June 25th, 2025. The heat settled over the land like a heavy blanket. Philip was in the shop, wearing jeans and wishing for a breeze, while Anna and Malachi were chilling in the pool, soaking up the summer sunshine and staying as cool as they could. Inside our RV both of our 1500-watt air conditioners were doing everything in their power to fight back the North Carolina heat. It’s safe to say: summer has officially arrived.
Despite the heat, life continues at full speed. We’re learning that in this season, flexibility and grace are essential.
Thankfully, Philip was assigned to two indoor jobs this month. For the first two weeks of June, he spent his days inside the JAARS machine shop — a place filled with the hum of very precise and expensive machinery. While there, he learned a range of valuable skills: how to measure down to a tenth of a thousandth (0.0001) of an inch, how to operate a lathe and a milling machine, how to draft technical drawings that communicate clearly and exactly, and how to heat treat metals to make them stronger or more flexible.
These aren’t just mechanical skills — they’re tools for service. In missions aviation, the ability to build or fix a part from scratch in a remote location can mean the difference between getting a plane back in the air or leaving it grounded. Philip came home tired but excited.
After wrapping up his time in the machine shop, Philip was given the opportunity to shadow JAARS’ Maintenance Control Officer. This job is less hands-on and more strategic, but just as critical. The officer is responsible for forecasting when aircraft will need maintenance — not just the regularly scheduled inspections, but also predicting wear and tear on individual parts. It’s a bit like solving a constantly moving puzzle. Philip got a front-row seat to see how the big picture of aircraft operations comes together.
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Meanwhile, Malachi has been exploring his artistic side. He’s taken a special interest in music, and lately he and Philip have been heading up on stage after church to play the drums together. At home, Malachi can often be found strumming (i.e. hitting) the ukulele strings.
Anna, too, has had a full and fruitful month. She’s been diving into Global Education and Care Orientation (GECO) training — a course designed to equip people who work with missionary kids around the world. These children grow up with unique challenges: navigating multiple cultures, experiencing frequent transitions, and often carrying deep spiritual questions from a young age. Anna has been learning how to come alongside these kids with empathy, structure, and love. It’s a challenging and important preparation — and one she’s engaging with wholeheartedly.
All in all, June has been a month of preparation.
Philip has been sharpening his technical skills to serve more effectively with his hands. Anna has been equipping herself to minister with compassion and insight to children with globally mobile lives. Malachi has been refining his throw, and as a family, we’ve been mentally and physically preparing for two big things: our upcoming move in early July, and the start of ICC — Intercultural Communications Course — which will be a significant part of our training.
Even in the heat and busyness, we’re reminded that preparation is holy work. It’s the quiet building up, the unseen foundation-laying, the steady hand that gets us ready for what comes next.
Thanks for walking this journey with us.
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