We're movin' on up...!!!

    Well, Blogger does not seem to let me upload photos and videos lately...but I have a lot that I would like to show you!  Anyway, here's a brief update!!!


    The journey to Malawi was a huge success and I have been running like a mad man ever since! 


    Between the 16th and 26th of August I traveled to Malawi to meet with officials about beginning humanitarian aviation at last.  All meetings went well and all officials that we met with were highly supportive!  We met with the District Commissioner of Ntcheu, Nkosi Yamakosi Gomani V, The Chief Economic Advisor to the President, the Vice President's Primary Secretary, and The Deputy Director of Civil Aviation and several of his department heads.  My last full day in Malawi climaxed with nine meetings. 


    The final consensus is that this is a hugely needed mission in Malawi and will save many lives.  Also, all of the above are in agreement that we continue.  This mission has all the verbal support that I can dream of and now comes down to only a dollar amount and bunch of applications for final approval!  The dollar amount for initial cost is only about $85,000.  This amount includes the restoration of the BD-4 Airplane, shipping, and building an airport, house, and hangar.  This plan will reduce our monthly expenses by over $1,000. 


    The plan calls for a two year trial period.  We expect to have infrastructure fully developed in a half dozen remote villages within the first year.  From day one, we will be available to provide a "Remote Distribution Point" at the village that we live in.  Furthermore, we will work to develop our own crops and livestock from day one.  All excess produce will go directly to the needy in our village and help support our relief efforts, and the livestock will "seed" a goat, chicken, and cattle project. 


    We had a great time raising awareness and sharing the mission at the Stark County Fair last weekend with the BD-4 on display.  I believe that will yield significant support...it has already opened the doors to share with more folks through other local non-profits!  Since then, I have gotten busy working on some of the smaller restoration points on the plane. 


    Keep checking back...as soon as Blogger lets me, I will post new pictures AND videos!!!  We look forward to sharing more of this adventure with you and yours!!!

Visibility!!!

I have not been able to upload pictures lately...I will continue to work on that!  The great blessing today, though, is the offer to share our mission on Plus or Minus 60! 


I do not know precisely what to expect, but when I was offered the interview I could not turn it down!  What an amazing opportunity to gain visibility and raise awareness with a new audience! 


The immediate need is my next journey to Malawi and life-saving education for 80 orphans.


The needs to be further researched on that trip include the following:  missionary housing, legal training, aircraft shipping, operation, and storage, village accessibility.  Also, there is awesome hunger in Malawi right now.  The need is only growing daily.  We need to get there to continue to pursue our Vision!!!

Vision to Fruition!!!

    It has been a long haul since the last update!  Again, the enemy has attacked.  Again, The Almighty has prevailed!!!  AMEN!!!


    Delivering Hope International's vision to use aviation to rescue the oppressed is coming to fruition.  In God's economy, the need is only pocket change.  Today's need is to return to Malawi to evaluate our projects (I have not seen our well yet) and finish negotiations with the Republic of Malawi.  Recent flooding and massive humanitarian need has only exaggerated the need for us to quickly prepare and move to Malawi.  These trips will also include evaluating at least three sites for the ideal runway, hangar, and home for us to begin operations in. 


    An old aviator once said that if you can go to the bank and withdraw $100 bills until, rolled as tight as you can, you have a wad that you can barely wrap your fingers around, take it outside, douse it in gasoline, and light a match without shedding a tear...you're a good candidate to own an airplane.  Aviation is not cheap, but it is categorically the safest form of transportation in the world!  Furthermore, God is opening the doors to new regions of service...Malawi!  Also, Aviation saves MANY lives by turning a commute from hours to minutes...allowing for ready access to ministry supplies and medical evacuations not currently possible. 


    Proverbs 13:12 says: "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, It is a tree of life."  Will you help Deliver Hope today?

International Negotiations!

17 September, 2014 -  NYC:

    As we observed the minutes tick by making small talk with the security detail in the board room, curiosity intensified about which direction the meeting would take.  We had some difficulty getting to our meeting place...I suppose that it was understandable given the prestige of the other attendees...supposedly not a soul had any knowledge of the existence of our audience there on that particular day!  Was this reality unfolding in our lives during the UN Summit?  Or a mere dream?

    At last we heard a distinctive knock and announcement from outside the room where a Malawian Security Detail stood guard with a team of U.S. Marshalls.  We all stood to receive our hostess.  "Her Excellency Madam Gertrude Mutharika", First Lady of Malawi, her Chief Advisor, and The Chief Advisor to President Peter Muthalika, entered the room to join me, Percilla, and our mediator, Naomi Chidiwa.  The meeting seemed to start rather slow with a bit of small talk and customary introductions.  Then, at last, this kid from Northeast Ohio was asked to speak his mind. 

    As surreal as the occasion seemed at times, I was sure that *Revelation 10:11 and **Psalm 119:46 held absolutely true and that this meeting was ordained by the Almighty.  As I opened the meeting with prayer and began to outline the vision of mission aviation in Malawi an almost giddy excitement filled the room and crept across the faces of these diplomats.  There was an overwhelming welcome of the plan.  Madam Mutharika asked how long we would be in New York City and immediately summoned the Chief Economic Advisor to the President and Deputy Director of Beautify Malawi Fund, Dr. Collins Magalasi for meeting number two.  About forty-five minutes later he arrived and we dove headlong into discussing the "technical details" of the mission.  Dr. Magalasi's excitement seemed to match that of the rest of the delegation that day as he asked me to prepare a proposal and submit it to him and The First Lady as soon as possible.  I asked, "When would you like it in your hands?"  His light-hearted reply rang, "YESTERDAY! I want it YESTERDAY!" 

22 September 2014:

    I submitted my proposal to the Malawian heads of state via e-mail outlining the duties and responsibilities of all anticipated participants in the plan.  Our primary obligation in this agreement is to finish modifications and recertification of the BD-4 Aircraft that was donated to Delivering Hope International in June, export it to Malawi, and accept full responsibility of ownership, funding, maintenance, and operation of it in Malawi.  The BD-4 is a four-place, home-built plane that falls under the "Experimental" category in the United States.  It boasts a nearly 1,000 pound useful load, and leaps off the ground in about six-hundred feet (200 m).  Even with the Lycoming O-360 (180 horse power) Engine, the BD-4 is an economical choice capable of burning either Aviation Gasoline (Avgas) or Automotive fuel of the proper grade.  This aircraft currently sits in a tricycle gear configuration but can be rather easily modified to a taildragger, and has boasted an amazing safety track record.    Furthermore, the BD-4 has the potential of transporting one patient laying down and one health care worker in addition to the pilot. 



BD-4 on Static Display at 2D1 Airport. 
We need all radios, Cleveland Torque Plates, Propeller...it's about 90% project.



    We will continue to partner with Save Widows and Orphans Foundation to facilitate projects in the "bush" areas and may partner with Beautify Malawi Fund to assist with health education and inner-city clean-up.  Our primary focus and passion will continue to be the "Unseen" needs.  Indigenous rescue, relief, and supply of remote indigenous organizations focused on the widow and orphan will be our top priority!  Except in life-threatening situations Government and Western-based organizations and individuals will take the lowest priority. 

    The next meeting will be between Naomi Chidiwa and Dr. Collins Magalasi upon her return to Malawi.  Dr. Magalasi asked me in our initial meeting to follow that up as soon as possible with a personal meeting with department heads to hash out the specific details of the mission and get educated in Malawian Law.  I will make that trip as soon as funds allow.  Only the Almighty God knows for sure what the future holds, but I know for a fact who holds the future!!!

*Revelation 10:11 - "And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."
**Psalm 119:46 - "I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed."

It's Official!!!

I've got to give The Almighty God ALL praise!!!  Tremendous thanks to you too! 

This past week we received our tax exempt status approval from the IRS.  We are now OFFICIALLY a 501(c)3 Corporation.  Delivering Hope International (DHI) is a Christian Not for Profit organization with a three-fold long-term goal: Missionary Team Mobilization, Aircraft Response, and Humanitarian Aid.  We are already actively mobilizing short-term missionary teams and successfully providing clean drinking water and health education to remote villages.  When DHI is mature, we will be dispatching aircraft to more hostile regions for humanitarian rescue & relief, and missionary support including medical and hostile extractions.

Between success in our Malawi projects, receipt of our first airplane, and the request for a meeting with Malawi's Vice President next month, God's blessing is overwhelmingly evident!  We expect to see the doors that The Omnipotent has already opened to be thrust open even wider as we discuss issues of Aviation, Education, and Medical access with top national leaders. 

As you follow our story, please share our story with others.  Like and share us on Facebook, petition support and speaking engagements at your church or civic group, and lift us up in prayer daily!  Why does God choose to bless this kid from NE Ohio?  I aint got a clue.  What I do know is that Jehovah is sovereign!!!

U.S. RN, Carla Hart, in her glory, enjoying the honor of naming a newborn in a Malawian OB ward. 
She also blessed this new mother with a warm blanket and hat for little Anna!

First Aircraft!

    On Monday, 09 June 2014, I traveled with my nephew, Jeremiah, to pick up a special donation from a dear friend and supporter from our church in Arkansas. 



Beginning to unload at 2D1 Mx.

    In the couple weeks prior, I received a handful of phone calls from an Arkansas phone number.  On the other end was a dear supporter and fellow pilot asking advice about various airplanes, performance, etc.  Finally, near the end of one conversation, he informed me that he's trying to buy us an airplane and wondered if it would be of any benefit to the ministry.  As we began discussing it in that context, he started work to close the deal and purchase a plane on our behalf. 



Home at 2D1, Barber Airport.

    Early last Monday we loaded up a few tools and supplies and struck out from our home in Canton, Ohio for Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania to receive the gift of a BD4 airplane.  The BD4 was the "original kit plane" and has the safest track record of them all.  This project plane served well for 247 hours over 7 years and  last flew in 1980.  It was taken out of commission by it's owner/builder for design improvements.  The bulk of the work was completed including a new redesigned vertical stabilizer, nose landing gear, and fuel sumps in the wings...just needed reinstalled. 



Here's a tip...!

    After loading the plane and additional parts for the return trip we were honored to have supper with the sellers, Michael and Stephen Lanyi, sons of Ernest Lanyi.  Through Mike and Steve we got to know a little bit of their father, his passion, and his legacy.  Mr. E. S. Lanyi was an engineer who had a heart for people and passion for aviation.  Over the years he introduced many to the love of flying, helped them build their own planes, and watched them successfully take to the skies.  I am told that he would have been thrilled to know that his legacy has a chance to impact lives around the globe. 



Nearly in the air again!

    I had the privilege of spending Father's Day afternoon with my Beautiful Bride (Thomas & Megan too) checking out the fuel, ignition, and starting systems and getting it to fire.  We saw enough success that I think we're nearly ready to hang the wings and leak check the fuel tanks...then we'll run 'er right!  We praise The Almighty for this tremendous blessing.  Already coined by Forrest Barber "The Malawi Express", I look forward to seeing how God will use it to further the mission of Delivering Hope International!  As I continue inspecting and reassembling this blessing I will keep you informed of the progress and any special needs that arise to make her fly again!




Thank you, Thomas, for your help &
spending Tuesday behind the Camera!

Threshold Crossed!

Today, Monday, 28 April 2014 I was issued my Inspection Authorization Certificate (IA) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)!

For the two years that we have been back in the USA I have been working feverishly toward my IA.  The FAA requires that a mechanic hold  both Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic's ratings for at least three years, and actively work as a mechanic for at least two years straight to be eligible for an IA.  We knew that this rating would be the great threshold between us and the ultimate success of the mission.


Thank you for providing this well in the Kaloga Area.



Two weeks ago, I traveled with fellow pilot/mechanic, Kurt Blymiller, to Nashville to attend Baker's School of Aeronautics (Kurt went to complete his A&P).  Kurt is an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), the highest pilot rating in the USA, and is type-rated in numerous turbine aircraft.   He informed me that the A&P tests were the MOST DIFFICULT battery of tests he has ever taken...also said that the only difficult test left for me to attain the rest of my flight ratings is the "Instrument" (IFR).  "The rest is just plane fun", he said!  Time will tell if he told me the truth...!

Next Steps:   I have purchased a test prep package and have started working on my Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI).  I plan to continue with my Ground Instructor ratings until I'm back in the air again.  This will also give me the academic refresher that I need as a pilot too...it's sure to "knock the rust out from under my wings."  Also, in May we will be solidifying the dates for our next Africa trips!

I'm now based at 2D1 providing light maintenance, inspections, and installations on light aircraft.  You con drop in nearly any time to check us out &/or support our mission.