One day of my life

Aeronautics's meeting, pilots and mechanics.

Blue angel pilots sharing with the students.

Hi,
How good is to be able to communicate with each one of you what God has been allowing me to live this semester. I haven't updated the blog for a little more than a month but now I have a surprise that will basically cover my daily activities.

In this opportunity I have decided to thank each one of those who have been helping me and supporting me with your prayers during my studies. I have prepared a video that even it is not of the best quality, it contains most of the things I do every day.

For many, this season means the end of classes or a time to rest; to me it is just a week and the last pause before I complete my studies. It is unbelievable to think that I am almost half way through my courses and everything if all goes well.
Through all of this, when it looked like there was not hope to enter to this university, God has been faithful and I am still growing in faith.

Graduation January class 2012

December 24th with family

It was very encouraging to attend the graduation of the January class, this reminded me when I only had the dream to start the studies but I could not see everything clearly, now getting to the middle of the studies I feel hope again to be there some day getting the degree of an aviation mechanic.

This year has been the fifth year to being far away from my family during Christmas break, even though I was sad not to be able to spend this time with my parents and brothers, God gave me the opportunity to visit and meet cousins and to share this years Christmas dinner. It was a very joyful time to feel their attention, to listen to stories of the family, and the blessing of been part of a fourth generation of a strong Christian family. (Thanks Acuña-Falla family)

Now I leave you with the video of one day of my life,
Thanks again for your support.
I would greatly thank you for your prayers for the plans for the new year, there are some issues I need to solve this week in order to continue the studies.
  
Blessings.

First session completed

Hi everyone,
It is amazing to think that in my last report  I was sharing about my first month in college and now I am about to complete the third month. How quickly time passes!

    

One of my first classes, non-destructive testing methods.

I have the privilege and joy to tell you that last week I completed the first part of my studies. The entire course is divided into three parts, the first is the shortest, two and a half months, but they are months in which you realize and decide if you can continue with the other 10 months.


These months were hard, alot of studying, almost all theory and sometimes it becomes boring when you are looking at just four walls and 23 students for almost 8 hours a day. I thank God for your support and all who have supported me, prayed and communicated to me words of encouragement.
10 classes completed for a total of 400 hours.


Now we have the basis for this work, we will begin the second part, it will be a little long, almost 5 months and we hope we have a little more of excitement, it will be more of hands on and practice in the hangar, with more contact with the aircraft. This does not mean that everything will be easier, we must always be responsible and devote enough time to study before executing any task. So once again I ask for your support the prayer, at the end of the five months I will present two tests for the first license, there are two. I will have to demonstrate what I have learned since the beginning of the course.

Ground Operations, for many something new.
It was very refreshing, I recalled my first flying lessons

Removing oxidation

Before removing oxidation

After removing oxidation

Not everything is "roses's color" as we say in Colombia, these two months have been a time of joy to see dreams fulfilled and see the support of family, friends and brothers, it has been a time of little sleep and learn to organize time the best way, try to keep my daily time with God, implement cooking skills, learn a new language, (mechanic) it has many new terms to me. Also growing in faith, trusting God for the daily provisions, make contacts with Hispanic friends in the area, (this has been a great blessing), feeling a little lonely to know that my family is far away and I have no vacation soon. In the mist of all these circumstances, God has always been there.

The greatest enemy's attack has been doubt, not believing what God began to do, when these difficult times come I have to remember that the Creator has always been there.

This week God reminded me how all these circumstances are merely a sample of something big "spiritually" that is coming. When there are attacks, it is because the enemy knows what's going to happen and he wants to tear that plan to defeat us and so we do not give God the glory.

One more time I thank you for your support during these almost three months of study. Each one of you has been a great blessing to me.

Prayer requests:

• Remember Sandy storm victims especially in New York and New Jersey.
• Elections for the U.S. president.
• I'm behind on a payment for this semester, and provision for next semester.
• My family, the presentation of the thesis of my brothers Jhonny and Jeferson..
• Needing set of tools.

My first month

Sounds a bit odd to mention something new after many years of life, but it is like that.
This is a totally new and different experience, new challenges, studies, new friends, places. Maybe not everything we do in life is a new beginning, but this part of my life has been completely new. After having all the basic needs in another university and coming to my new totally empty room, and God has allowed me to live, everything is for a purpose, and today I can give all the glory to Him for His help.

Sharing with mission organizations,
pilots interested in Mission Aviation

One night during my second week of school I was wondering how I got to this point in life. I started thinking about the beginning of this adventure coming to a day in August 2008. Four years in which many people were there for today this dream can now be possible. During a Christian service class, my teacher and flight instructor Jim Howard invited a missionary pilot to share with the class. To my surprise this pilot had worked for many years in Ecuador with (MAF) Mission Avation Fellowship).

We were able to converse in Spanish and it was very encouraging to see his life experience, there began the contact with Liberty University, where I am now, Brian told me about the Missionary Aviation program here. Search began with the desire to transfer colleges to make this possible. Concluding that God had led me come to Hobe Sound with a purpose and He did want me to end there before taking another step. Shortly after that, Liberty launched its first Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS).


Anyone who is thinking about getting involved in missionary aviation has to know that the requirements are many, including maintenance studies. There I began to realize the need, not only to bond to a missionary organization but as personal ministry in the future this would be a key.
And although the whole story is not here, I want to leave this part for you to meditate on the people God has placed in your life to take you to many places, to many divine appointments, so that others can hear the message and that together we can accomplish the tasks in life.


If I had not been in Hobe Sound, had never met my teacher Jim Howard, so I had not met brother Brian Behal, might never have gotten here. All of this is a chain that is made up by God's purpose. I'm sure none of these people thought of a specific plan for my life, all were moved by God, but God was the creator of this new adventure.
Not all adventures are the same, some are more difficult than others, each person is different and God is a personal God. He has a plan for you, not only for you to delights in the adventure but alse for you to be a blessing to others.

Here is Brian Behal (left) and flying with Mr Howard (right)

Only with His help we can carry out the task He has entrusted us.


Once again I thank everyone who has been praying for me, giving me words and financial support.
The first classes were very difficult for the intensity of study but I'm trying to improve and continue.

Prayer requests:

• For the new classes, to improve my grades and strength for each day of studies.
• To be able to find a job to continue paying the bills.
• My family, their personal plans. 
• In a few weeks I need to buy my own set of tools. (finances)
• Water and Life Ministry, there are many good plans for the future. (Wisdom to carry them out)
• The bus route has changed, so I have been experiencing some difficulties.

Translating in Tree of Life Church

                                                                                         

         

My first month

Sounds a bit odd to mention something new after many years of life, but it is like that.
This is a totally new and different experience, new challenges, studies, new friends, places. Maybe not everything we do in life is a new beginning, but this part of my life has been completely new. After having all the basic needs in another university and coming to my new totally empty room, and God has allowed me to live, everything is for a purpose, and today I can give all the glory to Him for His help.

Sharing with mission organizations,
pilots interested in Mission Aviation

One night during my second week of school I was wondering how I got to this point in life. I started thinking about the beginning of this adventure coming to a day in August 2008. Four years in which many people were there for today this dream can now be possible. During a Christian service class, my teacher and flight instructor Jim Howard invited a missionary pilot to share with the class. To my surprise this pilot had worked for many years in Ecuador with (MAF) Mission Avation Fellowship).

We were able to converse in Spanish and it was very encouraging to see his life experience, there began the contact with Liberty University, where I am now, Brian told me about the Missionary Aviation program here. Search began with the desire to transfer colleges to make this possible. Concluding that God had led me come to Hobe Sound with a purpose and He did want me to end there before taking another step. Shortly after that, Liberty launched its first Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS).


Anyone who is thinking about getting involved in missionary aviation has to know that the requirements are many, including maintenance studies. There I began to realize the need, not only to bond to a missionary organization but as personal ministry in the future this would be a key.
And although the whole story is not here, I want to leave this part for you to meditate on the people God has placed in your life to take you to many places, to many divine appointments, so that others can hear the message and that together we can accomplish the tasks in life.


If I had not been in Hobe Sound, had never met my teacher Jim Howard, so I had not met brother Brian Behal, might never have gotten here. All of this is a chain that is made up by God's purpose. I'm sure none of these people thought of a specific plan for my life, all were moved by God, but God was the creator of this new adventure.
Not all adventures are the same, some are more difficult than others, each person is different and God is a personal God. He has a plan for you, not only for you to delights in the adventure but alse for you to be a blessing to others.

Only with His help we can carry out the task He has entrusted us.


Once again I thank everyone who has been praying for me, giving me words and financial support.
The first classes were very difficult for the intensity of study but I'm trying to improve and continue.

Prayer requests:

• For the new classes, to improve my grades and strength for each day of studies.
• To be able to find a job to continue paying the bills.
• My family, their personal plans. 
• In a few weeks I need to buy my own set of tools. (finances)
• Water and Life Ministry, there are many good plans for the future. (Wisdom to carry them out)

A new beginning: Liberty University

Many wonder what has happened in the last two weeks since I sent my last report, well, here's the story.

Four days before classes started I decided to go to college without knowing what would happen, and yet did not have a place to live and was not sure that everything was going to work out.

I arrived for orientation and that same day began the search for a room where I would spend the next year of my adventure, an adventure that was uncertain until that moment.
I had allowed so much doubt and discouragement from people to come into my life. God had been guiding and supplying for every need but at times the future looked like a giant. A huge university, a course with a lot of dedication and intensity and little time for studies, each semester payments and a place to live.


That day I was meditating on a word I received from a pastor, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart". But how was that possible to delight in the Lord having many things unclear? I had tried everything possible and spent time and effort to get to this point and still could not understand.
After asking God how to do it, He gave me the peace and I was able to thank Him for all that he had done for me in the past. I was able to focus on God and delighted on Him only, without thinking about every need. I was able to worry about my relationship with God and at that moment He made me know that he was going to take care of the desires of my heart.

Early in the morning I saw an advertisement on the internet, a spare room. I made the contact and at noon I was visiting this place. Why had I spent a month looking for a place to live and had not found anything? Because this was the place GOD had found for me. Now you will be surprised of all the advantages. That same day I started a new adventure in my new room, even though I did not have all the comfort, this was the place God had prepared for me.


It is a good place, a little more than a mile from the airport where I take classes every day, with a bus route from the college at the apartment's door and everything for a good price.
What more could I ask God for? After eight hours of classes each day I just want to get home as soon as possible. Today I can enjoy that privilege and give all the glory to God.

Finally in college!
Although for many this can be normal
to enter this university,
for me it was a great challenge, a great dream and
a big step of faith.

Natasha took this picture
at one corner of the university
It reminds me of every word I received,
encouraging me to "never give up" at least
not before trying.

                                               

Classes began and although it requires some time to study it is nice to know that God has been opening doors every day and will continue.
 
All of this has taught me great things over all to grow in faith, I do not know what will happen tomorrow but I want to trust God because as God supplied also to every great man in the Bible, He will do with each of us who delight in Him. It is not easy but I want to learn more and get closer to God every day,  not by necessity but by delight also because my future is in Him.

For now everything is in the classroom,
after a couple of months we will be
here, it gives me encouragement to get
to this point.

It has been a great blessing to find
the denomination in which I grew up
and was formed spiritually.
I hope to support and serve here.   

Many thanks to all who have been supporting me, calling, writing, even praying on the phone with me. Everyone has been a great blessing and God will bless you even more greatly.

I also want to thank my girlfriend's family. Duane and Rachel Brown who gave me support and encouragement during my transition to get to college. You can not imagine how big this was for me, I appreciate you as my own family :) and I pray that all your plans may be according to God's will.

I ask for prayer for these first weeks of studies, for strength and wisdom for each of the classes and tests.
For God's provision to pay off this semester of study.
And for boldness to continue sharing the gospel wherever there is an open door.

Amazonas June-July 2012

It is of great happiness to be able to share news about the work that has been going on in the Amazon..
It was impossible for me to travel to the Amazon this summer, but thank God we had my brother's help, Jhonny Anderson. And even though we did not cover much time in the area, the team was able to visit Pastors and leaders in some villages. They encouraged them to move forward.
In the middle of June we had a team from TLC (Touching Lives for Christ) they have been supporting this ministry for over 8 years, it has been a tremendous blessing.

These anxious college students were willing to have an experience in the Amazon, for two of them this was the second visit in the last three years.
Jhonny was the guide of the team and they were able to do an excellent work.

For me it was very sad no to be able to accompany the team and rejoice of every missionary experience, but it was very encouraging to know that everything was working under God's control and that everyone had a good time.
The conditions in the Amazon as always are difficult, above all when it is the first experience. We thank God for His help with the team in getting adjusted with no health problems and for His protection in each one of the trips to the various villages.

   

"Being in the Amazon with the TLC team was a rich time that allowed me to grow in interpersonal relationships and of confidence in what God can work though our lives and how He can use us as long as we are willing.
Helping and serving as a guide was very rewarding to see people willing to help and serve others. It was also very good to be a connection between two completely different cultures. It was nice to see happy people in the villages because the receive a visit, it is a great joy and this gives them encouragement and new energies to not give up in the beautiful work of the gospel and discipleship".
                    Jhonny Anderson Nieto

One more time I thank you greatly for all your help and support in prayer. God has been so good with everyone and we know he will be good in the future.
There are many things happening in the ministry and it makes me happy to know that soon in the future we will began to see the results of the past 11 years of work

Please let us continue in prayer so that God may guide us in making good decisions and that we could see God's dreams been accomplished in this region of the Amazon

Remember the doors are always opened so that you can come to share with us while we deliver a message of hope to every village.

Transitions

All our life is a line of transitions, since we are born until we die we are changing places, meeting new people, and adding memories to our own story as well as other lives. A little more than a month ago I finished my studies at the university and this has been a time to remember, remembering the plans I had before I ended this stage. How good it is to see dreams being accomplished. But over all, it is good to see the new plans for the future added by this time. This month and a half has been a time of transition, in which I have been able to rest, plan, work a little, share with friends, and organize projects for the future. This transition like always has reminded me of God's provision that has always been in my life, this time has given me strength to continue trusting in Him.

(June 2012) Farewell in Aposento Alto Port Saint Lucie, FL.

I want to thank the church Aposento Alto in Port Saint Lucie, FL; there I had almost four years of many memories and happy stories. You were my family in difficult times and in times of joy. I will never be able to repay all you did for me, each family was a great blessing. Thanks, Pastors, for supporting the ministry in the Amazon.     

More than my students, my friends and new family.

Valeria (guitar), Moises the big :) (drums), 
Josselyn (keyboard), Jesus(guitar)

Valeria (blue dress) made me so happy with her beautiful words of thankfulness. The Merced family became a great support and comfort in the mist of all circumstances during all these years of studies. A thousand thanks to each member of this family and may God continue blessing  you.                                                                                     

Celebrating Father's Day and farewell to Jonatan Nieto

I have exactly a month left to finish this transition and start the new stage of my life that I  will be accomplishing in studies of aviation maintenance at Liberty University. I am a little tense to think that I will be doing a two year course in one year, it will be intense but I am sure that God has opened doors for me until now and He is the giver of life and strength. This study is a basic part for the development and the progress of the ministry in the Amazon with the missionary aviation for my future.


I thank you greatly for all your help and support in prayer. Till now I have 25 % of the finances for this semester and I have a short time left to collect the remaining 75 %. If you wish to support me for this new stage of my life in studies please do not hesitate to contact me!