he is developing into a good pilot.
27 April, 2005 - WFC is called out by Pastor Ken and Susan Stone of 1st Baptist Clayton, TX and Ebenezer ministries to fly them to Del Rio, TX today. Monte mounts up on the wings of Mercy Bird and we are able to serve Ken and Susan once again as they teach Mexican pastors the tool of Pioneer Evangelism in Acunia, Mexico. Monte flies back to Hearne for the night.
28 - 29 April, 2005 - WFC picks up Pastor Robert Henderson of Waco Christian Fellowship and once again we wing our way northeast to Branson, Mo. for two nights of ministry there in the newly renovated building the Lord provided Pastor Robert. Monte was blessed to be there for the opening night!! Many were touched and healed by the ministry of Jesus!! Monte was able to bring Pastor Robert and his music minister back to Waco late at night in IMC (instrument meteorological conditions) with the aid of the well-equipped Mooney of Gloryland ministries. Thanks, Ron and Sue!!
30 April, 2005 - With just enough sleep Monte and Mercy Bird fly southwest to Del Rio, TX and retrieve Pastor Ken and Susan Stone and their 6 yr. old daughter Hannah and take them home to Clayton, TX so he is able to prepare, in a timely fashion, his message for Sunday Morning!! Whew! What a busy time for WFC!!
4 - 6 May, 2005 - Harvest Laborers ministers Danny and Cody Leger Call WFC to Alexandria, La to retrieve them to Waco so Cody can minister in music at the Crawford, Texas National Day of Prayer convocation. Monte is able to return the Legers to Lake Charles, La along with Gloryland Ministries director and WFC student pilot Ron Snyder in Ron’s Mooney, Mercy Bird. Finally Ron is getting checked out in his own airplane!! He is very happy!
9 - 10 May, 2005 - WFC is called to the Intercessory prayer flight mission once again. Barbara and Steve Thibideax of Sulphur, Louisiana request our help in praying over the Lake Charles, La metroplex. Ron and Susan Snyder and their daughter Lindsey of Gloryland ministries all come with Monte out east on this combination family outing/ ministry/ training (for Ron) trip. Once again intrepid prayer warriors take advantage of the enemy by “going to his camp and taking back what he stole”. Monte is witness to the incredible beating the stinking devil takes and one almost feels sorry for his lousy hide….almost!!:~) The battle lasts for about 5 hrs. and almost immediately the testimonies of deliverance and prosperity and blessing start coming in to the Thibideax home! Thanks Jesus! Thanks Holy Spirit! Thank you Father!
11 - 13 May, 2005 - A quick turn around is required as Monte is dispatched down south once again to Edinburg, Texas. More ministry aviation training is the agenda as WFC supports private pilot training to Glenn Weid.
15 - 16 May, 2005 - Monte helps Ron Snyder with more private pilot training in Gracie Bird back in Waco at WFC HQ. Ron is closing in on his license!!
17-20 May, 2005 - WFC sends Monte to Waxhaw, North Carolina to attend the annual International Association of Mission Aviation conference. This year the meeting is held at JAARS (Jungle Aviation and Radio Service) HQ in Waxhaw. They are the aviation branch of Wycliffe Bible Translators. This informative conference is a golden opportunity for networking and partnership in mission aviation service. Monte learned a lot and was able to reiterate established relationships and make some new ones. Out of this activity WFC received some contacts with possible aircraft donors that may prove fruitful as WFC really needs at least two new aircraft for mission service and training.
24 May, 2005 - WFC establishes dialogue with Everette Aarons of Lion of Judah Ministries of Monroe, La. He is a member of Dr. Clarice Fluitt’s church there in Monroe and has a vision for mission aviation. He has also done some limited aircraft brokering and has offered to help WFC look for aircraft. WFC makes two flights to retrieve him to facilitate this study.
25 - 27 May, 2005 - WFC is called on to do some hurry up training to finish out the private pilot training of missionary Tom Stukenberg of Guatemala. Tom is introduced by Pastor Max Boggs in Edinburg. Tom and his wife have been missionaries in several countries for almost 20 years. A dairy farmer from Wisconsin, Tom and his wife has taken over the management of an orphanage in Guatemala City with 30 kids in it. At it now for 2 yrs. Tom was given a C-182 and had logged lots of hrs. in it but really needed to nail down the Practical Test Standards requirements to U.S. levels of performance. WFC dispatched Monte to the valley to help. Tom is a great servant and student and really shows the peace and wisdom of years of walking with Jesus. We “hop to it” in south Texas as the heat comes on for an early summer!! Ron Snyder is able to go with Monte and see first hand the ministry partnership with World Harvest Family Church/Max Boggs. Ron is handling his Mooney with greater skill now.
31 May - 3 June, 2005 - Monte returns to the Valley to conduct more training with Tom Stukenberg and Glenn Weid: approximately 22 hrs of ground and flight training are accomplished. Glory to God!!
7 - 10 June, 2005 - Monte is at WFC at 8 am after picking up the spinner for Mercy Bird; it had developed cracks and had to have substantial repair. Thank you Lord for the discipline of preflight inspections!! After Ron and Monte install the spinner and change the oil on the “bird” Monte takes off for the “valley” (Rio Grande River valley) and more training in Edinberg, Texas. Approximately 20 hrs. of flight and ground training & “test prep” is accomplished and Tom Stukenberg takes and passes his Private Pilot practical test. Congratulations Tom! You are now a PIC (pilot in command)!
Gloryland ministries Mercy bird goes away for several months now to Mexico City for service with D. Pendergast. Lord, we really need our own airplane now!
13 - 17 June, 2005 - Monte and his wife Sandy are blessed by transport to the valley for more training for Glenn Weid and Multi engine hr. building in a Twin Comanche PA 30-160. This aircraft is operated by our new ministry partner Victor Crawford and he is very gracious to offer it to Monte to accrue needed multiengine hrs. We both desire to get our Multi-engine Instructor certifications to train Gods pilots to fly bigger and safer equipment!! Sandra and Monte celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in south Texas this year!
19 - 25 June, 2005 - Monte takes a week off!
1 July, 2005 - Ron and Sue Snyder host a wonderful fellowship for ministries to come together and we celebrated our independence as Believers as well as United States countrymen. Thanks Jesus for all you do!
7-13 July, 2005 - Monte and Brother Victor Crawford train in the Twin Comanche building hrs. and experience.
18 July, 2005 - Ron Snyder and Monte take a Night training flight cross-country in Gracie Bird in pursuit of completing Ron’s Private Pilot requirements. Ron is closing in on his ticket!!
28 - 30 July, 2005 - Wings for Christ is invited to Lufkin, TX to help with prayer flights in the Corrigan Revival. WFC is blessed to borrow a Cessna 172 from Pastor Charles Henry of Speegleville Christian Center for this mission of evangelism in East Texas. Local evangelist Cody Leger is ministering along with others in this effort. Local ministry partner and pilot Rick Caywood helped Monte fly the prayer flights with the devil once again suffering multiple black eyes!!
4 August, 2005 - Monte performs ministry aviation training with Ron Snyder.
5 August, 2005 - Missionary Victor Crawford and Monte take off for South Texas (Victors home) in the Twin Comanche but are thwarted by summer Thunderstorms and must turn around in San Antonio! We don’t mess around with bad weather!!
6-10 August, 2005 - Victor and Monte are successful today in out effort to get to Edinburg, TX in order to help Galeana, Mexico Missionary Glenn Wied finish up his Private Pilot License.
10 August, 2005 - Galeana, Mexico Missionary Glenn Wied passed a milestone in his vision for ministry in Mexico----He got his Private Pilot License!! Praise the Lord!! Mr. Higgs of McAllen, TX, an FAA designated examiner congratulated the newly minted missionary pilot; “you did a good job”. Way to go Glenn!! Monte and Victor return to WFC HQ in Victors Twin Comanche with a real sense of accomplishment. I (Monte) have been standing in agreement with Glenn for several years for this realization of his dreams. Thank you Lord!!
11-12 August, 2005 - WFC Jumps right back in to ministry aviation service by transporting Pastor Robert Henderson to Branson, Mo. for another weekend meeting. Missionary Pilot Victor Crawford and Monte are able to fly Pastor Robert in comfort and safety in the Twin Comanche.
13-14 August, 2005 - After returning from Missouri, Monte starts back in with ministry flight training with Ron Snyder and he continues steady progress towards bringing a major component of his ministry vision to completion.
16 August, 2005 - Gloryland Ministries Founder and Missionary Ron Snyder passed a major milestone in his ministry calling------He got his Private Pilot License!!! FAA examiner John Foster congratulated Ron saying “That was a great flight!! Once again WFC was successful in helping a fellow Christian Missionary and Partner realize an important component of his Vision of Service to Jesus and His mandate: “Go ye into all the earth”. ATABOY Ron!!
17 August, 2005 - After spending the night in Franklin, Monte’s home, Brother Victor and Monte fly Twin Comanche to Waco for some maintenance with WFC excellent Chief of Maintenance Joel New. Thanks Joel!
18-19 August, 2005 - WFC was able to aid Victor Crawford on a needed Vacuum Pump on his Twin Comanche. Thank you George Boyco and Joel New for your quick and expert help!! Monte, Victor and Victorious Life Assembly of God Business Administrator Everette Posey then mount up in the Twin and wing our way South to Edinburg, TX. This mission is to retrieve Gloryland Ministries winged steed, Mercy Bird AKA the “Mooney” from Mexico missionary Dennis Pendergast. Additionally Monte was able to help Pastor Max Boggs of World Harvest Training Center and Family Church complete his 2-year Flight Review. Brother Everette was treated to some much-needed “R & R”. Everette has given WFC some valuable business and administrative mentoring over the years and is a pilot himself!
29 August, 2005 - HURRICANE KATRINA hits the Gulf coast.
2-6 September, 2005 - In order to obtain an emergency clearances into the disaster area Wings for Christ joins Angel Flight, a international association of volunteer pilots and corporations that donate their use of assets for benevolent relief efforts. Gloryland minister and WFC partner Ron and Sue Snyder also swing into action by making themselves and their aircraft available for relief flights. Ron and Monte fly to Baton Rouge, La to get “on site” and make us available for immediate deployment. Upon arrival Ron and Monte aided Angel Flight and other relief agents for the first day and were able to establish contact with Dallas based Victim Relief Ministries and it’s Director Gene Grounds. VRM and its Volunteer Chaplains in bright yellow shirts had been in the disaster area with victims of the hurricane and flooding since early in the event. Normally attached with Police and Fire depts., VRM Chaplains are by charter “there for the Victims”. Ministry founder Gene Grounds explained they are highly trained in crisis and grief counseling with their agents being licensed and ordained ministers of the Christian Gospel. This certainly became a Divine connection immediately as we were dispatched to Dallas to retrieve Chaplain and Counselor Donita Wiggins, bring her to Baton Rouge, reload with Chaplain Bobby Martin and take him back to Dallas. During these flights Ron Snyder was welcomed as a volunteer with Gene’s group, promptly outfitted in the yellow shirt and whisked off to the Family Assistance Center/Evacuee Shelter in downtown Baton Rouge. Way to go Ron! Gene later expressed his admiration and appreciation for Ron’s “can do” attitude as Ron continued to play a vital roll in Relief Flights and other Volunteer acts of Love in Jesus name. So many other acts of love ensued during this time as we were witness to the Church of Jesus Christ responded in much effectiveness. On the 5th WFC took a nurse Judy and her son Terrance to Houston. They had been trapped in Charity Hospital in New Orleans by floodwater. They were very thankful for the free transportation to relatives that could take them in. Later that day Monte was dispatched from Houston to Nacogdoches to pick up evacuees Tammy and her son Castor and fly them to Dallas where they were joyfully and tearfully reunited to their family members they had been separated from for several days. Thank you Lord for your Mercy and Grace! The 6th dawned with a new mission for Monte; as Ron decided to continue his volunteer service with the chaplains at the River Center family Shelter in Baton Rouge, Monte flew VRM Chaplains John and Wilda Arnald out of Addison , TX to Baton Rouge. Simultaneously on Sept. 6th WFC was able to secure the expertise of American Eagle pilot and WFC volunteer pilot Russell Vanhoozer to fly a relief flight with his friend Kevin Kilpatrick of Ft. Worth. They used Kevin’s Cessna 414 to fly Victim Relief Chaplain Pam Porter out to Baton Rouge from Waco. Upon arrival in Baton Rouge, Monte and Ron loaded them back up with VRM chaplains Richard Lamear and Cathy and the big twin engine Cessna winged its way back to Mesquite, TX. Thank you Kevin and Russell!! Later the same evening Ron and Monte returned to Wings For Christ airport in Ron’s Mooney……Whew! What a busy time but so rich in ministry to the hurting and weary. Thank you Lord for putting us to work!
8 September, 2005 - Ron Snyder finishes up his training in the Mooney and Monte “signs him off” for solo operations in a complex airplane!! Ron is ready to fly people in his own aircraft….way to go Ron!
9 September, 2005 - WFC/Gloryland ministries team up again as we are dispatched to Mesquite, TX to pick up Victim Relief Chaplain Ed Smith, fly him to Baton Rouge, pick up VRM Director Gene Grounds and return him to Dallas thus saving hrs. of driving time.
10-11 September, 2005 - Sandra, Andrew and Monte Michael drive from their home in Franklin, TX to Edinburg, TX in order to retrieve Pastor Max Boggs N1231P Piper Geronimo twin engine, 6-seat airplane. This is an effort to be more responsive to the hurricane disaster with a higher seat capacity/comfort level. Thank you Pastor Max and World Harvest Church! Thank you Linda Boggs for hosting us in your home! Monte fly’s the Geronimo back to Wings For Christ for mission deployment. Thank you Sandra for driving back to Franklin. Thank you Andrew for being a good companion to your mom!!
12-14 September, 2005 - WFC explores maintenance issues with the Geronimo and discover that the starting system is in need of overhaul on both engines. In accordance with our ministry partnership with World Harvest WFC maintenance Supervisor Joel New swings into action with good friend and WFC volunteer Don Birchum start in on the Geronimo to upgrade it to mission readiness. Thanks Men!!
16-18 September, 2005 - Monte drives Dallas to attend recurrency training for Flight Instructor duties.
19-21 September, 2005 - WFC/Gloryland’s Mercy Bird are called up to the Field again as Monte fly’s to Shreveport, La., Gulfport, Ms., Baton Rouge, New Orleans. Our passengers are new ministry partners, associates of Billy Graham Ministries and Samaritan’s Purse: Jack Munday, Luther Harrison and Jacks Admin. Assistant Charise Wick. Monte is able to assist in their relief efforts as they too have an excellent corp. of volunteer chaplains that have been deployed in the shelters with displaced families. Perhaps the highlight of this mission was hooking up Samaritan’s Purse work crew foreman Luther Harrison with Rev. Anthony Freeman of New Orleans School of Urban Missions and Pastor Kathy Radke of God’s House Church and Westbank Cathedral. These ministries coordinated to headquarter together in the middle of a heavily flooded neighborhood to serve in practical Christian Witness. How cool is that?!! On the 20th Monte shuttled Jack and Charise back and forth between Shreveport and Baton Rouge and participated in a chaplain orientation with volunteers from New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
22 September, 2005 - Gloryland Ministries Director and WFC Graduate Pilot Ron Snyder and WFC Maint. Chief Joel New take Mooney to Houston to evacuate Joel’s elderly parents in the path of Hurricane Rita. The rescue was successful! Way to go guys!
27 September, 2005 - Monte flies Mercy Bird to Mesquite, TX to Pick up VRM Chaplain’s Richard Lamear, Randy, Shirley Janz and Veronica and in two trips to Baton Rouge, Wings For Christ is able to supply valuable, time saving transportation to men and women of God who are on the front lines of disaster recovery ministry.
28 September - 1 October, 2005 - WFC is called upon to assist with Pioneer Evangelism programming in Saltillo, Mexico. Monte flies to Carthage, TX to pick up Pastor Ken Stone and his wife Susan and their 7 yr. old daughter Hanna. We wing our way to San Antonio, stop for fuel and to file a flight plan with the FAA and U.S. Customs, and fly nonstop to Saltillo. We land in very high winds there and tie down the airplane! Whew!, thank you Lord for the confidence we have in You (there was no place to land over those jagged mountains on the way!) The evangelism conference is very successful and thanks to Ron and Sue Snyder at Gloryland Ministries and their generous donation of the use of their “Mercy Bird”.
7 October, 2005 - WFC is called into action again as Monte borrows Mercy Bird and flies on instruments to New Orleans, La. Once there we load up Victim Relief Ministries Chaplain Daryl Deaton and Texas Baptist Men team leader Don Burgett and safely deliver them back to Dallas. Thanks Jesus!!
10 October, 2005 - WFC and Gloryland’s Mercy Bird are dispatched to Ft. Worth to pick up Homeland Security’s Chaplain James Gunnells. Enroute, Monte experiences engine trouble in the usually faithful Mooney and also loses one of the main communication radios and has to execute a precautionary landing at TSTC airport in Waco. Once safely on the ground, it is determined that the previous night’s heavy thunderstorm had deposited rainwater into the fuel tank that caused engine roughness and also had leaked into the avionics bay and shorted out the radio!! Bittersweet was the outcome; this mission cancellation was the prudent and safe alternative. Thank you Lord!
15 October, 2005 - WFC Mission Coordination Minister Monte Michael and Chief of Maintenance Joel New visit Williams Creek Baptist church Men’s breakfast. At this event we are able to share WFC mission and Ministry efforts and enjoy a wonderful breakfast!! Later that same day Monte flies Gloryland ministries Mercy Bird, a 1968 Mooney M20-C, to Lago Vista, TX and picks up Victim Relief Ministries Chaplain Chuck Morton. Our destination is once again the Baton Rouge, Family Assistance Center and Federal Dept. of Mortuary Services where VRM Chaplains have been ministering to the emotional and spiritual care of Hurricane Katrina/Rita victims. Upon arrival, WFC drops off Chuck and picks up VRM Chaplain and Pastor of Timbercreek Baptist Church, Scott Whitson. Scott lives and ministers full time in Burleson Texas. Monte is thrilled as we discover we are both Baylor University grads of similar years and had a lot in common!
Scott was impressed with WFC service and professionalism in getting him back home for his ministry duties the next day.
1-5 November, 2005 - WFC and World Harvest Training Center team up as Monte uses their Geronimo to fly to Dallas and pick up VRM Chaplain Byron Barnes and deliver him to Baton Rouge. This is a “shake down” flight for the Geronimo as it has just been returned to service after the excellent upgrade maintenance accomplished by WFC Chief of Maintenance Joel New and volunteer mechanics Don Birchum and George Boyco. These guys deserve a great big “ataboy!!” and pat on the back for hours of difficult work on Pastor Max Boggs flying machine! Thanks Men! Those “hot starts” won’t be a problem now! Once in Baton Rouge VRM Director Gene Grounds requests WFC to loan out Monte in the Chaplain deployment in the “9th Ward” neighborhood of New Orleans. As you may recall, this was an area of utter devastation by the floodwaters of the Industrial Canal Levee breach in the aftermath of Katrina. Family members of the affected area are visiting the site and are escorted into and out of their home sites (at the direction of National Guard Command and FEMA) by VRM Chaplains exclusively. Monte is blessed to be able to serve in this capacity for a week along with other wonderful men and women of God from VRM. This is a truly humbling work of love and compassion for the folks that have lost loved ones as well as their homes of 40 years! The local emergency responders call this area “Ground Zero” in a similitude of another disaster our nation suffered in New York….very sobering. Join with WFC as we continue to pray for all those affected by this tragedy. On the 5th Monte flies VRM Chaplains Byron Barnes and Gaines Gardner back to Dallas in the Stout Geronimo, twin engine Piper!! Thank you Lord for a successful mission.
10 November, 2005 - WFC is dispatched in WHTC’s Geronimo to Baton Rouge to retrieve VRM Chaplains Jack Munis and Bob Barette and return them to Dallas, TX. These men have done a yeomans job out in New Orleans as God’s Men of love and compassion. Monte got to work with these guys in the 9th Ward and we really became a “team” as we prayed with victims and hugged them and sang “Our God is an Awesome God” on appropriate occasions!!
11 November, 2005 - Monte returns World Harvest Training Center Piper Geronimo to Pastor Max Boggs in Edinburg with many thanks. Once there Monte is blessed to return to WFC HQ with Missionary Victor Crawford in his Piper Twin Comanche. The only way to Travel!! Pastor Victor is going to stay with us at WFC a while to see if he can help with mission flying. Unfortunately, as it happens sometimes with “vintage” 38-40 year old airplanes, we developed some engine trouble upon arrival in Waco. We were protected once again by the mighty hand of God as we were able to abort the takeoff safely at TSTC. We had just taken on fuel and were going to make the short hop to Wings For Christ airport, just 2 mile away, when we lost the left engine! We shut it down right away, taxied back to the ramp and tied the old girl down. WFC Chief of Maint. Joel New diagnosed the problem as a bad magneto and the next day Monte was able to limp the sick airplane over to WFC Maintenance hanger for some “TLC” by the expert Dr. New!! Missionary Victor Crawford has checked his bird into WFC hospital for sick and geriatric airplanes!! Come on God! We need newer and better and faster and safer equipment.
22 November, 2005 - Laredo Texas Baptist Missionary Kellie Hein flies with Monte for his “biennial” flight review and as he also is a CFI (flight instructor) he “signs off” Monte after we review each other’s flight skills!! What Fun in Gracie Bird, WFC trusty C-150 trainer! What a load!!
29 November - 2 December, 2005 - WFC partners with ColorTile CEO Mark Harwood as he lets us borrow his beautifully restored Mooney for a mercy flight to take VRM Chaplain Daryl Deaton of 1st Baptist Kaufman, and take him to Baton Rouge. Once there, Monte was invited to stay and help as a “field commissioned” Chaplain at the Family Assistance center and Morgue. Flew Pastor Daryl back to Terrell, TX for his Sunday duties. Daryl is making application to WFC as a student pilot!! Pray for his training.
4 December, 2005 - Wings For Christ Christmas Party at Director Mike Majors new home!! He and Sharon put on a wonderful event of hospitality and sharing as we celebrate Jesus’ Advent!!! Thanks God, for giving us Your Son!!
26 December, 2005 - WFC unable to procure an aircraft to pick up missionaries in Woodard, Ok and take to Del Rio. Monte was able to pass the trip on to new ministry partner David Campbell of Mission Assist Team, Nacogdoches, TX. He has a Bonanza and was able to service this mission for us!
This activity fairly finishes up 2005 for Wings For Christ Ministries. What does 2006 hold for us?!?