By: Bruce Nelson
I awoke early Friday, June 8th, in anticipation of a flight to Polacca, Ariz. (75 miles northeast of Flagstaff) to deliver a load of donated goods to missionaries Russ and Cyndi Toews, who live on Second Mesa, home of the Hopi Indians.
The 600 pound load included new clothing, Vans tennis shoes, food, sports equipment, Gospel of John CDs and other supplies that Russ and Cindy would use in their ministry.
Fueled with 80 gallons of Avgas, I prepared my portable oxygen, as I planned to fly at 13,500 feet to take advantage of a 15-knot tailwind.
I departed Corona, CA, at 9:30am for a three hour flight of 375 miles. The rising sun from the east made me hot and I wished I had worn shorts instead of blue jeans. As I neared Lake Havasu a flight of two military Osprey aircraft flew just behind and under me at 12,000 feet. That was very cool to see!
Not nearly as fast as the Osprey, I was nevertheless making good time. My ground speed was around 145 knots. Approximately 30 minutes from Polacca, high winds and turbulence started in and kicked me around quite a bit.
I landed at Polacca’s asphalt runway in very poor condition at 12:30 and was met by Cyndi, her son Nathan, and a co-laborer in the ministry named Dawn Burkholder. We unloaded goods from the plane to their SUV, including some fresh California strawberries I took as a small gift. We enjoyed a nice, albeit short, visit prior to my departure for Prescott, where my parents lived and where I would stay the night.
In Prescott we met up with Dave and Debbie Cheney who also fly with Wings, for dinner and nice evening of fellowship. The next morning I returned to Torrance, CA.
It is a blessing to use my time and airplane in service to the Lord, and to let “America’s Forgotten People” know that they are not forgotten by God, nor by His servants.
Bruce Nelson
N61576
1977 Cessna 180
