Providences by Laura Davidson

Guyana. Guyana, Guyana!!!

We have been talking about and planning to go to Guyana for so long, it seems. There have been so many possible scenarios of how and when we would get there.

Now it seems so close and like the Lord has given us a glimpse of how He is going to get us there!

I am SO excited!!! I am still holding my breath though, as the Lord rarely shows us His full plan. Details may change, but I want to share with you what is happening.

James Ash, director of GAMAS and senior pilot, has invited Edwin to help him fly 9113M from the US, down to Guyana!!! This is HUGE! This is exciting! It will be a wonderful and educational experience for Edwin. Meanwhile, I am trying not to get nervous as Edwin talks about researching the best life raft to take. That is a huge expanse of water to be flying over!

9113M is the Cessna 182 that Todd Anderson purchased and had been preparing; rebuilding the engine, adding soft-field landing gear, and many other things to get it ready for service in Guyana. There is still much that needs to be finished up and signed off, I am sure Edwin will be writing about those details in the coming weeks. The Ash family is on furlough and after some rest and relaxation, James and Edwin will tackle getting 9113M ready, in full force! They hope to have it ready to fly for sure, by the end of September.

So, Edwin has a ride to Guyana. What about Kathryn and me?

James Ash's wife, Joy, and daughters, Jenna and Julianna, are flying commercially from Miami, FL to Georgetown, Guyana, on the 20th of Sep. They are happy to have us join them. The Ash family has been living in Guyana now for 8 years. I am so relieved that I will be able to fly with someone who has had so much experience! Praise the Lord!

Now it just so happens that some dear friends from the Dunlap area are moving to Florida. They requested that my dad drive one of their "extra" cars down for them. "There is no hurry, just as long as you get it down to us in the next few months." Ding! The light bulb went on. My dad told them "Laura and Kathryn are needing a ride to the Miami airport to fly out on the 20th". They were glad to let us take the car all the way to Miami and for my dad to deliver it to them after Sep 20. Praise the Lord!!! My way is paid to Miami! I won't have to rent a car and drive from Dunlap to Miami all by myself. And I will have my very own Daddy with us! It sounds too good to be true!

What about a place to sleep the night before we fly out? No problem. One of my uncles lives about three hours from the Miami airport. He is happy to have us spend the night at his place. Hooray for the added bonus blessing of getting to see my Uncle Lavern! And we don't have to pay for a motel!

So I have a free ride to the Miami airport. There is just one catch though. In order to fly with Joy, Jenna and Julianna on Sep 20, we have to buy tickets, and, in order to buy tickets, we have to have money. We didn't have the $800. needed to buy tickets. I had faith that the Lord would provide, and He did.

A dear family whom I hadn't seen or talked to since I was about 6 years old, is giving us $800. for airfare!

I am in shock, but not really surprised. When something is the Lord's will, He fits together the pieces of the puzzle so well. His biddings are enablings. God's timing is perfect. Even if details change, it will still be perfect, because everything that God does is perfect.

"This is what the Lord says- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.'" Isaiah 48:17

Mechanical Miracle! byEdwin

Crack at the seam

the crack is between the two sticks

This post is a bit late, but it bears telling as it is encouraging to see how God is working. As we stated earlier, we had had some trouble with over heating in our GMC Jimmy on the way from Oklahoma to Dunlap TN, back in June. We had been able to top off the radiator and keep driving the remaining 5-6 hours. After we arrived here in Dunlap we continued to have over heating issues. I wondered if the radiator cap was getting weak since the fluid levels would drop on the radiator without using coolant from the radiator reservoir. Sometimes it would leave a small puddle on the ground after the engine was turned off. Finally I got a hold of a radiator pressure tester that my father-in-law had, and checked the radiator cap. It held pressure within range... so then I checked the coolant system for pressure. It would not even hold 4 psi. It is supposed to hold at least 16 psi. There was a lot of hissing coming from the driver's side of the radiator. I could hear it coming from the space between the radiator and the front cross member. When I finally got the radiator out, there was a crack in the plastic end cap 4" long right along the seam where the cap is crimped on to the radiator. The crack extends up from the midpoint effectively disabling the upper half of the radiator. A new radiator has been installed and the Jimmy is running fine. Looking back it is a wonder that I was able to top off the radiator and drive the remaining 5-6 hours without any further incident, no coolant had run out when i poured it in, and I had filled it clear up. It didn't leave us stranded 50 miles out of Bucksnort TN. Praise the Lord for His watching out for us. We weren't stuck on the side of the road for Sabbath.

God is in the business of working miracles! by Laura Davidson

As you already know, our trip to Guyana has been postponed until the fall when the Ash family returns to Guyana.
Edwin and I have been praying about what the Lord would have us do during this waiting time, especially in regards to Edwin's employment. We are very thankful that Edwin has been able to work with my Daddy on various handyman projects. Edwin's last training and the cost of the final Instrument rating check-ride depleted our resources. We will be needing to buy three plane tickets this fall and have been praying that the Lord would provide. Well the Lord has provided in a most providential way! Here's the story:
The Dunlap Seventh-Day Adventist Church had VBS last week. It was a huge success with wonderful support and participation from the members. Shari McKeown wonderfully told the Bible story each day. Tuesday, Mrs. Shari had been asked to have the closing prayer for the program. Instead of being in the sanctuary, ready to close in prayer, the Lord had Mrs. Shari in a position to be able to hear the church phone ringing. She dismissed the ringing phone, planning to let the answering machine get it, but she was strongly impressed to answer it, herself, right then. So she did.
From what Mrs. Shari told me, the conversation went something like this:
"Dunlap Seventh-Day Adventist Church, may I help you?"
"Hello, I am wondering if you have a job board there. I have a job in Dunlap I am needing someone for. If I post this and people in the Chattanooga area respond, the applicants will not want to drive the distance to Dunlap."
Mrs. Shari was confused at first, and asked her, "You know this in the Dunlap Adventist Church, right?"
“Oh yes. I go to the Collegedale Community Church (also an SDA church), and thought that the Dunlap Church may be able to help me contact a local person who needs work."
The Lady proceeded to tell Mrs. Shari the details about the position that she needed to have filled. Mrs. Shari took the information.
"I do actually have someone in mind." Said Mrs. Shari, "But he is an RN. Is it ok if he is over qualified?"
"That would be fine, we would be getting the better end of the deal!"
After the closing program (where someone had to volunteer to have closing prayer), I came out to the hallway were Mrs. Shari was excitedly telling my Mommy about the phone conversation. "I am just so excited that this job might be perfect for Edwin. I told the lady that Edwin and his family are planning to go to Guyana in a few months, but she was ok with that. They need someone right away!"
Mrs. Shari gave us a slip of paper where she had written contact info and details. Later that day Mommy and I noticed the facility where the position is, across from Wal-Mart. We could hardly wait until Daddy and Edwin came home from their job that evening, so we could tell them about the job opportunity. 
The next morning (Wednesday), before breakfast, Edwin called and talked to the lady and set up an appointment to have a tour of the laboratory in Chattanooga that very afternoon. 
Edwin started work Friday morning, and will be working about 30 hours a week. The pay isn't what he would be getting as a nurse, but the commute is only 15 min, he can start now, it's consistent, Sabbath isn't a problem, and they are ok with us leaving in the fall!
Praise the Lord for providing for us in such a providential way! 

"The Long Road to Guyana"

by Laura Davidson 

Several weeks ago we excitedly made our way to TN on our way to Guyana....

I wish that this letter was telling you that we had safely arrived in Guyana, but that is not the case. We are still headed to Guyana, but on the "long road".

Here's what's happening. One day not too long ago, Edwin had been shopping for airline tickets to Guyana in the morning, but hadn't purchased any. Then, that afternoon we got a message from James Ash (the director of GAMAS) which basically said, "If you haven't purchased tickets yet, don't." Apparently, the Ash family has the opportunity to spend a few months furlough here in the states. Since Edwin will be apprenticing with James Ash, it is best for us to wait and fly to Guyana when the Ash family is ready to return. 

Even though it is discouraging to be almost ready to go, and have a delay, we have heard from other missionary families, that that sort of thing is quite common. Following the Lord often requires a lot of waiting. Isaiah 40:31 says "They that wait (or trust) upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Waiting on the Lord is good for our own character development. We learn to trust His timing. The things that are most important to the Lord, are often things that we don't even think about, or that we often forget. Little things like a word spoken in season, a soul touched, a spiritual seed planted, or a sprouting faith watered; all of those things are not little at all, but are of eternal consequence! Being tools in the hands of God, to bless others, is what life on this earth is all about. May the Lord help us to see through His eyes, and never miss an opportunity to bless, touch or reach someone that the Lord has placed right in front of us. And may we learn the importance of and embrace what it says in James 4 "Look here, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.' How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog-it's here a little while, then it's gone. What you ought to say is, 'If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.' Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil." We feel that the Lord has called us to serve Him in Guyana, we are headed in that direction, but most importantly we must focus on serving Him each and every day. Though some days I lack the faith that I should have, I must trust the Lord's timing in all things. His timing is perfect, He knows the end from the beginning, we don't. We trust that if the Lord truly does want us to serve Him in Guyana, that He will get us there in HIS timing, not ours. And we also trust that He will make it evident to us during our six month trial period, if that is the place that He would have us serve, long term. 

Last week we had the opportunity to talk with the Eno family on Skype. They were in Guyana not too long ago, checking it out and praying about possibly moving there. The Lord willing, they will be setting up housekeeping and flight operations in the village of Bethany, in Guyana, this fall/winter. It was so inspiring and encouraging to talk with them. I am so excited about going to Guyana. Now the hard part, is waiting. I am so thankful for the network of wonderful people that the Lord has blessed us with. YOU (yes you, the one reading this) are a very important part of our team. We would not be where we are today without your love, help and prayers. Thank you SO much! Jesus our great example while he was here on earth, spent much time with his heavenly Father in prayer. Over and over again He encourages us with the importance and power of prayer, "And all things, whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Matthew 21:22 We have decided to start a special email that we intend send out about once a month, with more specific and personal praises and prayer requests. There is power in prayer, my friends, and all too often I find myself worrying, when I should be praying and praising the Lord. If you would like to join our Prayer Team, you will find the sign-up window in the right column of our blog page.

Even with the apparent delays of several families that are headed to Guyana, and the devastating death of our friend and hard worker for the Lord, Todd Anderson; we have to trust the Lord. This quote is especially encouraging, "When we are hedged about on every side, this is the time above all others to trust in God and in the power of His Spirit. The exercise of a living faith means an increase of spiritual strength and the development of an unfaltering trust. It is thus that the soul becomes a conquering power...for the powers of heaven will come to his aid. 'Nothing shall be impossible unto you.'" CC 258.3

Guyana or bust, with a stop in TN

Guyana or bust, with a stop in TN

By Edwin Davidson

Ready to Leave?

The Offending Piece

Wow, things are happening fast now that my instrument rating is complete. We have packed up our belongings that are not going with us to Guyana, and stored them in two small sheds on my parent’s property. Thursday June 23, just before noon, we finally had our things that we were taking with us, packed and loaded in our truck.  There was only a small seat for Laura in the back next to Kathryn. We had a good bye prayer with Daddy (Bryant) and Kathilee, and hopped in the truck. At that point Daddy pointed out a puddle under the front of the truck. Oil was leaking in larger amounts than is acceptable for starting off on a long road trip. I had just fixed a leak in the oil cooler lines on Monday but apparently the fix didn’t hold. Daddy went to town to try to locate the oil line connectors for the external oil cooler. Laura and I took a closer look at our packing job, how tight everything was, and how uncomfortable the 12-13 hour trip would be. Daddy had offered a small utility trailer for us to use if needed. Because we were taking a few of Edwin’s tools, winter clothes for when we return from Guyana, etc, we were heavily loaded.  We decided that the trailer would be necessary. Daddy located the parts for the truck while in town. They had to be shipped from another store and would be at that location in an hour.

We ate our lunch while we waited for Daddy to return from town with the parts for the truck. I started working on making a trailer light adapter after lunch. Shortly, Daddy arrived with the new parts and went in to eat his lunch while I put the new parts on the truck. Wow it was hot. The outside temperature was somewhere near 97, with shade on short supply. Daddy then retrieved the trailer from the weeds and it had a FLAT tire. We parked the trailer on the driveway where we could get to all sides easily. The taillight brackets were broken or iffy, so new ones had to be fabricated and welded on. The thought also occurred to us, that the bearings should be inspected and repacked before heading out. Of the 4 bearings 2 were bad. So Daddy went off to town again, to find new bearings and seals.  I set about to fix the wiring for the trailer lights. After much trouble-shooting and rewiring, the lights finally lit up like a Christmas tree. Daddy arrived with the new bearings. While all this was happening Laura discovered that if we had left when we had planned, we would have left some cash and a check that we needed, sitting on the shelf in the room. Sometimes delays are for our own good.

The new bearings were installed, and the new tires that had been stored in the barn, were installed on the trailer as well. Next, the trailer was hooked up securely to the truck. Tarps were laid out and the larger boxes and suitcases were loaded on the trailer and the things in the truck re-positioned for better seating and mirror visibility.

Ways to entertain a toddler...

Friday morning I checked the tires all around for proper pressure and topped off the coolant reservoir tank appropriately. We started off finally, around 8:45 am. As we were driving across Arkansas I started to notice the engine temperature was rising slowly. I began to wonder if several things were contributing to the gradual temperature increase: the outside temp was running in the upper 90s, the A/C was running full blast, and the transmission was over working and heating up the radiator through the transmission cooler. We tried running in Drive instead of OverDrive and turned the A/C off for a little while. That helped, but it got hot quickly in the cabin. Temp held with the A/C back on for a while. But by the time the next gas stop came, the engine temp was creeping back up. There had to be another reason. After the truck sat for a while, using extreme care, I opened up the radiator and could not see any coolant in the radiator even though the reservoir tank was full. I topped it off with ¾ of a gallon of coolant. The engine maintained good temps the rest of the way. We arrived at about 10 pm Friday night to Laura’s parent’s home. We praise the Lord for giving us wisdom and discernment in packing, troubleshooting the vehicle, and safety on the 751 miles. Thank you all so much for your prayers for our journey

FINALLY Instrument rating Complete!!!!!

Heading out to Jones Riverside to take the exam

We did it!!!! YOU did it, the LORD did it! Edwin now has his instrument rating! Happy dance! Big sigh of relief!

Just a few weeks ago it still seemed so far off, like it might never happen. I am ashamed of how weak my faith was at times. Waiting, and waiting and waiting was the hardest part for me.

Thanks to your generous support, Edwin has been able to focus all his energies on his flight training. Thank you!

Thanks to Edwin's parents, Bryant and Joy Davidson, for the use of their airplane for these last three years and helping keep the airplane flying. They graciously provided a roof over our heads for most of the training process, and helped with keeping us fed. We couldn't have done it without them.

The weather has been quite the complication at times. The Lord provided on test day by lifting the clouds and holding the storms back. And now the summer heat has hit, we are praising the Lord that Edwin was able to take his test right when he did. We can always trust the Lords timing, even when it makes no sense to us.

Have you ever wanted something and worked for something for years? "Pleasure occurs when an intense need is satisfied." Dr. James Dobson. We have worked so hard, sacrificed so much, prayed so long for this. The happiness I felt Monday night almost rivaled our wedding day and Kathryn's birth. I cried tears of happiness. It feels like I have wings on my feet! The Lord got us through the valley and brought us to the mountain top. Our faith has been strengthened for the next valley experience that the Lord has prepared for us.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

~Laura


What a journey these last three years have been. We moved here to Oklahoma June 2 of 2013, to complete my instrument rating. I finally took my instrument rating check-ride June 13 2016. Through many speed bumps, hurtles, employment hiccups, uncooperative weather, and uncooperative avionics, I now have the instrument rating and a total of 295 hours flight experience. We are so grateful to God for the call that started us on this path and for the faith bolstering experience it has been. We are thankful for all your prayers, encouragement, and support on our behalf as we navigated this course. The Designated Pilot Examiner said when he handed me my new certificate; “Congratulations you’ve just completed the most difficult pilot rating. It is difficult because it is hard.”

~Edwin

Where I have been taking Lessons this past year.

2 hours of questioning.

PreFlight before the practical phase of the test.

"What?! Me nervous???"

YAY!!!! Finally I have an Instrument Rating!!!!!

Couldn't have done it without my patient Laura by my side.

N2668G

Lifters might as well be coarse sand paper.

A damaged rod journal from debris in the oil.

I spoke with the mechanic last week who is working on 2668G, the Cessna 182 that I flew for the month of January in Collegedale TN. This plane was donated to GMI around Christmas time, and is being prepped to go to Guyana. They got the new cylinders back. While they were cleaning everything up and inspecting everything before it goes back together, they found BAD NEWS. Because the engine had been sitting for much of its life it had developed corrosion on the camshaft and lifters. The corrosion made the surfaces rough and increased the wear in the engine significantly. The particles that came off were then circulated in the engine oil causing damage to the crankshaft. This means that a thorough tear-down, inspection and rebuild of the engine is required. Fortunately the cylinders, which are the expensive parts in an overhaul, are already purchased. Yesterday David Gates was at the hanger and talked with the mechanic and gave him the go-ahead to complete the overhaul.

Clarification: this is not the plane that I am using in Oklahoma to finish my IFR training. that one is a Cessna 172 that looks similar but is smaller. N4192F seems to be working just fine. I flew with the instructor yesterday and spoke with the Examiner and they feel that I will be ready for the test with just a few more mock exams.

The Cessna 172 that I am training in.