This was just sent out by John Rodkey who runs the fAA (fearless Aeronca Aviators) email list.
If anyone can help, please contact him below. I am donating $!00 to the cause.
Joe A
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From: John Rodkey <poobahster@gmail.com>
Date sent: Sat, 2 Mar 2013 08:55:19 -0800
To: Aeronca Aviators <aeronca@westmont.edu>
Copies to: Rodkeyfam <rodkeyfam@westmont.edu>
Subject: [f-AA] Can you help John and Jeanne go to Alaska?
Send reply to: aeronca@westmont.edu
<mailto:aeronca-request@westmont.edu?subject=unsubscribe>
<mailto:aeronca-request@westmont.edu?subject=subscribe>
It is quite unusual for me to make such a direct appeal for help, so please bear with me.
My amazing wife, Jeanne, grew up in the 'bush' of south-central Alaska, where her parents cared for the spiritual and physical needs of the Alaskan natives in the small villages scattered throughout the Yukon/Kuskokwim delta region. Her father, Dave Penz, has continued this work, leading Kako Retreat Center about 15 miles from Russian Mission, about 80 miles north of Bethel. Kako Retreat Center runs a number of summertime camps and retreats for youth and adults. Unabashedly Christian, this ministry works to introduce Alaskan natives to Jesus Christ and transform communities through His life-changing work in them.
We were very honored and pleased when KRC asked Jeanne to be the 'speaker' for the Lady's Berry-picking Retreat. This is a highlight of many native women's year: the hills above Kako are full of blueberries, and they love to be able to come together to gather the berries while benefiting from fellowship, teaching and mentoring. Because Jeanne's has maintained relationships with many from the Alaskan bush over the years and is deeply aware of the intense struggles they face, she has credibility that I believe will allow her message to be received where others might be viewed with suspicion.
One problem KRC faces is that those who wish to come to the retreat are scattered in villages in a 120 mile radius, with no transportation system other than air transport. KRC has a Cessna 182 and a 206, but pilots are in short supply. So I was not surprised when KRC asked me if I could volunteer to fly the C182 for them while Jeanne was here. I was surprised to hear myself say that I'd consider it! I've been flying under Sport Pilot rules, and would need both a third class medical and training in bush flying in a C182, and a complex aircraft endorsement.
Normally, the costs of obtaining these would be prohibitive, but an organization near Arlington, WA, that trains missionary pilots, MATA, has offered to provide the needed training for the cost of renting the airplane.
Even so, the total cost will run to somewhere between $5000 and $6000. We fully expect to underwrite a large portion of this ourselves, but it wasn't something that was in our budget this year. So I'm writing to you to see if you might be able to and desire to support this outreach. Even if you can't support us financially, I would like to ask you to pray specifically for good weather and safe flying during the first weeks of August.
I am aware that many on the Aeronca list are not Christians, and I don't mean to offend or exclude you by sending this email. The fact is that I am a disciple of Jesus, and I really truly believe that a relationship with him is the best thing that could ever happen to anyone. I respect your beliefs, whether they match up with mine, and hope that the feeling is mutual.
Thank you, everyone on the f-AA list, for all the wonderful years of good advice, kidding around, and deep friendships that we have developed together.
John Rodkey
P.S. If you need tax deductible receipts, you can send donations either to Kako Retreat Center or MATA, and designate them for the 'Rodkey-Kako project'
http://www.mata-usa.org/
http://www.kakoretreatcenter.org
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John (poobah) Rodkey - N9361E 11AC at Goleta