The Plane: Somewhere over Canada, our pilot quietly made an announcement. “Please remain calm, finish your meal and buckle your seat belts. One of our engines has lost all of its oil and we are shutting it down. It will take about an hour to return to Minneapolis. Those of you sitting behind the engines possibly will see some of the fuel we must jettison out of the tank. We are too heavy to land safely.” Strangely enough, everyone remained quiet and calm as we turned the fully-loaded 747 airplane around and headed back for the repair.
Upon approaching the landing, we realized the physical danger we were in as we observed that we were surrounded on the ground with flashing lights from six fire trucks and many police cars. We were so glad to be safely on the ground. Six hours later we boarded the same plane and proceeded on our journey across the Pacific to train 25 new Asian missionary candidates—many going to RAN nations.
Is the danger worth it? We think God’s work is worth it. The missionaries are worth it. And the lost still waiting are worth it. How often we must acknowledge that our lives are truly in the Father’s trustworthy hand and He is in charge—no matter where in the world we are.
RAN Missionary