Unity

One of the awesome experiences we had at AirVenture was being served by MASA (Mission Aviation Support Association). Years ago this group was organized to support mission aviation groups (mission agencies, training facilities focused on mission aviation, Christian universities) attending AirVenture week. Transportation, lodging, food and booth rental fees add up quickly for groups already strapped financially. The need became obvious that if missionaries were going to continue coming to OshKosh with their organization, they were going to need help.

In steps MASA. 

A full year of planning goes into preparing for this one crazy, manic week. This year, over 200 people represented mission aviation in various ways. 200 people that need 3 meals a day, for 7 days, housing and transportation.

Meals: Over 70 different groups ranging from Bible study groups, church groups, a Red Hat society and any and all manner of group in between volunteered their time and resources to provide us with some amazing food. One morning, a group sang while serving. Talk about a joyful heart...in the morning of all times!! (I did not sing with them!)

One night, a very large family volunteered. They prepared chicken that they had raised, hand ground wheat to make homemade rolls, peeled 75 pounds of potatoes and grew veggies in their garden for salads. Amazing doesn't quite give that meal justice.

There was the Friday night Fish Fry provided by the FOCAS (Fellowship of Christian Anglers Society...who knew!). Smoked salmon caught in the Michigan river the week before (yes, I asked) and some other fish I'd never heard of, but it was delish! (A meal my Papaw would have loved!) Not to mention the Culver's custard paid for by volunteers!

Housing: More volunteers opened up their houses to total strangers for at least 7 days all over the OshKosh area. We had the opportunity to stay at the Shalom House and meet Vaughn and Maralee. Hospitality is their gift! We want to go back...and take our kids! 

Transportation: Even more volunteers donated their vehicles to be used for the week.

Then there was Terry, the man that was a runner between MASA and the mission booths all week providing anything and everything last minute we needed. The school that donated the freezer space to save gallon jugs of lemonade and ice tea so our drinks wouldn't be watered down (seriously, they thought of everything). Bonnie, the "bag lady", who sat at the MASA tent most of the day making sure our bags were secure. And on and on...detail after detail being accounted for.

All of this by perfect strangers, willing to give of what they had to be a blessing.

Then I thought about all of us gathered, this group of 200. We all may have a different direction for where we work...support for Bible translation, training, education etc...but our common bond is the same: to spread the news and love of Jesus in whatever capacity we are used. 

I expected to leave OshKosh a little more educated in aviation, but what I didn't expect was to leave completely blessed and encouraged. What I saw during the week was the body of Christ coming together to help one another to get the job done. I left challenged by the many hard working, loving people who served us both on the front lines and behind the scenes.

I left wanting to serve more.

"Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,

 if any comfort of his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, 

if any tenderness and compassion, 

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, 

having the same love, being one in spirit and in purpose. 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, 

but in humility, consider others better than yourselves, 

not looking to your own interests but also to the interests of others." 

Phil 2:1-4 (NIV)