Once again we are happy to send you greetings from Bribri. Needless to say, we miss you all and are looking forward to the next time we can greet you face to face. I will try to be brief and will attach some pictures at the end of this letter.

First of all, let me say how blessed we have been by the teams that have joined us so far this year. Our friend and partner in the work here, Darryl Rawlings (the test pilot from Huntsville, AL.), took a 2 month leave of absence from his work and has been very helpful. He returned home to his family and job on June 3rd. We were also joined by two work teams from North Carolina who were with us for 1 week each. During their visits we were able to pour the majority of a cement drainage canal along the length of the property where the hanger will be located and we poured the cement bases for the hanger columns. Then the rain set in for about 2 weeks.

With a break in the rains, we finally finished the majority of the grading of the property and we are hauling in rock for the road to the hanger site and landing pad. We had 6 days of rain last week, but during that time we continued to make progress. We were able to weld together all of the 10 columns for the hanger and build a jig for manufacturing the hanger roof trusses. We also cut all of the members for the trusses and have them ready to weld together.

With the help of Carlos Vargas, the owner of Aerodiva, we are in the process of locating fuel tanks and pump that will be installed beside the hanger. Aerodiva, by the way, is the aviation company that has the Huey we have used on several occasions. Carlos is also helping us with the necessary paperwork which we must file with the Aviation Authority in order to operate Samaritan Air's Huey in Costa Rica.

As I have mentioned before, for a long time now, part of my vision for this ministry has been to expand our out-reach from the Bribri and Cabecar Indians here in Talamanca to include the Guaymi, Terraba, Cuna and Bokata Indians in Panama. This expansion would be very difficult if not impossible without the helicopter in that these tribes are as remote, or more so, than the Bribri and Cabecar. They are also much more numerous, more than 100,000. Unknown to me, several months ago God put these same Indians on David Jones' heart. He has made friends with some Guaymi that are living near Bribri and has begun learning their language. He has also located an area were we might establish a base from which we can begin working in earnest. I have been amazed at how God is swinging open the doors of opportunity. The full harvest, I believe, is getting closer and closer. We only need to be in the field working.

In an effort to keep you informed as to the cost of establishing the heliport in Bribri, the following is a breakdown of the hanger expenses.

Columns    $1928.30
Trusses    $3878.56
Roof Perlin    $4563.20
Roofing    $6060.24
Ridge cap    $259.90
Wall studs    $2852.00
Siding    $5316.00
Rock fill (hanger floor)    $539.00
Concrete (hanger floor)    $5148.00
Reinforcing wire (hanger floor)    $1235.00
Form boards    $650.00
Misc. (screws, welding rods & wire, etc.)    $ 1500.00

That brings the total for the hanger structure to $ 33,930.20. You'll notice the hanger doors are not listed because I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to build the doors. Also not noted are the interior components that we are going to need. Nor do we have the cost for the fuel tanks, pump and hoses as of yet.

The total area of the property where the heliport will be located is about 4 acres. We have already invested approximately $15,000.00 on the necessary grading and drainage ditches. The cement for the landing pad is going to cost approximately $9810.00.

By the time we have the helicopter operating in Talamanca, there will have been invested a great deal of time, money and energy. But, it is going to make possible areas of ministry that were never ever possible before. I pray that you can grasp the enormity of that fact. Try to imagine, if you can, being in a place or situation where the only thing that surrounds you is spiritual darkness. No Christian influence, no sliver of light to pierce the darkness and no body of Christ to help bear the sorrows this life has in store. Now consider what a privilege we have, that God has made known to us such a place and the need that exist among its peoples. What a privilege that God has honored us with the opportunity to make an eternal difference in the lives of so many people previously isolated from demonstrations of His love.

Please continue to pray for Daisy, the boys and myself. There are seasons when the work is more difficult than at other times. And it is really not the work itself. It is simply that we are far away from that portion of the body of Christ which helps to keep us strengthened and encouraged. It may sound strange, but your donations do far more than just fund the work and pay the bills. They are in a real sense a form of encouragement for us. Your donations are the tangible demonstration that you believe in what we are doing and that you are standing with us. Your giving and sacrifice in regard to this ministry, demonstrate that the salvation of souls and a Christian witness among the Indians has become important to you and are a priority in your life. They help us know that you are standing with us. It is like standing before a thirsty person and not only saying 'I am praying that your thirst is satisfied', but also handing him a cold drink.

Thank you for your help. May God's love and provision be demonstrated in your life.

Site of heliport in Bribri along the Sixaola River.

Darryl welding hanger column

Matt Holeton spoke at a church near the Panama border

James helping with cement forms

Hanger truss ready to weld

Daisy, John and James in Bajo Coen