Updated: February 19, 2007
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Eagles' Wings News
Eagles' Wings High School is
now in its second year!
Near Goroka!
Includes Elementary and High School
through Grade 12.
Sponsored by Eagles' Wings Aviation Ministry
David H. Hersman, President
Lydia D. Joseph, Administrator
Utilizing ACE curriculum for the core curriculum,
plus daily aviation orientation.
Focusing on Christian Character
Professional Attitudes
Academic Excellence
Mastery of English
Aviation Knowledge
For God and Country
Send K5 for Complete Introduction and Information
package, OR
Send K16 for this packet, PLUS "AvPac 1."
"AvPac 1" is an introductory self contained work
book including an introduction to airplanes, flight instruments,
engines, and their operation.
Eagles' Wings Aviation
Ministry
P. O.
Box 117
Goroka, EHP
Papua New Guinea
Since then end of 1995, my wife, Crystal, and I
have been continuously involved the ministry of
Evangelical Bible Mission
in Papua New Guinea. We have not been in PNG all the time, but have
spent well over five years here. Even when we are in the US, we were
still working on educational and aviation projects for PNG, and
almost always had PNG young people with us. Here we work daily with
PNG Bible Church and Goroka Christian Academy, in the town of
Goroka. We also provide training for the staff of many schools using
the ACE program in this
country. Each year we conduct Education Leadership Training for
school staff and church workers from around the country.
Missionaries usually "wear many hats" meaning that many of
us are involved in several different ministries of outreach and
development.
Our other major ministry is Eagles' Wings Aviation
Ministry. (EWAM)
There is a tremendous need for
more pilots and aircraft in Papua New Guinea. A few mission
organizations are using single-engine airplanes effectively in
spreading the Gospel. However, the population has more than tripled
since 1950 - to about 5 million! The national pastors are doing a
tremendous job expanding the church into the "bush." There is no
definite plan to develop a nation-wide road system, so airplanes are
going to be the backbone of transportation for decades - at least!
Almost all of the aircraft
used in mission work in PNG are involved in some sort of commercial
activity - the theory being that this commercial activity helps pay
the operational cost for the Lord's work. This has been done for a
long time, and seems to have worked fairly well, but operating cost
have continued to rise, making the cost per passenger (or cargo)
escalate, and most of these operations a struggling financially.
The emphasis of Eagles' Wings
Flight Training is now focused on obtaining a suitable training
plane, and training a national to be a flight instructor. During 2006 we will conducting several AvBungs - in each of the
major population centers of Papua New Guinea.
We are encouraging aviation
opportunities for interested young people throughout the country,
and developing Aviation Science curriculum. Almost every day we
receive mail, e-mail, phone calls or visits from interested young
people. Since about January 2002 there has not been any flight
instruction available in PNG, yet there is a lot of interest and a
tremendous need
Since 2001 hundreds of young
people have attended Eagles' Wings AvBungs in Goroka, Lae, Wewak,
and Tabubil. Most of these are not in a financial position to buy an
airplane for pay for training, so were helping them to learn to work
together to get a small Training plane eventually.
Many of these young people
are hoping and waiting for scholarships or other handouts (maybe
their wantok system) which will never materialize. They do not have
access to as many opportunities as we have in the United States.
Some are not taking a good advantage of the opportunities they do
have. We are constantly working toward attitudes of productivity
instead of dependency.
We know that if more people
get involved in flying, it will make the sky more accessible for
everyone who is interested including those of us in the Lord's work.
Any advancement in productivity is also helpful to the country's
economy.
Eagles' Wings has helped two of our most dedicated and
productive young people in their quest for flight training. These
two have shown perseverance and self-motivation to achieve their
goals. We have no desire or plan to become an organization of
handouts and scholarships. Our goals is to motivate people to reach
their goals for God's glory.
One of our first major steps in this direction involved this
young lady from Papua New Guinea, who earned our love and respect
while we were there the first time. Hannah Keru became a member of
our household in February 1997, and I later taught her to fly when
we were in the United States. She is a true "daughter" to us, a fine
Christian example, and is now 27 years old. She made her
first solo flight on December 15, 1998, at Greenbrier Valley
Airport, Lewisburg, West Virginia. Hannah now has about 170 hours of
flight experience. She took her Private Pilot Flight Test on July
17, 2001. Hannah is now back in Papua New Guinea. She married
Mr. Ken Siminji in September 2005, and they live in Port Moresby.
You may like to help with this project. In Papua New
Guinea, "the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few."
For the Christian message to continue to bear fruit, we must train
the young people to use the most efficient and effective tools! When
it comes to transportation, the airplane is the only way!
One young lady, Lydia Joseph, (not the same
Lydia as mentioned above) would like to eventually become a flight
instructor. Her parents have long been involved in Christian
education. Lydia attended New Tribes Mission schools through grade
10, graduated from Grade 12 from Ufeto Christian Academy. After high school she
attended the Baptist college near Goroka. Lydia has been involved in
our aviation classes since the beginning, helps with used clothing,
and is a very capable scholar. During 2003 - 2004 she spent almost a
year with us in the United States. During this time she received
enough training to solo, and logged several hors of solo time. One of
my long term goals is to see her reach her goal. I am confident she
will use her talents to serve others in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ. Lydia is almost daily involved in the Eagles' Wings
ministry,, including the new Aviation-Oriented high school being
developed at Massy, 5 kilometers from Goroka..
Donate Your
Airplane
Would you like to donate your Cessna 172 or other suitable
training airplane for this work in Papua New Guinea.
You can contact us:
Eagles' Wings Aviation Ministry
P. O. Box 117
Goroka, EHP
Papua New Guinea
Phone: (675) 732-2904
The best way to contact us by E-mail:
David@EaglesWings.net
Thank you for your prayers, and support.
Sincerely in Christ,
David and Crystal Hersman
 Papua
New Guinea is the eastern half of the world's second largest island.
The country also includes about 1300 smaller islands. It is located
just north of the continent of Australia, and just south of the
equator. Papua New Guinea has two mountains higher than 14,000 feet,
but a lot of area over 12,000. It is a beautiful country, and is
mostly inhabited by warm-hearted, friendly people. The greatest
need, as in all countries, is for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and
the principles of His word, to become the chief influence in the
emerging culture.
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