While organizing images on my computer, I came across this throw-back photo of the Martinez family during our first missionary posting in Oklahoma. We took this photo just before departing on a “deputation trip” in preparation for our upcoming missionary posting in Central America. We planned to depart Tulsa, fly across Texas and New Mexico to southeast Arizona. This trip took us to our home church in the city of …
Critical to Safe Flight!
During the return leg of a missionary transport flight, a failure light (L VAC) illuminated on the warning panel of the aircraft I was flying. It indicated that the left vacuum pump (VP) had failed. Briefly explained, the vacuum system keeps gyro instruments spinning to provide accurate attitude readings during flight. Because they are critical to safe flight, two are designed into this aircraft, a primary and backup. As an …
Starting The Day
Nearing the two-decade mark as missionaries, Chuck & Robin have learned to never expect the routine, and above all, seek God’s wisdom daily by reading and meditating on His Word. In missionary life, there are very few days that could be called “routine.” Stacks of paperwork demand attention daily, as does a to-do list that never seems to get any shorter. The plan formulated yesterday may well be obsolete before …
Dedicated to Charlie Martinez, my father (January 1, 1935 – February 28, 2022)
A telephone call from a ministry associate put a series of events into motion on March 8, 2022. A pastor from a small town about an hour from our ministry base in Quetzaltenango had sustained a serious eye injury. Medics at a local clinic determined he would need a hospital and surgery. The capital, Guatemala City, is some 6 hours away. The best option was for a medical transport flight. …
A Peaceful Christmas
In 2002, shortly after the attacks of 9/11, I was in Iraq tasked to train a group of soldiers, many still teenagers, in the use of a new weapon system. As a former Marine, field life in a combat zone was strangely comfortable. When I was on active duty, it was customary, even expected, to enthusiastically bark orders or have orders barked at you. As a civilian contractor, it was …
Site Survey Coban
About the middle of August, Chuck & Robin (C&R), SGSP Aviation Ministries International directors spent a morning talking with local pilots trying to get a feel for this 50ft wide by 3300ft long airstrip. The strip has a 3deg upslope with a pretty good kick at one end. Most pilots will opt to land uphill and takeoff downhill as seen in the photo however, given the right wind conditions a …
Taking Care of Our Volunteers
Brian and Deb are retired living in Guatemala but are by no means idle with their time. Here at SGSP Aviation Ministries we appreciate the gift of time and talent. Recently on an SGSP follow up mission between Quetzaltenango and Guatemala City, we invited B&D to ride along and get a look at the western highlands from a vantage point few get to see. Judging from the smiles on their …
Too Much of a Good Thing!?!?
In 1968, when I was 8 years old, my family lived in San Antonio, Texas. My elementary school was a short 15-minute walk from our back door. Or if one or several things captured my attention along the way, that walk could take near an hour. But on my Schwinn Stingray, with banana seat and high-rise handlebars, I could cover that distance in an instant. One day a school chum …
Ministering Confidence and Creativity
Robin recognized nearly 15 years ago that work, survival, and family expectations, leave girls and women in rural communities with few options. We began to formulate ministry outreaches that would teach practical sewing skills while touching hearts and minds and opening the door to the Gospel of salvation. Often these classes serve as an outlet (valuable me time) for the marginalized Mayen youth in the western highlands of Guatemala. Once …
Struck Down But…Well Nearly!
Safe on the ground after back-to-back ministry support flights, Robin and I carefully rolled open four of the 30-ft tall hangar doors, each weighing 400lbs. With the hangar open, we broke a sweat wrestling a 3600 lb. aircraft into position by hand. After a moment to catch our breath, we began to clean, check, inventory, refuel, and cover the aircraft. This is all part of the post-flight routine, so that …