Tom & Diane | Fairview Church

A page from our Journal.

“Tom & Diana gone south.”

March 15, 2025 Suriname, South America.

Greetings from Paramaribo;

Good afternoon. Surprise, it is raining here today. The Big Rainy season is early. This is playing havoc with our schedule.

That has been the story this week. Rain at the MAF base is inconvenient, but it canceled several flights due to the airstrip's interior being under water or clouds too low to land. This week we had almost 40 hours of flying scheduled and we managed to make 8 or so. Things just didn't work out. Then we had airplane problems. It started with a failed Vacuum pump drive coupling. Then a failed ignition lead, then an alternator dropping offline in flight. When three things happen in almost the same flight I start pondering if it is the Holy Spirit telling me something or Someone else who doesn't want the flight to happen. In this case I still am not sure.

A new game, identify “Which of these things doesn’t belong” or “Crack/not-a-Crack “

Correct, the left photo with the Crack doesn’t belong. The marker line is ok.

Repairing the alternator led to the discovery that the electric fuel pump had failed at about the same time. That pump is a build to order so the one I ordered last month will be here in June. Saying lightning never strikes twice may not exactly apply, we didn’t find any signs of a lightning strike. Three electrical issues within 2 flight hours is quite a concidence. So was it the Holy Spirt keeping us from somethign bad. I will choose to give Him the glory and credit rather than give any credence to the other option.

Four Cubans, two Indians, a Dutch guy, and two Americans eating Indian food. Sadly, the South African couldn't make it to our men's fellowship English language prayer meeting meal. Sorry, you missed some really good Indian food. But the fellowship and friendship are part of what we love about serving internationally. If you come visit, we will do it again.

We are doing well. Thank you for your prayers. T&D in Suriname