Cessna 340A hard at work in the mission field

By Steve S | June 11, 2014

Dear Readers,

Here is a copy of a short letter I just wrote to the donor of our Cessna 340A mission plane. It is short and with the pictures, a bit interesting. So I have taken out the name and made a few changes so that it can be posted for your enjoyment. Please pray for safety as we travel and for the funds necessary to cover the fuel costs and landing fees associated with making the trip. As long as we have enough funds to begin the trip we go, knowing that God will provide the needed funds to complete the journey as we travel.

May God bless and encourage you,

Uncle David

June 5, 2014

Dear Sir,

Though it has taken us a bit longer than expected or desired, the Cessna 340A is working hard for the Lord. Though we had to make a bank loan to finish paying the balance on the maintenance, the Lord helped us to get it so the plane could begin to work. He is so good to us.

I just finished my first trip to Bolivia, South America. I also did side trips to Brazil and Colombia to carry missionaries and supplies, and drop off our GMI media director to do documentaries of the projects and work being done. Now I am in Grenada, heading on Thursday to Guadeloupe with our French media team to do a live transmission of an evangelistic series on our French channel, then on to Puerto Rico and the US. I have put about 100 hours on the plane in the last 5 weeks.

Yesterday I found out the good news that we have received funds to finish our studio and upgrade production equipment in Bolivia, so I will be loading on the equipment as soon as I get back to Tennessee and heading back to Bolivia. We are so grateful for the plane! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

I am attaching the following pictures:

Early morning departure after arrival from the US at the jungle international airport in Guayaramerin, Bolivia.

Early morning departure after arrival from the US at the jungle international airport in Guayaramerin, Bolivia.

Two volunteer families from Bolivia taken to Brazil. From there they caught the bus to Guyana. One family stayed there and the other was flown by our other plane, a C182, to Grenada to help install the TV broadcast equipment.

Two volunteer families from Bolivia taken to Brazil. From there they caught the bus to Guyana. One family stayed there and the other was flown by our other plane, a C182, to Grenada to help install the TV broadcast equipment.

A donated sawmill in Bolivia was needed in Colombia at our school. So after sawing all the longer pieces into shorter ones, the sawmill was carefully loaded and delivered with no problems.

A donated sawmill in Bolivia was needed in Colombia at our school. So after sawing all the longer pieces into shorter ones, the sawmill was carefully loaded and delivered with no problems.

Second batch of volunteer teachers and missionaries taken from Southern Bolivia to our school on the North border near Brazil.

Second batch of volunteer teachers and missionaries taken from Southern Bolivia to our school on the North border near Brazil.

Both our C340 and our C182 in Georgetown, Guyana. Once we arrived we made a flight with construction materials to our school in the interior of Guyana to a paved runway. From there everything was ferried into the small village with the C182.

Both our C340 and our C182 in Georgetown, Guyana. Once we arrived we made a flight with construction materials to our school in the interior of Guyana to a paved runway. From there everything was ferried into the small village with the C182.

Again, we express our gratefulness to you for your donation and help in getting the plane upgraded for the long international trips. I look forward to soon completing the installation of the wing locker tanks and bladder tanks (these already are purchased) which will allow us a longer range. I will keep you informed when that happens.

May God bless you richly,

David Gates
President
Gospel Ministries International
Posted in Mission Stories

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