Pilot's Logbook: The Vision Dudes

For the last two weeks we have been hosting three mission aviation university students on a “vision trip” where they have the chance to experience what life is like as a pilot/mechanic for a mission organization in a foreign country. This was MAF-Mozambique’s first time to host such students and our team really wanted to share the enthusiasm we have for living and serving here Mozambique. We wanted to help them see that while life here isn’t always easy, with the right attitude, it is a true blessing to do the work we do.

Two students, Tommy and Jacob were from Letourneau University in Longview, Texas. The third, Josh Q., was from San Diego Christian College in California. Coined by Dave LePoidevin, they affectionately became known as the “Vision Dudes”.

Tommy, Jacob, and Josh with kids in our neighborhood

The first day they showed up, despite the long airline flights and jet lag, they were still up for getting on a plane again, this time as a copilot of a Cessna 206. Over the two week period, each guy was worked on to any flight we could find room for them on. They made trips to Tupuito, the location of a titanium mine, Gurué to drop off/pick up Dr. Hanneke, and to Chupaputa for a commercial client. On one flight they even experienced encountering a water buck in the middle of the airstrip, making a low pass to chase it off the strip.

Jacob getting ready for a flight

When there were no flights going on, there were plenty of maintenance tasks to assist with in the hangar. They helped fix a fuel leak, replace break lines, and install a secondary seat stop system on the Cessna 210, and helped repaint the landing gear on the 206. They even helped us with the ever present car maintenance that comes from the beatings our cars take on the rough roads here! Their presence here seemed to motivate us to begin work on some long overdue projects, like updating our hangar sign.

Tommy, Josh, and Dave working on the 210 seat

Tommy getting the landing gear ready for paint

Casimiro holding the ladder for Tommy while he took down the sign

But it wasn’t all work and no play. Dave and I drove them to the coast for a little beach time. We started by driving across the one lane bridge to the Ilha de Mozambique (Mozambique Island) to see the Fort São Sebastião (the oldest complete fort in sub-Saharan Africa with a chapel that is the oldest European building in the southern hemisphere) and eat some delicious seafood. Then we drove to Chocas Mar for a chance to play in the waves and explore some tidal pools.

The bridge to Ilha de Mocambique

Fort Sao Sebastiao

At the fort with the chapel in the background


Checking out the tidal pools at Chocas

We wanted to make sure they experienced a little of the culture here in Nampula, so on Saturday I took them to the orphanage with me. After a little Taekwondo, they were able to play with the kids some and even practice a little Portuguese/English with them. On Sunday morning, they made a trip with us to our church just down the street from our house. On Sunday night at our English speaking fellowship, they each gave a brief testimony.