I have really good news! Yesterday I had the opportunity to take the final exam for the Private Pilot Instrument Rating, and passed! This important rating allows me to fly on days when visibility is so poor that you cannot effectively navigate or avoid other aircraft by sight alone. I can now file a flight plan with Air Traffic Control before I go, and they will help me to avoid traffic I can't see. They will also authorize me to set up for a landing at an airport and come very close to the ground without seeing anything until I descend through the clouds and see the runway in the last few moments. (Pilots know what this rating means but I am explaining it so I hope that everyone can appreciate it).
This makes me a much more useful pilot with Gospel Ministries Intl, and is a requirement to be a solo mission pilot with our ministry. It is the second of three ratings that are required. The last one is the Commercial Pilot rating, and this will come in the next few weeks, Lord willing.
I wanted update everyone on this, and I thank everyone who prayed for me! It helped a lot! I realized on Friday how many things could go wrong and prevent me from taking the test, or from passing it, and it was almost overwhelming. The Lord gave me peace as I realized that He has been leading along this path to be a missionary pilot, and if it was His will that I take this test and pass, as long as I made the effort that I could, He would ensure success. I was still nervous and fasted that afternoon, and I was excited when I finally heard the words, "Now that wasn't so bad, was it?", as the check pilot prepared to print out my temporary license. (The real one will come in a few weeks).
Life is really peaceful here, but several of my friends have been feeling oppressed lately spiritually. Prayers have been ascending for these people as well as the rest of my family and friends, and I've been blessed to see real results in their lives. Min and I are happy and dreading the time when I'll leave for Africa and we won't see each other for 6 months to a year. However, we are thankful for the time we do have, and have been counseled that the separation will only serve to test and strengthen our relationship. I need to know that I am suited to serve the Lord in Africa, and we both need to know that prolonged separation will not weaken our relationship.
I hope that you all are doing well. I pray for health, joy and peace for you all, and that you may know my Jesus.
God Bless,
Scott Sterling
