NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
days before they planned to transport 8,000 pounds of
cargo, Cuba balked before issuing written documentation.
“It’s still a communist country,” he says. “There’s the
thought that it isn’t fair for one group to get medical supplies
60
and musical instruments if everyone isn’t.”
As the organization expands, more pilots and mechanics
are needed, but because they raise their own support,
would-be associates can’t just walk in and get hired. Volunteers
are always appreciated, of course, to sort mail and
donations, prepare for events and perform other activities.
Sarah Smith coordinates volunteer opportunities.
“There’s a form to submit on our website (www.missionaryflights.
org on the contact page),” she says, “or just
give us a call.”
Groundbreaking has taken place for a five-acre hospitality
park close to headquarters. Building will be done
by Fort Pierce’s Richard K. Davis Construction in three
phases: RV park, hospitality center and pool, and cottages
for missionaries or work teams and other volunteers. All
donations received for this project will be matched up to
$1 million in 2018, with an additional $500,000 matched
in 2019.
“Our motto (Standing in the Gap) comes from Ezekiel
22:30,” Karabensh says. “God says that he ‘sought for a
man among them, that should ... stand in the gap.’ There’s
a big gap between America and Haiti, and we stand in
that gap through feeding programs, well drilling, construction
teams, orphanages, our Christmas bag project,
mail and package service.”
Oh, yes ... and those big beautiful airplanes that make it
all possible.
ELLEN GILLETTE
Gayle Gilmore, left, and Donna Fitzpatrick are two of many volunteers at Missionary
Flights International in Fort Pierce. A fabric store in Palm Beach County
donates pallets of cloth for the sewing school Fitzpatrick has set up in Haiti.
ELLEN GILLETTE
This stripped down DC-3 languished in South Africa until it was “donated” for only back storage costs. Repairs and new engines will be expensive, but
when it’s finished, MFI will have spent perhaps half of the estimated $4 million value.