"If you believe in God, commence prayer."
In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul exhorts believers to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Dear Agape Flights Family,
Pastor Chuck Swindoll tells the story of a passenger plane approaching New York City in 1968 when the landing gear failed to extend: The pilot suddenly announced over the intercom: “We are beginning our final descent. At this moment, in accordance with International Aviation Codes established at Geneva, it is my obligation to inform you that if you believe in God, you should commence prayer.” Amazing. The only thing that brought out into the open a deep down ‘secret rule’ was crisis. Pushed to the brink, back to the wall, right up to the wire, all escape routes closed… only then does our society crack open a hint of recognition that God may be there and—”if you believe… you should commence prayer.”
At Agape Flights we pray while we load the plane, before takeoff, in-flight, and when we land. Prayer should always precede action. You’ve probably noticed over the years that I ask people to pray first – and then I ask people to consider partnering with us financially as God gives direction.
This time last year, as we were praying for 2022, we had no way of knowing the challenges that lay ahead. We didn’t know that one of our aircraft would be abducted and destroyed while on the ground in Haiti. We had no idea that Hurricane Ian would impact our home base in Venice, Florida, while disrupting the lives of millions of people. And despite decades of serving missionaries in Haiti, we could never have imagined the escalation of violence and chaos we’d witness in that nation this past year.
But, oh, I am grateful that we prayed. And I’m grateful that we serve a mighty God who hears our prayers, who loved us enough to send His Son to save us, and who has called us to the work we are doing.
Through prayer, we have flown nearly 60 mission flights this year, delivering tons of critical supplies to our missionary partners. Through prayer, we have seen God provide a new airplane that is faster and can carry more cargo than the plane we lost. And through prayer, despite all the unrest and uncertainty in Haiti, the mission flights continue, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed.
As we look toward 2023, we have no idea of all the challenges and opportunities that await us in the new year. But we do know about one of them.
We are preparing to face a God-sized engine maintenance challenge on our primary plane, the Embraer 110 (N316AF). Early in the new year, the Embraer’s left engine is due for a critical overhaul of its power section. Although we expect the engine overhaul to cost somewhere around $140,000, that number could easily be much higher. Our director of maintenance has taught me that you never know the exact cost of an overhaul until turbine specialists open the cases and carefully examine every millimeter of the engine components.
Can I ask you to “commence praying” and consider making a gift toward helping us with this anticipated expense? The aircraft will be off the flight line for several weeks to allow for this and other essential maintenance. Fortunately, we will be utilizing our new Cessna F406 to make missionary flights during the time N316AF is grounded. God is so good!
Please “commence praying” that the work will go quickly, the expense will be minimal, and the funds will be provided.
Thank you for what you’ve already done to support the work of Agape Flights. Without your prayers and your gifts, our work to support and supply missionaries could not happen. Mission aviation is an expensive undertaking, but we cling to the promise of Philippians 4:19: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
I can’t fully comprehend how God has done all He has done, but I am certainly grateful for His amazing provision and His powerful presence.
Would you join me by “commencing to pray” for Agape Flights and our missionary affiliates in 2023? Ask God to show you how you can assist and support us in this engine overhaul challenge. And if He is calling you to give more, become a monthly donor, or include Agape Flights in your Required Minimum Distributions or your legacy planning, please give us a call at 941-488-0990, or drop us a line at 100 Airport Avenue East, Venice, FL, 34285.
Finally, if you’re able, please pray about becoming a Mission Flight Sponsor. These individuals, churches, and companies sponsor an entire mission flight or give generously to meet other operating expenses such as fuel, landing fees, insurance, and routine maintenance.
Millions of people live in the areas we serve throughout Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas. Many of them have never heard the Gospel and live without the hope found only in Jesus. Together with you and our missionary partners, we can change that.
Please commence praying,
Allen T. Speer-CEO-Agape Flights
P.S. To designate your gift to the engine overhaul project, please note “engine overhaul” on your check and envelope – or, if you’re giving online, please select Engine Repair/Overhaul on our website donation page. Anything raised above the actual cost of this specific project will be allocated to general aircraft funding.
