UIM Connection

It was special for me recently to connect with Dave and Muriel Chambers, one of UIM's founding couples. In 1954 and 1955 the Lord touched their hearts and the hearts of Don and Donna Fredericks (who happen to be my parents) and David and Regina Clark as missionary couples. In 1956 they cofounded United Indian Missions, Inc. The Clarks are now home with the Lord, but Don and Donna Fredericks and Dave and Muriel Chambers continue to serve the Lord.

Dave and Muriel Chambers

I had just completed a week of speaking for the mission emphasis week at Frontier School of the Bible in La Grange, Wyoming, and trekked to the Denver, Colorado, area for a visit with the Chamberses. I drove on snow-packed and icy roads, not my favorite driving conditions.

Icy roads

With fond memories and praise to the Lord, Dave (88) and Muriel (85) recounted the Lord's goodness to UIM and the great privilege they had in being a part of those early days. I remember these two faithful saints from the days when I was just a boy. Their only son, Dwight, and I were good friends. Dwight was born while Dave and Muriel were serving in Supai. How they still love that work to this day!

Dave and Muriel began their ministry in 1950. Dave was pastor of two churches in 1950, one of which he began exactly 60 years ago on November 15, 1950. Prior to the martyrdom of Jim Elliot and the other men in 1955, Dave served with Jim on an evangelistic team. What an example!

Thanks for keeping connected with UIM International. The population of Native people has grown tenfold in the past 55 years. When United Indian Missions began its work among the Navajo people, there were just 25,000 Navajos; today their number is approaching 300,000. The population of First Nations, Native, Hispanic, and Mexican peoples continues to swell; consequently, the need of reaching these people groups is increasing as well.

UIM Connection! is committed to helping you stay informed of our efforts in the cause of the Gospel. Over the years UIM International has expanded into Canada, throughout the United States, and Mexico, reaching dozens of people groups. Over 400 people have served with UIM over the past 55 years; currently, nearly 70 missionary units (couples, families, and singles) faithfully serve the Lord and reach out with the Gospel. UIM also serves in partnership with other mission agencies, such as New Tribes Mission, utilizing its aviation ministry to reach tribal people throughout Mexico.

Thank you for praying for UIM International. Thank you for staying connected with UIM Connection!

Have a very Blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas season in the Lord!

In Christ's love, mercy and grace,

Daniel P. Fredericks, Executive Director
UIM International

Reaching More People in Less Time

On November 6, 2010, UIM Aviation held its fourth annual fundraising banquet at the Westward Look Resort in Tucson. You might ask why it holds annual fundraising events. There are several goals to the fundraising banquets. Obviously the aviation personnel need operational funds to help maintain their aircraft and keep the lights on. Secondly, they seek to build more prayer support as they increase their contact list and help people become more informed about the ministry. Thirdly, the fundraising banquets are a tool to help disciple donors. People are encouraged through this engagement to begin to participate in hopes that they eventually will take ownership in the ministry. Finally, the primary motive is to glorify Christ in everything they do. As people invest in the ministry, it enables UIM Aviation personnel to reach into remote areas of Mexico where they can impact people for Christ that might otherwise be overlooked or forgotten. The airplanes and pilots can reduce a 20-hour hike and drive to a 30-minute flight. This translates into more people being reached for Christ in a shorter amount of time with a lot less effort.

In the past, aviation has covered half of its $200,000 yearly budget with donations from those that use the service. Since most of the users right now are nationals, more donations are needed. Each day missionaries fail to visit these remote areas due to poor roads or even no roads, people slip into a Christ-less eternity. God uses people and a tool like the airplane to accomplish His purposes. These people might have had a chance to hear the Gospel if the airplane were available. Fundraising banquets like the one that was held in Tucson help make it possible for missionaries to go to where the people are.

This year UIM Aviation hosted 260 people at the banquet. The guest speaker, Gracia Burnham, did a wonderful job of communicating not only stories from her more-than-a-year-long captivity, but also the reasons why she and her husband, Martin, went to the Philippines as missionaries with New Tribes Mission Aviation. Michael and Kimberly Chaffin provided special music for the evening and once again did a fabulous job. Dave Wolf, UIM Aviation's chief pilot, provided an update of the ministry, sharing how God is using UIM Aviation to accomplish His purposes. Praise the Lord that through the event $25,000 was raised for the ministry of UIM Aviation!

2010 Aviation Banquet