Flights Meeting Needs
in Central Mexico
In Central Mexico there is an area that missiologists have named the "Circle of Silence." It is an area where several million people live in six states that share a common border. In this area less than 2% of those people claim to be "evangelical." While they might know something about Christ, they don't personally know Him.
Within the Circle of Silence is a group of people who not only know Christ personally, but they chose to live for Him even when that meant losing their homes. Seven years ago a group of Huichol Indian people were driven out of their mountain village by their own people because they changed their allegiance from spirits to worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ. They lost their homes, animals, and lands. The Mexican government gave them some land on the other side of the lake but did not give them many provisions to rebuild. They could have chosen to be bitter about their circumstances, but instead they gladly sacrifice to take the Gospel to others in Mexico. Four Huichol men with a heart to reach their own people are now pastors and are teaching and discipling in the villages where they once lived.
Several years ago UIM Aviation began to partner with these pastors and fly them back into their villages, saving them many hours of travel time. With the closure of our flight base in Durango in 2008, it has been necessary to make these flights from our base in Chihuahua. In 2013 a new flight base will be opened in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico. This will save us the eight-hour round trip flight from Chihuahua to Tepic. This new base will allow the ministries to accomplish more for less cost due to the significant decrease in travel times.
Three UIM missionary couples will live in the area. Jasson and Kimberly Farmer, along with their three boys, have already moved to Tepic. Clif and Kari Huntting and David and Olivia Wolf will be moving to Tepic later in the year.
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Farmer family
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Huntting family
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David and Olivia Wolf
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During a recent flight to Tepic, a Huichol pastor from Los Aires named Hilario met with the UIMA pilots. He had come to Tepic to buy corn, for there was nothing to eat in his village. His family of seven was hungry. The pilots were there to fly the TEE (Theological Education by Extension) teacher to Hilario's village. They offered to take Hilario and his cargo back to his home, a flight which would last 24 minutes instead of 22 hours of ground travel. With ministry opportunities like this, UIM Aviation believes it is important to have a UIM airplane in Tepic. Being readily available for the Huichol and Hispanic outreaches and teaching will be good use of God's resources.
Funds are needed to support this ministry. If you believe the Lord is leading you to donate to this cause, please visit the UIMA site for online giving or mail in giving.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel to one of those remote villages with an UIM pilot? Check out this video of a mountain takeoff!
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| Mountain takeoff |
