Gabharts Newsletter June 2022

June 2022

The word we have been reflecting on recently is “transition.”

The first area, which is minor in comparison to the others, is in getting used to the weather here. As someone used to experiencing four very distinct seasons, this is very different. Our winter and spring temperatures of 70-80 degree highs have transitioned to the summer temperatures of 80-90 degree highs. The distinguishing feature of summer here is the frequent afternoon thunderstorms and the humidity. Most days start sunny in the morning, shift to overcast in the afternoon, and then move into rain and thunder in the late afternoon and evening. This makes the flights that Missionary Flights does interesting for our pilots as they navigate home. This also means that the best time for outdoor activities is in the morning.


Before


After
I wore my “mechanic hat” and installed a new rail for cargo straps on the aircraft floor
The second area of transition is at Missionary Flights itself. In the last several months, we have had a number of staff transition into other roles. Two of our pilots felt God leading them into the airlines and have left MFI. Our reservationist left to pursue being a doula. Our bookkeeper left to spend more time helping with her family’s company. The gentleman who handled our missionaries’ questions has retired. Our volunteer coordinator has shifted roles within MFI to do more community relations. This has resulted in new people coming on board. We have a new reservationist, new bookkeeper, and new volunteer coordinator. We also had a new pilot start in June. I’ve been asked to help answer the missionaries’ questions and am trying to take that on in addition to learning the Load Master position. The intention is to have a team able to answer questions. As others are trained, I won’t be trying to do two full-time jobs. Transitions like this are opportunities for growth as well as fumbling. Please pray that this transition is handled well, that MFI grows through this transition, and that our stumbles are kept minimal.



Repackaging 9,000 Covid Tests into fewer boxes to send to Haiti

Repackaging 9,000 Covid Tests into fewer boxes to send to Haiti

The third area of transition is in our communication. Recently we’ve been having several devotional thoughts and sermons on the power of prayer. We’ve realized that we’re not communicating prayer needs as often as we could be. To that end, we are going to start sending a monthly prayer calendar. Each day will have an item to pray for: some will be generic, some will be specific to MFI, and some will be specific to our family. We plan to start in July as an opt-in type publication – meaning we would like you to request this via mail (742 Forster Ave, Sebastian, FL 32958) or email (gabhartsflyingbyfaith@gmail.com) – rather than assuming all of our newsletter recipients would be interested in this.

Thank you for your love, prayers, and support as we serve at MFI.

James and Sam Gabhart

Family News
Summer is most definitely upon us.  The weather is warm, humid, and a great opportunity to go to the beach when possible.  Our favorite place to go is fondly referred to as “The Bathtub Side” of the Sebastian Inlet, one of many Florida State Parks.  Sam and the kids go almost weekly and all three kids are becoming stronger swimmers.

Sam and the kids are developing a new routine of running.  Back in May, we had the opportunity as a family to participate in a Mud Run at the Teen Missions headquarters on Merritt Island.  It was shortly after that when Sam began running on her own, and now the kids have joined her.  Now they each are taking turns having a run time with mom.  Going forward, these times will be rolled into our official homeschool curriculum.

Post-run Photo

Defense!
Church Basketball League

“Hustle Back!”
Church Basketball League

Post Game
Church Basketball League

As the school year drew to an end, the kids were excited for a break from the usual amount of work each week.  Being homeschool kids, they don’t take too much of a break during the summer. This summer, we are reading “Artemis Fowl”, working on solidifying some math facts, creating Bible stories out of Lego, reading independently each day, and helping out with chores around the house.  We have fun going up to church to practice basketball for the church league on Saturdays and going to the Sebastian Inlet. The kids thrive on having some sort of expectations to meet before they can play games, and as their parents, we are thrilled to help them. 

Meet the Director of Global Personnel Services at International Ministries 2022

I have been blessed to serve both as a global servant and now on the home office staff with International Ministries, an organization that has been an important part of my family’s life for over twenty years.
In 2001, my wife, Terry, and I accepted a call to serve with International Ministries in Bulgaria where we served for seventeen years. During that time we partnered with the Bulgarian Baptist Union in various ministries—economic and community development, education, abolishing trafficking in persons and global slavery, and for a short time working with immigrants and refugees. We also had the opportunity to host several short-term mission teams. Through all the years we were blessed by the support of our partner in Bulgaria and by the staff at International Ministries.
In 2018, we felt that our time in Bulgaria was coming to a close. At the same time there was a position on the home office staff which I felt called to apply for, so in 2019 I transitioned to my current role as Director of Global Personnel Services.
When asked what this position involves, I often describe it as human resources for our global servants, and much of what I do falls into that category—compensation, benefits, health insurance, grants and allowances for specific location needs, etc.
But to me it is so much more.
It is helping provide member care for the global servants and families. It is being prepared to react to crises if they arise and assist in whatever way is necessary. It is about helping with transitions—from the beginning, through US/Puerto Rico assignments, and in retirement. But most importantly, it is walking alongside IM’s global servants so they can effectively live out God’s calling.
What is the best part of my job? The best part of my job is getting to hear amazing stories of what God is doing through IM’s global servants and partners around the world, and the stories of how God is calling the next generation to go and serve.

Tom Myers
Director of Global Personnel Services

June 2022 Eye Clinic Results

Dear Loved Ones

Greeting from Samford University Campus in Birmingham, Alabama where we are both attending the Baptist World Alliance. The June work of the eye clinic continues to be very encouraging. The team of the eye clinic want out 3 times to treat patients in the comfort of their own homes. Please find here some statistics:  

662 patients were consulted

402 lab tests  done in our own laboratory

23 operations realized on patients.

Please be  praying for the ministry of the  eye clinic as its nurses risk their life trying to serve of the poor in the remote zones.

Serving the Master in Haiti,

Nzunga & Kihomi