A lot has happened since our last update, and we’re eager to share how God has been leading us through both challenges and triumphs! As many of you know, 2023 brought some difficult times, including the loss of the Alouette helicopter and our dear team members, Daniel and Janelle. Just a few months later, in July, the red R44 helicopter was damaged beyond repair in a forced landing. These trials tested us deeply, yet they became stepping stones toward triumphs. They’ve lead us to our knees, both personally and as a team. They have also spurred positive changes, such as enhanced training programs, particularly for our newer pilots. (Daniel was an experienced pilot and mechanic who had been with us for many years, and the weather conditions were favorable at the time. We can only speculate that a mechanical failure caused the helicopter to go down.) And for the R44 incident, we are thankful that no one was seriously injured. However, our flight operations across the country, including airplane missions, were suspended for six months. Even amidst these setbacks, we’ve witnessed how God has worked through these challenges, using them to bring about greater things for His glory.
God restores with 1st new helicopter
In November, through our partnership with AngelOne, we were able to purchase a 2013 R66 helicopter from Malaysia—a huge miracle and an incredible encouragement to all of us! This helicopter is larger and newer than the R44 we lost, and we are incredibly thankful for this provision. God sustained the PAMAS team with faith and courage during these trials and replaced what Satan had taken down, showing us that He is still leading His work forward!
The first new helicopter – providing support for the remote schools and villages of Palawan
In January, one of our new helicopter pilots, Brendon, and I flew the R66 from Malaysia to the Philippines. Flying an aircraft into the country is much easier than importing it in a shipping container. The flight suspension was lifted earlier that month, thanks to many prayers and God’s miracles! We resumed operations, providing medical transport and logistical support for mission schools and clinics in remote areas once again.
Prayers answered for more laborers
The disappearance of the Alouette helicopter, along with the dedication of missionaries willing to sacrifice their lives in service to God, touched hearts around the world. We continue to meet people who share how this inspired them to become missionaries. God has used this tragedy as an answer to years of praying for more laborers!
PAMAS Pilots and mechanics during the dedication of the 1st new helicopter
Strategic Planning for growth
As PAMAS continues to grow, we’ve recognized the need to structure the organization more formally. In January, God brought the right people to guide us with a strategic planning session. Friends from AngelOne, along with Steve Dickman from OCI, were invaluable as we spent several days planning with project leaders from each base. Together, we clarified our mission, vision, and goals ensuring we move forward in the right direction. We are deeply grateful for how God has been leading us step by step.
Looking at maps of the Philippines during strategic planning
FARM STEW helps vulnerable communities
The strategic planning has also brought more work – keeping us even more busy! New missionaries have joined us to help in various roles, and this is all a blessing. The FARM STEW program is thriving and it’s so rewarding to see it grow and even expand into other countries! We now have four new FARM STEW missionaries deployed to vulnerable communities to share God’s recipe for abundant life! And we’re working on another training scheduled for March 2025!
FARM STEW missionaries sharing God’s recipe for abundant life in vulnerable villages
Bigger miracles with 2nd Helicopter
Wendy and I flew to the U.S. at the end of June and were blessed to attend the Elevate Mission Aviation Fly-In at Oklahoma Academy in July. The time of fellowship and networking with others interested and involved in mission aviation was very fruitful. A few weeks later, God provided again through AngelOne for a second R66 helicopter, which I picked up in Destin, Florida. This was yet another triumph—a true miracle that shows God is in the business of restoring and providing for His work! After waiting over 10 years to acquire our other helicopters, God provided two larger and better ones in just a few short months!
Panel of mission aviation pilots share experiences at Elevate
I flew the 2nd new helicopter to the ASI Convention in Orlando, where it was displayed at the AngelOne booth. Attending the convention was a tremendous blessing—we heard inspiring messages and connected with many others who have a heart for missions and are serving in various parts of the world.
Second new helicopter displayed at ASI Convention in Florida
More mission planes for God’s service
We spent most of August in Georgia, working on aircraft at a friend’s hangar in LaFayette. Over the summer, I completed annual inspections on four mission planes and one helicopter, and I installed an engine and avionics in a Cessna 206. We also had the privilege of picking up a newly refurbished Cessna 182, now ready for mission service. In addition, we visited family, friends, and relatives in California, Montana, and other states. Wherever we go, it’s always a privilege to share in homes and churches about what God is doing—He is so faithful!
L – Prayer circle with MMS mechanics before flying away with newly refurbished 182. R – Dwayne working on new 206
The 2nd new helicopter is now being used for advanced training with three of our pilots before we ship it to the Philippines, along with the “new” Cessna 206 that God has provided.
2nd new helicopter – slated for Mindanao – big miracle from God!
Through every challenge and triumph, we are reminded that this work is not ours but His. God’s faithfulness, provision, and guidance continue to amaze us, and we give Him all the glory for what He has done and will do. We are also deeply grateful for each of you—our faithful supporters, donors, and prayer warriors—who make this mission possible.Your partnership allows us to move from trials to triumphs, reflecting God’s power to accomplish His purposes through us. May His Name be praised as He uses ordinary people, including all of us together, to accomplish extraordinary things for His kingdom!
