SUBJECT: AWA Project Airpower Plane Arrives in Guyana

AUTHOR: David Gates, his wife Becky, and two of their five children - Carlos and Kristopher, work in a medical aviation program in the jungles of Guyana, South America.

DATE: December 1999

Maintenance stop in Dominica Wayne working on the magneto

LAUNCHED
The cold front was moving in from the North as I headed South from Michigan to Illinois with AWA's Project Air Power beautiful yellow Cessna 182. Following several weeks of test flights and final inspection, the launching ceremony at Andrews Airpark had properly represented this "angel of mercy" as carrying God's love to thousands waiting God's love in Guyana's dense jungles. The participation and prayers of thousands of Pathfinders was reaching fluition.

PLANE PROVIDES BROADCAST SUPPORT
Carrying video tapes and donated video equipment the plane departed our farm in Illinois for Collegedale, TN --- just ahead of the cold winter weather. There, final adjustments were made to the aircraft and Wayne Smith joined me as co-pilot for the trip down. Wayne is a professional pilot and RN, and recently completed aviation maintenance training at Andrews. He is expecting to begin full-time service with AWA in Guyana next year. Marcio Costa, who will someday be the primary pilot and mechanic of the Air Power aircraft was unable to come as he had a speaking appointment in Brazil. Marcio and his wife Jane, an RN, will be joining us next year also after Jane delivers their first child in February.

On Monday afternoon, Wayne and I headed for Guyana, with overnight stops in Miami, Puerto Rico, Dominica, Grenada and Trinidad. The stop in Dominica was for maintenance adjustments, but proved providential in other ways too.. During the entire trip, the HF radio worked perfectly. Full radio following was provided by my father in Illinois. Thanks Daddy.

Plane arrives safely at Ogle aerodrome in Guyana

GOD ALREADY AT WORK
Though not having reached Guyana yet, word has already reached me through Winston James in Guyana that the Department of Civil Aviation is actively working on the paperwork for local registration and temporary operating permit until that process is finished. The plane hasn't even arrived yet, but God is already preparing the way.

MOVE NOW!
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this plane will prove to be a strategic asset to God's work in Guyana. Through God's help, efforts to get the plane launched this year instead of waiting for early next year may prove vital to future strategic plans. We must not forget that "When God opens the way for the accomplishment of a certain work and gives assurance of success, the chosen instrumentality must do all in his power to bring about the promised result. In proportion to the enthusiasm and perseverance with which the work is carried forward will be the success given. God can work miracles for His people only as they act their part with untiring energy." Prophets and Kings, p.263

Thank you for continuing to hold up this ministry in prayer every day.

Your brother In His Service,

David Gates

PS. A special word of thanks goes to Norman and Dan Peek, who took 3 weeks of time they didn't have to put in the avionics package and complete the electrical work. Thanks also must go to Glen Windler who provided support and did the paperwork, and to Brooks Payne for the long hours put in to ensure that the logbooks and final details were all in order. Thank you AWA for making the plane available, and for prioritizing the launch for this year. Thank you in the name of those who are unable to say thanks, but whose will receive physical care and eternal life.