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.
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| 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."
