Stephen Newton, Spring 2020

 our hope in uncertain times...
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13

It was the 5th of February when we received another call to search for another
local fisherman...


We hoped that our newest pilot, who was on his way from Germany with his
family, would not be held up at a transiting airport as they journeyed to Palau.

Our last sea search occurred at the beginning of December. It was the 5th of February when we received another call to search for another local fisherman. Oddly, he had gone missing in nearly the same location as the last lost fisherman. This time I flew with only one passenger. His name was Ishmael and he was the Marine Law officer who was sent to assist in the search. Again, the man had been missing for nearly 24 hrs before we were notified. He had been using a raft, which had been found, and was wearing a black shirt. I departed Koror International Airport and flew to the northeast and to the coordinates where the fisherman had been seen last. From there, I did a north to south search. As sunset drew closer, and I had covered a large search area, it was agreed that it was time to return to base. Again, no luck. Again the missing man was not found.

 As the new year began, and as the first few months came and went, operations here, in Palau, seemed somewhat normal. We continued our flights to Angaur and Peleliu, and there were even some scenic flights. There was the above mentioned sea search and there were medevacs as well. At this point, we began to hear more news about the Coronavirus. We hoped that our newest pilot, who was on his way from Germany with his family, would not be held up at a transiting airport as they journeyed to Palau. Jan and his wife and baby made it without issue at the end of February. My newest responsibility was to make sure Jan was properly checked out and ready to fly in Palau. During March, I was able to fly with and release Jan to begin flying.

A church is not a place

As the worldwide pandemic spread from country to country, Palau began limiting flights and began looking for a place to quarantine people who tested positive for Covid 19. The government set its eyes on the facility where PMA holds its church service and other ministries. This is also the location where I have lived while here in Palau. It became more and more apparent that we would need to leave the church facility, and I and others would need to find another place to live. With short notice, it was confirmed that we would need to leave. Though it seemed very uncertain where we would live, God provided. Some of my co workers were able to find a place in Koror, and I was able to find an apartment that is very close to the airport. It has been a good place, and it is great to be only a short drive from work. From the end of March until the first part of May, our church had to cancel meeting together in person; however, we were able to meet via the online platform for Sunday service. We were able to resume meeting in person on Mother's day. Lately, I have not flown much yet have remained busy at the hangar with the task of removing rust and applying rust converter to the pieces of shelving which will serve as a place for storage in the future. Proper storage will be necessary in the future when the Hangar has been finished. At this point, Palau remains one of the few countries which has no confirmed cases of the virus. There have been a number of people under investigation and who have been tested, but their results came back negative. Praise God. There are currently no airline flights to or from Palau, and it is unknown when regular airline flights will resume. Our operations have continued, yet we have only flown locals. Palau seems much quieter. The main parks or meeting places have been closed. Though, as I consider these things, I am reminded that God remains in control and our hope in Him is never in vain. It is such a great comfort to know that God is fully in charge of the current world situation, always has been, and always will be. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

Thank each of you who have remembered me in your prayers, and thank you for your continued financial support. My thoughts and prayers are with you, and my hope is that you would keep me in your prayers as well.

God bless and keep you,
Stephen


Our church being renovated for use as a potential quarantine facility. It is a great blessing that PMF is able to serve Palau in this way by offering our old place of meeting as a place that can be used for quarantine if needed.

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