This Week Old South Haven Church

Linda Majowka is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic:   Sunday Church Zoom Meeting

Time: May 24, 2020 09:45 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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Meeting ID: 242 554 4200

Password: 092003

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In the Service of the Lord

 "An American pilot, serving people in remote Indonesian villages, died

trying to bring them covid-19 tests." 

Washington Post 5/18/2020

May 20, 2020

Dear Members and Friends of Old South Haven Presbyterian Church,

There weren't any roads leading to the valley where Joyce Lin was headed.  So on the morning of May 12, on an Indonesian runway, the American missionary pilot climbed into the cockpit of a small Kodiak aircraft and prepared to set out over the jungle.  Carrying rapid covid-19 test kits and other  supplies she was bound for Mamit, a remote village in the Papuan highlands awaiting her help.

  Lin, a pilot for Mission Aviation Fellowship, an American-based Christian and humanitarian aid organization, had made the journey many times before   She was to take off at Lake Sentani, fly for dozens of miles over the thick, emerald jungle, climb over a pair of towering limestone mountain ridges, and then finally descend into the valley, landing on a runway that went up a hill.

  But Lin's flight never arrived as expected.  Two minutes after she ascended over Lake Sentani, she sent out an emergency distress call that she was in trouble.  The plane went down quickly into the water. Villagers who lived along the coast rushed into the lake in search of her, but it was too late. Lind died in the crash.  She was 40 years old. 

  Lin, the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, grew up in Colorado and Maryland and attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned two degrees in computer science and engineering.  She then worked as an IT specialist for the US Air Force and for a private cyber security firm until she felt pulled toward missionary work.  "She died doing what she loved, serving the people she loved in a place that she loved, that she felt deeply, deeply called to," said her close friend Christy Geaslen, whose husband Joel served with Lin.  300 people attended the beloved missionary's funeral.

  This weekend we observe Memorial Day and pay our respects to those who serve in the military.  Often times we forget those who also serve in, and along side of our military, to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need. "A lot of times when people think of a missionary, they don't think of what I do," Lin said.  They don't think of flying a plane or fixing a computer. They think of someone out there evangelizing, and that's just not what we do most of the time.  My prayer each morning is simply that I would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and I would be a blessing somehow, to somebody, that day."

  We need to remember that we are all Christian soldiers.  Reaching out to those in need.  Jesus, quoting from Isaiah 61 says "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring the Good News to the poor.  He has sent me to announce release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind; to set at liberty those who have been oppressed; and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."   Walking in the steps of our Lord we too are missionaries here on "the island".  As we continue to struggle in the midst of the Corona Virus pandemic, let us continue to share his love while supporting those in need and those who are afraid.  Despite the continued need for social distancing, let us reach out and express the Christian love Jesus taught us to have.

  Once again we invite you to join us at church, via zoom and the Internet, this Sunday, May 24th to celebrate the seventh Sunday of Easter, Ascension Sunday and Memorial Day.  Elder Jason Neal will bring the message.

Peace, and please share your concerns and prayer requests with all of us, including the pastor.

Pastor Ralph

Rev. Ralph B. Wright, Jr.

516-606-7671 (cell); 631-289-5761 (home) or rbwright1@aol.com