Canada-News No 14, August 2007 Dear Friends
Madeleine While dropping these lines, I am sitting in my friend's house in Switzerland, enjoying a holiday which was planned on short notice only. Niklas turned one year on August 3 and it was hightime to get him to meet his grandparents, oncles, aunts and godparents. On July 24, I therefore travelled with him to Switzerland. Markus followed one week later, after he had successfully completed his instructor training and had received the work permits required for our further stay in Canada. This leaves us with the question of our near future. We will return to Canada on September 2. On September 3, Markus will start his job as a flight instructor at Prairie School of Mission Aviation. We are delighted that God provided that job for us. Thus, we will stay in Three Hills for at least one more year, which means that we will have another year to enjoy being together with our Canadian friends.
"You shall not murder. You shall not steal."
Ex 20:13,15
Today many regard the Ten Commandments in Ex 20 as outmoded, irrelevant, and moraly outdated. In secular books and films they provide a mystical component and are usually coupled with dark scheming, hypocrisy, and oppression. Along the lines of: "The Church claims to be moraly superior but does not stick to the laws they proclaim. Far worse, they use those very laws to further their own control and power." Before we left for Switzerland, Madeleine and I had to check what we are allowed to take in the carry-on baggage these days. No beverages in already opened bottles and no toiletries bigger than 100ml are the latest addition to the carryon embargo. All those new measures make travelling, especially with small children, a nuisance. Can we pack baby food? Can we pack medication? We realized that travelling is no fun Niklas anymore. And all of this simI am a chatterbox. This is ply because some fanatics at least what my parents think they can kill people to maintain. Well, between you further their goals. and me, at least someone Or just think how nice life needs to talk in this family! could be if everybody My parents would like to would keep the eighth move to a bigger apartcommandment. No need Coach potatoe (March 2007) ment. I think that's great to lock doors, no keys and because it means that I will finally have my own room. no loosing them, no remembering of countless PINs The summer was rather hot and stuffy in my windowless and passwords. Life would be much more enjoyable. storage room with outside temperatures of up to 38˚C. The Ten Commandments are far from irrelevant Unfortunately, my parents are also talking about and outmoded. Life could be paradise if everybody setting up a "Niklas-proof" room where they intend to put would keep them. That they were time and again their desk. Honestly, I don't like this idea too much. I can't misused by the Church is not really the problem of the really see a reason for doing such a thing. After all I am commandments – but of the people. doing everything like they do: At first, I move as naturally and inconspicuously as possible closer to the desk. Next, Markus I pull out one drawer after the other and as soon as I find We are glad I was hired on by Praire Bible Institute. something interessting, I take it. This can be scissors, Apart from being spared to move again, we can remain sticky tape or daddy's English words. They are written on in an already familiar surrounding. However, the work tiny little scraps and stored in a mini plastic container. contract is for a limited time only. It is still our goal to be When I open that small container, I can let it snow! accepted with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) as soon It's a bit odd that my parents always shake their as possible. Accordingly, the contract is limited to one heads when I move closer to their desk. I, therefore, year, with a likely extension of a second one. Thus, we decided to do the same: Just before I grab at the first are not tempted to settle permanently in Three Hills. drawer, I put on my most charming smile, look about Since I am hired part time only, I will be paid basic and shake my head. After that, however, I don't see nor wages. Therefore, we are still dependent on financial hear anything. Instead, I concentrate on the task at support. Because of this, we regard the job with Prairie hand. Unfortunately, my parents always interrupt my School of Mission Aviation as part of our ministry already. work. I, therefore, decided, broken-hearted, to present I will write about my duties at Prairie in the next my daddy with my little yellow rubber duck. Thus, he has newsletter. something to play with and doesn't need to always be interfering. In June I finished the mountain flying. Since these flights heavily depend on the weather it took quite a while to do so. Strong winds, thunderstorms, and the Our current address: Madeleine & Markus Bischoff PO Box 4910 Three Hills, AB T0M 2N0, Canada
Financial Support: Please contact us for account details
Swiss contact: Karin & Daniel Wolf Bantigerweg 8 CH-3033 Jegenstorf Switzerland
No 14, August 2007 summer heat produce up- and down-drafts that can be dangerous while flying along mountain sides. Since these turbulences get stronger as the day progresses we started our flights early in the morning. It was our goal to take-off at daybreak and to be back before 10am. However, what seemed to be easy in planning was hard to carry out. Sunrise was at 5am, meaning we had to be at the airport at 4am to prepare the airplane. This, in
Page 2 already flying as close as possible, the flight instructor usually remarks that there is still plenty of space to go closer. So one goes as close as one dares, while the
Cruise Nite in Three Hills (June 2007)
Rocky Mountains around Banff National Park (June 2007)
turn, made it necessary to get up at 3am. However, this was highly rewarded in the end: I never flew in a more peaceful environment and smooth air. It was just beautiful. The rising sun in our back helped to underline colors and contrast in a way that let me awe struck. A special challenge was flying through narrow valleys. They should be only entered if the plane can turn within half the width of the vally. This is important in case one meets a dead end or runs out of altitude. It's rather difficult to just pull over when things get tight. To ensure there is enough space to turn, the plane should be flown close to one side of the valley. While I am
instructor keeps saying "closer." In the end it feels like the wing tip is going to touch the rock at any moment. For an example have a look at our web site (www3.telus.net/bischoffs/MovieMountain.html) where you will find a short film. At the beginning of June Three Hills once again hosted the legendary Cruise Nite. From all over Alberta car freaks presented their old, tuned, and modified fourwheelers. Towards the evening they lined up for showing off their motors by cruising up and down main street. If you are a car freak this might be fun – we,however, liked it mainly because there was something happening in town at last. With love Madeleine & Markus
