One payload at a time

Posted by Dave Cheney 7-5-2012

On June 7, 2012, my wife Debbie and I made a WOF missionary flight from Southern California to Window Rock Arizona; which is just a few miles from Gallup New Mexico and the Arizona/New Mexico state line. At 7:00 am we departed our home airport near Riverside for the short hop to Corona to rendezvous at the WOF hangar. Once there, we met Jim Yost, and others with the WOF organization to carefully weigh, pack, and load our Cessna 180 with much needed shoes, clothing, food, and Bibles that would be transported the 432 air miles to Window Rock.


Once loaded and ready to depart, the group of us formed a circle, joined hands, and prayed over Debbie and I for a safe journey and that God would be with us on our voyage. Although I typically take for granted this time of prayer as I get caught up in the stress of readying for the trip, it is at this moment in time that the world seems to cease to exist around us, and the strength and power of the Holy Spirit descends upon us, and fills us with the joy of working towards the salvation of others through the blessed work provided by Wings of Faith missionaries. It is a powerful moment in time, and one that serves to provide me with strength long after the trip is complete.


We departed Corona at approximately 8:30 for the first leg of our trip, which would be a two hour flight into Prescott, Arizona. There we refueled and rested before departing for the final leg into Window Rock. The forecast called for winds and turbulence to increase throughout the day along our route of flight and at our destination, so we wasted no time in getting back in the air to take advantage of the smooth air we experienced on our flight over the California and Arizona deserts.


It was not long after our departure that we began to marvel at the awe inspiring beauty God has created in the rugged, colorful, and picturesque mountains, valleys, canyons, and painted deserts of northern Arizona. Although we flew at 9500 feet, we had a bird's eye view of the red rock formations and canyons near Sedona, the lush forests and mountains to the north towards Flagstaff, and the deep blue hues of Mormon Lake, all passing within two to three thousand feet below our route of flight. As we flew east towards Gallup, New Mexico, we entered the more wind-swept and desolate terrain of eastern Arizona, where many of the Native American Indian reservations are located. We turned towards the north and descended through a canyon into the small community of Window Rock.


It was in Window Rock that I again, not only felt the power of the Holy Spirit, but I saw the power of the Holy Spirit working through the lifelong dedication to others in Joyce Muench. Joyce is reflective of all the missionaries I have met through Wings of Faith; she has given everything she owns to tirelessly conduct the work of Christ through the servitude of others in providing for both the worldly and spiritual needs of impoverished native Americans. Joyce had arrived to the airport after driving over 40 miles, mostly on dirt roads, in her well-worn Chevrolet van to pick up the load we had just hauled in. She told us stories of the children whose faces light up when they receive the new clothes to wear and books to read, of adults very thankful for the support WOF provides as they struggle to raise families, and in many cases, just to survive, and of other hardships faced daily by these folks as they live life on the reservation. After over 30 years of service to others, Joyce has many stories to share.


Unfortunately, due to the winds that were increasing in strength, Debbie and I were unable to spend the time with Joyce that we would have liked. However, looking back on this trip, as well as others flown for WOF, I am truly blessed to be a pilot for the WOF organization and to provide some relief to others in desperate need of food, clothing, and spiritual education and support. In many of these remote locations we are looked upon as angels making a delivery for God; and a delivery made by Wings of Faith is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year!