Rising through the lingering cold fog and gray winter skies, we're constantly reminded of God's glory as we burst into brilliantly clear sunshine and the snow-capped mountain reflections of His creation. Despite the storms of life, God's glory is always shining beyond the clouds; and throughout the history of worldwide missions, God has consistently transformed events of sadness into eternal joy. The savage murder of Jim Elliot and fellow missionaries on the Ecuadorian jungle's "Palm Beach" in 1956 has been one notable catalyst for countless missionary efforts since. God used that tragic event to reach many souls beyond just the Auca Indians and to call many missionaries into worldwide service since.

 

Similarly, when MARC mechanic and pilot Don Irvine died from injuries sustained in a plane crash near Unalakleet, Alaska, God used that tragic crash to orchestrate a chain of ministry events that have enabled many young people to gain eternal hope. Today, hundreds of Alaskan youth living in remote Alaska have been introduced to the love of Jesus Christ through the ministry of Adam London who serves with his wife Shirleen in Unalakleet as the associate camp director of Covenant Bible Camp (one of several youth camps MARC flies in support of each summer) and youth pastor at Unalakleet Covenant Church. Having now worked at the camp for the past eight years, Adam recently shared his testimony with us that explained how God used Don's death in missionary service to lead him to Unalakleet:

 

     The first time I heard about MARC I was probably 14 years old. Our church was a long-time supporter of MARC, so we would occasionally hear reports of the ministry MARC was doing. Every summer MARC would fly a team of volunteers from our church to serve at Covenant Bible Camp in Unalakleet. Our youth group also would occasionally send teams to the Covenant villages to do short ministry trips. That all being said, I really didn't think about MARC very often until the summer before my senior year in High School.

 

     In June of 2000, MARC pilot Don Irvine gave his life serving Christ when his plane went down. When I first heard the news, my heart went out to the friends and family of Don. The tragedy was also a pivotal point for my Youth Pastor, Keith Hamilton. Keith had been entertaining the idea of moving to Soldotna to help start up Alaska Christian College. Keith told our youth group that when he heard about the tragedy, the Holy Spirit brought him to tears and both he and his wife, Debbie, knew that God was indeed calling them to Soldotna where MARC was also stationed. Shortly afterwards, I also responded to God's call for me to go to Soldotna as a student at Alaska Christian College.

 

     During my year at Alaska Christian College, I flew with MARC a handful of times on village ministry trips. I was also blessed by being able to fly co-pilot with Bob Widman a couple of times. (Saying I was "blessed" is also another way to say that I was the heaviest person in the plane, so I had to sit up front. God works in mysterious ways). As I flew with MARC and talked with Bob, I was really struck by the gentle servant hearts that the MARC pilots have.

    

     After I finished college at North Park University, I returned to Alaska Christian College as an admission counselor. A big part of my job was to travel to the villages to recruit students. Later, I also did recruiting for Amundsen Educational Center in the villages. During my recruiting days, I visited about 40 different villages, often flying with MARC. I was often blessed by flying co-pilot with many of the MARC staff. The MARC pilots are much more than simply a transportation service. Many times the MARC pilots have prayed for me, lent a listening ear as I talk about needs in my ministry, and have even given me relationship advice: for example, Brian Bruxvoort, in particular told me to 'hurry up' and marry Shirleen, who is now my wife.

    

     Since I have been doing ministry in Unalakleet, I have also had the chance to host MARC pilots. Whether in the air or on the ground, MARC pilots offer encouragement and fellowship for those that do ministry in the villages. MARC meets real needs in the villages and I look forward to their partnership for many more years.  

 

- Adam London

  Unalakleet