“My
mind leaped for joy at the thrilling thought of combining flying with my love
for God.” ~ Betty Greene in Flying High
Betty Greene ~ MAF photo
I recently read through a book full of stories from Betty Greene's life. It showcased the loving spirit with which she served so many. Betty was a remarkable Christian woman who used her talents flying for the Lord all across the world. With many others, she helped found Mission Aviation Fellowship and she flew MAF’s very first flight to Mexico in a bright red biplane. Throughout her lifetime she gave to the Lord her efforts and time for his service in a wide range of environments that included the US, Mexico, Peru, Sudan and Dutch New Guinea.
“(Betty) showed… an overall commitment
to give her best in response to God’s calling, working cooperatively with both men
and women in service together under the lordship of Christ. She was a quiet pioneer who demonstrated by
her life that serving God faithfully provides both the greatest satisfaction in
life and all one needs to make life challenging.” ~ Dr. Marguerite Kraft in the
Epilogue of Flying High: The Amazing Story of Betty Greene and the Early Years
of Mission Aviation Fellowship.
Throughout our lives Grady and I have both been blessed to
have many examples of Christian believers at work for the kingdom at home,
church, work and in formal missions settings.
(I say formal because we are firm believers that we should all be
missionaries sharing Christ’s love in all the different settings we may find
ourselves). We have had the privilege of
being raised in Christian homes by loving parents who gave of themselves to
others on a regular basis. There are
grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, siblings, friends and neighbors who
have shown us regularly what it means to love one another as Christ loves
us.
Grady's Grandpa & Grandma Ellis, long time missionaries on the Navajo Reservation
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Grady's parents, strong Christian role models
Holly's Grandpa & Grandma Clark, gifted in hospitality
Holly's Grandpa & Grandma Unruh, faithful servants
For that we are truly thankful and can only pray that we will
do half so well at showing others Christ’s heart for them. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue
on this journey. We need the Lord’s
strength and support to minister to others not only overseas but also here as
we prepare to go.
As pilots we are delighted to be able to use a skill we
love to aid the work of the Lord. I feel a kindred spirit in Betty, my sister in Christ, as I read her words: “My mind leaped for joy at the thrilling
thought of combining flying with my love for God.”
A collection of shots, showcasing our love of aviation:
A family legacy of aviation in missions ~ Grady's Grandpa flew as an air ambulance on the reservation.
Grady, the private pilot
Holly's first solo flight, with her instructor Wally Funk
Holly's parents fly in during college for a visit
Holly & her Dad during her internship
Holly & Grady out for a flight over the San Juan Islands
Diego in Opa's RV8
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