Some weekends are unforgettable, and this was one of them. We had the privilege of going on a flying adventure with AIM Air, piloted by our son Bobby, along with two Moody Aviation interns. We visited ministries working tirelessly to impact lives for the glory of God. It gave us a glimpse of how mission aviation is changing lives and furthering the Gospel in remote parts of Africa.

Korr – Meeting Pastor David

Our first stop was Korr, a remote and breathtakingly simple community. There, we met Pastor David, a man who has a heart for sharing the Gospel with his people and beyond. As we listened to his stories, we were amazed at how AIM Air has played a crucial role in reaching the unreached.

Through their flights, people in remote areas are receiving life-saving help they would otherwise never get—medical care, supplies, and support that open the door for them to hear about the God who loves them and the people who serve in His name.

Hearing how God is moving among Pastor David’s tribe and others was humbling and inspiring.

These are people living in simplicity, free from many of the distractions we face as Americans. Yet, they have challenges of their own—ones that we rarely have to think about.

Marsabit – The Joys of Flying in Small Aircraft

From Korr, we took a short flight to Marsabit—or at least we tried! It took two attempts because of thick cloud cover over the airport. That’s part of the adventure when flying in small aircraft—you have to trust the pilot and adjust to the unpredictable!

Once we landed safely, we had a beautiful lunch before heading back to Korr and preparing for our next stop.

Eldoret – Visiting Samaritan’s Purse

From Korr, we flew on to Eldoret to visit Samaritan’s Purse, where AIM Air partners as needed to help with their mission work. Samaritan’s Purse generously hosted us at their beautiful housing compound. We were able to tour their hangar and learn more about their ministries across Africa.

One particular ministry that deeply touched my heart was their work in South Sudan, where children suffering from cleft lip and palate endure more than just a physical condition. These children often face relentless bullying, social rejection, and even neglect from their own families—all because of something they were born with.

In the most remote parts of South Sudan, there is no access to hospitals that can treat cleft conditions. But Samaritan’s Purse Mission Aviation Services is stepping into that gap. Their DC-3 aircraft is converted from carrying cargo to transporting multiple families to areas where their medical teams can perform life-changing cleft lip surgeries.

https://video.samaritanspurse.org/transforming-the-lives-of-cleft-lipped-children-in-south-sudan

Through these surgeries, children receive more than a new smile—they receive a new identity and a new hope in Christ. Many of these children are given names like “Deformed” at birth, but after their surgery, they are given new names full of meaning and dignity.

Here’s another powerful story of transformation:
📽️ My Name is ‘Deformed’

This ministry is a beautiful example of how God is using aviation, medical missions, and compassionate service to bring healing and hope to the most vulnerable.

The Flight Back to Nairobi – A Reminder of Trust

After a full morning, we boarded the plane for our return flight to Nairobi. Getting back was a bit more of an adventure than expected! As we approached, we hit a serious downdraft. Not knowing much about “pilot speak”, we weren’t exactly sure what was happening, but we could tell Bobby was making some quick adjustments.

Through it all, he remained cool, calm, and collected—a great reminder of how important it is to have a skilled pilot at the controls! If the first attempt hadn’t worked, he had a couple of backup options. We were grateful for his expertise, and even more grateful to land safely back in Nairobi.

A Glimpse Into the World of Mission Aviation

Spending time with Bobby and AIM Air gave us a deeper appreciation for mission aviation and its role in spreading the Gospel. There are so many ways to impact others for the glory of God—whether through flying, preaching, medical missions, or simply being willing to go where He calls.

This trip reminded us that God is working in ways we can’t always see, in places we may never visit, through people we may never meet. But every effort, every flight, and every act of service matters in His Kingdom.

As we spend our last couple of days in Nairobi with Bobby, Sarah and the boys, our hearts are full. This experience was a gift, and we’re grateful for the chance to see firsthand how God is using aviation, missions, and ministries to bring His love to the world.