In Alaska, at these high latitudes, summer is short, beautiful, and intensive. In what is called “the interior” of the state at our base in Fairbanks Alaska, this summer has been exceedingly warm and sunny with high temperatures in the 70s, and a few days reaching into the low 80s. The significant downside has been the presence of wildfires. They cause thick smoke and the ever-threatening potential of danger to the lives and properties of those who may live in the path of such conflagrations.
With the warmer summer, it is a good time to get the maintenance completed on the aircraft that we use to do our work. It is actually quite pleasant to be working on the planes in the great out-of-doors. You find yourself also hearing and watching the birds singing. Working at the Fairbanks International Airport Floatplane base, you can also hear nearby airplanes taking off and landing. You also have the opportunity to meet and become friends with others nearby who are also taking care of their airplanes. Many times a cordial fraternity develops among pilots, aircraft mechanics, and owners. Some of our nearby airport neighbors are becoming closer friends, and we have been invited to visit them at their remote lakeside homes.
When a friendship with people is invested in, opportunities to help one another may lead to deeper relationships along more than superficial lines. These friendly connections are part of our commission to shine God’s light to the world. Matthew 5:14-16 states, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” When we are interacting with our neighbors, no matter where we are, we need to be sure our light is on a candlestick for the Lord.
Whether our official mission is medical flights, village ministry support, or church administration executive travel support, the people we meet in the daily round of living are also part of our God-given responsibility. AWA helps in all these areas at our various projects, especially the AWA Alaska Project. Thank you for your support to keep us flying and letting our light shine to the world!
Your AWA Alaska Project family,
Jim and Linda Kincaid
