Josh and Candy Dalton Expanding the Reach of the Gospel Through Aviation in the Philippines How Being Quiet Helps People Hear About Jesus
Our ministry through the eyes of our kids
We live in the Philippines. We have lived here for almost 3 years now. We live on a little island called Palawan. We are missionaries. Missionaries tell other people about Jesus and how He is the Deliverer. Lots of our friends here are missionaries too. We live in a bigger town on our island. Our friends live far away in the villages. On the days that Daddy flies, we hear the radio right when we wake up in the morning. It is loud and makes lots of funny noises. We hear Mommy talking to Daddy on the radio and she is always saying things like, “Roger,” and “negative copy,” and lots of numbers. It is very hard to hear Daddy sometimes. We have to be very quiet and not interrupt or talk loud so that Mommy can hear Daddy. There isn’t any air traffic controllers here, so Mommy keeps track of where Daddy is and what the weather is doing and helps keep him safe.
We like to help Daddy load the groceries in the
plane and we get to wash the airplane sometimes too.
We get to go and visit our friends in the villages sometimes too. Our friends, who live in the villages, are living there so they can tell people about Jesus & teach them God’s Word. They don’t know about Jesus yet. The missionaries couldn’t do that very good if they always had to come out and buy there own groceries and stuff. So, that’s how we can help. We be quiet, so that Mommy can hear Daddy on the radio, while Daddy flies, to help support our friends in the villages who are telling people about Jesus.
Maligayang Pasko! Merry Christmas from the Philippines!
This year has been one of the most stretching, challenging years of our lives, and yet we have never felt more content and at peace, know that we are where the Lord wants us. Check out the link below to see a few of the things the Lord is doing in us and in the Philippines, and to find out just how busy over 200 flight hours has kept us!
2011 Christmas Newsletter
Our current plan is to return to the States for a short furlough in mid-July. We will only be in the states for 8-9 months, but we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in that short time!
Be praying for us as the next few months will be challenging and stressful in some new ways as we prepare to hand off the flight program here to another pilot family who will be coming from the states to cover for us.
Merry Christmas! – The Daltons
The Event we’ve all been waiting for is about to begin!
We just returned from a wonderful day in one of our tribal locations. While I have been flying in and out of this particular location for almost a year, today was the first time we have been able to visit as a family. It was an exciting visit, not just because it was the first time my family has been there, but because the event we have all been working and praying for is finally about to begin! Please pray with us now for the team working with the Palawano people. After long years of careful language and culture study and lesson preparation, next week they will begin teaching the gospel to Palawanos who have never heard. Starting with the nature of God and creation, they will lay a foundation of truth in the hearts and minds of animistic tribal people who have no real concept of God or sin, much less salvation. Over the next few months, we pray that conviction, as well as anticipation and excitement will build as they hear of Adam’s sin passed on to us, and the long years of God’s people waiting for their deliverer, with the life, death and resurrection of Christ as the climax! Stay tuned for updates over the next few months as the time draws close for these people to finally know the truth that sets men free.
Family Trip to the Tribe
While my mom and sister were visiting, we were able to take our first trip as a family to one of the tribes that we serve. It was my first experience to actually fly with Josh here on the field and it gave me so much more of an appreciation for what he does. All theattention to detail and to weather, the focus and precision with which decisions are made are so important as you navigate a little airplane through the mountains & jungle to reach your destination. My heart went up into my throat a little bit as we approached that teeny little grass runway and I thought to myself, “Thank you, Jesus, for the skills you have given my husband to do the job you’ve called us to do.”
The two missionary families that are working in this tribe are good friends of ours, so it was wonderful to be able to see them, where they are working, and meet some of the people they are working with. The Gospel has been presented and many people have responded in faith. The missionaries are currently training leaders and helping to get a local church established. They are also involved in teaching the ladies & children as well as provide basic medical care to the tribal people. Living in the tropics with no air conditioning, no stores, and very limited transportation are just a few of the struggles these couples face each day. We feel so blessed to be able to serve them using the airplane to get them supplies, mail, and fly them in and out when needed.
We spent most of the day with the missionaries, walking around the village and spent a little time at the beach! Mom and I tried our hand at rice harvesting- I was amazed at how fast the guys were doing it! The kids really enjoyed our day there and it was as though Little Josh suddenly became alive. He absolutely loved running through the jungle, the mud, and water- his shoes and shirt came off within a few minutes of being there. Anna was a little more contemplative, asking questions and observing. She wants to know things like, “Why doesn’t he have shoes?” or “Where is their potty?”. She’s our deep thinker.
Sometimes as a wife in ministry, our husbands often get the “front-lines” jobs while we feel we are left at home behind with kids, school, and the “dirty work” part of ministry. It is easy to lose focus and feel like that what you do doesn’t really make a difference. This trip helped to remind me that if the behind-the- scenes work doesn’t get done, than the the front-lines jobs don’t get done either. The Lord has given each of us a specific job, whether it’s sitting by the radio, being a stay-at-home mom, working a job or teaching a Bible study- they are all important. Without one, the others don’t work. If I didn’t sit by the radio and listen, Josh couldn’t fly, so the missionaries couldn’t get supplies, so they wouldn’t have food and couldn’t share the Gospel, so the tribal people would never hear about Christ! And we couldn’t be here in the first place if the Lord didn’t raise up our supporters and prayer partners at home! Be encouraged today that your job is important and the Lord is glorified when we serve Him joyfully and whole-heartedly!
Click here to see pictures of our visit.
Coconut trees, fried computers and Ephesians 6
Freshly planted coconut trees on our airstrip
Yesterday started off like any other day. Quiet time, daily check in with all of our missionaries to make sure they are safe, breakfast… Then it started. We were getting ready to leave for the hangar to do some work in our parts room as a family when I got a text: “When is a good time to call? I need to talk to you.” My friend and fellow missionary called as soon as I texted him back, and what he told me was absolutely shocking. He discovered yesterday morning that his landlord had planted coconut trees on a third of our airstrip there!
As I discussed with him and also our chief pilot the options for continuing to use the airstrip, the Lord reminded me that I have been taking my family through a study on spiritual discipline, starting with how to use the spiritual armor listed in Ephesians. I am convinced that it is no coincidence that our missionary friends who are dealing with the coconut trees on their airstrip have also been teaching through Ephesians 6 in their village.
After an hour on the phone talking through logistics, policies and procedures for continuing to safely use a much shorter airstrip, we finally headed off to the hangar. I walked into the office and tried to start up the computer. Nothing happened. With a bit of a sigh at one more thing gone wrong, I unplugged the computer and plugged it into an adjacent outlet. I pressed the button again, and it started up! My relief was short-lived though, because after about 30 seconds, smoke and and sparks started pouring out of the back of the case! One of the most dramatic computer crashes I have ever seen!
Our day continued in much the same way: a system glitch at our cell phone provider that led to cell phone bills twice what they should have been, a flat tire on one of our mission vehicles, a false alarm when we were unable to get in touch with one of our missionaries for three days, and the list goes on.
Yesterday was really just another typical day in our lives. For weeks now, we have felt that Satan is bent on destroying our family, our relationships with our co-workers, our ministry among tribal groups, and our testimony. Over and over again I have been reminded that we are in a battle. Not just an imaginary, euphemistic battle, but a real, life and death struggle with a real, although un-seen, opponent. Satan and his minions are violently opposed to what we are doing, and the instant we lay our armor down, he will take us down.
The things that have sustained us through the challenges we have faced over the last few weeks are your prayers, and a constant reminder that the Captain of the Lord’s host is sovereign and will gain the victory. He will allow nothing in our lives that will not ultimately bring Him glory, and lead to our further discipline and effectiveness in His kingdom. The Lord wants battle-hardened veterans who have experienced his strength and sufficiency and can go boldly into battle knowing that their Captain will not fail them. As a wise Drill-Instructor, he takes us through training – practice at first, then small skirmishes as we learn to wield the weapons he has given us.
Please pray fervently with us through this time that our Captain will be victorious in our lives, our relationships and our ministry, and that Satan and his minions will be defeated to the glory of God.
“…the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” James 5:16
2011 Summer Newsletter!
Click here to see what God is doing in Palawan! spring 2011 newsletter web
Crazy, but Peaceful
There is only one way to describe the past 5 months…CRAZY. I have had to remind myself to breathe.
Coming back from our short trip at Christmas to the states, we were met with a whirlwind of busyness that has yet to stop. Our co-workers were leaving the beginning of March and we were to take over the flight program on our island. Josh rode along on all flights with the other pilot and I took over more of the flight following. Josh began his checkout with our chief pilot which involves flying into all our tribal locations multiple times until Josh could safely do it on his own. Upon the departure of our co-workers, our workload became even more busy as we became responsible for the upkeep of the hangar, flight billing, scheduling, paying bills as well as doing all operational flights for the missionaries in the tribal locations. Josh completed his checkout at the end of April and our chief pilot family went back home. It has just continued to stay busy with our missionaries returning from or going on furlough, medical flights, supply flights, building houses, kids going to and from school, appointments, breaks, etc.
We are so excited to finally be functioning in the ministry God has trained us for, but we never dreamed it would be this busy. So even though it has been crazy, the Lord has given us peace because we know that this is where we are supposed to be. One of the tribes just had their first baptism service and when we are able to see what the Lord is doing, it makes all the craziness worth it.
We are so thankful for all of you and your support and prayers. Thank you for playing such a huge part in what the Lord is doing here in the Philippines. Please pray specifically for us, that we would continue to be strong and trust the Lord each day for what He has called us to here.
Bye Bye States
What? You may be thinking, “Didn’t they leave the states a long time ago?” Yes, yes we did. But my mind didn’t.
Have you ever lived somewhere physically, but your mind and heart lived somewhere else? You find yourself longing to be somewhere that you can’t and discontented with where you are. Well, that’s what I have found myself doing since living here. And the Lord just showed me that I need to say goodbye to the States. This is my home now. This is where God has me. This is where I am needed. If I am constantly thinking about what I left behind, I cannot function in the fullest capacity for the glory of God. Just like the runner Paul speaks of- how can I run and win while constantly looking over my shoulder? No, they don’t have Dr. Pepper, yummy cereals, “normal driving”, and the stores I recognize, but this is my home and if I have to do without Dr. Pepper and Wal-Mart, then I do. What’s that compared to what Christ gave up for me?
Now, I am not in any way saying that this is easy or that I have achieved it. But this is something that the Lord is working in me. I want to whole-heartedly serve the Lord right here where I am with no looking back. It’s a day-to-day battle, but you have to be aware that there is a battle to fight it. I would appreciate your prayers as my heart and mind daily say “Bye- Bye” to the States.
-Candy
8 Years…A Tribute to My Husband
8 years ago today, I walked the aisle and became Mrs. Joshua Dalton. It is amazing how fast time goes and then on the other hand, how many things that have happened in those 8 years. 2 children, 1 miscarriage, 1 false pregnancy, 12 moves, starting homeschooling, hundreds of hours of training, classes, language study, flying, and thousands of dollars, I can definitely say, without a shadow of a doubt, I got the prize. It says to give praise where it is due and I am giving praise today. My husband is the catch of all time. He loves the Lord with all his heart and seeks to be all he can be for God’s glory. He is an amazing leader for our family and sweet, loving daddy for our kids. He is the most romantic man I’ve ever known and loves me unconditionally and faithfully. He is wise and knows when to sympathize and when to tell me what I need to hear. He is a very smart and educated man and he has chosen to use these skills, not for his own profit, but to see God’s name proclaimed to the nations. He is an excellent pilot and mechanic and tackles each new challenge with strength and determination. He accomplishes an amazing amount of things everyday, hopping from building Lego castles to flying to helping with computer issues to answering emails to fixing the car. I am so thankful for him and the 8 years that God has given us together and I pray He will give us many more. Thank you, Jesus, for the godly man you gave me.
