Mission Trip to North Carolina

The Third week of March we traveled to Waxhaw North Carolina to work at JAARS...The support site for Bible translation of Wycliffe.   They train and support missionaries that are working on translating the Bible into the heart language of many groups throughout the world.

While our work was in support of house renovation and building a playground for families that are there for training or on furlough - it was rewarding to hear the first hand accounts of God at work through many heroes of faith we were able to meet.

 Each of these bookcases contain completed new testaments or full Bibles each in a different language - at this time there are about 1800 languages yet to be translated and written down...which means they still have no written communication - no alphabet whatsoever.

Due to cold rainy weather - we worked indoors at a house being readied for a new family - it had not been remodeled for many years....hmmm a lot like home.  Nancy and many of our workers painted and stripped wallpaper - and fixed tile and plumbing projects...I was trimming out the windows that never got finished after being installed.

They have a full airplane shop where they modify and repair airplanes

 These are not Bombs - although they look like them - they are aerodynamic cargo compartments....vital when space is limited

 The Cab of this Helicopter is being used to learn how to modify it so that a person can be airlifted out in case of medical emergency in places a plane cannot land.   They are working to be able to get a full sized stretcher in there - which it's was not designed to be able to do... 

In many places - rivers and lakes are the only runways

 They have two runways - one regular...and one "Jungle style" so pilots can practice and be trained to land on a grass hillside ...On this sunny day we there were many takeoffs and landings as pilots and mechanics tested the planes

 Help Wanted here!.   This old fire boat is being refurbished to transport people and goods from the islands.  It will replace the dug out canoes as the only means of transportation that are still used for Ocean transport...to the peril of many.  They are in need of fabricators - and tarp sewers - and boat painters for an ocean craft made of aluminum

This is the beginning of the playground structure that will resemble an airplane.

It is located in view of the runway so kids can watch planes and dream of flying themselves.  It also will serve as a place for families to connect with each other.  It is located by a swing set - a soccer field - and a sand volleyball court.    I will send out a picture when it gets finished - wished we could have done more.   Maplewood church donated all the funds to bring this to completion....   

We were so blessed to be able to experience this.