Early this month I was in Honduras to inspect a Cessna 206 operated by Missionary Air Group (MAG. I've been home over a couple of weeks and need to finish the story I began in an earlier blog.
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| Post-inspection operational check and adjusting a newly installed compass completed work on the plane. |
The inspection revealed a well maintained airplane. However, a significant crack in the outlet of the right exhaust muffler caused the immediate purchase of a replacement muffler and its expedited shipment to Honduras. FedEx doesn't deliver to the small village of Rus Rus, but another missionary aircraft operator loaned us a good used muffler. It allowed me to certify the plane's airworthiness and let us fly to San Pedro Sula to receive the new muffler that had been ordered.
My experience in Honduras was not just airplane maintenance. I became acquainted with Westley and Denise Wiles and enjoyed their hospitality. Through the Wiles and MAG president, Sean Donnelly, I learned much more about their work in Rus Rus. I also met Elvin, a teenage resident there, who is serious about living out his Christian faith.
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Elvin on his way home from playing "fĂștbol" agreed to this picture with me.
On the Sunday afternoon that I was there, Elvin came by the Wiles' house and asked a question about how our faith should affect our conduct. It challenged me greatly to reach way back and drag my Spanish language ability out of storage. Borrowing the Wiles' Spanish language Bible, I had Elvin read verses that spoke to his question. I believe it helped Elvin, it certainly was a refresher course in Spanish for me, and our conversation is one of the highlights of my trip. |
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| Jack |
I also met Jack. Jack is a white-throated capuchin monkey and has been the Wiles' pet for practically all of his four years. He occupies a large enclosure at one end of the porch and enjoys interacting with his owners and their visitors from time to time outside his cage.
For me, the best part of a trip is getting home. I arrived at our house very early Sunday morning, March 11th, and the following Saturday our little granddaughter, Kiara, went home from the hospital. It's been a good month!