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By admin, January 1, 2009

Dear Friends,

As I write to you all I am happy to say that God is a good God and that we at Wings For Christ thank Him on every remembrance of you and are here ready to continue into 2009 with service in Christian Missionary Aviation.

The vision and task of Wings For Christ here in Waco remains the same even though activity levels have diminished somewhat we are happy to report that we have two active flight students, one of whom has soloed the trusty Cessna 150 “Gracie Bird” and is on his way to his Private Pilot License! Way to go Kelly!

In other news since I last sent out a report in Sept., WFC was responsive during the aftermath of Hurricane Ike in the support of Shelter operations in Galveston and in the Bryan/College Station areas. I, Monte, was able to serve as a Chaplain in these venues, alongside Salvation Army and Red Cross in the populations needing disaster mental health and critical incident stress management. We were also able to pray with many for comfort and revelation into Jesus’ love and protection for so many. Monte was able to pray with one man in Galveston to receive Christ as Saviour! PTL!

Other areas of service include networking with Brother Glenn Wied of Galeana Mexico and Brother Lionel Smith of Christian Wings For the World in Ironton Mo. and Brother Randy Bauman of Alpha Aviation in Springdale, Ark. The product was Glenn getting workable used avionics in his Cessna 175 that is now airworthy and close to going to the Mission Field in Galeana with Glenn! Thanks to all involved…Thank you Lord for cooperative members of Your Body! We “got er done”!

In Closing, I want to remind those in the Waco area that are able and desirous, that we are resuming our Tuesday Prayer Meeting at 1pm to 2pm this upcoming Tues., Jan. 6, 2009, and you are welcome and needed to come and pray and fellowship. This is our regularly scheduled ministry service in which, in my opinion, the Heartbeat of the Lord is heard for Wings for Christ. The coffee will be on!

Thanks for a positive and productive 2008 and looking forward to what He has in store for us in 2009,
Sincerely,
Monte E. Michael
Chaplain/Chief Pilot
www.wings-for-christ.org
254-855-6785

P.S.: We are in great need of approx. $3000 to $5000 to upgrade the avionics (radios) in our trainer airplane “Gracie Bird”. Our Cessa 150 is a 1964 model and although she flies well, we have difficulties in communications and navigation with our older and often questionable avionics. Our students need exposure and experience in the newer and safer GPS navigation systems and the additional safety of reliable communications. Please pray and give to this need asap. Thanks. MM

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By admin, September 20, 2008

Dear Friends of Wings For Christ,

I am happy to report on the months of June, July and August for 2008.

June 2008:

WFC was represented at the Annual Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster convention in Austin.
Monte was able to gain valuable insight in volunteer organization and deployment as a Chaplain offering Disaster Mental Health as well as logistics training for deployment during traumatic events.
This coupled with Hurricane preparation is a relevant and timely outreach to citizens that Jesus loves. Please remember the needed operational assets that are critical to these responses. We need $ for fuel in aircraft and vehicles, as well as week to week needs.

WFC was able to continue flight training ops to Kelly Filgo and Jeff Gillum and Vinicio Salazar several times this month.

July 2008:

July 4th was a special day as our friend and mentor, Col. Albert Chrisman USAF (ret.) went home to the Lord. He declared his independance from sickness and sorrow and we all rejoice in the observance of this life lived in strong witness to the Love and Integrity of Genuine Christianity.
We will sorely miss our “Bert” and our love, support and prayers go out to Mary, his precious wife.
We look forward to our future reunion with our fellow pilot and leader…We love you Bert!
Thank you Chrisman family for allowing Monte the honor of assisting you in the memorial service…
It was inspiring and a real celebration….a fitting send-off that all were blessed by attending.

WFC continues flight training ops.

Hurricane preparation continues.

August 2008:

Hurricane Dolly batters South Texas. Monte deploys and “stands up” Victim Relief Chaplain service at 1st Baptist Church, Brownsville, Tx along with 7 other Chaplains and “Crisis Responders”. This is the first hurricane that Monte has “ridden out” on location. The winds and rains were torrential. VRM and WFC partner as Chaplaincy and Disaster Mental Health was delivered in several south Tx shelters and PODS, “Points of Distribution” alongside Tx National Guard, Salvation Army and American Red Cross as well as service alongside traditional partner Texas Baptist Men feeding units. Many prayers, much comfort, hugs and tears exchanged as Victim Relief does the vital and relevant work of meeting human needs in times of disaster.

Hurricane Gustav makes landfall in Louisiana. Texas dodges this directly but receives thousands of evacuees from La. Monte is deployed to the Brazos Valley shelter system as a Chaplain in the same fasion as before but this time closer to home. We served at the 1st Baptist Church, Bryan, Tx and the 1st United Methodist Church, Bryan, Tx. Texas Baptist Men and the big 25,000 meal a day “State Unit” was stood up in the parking lot of 1st Baptist. Monte was blessed to serve the same Baptist men on this unit that we were with in the Oklahoma Ice Disaster of two and a half years ago! Disaster response is a relatively small community as is Mission Aviation!

Sept. 2008:

Well, please pray Hurricane Ike away!!! Monte and VRM are on alert along with all of Texas State Office of Emergency Preparedness in the coming days as a dangerous Cat. 4 Hurricane batters Cuba. Its already killed 150 folks and looks bad.

In closing, I would like to report that the Board Members at Wings For Christ have allowed me to stay on in a part time status as your Missions Minister and Chief Pilot. I am thankful for the continued service of Wings For Christ to our Community and our State. Please pray about becoming a regular monthly donor to WFC for our continued answer the the call, “GO YE”.

Sincerely,

Monte E. Michael
Missions Minister/Chief Pilot
www.wings-for-christ.org
254-855-6785

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By admin, May 20, 2008

Dear Friends,

Please accept my apology for the long wait for a communication from me.

There have been several notable events this spring from my perspective that I would like to share with you.

January:

Monte deployed to Victoria, Tx to “Stand up” Chaplain services at a shelter for Monterey Mexican nationals injured and displaced in a bus crash. One fatality in this incident with several critical injuries. Ministry and prayer and practical needs met.

Flight Review accomplished with mechanic/pilot/friend Larry Havard in his Piper Tri-Pacer.

Chaplain ministry training in Dallas.

Student Pilot Kelly F. assists Monte in Wings For Christ “Story Board” and manned the booth at Supporting Church Highland Baptist for their Missions Awareness Weekend. Thanks Kelly!

Spoke at Dr. Shellenburgers Life Group for Highland members.

February:

Mass Fatality training for Chaplain services of emotional and spiritual care, Belton, Tx.

Instrument Ground training for Missionary Glenn Wied of Galeana, Mexico. Alas…no $ for flight training operations.

Flight training to Kelly Filgo and Vinicio Salazar, (ground)

March:

Flight training to Kelly and Vinicio(ground)

On “standby” for Operation Beach Reach..South Padre gospel outreach.

Mass Care round table with Central Texas Council of Govt. in Belton

April:

My son Eric Caleb, engagement to Jordan Hedrick at “Century Tree” at A&M…Whooop!

Ground school to Jeff Gillam and Kelly and Vinicio

Mens retreat at Michael’s Old Home Place farm. Skeet shoot, Archery and Bass Tournament!

Chaplain deployment for Monte to San Angelo, Tx shelter operation of FLDS State Custody incident of 460 Children and Mothers from Eldorado Yearning for Zion ranch. Much emotional trauma in this situation as the State had to separate families to ensure safety…this was viewed as the hardest deployment Victim Relief Chaplaincy has had to serve in to date. Please keep all involved in your prayers.
Monte “stood up” this chaplain operation as incident commander which later grew to a population of 30 chaplains during the height of this 3 week deployment.

May:

Newton County, Neosho, Missouri is hit by F3 Tornado..14 Fatalities. Monte in planning stages for Chaplain deployment for 700+ displaced victims in northeastern OK and southwestern MO.
This is happening as you read this…Please Pray for these victims and the families of loved ones lost in this tragedy; pray for the critical contacts to be made to the Faith community of this area and wisdom for the emergency response providers.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support for Wings For Christ. Operations are is a state of transition at WFC and now more than ever we need you.
Please ask the Lord Jesus how He would have you partner with us this year.

In His Grip with You,

Monte E. Michael
Missions Minister/Chief Pilot
www.wings-for-christ.org
254-855-6785