I am adding in an additional update amid COVID-19 as many have asked how we are doing and how this affects our training and future plans.

Our Family:

We are doing well and our groceries (and TP) are stocked. The JAARS campus is closed for the day-to-day staff but is a great place for kids with plenty of open spaces to play. This is a huge blessing; since the campus is somewhat closed-off from the outside world we have freedom to leave our apartment and stave off cabin fever while remaining on JAARS Campus.

In case a haven’t already I will take a moment to explain what/who JAARS is. JAARS (Jungle Aviation And Radio Services) is the aviation arm of Wycliffe Bible Translators. AIM AIR doesn’t have any aviation facilities in the USA so they are a Subscribing Organization to JAARS Standards and are partnered with them for technical evaluation and training. This is in North Carolina and is where I went through my Technical Evaluation last August.

Daniel’s Training:

My training has been modified to maintain as much social distancing as is practical. That means that any class work that can be done at home (or from an isolated location) is being done via a virtual classroom. So far this is working well and the PFO (Pre-Field Orientation) training schedule is on track. We will keep everyone up to date as this unfolds and we get a clearer picture of how this will affect our timeline.

Organizational response:

Both JAARS and AIM have issued their official responses, which are constantly fluctuating as we continue to learn more. Among other things, both responses include the basic COVID-19 advice for social distancing and limiting group size. JAARS has stopped aviation operations for at least the next 10 days with the exception of the modified maintenance and pilot training.

In light of the panic and unrest that has taken place I want to leave you with some encouragement from scripture that is applicable for these times. I am reading through Revelation right now and this verse struck me. Even in the final days of judgement it is revealed to John that the elders fall down before God, cast their crowns down before Him, signifying their authority comes under Him and proclaim:

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11 ESV)

Everything in existence is here because He allowed it and falls under His authority. COVID-19 doesn’t phase God because He maintains authority over all things. His sovereignty is a great promise of hope for the Christ-follower.

The following is an exert from the Director of AIM International in his response:

“Note too, that Jesus doesn’t say “don’t fear, because everything is going to be fine.”  Quite the contrary.  We can find plenty of verses that tell us that things are not going to be fine, at least in this world.  But some very important things are going to be just fine.  Like…

• The Father loves us, saves us, seals us, cares for us, and nothing can ever change this.
• Jesus is building His church, and nothing can ever stop this.
• We are being transformed, and made into the image of Christ, and nothing can prevent this from eventually happening.
• The days of our life are written down, and nothing can take away even one of them.
• Jesus’ lost sheep will hear His voice and come to Him, and no one can stop any of them.

My precious fellow workers, take heart.  Our Father is good.  He is powerful.  He is in control.  We are His.  The blood of Jesus is the guarantee of everything, and will be victorious over COVID, Ebola, Malaria, HIV, Heart Disease, Cancer, financial woes, insecurity, closed borders, and whatever else this fallen world can throw at us.”

We are grateful for your prayers as supporters and know that we have prayed for you as well. We know that this has affected all of us in some way.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (Matthew 6:33)