The Plane Facts-Nov./Dec. 2013

The Plane Facts
sharejesus@gmail.com       November/December 2013       www.yourmissionary.org


Dear Friends,

One BIG blessing we gained from being with our family last month is that our prayer letter will now be mailed to you by our granddaughter!  Liane is only 15 years old, but trust me, she’s God’s girl and more than capable for the job.  The first thing she did was to teach us to use “Google Docs”.  We won’t be able to write hand written personal notes on the letters any more, but Sharon and I promise to write postcards and emails.  Please make sure we have your e-mail address. Thanks a lot, Liane.  You’re making it easier for us!

We recently asked you to pray for Maranantha, a Cuban-American church in Miami. Well, God sent their pastor David Monduy (his website: bit.ly/18FvssS) and their missions director to check out buying or renting our house.  They want it to be used by the new missionary family soon to come to Shell from Havana, Cuba.  The two men also spent 5 days in the jungle encouraging the churches we have helped start and, praise the Lord they really seemed to connect well with our new pilot Br. Juan Carrillo.  Please keep up the prayer; it looks like God’s at work.

Sharon and I, along with two other Gideons carried out a “Blitz” in Tena this past Sunday and Monday.  We gave out over 4,000 New Testaments in schools, hospitals, hotels and jails.  One of the highlights for me was meeting an older Italian monsignor.  I got to give him my testimony about how I received a New Testament in 9th grade while studying with Franciscan priests after Vatican II.  He gave us permission to distribute in his High School of 1,200 students and it was totally phenomenal! The Holy Spirit just filled those minutes with the students in each of the classrooms.

Sharon’s need for back surgery has been sufficiently confirmed to us.  We have prayed much about it and the vertebrae have moved since the last MRI and she is now in danger of losing feeling in her legs.  We are praying whether to have the operation done here or in the States.  It looks like the cost should not be a problem, but we pray God will positively control the results.  Please pray with us.

Give God thanks in everything,
Rick and Sharon

The Plane Facts Jan./Feb. 2013

The Plane Facts

sharejesus@gmail.com              Jan./Feb. 2013         theplanefacts.blogspot.com

Dear Friends,

            A great group of guys from the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, a denomination we hadn't previously met, came last month to do a short term missions project. There were 9 of them in all; a missionary, a dairy farmer, a pastor, an airline pilot, and a builder with his 12 year old son, among others! They pushed out the plane and invaded our little hangar with drills, welders, cut-off saws and other noise making tools. They then began to pre-fabricate a steel water tower to be taken out to the Indigenous Atschuar village of Chinkianentza. It all had to be flown in sections, not more than 8 feet long.  

            In the 80's, long before his village had running water, we had met Guillermo Chinkiam (the chief) while walking on the trail with his wife and family. Although he couldn't speak Spanish, somehow we communicated that we would go and show the "Jesus Film" to his people. Our son Freddie, who was only about 11 at the time, was with us on that trip and I remember him crying; "Dad, I can't do this anymore!"(as I poured the water out of his boots and wrung out his socks for the umpteenth time!). Chinkianentza now has a strong church with a number of believers and a nice long runway! Praise the Lord!!

            The response to last month's mention of possibly returning to the US to recruit missionaries was overwhelming!  One dear brother even wrote and said, "If you can use me, please count me in. I'm ready to go to Ecuador." So it seems to me that the dots are beginning to line up for us to move to a grass strip somewhere in the States. I'm almost ready to put out the "For Sale" sign, but Sharon doesn't feel peace about my sign idea. She believes that we should do everything in our power to see that this little operation stays in the Lord's service. Of course she's right! The opportunity for ministry here is incredible!

            In years gone by you used to get a family picture from us yearly…back in the days when we could dress the kids up, comb their hair and tell them to stand up straight and smile, but that was a while ago.  We recently sent a "hard copy" snapshot to some of you who still receive a paper copy of our prayer letter. Above you'll see one of us taken at our 45th Wedding Anniversary Celebration last July. The kids are in order of age from left to right: Ricky, Jon, Christina, Freddie, Joshua and Joel.  We could all use your prayers…especially the couple sitting in the front row.  And btw we really appreciate those prayers.  Prayer is the best investment any of us can make.  Thank you soo much!

Love like Jesus,

Rick and Sharon

PFC-PO Box 3298

Paradise, CA 95967